Mineral Content of Grasses from Natural Pasture in South West Nigeria

Nigeria’s grassland grows on uncultivated land on which animals have access for grazing. These are found along roadsides and fallow lands in the coastal forest zones of Nigeria. Most of the natural grassland/rangeland assumes more important proportions in the open derived savanna zones of the country. Ruminant production during dry season is limited by low productivity of pasture forages, which often contain too low mineral concentration to meet the minimum requirement for optimal productivity of livestock (Annison and Bryden, 1998)

Hypoglycemic and antioxidative activities of ethanol seed extract of Hunteria umbellate (Hallier F.) on streptozotocininduced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes, a global cause of mortality in developing countries is a chronic disorder affecting the metabolism of macromolecules and has been attributed to the defective production and action of insulin characterized by persistent hyperglycemic properties. This global disorder harms organs of the body such as the liver, kidney and spleen. Medicinal plants such as Hunteria umbellate have been shown to possess hypoglycemic, antioxidative and anti-diabetic properties owing to the high concentration of active phytochemical constituents like flavonoids and alkaloids. The present study seeks to evaluate the hypoglycemic activities of ethanolic seed extract of Hunteria umbellate on streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. Methods: Thirty (30) female experimental rats were randomly divided into five groups with six rats per group and were administered streptozotocin (STZ) and Hunteria umbellate as follows. Group 1 served as control and was given only distilled water, group 2 rats were administered 60 mg/kg STZ; Group 3 was administered 60 mg/kg STZ and 100 mg/kg metformin; group 4 rats were administered 60 mg/kg STZ and 800 mg/kg Hunteria umbellate, group 5 rats 60 mg/kg STZ and 400 mg/kg Hunteria umbellate. The fasting blood glucose level of each rat was measured before sacrifice. Rats were then sacrificed 24 h after the last dose of treatment. Results: The results showed that Hunteria umbellate significantly reversed STZ-induced increase in fasting blood glucose and increase in body and organs weight of rats. Hunteria umbellate significantly reversed STZ-induced decrease in antioxidant enzyme in liver, kidney and spleen of rats. Hunteria umbellate significantly reversed STZinduced increase in oxidative stress markers in liver, kidney and spleen of rats

Bioconversion of Waste Foolscap and Newspaper to Fermentable Sugar

The aim of this project work was to evaluate the effect of bacteria – Serratia in the enzymatic hydrolysis of Foolscap [FS] and Newspaper [NP] into fermentable or reducing sugars. The effect of temperature and hydrolysis time (number of days) on the extent of concentration of reducing sugar yield were assessed and quantified using Dinitrosalicylic acid test method (DNS). A proximate analysis was carried out on the substrate before hydrolysis. Alkaline pre-treatment using sodium hydroxide and deinking process for the removal of paper with ink for higher susceptibility of the substrate before the enzymatic hydrolysis were carried out. The temperature effect on the waste sample were analysed at 37°C, 40°C and 45°C for 7 days, it was observed that at 37°C, saccharification was higher than at 40°C and 45°C. The general observation was in that Serratia had a very good effect on the waste paper samples. A 3-D surface plot revealed that the yield of sugar increased along with the hydrolysis time (number of days), with Foolscap having the highest yield of about 21mg/ml. The comparative analysis shows that the highest yield was obtained at the temperature of 37°C, for both substrates used

Dataset on phytochemical screening, FTIR and GC–MS characterisation of Azadirachta indica and Cymbopogon citratus as reducing and stabilising agents for nanoparticles synthesis

The dataset for this article contains phytochemical and FTIR data for three different extracts from two indigenous medicinal plants obtained from Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria and the GC–MS characterisation data for their ethanolic extracts. To obtain this data, the leaves of Azadirachta indica and Cymbopogon citratus were collected from the premises of Covenant University, Nigeria. The plants were dried, pulverized and extracted with ethanol, distilled water and ethanol:water (50:50), before phytochemical screening (qualitative and quantitative), FTIR and GC–MS analyses were carried out. The dataset provides insight into the presence of bioactive phyto-constituents such as polyphenols and tannins as potential precursors for green-based nanoparticle synthesis

Pro-estrogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of Corchorus olitorius and Amaranthus hybridus leaves in DMBA-induced breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the world's most prevalent cancer and accounts for the most lost disability-adjusted life years in women worldwide. Tumour-promoting inflammation and sustained proliferative signaling are some hallmarks of cancer which can be activated by environmental carcinogens that induce oxidative stress and inflammation via increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion. Increased binding of estrogen promotes the development and proliferation of breast cancer. Phytochemicals have been reported to promote health by combating oxidative stress. Purpose: This study aims to assess the potential of crude hydroethanolic extract of C. olitorius (CO) and A. hybridus (AH) singly and in combination on IL-6 and estrogen in DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats. Study design: A 9 × 6 animal model made up of three groups each of control (normal, negative, positive), chemopreventive, and therapeutic (CO, AH, CO + AH mix). Methods: Phytochemical analyses were carried out on the plants, and breast cancer (BCa) was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats by administering 80 mg/Kg BW DMBA single dose orally. ELISA kits were used to determine the levels of IL-6 and estradiol in plasma. Results: The group administered Tamoxifen and a combination of both plants recorded significantly higher plasma levels of estradiol (p = 0.0005 and p = 0.0242) respectively. Chemopreventive AH and CO + AH mix (39.46 ± 3.167; 39.69 ± 1.837) respectively had IL-6 levels similar to the normal control (38.03 ± 2.334) and less than in the corresponding therapeutic groups (60.75 ± 13.08;57.88 ± 15.32) suggesting synergistic effect of both plants. Conclusion: A. hybridus can better prevent inflammation. We propose that the plants possess pro-estrogenic and anti-inflammatory potentials

Qualitative analysis, total phenolic content, FT-IR and GC-MS characterisation of Canna indica: bioreducing agent for nanoparticles synthesis

Abstract Within the framework of determining capping and stabilizing bioactive components present in Canna indica towards nanoparticles synthesis, phytochemical screening, total phenolic content, infrared spectroscopy and chromatographic characterisation were carried out on the locally sourced plant. Extracts were prepared from C. indica leaves using ethanol, de-ionised water (DW) and ethanol/DW in ratio 1:1. Qualitative screening showed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenols and coumarins. Highest total phenolic content (TPC) was observed in the aqueous fraction and least in ethanol fraction. Characterisation was carried out using Fourier Transform - Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Absorption bands observed from FT-IR analysis showed presence of aromatic O-H stretch (3300 cm−1) and aromatic C=C stretch (1451 and 1640 cm−1) respectively. GC-MS analysis of ethanolic extract indicated the presence of dl-.alpha.-tocopherol – a phenolic compound.</jats:p

Prevalence and determinants of peripheral arterial disease in children with nephrotic syndrome

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the least studied complication of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Risk factors which predispose children with NS to developing PAD include hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and prolonged use of steroids. The development of PAD significantly increases the morbidity and mortality associated with NS as such children are prone to sudden cardiac death. The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a tool that has been proven to have high specificity and sensitivity in detecting PAD even in asymptomatic individuals. We aimed to determine the prevalence of PAD in children with NS and to identify risk factors that can independently predict its development. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 200 subjects (100 with NS and 100 apparently healthy comparative subjects that were matched for age, sex and socioeconomic class). Systolic blood pressures were measured in all limbs using the pocket Doppler machine (Norton Doppler scan machine). ABI was calculated as a ratio of ankle to arm systolic blood pressure. PAD was defined as ABI less than 0.9. The prevalence of PAD was significantly higher in children with NS than matched comparison group (44.0% vs 6.0%, p &lt; 0.001). Average values of waist and hip circumference were significantly higher in subjects with PAD than those without PAD (61.68± 9.1cm and 67.6± 11.2 cm vs 57.03 ± 8.3cm and 65.60± 12.5cm respectively, p&lt; 0.005). Serum lipids (triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein) were also significantly higher in subjects with PAD than those without PAD [106.65mg/dl (67.8-136.7) vs 45.72mg/dl (37.7-61.3), 21.33mg/dl (13.6-27.3) vs 9.14mg/dl (7.5-12.3), 164.43mg/dl (136.1-259.6) vs 120.72mg/dl (111.1-142.1) and 93.29mg/dl (63.5-157.3) vs 61.84mg/dl (32.6-83.1), respectively p&lt; 0.05]. Increasing duration since diagnosis of NS, having a steroid resistant NS and increasing cumulative steroid dose were independent predictors of PAD in children with NS; p&lt; 0.05 respectively).</jats:p

Hypoglycemic and antioxidative activities of ethanol seed extract of Hunteria umbellate (Hallier F.) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract Background Diabetes, a global cause of mortality in developing countries is a chronic disorder affecting the metabolism of macromolecules and has been attributed to the defective production and action of insulin characterized by persistent hyperglycemic properties. This global disorder harms organs of the body such as the liver, kidney and spleen. Medicinal plants such as Hunteria umbellate have been shown to possess hypoglycemic, antioxidative and anti-diabetic properties owing to the high concentration of active phytochemical constituents like flavonoids and alkaloids. The present study seeks to evaluate the hypoglycemic activities of ethanolic seed extract of Hunteria umbellate on streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. Methods Thirty (30) female experimental rats were randomly divided into five groups with six rats per group and were administered streptozotocin (STZ) and Hunteria umbellate as follows. Group 1 served as control and was given only distilled water, group 2 rats were administered 60 mg/kg STZ; Group 3 was administered 60 mg/kg STZ and 100 mg/kg metformin; group 4 rats were administered 60 mg/kg STZ and 800 mg/kg Hunteria umbellate, group 5 rats 60 mg/kg STZ and 400 mg/kg Hunteria umbellate. The fasting blood glucose level of each rat was measured before sacrifice. Rats were then sacrificed 24 h after the last dose of treatment. Results The results showed that Hunteria umbellate significantly reversed STZ-induced increase in fasting blood glucose and increase in body and organs weight of rats. Hunteria umbellate significantly reversed STZ-induced decrease in antioxidant enzyme in liver, kidney and spleen of rats. Hunteria umbellate significantly reversed STZ-induced increase in oxidative stress markers in liver, kidney and spleen of rats. Conclusion Collectively, our results provide convincing information that inhibition of oxidative stress and regulation of blood glucose level are major mechanisms through which Hunteria umbellate protects against streptozotocin-induced diabketes rats. </jats:sec