ABSTRACT
Paraquat is a highly toxic chemical used in weed control. Paraquat is known for its ability to generate reactive oxygen species that attack cells and membranes. Vitamin E is a group of vitamins which dissolves in fat and possess antioxidant properties which act as a defense to the cells against oxidative stress arising from reactive oxygen species, whereas Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and a very potent antioxidant which protects the cells of the body from free radicals. The study aim was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of a combination therapy of vitamin E and C on biochemical markers of paraquat induced male albino rats. 200 male albino rats with 0.2±0.02 kg mean weight were used. The 200 rats were divided into four main groups with 50 rats within a group. The groups were labeled A, B C and D. The “A” group was neutral; “B” group was induced with 0.02 g, “C” 0.06g, and “D” 0.06 g of paraquat per kg rat every two weeks for three months. The main groups further had subgroups. “A” group had “A0” and “AVEC” subgroups; “B” group had “B0” and “BVEC” subgroups; “C” group had “C0” and “CVEC” subgroups; “D” group had “D0” and “DVEC” subgroups. “A0”, “B0”, “C0” and “D0” subgroups were not administered with vitamin E + C therapy while “AVEC”, “BVEC”, “CVEC” and “DVEC” were treated orally with 500 mg of vitamin E weekly and 2000 mg/l of vit C medicated water for one month. After then, the rats were sacrificed, blood samples were collected and analyzed for the liver function; T. bilirubin, D. bilirubin, T. protein, albumin, and globulin. ANOVA intergroup comparison of A0, B0, C0 and D0 was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 except for globulin. Intergroup comparison of AVEC, BVEC, CVEC and DVEC was statistically significant, p-value<0.05 except for globulin. Intra-group comparison showed significant difference only in total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin levels, p-value<0.05. This study therefore has shown that weekly treatment with Vit E + C in one month can treat liver toxicity in rats.
ABSTRACT
Background: Osteoarthritis is a major cause of disability and incapacitation Worldwide. Aim: To evaluate the epidemiology and pattern of osteoarthritis at Ogbaku, Imo State University Teaching Hospital annex, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State, South-east Nigeria. Study Design: A retrospective epidemiological study. Methodology: One hundred and six case notes of patients managed for osteoarthritis between January 2009 and October 2010 were studied. Simple statistical methods like percentages were used for data analysis. Results: Out of 106 cases studied, 72(67.9%) were females while 43(32.1%) were males. The highest percentage of cases (34%) occurred in people aged 65-74 years followed by people aged 55-64 years (24.5%). Younger people (45-54 years) were the least affected. Farmers (24.5%) were the most affected occupational group followed by athletes (18.9%) and then traders (17%). Civil servants were the least affected. The knee (41.5%) was the most frequently affected joint followed by the hip (22.6%). The least affected joints were the wrist (1.9%) and the elbow (1.9%). Conclusion: The study shows that osteoarthritis occurred most in people aged 65-74 yrs and the knee was the most frequently affected joint in the body.
ABSTRACT
Interest in the use of medicinal plants in treatment of diseases in Africa has increased tremendously over the past decade. Ingestion of contaminated medicinal plants and herbal medicinal products is regarded as potential source of heavy metal toxicity to both man and animals. Heavy metals are often not well defined in medicine, but include all toxic metals. They are released into the environment by both natural and a variety of anthropogenic sources. The presence of heavy metals in plant tissues is primarily dependent upon their availability and concentration in the soil. They can also be deposited directly on plant surfaces from the atmosphere. Heavy metals are persistent in nature due to their long biological half-life. The major heavy metals of health concern are arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. They are the redox inactive metals and show their toxic effects via bonding to sulphydryl groups of proteins and depletion of glutathione - an antioxidant. In order to ensure quality and safety of herbal drugs, cultivation and collection of medicinal plants in the immediate vicinity of industrial sites which utilize these metals and their compounds, and sites where these metals have been improperly disposed is highly discouraged; because plants from these areas are prone to high concentration of heavy metals, hence, increases human risk of contamination when taken. In addition screening of plant extracts, herbal medicinal products and medicinal plants at large, for heavy metal contamination is of highly medical importance and must be given maximum attention in phytotherapy.