Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders that affect the body’s ability to make or use insulin. Diabetes mellitus (DM), or simply diabetes, is a group of chronic metabolic diseases in which a person experience high blood sugar, either because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or because the body cells do not effectively use or respond to the insulin that is produced. This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger). Conventionally, diabetes has been divided into three types namely: Type 1 DM or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in which body fails to produce insulin, and presently requires the person to inject insulin or wear an insulin pump. This is also termed as "juvenile diabetes". Type 2 DM or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), results from insulin resistance, a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, with or without an absolute insulin deficiency. This type was previously referred to as or "adult-onset diabetes". The third main type is gestational diabetes which occurs when women without a previous history of diabetes develop a high blood glucose level during her pregnancy and may metamorphose to type 2 DM after giving birth. Currently available pharmacotherapy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus includes insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents. Thus, the present review underscores the issues surrounding the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment (especially use of anti-diabetic herbal species) of this killer disease with a view to suppressing its global spread and resurgence.
Contaminated soils and their associated problems have increasingly become a matter of concern. The most common contaminants generated by industrial urban emissions and agricultural practices are trace metals. Remediation of trace metals is mostly conducted using physico-chemical processes and this causes soils to become polluted. Nevertheless, these techniques damage the soil’s biological activity and require highly sophisticated expensive equipment. Phytoremediation is a relatively low-cost technology based on the use of selected plants to remove, degrades or contains soil pollutants. The potential of Kenaf for phytoremediation on soils contaminated with heavy metals and other contaminants have been investigated and of course reported in several literatures to be very effective. In view of that, this paper would therefore underscore the phytoremediation potentials of Hibiscus cannabinus (Kenaf), the possible utilization of the contaminated biomass and its prospects in the field of bioremediation.
An aphrodisiac is a type of food or drink that has the effect of making those who eat or drink it more aroused in a sexual way. Aphrodisiacs can be categorized according to their mode of action into three groups: substances that increase libido (i.e. sexual arousal), substances that increase sexual potency (i.e. effectiveness of erection) and substances that increase sexual pleasure. Fadogia agrestis (Schweing. Ex. Hiern), Rubiacea (Hausa: Bakin gagai; English name: Black aphrodisiac) is an erect shrub 1-3 feets high. Fadogia agrestis is a medicinal plant widely used for its reported antibacterial and aphrodisiac activities. The aim of this work is to carry out pharmacognostic standardization and safety profile on Fadogia agrestis root. Chemomicroscopic, physicochemical, elemental, phytochemical and acute toxicity studies were carried out using standard methods. The results obtained also provided scientific basis for the use of in folklore medicine. Chemomicroscopic characters present include; cellulosecell wall, lignified cell wall, tannins, starch, calcium oxalate and cutin. The physicochemical parameters evaluated include: moisture content (7.0%), total ash (10.5%), water soluble ash (4.1%), acid insoluble ash (8.33%), ethanol extract (15.0%), and water extractive value (12.0%). The quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that alkaloids (84.0 mg/g) was the highest phytochemical detected in the stem bark while the lowest was saponins (4.0 mg/g).LD50 of both extracts was above 5000 mg/kg and did not cause mortality in all the tested rats. The results of this investigation may be useful for deriving doses that are safe for human consumption of F. agrestis root.
Purpose: People often make use of this notorious plant, Datura stramonium L. (Jimson weed) without rationale which subsequently leads to its abuse along the process. Thus, this paper seeks to compile detailed information regarding the toxicity and the safe usage of this plant in order to curtail its negative impact among individuals.Methodology: A lot of literatures, reports, short communication etc. from print and electronic media were consulted during the course of preparation of the article.Findings: The notorious weed, jimson weed (Datura stramonium L.) is a hallucinating plant with both poisonous and medicinal properties. The neurotoxicity of the plant is attributed to the presence of tropane alkaloids which contain a methylated nitrogen atom (N-CH3) that block neurotransmitters in the brain. Ethno-medicinally, the frequent recreational abuse of D. stramonium has resulted in toxic syndromes. D. stramonium, consume in the form of paste or solution to relieve the local pain may not have a deleterious effect; however, oral and systemic administration may lead to severe anticholinergic symptoms which include dizziness, hallucination, loss of consciousness, nausea, hypertension, agitation, aggressiveness, photophobia, blurred vision and possibly coma which may last for several hours or days depending on the quantity consumed.Unique contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The present comprehensive review was able to, underscores the botany, phytochemistry, intoxication,and precautionary measures for the safe and sound usage of D. stramonium among individuals. Sequel to that, it deems imperative for individuals, especially adolescents, to be acquainted of the toxic nature and potential risks associated with the use of this plant.
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