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The present study was carried out on the phytochemical composition and biochemical studies oftheleafextract ofBrillantaisia guinensis peuvon alloxan treated Wistar albinorats.The experimental rats were administered with 80mg/kgbodyweight of alloxan,viathetailvein.After five days treatment with alloxan, thetreatment with the extractscommenced. Extracts wereadministeredorallyat100,200and 300mg/kg bw(both tonormal andtreated rats) for twenty-one days.Metformin,which served as a standard drug was administered at50mg/kg. Chromatographicanalysisof thephytochemical content of the leaf extract, revealed the presence of flavonoids (30.7mg/100g), saponins(50.6mg/100g), phytosterol (6.22mg/100g), tannins (7.50mg/100g) and glycosides(29.3mg/100g). Comparedtotest and normalcontrol,the extractsdose-dependentlyand significantlylowered(P<0.05) plasmaglucose and triglycerides, during the experimental period. Thisstudy revealedthe presence of pharma cologically bioactive compounds inthelea fextract and showed that the leaf extract had a dose-dependent hypoglycemic and hypotriglyceridemic effect on the Wistaralbino rats. The findings suggest a likely protective role of the extracts against hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia thereby useful in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus, obesity and other related cardiovascular diseases.
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The proximate and phytochemical composition of Melanthera biflorawas investigated, using standard methods. From the obtained results the leaves had high moisture contents(71.1± 0.2%) and crude fiber (3.91 ± 0.5) while containing moderate protein (7.0 ± 0.03%), while containing lipid (1.10 ± 4%), ash (2.8 ± 0.2%), total carbohydrate (6.09 ± 0.2%) and caloric value (62.26±0.14 kcal/100g). Eleven Phytochemical families were detected with tannin as the most abundant (27.82%) consisting 100% tannic acid. Thirteen alkaloids (13.65%) were detected consisting mainly of morphine (28.05%), methylmorphine (16.22%), dephnoline (12.02%) biflorin, (20.63%), aromoline (12.61%) homoaromaline (7.79%). Twenty-three flavonoid (5.71%) chief among which were quercetin (44.21%), kaemferol (28.94%), dandzein (7.20%), letuolin (10.17%), salvagenin (6.76%), sinensetin 8.20% were detected. The most prominent of the ten carotenoids (2.48%), is lutein (40.76%),followed by carotene (17.90%), malvidin 5.63%, zeaxanthin (16.5%), viola-xanthin (9.5%). Sixty one terpenoid including linalool (40.98%), germacrene (12.74%), Alpha-terpineal 6.40%, terpinen –4-01 (5.62%), and Gamma terpine were found in the leaves Of the six phenolicacids (16.26%)the highest was ferulic acid (53.94%), followed closely by vanilic acid (45.8%). Seven phytosterol (2.25%), consisting of sitosterol (65.3%), savenasterol (14.19%) stigmasterol (12.70%), and others were detected. The leaves had very a low hydroxycinnamic acid content (8.93x10-4%) content, consisting of eight known compounds of which caffeic acid (71.93%) and p-coumaric acid (27.91%) were the most abundant. They also had very a low allicins (1.94x10-4%) content, consisting of daillylthiosulphunate (97.05%), and methyl thiosulphinate (2.6%) and allylthiosulphin and allylthiosulphinate (0.3%). The leaves had a very low content of glycosides consisting of eight known compounds of which quabain (78.54%) were detected and they include gitogenin (22.04%), diosgenin (20.02), neohegen (20.79%). Their rich contents of nutrients and many bioactive molecules suggest strong nutraceutical potential of these leaves, further suggesting their likely use as functional a food and therapeutic uses in the management and prevention of diseases.
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Aim:The quantitative nutrient composition of leaves of Brillantaisia guianensis P. beuv was investigated. Source and Identification of Sample:The leaves of B. guianensisused in this study were harvested fresh from Ude plantation in Okon Aku, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. They were identified by a Taxonomist (Dr Edwin Wosu) in the Herbarium Unit of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt. Study Design:The study was designed, using standard methods, to determine the proximate, amino acids, minerals and vitamins composition of the leaves. Results:The wet leaves were high in moisture (88.4%) while the dried sample had practically no moisture, indicating that the wet leaves could easily be prone to microbial spoilage due to high water activity. Drying increased protein level from 3.50 to 28.0% and ash from 2.36 to 27.7% among other parameters. The low calorific values for wet sample (16.1 kcal/100 g) and dry sample (152.3 kcal/100 g sample) showed that the leaves are poor energy-giving foods. However, the leaves contain good amino acid profile especially the essential amino acids (valine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and tryptophan).The nutrient mineral (Na Ca, Mg, K, Se, P, Fe) levels were high to supply the World Health Organization recommended daily allowance for adults and children.The sample contains appreciable amount of fats and water -soluble vitamins required for growth. Conclusion:The results show that the leaves are good sources of essential and non-essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins adequate to meet the required daily allowance for nourishment of the body
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The minerals, vitamins and Amino acids composition of Melanthera bifloraleaves were investigated using standard methods. The result shows that out of the eleven vitamins detected; only vitamin C was found in moderately high amount (99.37mg/100g), while the rest were in insignificant amount. Ten minerals element were detected, including iron (14.63) copper (2.32). Cobalt (0.04) manganese (5.13), calcium (93.52) magnesium (126.17), potassium (71.39) sodium (32.37), phosphorus 36.50, selenium (0.006) all in mg/100g. The leaves have essentials and non-essential amino acid of 47.5% and 45.94% respectively. It has all the essential amino acids except tryptophan. This result shows that the leaves contain an appreciable amount of amino acids, vitamins and minerals that could be included in diets to supplement our daily dietary allowance.
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Aims: To remove hydrocarbons from crude oil polluted agricultural soil using two selected plant species.Study Design:Mature seeds of Schwenkia americanaL. and Spermacoce ocymoidesBurm. f. were propagated onto a sterile unpolluted agricultural soil. Seedlings were transplanted into an 8 kg potted homogenised polluted soil for remediation. Place and Duration of Study:Polluted agricultural soil collected from Ogoniland, Rivers State, Nigeria, Ecological Centre of the University of Port Harcourt Nigeria, between May 2017 and February 2018.Methodology:Standard methods were employed for laboratory analyses. Reagents used were of analytical grades with high purity. Results:Twelves weeks after planting (WAP), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) decreased from 17962.11±1000.00 mg/kg to 117.64±30.27 and 117.45±14.76 mg/kg in S. americanaand for S. ocymoidesremediated groups respectively, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) decreased from 440.97±1.00 mg/kg to 120.99±50.05, and 181.97±158.69 mg/kg for S. americanaand for S. ocymoidesremediated groups respectively. While oil content decreased to 1.02±0.09 and 1.15±0.21 ppm for S. americanaand S. ocymoidesremediated groups respectively from an initial 3.19±0.10 ppm recorded at the onset of remediation, organic carbon decreased from 2.78±0.01% to 2.16±0.06 and 2.07±0.18% for S. americanaand S. ocymoidesremediated groups respectively. With regards to TPH, the percentage recovery moved towards normal values (510.27 and 509.02%), however, with regards PAH, the values nosedived indicating a failure in restoration. By 4, 8 and 12 WAP, the treatment restored the values towards normal values (1.08, 7.30, 10.58,10.81 and 14.05%), however, the treatment using S. ocymoides, by 12 WAP, plunged, indicating failure to restore the polluted soil, especially with regards to the oil content, while by 8 and 12 WAP, the treatments restored the polluted soil towards normal values (3.33, 11.11 and 13.33), with regards to the organic carbon.Conclusion:The quality of the crude oil polluted agricultural soil was enhanced through phytoremediation with these plant species. This contention is supported by the diminution of hydrocarbons, organic carbon and the oil content of the remediated groups after the 12 weeks remediation
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Aims: To investigate the variation in the activities of some soil enzymes and microbial respiration during phytoremediation of crude oil polluted agricultural soil. Study Design: Indigenous plants of a crude oil polluted agricultural farmland were harvested and identified. Two species (Schwenkia americana L. and Spermacoce ocymoides Burm. f.) were selected for this study. Nursery was set up using sterile soil and mature and viable seeds of selected species, and germinated seedlings were transplanted into an 8 kg potted homogenised polluted soil for remediation. Place and Duration of Study: Polluted agricultural soil from Ogoniland Nigeria, University of Port Harcourt ecological garden, between May 2017 and February 2018. Methodology: Protease activity was determined based on the amino acids released after incubation of soil with sodium caseinate. Phosphatase activities determination was based on determining the degradation extent of ρ-nitrophenol phosphate (PNPP) by the samples. Dehydrogenase activity was determined based on estimation of 2,3,5- triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction to triphenyl formazan (TPF) in soils after incubation. The substrate induced method was adapted to estimate the respiratory activity. Organic matter was determined by weight loss on ignition method. Results: Dehydrogenase activities in remediated groups increased after 4 weeks but decreased at the end of the remediation period. Protease and phosphatase activities, and soil organic matter of remediated groups reduced over time while the soil microbial respiratory activity reduced at the end of 12 weeks remediation. There was a restoration of the polluted soils by the treatments towards normalcy with regards to activities of proteases, acid and alkaline phosphatases, and dehydrogenases. Conclusion: Soil microbial activities can reflect soil quality, and soil enzyme activities can directly reflect the metabolic need and nutrient availability of soil microorganisms. The extracellular enzymes (protease, dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase) were shown to vary with crude oil pollution relative to time thus indicating ameliorative effects.
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This study investigated the hypoglycemic effect of M. fulvumon streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia in Wistar rats. The oxidative damage in the blood, liver, pancreas and kidney cells, hepatic enzyme activities and lipid profile of the Wistar rats were also ascertained. Rats were exposed to STZ alone at 160 mg/kg body weight for one week to induced hyperglycemia before treatment with M. fulvumat 83 and 113 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days. Results showed significant elevation in the levels of blood glucose level, amylase activity, serum lipid profile and serum renal markers (total protein, urea and creatinine) in the hyperglycemic rats. Moreover, streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats showed significantly (p < 0.05) reduced antioxidant status (reduced levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities as well as decreased in reduced glutathione and increased level of malondialdehide). M. fulvumwas able to demonstrate marked hypoglycemic effect and ameliorate the above mentioned biochemical markers. Streptozotocin-induced rats had significant histopathological damages found in the pancreas when compared with the control. The present study shows that M. fulvum possesses significant hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats due to its ability to effectively reduceor ameliorate the increase in blood glucose levels, lipid profile and oxidative damages
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Aim: Investigating and comparing the effect of administration of different preparations of the commonly-consumed Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn (Zobo) drinks on haematological parameters. Study Design: Comparative study using animal models (Wistar Albino Rats) with daily administration of the same concentration of different zobo drink samples. Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria and its environs between November 2014 and February 2015. Methodology: Thirty (30) Wistar albino rats were grouped into six (6) groups of five rats each. Group A served as the control and B was administered an unblended zobo drink. Groups C – E were administered locally-produced zobo samples and group F was a National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)-branded zobo drink. A concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight of the samples was administered orally to groups B–F for 21 days. Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin count, white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC) count, platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes, mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analyzed and compared. Results: The White blood cell (WBC) count and percentage lymphocytes were significantly lower (P < 0.05), while Haemoglobin, Packed cell volume, Red blood cell (RBC) count and Platelet count were significantly higher (P < 0.05) when compared with the control. Percentage neutrophils showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) compared with the control. Conclusion: The zobo drinks possess haematocrit properties that result in higher levels of blood volume and may be used for the management of anaemia. They also possess the ability to reduce WBC count.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the ability of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Sansevieria liberica (S. liberica) to alter the hematology, plasma biochemistry and ocular indices of oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.@*METHOD@#Diabetes mellitus was induced by injection of alloxan (80 mg/kg body weight), via the tail vein. The extract was administered orally at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight (both to normal and diabetic rats), and metformin at 50 mg/kg body weight.@*RESULTS@#Compared to test control, the treatment dose dependently, significantly lowered (P<0.05) ocular malondialdehyde content, atherogenic indices, red cell, total white cell and lymphocyte counts, mean cell hemoglobin concentration; and plasma levels of glucose, triglyceride, total-, very low density lipoprotein-, low density lipoprotein- and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterols, total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin, sodium, urea, blood urea nitrogen, as well as plasma activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate transaminases. However, the treatment significantly increased (P<0.05) hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean cell hemoglobin, and mean cell volume, neutrophil and monocyte counts, and plasma levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, potassium, chloride, calcium, bicarbonate and total protein, ocular ascorbic acid content and ocular activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase. This study showed the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, immune-modulating, ocular-, hepato-renal and cardio-protective potentials of the extract.@*CONCLUSIONS@#All these, support the use of the leaves of S. liberica in African traditional health care practices for the management of diabetes mellitus.
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Animales , Ratas , Ácido Ascórbico , Metabolismo , Glucemia , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental , Sangre , Quimioterapia , Metabolismo , Retinopatía Diabética , Sangre , Quimioterapia , Metabolismo , Electrólitos , Sangre , Ojo , Química , Metabolismo , Lípidos , Sangre , Malondialdehído , Metabolismo , Estrés Oxidativo , Extractos Vegetales , Farmacología , Hojas de la Planta , Química , Ratas Wistar , Sansevieria , QuímicaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of an aqueous leaf extract of Acalypha wilkesiana (A. wilkesiana) on plasma chemistry and hematological indices of sub-chronic salt-loaded rats.@*METHOD@#The control group received a diet consisting 100% of the commercial feed, while the four test groups were received a diet consisting 8% salt and 92% commercial feed all through, except for the reference treatment group that had its salt-loading discontinued after six weeks. The extract was orally administered daily at 200 and 250 mg/kg body weight; while the test control, reference and control groups received appropriate volumes of water by the same route.@*RESULTS@#The extract had no negative effects on markers of liver and kidney functions, produced hemoconcentration, significantly higher (P<0.05) plasma calcium and potassium levels, and significantly lower (P<0.05) plasma sodium and chloride levels in the test animals compared to test control.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This result supports the traditional use of A. wilkesiana in the management of hypertension and suggests that the extract may be a potassium sparing diuretic whose mechanism of antihypertensive action may be via alteration of plasma sodium and potassium balances or calcium mediated alteration in vascular muscle tone.