ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at studying the effect of solvents (n-hexane, chloroform and methanol) fractions of Cucurbita maxima (pumpkin) cuticular lipids on metabolic biomarkers of cardiovascular disease using L-NAME induced hypertensive rats. A total of thirty-six (120-150 g) albino rats were randomly selected and placed into twelve groups of three rats each were used for this study. Each rat was weighed and tagged and thereafter weighed weekly for five weeks of the experiment. Rats were induced with hypertension using 40mg/Kg body weight/24hours. Other rats were placed on normal feeds and water while biomarkers were assayed and recorded on weekly basis. Group I served as normal control, Group II were hypertensive control, Group III were induced with hypertension and administered with standard drug while Groups IV-XII were induced with hypertension and administered with varying doses of n-hexane, chloroform and methanol fractions. A slight alteration on metabolic biomarkers between the normal control group and hypertensive control group was recorded, which was reversed by the administration of methanol fraction. Thus, cuticular lipids from Cucurbita maxima might have some anti-hypertensive potentials.
ABSTRACT
Correlational study and evaluation of pollution indices of toxic metals distribution in soil and crops of a population are imperative for assessing the risk of chronic diseases associated with these metals. Correlational analysis for the distribution of; lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) in soil (S), bean (B) and maize (M) was conducted around Bunkure (BKR), Danbatta (DBT), Gwarzo (GRZ), Ungogo (UGG) and Wudil (WDL) as sampling zones around Kano State, Nigeria. The samples were collected from farm harvests in each of the sampling zones. The metal concentration was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results in mg/kg across the local governments indicate respective ranges for Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cr of; 0.33 - 3.13, 0.14 - 0.84, 0.02 - 0.05 and 0.01- 0.49 in soil, 0.04-4.23, 0.06-0.23, 0.02-0.04 and 0.00-0.10 in maize and 0.20-4.23, 0.16-0.19, 0.03-0.04 and 0.00-0.03 in beans. Although with the exception of mercury, the ranges of the toxic metals are within the tolerable range set by International Standard Tolerable Limits and European Regulatory Standard. Potential hazard may be speculated because the detected levels are on higher tolerable ranges. A higher level of mercury in almost all the samples indicates potential hazards associated with human activities in those areas. A strong positive correlation between soils samples in respect to the level of some of the toxic metal may suggest a common nature of the soil, while the negative correlation may be due to variation in agrochemicals in-use. For the pollution load index, Wudil had the highest soil pollution load index for Hg (3.13 ± 0.16), Cd (1.6×10-2 ± 0.01) and Cr (4.9×10-3 ± 0.01), while Ungogo had the highest pollution load for Pb. Also, all grains within the study zones exhibited a positive transfer factor, except Cr in Bunkure, Danbatta and Gwarzo. It may be concluded that crops grown in those areas may bioaccumulate some of these toxic metals, thereby incorporating them into the food chain, hence potential health risk.
ABSTRACT
Ricinus communis seed has been proven effective to prevent conception since time immemorial. This research focuses on the toxicity study of the seed suspension in Wister albino rats. Twenty four (24) rats were used for the sub-chronic toxicity study, while 13 mice for the acute toxicity study. The seed suspension of Ricinus communis seed at three graded concentrations (3.80, 7.60 and 11.40 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally; to Groups I, II and III respectively once every day for the period of one month. The liver and kidney functions were determined after the last administration. Serum alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine were determined. The activity of ALT, AST, ALP and the concentrations of urea and creatinine at 3.80 mg/kg body weight showed no significant difference (p>0.05) compared to the control. However, a significant increase (p<0.05) in these parameters was observed in rats given 7.60 and 11.40 mg/kg body weight. Similarly a significant increase (p<0.05) in lipid profile was observed in rats given 11.40 mg/kg body weight. Acute toxicity revealed the median lethal dose (LD50) of 1587 mg. Histological analysis of the liver and kidneys of the rats after three months revealed no cellular death, necrosis or inflammation. This indicates that consecutive use of the seed at the traditional dose (3.80 mg/kg in rat; equivalent to 3 seed/70Kg in human) for long period of time is neither hepatotoxic nor nephrotoxic. Ricinus communis seed is therefore safe in rats at the concentrations administered.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The protective effect of some selected vegetables {Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)} against hepatocardio toxicity of halofantrine (an antimalarial drug) was evaluated in 72 albino rats. Study Design: The rats were grouped into eight of nine rats each. Three different doses; 7.1, 14.2 and 21.3mg/Kg of halofantrine were given to group II, III and IV respectively. Group V was co-administered with halofantrine and moringa extract 7.1 and 0.20mg/Kg respectively, Group VI co-administered with halofantrine and cabbage extract 7.1 and 0.10mg/Kg respectively, Group VII co-administered with halofantrine and Tomato extract 7.1 and 0.20mg/Kg respectively and Group VIII co-administered with halofantrine, moringa, cabbage and tomato extracts 7.1, 0.20, 0.10 and 0.20mg/Kg respectively). Group I was neither given the drug nor the vegetable extract serving as normal control. Methodology: The liver and heart function indices were evaluated using standard methods. Results: Serum liver enzymes, heart marker enzymes and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed after 16, 96 and 192 hours of oral administration. Halofantrine administration caused significant increase (p<0.05) in the activities of all the enzymes with a peak at the 16th hour. Malondialdehyde had a peak at the 192 hours. The oral co-administration of vegetables extract showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the enzyme activities and concentration of malondialdehyde as compared sole administration of halofantrine. The result showed that Moringa, Cabbage and Tomato may have hepato and cardio protective effects against halofantrine toxicity. It may be concluded that consumption of vegetables may be beyond the nutritional needs but also for protective purposes.