http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/352 Published Journal Articles from the department. 2026-04-05T19:37:32Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2898 Role of Persea Americana and Vitamin E in Reducing the Tendency for Prostate Cancer Growth SHAFE, Mercy. O.; ADEBAYO, Oluwafemi Persea Americana Avocado is traditionally used for the treatment of various health problems.With its wide claim of medicinal benefits, it is imperative to determine the effectsof the extract on some biochemical parameters of the male wistar rats and its tendency to reduce prostate cancer growth. It’s also to determine the extract effect on the histology of the reproductive organs (testes) of the rats. Twenty-four (24) male wistar rats of an average weight of 170g were used for the experiment. The rats were divided into four groups (n=6): Group 1 (control), group II (150mg/kg of avocado extract), group III (300mg/kg of avocado extract, and group IV (200mg/kg of Vitamin E). The administration was for 56 days, and on the 57th day all the animals were sacrificed and their testes harvested. The histology and enzyme histochemistry of the testes conducted. There was a significant decrease in vitamin Glucose-6-phospodehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in rats of groups II and III compared to the control group. Prostatic acid phosphotase (P-AcP) also significantly decreased in groups II and III when compared with the group IV. Avocado and Vitamin E increased body weight and reduce oxidative stress. It also decreased LDH and P-AcP levels in the body, and consequently reducing tendency for cancerous cells growth, and particularly prostate cancer. However, unlike Vitamin E which improved on spermatogenesis, Avocado exert negatively on testicular architecture, germ cells and spermatogenesis. 2016-10-09T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2897 Effects of Aqueous Tuber Extract of Ipomea batatas on Cardiac Enzymes, Lipid Profile and Organ Weights in Wistar Rats SHAFE, Mercy. O. Ipomea batatas (I. batatas) commonly called Sweet potato are cultivated for food in more than 100 countries; the tuber is used as food without recourse to its toxic implications. Therefore, this research was designed to evaluate the effects of aqueous tuber extract of I. batatas on some organ weights, cardiac enzymes and lipid profile in Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups, each group consisting of five (5) animals. Group 1: was administered with distilled water while Groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with 200,400, and 800 mg/kg b.w doses of the extract of I. batatas respectively. The rats were sacrificed 24 h after treatment for twenty one (21) days. Serum obtained was used for analysis of the concentrations of creatine kinase (CK-MB), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein,high density lipoprotein activity. Administered I. batatas extract at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg kg-1 resulted significantly (P < 0.05) to increased mean weight of the body and organ weights (lung, liver and heart) of the rats respectively. There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in weight of testis but the effect on weight of seminal vesicle and epididymis was not significant (P > 0.05). There was reduction in the levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol, but this effect was not significant (P > 0.05). Administration of the extract at doses of 200, and 800 mg/kg b w significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the serum creatine kinase (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase activity. These findings may probably suggest the cardio-protective effects of aqueous tuber extract of I. batatas at doses tested. 2016-06-06T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2896 Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Stigma Related to COVID-19: A 2020 survey in North-central Nigeria SHAFE, Mercy Omoye; DANBORNO, Angela; OGBE, Susan; MALLO, Mahan; TORYILA, Joseph Pandemics have claimed an estimated 414 million lives from 165 AD to present, with COVID-19 pandemic killing close to 2 million people. The best counter for pandemics has been the use of vaccines, but before it is widely available, the best strategy is to avoid being infected. COVID-19 pandemic was met by behaviours and attitudes ranging from unbelief to fear of dying and stigmatisation of those who have contracted the virus or recovered from the disease. This study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), fear and stigma of the populace towards COVID-19 from state to state of north central Nigeria. This research was a cross-sectional study carried out from April to October 2020. Using stratified sampling, the population was divided into different strata based on sex, ethnicity, level of education, occupation and marital status. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire distributed to 650 individuals. Respondents who participated were 591 (males n= 335 and females n= 256), aged 18-60 years (mean age 30.25 ± 10.45 years, range 18-60). Data were analysed using SPSS 25.0 for Windows version 26.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). Significant level was pegged at P<0.05, and all statistical tests were two-tailed. The results show that 98.3% of participants believe that COVID-19 disease exists. On the practice, 74.7% wear face masks, 81.5% avoid crowded places, 73.7% practice social distancing and 85.1 follow the WHO-hand-washing technique as measures to curb the spread of the disease. About 60.5% of the participants believe that lockdown is an effective measure to reduce transmission risk. 55.6% will stigmatise those who just recovered from the disease, 75.3% are afraid to visit high-risk areas as part of the protective measures, 12% believe that every infected person will die. More males (28.3%) than females (17.6%) believe that taking herbs can cure the disease (χ2 = 9.32, df= 1, P<0.01). All government and nongovernmental organizations must develop more awareness programs to win the battle against COVID-19 disease as the second wave is emerging. 2021-05-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2769 Lycopene: A Potent Antioxidant with Multiple Health Benefits SHAFE, Mercy Omoye Lycopene is a naturally occurring carotenoid predominantly found in tomatoes and tomato-based products. Like other phytochemicals, it exhibits health bene1cial biological activities that can be exploited when it is used as a dietary supplement. In vitro and in vivo, lycopene has been demonstrated to mitigate oxidative stress-induced metabolic dysfunctions and diseases including in2ammation, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. Lycopene has been shown to alleviate metabolic diseases that a3ect the bone, eye, kidney, liver, lungs, heart, and nervous system. ,is review presents the state of the art regarding lycopene’s health bene1ts and its potential applications in health system delivery. Furthermore, lycopene’s protective e3ects against toxins, safety in its use, and possible toxicity are explored. 2024-05-20T00:00:00Z