Department Of Biochemistry

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    Open Access
    Biochemical Evaluation and Toxicology Potential of Lacidipine on Normotensive Rats
    (Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2005) Ukpo, G.E.; Owolabi, M.A.; Adewole, T.A.; Awa, N.O.
    Lacidipine, a newly developed, 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative with potent and long lasting antihypertensive activity was biochemically evaluated and its toxicological potential assessed in normontensive male rats who were fed with the drug ranging from 0.02 to 0.23 mg/kg body weight over a two-week period. At the end of dosing, the rats were sacrificed and clinical chemistry assays on serum marker enzymes as well as histopathologic examinations on liver, heart and brain tissues were performed. Results obtained from chemistry analysis revealed slight variations in the levels of creatinine kinase, (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST) alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels. The variations were however found to be within normal biologic limits. Kidney functions assessed by serum, urea and uric acid did not show any significant effects of the drug on renal status of normotensive rats. Serum calcium levels varied within expected ranges and thus revealed no significant alterations. There was no abnormality revealed in the liver, heart and brain tissues subjected to histopathologic examinations. From our study we conclude: Lacidipine does not cause significant target organ toxicity or adverse effects on normotensive rats.
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    Open Access
    Anticlastogenic Properties of Methanolic Extract of Cnestis ferruginea Leaves
    (Faculty of Applied Sciences, LAUTECH, 2006) Badmus, J. A.; Odunola, O. A.; Ola-Davies, O. E.; Adisa, R. A.
    The inhibitory activity of methanolic extract of Cnestis ferruginea was investigated in bone marrow cells of mice using micronucleus assay. The mice were fed with the extracts of two different concentrations (100 and 200mg/kg body weight) while control mice were fed with corn oil for six days ad libitum. On the seventh day the mice were administered a single dose of sodium arsenite (2.5mg/kg) and sacrificed after 24hrs. Bone marrow smear were prepared for observation of clastogenic effect. Results show micronuclei formation in the polychromatic erythrocyte (PCEs) in the Sodium arsenite treated mice. Clastogenecity induced by sodium arsenite was significantly reduced in mice pretreated with the extract at 100mg/kg body weight while more significant reduction was noted at 200mg/kg body weight. The result indicates a dose dependent relationship of the inhibitory activity of the extract against sodium arsenite induced clastogenecity.
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    Open Access
    Effect of cooking and soaking on physical characteristics, nutrient composition and sensory evaluation of indigenous and foreign rice varieties in Nigeria
    (African Journal of Biotechnology, 2007-04-16) EBUEHI, O.A.T.
    The objective of this study is to ascertain the effect of cooking and soaking on the physical characteristics, nutrient composition and sensory evaluation of indigenous ‘ofada’ rice and foreign ‘aroso’ rice varieties in Nigeria. The two rice varieties were freshly purchased in the raw state, soaked in water and cooked. The physical characteristics, such as, length, width, weight, colour, purity, breakage, cooking time, dispersability and swelling capacity of the raw rice varieties were determined. The raw, soaked and cooked rice varieties were oven dried as 60°C for 4 h and milled to attain uniform surface area. The proximate composition and some minerals of the raw, soaked and cooked rice varieties and the sensory evaluation of the cooked rice were determined. Ofada and aroso rice varieties were brown and creamy in colour, respectively. There were significant (p<0.01) differences in the purity, breakage, cooking time, swelling capacity and weight of the whole grain, but with no difference in the length and width. The raw, cooked and soaked ofada rice contain more protein, fat, and fibre than in aroso rice, but with no change in carbohydrate content .There were no significant (p>0.01) differences in the levels of minerals; Ca, Fe, Mg and P, in raw, cooked and soaked ofada and aroso rice. Sensory evaluation showed that cooked aroso rice was generally preferred, in terms of colour, aroma, taste, texture and overall acceptability.
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    Open Access
    Effects of ethanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera on liver function profile and histopathology in male Dutch white rabbits.
    (Medwell Online, 2009) Odesanmi, S.O; Lawal, R.A; Ojokuku, S.A
    Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit has wide use in the South East and Western Nigeria as a spice as well as a plant to treat various medical ailments. It has been reported that feeding of extracts to animals produced some toxic effects and pathological lesions in some organs. This study was designed to investigate the hepatotoxic effects of 10 days of oral administration of ethanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera extract (TTE) in mature male rabbits. Twenty healthy acclimatized male rabbits (1.4-1.6 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to 4 groups. Animals in group 1 served as the control and received only water and no extract. Animals in groups 2-4 were administered 50, 100 and 150 mg kg-1 bodyweight of TTE. All animals were fasted for 18 h after withdrawal of treatment and sacrificed after anaesthesia. Venous blood sample of groups were analysed for liver function parameters. Histopathological examination of internal organs was also carried out. TTE caused elevation in serum AST and alteration of various metabolic parameters and did not induce any marked pathological lesions in the liver.
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    Open Access
    Effect of zinc deficiency on memory, oxidative stress and blood chemistry in rats
    (International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 2009) EBUEHI, O.A.T.
    The effect of zinc deficiency on memory function, oxidative stress and blood chemistry in rats was investigated. Forty-two male (65.0±2.78 g) albino Sprague Dawley rats were equally divided into 3 groups, A, B and C. The 3 groups of rats were fed zinc deficient diet, zinc adequate diet and reference diet, respectively, and water ad libitum daily for 30 days. Body weight, feed and water intake of the rats were computed every day. A shuttle box was used for the short-term and long-term memory tests of these rats fed the respective diets. Two criteria were considered as behavioural test; these include latency in entering dark chamber and time spent in the light chamber before entering the dark chamber at days 2, 9, 16 and 23 after the first day of training using the shuttle box. After the memory testing was conducted, rats were sacrificed by decapitation, blood was taken and brain excised. Total brain protein, plasma creatinine, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, specific activities of acetylcholinesterase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined. The control diet supported significantly (p<0.01) higher body weight gain, feed intake and water intake than zinc adequate diet. The zinc adequate rat spent the longest time in the light compartment, followed by the control rat. The specific activity of AchE of zinc adequate rats was significantly higher than rats fed zinc deficient and control diet. Brain specific activity of SOD and reduced GSH of zinc adequate rats were significantly lower as compared with zinc deficient or control diet fed rats. There was no significant difference in the activities of plasma AST, ALT and ALP, creatinine level of rats fed zinc deficient, zinc adequate and control diets. Data of the present study indicate the effectiveness of the zinc adequate diet in memory retention and alleviation of oxidative stress in rats.
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    Open Access
    Antisickling property of Carica papaya leaf extract
    (Academic Journals, 2009-04) Imaga, N.O.A.; Gbenle, G.O.; Okochi, V.I.; Akanbi, S.O.; Edeoghon, S.O.; Oigbochie, V.; Kehinde, M.O.; Bamiro, S.B.
    Sickle cell disease (SCD) results from a mutation in the hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, where a glutamic acid at position 6 is replaced by a valine. Many phytomedicines have been identified as potential antisickling agents, stemming from reported usage as ethnomedicines by the local folk. This research examined methanolic leaf extracts of Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) for possible in vitro antisickling and membrane-stabilizing activities involving the use of positive (p-hydroxybenzoic acid 5 mg/ml) and negative (normal saline) controls for the antisickling experiments and osmotic fragility test on Hbss red blood cells obtained from non-crisis state sickle cell patients. Fragiliograms indicated that the plant extract reduced hemolysis and protected erythrocyte membrane integrity under osmotic stress conditions. Pretreatment of SS cell suspensions with C. papaya leaf extract inhibited formation of sickle cells under severe hypoxia, with only 0 - 5% sickle cells at 40 min compared with untreated SS cell suspensions which had over 60% sickle cells. These results indicate the feasibility of C. papaya as an attractive potential candidate for SCD therapy.
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    Open Access
    Haematological effects of ethanolic fruit extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera in male dutch white rabbits
    (Academic Journals, 2010) Odesanmi, S.O; Lawal, R.A; Ojokuku, S.A
    Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit is widely used in Western Nigeria amongst men as a birth control medicine. It has been reported that feeding of extracts to animals produced some toxic effects and pathological lesions in some organs. This study was designed to investigate the haematological effects of 10 days oral administration of the ethanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (TTE) fruits in mature male rabbits. Twenty healthy acclimatized male rabbits (1.4-1.6 kg b.wt. were randomly assigned to 4 groups. Animals in groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered 50, 100 and 150 mg kg-1 b.wt. of TTE. Animals in group 1 served as the control and received only water and no extract. All animals were fasted for 18 h after withdrawal of treatment and sacrificed after anaesthesia. Venous blood sample from groups were analyzed for haematological parameters. The TTE caused significant (p<0.05) reduction in RBC and WBC.
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    Open Access
    Oxidative Stress in Alloxan – Induced Diabetes in Female and Male Rats.
    (American-Eurasian Network for Scientific Information, 2010) EBUEHI, O.A.T.
    Oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetes in female and male rats was investigated. Forty male (165±8.46g) and female (162.7±7.94g) albino Sprague Dawley rats were used for the study. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 150mg/body weight of alloxan monohydrate, to induce diabetes for 14 days. The rats were divided into four groups, consisting of 10 diabetic male, 10 non-diabetic male, 10 diabetic female and 10 non-diabetic female. The body weight and feed intake of the rats were fed rat chow and water ad libitum for 14 days and then sacrificed by decapitation. Blood was taken by cardiac puncture, while liver and kidney were quickly excised. The catalase activities, lipid peroxidation, glucose protein, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the liver and kidney of rats were determined. Rats administered alloxan monohydrate had elevated plasma glucose levels. The body weights of diabetic female and male rats were significantly reduced compared to the non-diabetic rats. The catalase activities in liver and kidney of diabetic male or female rats were significantly lower than in non-diabetic rats but the reduction was more pronounced in diabetic female rats. The liver lipid peroxidation, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the diabetic male or female than in the non-diabetic rats, but with no significant differences in the diabetic female or male rats. Data of the study indicate that sex differences do not significantly affect oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetes.
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    Open Access
    Antisickling and toxicological profiles of leaf and stem of Parquetina nigrescens L.
    (Academic Journals, 2010-04-18) Imaga, N.O.A.; Gbenle, G.O.; Okochi, V.I.; Adenekan, S.O.; Edeoghon, S.O.; Kehinde, M.O.; Bamiro, S.B.; Ajiboye, A.; Obinna, A.
    Folk medicine reportedly uses Parquetina nigrescens L. (Asclepiadaceae) as a herbal remedy for the management of sickle cell anemia. This study was carried out to screen the leaves and stem of P. nigrescens for antisickling activity, erythrocyte membrane -stabilizing effects and any end organ toxicity. Percentage reversal and inhibition of sickling parameters were analyzed on pre-sickled HbSS blood cell suspensions using sodium metabisulphite solution as inducer and 5 mg/ml parahydroxybenzoic acid and normal saline as positive and negative controls respectively. Effects of the plant extracts on the erythrocyte were assessed using osmotic fragility and the toxicity profile done via LD50 and sub-acute toxicity studies on graded concentrations of extract. Results show that P. nigrescens has appreciable antisickling activity, has no toxic effect when administered at low concentrations and protects the integrity of the erythrocyte membrane as evidenced in the fragiliogram by the reduction in hemolysis of the Hbss cells.
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    Open Access
    Hypoglycaemic and Biochemical Properties of Cnestis Ferruginea
    (African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 2010-05) Adisa, R.A.; Choudhary, M.I.; Adewoye, E.O.; Olorunsogo, O.O.
    Increasing incidences of diabetes in Africa has prompted the search for safe and readily available alternative herbal remedies for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Cnestis ferruginea was extracted with methanol and ethylacetate and the extracts obtained were tested for hypoglycaemic activities in streptozotocin (STZ)–induced diabetic rats and mice. The extracts (250mg/kg body weight) were administered orally for 10 consecutive days to STZ-induced diabetic rats while a single dose (250mg/kg body weight) of the extracts were administered to STZinduced diabetic mice. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were determined in the two groups of animals after extract administration. There was significant reduction in FBG (P< 0.005) by MCF and ECF within 4 hrs of extract administration in a time- dependent manner. Furthermore, administration of MCF and ECF for 10 days significantly lowered FBG in STZ diabetic rats (P<0.005) by 74% and 68%, respectively, whereas, glibenclamide - a standard antidiabetic drug reduced FBG by 60%. The levels of serum creatinine, urea, triglyceride, total cholesterol, total protein and level of lipid peroxidation were also evaluated. The extracts reduced significantly (P<0.005) the elevated levels of serum ALT and AST in diabetic treated rats. Similarly, both extracts significantly lowered (P<0.005) the levels of serum creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, triglyceride and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS). These results suggest that Cnestis ferruginea leaves contain a highly potent hypoglycaemic principle and could be a potential source for isolation of new orally active antihyperglycaemic compounds for attenuating secondary complications of diabetes such as atherosclerosis, liver and renal dysfunction
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    Open Access
    Phytochemical and antioxidant nutrient constituents of Carica papaya and Parquetina nigrescens extracts
    (Academic Journals, 2010-08-18) Imaga, Ngozi Awa; Gbenle, George O.; Okochi, Veronica I.; Adenekan, Sunday; Duro-Emmanuel, Tomi; Oyeniyi, Bola; Dokai, Patience N.; Oyenuga, Mojisola; Otumara, Alero; Ekeh, Felix C.
    Medicinal plants (a.k.a. Phytomedicines) are parts of a plant or the whole plant that possess healing properties. Folk medicine reportedly uses Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) and Parquetina nigrescens L. (Asclepiadaceae) as a herbal remedy for the management of sickle cell anemia. This study was carried out to screen the leaf extracts of P. nigrescens and C. papaya L. (Caricaceae) for possible antioxidant phytochemicals, proximate nutrient constituents, amino acid composition and mineral content present in the samples using standard chemical and chromatographic procedures. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of folic acid, vitamin B12, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, tannins and anthraquinones. This study also showed that each of these plants extracts contained flavonoids and the antioxidant vitamins A and C. Some of the previously established antisickling amino acids were also present in the plants. Cyanogenic glycosides were absent from both plant extracts, indicative of the non-toxic effects of these plants when taken orally. These results indicate that the previously reported antisickling properties of these herbs may be due to their inherent antioxidant nutrient composition, thus supporting the claims of the traditional healers and suggests a possible correlation between the chemical composition of these plants and their uses in traditional medicine.
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    Open Access
    Effects of aqueous extract of Sorghum bicolor on hepatic, histological and haematological indices in rats
    (Academic Journals, 2010-09) Akande, I.S; Oseni, A.A; Biobaku, O.A
    Herbal medicine is still the mainstay of about 75 - 80% of the world population, mainly in the developing countries for primary health care. In Nigeria today, there is an upsurge in the acceptance and utilization of these herbal medicine partly because of scientific support for some of their medicinal uses. In recent times, findings from medicinal plants research indicate that extracts from some plants both hepatotoxic and hematotoxic, while some are reported to possess both hepatoprotective and hemopoietic properties. We investigated the effects of aqueous extract of Sorghum bicolor leaf sheaths on the biochemical hepatic functions, histological integrity and hematological indices in Sprague-Dawley albino rats. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of S. bicolor leaf sheath was carried out. Also, male and female rats (100 – 210 g) and divided into 5 groups were employed for this study. Four groups of 6 rats each were orally administered with 1.0 ml of 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg body weight daily doses of aqueous extract of S. bicolor leaf sheath, respectively for 14 days. The control group consisted of 6 rats treated to a daily dose of 0.5 ml of 0.9% normal saline. At the end of the administration period, the rats were sacrificed; the blood samples were collected through orbital sinus and cardiac puncture. The liver tissues were harvested and used for the hematopoietic and liver functions investigations. Phytochemical analysis of the plant leaf sheath showed the presence of Anthracine glycosides, reducing compounds, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides and polyphenols. Liver function tests revealed that the serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) concentration in the experimental rats showed a significant (P 0.05) increase with the increases in dosage concentrations of the extract compared with the control. Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as the concentrations of total protein and albumin in male and female experimental rats were not significantly (P 0.05) altered compared with the control by the oral administration of the extract. However, red blood cell counts, hemotocrit and haemoglobin concentrations increased significantly (P 0.05) on administration of the extract in both male and female experimental rats compared with the control. Histopathological examination did not reveal any lesion or alteration in the morphological features of the liver tissues in all the animals. Data of the present study indicate that aqueous extract of S. bicolor leaf sheath is both hepatoprotective and hematopoietic in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. These findings are therefore of clinical importance given the various reported medicinal potentials of the plant.
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    Open Access
    Evaluation of Lead, Cadmium and Chromium in Tilapia fish obtained from Makoko and Carter Bridge Rivers in Lagos, Nigeria
    (Academic Journals, 2010-11) Bolawa, O.E.; Gbenle, G.O.
    Most of the fresh water fish consumed in Nigeria comes from the Southern part of the country. The major aim of this study was to evaluate the heavy metal concentrations of Tilapia fish (Tilapia orechromis) of Makoko and Carter Bridge Rivers, thereby conducting a health risk assessment of these fishes. Heavy metal analyses were carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Lead concentrations of tilapia fish from Carter Bridge and Makoko rivers were found to be 0.65 and 0.31 mg/g, respectively. Cadmium concentrations of the fish were found as 0.90 and 0.23 mg/g, respectively. Chromium was detected in all sample groups. Its concentrations were found to be 0.008 and 0.22 mg/g, respectively. The concentrations of all the sample groups were above the maximum permissible limits of the USEPA. The coastal Nigeria population, which consumes larger quantities of fish may be at risk.
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    Open Access
    Analyses of antisickling potency of Carica papaya dried leaf extract and fractions
    (Academic Journals, 2010-11) Imaga, Ngozi Awa; Adepoju, Olusegun A.
    Carica papaya dried leaves have been indicated in sickle cell anemia management by local indigenous folk and in recent scientific research. In this research, dried C. papaya leaves were extracted using the soxhlet extraction method with 5 different solvents to give five different fractions namely hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol and water. This research examined the crude extract and the various leaf extract fractions of C. papaya L. (Caricaceae) for possible in vitro antisickling activities on Hbss red blood cells obtained from non-crisis state sickle cell patients involving the use of positive (phydroxybenzoic acid 5 mg /ml) and negative (normal saline) controls for the antisickling experiments. Pretreatment of SS cell suspensions with C. papaya leaf extract and fractions all inhibited formation of sickle cells under severe hypoxia at varying degrees, with only 0 - 5% sickle cells in the crude extract at 60 min compared with untreated SS cell suspensions which had over 80% sickle cells. Analysis of two different concentrations of C. papaya crude extract (10 and 5 mg/ml) showed the 10 mg/ml extract as the concentration with highest antisickling effect. Butanol extract showed the highest antisickling activity at 10 mg/ml concentration, while the ethyl acetate extract had the highest antisickling activity at 5 mg/ml concentration. These results further indicate the possibility of C. papaya leaf extract as potential phytotherapy for sickle cell anemia.
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    Open Access
    Assessment of antioxidation potential of selected plants with antisickling property
    (Academic Journals, 2010-11-04) Imaga, Ngozi O. A.; Adenekan, S.O.; Yussuph, G.A.; Nwoyimi, T.I.; Balogun, O.O.; Eguntola, T.A.
    Methanol extracts of herbs hitherto reported to have antisickling activity namely, Carica papaya leaf extract, Fagara zanthoxyloides root extract, Cajanus cajan seed extract and Parquetina nigrescens leaf extract, were evaluated in this study. An assessment of their antioxidation potential was determined by assaying for their phytochemical constituents, total phenol content, scavenging activity on 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and total antioxidant status through the ferric thiocyanate method. The extracts have similar phytochemical constituents and exhibited high scavenging activity compared to gallic acid and ascorbic acid standards due to their relatively high total phenol content. These findings suggest that C. papaya leaf extract, F. zanthoxyloides root extract, C. cajan seed extract and P. nigrescens leaf extract are endowed with antioxidant phytochemicals which may act singly or synergistically to potentiate the antisickling action of the plants.
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    Open Access
    Biochemical evaluation of aestivation and starvation in two snail species
    (Academic Journals, 2010-11-08) Akande, I.S; Odetola, A.A; Samuel, T.A; Okolie, P.N
    There is resurgence in incidence of schistosomiasis in Nigeria with attendant socio-economic and health impact. The agents transmitting this disease are the Bulinus snails which employ aestivation to survive conditions of unfavourable weather such as lack of food and water. The mechanism of aestivation under aridity and drought is not clear. This study therefore investigated the effects of aestivation and starvation on endogenous metabolic reserves in haemolymph of two snail species namely: Bulinus globosus (Morelet) and Bulinus rohlfsi (Clessin). Aestivation, starvation and control experiments were set up for 30 days in the laboratory by placing three groups of snails collected from Oyan dam, Abeokuta in standard aestivation slope (30 B. globosus and 19 B. rohlfsi), aquarium (30 B. globosus and 23 B. rohlfsi) and control slope which had 20 B. globosus and 15 B. rohlfsi. Aestivation and control slopes contained water and mixture of sand and clay (3:1), while aquarium contained water only for starvation. All the snails were fed on lettuce ad libitum for 28 days during which water was completely drained out in the aestivation slope. The aestivation slope and aquarium were left for another 30 days without lettuce. Snails were thereafter sacrificed and haemolymph biochemical parameters were assayed. In aestivating and starving B. globosus, haemolymph creatinine, urea, total protein, glucose, alanine transferases (ALT) and aspartate transferases (AST) were significantly decreased, while haemolymph total cholesterol, triglyceride and α-amylase concentrations and activity increased significantly (p < 0.05). In B. rohlfsi, creatinine, urea, ALT and AST were significantly decreased when compared with controls (p < 0.05). B. globosus and B. rohlfsi possess ability to survive unfavourable conditions by economical utilization of stored metabolites, thus enabling them to carry infection from one season to the next. Our findings suggest that B. globosus is a better aestivator than B. rohlfsi.
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    Open Access
    Pectinolytic activity of wild-type filamentous fungi fermented on agro-wastes
    (African Journal of Microbiology Research, 2010-12-18) EBUEHI, O.A.T.
    Five filamentous fungi (Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillum chrysogenum and Trichoderma sp.) isolated from agrowaste samples in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria, depolymerized citrus pectin. Best pectolytic activity, as indicated by the diameter of clear, hydrolyzed zones on the medium plates containing commercial citrus pectin as sole carbon source, was obtained with A. niger, closely followed by P. chrysogenum. The two fungi also produced pectinases with different agrowastes (pineapple peel, orange peels, sawdust, sugarcane pulps and wheat bran) as the sole carbon source. The highest pectinase activity by both fungi was produce with wheat bran as the sole carbon source. Peak pectinase activity of 350.28 ± 2.82 and 478.25 ± 3.04 IU mg -1 protein was respectively obtained by submerged fermentation (SmF) at 48 h for A. niger and P.chrysogenum in media containing wheat bran as the sole carbon source. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) yielded higher levels of pectinase activity than the SmF. The strains of A. niger and P. chrysogenum have good prospect for pectinase production. Wheat bran is a good low-cost fermentation substrate for pectinase production by the investigated fungi.
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    Open Access
    The use of phytomedicines as effective therapeutic agents in sickle cell anemia
    (Academic Journals, 2010-12-18) Imaga, N.O.A.
    Medicinal plants are parts of a plant or the whole plant that possess healing properties and unlike orthodox (synthetic) medicines, which may have adverse side effects, medicinal plant formulations are considerably cheaper and safer to use. In this review, selected medicinal plants with anti-sickling properties which are currently in use for the management of sickle cell anemia are highlighted, their methods of extraction, the various methods of analyzing herbal extracts for anti-sickling activity via efficacy tests and analyses and research findings are also discussed.
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    Open Access
    Proximate Composition Properties of Different Fish Species Obtained from Lagos, Nigeria
    (FoodHACCP.com Publishing, 2011) Bolawa, O.E.; Gbenle, G.O.; Ayodele, S.O.; Adewusi, O.R.; Mosuro, A.O.; Apata, O.S.
    Proximate body composition is the analysis of water, fat, protein and ash contents of fish. Proximate analysis of three fish species such as Tilapia oreochromis, Pseudolithus senegalensis and Ethmalosa fimbrata were carried out with standard methods. The lower the crude fibre content, the greater the lipids and protein contents. It is concluded that Tilapia oreochromis contains lowest water and highest protein (38.19%) and carbohydrate (10.41) contents. Therefore Tilapia oreochromis has the best quality from the point of view of higher biological values of protein and fat and it is recommended for most consumption.
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    Open Access
    Comparative proximate analysis of ethanolic and water extracts of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) and four tea brands
    (Medwell Journals, 2011) Akande, I.S; Samuel, T.A; Agbazue, U.; Olowolagba, B.L
    The comparative nutritive values of different tea brands on sale in Nigeria were investigated and compared with natural Lemon grass extracts. The brands include Lipton tea, Top tea, Nescafe and Green tea. The percentage moisture, ash, crude fibres, lipids and protein contents and antioxidant potentials were evaluated and compared. Phytochemical screening for the various tea brands compared to lemon grass was also carried out. Results from the study showed that there were significant (p<0.05) differences in the proximate composition of the various tea brands compared with Lemon grass. Top tea had the highest percentage of moisture (11.2%), crude fibre (84.35%), lipid (6.09%) and protein (0.44%) while Nescafe had the highest percentage of ash content (13.03%). Green tea contained the least ash content (4.79%) while Lemon grass had the lowest percentage lipid (0.42%). Phytochemical screening of these samples revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, glycosides and conjugated dienes in all the four tea brands investigated. Top tea appeared the most balanced nutritionally while the Green tea is the most susceptible to rancidity. Data of the study indicate that the indigenous tea brands including the natural extracts of lemon leaf are good sources of antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds and glycosides in addition to very few calories and only a small amount of fat with corresponding valuable minerals which they contained. They are therefore nutritionally acceptable and medicinally valuable.