The effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Alchornea cordifolia on Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage was investigated in experimental rats. Treatment of separate groups of rats with 100mg/kg, 150mg/kg and 200mg/kg aqueous leaf extracts of Alchornea cordifolia for 2 weeks after establishment of CCl4 induced liver damage, resulted in significantly (P<0.05) less hepatotoxicity when compared to the CCl4-induced group, as measured by serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. The effect of extract was statistically significant (P<0.05) and was dose dependent. Histopathological study also showed significant reduction and even reversal of liver damage in the rats. The results of this study show that aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia has a potent anti-hepatotoxic action against CCl4 induced liver damage in rats.
The study was carried out to examine the haematological and behavioral response of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to sub-lethal concentrations (0.0 ml/L (as control), 12.8 ml/ L, 25.59 ml/L, 38.39 ml/L, 51.19 ml/L, and 63.99 ml/L) of xylene using a renewable assay for 28 days. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) healthy Clarias gariepinus with a mean length of 15.20±2.3 cm and mean weight of 10.23±2.60 g was used for the experiment. Some physicochemical parameters such as temperature, conductivity, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), total hardness and total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, ammonia and nitrate were monitored using standard procedures. These parameters were significantly different (P<0.05) across the concentration gradients with time. behavioral changes observed in C. gariepinus exposed to the different concentrations of xylene compared to the control includes increased erratic swimming, hyperactivity, decreased equilibrium status, increased jerky movement and decreased fin movement. There were significant dissimilarities (P<0.05) observed in haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, red blood cell counts, white blood cell and blood platelets of the Clarias gariepinus species on exposure to the toxicant from the control except for mean corpuscular volume and haemoglobin concentration PCV (24.5±0.33 to 20.8±0.06); HB (6.9±0.58 to 8.2±1.03); RBC (3.5±0.08 to 3.9±0.16); WBE (6.9±0.05 to 10.1±0.04); Platelet (168±1.45 to 214±0.05); MCHC (30.5±0.07 to 32.5±0.01); MCH (20.5±0.01 to 20.4±0.01) and MCV (59±0.07 to 62±0.02) respectively. In conclusion, xylene caused negative changes in the haematological indices and the behavioural pattern of C. garienpinus. Hence the need to focus efforts on ensuring a decrease in the discharge of xylene to water bodies.
Cyathula prostrata (Blume) L, a member of the Amaranthaceae family, has long been used in tropical regions of the world for a variety of diseases, and study has shown that it is beneficial in the treatment of rheumatism, dysentery, wounds, and urethral discharges. The goal of this study was to use standard conventional methods to investigate the phytochemical content of this plant's leaf and root parts. The presence or absence of several secondary metabolites was examined qualitatively and quantitatively in the crude extract. Phytochemical components were discovered to be more abundant in the leaves of Cyathula prostrata than in the root, according to the findings. Flavonoids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, and terpenoids were found in the leaf and root sections of the plant. These phytochemicals were found to be higher in the leaf than in the root, according to quantitative analysis of the leaf and root parts. Flavonoids were discovered to have the highest concentration of phytochemicals, followed by tannins, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, and terpenoids in that order. The findings revealed that the leaf and root of Cyathula prostrata have excellent nutritional and therapeutic values, suggesting that it could be used for medical purposes.
Concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As were investigated in the tissues of mudskippers (Periophthalmus papilio), water, and sediments from Isaka-Bundu mangrove swamp in the Upper reach of Bonny Estuary, Niger Delta, Nigeria. The samples were collected from three stations every week for three months. The trace metals and physicochemical parameters were determined according to APHA 2000 methods. The concentration of trace metals by stations followed the order: station III (Dockyard) > station II (Bundu-Ama) > station I (Isaka). The trace metal distribution sequence in the fish, water and sediment according to their stations followed this sequence: Dockyard (Sediment = Pb > Cd > As; Water = Pb > Cd > As; Fish = Pb > As > Cd); Isaka (Sediment = Pb > Cd > As; Water = Pb > Cd > As; Fish = Pb > As > Cd); Bundu Ama (Sediment = Pb > Cd > As; Water = Pb > Cd > As; Fish = Pb = As > Cd). The overall, trace metal concentrations by samples followed this sequence; (Sediment = Pb > Cd > As; Water = Pb > Cd >As; and the mudskippers (P. papilio) = Pb > As > Cd) across the stations. The study revealed that all sampled sites in the Isaka-Bundu mangrove swamp had heavy metal values within Joint FEPA/WHO recommended biota load limits. High significant values of Pb and Cd were observed in sediment and water across the three stations, while tissue concentration of all three metals was relatively low and uniform. If proper measures are not taken to curb the excess discharges into the river given the activities in the catchment, the condition of the river will deteriorate badly and become a menace to its inhabitants and the host community which depends on it directly or indirectly.
Background: Depression poses a huge challenge on personal, professional, and social life of individuals. Studies on the prevalence of depression have largely been on the general population, using socio-demographic variables to explain it’s outcome. The clergy constitutes a special group of trained professionals on the vocation of care-giving, problem solving and spiritual healing. Information is scanty on the prevalence of depression among them and the contribution of socio-demographic risk factors on their mental health. Objectives: This study seeks to determine the prevalence of depression among the clergy and impact of socio-demographic variables on their mental health. Methods: 84 pastors of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in southern Nigeria, were evaluated for depression using the 9-item patients health questionnaire (PHQ-9), which assesses vulnerability to depression, and a 27 item demographic and risk factor questionnaire which assessed the demographic variables. Using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS-25.0), cross tabulation of variables of interest were obtained using x2 and t-test. Level of correlation of variables with depression was done by a bivariate correlation analysis. Results: Out of the 84 pastors who consented to the study, 16 (19%) had depression, mean age of participants was 43.6yr, 72 (85.7%) were currently married, all the participants were educated, the mean year of service was 10 years and 45% had at least 3 children. There was no significant correlation between the socio-demographic variables and depression. Conclusion: The study revealed a 19% prevalence rate for depression among the clergy and that the socio-demographic variables of age, marital status, level of education, number of children and year of service impacted positively on the mental health of the clergy.
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