EFFECTS OF CINNAMON AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL, LIVER BIOMARKER ENZYMES, HEMATOLOGICAL AND LIPID PROFILE PARAMETERS IN ALLOXAN- INDUCED DIABETIC MALE ALBINO RATS.

Cinnamon extract are widely used in Middle East and Asian countries as herbal medication for diabetes. The study evaluates the effects of Cinnamon aqueous extract on blood glucose level, liver biomarker enzymes, hematological and lipid profile parameters in alloxan- induced diabetic male albino rats (Wistar strain). Adult male albino rats weighing between 170-220g were induced intraperitoneally with alloxan. The male albino rats were grouped into five groups of six animals per group. Group A is the normal control group, Group B served as the negative control, Group C served as positive control and was treated with glibenclamide, Group D and E were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of cinnamon aqueous extract respectively. The extracts were given to the animals orally for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, the albino rats from each experimental group were starved for 16 hours and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The weight of diabetic untreated rats (Group B) were significantly (P<0.005) reduced when compared to other groups. The animals treated with glibenclamide, 100 and 200mg/Kg body weight of cinnamon extract showed significant decrease (P<0.05) of blood sugar level compared to the untreated rats (group B). This suggests that the plant extract possesses anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic effect. The extracts significantly increased RBC, HGB and HCT; and the WBC was significantly reduced in the treated groups compared to the untreated group. There were significant decrease (P<0.05) in plasma TC, TG, LDC-Cholesterol and an increase in HDLCholesterol values was observed in the treated groups compared to the untreated group. This is an indication that the extract had hypolipidemic effect and can be used in the treatment of diabetes. The extract significantly increased (P<0.05) plasma total protein level in the treated groups. The extract significantly reduced (P<0.005) liver biomarker enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP), an indication that it does not have effect on the liver

Assessment of compliance level to nutrient requirements of codex alimentarius standard by manufacturers of commercially available infant formula in Nigeria

Background: Composition of infant formula should promote normal growth and development of the infants. Their adequacy should be determined for physiological, biochemical and functional outcomes. Objective: The study investigated the nutrient adequacy of three brands of infant formula available in a Nigerian market with codex alimentarius standards and label claims.Methods: Three brands of infant formula coded Brands 1, 2 and 3 were purchased from Bodija market, Ibadan, Oyo state; Nigeria. The samples were analysed for proximate, some minerals and vitamins composition using standard procedures of AOAC. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS-version 16.0) were used to analyse the data. Data are presented as means and standard deviations. Analysis of variance was used to establish any significant difference between the mean values, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The moisture content of the infant formula was high. Brand 1 had the highest moisture content while Brand 2 had the least. Brand 2 contained the highest protein, fat, carbohydrate and ash content while Brand 3 had the least. Brand 2 had the highest mineral composition, while Brand 1 had the least. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and D contents of the three infant formula are in the order Brand2 >Brand3 >Brand 1. The gross energy content of the three infant formulas ranged from 504 to 511kcal/100g. Brand 2 provided the highest energy.Conclusion: The analysed energy and nutrient contents of the formula were not in agreement with their claimed nutrient composition and the codex alimentarius standards. Keywords: Infant formula, codex alimentarius standards and nutrient label compliance

Antimicrobial effects of Jatropha curcas sap and leaf extracts on Bacillus subtilis

Extracts of fresh, dry leaves and sap ofJatropha curcas  were  screened for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal properties. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of each of fresh, dry leaves and sap were screened using 3 gram negative, 3 gram positive bacteria and a fungus, which are all clinical strains of human pathogenic microorganism. Cotrimoxazole was used as a standard reference drug while methanol was used as a negative control. The extracts exhibited various degrees of activity in both bioassays at concentrations of 10, 20, 40 and 80mg/ml, respectively. Mean diameters of zones of inhibition for the five extracts and drug ranged from 14.2mm to 32.2mm while the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) ranged from 0.004mg/ml to 1.00 mg/ml. This study showed that extracts of Jatropha curcas  have potential for use in antibacterial and antifungal preparations for a wide range of infection

Residual effects of animal manures on physical and chemical characteristics of silage produced from Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) in Abeokuta south-west, Nigeria

This experiment was conducted to investigate effects of animal manures on chemical composition of silage produced from Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) two - years post application. The plots were established in June 2010 during this period, animal manures from cattle dung, swine waste, poultry droppings and small ruminant waste had been applied. In late July 2011, (i.e. after 8 weeks of re-growth) the forage materials were harvested at 25 cm above ground level from the plots where Panicum maximum (Ntchisi)[ P. maximum N ]fertilized with different animal manures were grown to produce silage. The silages were opened after 45 and 90 days of ensiling and sub samples were taken for determination of physical and chemical characteristics. The experiment consists of two factors namely; four manure types and control (i.e. without manure) and two lengths of ensiling (45 and 90 days).It was 5 x 2 factorial arrangements with 3 replicates. It was observed that all the parameters of physical characteristics of silage were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced except moisture content. Also, proximate and fibre compositions parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) different. The animal manures applied had positive effect on mouldiness of silage and, this was more pronounced in cattle manure at 90 days of ensiling. The silage produced from poultry–manure fertilized grass had desirable crude protein value, but at 90 days of ensiling, the best performance was observed with a considerable low ADF value. To ensure all yearround production of ruminants through adequate feeding with silage, Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) fertilized with poultry manure ensiled for 90 days is therefore recommended for the farmers.Key words: residual; organic manure; silage; Panicum maximum (Ntchisi

Global, regional, and national incidence of six major immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019Research in context

Summary: Background: The causes for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are diverse and the incidence trends of IMIDs from specific causes are rarely studied. The study aims to investigate the pattern and trend of IMIDs from 1990 to 2019. Methods: We collected detailed information on six major causes of IMIDs, including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis, between 1990 and 2019, derived from the Global Burden of Disease study in 2019. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in number of incidents and age standardized incidence rate (ASR) on IMIDs, by sex, age, region, and causes, were calculated to quantify the temporal trends. Findings: In 2019, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease accounted 1.59%, 36.17%, 54.71%, 0.09%, 6.84%, 0.60% of overall new IMIDs cases, respectively. The ASR of IMIDs showed substantial regional and global variation with the highest in High SDI region, High-income North America, and United States of America. Throughout human lifespan, the age distribution of incident cases from six IMIDs was quite different. Globally, incident cases of IMIDs increased with an AAPC of 0.68 and the ASR decreased with an AAPC of −0.34 from 1990 to 2019. The incident cases increased across six IMIDs, the ASR of rheumatoid arthritis increased (0.21, 95% CI 0.18, 0.25), while the ASR of asthma (AAPC = −0.41), inflammatory bowel disease (AAPC = −0.72), multiple sclerosis (AAPC = −0.26), psoriasis (AAPC = −0.77), and atopic dermatitis (AAPC = −0.15) decreased. The ASR of overall and six individual IMID increased with SDI at regional and global level. Countries with higher ASR in 1990 experienced a more rapid decrease in ASR. Interpretation: The incidence patterns of IMIDs varied considerably across the world. Innovative prevention and integrative management strategy are urgently needed to mitigate the increasing ASR of rheumatoid arthritis and upsurging new cases of other five IMIDs, respectively. Funding: The Global Burden of Disease Study is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project funded by Scientific Research Fund of Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital (2022QN38)