Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Indoor Air Quality of Selected Lecture Theatres in Faculty of Life Sciences, University of\u0000Benin","authors":"Idemudia I.B., Momoh A.M., Michael E.I.","doi":"10.48198/njpas/21.b20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48198/njpas/21.b20","url":null,"abstract":"The presence of airborne microbes can be detrimental to mankind. Research on bacteriological pollution of indoor air in selected lecture theatres of Life Sciences Faculty, University of Benin, was carried out. Surveys were conducted in the period of July-September, 2019. Microbiology lecture Theatre, Environmental Management and Toxicology Lecture Theatre, Animal and Environmental Biology (200 Level) Laboratory, Microbiology (400 level) Laboratory, Plant Biology and Biotechnology (200 level) Laboratory and Microbiology Postgraduate Laboratory were the sampling areas. Air samples were obtained using passive sedimentation method (settle plate method). Visible colonies were expressed in colony forming units per meter cube (cfu/m3) and pure discrete colonies were enumerated and characterized. Bacteria counts ranged from 1.83 + 0.35 – 18.34 + 2.83 (x102 cfu/m3) in July 2019. In August 2019, Bacteria counts ranged from 3.14 + 0.71 –33.27 + 65 (x102 cfu/m3). In September 2019, values ranged from 3.67 + 0.71 – 29.60+ 6.01 (x102 cfu/m3). The evaluation of air quality in the designated sampling points based on the sanitary standards formulated by the European commission revealed that 8 of the sampling points showed high level of pollution (44.44%) and 4 sampling points had very high level of contamination (22.33%). Three bacterial isolates were identified as\u0000Staphylococcus epidermis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus and they are of public health importance. High influx of students, architectural design of rooms and systems of ventilation are factors that can influence\u0000the indoor airborne bacterial population.","PeriodicalId":194209,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences","volume":"26 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126427584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study of antibiotics resistance in bacteria isolated from retailed eggshell in three major markets in Minna, Nigeria","authors":"N. Adabara, C. Amarachi, A. Adedeji, A. Usman, M. Maude, F. Sadiq, F. Oloruntoba, F. Kuta","doi":"10.48198/njpas/20.a03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48198/njpas/20.a03","url":null,"abstract":"Food borne disease associated with inappropriately treated or untreated eggs is a major public health problem\u0000affecting developing and developed countries. This study isolated, identified and determined the Antibiogram\u0000of bacteria isolates from eggshell of eggs obtained from three major markets in Minna, Nigeria. A total of ten\u0000(10) duplicate egg samples were purchased from egg retailers. The egg samples were analyzed for the\u0000enumeration and isolation of bacteria. The isolated bacteria were identified using biochemical methods.\u0000Antibiotic susceptibility test to prescribed commercially available antibiotic discs was also investigated. The\u0000total viable bacteria count (TVBC) ranged from 1.38×104 - 2.52×104 cfu/mL while the total coliform count\u0000(TCC) ranged from 8.5×103 - 2.02×104 cfu/mL. Escherichia coli (9.1%), Streptococcus pyogenes (4.5%),\u0000Enterococcus sp. (4.5%), Shigella sp. (13.6%), Salmonella sp. (13.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (36.4%),\u0000Clostridium sp. (9.1%) and Neisseria sp. (9.1%) were isolated and identified from eggshells. Gram positive\u0000bacteria showed highest sensitivity to gentamycin (100%) however, resist cloxacillin, ceftadizime and\u0000erythromycin (100%). Similarly, there was no ciprofloxacin resistant Gram-negative bacteria though E. coli,\u0000Salmonella sp. and Shigella sp. isolated from eggshells were resistant to augmentin and amoxicillin. Further\u0000analysis of result revealed that all the isolated bacteria from eggshells were multidrug resistant except Neisseria\u0000sp. with multidrug resistant index greater than 0.2. The fact that these antibiotic resistant bacteria can be\u0000transferred to humans is of public health concern. Therefore, stringent use of public health regulations for\u0000cleaning eggs before retailing is advocated.","PeriodicalId":194209,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences","volume":"87 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121510641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of the Optical and Dielectric Behaviour of SnO2-CuO Mixed Oxides Thin Films","authors":"L. Animasahun, B. Taleatu, H. Bolarinwa, A. Egunjobi, A. Fasasi, Eleruja","doi":"10.48198/njpas/20.b01","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48198/njpas/20.b01","url":null,"abstract":"The effects of CuO on the optical and dielectric properties of SnO2 thin film were studied to achieve improved\u0000light photon absorption and conversion. The films were deposited using airblast chemical spray pyrolysis.\u0000Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometric analysis using the Windows SIMNRA software gave the compositions\u0000of as-deposited and annealed films and their thicknesses. The optical and dielectric parameters were evaluated\u0000from the transmittance data obtained from UV – Visible spectrophotometer. The optical band gap of as-deposited\u0000SnO2-CuO film was evaluated to be 3.4 eV. The value of Urbach tail width of the as-deposited mixed oxide is\u0000higher (296 meV) compared to that of the annealed (252 meV) indicating the presence of more disordered states\u0000in the as-deposited film. The analysis also showed that the presence of CuO in the matrix of SnO2 led to a\u0000decrease in optical bandgap, refractive index, and by extension dielectric constants of SnO2. Our investigation\u0000led to the conclusion that the addition of CuO into SnO2 increased its electromagnetic photon absorption and\u0000also delay its speed thereby enhancing photon interaction with free charge carriers in the mixed oxide film. We\u0000opined that the mixed oxide will perform better in photocatalysis, photodegradation of pollutants and other lightharvesting applications since the CuO inclusion has extended its absorption edge towards the visible light range.","PeriodicalId":194209,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences","volume":"112 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126709259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 IgM among Women of Reproductive Age in Zaria, and Demonstration of its Cytopathogenicity in Whole Egg","authors":"E. R. Ameh, M. Aminu, E EllaE.","doi":"10.48198/njpas/20.b07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48198/njpas/20.b07","url":null,"abstract":"Egg culture has long been considered the diagnostic gold standard for Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-\u00002) and would serve as complementary to Immunoglobulin M determination to establish acute infection in a\u0000given population. The study determined the prevalence of HSV-2 IgM and the cytopathology of the virus\u0000isolated from women of reproductive age in Zaria. The study recruited 450 consenting women attending\u0000selected hospitals from which blood and cervical swab samples were obtained. Sera were analysed for HSV-2\u0000IgM while suspension from swabs were inoculated into 12 days old embryonated chicken eggs. A total of 330\u0000(73.3%) women screened tested positive for HSV-2 IgM and 79 (23.94) out of 330 IgM positive samples\u0000produced cytopathic effect. The highest prevalence of 88.7% (133/150) was recorded among women recruited\u0000from St. Lukes Anglican hospital, while those attending Gambo Sawaba General Hospital-Kofan Gaya, had the\u0000lowest prevalence of 50%. Furthermore, women in age group of 16-20 years, were most infected with a\u0000prevalence of 83.5% while those aged 45years and above had the lowest prevalence of 50%. Women who had\u0000more than one sexual partner, those that did not use protection during sex and women that were pregnant had\u0000higher prevalence of 88.5%, 74.9% and 77.6% respectively and were more at risk, as compared with those\u0000with single partner (69.2%), who used protection (61.5%) and that were not pregnant (71.3%). About 22.4%\u0000(101) of the women reported to have heard about HSV-2 while 349 (77.6%) were not aware of the virus prior\u0000to this study. The symptoms found to be significantly associated with the virus were blisters/ulcers on genital\u0000area (p=0.000; OR=3.000) and dysuria (p=0.006; OR=0.504). Fever (OR=1.659), vaginal discharge\u0000(OR=1.867) and itching/burning sensation on genital area (OR=1.431) were other symptoms associated with\u0000the virus. The study demonstrated a high prevalence of HSV-2 among the women, indicating that, genital\u0000herpes is highly endemic in the study area. In addition, a substantial number of the women lacked knowledge\u0000of genital herpes and were actively harbouring the virus.","PeriodicalId":194209,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences","volume":"11 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114897855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Valproic Acid on Selected Kidney Function Indices in Rats","authors":"A. Igunnu, O. Owolabi, I. Bankole","doi":"10.48198/njpas/20.a07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48198/njpas/20.a07","url":null,"abstract":"Valproic acid (VPA) has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-diabetic effect and attenuate hypertensive responses\u0000in animal models but its safety evaluation on the kidney has not been reported. This study investigated the effect\u0000of VPA on selected kidney function indices of rats. Twenty healthy Wistar rats were randomly grouped into 4\u0000of 5 rats each. Rats in group 1 (control) were administered clean water only, while rats in groups 2, 3 and 4 were\u0000administered 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight (bw) of VPA, respectively for 3 weeks. Serum concentrations\u0000of creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, phosphate and chloride ions as well as the activities of alkaline\u0000phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase\u0000(ALT) in the kidney and serum of rats were determined. VPA at the 3 doses administered did not significantly\u0000affect (p>0.05) the kidney/body weight ratio, serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, sodium ion and phosphate\u0000ion when compared with control. VPA at 600 mg/kg bw alone and at both 300 and 600 mg/kg bw significantly\u0000increased (p<0.05) the serum levels of potassium and chloride ions, respectively. VPA did not significantly affect\u0000(p>0.05) the kidney ALP and ALT activities as well as the serum ALP, ACP, AST and ALT activities but\u0000significantly increased (p<0.05) the kidney ACP and AST activities at 300 mg/kg bw. These results imply that\u0000treatment with VPA at higher doses may adversely affect the reabsorption of chloride ion in the kidney which\u0000may alter the acid/base balance and impair nerve impulse transmission.","PeriodicalId":194209,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences","volume":"79 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124492878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SORPTION POTENTIALS OF MELON PEELS IN THE REMOVAL OF\u0000ULTRAMARINE RED (DYE) FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION","authors":"A. K. Asiagwu","doi":"10.48198/njpas/20.a05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48198/njpas/20.a05","url":null,"abstract":"This work was conducted in line with the efforts to remove coloured materials from waste water using non –\u0000conventional techniques. Therefore, this study investigated the effectiveness and efficiency of melon\u0000(Cucumeropsis mannii) peels in the removal of ultramarine red, from aqueous solution. The dependence of\u0000sorption parameters (contact time, dosage, temperature and pH) on dye removal were examined. Results obtained\u0000revealed that increase in the contact time between 20-100 minutes increased the dye adsorption. The maximum\u0000percentage of ultramarine red dye removed was obtained at 100 minutes. However, increase in dye concentration\u0000from 10 – 50mg/L, resulted to an increase in sorption capacity (0437-1.062mg/g). The pH increase resulted to\u0000increase in ultramarine red adsorption. Meanwhile ultramarine red adsorption was also observed to increase from\u00000.054-0.079mg/g, while the temperature was varied between 30o-70oC. The data generated were further fitted to\u0000both Langmuir and Freunlich Isotherms. The separation factor (SF) from Langmuir was 0.48. While the\u0000coefficient of determination from Freundlich (R2) was 0.976, indicating that both models were favourable to the\u0000adsorption process. Pseudo-second order kinetics produced a better description of the adsorption process than\u0000the pseudoThis work was conducted in line with the efforts to remove coloured materials from waste water using non –\u0000conventional techniques. Therefore, this study investigated the effectiveness and efficiency of melon\u0000(Cucumeropsis mannii) peels in the removal of ultramarine red, from aqueous solution. The dependence of\u0000sorption parameters (contact time, dosage, temperature and pH) on dye removal were examined. Results obtained\u0000revealed that increase in the contact time between 20-100 minutes increased the dye adsorption. The maximum\u0000percentage of ultramarine red dye removed was obtained at 100 minutes. However, increase in dye concentration\u0000from 10 – 50mg/L, resulted to an increase in sorption capacity (0437-1.062mg/g). The pH increase resulted to\u0000increase in ultramarine red adsorption. Meanwhile ultramarine red adsorption was also observed to increase from\u00000.054-0.079mg/g, while the temperature was varied between 30o-70oC. The data generated were further fitted to\u0000both Langmuir and Freunlich Isotherms. The separation factor (SF) from Langmuir was 0.48. While the\u0000coefficient of determination from Freundlich (R2) was 0.976, indicating that both models were favourable to the\u0000adsorption process. Pseudo-second order kinetics produced a better description of the adsorption process than\u0000the pseudo-first order kinetics. The melon peel is a good adsorbent for the sorption of ultramarine red in aqueous\u0000solution.","PeriodicalId":194209,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences","volume":"204 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121243643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PREVALENCE AND INTENSITY OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG\u0000RESIDENTS ALONG RIVER BENUE, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA","authors":"M. Yaro, R. S. Naphtali, E. Alo","doi":"10.48198/njpas/19.b07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48198/njpas/19.b07","url":null,"abstract":"In Nigeria, infection caused by Schistosoma haematobium has been known to be endemic especially among\u0000residence along Rivers. This study was a cross-sectional that involved 1,404 participants in ten (10)\u0000communities across five Local Government Areas (LGA) in question, they were randomly selected from July\u0000to September 2016 and from February to April 2017. Urine samples collected were examined using\u0000sedimentation technique while intensity was ascertained as eggs/10mls of urine and values were expressed as\u0000Mean±SD. Data on demography were obtained by structured questionnaires and was computed using SPSS\u0000version 22. Out of the overall prevalence and intensity of Urinary schistosomiasis 23.2% and 513±0.05\u0000eggs/10mls of urine that were recorded, Kabawa had (12.4% and 80±0.02) prevalence and intensity of urinary\u0000schistosomiasis and lowest in Kangle (12.3% and 24±0.82 eggs/10ml) with significance association between\u0000intensity of urinary schistosomiasis and community (p<0.05). However, Gender related prevalence and\u0000intensity revealed 25.5% and 289±4.66 eggs/10ml as the highest while, 20.8% and 206±4.49 eggs/10ml were\u0000recorded as the lowest among males and females respectively. Furthermore, prevalence and intensity by age\u0000shows that, participants within age bracket 5-14 years old had the highest prevalence and intensity of urinary\u0000schistosomiasis (36.6%) and (142±0.005 eggs/10ml) respectively. While, low prevalence and intensity urinary\u0000schistosomiasis was recorded among age group 45-54years old 9.0% with (42±0.040 eggs/10mls). Subjects\u0000fetching from River/Streams had high prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis compare to borehole\u0000fetchers 13.8% and 241±0.302 egg/10ml of urine, 31.8%, 46±0.080 egg/10ml of urine and respectively.\u0000Occupational related prevalence and intensity was highest among Fishers with 35.0% and 188±0.012\u0000egg/10ml of urine while, lowest prevalence and intensity were recorded among Business men4.8%, and\u000036±0.020 egg/10ml of urine among Civil servants. In conclusion, this study has shown moderate prevalence\u0000and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis, therefore, chemotherapy and Health Education should be advocated\u0000from time to time across the study area.","PeriodicalId":194209,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131129105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Paroxetine Administration Alter some Biochemical Parameters in Male Wistar Rats Over a Systemic Period of Thirty-Five Days","authors":"Muritala Hamdalat Folake, Bewaji Clement Olatubosun","doi":"10.48198/njpas/19.a11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48198/njpas/19.a11","url":null,"abstract":"Paroxetine is often used to treat patients with psychotic disorders, one of the side effects of this medication is that it causes erectile dysfunction in such individuals. There is a little or no information on the effect of paroxetine on some biochemical and endothelial markers of experimental models, hence the need for this research. Biochemical and endothelial functional makers in male Wistar rats were evaluated after oral administration of paroxetine for 4, 7, 21, 28 and 35 days. Seventy-two (72) male Wistar rats were grouped into two of thirty-six rats in group A (control) which received normal saline and thirty-six rats in group B (paroxetine-treated) which received 10 mg/Kg body weight of paroxetine hydrochloride for 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35days respectively. During this period, six animals from the two groups were sacrificed on days 4,7,14, 21, 28 and 35 by anaesthesia using diethyl ether, blood was collected into lithium–heparinized bottles and the tissues of interest (penile and heart) of the rats were excised and preserved in ice-cold sucrose-tris buffer. Phosphodiesterase 5, arginase, nitric oxide were evaluated from the isolated tissue homogenates while cGMP, endothelin-1, creatine kinase, lipid profile and testosterone concentrations were evaluated from the plasma. The results revealed that during pre-treatment with paroxetine, there was significant (p < 0.05) 85.19 ± 4.64 and 92.58 ± 0.57 respectively PDE 5 inhibition in the penile and cardiac homogenates of rats. Nitric oxide concentration was significantly (p> 0.05) 2.96 ± 0.27 and 4.82 ± 0.05reduced while arginase activities increased significantly (p > 0.05) 272.16 ± 5.07 and 201.93 ± 11.82 during paroxetine treatment. Same trend of results were observed with plasma endothelin-1 concentration (12.88 ± 0.78), cGMP concentration (0.14 ± 0.00) and Testosterone concentration (0.46 ± 0.03) was significantly (p > 0.05) decreased during paroxetine-treatment. However, plasma creatine kinase 463.6 ± 50.96, triacyl glycerol 58.61 ± 5.49, total cholesterol 181.55 ± 9.72 and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 165.86 ± 9.72 were significantly (p < 0.05) increased during paroxetine-treatment. However, no significant (p > 0.05) difference was observed in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 8.07 ± 0.46 during administration with paroxetine. From this study, it can be concluded that paroxetine administration altered erectile and endothelial markers throughout the period of administration and as such should be prescribed to patients with caution.","PeriodicalId":194209,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences","volume":"5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127796695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"BIO–ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN LEAFY VEGETABLES FROM\u0000SELECTED AGRICULTURAL FARMS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA","authors":"A. Ebabhi, U. Kanife, S. Salako","doi":"10.48198/njpas/20.a04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48198/njpas/20.a04","url":null,"abstract":"Vegetables grown on environmentally contaminated sites could take up and accumulate metals at concentration\u0000that are toxic to human health. This study analysed heavy metals in some leafy vegetables cultivated on some\u0000commercial farms within the Lagos metropolis. Three vegetables species namely Telfairia occidentalis (Ugwu),\u0000Corchorus olitorius (Ewedu) and Celosia argentea (Shoko) were sampled from various locations within three\u0000selected farmlands and tested for levels of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Nickel\u0000(Ni) and Cupper (Cu) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The results showed that levels of metals As, Cd,\u0000Fe, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cu ranges from 0.02±0.01 to 23.50±2.01 µg/g, Cd concentration levels ranged between\u00000.42±0.21 to 1.96±1.10 µg/g, Fe level ranged between 4.11±0.88 to 16.82±12.00 µg/g, Pb concentrations ranged\u0000between 2.30±0.01 to 5.60±1.47 µg/g, Zn contents ranged between 3.24±1.34 to 23.50 µg/g and Cu ranged\u0000between 1.60±0.46 to 4.93±0.39 µg/g respectively for all vegetable sampled. The analysis revealed that Zinc\u0000showed the highest concentration in C. olitorius and Iron in T. occidentalis at 23.50 µg/g and 16.82 µg/g\u0000respectively while the Arsenic showed the lowest level of 0.02 µg/g in C. argentea amongst all vegetables\u0000studied. The amount of heavy metals found in these vegetables were within safety baseline for human\u0000consumption. However, due to associated health risks vegetables contaminated with heavy metals should not be\u0000consumed.","PeriodicalId":194209,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences","volume":"99 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116808591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hepatoprotective effect of hydroethanol extracts of Allium sativum and Carica papaya on CCl4- induced liver damage in rats","authors":"I. Okoro","doi":"10.48198/njpas/20.a13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.48198/njpas/20.a13","url":null,"abstract":"Plant-based products, believed to be less toxic have been employed as hepatoprotective agents in recent times. Polyherbal therapy is reported to have therapeutic benefits over single herb therapy. Allium sativum and Carica papaya are two known plants used traditionally for the treatment of liver related diseases. Thus, in this study, the hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of hydroethanol extracts of Allium sativum cloves (Garlic) and Carica papaya (Pawpaw) leafs (singly and combined) against CCl4-induced toxicity in rats was evaluated. Thirty male albino rats used were classed into six (groups A- F) groups of five rats each and treated (orally) for 14 days. Group A- rats + distilled water (negative control); Group B- rats + CCl4 in olive oil (positive control); Group C- rats + 200 mg/ kg-day combined extract of A. sativum and C. papaya (1: 1 ratio); Group D- rats + 200 mg/ kg-day extract of A. sativum; Group E- rats + 200 mg/ kg-day extract of C. papaya; Group F- rats + 100 mg/kg bw of silymarin. CCl4 induce hepatotoxicity was characterized by an upsurge (P<0.05) in serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT) activities, and total bilirubin. Also, CCl4 administration led to a substantial reduction (P<0.05) of reduced glutathione (GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and an increase (P<0.05) in lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the liver tissue. However, treatment with hydroethanol extract of A. sativum and C. papaya prevented the CCl4 induced lipid peroxidation and returned the altered marker enzymes of serum and antioxidant enzymes level to near normal. The extracts of both plants demonstrated significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity as reflected by the results. Comparatively, the combined extract gave the most promising antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential, which may be due to positive synergistic effects of both plants over either plant used singly, thereby vindicating the use of polyherbal remedy over a single herb.","PeriodicalId":194209,"journal":{"name":"Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129164366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}