Evaluation of antiulcer activity of aqueous ethanol extract of Thesium viride on ethanol and aspirin induced models in rats

Thesiumviride Hill (Santalaceae) is a sub-shrub hemiparasite that grows up to 45cm tall and widely distributed in Europe, Asia and Africa. It is used in treatment of ulcer and jaundice. Phytochemical screening was carried out on the aqueous ethanol extract of the whole plant by using standard phytochemical methods. Acute oral toxicity test was carried out and antiulcer activity was conducted using absolute ethanol and aspirin as the ulcerogenic agents on rats where the ulcer index was the parameter and percentage preventive index was determined. The aqueous ethanol extract of the plant was found to contain flavonoids,  anthraquinones, glycosidesand alkaloids. Acute toxicity test showed an oral LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg. In ethanol model, aqueous ethanol extract at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg exhibited significant (P<0.0001) protection against ulcer with mean ulcer indices of 4.40 ± 0.60 and 1.80 ± 0.37 respectively as compared with negative (12.80 ± 0.97) and positive (4.00 ± 0.71)control mean ulcer indices. In aspirin model, aqueous ethanol extract at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg demonstrated  significant (P<0.05) protection against ulcer with mean ulcer indices of 3.20 ± 0.80 and 2.60 ± 0.24 respectively ascompared with negative (5.60 ± 0.97) and positive (1.00 ± 0.44) controlmean ulcer indices. The higher dose of the extract demonstrated greater protective ability with percentage preventive index 85.94% in ethanol induced model and 53.57% in aspirin induced model. The aqueous ethanol extract of the plant was found to be non-toxic and contains some phytochemicals that could be responsible for its antiulcer activity.Keywords: Thesiumviride, Phytochemical, LD50, Ulcer index, Aqueous ethanol extrac

Prevalence of Intestinal Helminth Infections among School Children in Relation to Occupation of Parents and Toilets Facilities in Maru L. G. A. Zamfara State.

The Study was conducted to study the prevalence of soil transmitted helminth parasites among school age children in Maru L. G. A. Zamfara State. A total 600 hundred school children between the ages of 4- 14 years were examined for Intestinal helminth infections using formol ether concentration technique. A total of 152 (25.33%) were found to be infected with various species of intestinal helminth parasites. The study showed five common intestinal worms in the area. Ascaris lumbricoides has the highest prevalence of 32.23% followed by Enterobius vermicularis (21.05%), Trichuiris trichuira (20.39%), Hook worm (13.81%) and Taenia spp (12.50%). Mixed Infections (29.60%) with some species of parasites were also encountered. The studies shows a significant difference between infection and the occupation of parents (P < 0.05). The study also showed that there was a significant relationship between infection and the  type of toilet facilities used (P < 0.05). Data suggested that soil transmitted helminths are important public health problems hence actions is imperative against deficiencies in sanitary facilities, improper disposal of human faeces, insufficient supplies of potable water, poor personal hygiene and health education

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (helminth) found in the feces of some selected domestic birds, chickens (Gallus gallus) and pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

Domestic birds have significant contributory role in national economy and social world. In Kano, especially in rural areas farmers and agriculturists still depend economically on these animals. The study was conducted to find out various gastrointestinal parasites and their prevalence in domestic birds using Specimens processed through Sedimentation and Floatation method.The result shows that there is high rate of infection in pigeons. On the other hand a low rate of infection was observed in chickens. The helminthes found in the domestic birds were of five species: S. intercalatum, Paragonimus sp, H. nana, Taenia spp and S. stercoralis larva. This study indicated that there was a significant difference in the prevalence of helminths between pigeons and chickens. It indicated that pigeons are most affected among districts

EFFECTS OF NaOH MODIFICATION ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BAOBAB POD FIBER REINFORCED LDPE COMPOSITES

In order to improve properties of natural fibers as reinforcement, different treatment methods have being adopted by researchers. However, the use of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for the treatment of baobab pod fiber as reinforcement in low density polyethylene is sparsely reported. Therefore, this study, investigated the effect of 2 wt%, 4 wt% 6 wt%, 8 wt% and 10 wt%  concentration of NaOH on baobab pod fibers as reinforcement for low density polyethylene (LDPE). Two roll mill machine and hydraulic press at a pressure of 10 kN and temperature of 120oC aided the production of the composite. FT-IR was used to analyze the functional groups of the treated and un-treated fibers. The result showed the disappearance of the peak 1550 cm-1 corresponding to lignin after modification. Further, the composites were characterized for the following tensile strength (TS), modulus of elasticity (MOE), elongation at break, impact strength and water absorption. Preliminary studies on the effect of loading of the unmodified baobab fiber in the LDPE matrix showed desirable properties at 10 wt%, where fiber content was in the range of 5 wt% to 30 wt% at interval of 5 wt%. The composite produced from the 8 wt% NaOH modified fiber had the highest tensile strength, MOE, elongation at break. At this modification level, the tensile strength, MOE and elongation at break were about 75.48%, 92.18% and 28% respectively higher than the composite produced from unmodified fiber. Composite produced with 10 wt% NaOH modified fiber exhibited least water absorption of 1.80%, which was 50% lower than unmodified. These showed that the modification of the fiber improved the composite properties. These properties compared favorably with some reported properties for natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i1.1

Sustainability Practices and Supply Chain Resilience in the Development of a Circular Economy: A Study of Nigeria

Sustainable Supply Chain Management has become an essential portion of business strategy for almost all sectors. However, not so much is understood about the wider effects of sustainability practices on the ability of the SC to endure disruptions. The aim of this study was therefore to scrutinize the effect of sustainability practices on supply chain resilience in the development of a circular economy in Nigeria. This study was steered within the horizon of qualitative method with a philosophical research paradigm of constructivism. The study used twenty-one (21) Consumer Goods Firm in Nigeria as population and sample. Primary data was explored using key informant interview. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected. The study reveals that sustainability practices contribute to supply chain resilience in the development of a circular economy. The research concluded that, cradle to cradle practice, environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and social sustainability play a major role in ensuring resiliency of consumer goods firms’ supply chains especially in developing a circular economy. The outcome of this research is expected to lead to the development of a circular economy in Nigeria. The study will be of significance to Nigerian government, consumer goods companies, practitioners, regulatory bodies, and researchers

Properties Evaluation of Natural Weathered Polyester/Nano-Locust Bean Pods Ash (LBPA) Composite

Nano-Locust bean Pod Ash (LBPA) reinforced polyester matrix composite was developed via Sol-gel techniques to investigate the mechanical and physical properties of the composite after weathering. The mechanical and physical test samples were prepared according to ASTM standard. The composite were subjected to weathering tests to study the effect of natural weather and its degradation on the properties of the composites. The moisture absorption of the composite after 24 hours as well as the weight loss of the test samples after degradation was evaluated. Percentage water absorption of the composite increased with increase in percentage reinforcement composition. The percentage weight losses also increase as the percent reinforcement in the composite increases. Weight loss of the test samples after 30 days shows the highest weight loss values. Approximately 54%, 11%, 86%, and 43% drop in values after 90days exposure was recorded for impact, tensile, flexural and hardness test values respectively. The reduction in modulus values recorded for tensile and flexural was approximately 51% and 8%. Keywords: Nanosized LBPA; polyester composite; Natural weathering; Properties  

Hepatoprotective Effect of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Andrographis paniculata Nees Against Carbon Tetrachloride – Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Hepatoprotective effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata was investigated against CCl4 – induced hepatic injury in rats. Significant (P<0.05) increase of serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBL), direct bilirubin (DBL), total cholesterol (CHL),  triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in CCl4 intoxicated rats were restored to normal levels when treated with the extract and CCl4. Significant (P<0.05) decrease of serum levels of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in CCl4 intoxicated rats were restored to normal levels when treated with the extract and CCl4. The LD50 of the leaf extract was greater than 3000 mg/kg. The study demonstrated that A. paniculata possesses significant hepatoprotective effects and may be the source of lead compound in the management of liver diseases.Key words: Hepatoprotective, Andrographis paniculata, Carbon Tetrachloride, Liver Disease

Markers of Diabetic Nephropathy in Diabetic Patients in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria

Diabetic nephropathy is the kidney disease that occurs as a result of diabetes. Cardiovascular and renal complications share common risk factors such as blood pressure, blood lipids, and glycemic control. The markers of diabetics nephropathy in diabetic patients, serum glucose, creatinine clearance, urinary albumin and blood pressure in 40 diabetic (9 type I and 31 type II diabetics) patients attending Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, were determined. Sixteen (16) age- matched volunteers served as control. In type I diabetes mellitus; serum glucose level, creatinine clearance, and microalbuminuria were significantly different (P< 0.05) between the subjects and control. In type II diabetes mellitus, serum glucose level, systolic pressure and age were significantly different (P< 0.05) between the subjects and control. Therefore, serum glucose level, creatinine Clearance and microalbuminuria could be the markers of nephropathy in type I diabetics while serum glucose level, systolic pressure and higher age could be for type II diabetics. Other markers of risk for diabetic nephropathy are needed for optimal clinical management. The implication of this result for improving the quality of life of diabetics is discussed

Bioassay guided isolation of active phytochemicals from hyphaenethebaica (L) mart fruit pulp methanol extract responsible for hypoglycaemic activity

Active phytochemical responsible for hypoglycaemicactivily from Hyphaenethebaica (L) Mart were separated using Bioassay guided fractionation. Methodology: Five hundred grams (500g) methanolic fruit extract of H. thebaicawas suspended in water, filtered and sequentially partitioned with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The n-butanol fraction was subjected to column chromatography, sub-fraction A, B, C, D, E, F and G were obtained. Further separation using preparative TLC of fraction C afforded sub-fraction C, C, and 1 2 C. Finally, C gaveRF value. Diabetes was induced to albino rats of both sexes by intra muscular 3 1 injection of 120mg/kg Alloxan monohydrate. The diabetic rats were grouped according to the number of fractions and sub-fractions with 3 rats each. Each fraction was tested for hypoglycaemic activity. The one with highest activity was used for next study and phytochemical constituents analysed. Results: The phytochemical screening of70% methanol extract of Hyphaenethebaicafruit pulp were reported to contain saponins, tannins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides with the exception of alkaloid, combined anthraquinone, free anthraquinone and soluble starch. The n-butanol portion showed hypoglycaemic activity (66.37±1.03% reduction) compared to other fractions at 400mg/kg. The n-butanol portion similarly contained phytochemicals found in crude extract except forsaponins which is absent. The column fraction C of the n-butanol portion has maximum reduction (45.33± 2.80%) of fasting blood glucose of diabetic rats at a lower dose of 200 mg/kg. Sub-fraction C has more hypoglycaemic activity of 1 60.50%while phytochemical evaluation showed the presence of flavonoids. Conclusion: Flavonoids may be responsible for the observed hypoglyceamic effect of H. thebaicsfruit pulp

In Silico Site-Directed Mutagenesis of some Amino Acids in the C-Terminal Domain of Glutathione s-transferase from Acidovoras sp. KKS102

A cytosolic glutathione s-tranferase from Acidovorax sp. KKS102, a biphenyl/polychlorobiphenyl degrading organism is recently known to have a dehalogenation function on various organochlorine substrates. However, little is known about the specific amino acids involved in its structural stability and catalytic process. The in silico site-directed mutagenesis of a highly conserved region, Ala154, Asp155 and Tyr157 in the C-terminal domain of the cytosolic glutathione s-transferase from Acidovorax sp. was carried out using Deep View/Swiss-Pdb Viewer molecular graphics program for all the proteinogenic amino acids. The amino acid substitutions in this region directly affected the theoretical 3D model of the transferase protein entity through alteration of the predicted stabilization forces which may in turn affect the structural stability and perhaps the activity of the enzyme