Study on Biochemical Indices of Liver Function Tests of Albino Rats Supplemented with Three Sources of Vegetable Oils

Biochemical and histological analysis were conducted to determine the effects of palm oil, groundnut oil and coconut oil on the liver condition of albino rats. Thirty-two albino rats were divided into four groups of eight rats each and were fed with 90% rats chow supplemented with 10% of palm oil, coconut oil and groundnut oil for six weeks along with water ad libitum. Biochemical indices of liver function determined include serum total protein, albumin, conjugated and total bilirubin, aspartate aminotranferases (AST), alanine aminotransferases (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. Liver weight, body weight, feed intake and faecal output were also determined. Results show increase in liver weight, serum total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, ALT (in rats fed with palm and groundnut oil-based diet), AST (in rats fed with coconut oil-based diet only) as well as ALP compared with control. Histopathological examination show mild inflammation of the liver. These results therefore, indicate a compromise in liver of rats administered 10% oil - based diet

Phytochemical screening, proximate and elemental analysis of Citrus sinensis peels (l.) Osbeck

Citrus sinensis was screened for its phytochemical composition and was evaluated for the proximate and elemental analysis. The phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of reducing sugar, saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins and flavonoids. The elemental analysis indicated the presence of the following mineral elements in various concentrations: Zn, Cu, Mg, and Mn, while Cd and Ni were less than 0.001 and 0.05 respectively, while Cr was about 0.01 in concentration. Proximate analysis also shows that it has a high nutritional value such as carbohydrate, fibre, Ash, fat and protein. These results recommended the consumption of these peels of desired physiochemical properties as sources of food fibres or low-calorie bulk ingredients in food applications requiring oil and moisture retention

Phytochemical, Proximate and Metal Content Analysis of the Leaves of Psidium guajava Linn (Myrtaceae)

Purpose: To investigate the phytochemicals and some other constituents of the powdered leaves of Psidium guajava Linn and to evaluate the tolerability profile of the leaves because of their profound medicinal and non-medicinal uses. Methods: The phytochemical analysis of Psidium guajava was carried out by using a standard procedure. Ash, fat, protein, carbohydrate and fibre contents were determined using proximate analysis while the metal contents were determined using Pearson’s method. Results: The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, anthraquinones, tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids, the proximate analysis showed a low ash value of 2.80%, protein content 2.80%, fibre 2.70% and fat 1.80% but a relatively high content of carbohydrate 88.90%. The metal content analysis revealed the presence of seven metals Calcium 1.34 mg/kg, Magnesium 0.64 mg/kg, Potassium 0.76 mg/kg, Sodium 0.05 mg/kg, Iron 16.18 mg/kg, at concentrations below the tolerable upper intake level except for Manganese 29.23 mg/kg and Zinc 56.49 mg/kg Conclusion: The powdered leaves of Psidium guajava contain more of organic components and levels of manganese and zinc is above the tolerable upper intake established by the overseeing body.Keywords: Psidium guajava, Toxicity, Screening, Tolerability, Leave

Biochemical and histological evaluation of the effect of Sudan IV (a red dye) on renal function

The effect of a red dye, Sudan IV on kidney function was investigated. Some biochemical parameters such as total protein, creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were determined. Histopathological analyses were also carried out. Consequently, thirty-two albino rats (Wistar strain) were divided into 4 groups of eight rats each. The groups were given 90% rat chow supplemented with 10% palm oil. Sudan IV was administered in the diet to provide levels of 0% (PO), 0.005% (PO/0.005), 0.01% (PO/0.01) and 0.015% (PO/0.015). They were given these diets for six weeks along with water ad libitum. Weekly measurements of weights were recorded. Results showed that there were no significant (P<0.05) differences in weight gain although there was slight reduction in feed intake. A significant (P<0.05) increase in the levels of total protein, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels suggest possible kidney malfunction. Histopathological analyses reveal damage to renal tissues in rats administered with the dye.Keywords: Sudan IV; Kidney; Creatinine; Urea; Histopathological; Biochemical parameter

Biochemical evaluation of the effect of Sudan IV dye on liver function

The effect of Sudan IV (Scarlet red or Solvent red 24) dye on liver integrity was investigated. Parameters studied include weight gain, feed intake, faecal output, albumin content, total protein, direct and total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST & ALT respectively) activities. Thirty- two albino rats (Wistar strain)were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each. All the groups were fed 90% rats mash supplemented with 10% palm oil. Sudan IV was  co-administered with the diet to provide levels of 0, (PO), 0.005% (PO/0.005), 0.01% (PO/0.01) and 0.015% (PO/0.015). The animals were given these diets for six weeks along with water ad libitum. Results showed no significant (P<0.05) weightgain associated with test rats compared with the control, although feed intake was significantly reduced in those rats administered the dye. ALT and AST activities as well as protein, albumin, conjugated and total bilirubin concentrations were significantly increased in a dose - dependentmanner. Histopathological analysis revealed fibrosis in the liver of test rats. These results show a compromise in liver integrity of the experimental animals.Key words: Sudan IV, liver integrity, aminotransferases, protein, bilirubin

Effects of some edible oils on renal function in rats

This work was done to investigate the effects of palm oil, groundnut oil and coconut oil on kidney function. Biochemical analysis carried out includes the determinations of creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Measurement of kidney weight, body weight, feed intake, faecal output as well as histological examination were also carried out. Consequently, 32 albino rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each, the control rats were fed rats’ chow only while others were given 90% rats’ chow supplemented with 10% of palm oil, coconut oil or groundnut oil. They were given these diets along with water for six weeks ad libitum. Results showed that body and kidney weight were not significantly altered compared with control. Also urea and sodium levels were not significantly altered although potassium levels were significantly reduced compared with control. Creatinine levels were significantly increased in all the test rats. ALT levels were significantly increased in rats fed groundnut and palm oil based diet while AST levels were significantly increased only in those rats fed coconut oil – based diet. Histological examination shows the presence of chronic inflammatory cells. These results suggest that renal function was compromised when rats were given these oil-based diets.Keywords: Kidney; Creatinine; Urea; Aminotransferases; Histological analysi

Phytochemical studies of the Methanolic extract of the fruit bark of Parquetina Nigrescens (afzel) (periplocaceae) and preliminary thin layer chromatography (tlc) of its fractions

Parquetina nigrescens (Periplocaceae), is a shrub found in equatorial West Africa and has been used in traditional medicine practice for centuries. The leaves, roots and latex are the parts of the plant used for traditional medicine. There seems to be little information on the fruits and this has prompted this study, to determine the phytochemical constituents and characteristics of the dried fruit bark as well as undertake a preliminary chromatographic characterization of the methanol extract and partitioned fractions of the extract. Phytochemical screening of the fruit bark shows the presence of sugars (reducing sugars), alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and saponins. Proximate analysis shows moisture content, total ash and water soluble extractive of 14.85%, 14.6% and 3.09% respectively. Preliminary chromatographic characterization revealed many components with varying characteristics. In conclusion this study has provided for the first time the phytochemical, proximate and preliminary chromatographic data on the dried fruit bark of parquetina nigrescens.Keywords:Parquetina nigrescens, fruit bark, phytochemical screening, quantitative analysi

Wound healing and antiulcer activities of the ethanol extract of <i>Newbouldia laevis</i> root bark

The objective of this study was to investigate the wound healing and antiulcer activities of the ethanol extract of Newbouldia laevis root bark in rats. Dried root bark of Newbouldia laevis was extracted by maceration in ethanol and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. Qualitative phytochemical analysis and lethality study (LD50) were carried out using standard methods. Wound healing effects of an ointment containing 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the extract were evaluated in rats using the excision wound model while the antiulcer effects of the ethanol extract at 100 and200 mg/kg were evaluated in rats using indomethacin induced ulcer model. Results obtained showed that the ethanol extract of Newbouldia laevis root bark had significant (P<0.05) and dose dependent wound healing and antiulcer effects. Percentage wound healing on day 14 of the study at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract were 62, 82 and 95% respectively. Both the wound healing and ulcer protection were comparable with those of standard drugs. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids. The LD50 value obtained was 1296 mg/kg, indicating the safety of the extract. Results of this study vindicate the folkloric use of the plant in wound healing.Keywords: Newbouldia laevis, Root bark, Healing effect, Antiulcer activity, Ethanol extrac

Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial evaluation of the methanol extract and fractions of the leaves of <i>Piper umbellatum</i> Linn (Piperaeceae)

Piper umbellatum is widely distributed tropical plant species. The plant has been reported to possess an array activity including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, analgesic and skin protection. It is consumed as a vegetable and used ethnomedicinally in the treatment of stomach pain in Edo state, Nigeria. The antimicrobial property of the plant is being advocated. This present study aims at evaluating the phytochemistry of the methanol extract of P. umbellatum including analytical thin layer chromatography of the extract. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract of P. umbellatum as well as the n-butanol; n-hexane and chloroform fractions of the extract obtained by partitioning the methanol extract using clinical isolates in agar dilution technique. This study also went further to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the methanol extract and the n-hexane fraction of the extract. Phytochemical screening of the dry leaves indicated the presence of carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins and alkaloids. TLC revealed that a non-polar solvent system is preferable for isolation. The methanol extract, n-hexane fraction and n-butanol fractions inhibited all the test microorganisms at the doses used. The MIC for both the methanol extract and n-hexane fraction were found to be <25mg/ml. This study therefore confirms the antimicrobial activity of Piper umbellatum.Keywords: Piper umbellatum; Methanol extract; Antimicrobial activity; Phytochemistry; Chromatograph