ABSTRACT
Aims: The anticonceptive effect of the diethyl ether extract of Ricinus communis Linn (RICOM 1013-1) was studied in rats alongside pharmacognostic properties, amino acids content and elemental analysis. Study Design and Methodology: 20 adult female albino Wistar rats were randomized into four experimental groups of five rats each. The first, second and third groups received 3, 10 and 20 mg/kg of diethyl ether extract administered subcutaneously (SC) in divided doses over two days, respectively. The fourth group received 0.1 ml of corn oil for two days and served as control. They were then mated with proven fertile males in a ratio of 3:1 and followed for three gestation periods. The first day of mating was termed day 0 of pregnancy. In addition, amino acid and elemental analyses were undertaken as well as a phytochemical screening of the seed of RICOM-1013-J. Results: At doses of 3, 10 and 20 mg/kg, RICOM-1013-J produced dose-dependent inhibition of pregnancy in female albino Wistar rats over three gestation periods. The total ash value obtained was 3.13 ± 0.26%, while the acid-insoluble and water-soluble ash values were 0.30 ± 0.003% and 0.20±0.003%, respectively. The yield to ethanol was much higher than the water-soluble extract. Essential and non-essential amino acids were not detected. K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ were present in high concentrations in the following order: defatted undecorticated>undecorticated>decorticated samples. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of steroids and alkaloids whereas, triterpenes, tannins and flavonoids were absent. Conclusion: The pharmacognostic parameters, including elemental values, provide some preliminary data for identification of this species among many varieties reported in the literature.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the prevalence of underweight; overweight and obesity among Nigerians aged 18-45 years; living in urban and rural settlements in one state in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and thirty-five subjects between 18 and 45 years of age were recruited for height; weight and waist circumference (WC) measurements. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated (weight/height 2; kg/m 2 ); WHO criteria determined BMI and WC categories. Results: Based on BMI; about 2of the study population was underweight; 22was overweight and 4was obese. There were more normal weight persons in rural than in urban settlement. About 40 and 30of females in urban and rural settlement; respectively; were either overweight or obese. Based on WC of the sample population; 10.34had increased risk for metabolic syndrome [action level I (defi ned as WC ?94 cm in men and ?80 cm in women)] and 2.8had substantially increased risk [action level II (defi ned as WC ?102 cm in men and ?88 cm in women)]. At action level II; there was no obese male. Conclusion: This study revealed that underweight; overweight and obesity exist in young adults; but overweight and obesity are more prevalent. Therefore; concerted efforts should be made to control this in young adults for their present well-being and to possibly avoid the risk of disease later in life