Mkar Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Ethanolic Stem Extract of Jatropha curcas Obtained from Benue State, Nigeria

2024-03-01T15:39:02+00:00

Pain attends almost all ailments. This study investigated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of ethanol stem extract of Jatropha curcas. Phytochemical screening and acute toxicity study was carried out according to standard procedures. Analgesic activity was investigated by measuring the number of acetic acid induced writhing in twenty-five mice while anti-inflammatory activity was studied using egg albumin-induced paw oedema in rats using the same dose. The standard drug, indomethacin at 10 mg/kg and ethanolic stem extract of Jatropha curcas at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally to 25 wistar rats 30 minutes before induction of oedema and paw volume over a period of 2 hours was measured. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Acute toxicity study revealed extract is relatively safe at 2000 mg/kg. Extract at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg exhibited significant analgesic activity in a non-dose dependent manner. The highest percentage inhibition of abdominal constriction for extract, 91.76 %, was observed at 100 mg/kg (p < 0.05) while that of diclofenac sodium at 40 mg/kg was 92.9 %. Result of anti-inflammatory screening using ethanol stem extract of J. curcas showed marked inhibition of paw oedema in rats. At 20 minutes, the extract (300 mg/kg) significantly inhibited inflammation at early phase compared to indomethacin (10 mg/kg) at same time. At 120 minutes, indomethacin (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the paw size. This result suggests ethanol stem extract of J. curcas has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and hence may be useful for treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions.

METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS (MOFs): MECHANOCHEMICAL SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND MOF-TEXTILE COMPOSITE APPLICATIONS - A REVIEW

2024-03-01T16:32:21+00:00

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a group of porous materials formed by the assemblage of inorganic connectors and organic linkers. The topological properties that predict the physiochemical properties of MOFs can be affected by the synthetic method. This review article focuses on the: Mechanochemical synthesis of MOFs, characterization with respect to imparted properties of MOF on textile, and the applications of MOF-textile composite. The review will help bring to light the mechanochemical synthesis of MOFs as an efficient and environmentally friendly, characterization with respect to imparted properties of MOFs on textile with an excellent opportunity to extend the applications landscape of MOFs, and MOF-textile composite applications such as UV protections, antibacterial coating, protective warfare agent clothing, among others.

Assessment of In-vivo Effect of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Phyllanthus amarus Leaf on Arsenate Induced Hepatic Lesion in Wistar Rats

2024-03-01T16:53:49+00:00

Therapeutics of ethyl acetate fraction of Phyllanthus amarus leaf on pathology of liver induced by arsenate was investigated in Wistar rats. The experimental rats were divided into six groups of five rats per group. Group A and B served as normal and negative controls administered with distilled water and arsenic (10 mg/kg/bwt) respectively. Group C subdivided into two as pretreatment with doses of (100, 300 mg/kg/ bwt extract) and arsenic (10 mg/kg/ bwt). D served as post treatment subdivided into treatment doses of 100 and 300mg/kg/ bwt. The oral administration lasted for 10 days. Blood serum, liver homogenate enzymes and tissue structure were analyzed. The serum enzymes indicated a significant decrease in both ALT (23.20±0.20) and total bilirubin (Tb) (1.25±0.20) in the post treatment group as compared with negative control. The homogenate enzymes (GP, GR) activities and MDA level showed significant decrease while SOD and catalase increased significantly in treatment group at high dose when compared with the normal control at P< 0.05. The histological study indicates a mild atrophy with hapetocytes presenting intact nuclei surrounded by intact cytoplasmic components in post treatment group administered with high dose. From the above findings, it suggests 100% that ethyl acetate fraction of P. amarus showed ameliorative activity on rats with induced hepatic lesion.

THE IMPACT OF ABATTOIR EFFLUENTS ON SURFACE WATER AND SEDIMENTS: A REVIEW

2024-03-01T17:17:03+00:00

This review focuses on the impact of abattoir effluents on surface water and sediments based on reports from different parts of Nigeria. Many authors reported that the location and operation of abattoirs are generally unregulated in Nigeria. They are usually located near water bodies where access to water for processing is guaranteed. Animal blood and other abattoir based pollutants are released untreated into the flowing stream. Research has shown that, consumable parts of the slaughtered animals are washed directly into the flowing water and they form the basis for contamination. From reports, these effluents have negative impact on the physicochemical and biological parameters of the receiving water bodies and neighboring wells thereby reducing the quality of water. Infection causing pathogenic organisms and their association with abattoir activities are reported in this review. Activities of abattoirs need to be regulated, controlled and monitored to mitigate their effect on the environment especially the receiving water bodies.

Use of SYBR Green PCR to Detect Helicobacter Pylori in Gastric Biopsies of Endoscopy Referral Patients at a Tertiary Hospital in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

2024-03-01T17:50:21+00:00

Helicobacter pylori is a common cause of chronic bacterial infections worldwide. It is the cause of gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancers and gastric malt lymphoma. Endoscopy was performed on 80 referred patients. Gastric biopsies were taken from the antrum. Genomic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (gDNA) was extracted from the biopsies using ReliaPrep spin column method and tested by SYBR Green PCR.SYBR Green PCR showed that 22 (27.5%) (N = 80) patients were positive for H. pylori infection. Using Chi square, there was no significant association between H. pylori infection and age (p = 0.121). There was however significant association between the infection and sex (p = 0.012).The study showed high prevalence of H. pylori infection in Makurdi, Benue State as determined by SYBR Green PCR. Reliable methods of detecting H. pylori will help in the successful eradication and reduction of the risk of gastric carcinoma.There is need to establish national guidelines on the diagnosis and management of H. pylori infection in patients with gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.

Bacteriological Assessment of the Surface of Hawked Sachet Water Bags Sold in Gboko, North Central Nigeria

2024-03-01T18:11:08+00:00

Bacterial contamination of drinking water, particularly in developing countries, affects 80% of the global population and poses a major health problem, causing various diseases and threatening the existence of the population.This study assessed the bacteriological quality of sachet water surface collected with swabs obtained from Ortese, Yandev and Gboko main markets of Gboko, North Central Nigeria. The samples were analyzed for coliform bacteria following the most probable number (MPN) protocol. The results showed that all surface swab samples were heavily contaminated with lactose fermenting bacteria. The highest counts were recorded for samples A6, C1, C3 and C4 resulting in >1,600 MPN/100ml while the lowest count was observed in A13 as 2 MPN/100ml. The confirmatory analysis revealed that 23 samples out of 60 samples produced a green metallic sheen which indicates the presence of coliform (Escherichia coli) thus making the sachet surface unsafe. The 23 Escherichia coli isolates were further confirmed by their Gram reaction. Therefore, the results of the present study showed that surfaces (exterior part) of sachet water sold within the region may be a source of contamination of the water during consumption. The presence of indicator bacteria suggests the possible occurrence of faecal contamination. Thus, attention should be given to this risk factor identified in order to ensure public health safety.