Toxicity assessment of sub-acute and sub-chronic oral administration and diuretic potential of aqueous extract of calyces.

Background: Food and herbal usage of (HS) is attaining improved global relevance and acceptance without recourse to its potential toxic effects. This study investigated the safety profile of acute, sub-acute, sub-chronic administrations and diuretic potential of aqueous extract of calyces (AEHSC).

Method: Acute oral toxicity, sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity as well as diuretic studies were carried out on HS.

Choices and determinants of delivery location among mothers attending a primary health facility in Southern Nigeria.

Background: The delivery locations of pregnant women contribute greatly to their birth outcome. The objectives of this study were to determine the choices and determinants of delivery locations among mothers attending a primary health centre (PHC) in southern Nigeria.

Research Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among mothers attending PHC, West Itam, Itu, Nigeria.

Vitamin E attenuates nicotine- and noise-induced reproductive impairment in male albino Wistar rats.

Previous studies showed that exposure to stress or nicotine induced reproductive impairment in male rats. Here, we assessed the effect of an antioxidant (vitamin E) on nicotine-, stress- and nicotine + stress-induced reproductive impairment in male rats. Forty-eight male albino Wistar rats were divided into eight groups as follows; control, stress (generator noise 90-120 dB, 8 hr/day), nicotine (1.

Artemisia annua as a possible contraceptive agent: a clue from mammalian rat model.

In a previous study, we evaluated the maternal and fetal safety of antimalarial herb Artemisia annua with artemisinin yield of 1.09%. Here, we attempted to ascertain the contraceptive claim of A.

A safety assessment of the antimalarial herb Artemisia annua during pregnancy in Wistar rats.

Artemisia annua is a Chinese antimalarial herb that has been used for more than 2000 years. The maternal and foetal safety of the ethanolic leaf extract of therapeutically active Artemisia annua (EAA), with previously determined artemisinin yield of 1.098% was evaluated in Wistar rats.

Biochemical and haematological evaluation of repeated dose exposure of male Wistar rats to an ethanolic extract of Artemisia annua.

Artemisia annua is widely used for the treatment of malaria and other disorders. In a previous study, the artemisinin concentration in the dry leaves of A. annua grown under humid tropical conditions was determined to be 1.

Synergistic antidiabetic activity of Vernonia amygdalina and Azadirachta indica: biochemical effects and possible mechanism.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: A decoction from a combination of herbs is commonly used in Traditional African Medicine for the management of chronic ailments. In Nigeria, the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA) and Azadirachta indica A.

Hypoglycaemic activity of ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis.

The leaf of Telfairia occidentalis has been found to possess hypoglycemic or antihyperglycemic effect. The hypoglycemic principle of the leaf is yet to be isolated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of some fractions of ethanolic leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis in rat as a step toward activity directed isolation of the hypoglycemic component.

Vitamins A and E reverse gasoline vapors-induced hematotoxicity and weight loss in female rats.

In this study, gasoline vapors-induced hematotoxicity, growth-depression and weight-loss reversal effect of vitamins A (retinol) and E (α-tocopherol) was assessed in female Wistar albino rats. The rats were exposed to gasoline vapors (17.8 ± 2.

Comparative Hepatoprotective Effect of Vitamins A and E Against Gasoline Vapor Toxicity in Male and Female Rats.

Background: Plasma alanine transferase(ALT), aspartate transferase(AST), α-glutamyl transferase(GGT), and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activities are known biomarkers in assessing hepatic functional integrity. A remarkable rise in the activities of these enzymes normally signifies hepatotoxicity of chemical agent(s) in the biological system. Exposure to 17.

Effect of aqueous extracts of alligator pear seed (Persea americana mill) on blood glucose and histopathology of pancreas in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Effects of aqueous extract of alligator pear seed on normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated in 6 groups of rats (5 rats per group). Test groups were made diabetic with intra-peritoneal injection of alloxan and treated with 300 mg and 600 mg/kg body weight of alligator pear seed extract. Two non-diabetic groups were also administered with 300 mg and 600 mg/kg body weight extract.

The Hepatoprotective Effect of Vitamin A against Gasoline Vapor Toxicity in Rats.

Background: Changes in the activities of plasma alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are used to assess the functional state of the liver. Significant increase in the activities of these enzymes commonly indicates the hepatotoxicity of chemical agent(s) in the body. Exposure of male and female rats to 17.

Serum protein and enzyme levels in rats following administration of antioxidant vitamins during caffeinated and non-caffeinated paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity.

The effects of caffeinated and non-caffeinated paracetamol administration, with or without vitamins A and E supplementation on the protein and enzyme levels in Wistar albino rats were investigated using caffeinated paracetamol and paracetamol as caffeinated and non-caffeinated paracetamol respectively, and water soluble acetic acid derivatives of vitamins A and E. Serum AST, ALT and ALP levels (u/l) significantly increased [P < 0.05] following paracetamol administration.

Hypoglycemic effect of the seed extract of Telfairia occidentalis in rat.

The blood glucose lowering effect of the ethanolic extract of the seed of Telfaria occidentalis in normoglycemic, alloxan-diabetic and glucose loaded rats was determined. Ethanolic extract of the seed of Telfairia occidentialis was administered at two dose levels (100 and 250 mg kg(-1)) to both normoglycemic and alloxan diabetic Wilstar albino rats. Blood was collected from the tail vein of the rats at 1, 2 and 4 h.

Storage beyond three hours at ambient temperature alters the biochemical and nutritional qualities of breast milk.

The effect of storage on stability of human breast milk was investigated in 30 lactating mothers. Samples stored for 3, 6 and 24 hours at ambient temperature of 302K (29 degrees) were analysed for protein, lactose, pH, and microbial content. There were significant (p < 0.

Caffeine and theobromine levels in selected Nigerian beverages.

Caffeine and theobromine contents (mg/g) were determined in samples of selected Nigerian beverage products. The beverages were cocoa (Milo, Bournvita, Rosevita and Enervita), coffee (Nescafe, Bongo, and Maxwell House decaffeinated) and tea (Lipton). The theobromine contents of samples of Milo, Bournvita, Rosevita, Enervita, Nescafe, Bongo, Maxwell House decaffeinated coffee and Lipton were 62.

Influence of palm oil (Elaesis guineensis) on health.

In recent times there has been a growing research interest in palm oil, one of the major edible plant oils in the tropical countries, because of the link between dietary fats and coronary heart disease. Obtained from a tropical plant, Elaesis guineensis, it has a polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid ratio close to unity and a high amount of antioxidant vitamin A precursors and vitamin E. Palm oil is consumed in the fresh state and/or at various levels of oxidation.

Effects of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and Cataflam (potassium diclofenac) on some biochemical parameters in rats.

The effects of graded doses of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and cataflam (potassium diclofenac) on serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, 5'Nucleotidase, methaemoglobin, total and conjaged bilirubin were investigated in wistar rats. Results showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of alanine animotransferase, aspartate amino transferase, methaemoglobin, total and conjugated bilirubin upon treatment of animals with both drugs.

Serum liver enzymes profile of Wistar rats following chronic consumption of fresh or oxidized palm oil diets.

The effect of chronic consumption of palm oil diets on serum levels of some liver enzymes in rat was investigated. Two groups of rats were fed on either fresh or thermally oxidized palm oil, mixed at 15% level for 18 weeks and their effects on serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.

Thermoxidized palm oil induces reproductive toxicity in healthy and malnourished rats.

Repeatedly thermoxidized palm oil (TPO), simulating local culinary practice, was fed for eight weeks at 15% of a balanced basal diet to two sets of male and female weanling albino rats of Wistar strain. The first set of animals were normal and healthy while the second set were kwashiorkoric. Primary controls (PC) of all rats were fed a balanced basal diet of commercial rat pellets while secondary controls (SC) were fed the balanced basal diet supplemented with 15% untreated palm oil.

Abnormalities in adenosine triphosphatase of the erythrocyte membrane in iron deficiency anaemia.

During iron deficiency rat and human erythrocyte membrane enzyme activities (Total ATPase and Ouabainsensitive Na+.K+ ATPase) showed significant (P < 0.001) decrease.

Milk macronutrient levels during the first month of term and preterm Nigerian mothers.

The lactose levels of the transition milk of term mothers were significantly higher compared with preterm mothers (5.87 versus 5.32 g/100 ml).

Effects of fenfluramine on the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the rat: fenfluramine effects on Ca and P metabolism.

Daily administration of 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20mg of fenfluramine/kg body weight to adult rats for four weeks resulted in dose dependent decrease in calcium and phosphorus absorption with an inverse correlation of r = -0.94 for calcium and r = -0.93 for phosphorus.

The effect of prolonged exposure of rats to sub-lethal dose of acetaminophen.

In this report, we studied the effect of sub-lethal doses (20mg, 30mg, 100mg, 200mg and 300mg/Kg body weight) and duration of acetaminophen given intraperitoneally (i.p) to male albino rats; on the level of pc methaemoglobin and some liver function tests: Alkaline phosphatase, free and conjugated bilirubin. The study showed that the increase in pc methaemoglobin, free and conjugated bilirubin in rats treated with acetaminophen are significantly (P less than 0.