ABSTRACT
Ethanolic and water extracts of fruit peels of Musa paradisiaca were investigated for antimycotic activities and phytochemical properties on Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Microsporum audouninii and Epidermophyton floccosum. The phytochemial analysis revealed that saponins, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids and tannins were the active compounds. The agar diffusion method was used to assay for the antifungal properties on the test isolates the standard drug used was fluconazole. The results showed that the extract at different concentrations inhibited the growth of all the test isolates. The ethanolic extract was more effective than the water extract of the plant and zones of inhibition increased with increase in concentration of extract the result of this investigation demonstrate the potentials of Musa paradisiaca extracts as a source of chemotherapeutic agent that could be harnessed for use in health care delivery. This work also authenticates the use of Musa paradisiaca in traditional soap production which is used by some people to treat skin infections.
ABSTRACT
In Nigeria, petroleum contamination of the environment occurs through accidental spillage and/or sabotage of petroleum pipelines. Human exposures to petroleum products occur frequently from occupational and domestic usage. In this study male albino rats were used to evaluate the antioxidative effects of Gongronema latifolium supplemented diet on diesel petroleum induced toxicity resulting from exposure. The activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and concentrations of total bilirubin and malondialdehyde increased (p<0.05) in the animals exposed to the petroleum product. The activities of some oxidative stress enzymes and concentrations of serum proteins decreased (p<0.05) in exposed animals. The activities of liver function enzymes and oxidative stress parameters obtained in the animals which received G. latifolium supplemented diet with diesel intoxication were comparable to the control, indicating a protective role of G. latifolium.
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effect of diesel petroleum intoxication in rats and the ability of phytochemicals and antioxidant content of Ocimum gratissimum to ameliorate such toxicity. Toxicity in rat was induced by administering 4 ml/kg body weight of diesel in the test rats except control. The intoxication and treatment with 20 % O. gratissimum supplemented diet was for 7 days. Serum liver function markers, Oxidative stress markers and lipid profile were estimated. Diesel induced hepatotoxicity was characterized by significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum protein concentration and oxidative enzymes activities. Also increase in activities of liver function enzymes and Cholesterol was observed. The group of rats which diet was supplemented with O. gratissimum showed significant (p< 0.05) improvement in the concentration of serum proteins and decrease in the activities of liver function enzymes. Similarly the activities of oxidative enzymes significantly (p<0.05) increased, compared to the untreated rats. These results indicate a chemoprotective ability of this Nigerian indigenous spice.