Hypoglycaemic activity of ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis.

The leaf of Telfairia occidentalis has been found to possess hypoglycemic or antihyperglycemic effect. The hypoglycemic principle of the leaf is yet to be isolated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of some fractions of ethanolic leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis in rat as a step toward activity directed isolation of the hypoglycemic component. Ethanolic leaf extract was successively extracted with ethyl acetate, butanol and ethanol to obtain ethyl acetate, butanol and ethanol fractions (I-III). The residue was taken as fraction IV. 250 mg/kg of the various extracts were orally administered to normoglycaemic and alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Blood glucose concentration was evaluated at 0, 1, 2 and 4 hours after treatment with One Touch glucometer. None of the fractions reduced glucose concentration in the normoglycaemic rats, while only ethyl acetate fraction lowered glucose concentration significantly at 2 and 4 hours (49.7 and 39.0%) compared to control value of 74.9 and 69.7%, respectively, in the diabetic rats. The results showed that the hypoglycemic component of the ethanolic leaf extract of the plant is contained in the ethyl acetate fraction.

Serum protein and enzyme levels in rats following administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides (goat weed).

The The potential hepatotoxic effects following oral administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides (goat weed) was investigated in albino Wistar rats. Twenty eight (28) adult male Wistar rats were uniformly divided into four groups of seven rats each. Group 1 served as control while groups 2, 3 and 4 were respectively gavaged with 200 mg/kg body weight, 400 mg/kg body weight and 600 mg/kg body weight of the extract daily for 21 days. At the end of treatments, animals were sacrificed, serum and liver tissues obtained for assay of total protein concentration and levels of ALT, AST and ALP. Results showed that treatment of rats with the respective doses of the extract did not significantly alter the serum and liver levels of total protein, ALT, AST and ALP in all test groups. This result suggests that ingestion of the extract may not be toxic at the doses investigated.

Atherogenic potentials of some Nigerian meals.

The atherogenic potentials of peeled grated cocoyam (Xanthosoma maffafa scot) "ekpang nkukwo", pounded yam (Discorea spp) with plain soup "afia efere", and plantain porridge (Musa paradisiaca) "iwuk ukom" meals were investigated. The three meals were fed to three different groups of albino rats of Wistar strain for a period of twenty eight days. A fourth group which served as control was feed with normal rat pellet. The mean total plasma cholesterol level in the pounded yam with plain soup fed group was significantly lower [P < 0.05] when compared to the control and peeled grated cocoyam fed groups. The mean total plasma triglyceride (MTPTG) level in the pounded yam with plain soup fed group was significantly lower [P < 0.05] when compared to the control group. However the MTPTG level in the peeled grated cocoyam and plantain porridge fed groups were comparable to control. The mean HDL-cholesterol level in the peeled grated cocoyam and plantain fed groups were comparable control. The mean LDL-cholesterol level in the peeled grated cocoyam and plantain porridge fed groups was significantly lower [P < 0.05] than the control group. The LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol in the pounded yam with plain soup fed group was significantly lower [P < 0.05] when compared to control. These findings suggest low atherogenic potentials of the pounded yam with plain soup meal compared to the peeled grated cocoyam and plantain porridge meals.

Correlation of histological and histometric changes in rats testes treated with chloroquine phosphate.

Histological and histometric changes in the testes of albino Wistar rats were correlated. Wistar rats weighing between 180-240 g were randomly divided into three groups of ten rats each. One group served as control and the rats were given normal saline. The second and third groups received 2 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg body weights of chloroquine phosphate daily for thirty days respectively. Seminiferous tubules of animals treated with chloroquine phosphate were irregular in shape and were also isolated compared to control. Marked disruption of the inter-tubular stroma of testes in the treated groups was also observed. Histometric variations in testicular tissue was observed in the experimental animals following treatment with chloroquine phosphate. The 2 mg/kg body weight and 4 mg/kg body weight animals recorded significantly lower [P< 0.05] relative germinal epithelial volume of 43.95 % and 32.70 % respectively when compared to the control (51.75 %). The volume of stroma in the third group (49.33 %) was significantly higher [P < 0.05] when compared to the control (16.83 %) and 2 mg/kg body weight rats (22.83 %). We observed negative correlation coefficient between lumen and seminiferous tubular volume in the control group compared to the other groups which showed a positive correlation. Correlation between germinal epithelium and seminiferous tubular volume were positive in all groups. These findings have thrown more light on recognized histological changes by accurately grading these changes which offers objectivity and increased precision compared with direct visual appraisal.

Storage beyond three hours at ambient temperature alters the biochemical and nutritional qualities of breast milk.

The effect of storage on stability of human breast milk was investigated in 30 lactating mothers. Samples stored for 3, 6 and 24 hours at ambient temperature of 302K (29 degrees) were analysed for protein, lactose, pH, and microbial content. There were significant (p < 0.01) decreases in protein, lactose and pH upon storage for 6 and 24 hours, compared with storage for 3 hours as control. The mean +/- SEM values for protein for 6 and 24 hours were 15.56 +/- 0.48 and 13.27 +/- 0.50, compared with 17.26 +/- 0.41 for 3 hours. For lactose, corresponding values for 6 and 24 hours were 0.08 +/- 0.005 and 0.07 +/- 0.006, compared with 3 hours (0.09 +/- 0.005). The pH values were 6.1 +/- 0.09, 5.9 +/- 0.07 in 3, 6 and 24 hour samples rspectively. The skin floras investigated were Streptococcus viridians, Straphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus albus. The microbial content increased with increase in storage time from 3 to 24 hours. The predominant bacterial specie was S. Albus, followed by S.viridians and S. aureus. A positive correlation (r = 0.453, p < 0.01) between lactose level and pH were obtained. These results suggest that breast milk is stable for 3 hours, beyond which significant changes occur in its biochemical composition and nutritional quality. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to its consequences on their child's survival.

Caffeine and theobromine levels in selected Nigerian beverages.

Caffeine and theobromine contents (mg/g) were determined in samples of selected Nigerian beverage products. The beverages were cocoa (Milo, Bournvita, Rosevita and Enervita), coffee (Nescafe, Bongo, and Maxwell House decaffeinated) and tea (Lipton). The theobromine contents of samples of Milo, Bournvita, Rosevita, Enervita, Nescafe, Bongo, Maxwell House decaffeinated coffee and Lipton were 62.10+/-5.21, 64.80+/-6.72, 82.80+/-4.43, 80.37+/-6.80, 27.00+/-4.31, 14.67+/-2.90, 23.46+/-3.13 and 12.60+/-1.52, respectively. The corresponding caffeine contents of these samples were 2.78+/-0.43 (Milo), 3.17+/-0.36 (Bournvita), 0.92+/-0.51 (Rosevita), 1.05+/-0.68 (Enervita), 93.66+/-8.91 (Nescafe), 6.47+/-2.42 (Bongo), 37.22+/-5.34 (Lipton), and 0.21+/-0.11 (Maxwell House decaffeinated coffee). Semi-processed cocoa beverages (Rosevita and Enervita) had significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of theobromine compared with the finished cocoas (Milo and Bournvita). Similarly, Nescafe contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of caffeine compared to Maxwell House (decaffeinated coffee) and Bongo. Levels of caffeine in Lipton tea were moderate.

Effects of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and Cataflam (potassium diclofenac) on some biochemical parameters in rats.

The effects of graded doses of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and cataflam (potassium diclofenac) on serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, 5'Nucleotidase, methaemoglobin, total and conjaged bilirubin were investigated in wistar rats. Results showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of alanine animotransferase, aspartate amino transferase, methaemoglobin, total and conjugated bilirubin upon treatment of animals with both drugs. Aspirin significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.00) the activity of alkaline phsophatase but increased the activity of 5'ucleotidase while cataflam significantly increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001) and 5'nucletodase (P < 0.05). These effects were however dose dependent and the biochemical implications of these results are discussed.

Recent advances in caffeine and theobromine toxicities: a review.

Caffeine and theobromine are purine alkaloids widely consumed as stimulants and snacks in coffee and cocoa based foods and most often as part of ingredients in drugs. Man has enjoyed a long history of consumption of caffeine and theobromine. Recent interest in these two alkaloids, however, is centered on their potential reproductive toxicities. Caffeine and theobromine are now known to cross the placental and blood brain barrier thus potentially inducing fetal malformation by affecting the expression of genes vital in development. The developing fetus may not have developed enzymes for detoxification of these methylxanthine alkaloids via demethylation. There is a need, therefore, to protect the conceptus against 'insults' from teratogens of this nature. Apart from its reproductive toxicity, the presence of caffeine and theobromine in cocoa could limit its potentials as a nourishing food. This is an issue that needs to be addressed by nutritionists and the food industry at large. This paper discusses the natural sources, consumption and uses, toxicity and the major advances in the reproductive toxicology of caffeine and theobromine. The biosynthesis of these compounds in plants, metabolism in mammalian systems and the involvement of cytochrome P450 are reviewed and summarized. Evidence in favor of the toxicity of these compounds in experimental animals is presented with emphasis on the implications of these findings in humans. The paper concludes with a call for caution in the use of caffeine and theobromine pending further and more elaborate investigations.