There is an urgent need for agents with improved efficacy against pancreatic cancer, as only 20% of pancreatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy respond to treatment. This study investigated the antiproliferative attributes of hydroethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Stachytarpheta cayennensis on human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (AsPC-1).
The study was aimed at generating callus from immature inflorescence and young leaf explants of coconut (Cocos nucifera L). Eeuwen’s medium which was supplemented with Murashige and Skoog macro salts, 6- Benzylamino purine (BAP) and 6-y dimethylally amino purine (2iP) at concentration of 1 mg/l each, was used as the culture medium. The effect of different concentrations of growth regulators when added to the culture medium was tested on callus generation.
Solanum melongena L. (round variety) is an eggplant that is commonly called “garden egg” in Nigeria. The unripe fruit is often eaten as snack, dessert or vegetable. The dried fruit powder was evaluated for its alkaloid, flavonoid and fatty acid profiles by Gas Chromatography (GC). The vitamin profile was estimated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The alkaloid profile showed the presence of high amounts of solamargine (134 ± 0.719 mg/100g) and solasonine (115 ± 0.455 mg/100g), with other alkaloids present in lower amounts.
Fresh vegetables water leaf (Talinum traingnlare), pumpkin leaf (Telfairia occidentalis) and scent leaf (Ocinum gratissimum) collected from urban markets in Benin City, Nigeria, were investigated for the presence of Vibrio species using standard microbiological techniques. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the isolates against a panel of 13 antibiotics, was carried out according to the method described by The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCCLS).
Phaseolus vulgaris L. seeds were grown in soil treated with different concentrations of cadmium to investigate its effect on germination and growth. The seeds were sown in three replicates of 5 kg soils treated with 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg of cadmium and control. Toxicity effects increased with increasing concentration. Germination was significantly affected as data recorded for the various treatment showed great inhibition along the concentration gradient. Cadmium treated soil of 100 mg/kg caused death to experimental plants before 28 days.
Senna alata and Senna podocarpa are medicinal plants widely used in complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of various diseases, in southwestern Nigeria. The in vitro cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of a formulation composed of methanolic leaf extract of S. alata (75%) and S. podocarpa (25%), on Human Epithelial Squamous Carcinoma (HEp-2) cells was investigated.
Cisplatin is a very effective chemotherapeutic agent used in treating various types of cancer, but its application may have damaging effects on testicular morphology. In this study, the effect of vitamin C, a known antioxidant, on cisplatin-induced testicular damage was investigated. Thirty Wistar rats were grouped into six groups (A-F) of five rats per group. Cisplatin was given as a single dose of 8 mg/kg body weight 24 hours prior to daily vitamin C administration at l00 mg and 200 mg respectively, for two weeks in 2 ml distilled water by gastric gavage.
Sustainable use of soil on which agriculture depends is absolutely necessary for agricultural productivity. Soil samples were collected from two auto-mechanic workshops sited at Technical College Road (Station A) and Textile Mill Road (Station B) while the control was at EDPA Housing Estate, all in Benin City with the aid of a split soil core sampler at a depth of 0 10cm. The Physicochemical parameters of the samples were analysed using standard methods and revealed pH mean value of 7.27 at station A and 6.83 at station B respectively.
Heavy metals levels in dried Clarias gariepinus and Channa obscura from three major markets in Benin metropolis were investigated in this work. Samples were purchased, dried and digested by standard method and the metals levels were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean levels of cadmium and lead (0.48±0.06 and 1.36±1.13 mg/kg) and (0.62±0.45 and 5.60±7.43 mg/kg) for Clarias gariepinus and Channa obscura were found to be higher than EU standard.
Phytochemical properties of the extracts of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and bulb of garlic (Allium sativum) indicate the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoid and phytic acids. Extracts of Z. officinale and A. sativum were more effective in the treatment of oral pathogens when compared to antifungi (Ketoconanzone) and antibacterial (ciprofloxacin) drugs used as positive controls. Z.
