Effect of ethanol seed extract of Buccholzia coriacea (wonderful kola) on the lipid profile of albino rats

This study investigates the effect of ethanol extract of Buccholzia coriacea seeds on the serum lipid profile of albino rats within a period of two weeks of treatments. Twelve (12) Wistar albino rats weighing between 85 to 130 g purchased and randomly divided into three groups were used for this study. The control group received normal saline while the two other groups received graded doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively. Measurement of the serum lipid profile in rats administered with extract indicated a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the mean values of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol but there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels of the rats administered with the same extract. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the total cholesterol concentration and triacylglycerol concentrations of rats administered with the same extract compared to the control. This study suggests that ethanol extract of B. coriacea seeds have active ingredients that are capable of improving the lipid profile and thus, might be useful in the management of cardiovascular diseases caused by hyperlipidemia.Keywords: Buccholzia coriacea, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, total cholesterolAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(32), pp. 5075-507

Acute toxicity, lipid peroxidation and ameliorative properties of Alstonia boonei ethanol leaf extract on the kidney markers of alloxan induced diabetic rats

The lethal toxicity and lipid peroxidation studies of Alstonia boonei on alloxan induced diabetic rats were analysed. The effect of ethanol leaf extract of A. boonei on the kidney markers of diabetic rat was also determined. The acute toxicity of the ethanol extract of A. boonei was found to be more than 5000 mg/kg body weight of the extract after 24 h of constant observation. The malondialdehyde concentration of the rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weights of the extract significantly decreased (p < 0.05) when compared with the untreated diabetic rats. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) when malondialdehyde  concentrations of rat treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weights of the extracts were compared with the standard control. But the creatinine concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when 200 and 400 mg/kg body weights of the extract of the treated diabetic animals were compared with the diabetic control.Keywords: Alstonia boonei, diabetic rats, malondialdehyde, creatinine and ureaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(5), pp. 678-682, 29 January, 201

Effects of bonny light crude oil on anti-oxidative enzymes and total proteins in Wistar rats

Crude oil (CO) is a substance trado-medically used within some rural population as an antidote to poisoning and a cure for various gastro-intestinal disturbances among others. The ingestion of crude oil either orally or through polluted marine species represents a pathway for the delivery of potential toxicants to the human system. The study, therefore, analysed the effects of bonny light crude oil on the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST)] and the concentration of total proteins (TP). The results show that SOD activity was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the control rats (0.97±0.01) compared to the rats administered 6 ml of crude oil/kg body weight (b.w) (1.31 ± 0.17), and 9 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (1.27 ± 0.03). There was however, no significant difference (p>0.05) between the SOD activity of the rats treated with 3 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (1.25 ± 0.27) and that of the control rats. CAT specific activity in the rats of the control group (5.5 ± 3.2x10-3) was lower than that of the rats administered 3 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (6.2±3.4 x 10-3), 6 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (7.5±4.8 x 10-3) and 9 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (12.5 ± 8.3 x 10-3); although the mean differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). GST specific activity was higher in the rats of the crude oil-untreated group (88.6 ± 136.3 x 10-3) compared to the rats of the group treated with 3 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (82.7 ± 32.3 x 10-3), 6 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (26.0 ± 19.5 x 10-3) and 9 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (25.4 ± 21.2 x 10-3). Nevertheless, the mean differences were still not statistically significant (p>0.05). Total proteins concentration was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the rats given 9 ml of crude oil/kg b.w (0.33±0.08) compared to that of the control rats (0.05±0.02). In connection with the above results, the crude oil at high dose was found to have oxidative stress-inducing potential and hence, warrants that its use be discouraged or replaced with other less or non-toxic agents with similar therapeutic values as it.Key words: Crude oil, trado-medically, bonny light, anti-oxidative enzymes and total proteins

Concentrations of iodine and some environmental goitrogens in two selected water bodies - Adada and Akoru in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

This study was designed to investigate the distribution of iodine and goitrogens in two selected rivers: Adada and Akoru in Enugu Sate, Nigeria. Iodine concentrations were found to be 0.109±0.001 and 0.108±0.001 ppm, respectively in both water bodies. The evaluated environmental goitrogens were as follows in Adada and Akoru Rivers: Calcium 109.333±16.0 and 74.667±7.67 ppm; sulphate 33.400±7.40 and 65.000±2.60 ppm; chloride 183.000±13.20 and 257.7±14.30 ppm; potassium 0.733±0.02 and 0.733±0.02 ppm; nitrate 6.000±1.00 and 6.000±1.00 ppm; copper 3.455±0.46 and 2.792±1.35 ppm; phosphate 3.067±1.30 and 0.267±0.07 ppm; manganese 0.692±0.20 and 0.513±0.08 ppm; iron 0.476±0.05 and 0.181±0.01 ppm; magnesium 0.085±0.02 and 0.085±0.02 ppm, respectively. High values of these goitrogens in both rivers could be attributed to the high salt level of the two water bodies. Considering the iodine and goitrogen ratio in both Adada and Akoru rivers, the two water bodies would be a good source of iodine for the population and fresh water bodies that are dependent on them.Keywords: Adada River, Akoru River, iodine, goitrogens, hardness, acidity, pH.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(44) 4215-421

Phytochemical Analysis of Two Wild Edible Mushrooms, Auricularia Polytricha And Pleurotus Ostreatus, Common in Ohaukwu Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The concentrations of phytochemicals in two edible mushroom varieties (Auricularia polytricha and Pleurotus ostreatus) from Ohaukwu area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, were determined using standard methods. The result revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, oxalates, phytates, HCN and phenols in appreciable amounts. Significant variations in composition of the phytochemicals were observed between the mushrooms (P < 0.05). The obtained values of the phytochemicals were significantly lower in both mushroom varieties compared to their toxic levels according to World Health Organization's stipulated safe limits. Thus, the study suggests that both mushrooms varieties are very safe for consumption, while the significant presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and phenols indicate medicinal properties

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The concentrations of some phytochemicals in three species of edible mushrooms (Coral mushroom, Agaricus bisporus and Lentinus sajor) that are common in Ohaukwu area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria were determined using standard methods. The results revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, oxalates, phytates, HCN and phenols in significant amounts with tannins being the highest, followed by flavonoids and phenols, while HCN was the least in concentration. There was a significant variation among the mushrooms in their composition of the phytochemicals (p<0.05). The obtained values of the phytochemicals in all the mushrooms were interestingly found to be significantly lower (p<0.05) than their toxicity levels according to World Health Organization (WHO) safe limits. The results of this study suggest that these mushrooms may be very safe for consumption in terms of phytochemical toxicity and at the same time have some medicinal properties