Evaluation of possible effects of Persea americana seeds on female reproductive hormonal and toxicity profile.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The seed of Avocado (Persea americana, Lauraceae), non-edible part of the fruit is used as health product. It has been reported as traditional female contraceptive and sterilizer in Peru and some Asian countries and in Nigeria as cardio-protective agent. The present study focused on the effect of hydro-methanolic seed extract of Persea americana on female hormones and toxicity profile using animal models.

Cadmium and lead in geophagic clay consumed in Southern Nigeria: health risk from such traditional nutraceutical.

Geophagy is a cultural behavior, based on the recurrent intentional eating of clay soil, that is raising increasing concern as it implies multidimensional (space, time) potential risk of serious adverse health effects. This study investigated the level of toxic metals (Cd and Pb) in 20 Nigerian geophagic clays intended for both local consumption and distribution to the West Africa market. After sampling in 4 open markets in southern Nigeria (Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers, Imo), samples were subjected to digestion, ashing and analysis.

HIV infection in long-distance truck drivers in a low income setting in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence, and correlates of HIV infection among long-distance truck drivers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A total of one hundred (100) long-distance truck drivers aged between 21 and 60 years and mean age of 42.36 ± 5.