The lipid composition and the physico-chemical properties of two Nigerian grown seed oils of Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa were investigated. The seeds of Parkia biglobosa were boiled for 12hours, dehusked, sun-dried and grinded into fine powdery form for oil extraction while the fruits of Vitellaria paradoxa were depulped such that its seeds on drying were deshelled and grinded into fine powdery paste for oil extraction.The seeds consist of 34% and 25% (dry w/w) crude oil respectively. At room temperature, the seed oil of Parkia biglobosa is liquid while the seed oil of Vitellaria paradoxa is semi-solid. The physicochemical properties of these oils indicated that mean free fatty acid, saponification, peroxide, acid and iodine values were 4.77%, 175.32mgKOH/g, 3.7mgO 2 /g, 9.48mgKOH/g, 82.40 for Parkia biglobosa and 5.93%, 63.77mgKOH/g, 3.0mgO 2 /g, 11.7mgKOH/g, 56.35 for Vitellaria paradoxa respectively. The Specific Gravity (SG) of both oils were less than a unit, so they are less dense than water and will float on it. The moisture content is in the range 0.83 -1.21%, which is generally low hence indicating that the seed oils could be stored for a long period. Both oils were found to have iodine values, which conveniently places them as non-drying oils. The acid values also showed that the oils may be sourced for edible purposes. The saponification value of Parkia biglobosa seed oil indicated that it is good for soap production. The High performance Liuid Chromatography (HPLC) results showed that the oils contain 63% and 54% of triacylglycerol for Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa respectively. Major fatty acid -oleic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid were 12.5%, 9.0%, 6.7%, 5.0%, 5.3% and 13.1%, 9.5%, 7.0%, 5.3% and 5.2% for Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa respectively.The study indicated a marked significant difference in the lipid composition and physicochemical properties of Parkia biglobosa as compared with Vitellaria paradoxa.

A study was conducted to know the nutritive value of unripe Citrus reticulata peels. The standard procedures were followed for phytochemical screening, proximate composition and mineral analysis. Proximate analysis was conducted to determine the key elements in the form of water, ash, carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, sodium (Na) and potassium (K) by Flame Photometer and phosphorus (P) by Spectrophotometer. The result revealed that the tested unripe Citrus reticulata peels contained alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, xanthoprotein, cardiac glycosides, phlobatannins, Coumarins and no oxalate. The results also revealed that unripe Citrus reticulata peels contained moisture (4.40±0.15%), ash (8.87±0.29%), crude fat (19.93±0.81%), crude fiber (3.35±0.10%), crude protein (13.42±0.58%) and carbohydrate (50.03±0.84%). While the mineral ...

Lead exposure has been linked to health challenges involving multiple organ failure. More than fifty percent of lead present in the human body is accumulated in the liver causing hepatic injury. A major mechanism of lead toxicity is oxidative stress. TrévoTM is a nutritional supplement with numerous bioactive natural products with detoxifying and antioxidant properties. This study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of TrévoTM dietary supplements against lead-hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Thirty-five healthy animals were divided into five groups of seven each as follows: Group I=control; II=15 mg/kg of lead acetate (PbA); III= 2 mL/kg of TrévoTM + PbA; IV= 5 mL/kg of TrévoTM + PbA;V=5 mL/kg of TrévoTM . Animals were orally treated with TrévoTM for two days before co-administration with PbA intraperitoneally for 12 consecutive days. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last administration and blood were collected via cardiac puncture and processed for hem...

We earlier reported the protective effect of Solanum dasyphyllum against cyanide neurotoxicity. In furtherance to this, we investigated the protective effect of S. dasyphyllum against rotenone, a chemical toxin that causes brain-related diseases. Mitochondria fraction obtained from the brain of male Wistar rats was incubated with various solvents (hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, and methanol) extracts of S. dasyphyllum before rotenone exposure. Mitochondria respiratory enzymes (MRE) were evaluated along with markers of oxidative stress. The inhibition of MRE by rotenone was reversed by treatment with various fractions of S. dasyphyllum. The oxidative stress induced by rotenone was also reversed by fractions of S. dasyphyllum. In addition, the ethylacetate fraction of S. dasyphyllum was most potent against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity. In conclusion, S. dasyphyllum is rich in active phytochemicals that can prevent some neurotoxic effects of rotenone exposure. Further study c...

Humans can be exposed to cyanide through inhalation from fire incidents or ingestion of cyanide containing food or drinks. 1,2 Apart from these two major routes of exposures, humans working close to industries that utilize cyanide as part of the chemicals, such as plastic and foam making industries are also exposed. 3,4 Symptoms of cyanide poison include depression in breathing control, pulseless electrical activity, arrhythmia, and hypotension. 5 Some of the cardiac symptoms of cyanide poisoning includes; dysrhythmia, impaired repolarization, and cardiorespiratory arrest. 6 The sensitivity of the heart to cyanide poison is due to its dependence on ATP, which is majorly produced in the mitochondria through the electron transport system. Cyanide inhibits cytochrome C oxidase, a complex IV enzyme of the mitochondria respiratory system. Inhibition of this enzyme prevents the mitochondria from producing ATP, required by the heart to perform its function effectively, leading to the early symptoms observed in patients exposed to cyanide poison. Also, cyanide induces oxidative stress, which further damages the cardiac system. Approved drugs for treating cyanide poisoning include; hydroxycobalamin, 7 sodium thiosulfate, 1 cobinamide sulfite, 8 and sulfanegen. 9 Some of the mechanisms of action of these drugs includes; redox homeostasis,

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that is deleterious to brain development as it increases brain aging. Trévo is a multi-herbal supplement that provides various health benefits, including boosting the immune system and detoxification. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of Trévo against the neurotoxic effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl2). Thirty male Wistar rats were equally divided into three groups: Group I (normal control), Group II (administered CdCl2), and Group III (administered Trévo and CdCl2), and were used in the experiments. Animals were pretreated with 2 mL/kg of Trévo for five days and injected with Cd intraperitoneally 3 h later. Cd significantly increased the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), amyloidogenesis, activation of caspase 3 and 9, and the production of p53 and glutamate. It also inhibited the activity of Na+/K+ ATPase, glutamate dehydrogenase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase. The administration of Trévo revea...