Aim: This study sought to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic effect of methanolic extract of Corchorus olitorius leaves in Albino rats. Methods: Fresh plants of C. olitorius were harvested from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan. The leaves were dried and extracted using soxhlet apparatus and methanol as the solvent. The methanol was evaporated in a rotary evaporator at 35°C with a yield of 2.17 g which represents a percentage yield of 8.68%. Ten adult male albino rats with body weight between 100 and 120 g were used for this study. They were randomly divided into two groups of five rats each. Animals in group 1 were administered saline solution while those in group 2 were administered C. olitorius extract. The animals were exposed to the extract and saline solution at a dose of 3 mL per 100 g body weight 12 hourly via oral route of administration. After fourteen days of administration, the animals were fasted overnight and anaesthetized using diethyl ether. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. Fasting blood sugar and lipid profile were determined using standard methods. Results: C. olitorius leaves was observed to significantly lower fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride but increased HDL-cholesterol and HDL/LDL-cholesterol ratio significantly when compared to those of the control group at p<0.05. Conclusion: The result of this study implies that C. olitorius leaves are of significant health importance as far as hyperglucosemia and hyperlipidaemia is concerned. It could also be exceedingly helpful in the control of obesity and hypertension. This pharmacological study is a useful tool for further drug development from the natural plant products.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of Azadirachta indica and Parquetina nigrescens leaves. Study Design: This study was made to fit a one way Analysis of Variance. Place and Duration of Study: This research was carried out in Premedical Science Department, Educational Advancement Centre, Ibadan and Pharmaceutical Laboratory of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria between January and June, 2018. Methodology: Both plants were harvested from the botanical garden, University of Ibadan. The qualitative and quantitative analyses as well as antioxidant potential of both plants were investigated.  Results: The result of the qualitative analysis showed that both plants contained variety of phytochemicals.  The quantitative analyses showed that these phytochemicals were present in different concentrations. The concentration of phytate and total phenolics were significantly higher in A. indica when compared with those of P. nigrescens respectively at P<0.05. It was also observed that A. indica had lower concentrations in alkaloids, saponin, flavonoids and tannin when compared with those of P. nigrescens respectively. Also tested were antioxidants (ascorbic acid, DPPH and FRAP). The concentration of ascorbic acid was significantly higher in A. indica when compared with that of P. nigrescens at P<0.05. α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging potential of A. indica and P. nigrescens was investigated respectively at different concentrations with A. indica having the higher radical scavenging potential. The scavenging potential of DPPH was found to increase with increasing concentration of the extracts. Conclusion: Result of this study showed that both plants are rich in phytochemicals and possess antioxidant potential. Hence, they might act as prophylactic and remedy for different diseases, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, obesity, etc. Parquetina nigrescens might be more potent than Azadirachta indica in acting as a remedy for different diseases.

Background: African locust bean is a condiment believed to be for the people of low class. Its health importance has not been fully known especially to the so-called high class. Aim: This study is aimed at investigating the effect of African locust bean on fasting blood sugar and lipid profile of albino rats. Methods: African locust bean (ALB) was purchased from a local market at Orita-Challenge area of Ibadan, Nigeria. They were sun dried and milled into powder using an electronic blender. The powder was extracted with n-hexane (40–60°C) in a soxlet extractor for 18 hours. The defatted, dried marc was repacked and then extracted with methanol. The dried marc was extracted with methanol in the soxlet apparatus for 10 hours. The methanol solution was subsequently concentrated in a rotatory evaporator at 40°C. Ten adult male albino rats with body weight between 100 and 120 g were purchased from the Animal Holding Unit of the Department of Physiology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. They were allowed 7 days acclimatization period and were divided randomly into 2 groups of five rats each. Animals in group 1 were administered normal saline solution while those in group 2 were administered extract of African locust bean. The animals were exposed to the African Locust Bean and saline solution at a dose of 3 ml per 100 g body weight 12 hourly via oral route of administration. After fourteen days of administration, the animals were fasted overnight and anaesthetized using diethyl ether. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. Results: ALB was observed to significantly lower fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol and triglyceride but increased HDL-cholesterol significantly when compared to those of the control group at p<0.05. LDL-cholesterol was not significantly different when animals treated with ALB were compared with those of the control group. Conclusion: Increased blood sugar and hyperlipidemia has been implicated in diabetes. Cholesterolgenesis is a major onset of atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, ALB can serve as prophylaxis and remedies for several diseases caused by hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia such as diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of garri processed by traditional and instant mechanical methods. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Achara, Uturu and analyses were done at the Biochemistry and Central Laboratories of Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State between March and July, 2017. Methods: Cassava was harvested and processed in Achara area of Uturu, Abia State. For garri processed by instant mechanical method, cassava was grated and dewatered using hydraulic press and were roasted (fried) within 24 hours of harvest. For garri processed by traditional method, the grated garri was allowed to stay for 24 hours in the sack before dewatering using sticks. The dewatering process took 3 days before roasting. The nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of raw cassava mash, garri processed by traditional and instant mechanical methods were evaluated using standard methods. Results: The result of the analysis showed that garri processed by traditional method was higher in most of the nutritional factors but lower in all of the anti-nutritional factors investigated when compared with those of garri processed by instant mechanical method and raw cassava mash. Garri processed by traditional method was significantly higher in vitamin A but lower in vitamin C when compared with garri processed by instant mechanical method at p<0.05. Garri with palm oil has its cyanogenic glucoside significantly reduced when compared with garri without palm oil at p<0.05. Conclusion: Long period of fermentation (3 – 5 days) of cassava product is recommended as garri processed by traditional method was nutritionally better than that processed by instant mechanical method due to the longer period of fermentation.

Aim: This study focuses on assessing the haematopoietic potential of ethanolic extract of Talinum triangulare leaves in Wistar rats. Methods: Fresh plants of T. triangulare were purchased from a local market in Orita-Challenge area of Ibadan, Nigeria. They were air dried at room temperature in an open laboratory space for 21 days and milled into powder. The extraction was done using soxhlet apparatus and ethanol as the solvent. The ethanol was evaporated in a rotary evaporator at 35°C with a yield of 2.76 g which represents a percentage yield of 11.04%. Ten adult male Wistar rats with body weight between 150 and 170 g were used for this study. They were randomly divided into two groups of five rats each. Animals in group A were administered saline solution while those in group B were administered T. triangulare leaf extract. The administration was done 12 hourly for twenty-eight days at 100 mg/kg body weight via oral route since the plant is consumed orally. At the end of the treatment, animals were fasted overnight and anaesthetized using diethyl ether. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture into heparinized bottles. Haematological parameters were determined using standard methods. Results: A  significant increase was observed in the PCV, Hb, RBC, MCV, WBC, lymphocyte and platelet counts of control animals when compared with those treated with leaf extract of T. triangulare at p<0.05. However, treatment had no significant difference on the neutrophil of animals. Conclusion: The significant increase observed in the erythrocyte parameters of animals used in this study indicates that T. triangulare leaves have haematopoietic properties and can be used to boost blood level especially in menstruating and pregnant women as well as anaemia patients. Its ability to significantly increase white blood cell parameters is an indication that T. triangulare leaves can boost the immune system and thus defend the body against xenobiotics.