Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance, which is associated with impaired insulin secretion and peripheral sensitivity and eventual b-cell dysfunction. This review summarized the major metabolic pathways leading to both microvascular and macrovascular complications in DM, with a view of highlighting the enzymes involved and the possible inhibition of the enzymes facilitating these processes as a measure of diabetic control. Methods: Data used in writing this review were sourced online from scientific search engines such as Google Scholar, Scopus, EMBASE, PubMed, ResearchGate, Mendeley, Medline, and SpringerLink, using keywords such as 'diabetic complications', 'hyperglycemia-induced diabetic mechanisms', 'diabetic enzymes' and 'diabetic enzyme inhibitors'. A total number of 109 references published online between 1990 and 2020 were generated and cited in this review. Results: The most scourging and dilapidating effects of DM as well as associated vascular complications are classified into four categories viz.: nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy and cardiovascular disease. Hyperglycemia, which is associated with uncontrolled DM, elicits abnormal metabolism such that the enzymes involved in metabolic events leading to diabetic complications are expressed and amplified. The disorders associated with DM are linked to various metabolic pathways facilitated by enzyme activities of the polyol pathway, hexosamine biosynthetic pathway, glucose autoxidation as well as increased synthesis of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), hexokinase-2 driven glycolytic overload, increased activities of the cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX) and pyruvate kinase (PKC) enzymes. The inhibition of the enzymes involved in these pathways could serve to mitigate and arrest diabetic complications. Conclusion: Thus, suitable inhibitors for enzymes involved in DM metabolic events could serve as panaceas against DM complications, which will add to the growing list of new and more efficacious antidiabetic drugs.

Background Cancer is currently the leading cause of death globally and the number of deaths from cancer is on the rise daily. Medicinal plants have been in continuous use over the years for the management of cancer, particularly, in most developing countries of the world including Nigeria. The use of synthetic drugs for the treatment of cancer is often accompanied by toxic side effects. Thus, the alternative use of readily available and inexpensive medicinal plants is the panacea to the toxic side effects associated with synthetic drugs. Main body The present review summarized the anticancer activity of 51 medicinal plants that are widespread in all regions of Nigeria. Furthermore, the proposed anticancer pharmacological actions as well as the anticancer bioactive compounds, the type of cancer cell inhibited, the plant parts responsible for the anticancer activity, and the nature of the extracts used for the studies were discussed in this review. The 51 Nigerian medicinal plants were reported to exhibit anticancer activities of the prostate, cervices, lung, skin, colon, esophagus, blood, ovary, central nervous system/brain, breast, stomach, pancreas, larynx, and kidney. The major classes of bioactive compounds indicated to be responsible for the anticancer activity include the polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, triterpenes, tannins, and quinones. The major anticancer pharmacological actions of these bioactive compounds were antiproliferative, cytotoxic, cytostatic, antimetastatic, apoptotic, and antioxidative as well as provoked cell cycle arrest, inhibition of angiogenesis and reduction of cancer cell viability. Conclusion The Nigerian medicinal plants can be harnessed to provide for readily available and inexpensive anticancer drugs in the future because the plants reported in this review showed promising anticancer activity.

No abstract

Micro-level assessment of vulnerability to climate change creates basis for policy formulation. The study specifically ascertained the levels and determinants of vulnerability to climate change among selected food crop farmers. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression analysis. The result revealed that 15.95%, 68.97% and 15.08% of the households were highly vulnerable, moderately vulnerable and less vulnerable to climate change respectively. This implies a varied effect on crop farmers. The result also showed that amount saved, extension contacts, household expenditure and value of crop were significant at 1% level. The study recommended the provision of basic amenities and soft loans to farmers as well as an improvement in extension services. It also advocated the introduction of effective climate change mitigation and adaptive measures to boost agricultural output in their area.

No abstract

Human exposure to heavy metals is inevitable as heavy metals are continually present in air, water and food. Anthropogenic and industrial activities have rapidly increased the level of human exposure to heavy metals. Some heavy metals elicit deleterious health effects even at low levels in the body system. Every heavy metal has its own specific unique mechanistic process through which it exhibits toxicity. The major mechanisms through which most heavy metals such as Cr, As, Pb, Cu, Fe, Cd, Zn, Ni cause toxicity include the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibition of enzyme activities and attenuation of antioxidant defense systems. Heavy metal ions are known to interfere with DNA and nuclear proteins leading to DNA structural and functional impairments as well as changes that initiate carcinogenesis, apoptosis as well as modulation of cell cycle. Heavy metal toxicity alters the activity of the central nervous system, and thereby causes mental disorder, alters blood composition, and liver, kidneys, lungs functions as well as other important body organs, resulting in the escalation of assorted human diseases. Prolonged human exposure and accumulation of heavy metals in the body aggravate the progression of physical, muscular and neurological degenerative processes that mimic certain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Heavy metals mimic hormonal activities that alter the functions of the endocrine system. Thus, efforts must be made to mitigate the extent of human exposure and accumulation of heavy metals in the body as a result of anthropogenic and industrial activities in order to prevent incidences of deleterious health challenges.

No abstract

Investigation to ascertain the levels of methaemoglobin concentration of three human erythrocyte genotypes (HbAA, HbAS and HbSS) obtained from apparently healthy and clinically confirmed malarious subjects/volunteers was carried out. Spectrophotometric method was used for the determination of erythrocyte methaemoglobin concentration. The mean (+S.D) methaemoglobin concentration, expressed as percentage (Met.Hb %) of total haemoglobin concentration of three erythrocyte was in the order: HbAA0.05) between methaemoglobin concentrations of HbAA and HbAS erythrocyte of nonmalarious human subjects/volunteers. Erythrocyte obtained from blood sample of malarious human subjects/volunteers exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of methaemoglobin concentrations than those of non-malarious individuals, irrespective of their genotype and gender. In a similar manner, P. falciparum infected erythrocyte of malarious male individuals contained significantly (p<0.05) higher methaemoglobin concentration than the female group. Furthermore, with exception of HbAS erythrocytes, the other two red cell genotypes (HbAA and HbSS) showed significant difference (p<0.05) in methaemoglobin content between malarious male and female subjects/volunteers. The study suggests that erythrocyte methaemoglobin evaluation might be a reliable biochemical marker and possess promising rational for diagnostic potential in malaria. @ JASEM