Evaluation of possible effects of Persea americana seeds on female reproductive hormonal and toxicity profile.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The seed of Avocado (Persea americana, Lauraceae), non-edible part of the fruit is used as health product. It has been reported as traditional female contraceptive and sterilizer in Peru and some Asian countries and in Nigeria as cardio-protective agent. The present study focused on the effect of hydro-methanolic seed extract of Persea americana on female hormones and toxicity profile using animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone (PROG) concentrations in mature non-pregnant female rats were assayed using hormonal kits. The toxicity profile was assessed using Lorke's acute toxicity model, haemato-biochemical evaluation and histopathological studies of reproductive related organs. Parameters were measured on day-30, 60 and 90. Presence of biomarker flavonoid compounds were confirmed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. RESULTS: The extract at 20, 100 and 500 mg kg -1 altered FSH and PROG hormone profile of the treated groups. The extract initially, dose-dependently decreased FSH level in day-30 (6.95, 3.97, 2.08 IU/L respectively) compared to untreated group before a significant increase was observed for day 60 and 90. Progesterone increased dose-dependently in the treated groups throughout the 90-day treatment duration. This may be Indicating cumulative effect on the hormone. No deleterious or toxicity effect was noticed. CONCLUSIONS: The extract of Persea americana seed affects female hormone activity. This may find application in various hormonal management procedures, maternal and reproductive health and fertility control/help health facilities. However, it should be used with caution in women intending to conceive.

Cadmium and lead in geophagic clay consumed in Southern Nigeria: health risk from such traditional nutraceutical.

Geophagy is a cultural behavior, based on the recurrent intentional eating of clay soil, that is raising increasing concern as it implies multidimensional (space, time) potential risk of serious adverse health effects. This study investigated the level of toxic metals (Cd and Pb) in 20 Nigerian geophagic clays intended for both local consumption and distribution to the West Africa market. After sampling in 4 open markets in southern Nigeria (Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers, Imo), samples were subjected to digestion, ashing and analysis. The Pb levels in all samples exceeded the WHO/FAO maximum permissible limit of 0.1 mg kg-1 whereas 16% exceeded the Cd limit of 0.3 mg kg-1. The estimated daily intake of Pb for all samples ranged from 0.0032-0.0286 mg kgbw-1 day-1 to 0.0024-0.0215 mg kgbw-1 day-1 for children and adults, respectively. The estimated daily intakes for Cd ranged from bdl (below detection limit)-0.0010 mg kgbw-1 day-1 to bdl-0.0028 mg kgbw-1 day-1 for children and adults, respectively. In both cases, the WHO/FAO provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake is exceeded through the ingestion of these soils. Our results confirm health risks related to the geophagic practices, its role in exceeding health guidelines when considering aggregate exposure in the Nigerian scenario and body burden in developing organisms, young women, women at fertile age, and pregnant women. We discuss how geophagists consider clays as traditional nutraceuticals and how clarifying the nutraceutical role of geophagy could facilitate risk communication. Geophagic products are implicitly or explicitly marketed as dietary supplements, and as such they should be regulated (1) by labeling, and prohibition of scientifically unfounded health claims and (2) by safety standards before marketing. This is particularly critical when clays originate from countries living rapid, unplanned and uncontrolled development and dumped, like Nigeria.

HIV infection in long-distance truck drivers in a low income setting in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence, and correlates of HIV infection among long-distance truck drivers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A total of one hundred (100) long-distance truck drivers aged between 21 and 60 years and mean age of 42.36 ± 5.23 years were screened for the presence of HIV antibodies. The results showed that, out of the total number screened 10 (10%) were positive for HIV while 90 (90%) were negative. The prevalence of HIV was significantly higher in the 31-40 years age group 6/26 (23%) compared to 1/13 (7.6%) in the 21-30 years age group and 2/37 (7.4%) in the 51-60 years age group (P = 0.04).The lowest prevalence of HIV occurred in the 41-50 years age group 1/24 (4.2%). HIV 1 was the predominant viral subtype among the subjects 9 (90%) while 1 (10%) had HIV-2. None of the HIV-positive subjects had dual HIV 1 and 2 infections. The mean CD4 lymphocyte count for subjects positive for HIV was 380 ± 68.0 (range 312-448 cells/µl) while CD4 count for HIV negative subjects was 780 ± 76 cells/µl (range 704-856 cells/µl. A significant negative correlation was observed between HIV positivity and CD4 count r = -0.010 (P = 0.01). It is recommended that intensive preventive measures be instituted coupled with the implementation of a vigorous enlightenment campaign targeting behavioral change from high risk culture among truckers. Efforts are urgently needed to provide access to sexual health education, treatment services and HIV testing facilities to reduce their vulnerability to HIV infection.