Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract on carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage

The effect of aqueous ethanol (1:1) extract of the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage was investigated. Oral administration of the extract following a single CCl4 dose promoted the healing of oxidative liver damage as determined by serum aminotransferases, ALT, AST, levels and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels. It appeared from the study that the extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa enhances the recovery from hepatic damage induced by CCl4.Key words: Carbon tetrachloride, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Liver damage

Studies on the chemical composition and physicochemical properties of the seeds of baobab ( Adasonia digitata)

The seeds of baobab used in preparation of local condiments was analysed to establish the proximate composition and the physico-chemical characteristics of the oil and effect of storage on the oil. Results obtained showed that the saponification value (SV), iodine value (IV), peroxide value (PV), acid value (AV), percentage free fatty acid (%FFA) and refractive index of the oil are 196 ± 0.05 mg/KOH, 87 ± 0.02 g/100 g, 4.5 ± 0.06 mEq/kg, 0.33 ± 0.03 mgKOH/g, 0.45 ± 0.08 and 1.459 ± 0.13, respectively. Proximate analysis showed that protein (21.75 ± 0.12 g/100 g), ash (5.01 ± 0.07 g/100 g) and fiber (6.71 ± 0.003 g/100 g) were comparable to Prosopsis africana seeds (20.54 ± 0.18, 6.67 ± 0.08 and 5.51 g/100g), which is used for the same purpose. The crude lipid content (12.72 ± 0.01 g/100 g) was almost equal to that of P. africana seeds (12.74 g/100 g). The major mineral elements present in the seeds included phosphorus,calcium and potassium (6.00 ± 0.02, 58.90 ± 2.34 and 280.00 ± 1.34 mg/100 g, respectively), thereby suggesting that the baobab seeds could contribute partially to the overall daily intake of theseelements. The vitamins (A and C) found present in baobab seeds are higher than that of P. africana seeds. The antinutritional factors including oxalate, phytate, saponin and tannin (10.31 ± 1.00, 2.00 ±0.31, 7.16 ± 0.01, 2.84 ± 0.30%, respectively) are also comparable to that of P. Africana. The storage property of the oil from baobab seeds studied over a period of four weeks under conditions of light(ambient), darkness (ambient), and refrigeration showed that the iodine value of the oil decreased in all cases but much more so on exposure to light. In contrast, the peroxide value of the oil showed verylittle change under conditions of darkness and refrigeration over the same period, thus indicating that the oil can withstand storage

Levels of antinutritional factors in some wild edible fruits of Northern Nigeria

Sixteen wild fruits commonly consumed in northern Nigeria were assessed chemically for the presence of oxalate, phytate, saponin, and tannin. The highest level of oxalate was found in Zizyphus spinachristi,Zizyphus mauritiana and Balanite aegyptiaca (16.20±2.12%, 15.50±1.50% and 14.50±2.08%, respectively). Phytate was highest in Sclerocarya birrea (3.56±0.54%) and Haematostaphis barteri(3.30±0.10%). B. aegyptiaca, Detarium microcarpum and Parkia biglobosa had the highest saponin values of 16.01±0.02, 12.10±0.05 and 12.23±0.46% respectively. While tannin was highest in B.aegyptiaca (7.40±0.14%), closely followed by Hyphaena thebaica (6.39±0.5%) and Borassus aethiopum (5.90±0.13%). Though these antinutrients can interfere with nutrients utilization when in highconcentration, the values obtained for the fruits analysed were not up to the toxic levels of the antinutrients. Fruits such as Vittaleria paradoxum, Adansonia digitata, Diospyros mespiliformis Phoenixdactylifera and young shoot of Bor. aethiopum are highly recommended for consumption as they contain low amount of the antinutrients analysed

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Analysis of Heavy metals in water at Daura Gypsum Mining Site, Yobe State, Nigeria

This study was designed to detect heavy metals level in water collected from Daura gypsum mining site, Yobe State, Nigeria. Samples were collected and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The level of Pb, Ni, Cd, As, Cu and Zn, were assessed. Also the conductivity of the water samples detected using Conductivity meter. The result shows significant level of As at 0.0382 mg/l, Cd at 0.06-0.18 mg/l and 0.9852 mg/l for Ni which exceeded the WHO limit (0.01 mg/l). Cu, Zn, and Pb were detected at 0.95mg/l, 1.77 mg/l and 0.244 mg/l respectively. Cu, Pb, and Zn were found below the WHO, USEPA limits. This may bring kidney related risk to the people over a long period of time, Therefore , incorporation of ion exchange, reverse osmosis or adsorption in water sources will help reduce the heavy metals burden of the public in the area

Influence of leakage current density on the stability of Sb2O3 doped ZnO-V2O5-Bi2O3-MnO2 based varistor ceramics during the DC and thermal stress

This study investigated the influence of DC-thermal stress on the stability of Sb2O3 doped ZnO–V2O5–Bi2O3–MnO2 based varistor ceramics from 0 to 1 mol%. The materials were processed using a conventional solid-state technique. The samples were characterized using XRD, SEM, and EDX techniques. The use of XRD and EDX analyses related to those cited in the literature confirmed the presence of Zn7Sb2O12, MnVO4, BiVO4, and Zn3(VO4)2 polymorphs as the secondary phase including ZnO hexagonal wurtzite structure and MnO2 as a primary phase. The EDX analyses reveal the presence of the Zn7Sb2O12 spinel phase located at the triple point junctions, nodal point, and embedded in ZnO bulk grains. Henceforth, the results showed that Sb2O3 dopingcan improve the stability of the varistor ceramics, particularly in the phase formation of Zn7Sb2O12. This contributed to good stability of Sb2O3 doped ZVBM varistor ceramics in terms of degradation rate coefficient of 2.02x10-7 mA h1/2 which was accompanied by low leakage current density around -67%, largest barrier height of 1.54%, breakdown field of 69.83% and ? around 72.94%

Phytochemical screening and antiulcerogenic effect of Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract

The effect of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf was studied on experimentally induced gastric ulceration in rats. Pretreatment with extract 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg bw reduced the characteristic lesions induced by indomethacin compared to untreated control group in a dose dependent manner. The effects observed could be due to the action of one or more of the phytochemicals present in the leaf extract.Keywords: Moringa oleifera, peptic ulcer, phytochemicals African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 3(3) 2006: 70-7

Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract on carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage

The effect of aqueous ethanol (1:1) extract of the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage was investigated. Oral administration of the extract following a single CCl4 dose promoted the healing of oxidative liver damage as determined by serum aminotransferases, ALT, AST, levels and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels. It appeared from the study that the extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa enhances the recovery from hepatic damage induced by CCl4

Studies on the chemical composition and physico-chemical properties of the seeds of baobab (Adasonia digitata

The seeds of baobab used in preparation of local condiments was analysed to establish the proximate composition and the physico-chemical characteristics of the oil and effect of storage on the oil. Results obtained showed that the saponification value (SV), iodine value (IV), peroxide value (PV), acid value (AV), percentage free fatty acid (%FFA) and refractive index of the oil are 196 ± ± ± ± 0.05 mg/KOH, 87 ± ± ± ± 0.02 g/100 g, 4.5 ± ± ± ± 0.06 mEq/kg, 0.33 ± ± ± ± 0.03 mgKOH/g, 0.45 ± ± ± ± 0.08 and 1.459 ± ± ± ± 0.13, respectively. Proximate analysis showed that protein (21.75 ± ± ± ± 0.12 g/100 g), ash (5.01 ± ± ± ± 0.07 g/100 g) and fiber (6.71 ± ± ± ± 0.003 g/100 g) were comparable to Prosopsis africana seeds (20.54 ± ± ± ± 0.18, 6.67 ± ± ± ± 0.08 and 5.51 g/100g), which is used for the same purpose. The crude lipid content (12.72 ± ± ± ± 0.01 g/100 g) was almost equal to that of P. africana seeds (12.74 g/100 g). The major mineral elements present in the seeds included phosphorus, calcium and potassium (6.00 ± ± ± ± 0.02, 58.90 ± ± ± ± 2.34 and 280.00 ± ± ± ± 1.34 mg/100 g, respectively), thereby suggesting that the baobab seeds could contribute partially to the overall daily intake of these elements. The vitamins (A and C) found present in baobab seeds are higher than that of P. africana seeds. The antinutritional factors including oxalate, phytate, saponin and tannin (10.31 ± ± ± ± 1.00, 2.00 ± ± ± ± 0.31, 7.16 ± ± ± ± 0.01, 2.84 ± ± ± ± 0.30%, respectively) are also comparable to that of P. Africana. The storage property of the oil from baobab seeds studied over a period of four weeks under conditions of light (ambient), darkness (ambient), and refrigeration showed that the iodine value of the oil decreased in all cases but much more so on exposure to light. In contrast, the peroxide value of the oil showed very little change under conditions of darkness and refrigeration over the same period, thus indicating that the oil can withstand storage