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A. Ikeyi ¹, E. O. Alumanah ², P. E. Joshua ²

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Science Laboratory Technology (Biochemistry Option), Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, NG
2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the effects of age and parity (number of children had by mother) associated with protein energy malnutrition (PEM) on some biochemical indices in pregnant women in Enugu metropolis of Nigeria. Serum total protein, albumin, urea, total cholesterol, creatinine and calcium were evaluated in three groups of female subjects as part of an investigation on the biochemical changes associated with protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in pregnant women. The first group were 52 pregnant women with low total protein (<52g/l), the second group were 50 pregnant women with normal total protein (>52g/l) while the third group were 50 non-pregnant, non-lactating, apparently healthy women with normal total protein (>63kg). All the subjects were resident in Enugu metropolis and aged between 20 to 40 years. The pregnant subjects were in different gestational stages of pregnancy, having different parity and attending the antenatal clinic of Parklane Specialist Hospital, Enugu. The results show that parity (i.e. the number of children had by mother) correlated negatively (p<0.05) with serum total protein, urea, total cholesterol, creatinine and calcium.

Keywords

Age, Parity, Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM), Pregnancy, Biochemical.

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C. C. Monago ¹, G. C. Gozie ², P. E. Joshua ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, NG
2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, IN
3 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, IN

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a multifacial endocrine disease that affects many organs in the body like cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys, nervous system and the eyes. Insulin therapy and the use of antidiabetic drugs have helped tremendously in the management of this disease but produce side effects like cardiovascular disease and weight gain. Local diabetics allegedly use extracts of Emilia sonchifolia leave in treatment of diabetes, hence, we deem it necessary to investigate the effects of the alkaloidal extract of the leave on glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels in dihtizone- induced diabetes.

Methods: Dithizone (5mg/dl) was used to induce a partial destruction of the pancreas. Dithizone- induced diabetic rats were divided into five groups (A-E). The rats were treated with 16, 32, 48mg of extract/kg body weight, 48mg/kg of chlorpropamide (positive control) and 5mls of normal saline(negative control) for groups A, B, C, D and E respectively for 6, 12, 18 and 24hrs.

Results: Dithizone significantly (p<0.05) increased the glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels by percentage ranges of 32.45-36.55, 13.67-20.78 and 7.62-20.18% respectively. Both the graded concentration of the extract and chlorpropamide reduced the glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. The extract however, reduced cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels more than the chlorpropamide and control; while the chlorpropamide reduced the glucose level more than the extract and control.

Conclusion: The alkaloid extract of Emilia sonchifolia seems to have effect on experimental diabetes and its associated lipidemia. Further studies are needed for characterization of the extract and implementation.

Keywords

Dithizone, Diabetes, Chlorpropamide, Emilia sonchifolia, Alkaloid.

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A. C. Ezugwu ¹, O. U. Njoku ², N. F. Ozoemena ³, P. E. Joshua ², U. Nwachi ⁴, O. F. C. Nwodo ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG
2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG
3 Department of Anatomy, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, NG
4 Department of Biochemistry, College of Medical Sciences, Ebonyi State University, NG

Abstract

The anti-inflammatory activity of the fruit extract of Rothmannia longiflora was carried out by evaluating its inhibitory effect on Phospholipase A2 and Prostaglandin Synthetase. As R. longiflora was found to have febrifugal and analgesic properties by reducing oedema formation; the ability of the extract to inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandin which is one of the mediators of inflammation, was utilized as the model for anti-inflammation. R. longiflora was found to significantly (p<0.05) inhibit the activity of both Phospholipase A2 and Prostaglandin Synthetase activities. The results of this study shows the anti-inflammatory activity of R. longiflora extract and suggest further investigations into the effects of specific constituent(s) of the plant on inflammation.

Keywords

Rothmannia longiflora, Inflammatory, Prostaglandin Synthetase, Phospholipase A2.

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N. N. Onwudiwe ¹, O. U. Njoku ¹, P. E. Joshua ¹

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

Abstract

The phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity (LD50) studies were carried out on the ethanol extract of Eugenia uniflora pulp. The phytochemical results showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and terpenoids. Results of the acute toxicity study gave LD50 value of 2408.3mg/kg.

Keywords

Phytochemical Analysis, Acute Toxicity, Eugenia uniflora, Ethanol.

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N. N. Onwudiwe ¹, O. U. Njoku ¹, P. E. Joshua ¹

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

Abstract

Some antioxidant vitamins and metals were analysed using ethanol extract sample of Eugenia uniflora pulp. In the vitamin and metal analysis, E. uniflora fruit pulp had higher level of vitamin C compared with β-carotene and vitamin E. The results of the metal analysis also showed higher level of calcium compared with iron, magnesium, zinc and chromium.

Keywords

Eugenia uniflora, Vitamin, Metal, Ethanol.

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C. C. Monago ¹, I. Amachree ¹, P. E. Joshua ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, NG
2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG

Abstract

Background:Cardiovascular diseases with high levels of creatine kinase have been reported in diabetics as major killer, globally. Can single effect of diabinese(DB)- antidiabetic drug and combined effects of DB and nicotinic acid (NA)-a vitamin and an antilipidemic drug be used to manage diabetes and this associated cardiovascular disease?
Method:Dithizone induced-diabetic rabbits grouped into A, B, C, D and E were treated for 72 hrs with 10 mg DB, 10 mg DB/150 mg NA, 10 mgDB/200 mg NA, 10 mg DB/250 mg NA, and 5 ml of Distil water respectively.
Result:Dithizone increased the blood glucose, urea, creatinine and creatine kinase levels. Combined therapy of DB/NA did not affect the urea level but significantly (p<0.05) reduced the levels of glucose, creatinine and creatine kinase than in single therapy.
Conclusion:Combination of diabinese and nicotinic acid could be used to reduce the high levels of glucose, creatinine and creatine kinase associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Keywords

Diabinese, Nicotinic Acid, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease.

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A. C. Ezugwu ¹, O. U. Njoku ¹, N. F. Ozoemena ², O. F. C. Nwodo ¹, P. E. Joshua ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG
2 Department of Anatomy, University of Nigeria, Teaching Hospital, Enugu, NG

Abstract

This study reports the anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing property of methanol extract of Rothmannia longiflora fruits. The egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema was utilized as the model for inflammation. The probable mode by which R. longiflora mediates its effects on inflammatory conditions was studied on human blood cells (RBC) exposed to hypotonic solution. The results of the study revealed that the extract possesses anti-inflammatory property. Rothmannia longiflora was found to significantly (p<0.05) reduce the oedema induced by the phlogistic agent in rats in a dose-related manner; the reduction was during the later phase of the inflammation. Also, the extract was shown to exhibit membrane-stabilizing property, as it significantly (p<0.05) reduced the levels of haemolysis of RBC exposed to hypotonic solution. The acute toxicity studies of methanol extract of Rothmannia longiflora fruit in mice revealed that it has high safety profile, as there was no death recorded in two stages of the test using intraperitoneal (ip) route.

Keywords

Rothmannia longiflora, Anti-Inflammatory, Membrane-Stabilizing Property, Oedema.

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