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Edokwe Chinelo ¹, Obidoa Onyechi ¹, Joshua Parker Elijah ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG

Abstract

The liver function tests of the animals fed P. americana showed that the enzyme activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 57.35±4.40IU/L, aspartate aminotransferase 77.44±3.53IU/L and alkaline phosphatase 170.73±6.52IU/L while the enzyme activity of those fed D. edulis was 45.57±2.28IU/L AST, 68.26±3.69IU/L AST and 153.36±19.08IU/L ALP. AST and ALT increased significantly (p<0.05) in the sera of rats administered P. americana pulp compared with those fed D. edulis. However, no significant difference was observed (p>0.05) was observed in the ALP activities of the three groups. The total cholesterol level of animals administered D. edulis (75.76±5.37mg/dl) was lower compared with those administered P. americana (115.75±22.6mg/dl).

Keywords

Coconut (Cosos nucifera), Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc.

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U. Njoku Ugochi ¹, Joshua Parker Elijah ¹, I. Offor Leonard ¹, O. Okoli Charles ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG
2 Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG

Abstract

Apium graveveolens (Celery) an ancient vegetable spice consumed in both tropical and western world was investigated for its antioxidant properties. The ethanol extract of Apium graveolens gave 15.5% yield and the extract was used for lipid peroxidation scavenging tests. The acute toxicity of the ethanol extract of Apium graveolens was investigated using 21 albino mice and was found out to be 2450mg/kg body weight, which indicates that the plant is relatively safe for human consumption. Both the fresh, dried leaves and stem of Apium graveolens were subjected to phytochemical analysis and the results showed that the plant contains alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, proteins, fats and oils, carbohydrates, steroids and tannins with the dried samples having a higher concentration than the fresh samples. The ethanol extract of Apium graveolens showed significant nitric oxide induced free radical scavenging activity when compared with ascorbic acid. The extract also showed significant inhibition of carbon tetrachloride and ferrous sulphate induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate when compared with ascorbic acid.

Keywords

Apium graveolens, Antioxidant, Free Radicals.

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Anosike Chioma Assumpta ¹, Obidoa Onyechi ², C. Nwodo Okwesilieze Fredrick ², Joshua Parker Elijah ²

Affiliations
1 University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG
2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG

Abstract

The effects of the ethanol extract of coconut on indomethacin - induced gastric ulcer in Wistar rats and on Hypotonicity induced haemolysis of human red blood cells were studied. Ulcer was induced in the rats by post oral (p.o.) administration of indomethacin (50mg/kg) using standard procedures. The percentage ulcer inhibition was taken as the measure of the cytoprotection offered by the coconut extract. The extracts reduced the gastric erosions induced by indomethacin in a dose dependent manner with 100mg/kg dose having an ulcer inhibition of 65.4%; 200mg/kg gave 67.9% inhibition while 400mg/kg caused a 70.1% reduction in the ulcerations formed. These results were comparable to the 91% reduction recorded for ranitidine, the standard anti-ulcer drug. The effect of the coconut extract on haemolysis induced by distilled water was evaluated by incubating various concentrations of the extract with red blood cells and distilled water. The effect of the standard anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin was determined as a positive control. Changes in absorbance were used to assess the extent of haemolysis, hence membrane stabilization. From the results obtained, coconut extract gave a dose dependent reduction in the haemolysis induced by distilled water. This suggests that the extract has a stabilizing effect on lysosomal membranes.

Keywords

Coconut Extract, Gastric Erosions, Cytoprotection, RBCs Haemolysis, Distilled Water.

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U. Njoku Obioma ¹, Joshua Parker Elijah ¹, C. Okonkwo Chukwudi ¹

Affiliations
1 Lipid & Lipoprotein Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, NG

Abstract

Gongronema latifolia (Utazi) is a plant found in the tropical regions of West Africa. The phytochemical analysis and the antioxidant activities of Gongronema latifolia were investigated. The acute toxicity of the plant was found to be 2450mg/kg body weight, indicating that the plant is safe for consumption. The ethanol extract of the plant gave a yield of 17.94%. The phytochemical analysis on the leaves extract revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, resins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, steroids, and terpenoids with higher levels of flavonoids and alkaloids. The antioxidant properties of ethanol extract of the plant were evaluated in vitro with rat liver homogenate. The ethanol extract of the plant showed a significant inhibition with nitric oxide, ferrous sulphate and carbon tetrachloride induced lipid peroxidation activities which were comparable with ascorbic acid. The inhibition was found to be concentration dependent. From this study, it was found that the plant is a potent scavenger of free radicals and can ameliorate the effects of oxidative stress which have been implicated in most pathological conditions.

Keywords

Gongronema latifolia, Antioxidant, Free Radicals, Peroxidation.

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Ubani Chibuike Samuel ¹, Joshua Parker Elijah ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG

Abstract

This study was aimed to elucidate the effect of kerosene on the liver enzyme markers. The parameters investigated included alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein (TP) levels in the blood sample of experimental rats. The route of exposure (or administration) was through ingestion of diet contaminated with kerosene and the blood sample for the study was got through the retro-bulbar plexus of the medial canthus of the test animals (Rats). The result showed that the levels of ALT and ALP in the group of rats exposed to kerosene contaminated diet (test groups) as compared with the level of the control group were found to be significant (P<0.05) while the TP level was significantly decreased (P<0.05) as compared to the control in both weeks. The effect of kerosene on these parameters is dose-time-dependent and these results showed that frequent exposure to kerosene and its combustion products may be highly deleterious to the liver cells and the biological system in general.

Keywords

Kerosene, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total Protein.

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