Potency of aqueous white grubs extract against CCI[4] induced liver diseases in rats

The potency of aqueous white grubs extract was assessed in the cure of carbon tetrachloride [CCI[4]] - induced lipoperoxidation in rats. The three different dosages were administered [1 g/kg, 2 g/kg and 8 g/kg] daily to different groups of rats for up to 9 days after inducing lipoperoxidation using CCI[4] at a dose of 120 mg/kg the serum aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activities as well as levels of serum malondialdehyde [MDA], total protein [TP] and albumin [ALB] of the rats after 9 days of white grubs extract administration were found to be similar to those of control rats [not CCI[4] - treated]. This shows possible curative effects of the white grubs extract, which were found to be dependent on both factors, viz. the dose administered and the duration of treatment

Efficacy of Psidium guajava leaf extract against liver diseases in guinea pigs

Serum levels of aspartate aminotransfcrase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] were analysed in guinea pigs after daily treatment with 1 g/kg Psidium guajava [PG] aqueous leaf extract for five days followed by subcutaneous administration of 50 mg/kg CC[1], in order to assess the preventive effect of the extract on liver damage. In addition, the levels of the enzymes in guinea pigs administered with 50 mg/kg CC1[4] followed by 3 and 6 days treatment with the plant extract were determined in order to assess the efficacy of the extract in the cure of liver damage. Guinea pigs orally treated with 1 g/kg leaf extract of PG followed by subcutaneous administration of 50 mg/kg CC1[4] had serum levels of AST, ALT and ALP above the normal range. However, guinea pigs orally treated with 1 g/kg leaf extract of PG for 3 and 6 days following subcutaneous administration of 50 mg/kg CC1[4] had serum levels of AST. ALT and ALP not significantly different [P < 0.05] from those in control guinea pigs. Thus wherever the leaf extract of PG could not effectively prevent CC1[4] induced liver damage, it was found to effectively cure it

Incidence of phenylketonuria among mentally retarded children in Kano Nigeria

Phenylketonuria is an inborn error of phenylalanine catabolism causing irreversible mental retardation which can be prevented by dietary therapy. It is characterized by excretion of phenylpyruvic acid in the urine and high concentration of phenylalanine in the blood. Phenylketonuria contributes significantly to the mentally-retarded population. The urine of four [4] of the thirty-two [32] mentally retarded children in a mentally-retarded children home ["Terry Home"] in Kano-city tested positive to phenylpyruvic acid detection test i.e. ferric chloride test. However, high concentration of phenylalanine was detected in three of the four children. These three children, constituting 9.4% f the mentally retarded children, were concluded to suffer from phenylketonuria