Impact of Globalization on the Traditional African Cultures

There has been increasing concern over the years by the scholars and writers on how the world is being compressed into a single space now referred to as 'a global village'. Countries at various stages of development are increasingly forced to take account of an ever expanding interconnection of socio-cultural issues and economies in the management of their national affairs. The states are increasingly losing their capacity to govern and to regulate in an increasingly borderless world; with an increasing homogenization and domination of traditional African cultures. African societies are forced into accepting uniform moral principle of what is right and wrong within the global cultures. Scholars and writers often focus attention on economic aspect of globalization, while neglecting other aspects, more importantly its cultural aspect. This paper seeks to examine what exactly is globalization, and how can we best conceptualize this phenomenon? Lastly what are its impacts on the development of African cultural norms and values? These amongst others are the questions, which this paper seeks to examine using cultural convergence perspective as a guide

Eksperimental Variasi Kecepatan Putar Screw Feeding dengan Kecepatan Putar PIsau Pengupas terhadap Kualitas Hasil Pengupasan pada Mesin Pengupas Kulit Pinang

The processing of areca nut at the present time is still done manually and requires a long working time. To facilitate the skinner process and optimize the results that required a technology of machine which paring the areca nut skin. The Skinner machine of areca nut at this point still has deficiency. For resolving the problems that exist on the areca nut skinner machine which has type of screw then troubleshoot by varying the rotational speed of the screw feeding toward skinner tool of areca nut. After tested with variations of the rotational speed of the screw feeding to ward skinner tool of areca nut, then obtained the optimal results as much as 6 pieces and other 4 pieces of areca nut already broken on screw feeding speed at 37 rpm and 800 rpm on a skinner tool. The time that required to perform the paring process on this rotational speed is 21.7 seconds. The optimal skinner Results of areca nut increases to 9 pieces after made the casing modification which the efficiency of time is 73.5

Beneficial effect of the leaves of Murraya koenigii (Linn.) Spreng (Rutaceae) on diabetes-induced renal damage in vivo

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Murraya koenigii (Linn.) Spreng (curry leaf) is widely used as a nephroprotective agent in kidney’s infirmities among diabetics by the traditional practitioners in Malaysia. However, the latter role of curry leaf has been grossly under reported and is yet to receive proper scientific evaluation. Aim of the study: The present study was designed to investigate the beneficial effect of the leaves of Murraya koenigii (Linn.) on diabetes-induced renal damage in vivo with regard to prove its efficacy by local traditional practitioners in the treatment of kidney frailties in diabetics. Materials and methods: Aqueous (AQ) extract of the leaves of Murraya koenigii (Linn.) was administered to both normal and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic male rats (Sprague–Dawley strain). Animals were divided into six groups (n = 6) and treated with variable dose levels ofAQextract (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight/day) for 30 days. At the end of 30 days, animals were sacrificed, blood was collected, processed and stored at −70 ◦C for the zestimation of serum urea and creatinine, changes in plasma antioxidant capacity by FRAP assay, and glutathione peroxidase levels, in the normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Histological changes of the kidneys of these animals were also evaluated by light microscopy to determine the beneficial effect of the leaves. Results: Daily oral administration of variable dose levels of theAQextract for 30 days, produced significant dose dependant decrease in serum urea and creatinine levels (p < 0.001), and marked increase in the levels of plasma antioxidant capacity (p < 0.01) in diabetic treated rats, compared to the control (nondiabetic) subjects. However, the normal treated rats showed minimal variation in these parameters in comparison to normal controls. Histological studies of the kidneys of these animals showed comparable tissue regeneration by the AQ extract. Conclusion: The results of our study scientifically support the traditional belief for using the leaves of Murraya koenigii (Linn.) as adjuvant, in the treatment of pain disorders related to renal impairments among diabetics

Effects of Murraya koenigii leaves on glucose level, kidney and islets of langerhans in streptozocin induced diabetes in rats

In the present study, in addition to 30 days antihyperglycaemic effect of curry leaves of Murraya koenigii "MK" aqueous leaf extract, we also examined its possible effects on the Islets of Langerhans and nephro-protective potential in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats received a single dose of STZ (70 mg/kg) intraperitoneally to induce experimental diabetes. Rats were randomized into five groups (n=6) of normal control, diabetic control (non-treated), and diabetic treated with MK aqueous leaf extract. The fresh leaves of MK was extracted with distilled water and freeze-dried to powder. Blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored gravimetrically. The animals were killed on the 30th day, kidney and the pancreatic tissues were harvested, and the tissue specimens were fixed in 10% formal saline for 48hrs, and processed for histological studies. Diabetic rats treated with aqueous extract showed significant (p < 0.001) improvement in blood glucose levels and body weight gain. The MK extract also showed improvements in tissue injury induced by STZ. Thus, these findings highlighted the beneficial effects of curry leaf aqueous extract against STZ induced cellular damage and may exert anti-hyperglycemic action and regeneration of kidney and islet cell induced in diabetic rats

Nephroprotective effect of the leaves of Murraya koenigii L. Spreng in vivo.

The leaves of Murraya koenigii (Linn.) Spreng (curry leaf) is widely use a nephroprotective agent in Kidney's infirmities among diabetics by the traditional practitioners in Malaysia. However, the latter role of curry leaf has been grossly under reported and is yet to receive proper scientific evaluation. The present study was designed to investigate the beneficial effect of the leaves of M. koenigii (L.) on diabetes-induced renal damage in vivo with regard to prove its efficacy by local traditional practitioners in the treatment of kidney frailties in diabetics. Aqueous (AQ) extract of the leaves of M. koenigii (L.) was administered to both normal and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic male rats (Spraque Dawley strain). Animals were divided into six groups (n=6) and treated with variable dose levels of AQ extract (200&400 mg/kg body weight/day) for 30 days. At the end of 30 days, animals were sacrificed, blood and collected, processed and stored at -70*C for the estimation of serum urea and creatinine, changes in plasma antioxidant capacity by FRAP assay, and lipid peroxidation, in the normal and STZ induced diabetic rats. Histological studies of the Kidneys of these animals were also studied by light microscopy to determine the beneficial effect of leaves. Daily oral administration of variable dose levels of the AQ extract for 30 days, produced significant dose dependant decrease in serum urea and creatinine levels (p<0.001) as well as in the elevated lipid hydroperoxides (p<0.05) in diabetic treated rats compared to the control (non-diabetic) subjects. It also markedly improved plasma antioxidant concentration (p<0.01) in both normal and treated diabetic rats, respectively. However, the normal treated rats showed minimal variation in these parameters in comparison to normal controls. Histological studies of the kidneys of these animals explicitly showed comparable tissue regeneration by the AQ extract. Conclusion: The results of our study scientifically support the traditional belief for using the leaves of M. koenigii (L.) in the treatment of pain disorders related to renal impairments among diabetics

The antidiabetic activity of curry leaves “Murraya koenigii” on the glucose levels, kidneys, and islets of langerhans of rats with streptozotocin induced diabetes

Background: The aims of this study were to explore the antihyperglycemic effect of curry leaves, Murraya koenigii “MK” aqueous extract, and to examine its possible protective effects on the islets of Langerhans and kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty healthy adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into five groups (n=6); normal control, normal treated with “MK” control, diabetic control (non-treated with “MK”), diabetic treated with 200 mg/kg MK aqueous leaf extract and diabetic treated with 400 mg/kg MK aqueous leaf extract. Blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored gravimetrically. The animals were sacrificed on the 30th day; the kidney and pancreatic tissues were processed for histological studies. Results: The diabetic group showed considerable loss of body weight and increase in blood glucose levels and degeneration of the glomeruli and renal convoluted tubules and atrophied islets with disintegration of β-cells. Treatment of diabetic rats with MK extract showed significant (p < 0.001) improvement in blood glucose levels and body weight gain. The MK extract also caused an improvement in tissue injury induced by STZ injection in the kidney and islets of Langerhans. Conclusions: These findings highlighted the beneficial effects of MK aqueous extract against cellular oxidative damage in STZ-induced diabetic rats

The Antidiabetic Activity of Curry Leaves “Murraya Koenigii” on the Glucose Levels, Kidneys, and Islets of Langerhans of Rats with Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes

Background: The aims of this study were to explore the antihyperglycemic effect of curry leaves, Murraya koenigii "MK" aqueous extract, and to examine its possible protective effects on the islets of Langerhans and kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty healthy adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into five groups (n=6); normal control, normal treated with "MK" control, diabetic control (non-treated with "MK"), diabetic treated with 200 mg/kg MK aqueous leaf extract and diabetic treated with 400 mg/kg MK aqueous leaf extract. Blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored gravimetrically. The animals were sacrificed on the 30th day; the kidney and pancreatic tissues were processed for histological studies. Results: The diabetic group showed considerable loss of body weight and increase in blood glucose levels and degeneration of the glomeruli and renal convoluted tubules and atrophied islets with disintegration of &beta;-cells. Treatment of diabetic rats with MK extract showed significant (p &lt; 0.001) improvement in blood glucose levels and body weight gain. The MK extract also caused an improvement in tissue injury induced by STZ injection in the kidney and islets of Langerhans. Conclusions: These findings highlighted the beneficial effects of MK aqueous extract against cellular oxidative damage in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Anti-Tumor Action, Clinical Biochemistry Profile and Phytochemical Constituents of a Pharmacologically Active Fraction of <i>S</i>. <i>crispus</i> in NMU-Induced Rat Mammary Tumour Model

<div><p>Cancer patients seek alternative remedies such as traditional medicinal plants for safe and effective treatment and help overcome the side effects of conventional therapy. Current knowledge indicates that extracts of <i>Strobilanthes crispus</i> of the Acanthaceae family exhibit potent anticancer properties <i>in vitro</i> and are non-toxic <i>in vivo</i>. <i>S</i>. <i>crispus</i> was also reported to be protective against chemical hepatocarcinogenesis. We previously showed that a bioactive fraction of <i>S</i>. <i>crispus</i> leaves also synergized with tamoxifen to cause apoptosis of human breast cancer cell lines without damaging non-malignant epithelial cells. The present study aimed to evaluate the antitumor effect of <i>S</i>. <i>crispus</i> dichloromethane fraction (F3) using N-methyl-N-Nitrosourea (NMU)-induced rat mammary tumor model. Tumor regression was observed in 75% of the rats following 8-week oral administration of F3 with no secondary tumour formation and no signs of anemia or infection. However, no improvement in the liver and renal function profiles was observed. Major constituents of F3 were identified as lutein, 13¹-hydroxy-13²-oxo-pheophytin a, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, pheophytin a and 13²-hydroxy-pheophytin a. These compounds however, may not significantly contribute to the antitumor effect of F3.</p></div