Hematological and lipid profile evaluation of a hexane fraction of Costus afer leaves in arthritic rats.

Context: Costus afer Ker Gawl. (Costaceae) is an ethnomedical plant used as therapy against inflammatory disorders.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the hematological and lipid profile analysis of hexane fraction of C.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Costus afer Ker Gawl. hexane leaf fraction in arthritic rat models.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Costus afer Ker Gawl is an indigenous tropical African medicinal plant used as therapy in the treatment of inflammatory ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the hexane fraction of C. afer leaves (CAHLF).

Chemical constituents in n-butanol fractions of Castus afer ker Gawl leaf and stem.

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the bioactive compounds in Costus afer Ker Gawl, an indigenous African medicinal plant whose leaf and stem extracts are used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, especially rheumatism and arthritis.

Materials And Methods: The bioactive compounds present in the n-butanol fractions of C. afer leaf and stem were identified using qualitative phytochemical evaluation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analytical method, comparing the mass spectra of the identified compounds with those of the National Institute of Standards and Technology database library.

Hypolipidemic effects of lactic acid bacteria fermented cereal in rats.

Background: The objectives of the present study were to investigate the efficacy of the mixed culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus (DSM 20242), Bifidobacterium bifidum (DSM 20082) and Lactobacillus helveticus (CK60) in the fermentation of maize and the evaluation of the effect of the fermented meal on the lipid profile of rats.

Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups and each group placed on a Diet A (high fat diet into which a maize meal fermented with a mixed culture of Lb acidophilus (DSM 20242), B bifidum (DSM 20082) and Lb helveticus (CK 60) was incorporated), B (unfermented high fat diet) or C (commercial rat chow) respectively after the first group of 7 rats randomly selected were sacrificed to obtain the baseline data. Thereafter 7 rats each from the experimental and control groups were sacrificed weekly for 4 weeks and the plasma, erythrocytes, lipoproteins and organs of the rats were assessed for cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipids.

Endogenous antioxidant defences in plasma and erythrocytes of pregnant women during different trimesters of pregnancy.

Background: To assess the antioxidant capacity of pregnant women in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods: The activities of total superoxide dismutase (total SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase(GST), aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), and the concentrations of glutathione (GSH), were determined in the plasma and red blood cells of non-pregnant (n=20), normal healthy pregnant women during different trimesters of pregnancy (n=90), and pregnant women with pre-eclampsia (n=7).

Results: A 2-fold increase in erythrocyte CAT activity was observed in the pregnant women (p<0.

Fruits and vegetables moderate lipid cardiovascular risk factor in hypertensive patients.

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor in etiology of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown association between vegetarian diet and low total serum cholesterol as well as LDL-cholesterol which is a pointer to low risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary fiber, antioxidants and other classes of nutrients have been reported to ameliorate cardiovascular risk factors.

Plasma lipid profiles and risk of cardiovascular disease in occupational lead exposure in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

In order to investigate the effects of lead exposure on risk of cardiovascular disease during occupational exposure to this metal, plasma cholesterol and its fractions as high-density liporotein (HDL), low-density liporotein (LDL) and triglyceride were determined in various artisans in Abeokuta, Nigeria who have been shown to be occupationally exposed to lead and these were related to blood lead levels. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease was observed in the artisans. Total cholesterol in the artisans was between 1.