Research Articles

Toxicological Evaluation of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. on Selected Biochemical Parameters in Rats

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Toxicological Evaluation of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. on Selected Biochemical Parameters in Rats ABIOYE, Joshua O. K.; ABDULLAHI, Danjuma K.; ADEBAYO, Oluwafemi F. The methanolic leaf extract of Calotropis procera was investigated for its toxicological effect on selected biochemical parameters in rats. Forty five albino rats of both sexes were used for the research work. For the acute toxicity study (LD50), fifteen animals were completely randomized into three groups (A-C) comprising 5 animals each. Animals in group A were administered 1 ml of 500 mg/kg body weight of the extract while those in groups B and C received 1000 and 1500 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively. Signs of toxicity and number of death were observed and recorded for 14 days. In the experimental design, twenty five fresh animals were completely randomized into five groups (A-E) comprising 5 animals each. Animals in group A (control) were administered 1 ml of distilled water while those in groups B, C, D and E were respectively administered 100, 300, 600 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the methanolic leaf extract of C. procera once daily for 7 days. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that the methanolic leaf extract of C. procera contains alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, phlobatannins and cardiac glycosides. LD50 of the extract was found to be safe up to 1500 mg/kg body weight. When compared with the distilled water treated control animals, the methanolic leaf extract of C. procera at all doses significantly (p<0.05) increased the concentrations of both total and conjugated bilirubin in the serum of the animals in a dose related manner. Treatment with the extract at all doses significantly (p<0.05) increased the activity of AST in the liver, kidney and serum of the animals in a dose related manner. Administration of the extract at all doses significantly (p<0.05) increased the activity of ALT in the liver and serum of the animals also in a dose related manner. The extract at all doses significantly (p<0.05) decreased the activity of ALT in the heart of the animals. Overall, the methanolic leaf extract of C. procera which caused alterations in the biomolecules may affect the normal functioning capacity of the tissues; therefore, it may not be completely ‘safe’ as oral remedy at the doses investigated in this study.

The Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Patients Attending Defence Headquarters Medical Centre, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

The Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Patients Attending Defence Headquarters Medical Centre, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria ABIOYE, Joshua O. K.; OLOKUN, Alexander L. Hepatitis B infection is a global public health problem and is endemic in sub Saharan Africa. This disease has different modes of transmission and the infection is usually common in developing countries, including Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HBsAg among patients attending Defence Headquarters Medical Centre, Asokoro, Abuja. The work was a random cross-sectional study that included 260 patients during the period of May to July 2020. A rapid diagnostic test kit was used for the screening for HBsAg. Out of the 260 patients tested, 10 were positive, giving a prevalence of 3.8%. The highest prevalence based on age was found among those aged 27 to 36 years with 2.28% seropositivity. The infection was highest among the low class of socioeconomic status with 5.21%. Patients who were not knowledgeable about the disease had a higher prevalence rate of 13.60% and lastly females had a higher prevalence rate of 4.55% compared to males (3.33). The prevalence of Hepatitis B infection is quite high in the studied population, which could have some public health implications. Recommendations have, therefore, been advanced to control and possibly eradicate the disease in no distant time.

THE POTENTIALS OF GINGER AND SELECTED CHEMICALS AS PRESERVATIVES ON THE SHELF LIFE OF GROUND SEEDS OF MELON (Colocynthis citrullus L.)

Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

THE POTENTIALS OF GINGER AND SELECTED CHEMICALS AS PRESERVATIVES ON THE SHELF LIFE OF GROUND SEEDS OF MELON (Colocynthis citrullus L.) ABIOYE, Joshua O. K. The research examined the potentials of ginger and selected chemicals as preservatives on the shelf life of ground seeds of melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.). Due to increased search for natural antimicrobials and preservatives, the preservative effect of ginger was compared with that of sodium chloride, sorbic acid and calcium propionate in extending the shelf life of ground melon seed (GMS) at concentrations of 0.1%, 1%, 3% and 5%. The treated and untreated samples were stored at room temperature for 12 weeks. The bacterial counts during the 12 week storage ranged from 0.2×105 to 1.69×106 cfu/ml while the control recorded the highest microbial counts. The sample treated with 5% ginger exhibited the highest preservative action at 5weeks while, the samples treated with calcium propionate at all concentrations exhibited the least preservative action. A marginal decrease in pH was observed for all samples except for those treated with sorbic acid. Phytochemicals isolated from ginger include tannins, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, coumarins, phenols and terpenoids which might be responsible for its antimicrobial properties. In conclusion, 5% ginger gave the best preservative action followed by 5% sorbic acid and 5% Sodium chloride while all concentrations of calcium propionate showed the least preservative action.

THE EFFECTS OF SOME MEDICATED SOAPS ON SOME NORMAL MICRO-FLORA OF THE HUMAN SKIN

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

THE EFFECTS OF SOME MEDICATED SOAPS ON SOME NORMAL MICRO-FLORA OF THE HUMAN SKIN IHUMA, Jerome O.; ABIOYE, Joshua O. K.; KOGGIE, Zamfara A. This project investigates the effects of selected medicated soap (Delta, Tetmosol and Tura) commonly used at the study area on some normal micro flora (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus pyogenes) of the human skin. A total of seventy two samples were collected from three body regions (armpit, cubital and finger web) and subjected to both microbial and biochemical tests. Out of the total samples, Thirty six samples each were collected from Bingham University, Karu and Auta-Balefi communities also in Karu. All the samples were cultured in standard Blood and MacConkey agar at 370 C for 24 hours. The result showed that there were differences in the prevalence of both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis at the two locations. Null hypothesis was therefore rejected following t-test (t-cal= 0.75, df=1, 0.05 and t-tab=12.7). Staphylocccus pyogenes was isolated from only one sample after treatment. The result also indicated that application of treatment reduced the prevalence of the skin micro flora. On the basis of treatment, the Null hypothesis was also rejected again, for this sample batch (t-cal= 1.0, df=2, 0.05 and t-tab=4.03). These results seem to suggest that, the use of these medicated soaps should be in moderate levels because, overuse may reduce the resident micro flora thereby giving way to transient micro flora, which may grow opportunistically above the normal threshold level, creating a disease situation especially in immune-compromised individuals.