Famuyiwa, S. O., Ayoola M. D. et al. (7 contributing authors)
A medicinal plant is any plant containing substances that are effective therapeutically or are precursors for drug manufacture in one or more of its organs. This work was a comparative study of the hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemia-lowering activities of the methanol extracts of the leaf, stem, and root barks of Xylopia aethiopica used folklorically in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus with the view of determining its most active morphological part. The pulverized leaves, stem and root barks of the plant were separately subjected to cold extraction using methanol to obtain leaf, stem and root barks extracts respectively. The hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic effects of the extracts were carried out on normoglycaemic and glucose-induced hyperglycaemic rats, respectively at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg using glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) as positive control. The most effective antihyperglycaemic doses of the extracts were used to determine its anti-diabetic activity on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The results obtained from the study were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Student–Newman-Keuls post hoc tests and p< 0.05 was considered significant. The results of the study showed that the root bark extract of X. aethiopica did not cause hypoglycaemia in rats at all the tested doses while hypoglycaemia was obtained at 400 mg/kg of the leaf and stem bark extracts. In the hyperglycaemia-lowering experiment using glucose loaded rats’ model, the leaf, stem and root bark extracts gave 10, 13, 10, 29; 35, 36, 38, 41 and 25, 27, 33, 44 % blood glucose levels reduction at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 h, respectively which showed the stem bark as the most active plant part especially at 0.5-2 h. In the streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic rats experiment, the order of antihyperglycaemic effect of the morphological parts of X. aethiopica is, stem bark extract > leaf extract > root bark extract. It was concluded from the results obtained from the study that the stem bark extract of Xylopia aethiopica was the most active plant part both in glucose and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia and it does not cause hypoglycaemia at low doses.
Okanlawon, T. S., Ogundele et al. (10 contributing authors)
Leucaena leucocephala is a fast-growing leguminous plant this is used in the treatment of intestinal diseases and as birth control. This work was geared toward investigating the phytochemical attributes and the antimicrobial actions of methanol and distilled water crude extracts from the stem bark of Leucaena leucocephala in the ratio of 3:2 on nineteen bacterial species. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extract was done with the use of the agar diffusion technique in line with the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. The extract was located to be energetic against sixteen bacterial traces at a concentration of 35 mg/mL except for Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium sporogenes, and Pseudomonas fluorescens . The zones of inhibition exhibited by means of the extract towards the organisms ranged from 10.00 mm to 20.00 mm. The MIC exhibited by the extract ranged from 2.19 mg/ml to 8.75mg/ml while the MBC ranged from 4.38 mg/ml to 17.5 mg/ml. The effects of the extract on bacterial species were compared with the use of selected antibiotics such as streptomycin, and ampicillin. The phytochemical parts of the extract include tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, phenols, and terpenoids. Results from this research confirmed that the stem bark extract of Leucaena leucocephala exhibited antimicrobial activity against the selected bacteria and support the usefulness of this plant in folklore treatments.
Kolawole, I. O., Ebuehi et al. (10 contributing authors)
Alafia barteri is valued for its effectiveness in the traditional medicine system in Nigeria and other African countries. This study aims at evaluating the hypolipidemic effect of the aqueous and ethanol leaf and root extracts of Alafia barteri in formaldehyde-induced arthritic mice. 77 healthy Swiss albino male mice (30-35 g) were randomized into eleven groups of five mice each and extracts were administered for 10 days at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. Arthritis was induced by sub-plantar injection of 0.1 mL of 2 % formaldehyde. Serum lipid profile was evaluated after blood sample collection. Results of this study revealed that the aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts caused significant reduction(p˂0.05) in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, but increased HDL-cholesterol levels compared to the arthritic control which is suggestive of their hypo-lipidemic effects in arthritic mice.
Ehinlafa, O. E., Johnson et al. (10 contributing authors)
The F2 region critical frequency ( f o F2 ) and peak electron density ( N m F2 ) morphology was investigated over Ilorin (latitude 8.31°N, longitude 4.34°E) during a Low Solar Epochs (LSE), a station along the equator anomaly trough. Diurnally, f o F2 and N m F2 are visibly more prominent during the day than at night with two characteristic peaks: pre-noon and post-noon peaks. The f o F2 and N m F2 pre-noon peak magnitude range: (7.7–8.3 MHz) and (7.3–8.6) × 10 11 /m -3 respectively is less compared to the f o F2 and N m F2 post-noon peak magnitude range: (7.3–9.7 MHz) and (6.7–11.7) ×10 11 /m -3 respectively. Seasonally, the highest values were attained during the post-noon peak in the equinoctial months compared to the solstices months, and also, annually, the post-noon peak is higher than the pre-noon peak. The rapid electron drift away from the equator is responsible for the sharp drop in f o F2 and N m F2 after sunset in all seasons. Seasonal peaks in f o F2 and N m F2 are suspected to be controlled by the enhanced E × B drifts and the onset and turn-off of solar ionization, which is consistent with some earlier results obtained at some stations in the African region during low solar epoch periods.
Egwu, H. A., Yilwa et al. (14 contributing authors)
Hyptis suaveolens , an aromatic plant commonly called Daddoya-ta-daji in Hausa language, is traditionally used as medicine and food. It is used as stimulant, antirheumatic, carminative, against parasitic diseases, headaches, infection of the uterus, stomach, and skin diseases. It is found growing in both oil polluted and non-oil polluted environment. Oil pollution of land is a challenge due to the presence of heavy metals and volatile organic compounds which are harmful to crops and plants. This study investigated the phytoconstituents of the methanol leaf extract as well as antimicrobial activities of Hyptis suaveolens collected from polluted and unpolluted sites. Methanol leaf extracts of H. suaveolens were screened for crucial phytochemicals using standard methods. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was carried out using agar disc-diffusion method by Yahaya et al . (2018), using Mueller Hinton agar medium and potatoes dextrose agar in petri plates seeded with clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Shigella sp, Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria), Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger (fungi) respectively, and the zone of inhibition determined. The phytochemical results showed that methanol extract of both the polluted and non-polluted H. suaveolens leaves exhibited the presence of some number of bioactive compounds. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) of polluted and non-polluted leaves of H. suaveolens identified 13 and 21 compounds, respectively such as Octadec-9-enoic acid, 2-Ethylacridine, Methyl ester, Tetracyclo [4.4.1.1(7,10).0(2,5)] dodec-3-en-11-ol, 1,2-Diphenyl-1-isocyanoethane and 7-Isopropyl-1, 1, 4a-trimethy l-1,2,3,4,4a,9,10,10 aocta -hydrophenanthrene. These chemical compounds are considered biologically and pharmacologically important. The results from assessment of the antimicrobial potential of H. suaveolens (L.) on pathogenic microorganisms showed that the pathogenic microorganisms revealed inhibition zones ranging from 6 to 18 mm. This data indicates that the unpolluted methanol extract of H. Suaveolens exhibits a higher bioactive potential compared to the extract derived from polluted leaves. This disparity suggests that oil pollution may have a detrimental impact on the biochemical properties of the plant.
Ajayi, Olulope Olufemi, Okhani et al. (4 contributing authors)
A Body Shape Index (ABSI) is a new adiposity metric that has been linked with chronic metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, type 2, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer risk in some studies. ABSI is an anthropometric index that takes into account waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and height. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of ABSI with clinical and biochemical indices in undergraduates. This cross-sectional study involved 97 undergraduate students of Edo State University Uzairue, Edo State, Nigeria (16–26 years old). They comprised 65 females and 32 males. Information on socio-demography was obtained from administered semi-pretest questionnaire. Anthropometric indices; body weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference and mid-upper arm circumference were determined using standard methods. BMI, ABSI, waist hip ratio and waist height ratio were calculated. Blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse pressure, saturation of peripheral oxygen (SPO 2 ), and body composition including lean body mass, body water, metabolism and so on. as well as plasma glucose and total cholesterol were determined by standard methods. Age, body weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, systolic blood pressure, lean body mass, metabolism were significantly higher in males, while body age, SPO 2 and fat were significantly higher in females than males (p<0.05). ABSI positively correlated with height, waist circumference, pulse rate, visceral fat, metabolism, and lean body mass (p<0.05). Observations in this study show that ABSI could be a good index of assessing abdominal obesity, hence, its recommendation for obesity screening in studies is suggested.
A body shape indexBiochemical indicesBody mass indexClinical indicesObesity
Ojo, Adegboyega Sunday, Kusemiju et al. (8 contributing authors)
River Owo is a polluted water body in Agbara Industrial area an outskirts of Ojo Local Government Area due to the dumps of industrial wastes. The body contains diverse soluble and insoluble both of organic and inorganic compounds as well as living organism such as benthic macroinvertebrate fauna. This research work is an intensive studies carried out on constituents of river and compared with Iba stream of no active polluting activities in the same Local Government as a control. Water and macro invertebrate samples were taken from the two sites. Physicochemical and heavy metals analysis were carried out on the water using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The invertebrates were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. I nvestigations revealed that the water body is slightly acidic with pH of 5.5 to 6.5. It hardness have been mild due to the impact of the constituents that have softened it to extents of about 88mgL -1 . Sulphate level of range 0.07 to.09mgL-1 is significantly low. These physicochemical factors did not contribute adversely to the two water bodies. However, high BOD of 340 to 357 above the limit 30 indicated that the pollution of River Owo mainly comes from organics waste dumps. Decapods such as Palaemonetes sp and amphipods which are common to polluted environment are found in River Owo. The abundance of various forms of insects of which dragon fly nymph Palemonetes sp were most in population are found around River Owo. Therefore River Owo is mainly being polluted with organics substances. However both Physicochemcal parameters and Benthic studies Iba stream indicated that it is free of pollution. This could have been due to the disallowed dumps of domestics and industrial wastes were not allowed into the stream.
Physiochemical analysismacro invertebrateseffluentsMollusksPaloemonestes species
Freshly harvested cassava was stored in moist sawdust for twelve weeks and processed into gari every two weeks throughout the period of storage. Sensory evaluation in terms of sensory attributes and acceptability were evaluated using 30 semi-trained panelist. The consumable form of gari (dried gari, soaked gari and Eba paste) were evaluated. For the sensory attribute test, score difference test was used with each attribute on a scale of five. The consumer acceptance was evaluated using a nine-point hedonic scale. The result of the analysis shows that, there were significant difference (P < 0.05) in taste of dried gari, and mouldability of eba while for the hedonic test there were significant difference (P < 0.05) in colour and granularity in dried gari, taste and appearance of soaked gari and aroma of eba. The study shows that stored cassava roots produces gari with acceptable sensory attributes.
Uzoeghelu, Chinaza Precious, Ugbenyen et al. (4 contributing authors)
Measurement of an individual's anthropometric indices is one of the many methods for determining physical health status; others include measurement of biochemical markers and clinical indices. Little information is known about the relationship between conicity index in predicting diseases. The study was aimed at finding the association between conicity index, biochemical and clinical indices in predicting disease conditions. This study was carried out on 87 undergraduates of Edo State University, Uzairue with 44 of them being males and 43 of them being females. The Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and the anthropometric indices, biochemical and clinical indices were measured. There was a statistically significant difference in the comparison of male and female respondents in their weight, height, waist circumference, fat, visceral fat, water and muscles at (p < 0.05). Conicity Index (CI) was statistically significant and positively correlated with obesity, muscle and diastolic blood pressure at (p < 0.01), positively correlated with systolic blood pressure and visceral fat (p <0.05) and a correlation with blood glucose and cholesterol level. The results of the study showed that Conicity Index had a correlation with clinical and biochemical indices. This makes it a factor for predicting cardiovascular disease, hypertension and central obesity and may be a predicting factor for diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia.
Anthropometric indicesBiochemical and Clinical indicesConicity Index
Dupe T. Otolowo1, 3, Oluwaseun F. Akinmoladun2 et al. (6 contributing authors)
Zobo is an important healthy drink made from the dried calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa by boiling water extraction. An equal volume of the basal extract was flavoured separately with conventional strawberry essence (Zobo-S), alligator pepper (Zobo-A), and clove (Zobo-C) and evaluated for chemical and sensory properties using established methods. The obtained range of values for mineral (4.70-578 mg/L) and vitamins (0.05-0.29 mg/100 g) were in moderate amounts with potassium being the most abundant mineral element (ranged 522-578mg/L) and highest in Zobo-A (578 mg/L). Zinc, an antiviral and important element for the body immune system was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Zobo-C (13.34 mg/L) and Zobo-A (8.33 mg/L) than Zobo-S (7.14 mg/L) making Zobo with spices a better choice drink for a preventive measure against infectious viral-diseases like COVID-19. Total titratable acidity ranged from 0.93-1.06 g/100 ml and was highest in Zobo-S (1.06g /100 ml) implying the Zobo made with spices were less acidic. Also, tannin content was improved with the spices and highest in Zobo-C (0.44 mg/100 g) while Zobo-A was the most preferred in overall acceptability. Thus, the natural spices improved the minerals, phytochemical contents and sensory acceptability of Zobo drink. This could proffer potential health benefits to the consumers and encourage the use of natural spices in the preparation of food and drinks rather than the chemical-based conventional flavour essence.
Abimbola A. Ogundiran1, Obanla Bilikis Ololade1, Olusegun O. Ogundiran2 et al. (4 contributing authors)
This study focussed on the utilisation of both unmodified and acid modified snail shells as low cost adsorbents for the removal of Congo Red (CR) from aqueous solution using batch adsorption process. Different parameters such as pH, Contact time, temperature and adsorbent dose were varied. The kinetic studies using pseudo first order and pseudo second order of the adsorption were carried out. The adsorption of Congo Red (CR) was found to be dependent on the varied parameters. The optimum time for the uptake was 60 min, adsorbent dosage of 2 g and pH was found to be 2.0. The amount of CR removed (qe) rose from 2.445 to 19.230 mg/g when the contact time progressed from 5 to 60 min for unmodified snail shell and from 5.540 to 26.170 mg/g when treated snail shell was used. Pseudo-first- order model better described the kinetic of the adsorption process. The value of ΔH obtained was 42.20 kJ/mol with ΔS value of 20.30 kJ/mol) and this is an indication that the process of adsorption to be endothermic reaction. FT-IR characterization of the adsorbent before and after adsorption process revealed the probable functional groups present on the surface of the adsorbent to be –OH, C=O and C-H. Thus, snail shells can be deployed as low cost adsorbent for Congo Red removal from effluents.
Ceaser A. Moses1, Olumuyiwa A. Owolabi2, Ijeoma Okolo2 et al. (5 contributing authors)
Consumption of diets rich in vegetables and fruits protects the human body from acute and chronic diseases. This study determines the effect of blanching on some antinutritional factors and mineral content of Basella alba and Amaranthus hybridus using standard methods. The vegetables were blanched in deionized water for 5 minutes at 100oC. The phytate and oxalate contents of unblanched Basella alba were significantly (p<0.05) lowered when compared with unblanched Amaranthus hybridus. Blanching caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the phytate content by 22.3% and 32.8%, respectively when blanched Amaranthus hybridus and blanched Basella alba BBA were compared with their corresponding unblanched leaves. Also blanching elicited a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the oxalate level by 44.4% and 18.8%, respectively when blanched Amaranthus hybridus and blanched Basella alba BBA were matched with their unblanched counterparts. The mineral (Fe, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn) content was significantly (p<0.05) higher in unblanched Basella alba than unblanched Amaranthus hybridus, which decreases significantly (p<0.05) to varying extents after blanching in both vegetables. Blanching reduces the mineral content of Basella alba and Amaranthus hybridus leaves but makes them more bioavailable by reducing their phytate and oxalate. Hence, other processing techniques should be developed which reduce the antinutrient content only.
