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The effect of the antioxidant nutrient selenium, Se, on biologic response to cadmium-induced oxidative cytotoxicity was investigated in rats pretreated with Se prior to exposure to mild doses of Cd. Male wistar strain rats (200-250 g b.wt) were exposed to a single daily oral dose of cadmium (3 mg CdCl 2 /kg) in drinking water for five days following a 15-day oral supplementation with Se (3.0 or 3.5 mg SeO 2 /kg/day) in drinking water at the end of which membrane lipid peroxidation, ascorbic acid and glutathione contents and activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were determined in the red blood cell, liver and kidney samples obtained from treated animals. Cadmium content was determined in liver and kidney samples. Results showed that pre-supplementation with Se effectively countered Cd-induced membrane lipid peroxidation, depletion of non-enzymic antioxidants, ascorbic acid, and glutathione, and induction of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in the RBC, liver and kidney as well as reduced Cd accumulation in the liver and kidney, all of which effects are consistent with a protective effect of Se against Cd-induced oxidative cytotoxic damage. RBC was the most susceptible to the inhibitory effect of Se pre-supplementation on Cd-induced lipid peroxidation and tissue ascorbic acid and glutathione depletion.

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Native cereal beer, pito, brewed in Jos metropolis during the 1984 late planting season was screened for zearalenone content. Zearalenone was detected in pito from 28 of the 46 breweries in 13 of the 14 districts sampled, with mean concentration of 81.75 ± 50.16 μg/liter and range 12.50–200.00 μg/liter. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in pooled extracts. There were other chloroform‐soluble isolates but their identities could not be established.

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The extent of carryover of zearalenone in mouldy substrate guinea-corn into native beer, burukutu, was determined using a laboratory adaptation of the traditional brewing procedure. Mean zearalenone carryover into finished product was 51.4 +/- 7.3% of that in the starting mixture, suggesting a moderate stability. Some 12.1 +/- 3.3% was removed with discarded solid residue.

The effect of aqueous root extract of Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv) of the family Bignoniaceae reportedly used in folk medicine to treat diabetes mellitus, on alloxan experimental hyperglycaemia, and normal blood glucose level was determined in adult male rats by glucose Oxidase method. The extract significantly reduced serum glucose levels in both diabetic and normal rats at the two doses administered (500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight; bucal intubation). In both the normal and diabetic rats, maximal blood glucose lowering effect following extract administration was observed after 4 h and 6 h, respectively, in rats given 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight extract. Phytochemical analysis of the extract reveals a strong presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. The observed activity of the extract does not appear at variance with known antidiabetic properties of flavonoids. Hypoglycaemia could be a side effect when extract is applied in folk medical treatment of non-diabetic ailments.