ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic exposure to petroleum hydrocarbon pollution (PHC) on some biochemical parameters of the fruit juice of Citrus sinensis. Place and Duration of study: This study was carried out at Ebocha-Egbema and Uvuru Mbaise in Imo state (Niger Delta Area), Nigeria between October 2008 and October 2011. Methodology: Acidity (pH), concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA), glutathione (GSH), citric acid, glucose and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the juice of just-ripe orange fruits (Citrus sinensis) from the two environments were investigated by standard methods. The estimated values were analyzed using student t-test and the results expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Results: The results obtained revealed that there was no significant (p≥0.05) difference in the mean pH values, ascorbic acid and glucose concentrations of the fruit juice from the two areas studied. Mean concentrations of glutathione and citric acid in the juice from Ebocha (0.44±0.09 and 18.80±1.14mg/l) were significantly (p≤0.05) lower than the values in the juice from Uvuru (0.66±0.10 and 21.43±2.02 mg/l), respectively. The results also showed that the mean activity of lactate dehydrogenase was significantly higher in the juice from Ebocha (7.033+/-1.73 U/l) than in that from Uvuru (5.344±1.74 U/l). Conclusion: The findings of this study are suggestive of a possible alteration in the metabolic activities of Citrus sinensis trees evident in its fruit juice due to the PHC pollution in Ebocha in the Niger Delta.
ABSTRACT
The effect of chronic exposure to petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) pollution on the concentrations of glucose, serum and liver malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl and the histology of liver tissues of the native fowl (Gallus domesticus) from Egbema in the Niger Delta Area (NDA) was studied. Identical fowls from an unpolluted area of Mbaise served as the control. Results showed no significant difference (P<0.05) in the mean glucose concentration obtained for fowls from both environments. The values obtained for serum and liver MDA and protein carbonyl for the test and control fowls were found to be significantly (P<0.05) different. There were elevated concentrations of MDA, protein carbonyl in the serum as well as MDA from liver homogenates of fowls from Egbema when compared to those of fowls from Mbaise. Histological changes were also observed in the liver sections of fowls from Egbema as against none in the liver sections of fowls from Mbaise. These changes were characteristically necrotic and inflammatory. Thus, the findings from this study show, in clear terms, that PHC pollution (crude oil and gas flaring) markedly affected the Egbema environment and induced changes in tissues of the native fowl whose nativity and ancestry are from there.
ABSTRACT
Logistic response of antioxidants to lipid peroxide concentration in carbon tetrachloride toxicity in rabbit liver was evaluated. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), ethanol extracts of Chromolaena odorata (ETECO), sylimarin (a known hepatoprotective agent) and water, were used to induce variations in the oxidant/antioxidant balance in the test and control animals. This was used as a model to study the delicate balance between the activities and/or the intracellular concentrations of these antioxidants and lipid peroxide. Concentrations of lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde) were estimated to access the degree of oxidation of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver tissue. Glutathione (GSH) concentration was estimated to capture the non-enzymatic antioxidant concentration, while glutathione-s-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were assayed in the liver to assess the enzymatic antioxidant activities. Results obtained from this study showed that the concentrations of lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde) varied in a logistic fashion with the nonenzymatic antioxidant (glutathione) and the enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione-stransferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase). The concentration of the peroxidation product and the concentration/activity of the antioxidants were inversely related, maintaining a highly logistic relationship (R2 = 0.99). The non-enzymatic antioxidant (GSH) concentration and the enzymatic antioxidant (GST, SOD, and CAT) activities were found to be directly related in a sigmoidal manner (R2 = 0.98). These observations indicated that oxidant/antioxidant concentrations and activities in a rabbit liver tissue is tightly related and mathematically associated.
ABSTRACT
The ethanol extract of the leaf of Chromolaena odorata (Linn) was assessed for freeradical- scavenging and antioxidant potentials. Ability of the extract to scavenge reactive intermediates (superoxide ion O2 ·-, hydrogen peroxide H2O2, nitric oxide NO˙, hydroxyl radical OH˙) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, were used to assess its free radical scavenging potentials. Antioxidant potential was studied by assessing invitro inhibition of lipid peroxidation in both the brain (Neuro-protective potentials) and liver homogenates of Fenton-oxidant stressed rabbits. Inhibition of protein oxidation was assessed in-vitro by loss of protein thiol (P-SH), while assessment of the reducing power of the extract was further used to assess antioxidant capacity. Results obtained showed the ability of the extract to scavenge free radicals and reactive intermediates in a dose-response manner. The plant also had good antioxidant capacity. The secondary plant metabolites found earlier in the extract may explain reasons for the bio-efficacy of the plant. These findings are of great importance in view of the availability of the plant and its observed possible diverse applications in medicine and nutrition.