Total Colony Counts of Some Microorganisms in Soil Samples Exposed to Electromagnetic Radiations from Mobile Phones.

Effect of electromagnetic radiations (EMR) from mobile phones on some soil bacterial (Bacillus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium and Enterococcus) and fungi (Saccharomyces, Penicillium and Geotrichum) strains were studied. At the study periods of 0, 30, 60, and 90 days, the total colony counts (CFU/g) and viability ratios of Bacteria and fungi strains were determined on both the EMR unexposed and exposed soil samples. At the exposure periods of 30, 60, and 90 days, the mean total colony counts of all the organisms in the EMR exposed samples were statistically (p<0.05) lower than those of the EMR unexposed samples. The percentage changes in total colony counts of the EMR unexposed and exposed soil samples between 0 to 90 days for Bacillus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Enterococcus, Saccharomyces, Penicillium and Geotrichum were 2.54% and -70.51%, 33.18% and -75.80%, 11.79% and -63.93%, 20.12% and -91.96%, 30.00% and -98.94%, 62.36% and -61.06%, 42.40% and -100%, and 50.46% and -78.48% respectively. These show that Staphylococcus and Saccharomyces strains being the most resistant, while Enterococcus and Penicillium were the most susceptible strains. The results generally indicate that EMR has negative impacts on both Bacteria and fungi total colony counts.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Crude Extracts of Tomato and Onion in Rats Exposed to Locally Processed Beef.

This study was carried out to examine the hepatoprotective effect of ethylacetate extract of tomatoes and methanol extract of onions on the biochemical changes induced by feed formulated with 15% roasted beef and 85% rats pellets. Doses of 500 mg/kg body weight of both extracts were administered orally. The hepatic activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino-transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were examined, also concentrations of total protein, albumin and globulin were monitored in the animals. The effects of feeding and treatment on oxidative stress parameters (CAT, SOD, GPx, Glutathione and MDA) were determined. The changes observed were discussed.

The Effects of Extracts of Christmas Bush (Alchornea cordefolia) on Sickle Cell Hemoglobin.

The study aims at determining the antisicking effectiveness of the extracts of the leaves of a herbal medicinal plant Alchornea cordefolia. The plant is widely distributed in the Southeastern region of Nigeria. The study is designed to involve phytochemical exploration, the nutrient and mineral compositions, the free amino acid, ascorbic acid and the amino acid constituents. Apart from these, the rates of sickle cell hemoglobin polymerization were assayed with different fractions of extracts and compared with the control to ascertain their antisickling effectiveness. Sickle cell blood samples were donated by a total of forty patients (25 males and 15 females) of ages (17-32 years) whose sickle cell status were confirmed by electrophoresis of sickle cell blood by staff of the hematology unit of the centre . The donors were co-opted into the study by the personnel of the sickle cell unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria. The determination of the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio was to assess the oxygen affinity of sickle cells or drepanocytes. The antisickling properties of leaf extracts of Christmas bush (Alchornea cordefolia) were investigated. Results from phytochemical analysis of crude aqueous extract (CAE) revealed the presence of flavonoids (4.2±0.1%), alkaloids (5.7±0.12%), saponins (4.60±0.10%), tannins (6.50±0.1%), phenol (3.0±0.10%) and oxalate (5.47±0.1%). Proximate composition showed the following results: moisture (11.05±0.0%), ash (6.8±0.1%), crude fat (6.03±0.0%), protein (6.10±0.0%), fiber (24.5±0.2%) and carbohydrates (44.50±0.2%). Assay of mineral composition, revealed a preponderance of such, which include: Potassium (150.30 mg/100g), Sodium (228.20 mg/100g), Calcium (1.60 mg/100g), Magnesium (2.40 mg/100g) and Phosphorus (1.00 mg/100g) of dry weight of sample. The determination of the antisickling effects of the extracts of Alchornea cordifolia was assessed based on the inhibition of sickle cell hemoglobin polymerization and the improvement of Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio. Fifty grams (50 g) of the powdered sample was used for the batch extraction procedures with chloroform, methanol, butanol and distilled water to obtain the fat soluble fraction (FAS), the butanol soluble(BUS) and water soluble fractions (WAS) respectively. The FAS, BUS and WAS fractions exhibited profound antisickling effectiveness by inhibiting the HbSS polymerization to varying degrees from (47.50% for the BUS to 98.12% for the WAS fractions respectively in 20 min. The WAS and FAS fractions improved the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio remarkably, except the BUS fraction . Thin layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis revealed the following amino acids - Phenylalanine, Alanine, Glutamate, Histidine, etc. The total free amino acid concentration of the fractions were as follows: the FAS (526.8 mg/100g); the WAS (79.33mg/100 g and the BUS (15.65 mg/100 g). The total vitamin C concentration was found to be 1929.18 mg/100 g of sample. Alchornea cordefolia leaf extracts, with the preponderance of micro and macronutrients, vitamins, amino acids and others, may be very beneficial for the management of sickle cell disease.

The Antioxidative Potentials of Gongronema latifolium on Diesel Petroleum Induced Hepatotoxicity.

In Nigeria, petroleum contamination of the environment occurs through accidental spillage and/or sabotage of petroleum pipelines. Human exposures to petroleum products occur frequently from occupational and domestic usage. In this study male albino rats were used to evaluate the antioxidative effects of Gongronema latifolium supplemented diet on diesel petroleum induced toxicity resulting from exposure. The activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and concentrations of total bilirubin and malondialdehyde increased (p<0.05) in the animals exposed to the petroleum product. The activities of some oxidative stress enzymes and concentrations of serum proteins decreased (p<0.05) in exposed animals. The activities of liver function enzymes and oxidative stress parameters obtained in the animals which received G. latifolium supplemented diet with diesel intoxication were comparable to the control, indicating a protective role of G. latifolium.

Aqueous Extract of Combretum dolichopentalum Leaf - a Potent Inhibitor of Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats.

The aqueous extract of Combretum dolichopentalum leaves were evaluated for its protective activity against CCl4- induced liver damage. The concentration of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w of C. dolichopentalum leaf extract were administered to different group of rats prior to CCl4 administration. Both 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced the activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase when compared to rats administered CCl4 only. Also the concentration of non-enzyme markers of hepatic dysfunction such as total bilirubin and lipid peroxidation product-malonyldialdehyde was reduced by C. dolichopentalum. But the concentration of total protein and total cholesterol was increased when compared to rats administered CCl4 only. This finding suggests that C. dolichopentalum leaves possessed rich hepatoprotective principles against CCl4 induced toxicity of the liver.

Chemoprotective Potentials of Ocimum gratissimum in Diesel Petroleum induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino Wistar Rats.

This study evaluated the effect of diesel petroleum intoxication in rats and the ability of phytochemicals and antioxidant content of Ocimum gratissimum to ameliorate such toxicity. Toxicity in rat was induced by administering 4 ml/kg body weight of diesel in the test rats except control. The intoxication and treatment with 20 % O. gratissimum supplemented diet was for 7 days. Serum liver function markers, Oxidative stress markers and lipid profile were estimated. Diesel induced hepatotoxicity was characterized by significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum protein concentration and oxidative enzymes activities. Also increase in activities of liver function enzymes and Cholesterol was observed. The group of rats which diet was supplemented with O. gratissimum showed significant (p< 0.05) improvement in the concentration of serum proteins and decrease in the activities of liver function enzymes. Similarly the activities of oxidative enzymes significantly (p<0.05) increased, compared to the untreated rats. These results indicate a chemoprotective ability of this Nigerian indigenous spice.