THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF Crateva adansonii DICHLOROMETHANE FRACTION

Crateva adansonii is a medicinal herb commonly used in parts of Africa because of the side effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID), like heart diseases and kidney failure. Inflammation is a major public heart issue in the world but  treatment  is  becoming  complex  because  of  the  side  effects  of  anti- inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs. Hence the need for alternative drug is highly required.

This  research  work  investigated  the  anti-inflammatory  activity  of  dichloromethane fraction of methanol extract of Crateva adansonii stem bark, using  rodent  model.  Adult  Swiss  albino  rats  (110-200g)  of  either  sex  were randomlydivided into 5 groups of 4 animals each. Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 received different doses of the extract (300mg, 500mg, 700mg, and 900mg) in 3% v/v tween  80  administered intraperitonally  respectively.  Control  group-1  received volume of 3%v/v tween 80 and standards group received 100mg/kg Ibuprofen. One hour later acute inflammation was induced by injection of 0.1ml of undiluted egg albumin into the sub planter of the right hand paw of rats. The volume of the paw was measured by mercury displacement before and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 & 3 hours after egg albumin injection, while the standard was measured at internals of one hour,  for  up to  4  hours.  Edema  formation  was assessed in  terms  of the difference in the zero time per volume of the injected pair and its volume at the different time after egg albumin injection. For each dose of extract, percentage inhibition of edema was calculated percentage inhibition. Result show that Crateva adansonii may have anti-inflammatory effects. This finding supports the use stem bark of Crateva adansonii in not only traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation.

CARDIO PROTECTIVE ACTIVITIES OF N-HEXANE EXTRACT OF DESMODIUM VELUTINUM STEM ON ALBINO WISTER RAT

This study evaluates the cardio protactive effect of N-hexane extract of Desmodium Velutinum stem on albino wister rat. Rats used in this study were grouped into four and each group was fed differentely. Rats in group one, three, and four wre fed with the aid of a syringe without needle with 6ml of the lipoprotein food mixture containing 3.6g of the cow’s brain twice a day for seven days. Rats on group two was fed with only grower’s mash and water for seven days; rats in group three was later administered orally 2ml of dissolved vasoprin drug once in a day for 3 days. Rats in group four were also administered orally 0.5ml of the liquid drug extract of Desmodium Velutinum stem once a day for 3 days. During these three (3) days, the rats were given grower’s mash and water. After the feeding period, the rate fed with the cow’s brain showed a significant increases in the activities of marker enzymes such as creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase MB (CKMB), Aspartatatranseaminase  (AST),  Alaninetransminase  (ALT),  and lactatedehydrogenase.  This  study  shows  that  N-hexane  extract  of Desmodium Velutinum stem posses cardio protective effect on albino wister rats than the known drug (vasoprin) if only one can increase the dosage of the extract for a period of time.

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF CRATEVA ADANSONII STEM BARK.

This  research  investigated  the  phytochemical  and  anti-inflammatory
properties of methanol extract of     Crateva adansonii     stem     bark. Although
several  edible  and  non-edible  plants  parts  are  used  in  inflammatory
treatment, many record has been found of the use of      Crateva adansonii   
stem bark. For this research, fresh stem bark of     Crateva adansonii     were
collected from Asata village in Enugu State. The cuttings were authenticated at  the  Bioresource  development  centre.  They  were  then  dried  at  room temperature for one month in an open lab space, grounded into powder and weighed on a beam balance as 460.6g. The powder was soaked for twenty- four to fourty-eight hours in methanol to get a methanol extract and then concentrated into paste at a set temperature range of  30-550 C in a water bath. A population of twenty adult wistar Albino rats was used for anti- inflammatory test. The rats were divided into five (5) groups of four (4) albino  rats  each.  They  were  administered  3%  tween-80  mixed  with
dichloromethane  extract  of     Crateva  adansonii     and  the  control  was
administered with 0.5ml of 3% tween-80. Acute inflammation was induced an hour after test substances were administered by injecting egg albumin in the subplanter region of the right hind paw and edema assessed by mercury displacement for a period of 0-180 minutes. Anti-inflammatory effect was significant within 30 minutes of induced edema with inhibition occurring in three phases of 0-30, 30-60, 60-90. 90-120 to 180 minutes. Inhibition was
highest  at  the  third  phase.     Crateva  adansonii     barks  showed  anti-
inflammatory effect by inhibiting “prostaglandin” synthesis an inflammatory mediator

ANTILIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF WATER (H20) EXTRACT OF DESMODIUM VELUTINUM LEAVES ON ALBINO WISTAR RATS

This study evaluated the antilipidemic activity of water extracts from leaves of Desmodium velutinum on albino wistar rats. The phytochemical analysis of the leaf extract showed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, soluble carbohydrates, flavonoids, reducing sugar, steroids, cyanide and terpenoids. The animals were treated with known drugs (atorvastatin 2ml). There were significantly reductions in HDL 13.00   1.41 mg/dl LDL 1.20  0.14 mg/dl and triglyceride 39.00  0.14 mg/dl, compared with water extract of Desmodium velutinum (0.5ml). when administered was found to significantly reduce lipid plasma which was LDL 1.90  0.00mg/dl, triglyceride 50.00  0.00mg/dl and increase HDL 25.00  0.00 mg/dl which is the good cholesterol. The water extract of     Desmodium velutinum leaf can possibly normalize the plasma lipid when compared with the group given atorvastatin. The phytochemicals analysis showed that the association between these complexes and compounds and other constituent play an important role in the biological activity of the leaf. This study suggested that the water extract of D.velutinum leaf posses hypolipidemic as well as antilipidemic effect.

THE EFFECT OF N-HEXANE EXTRACT OF KOLA NITIDA BARK ON LIVER FUNCTION TEST OF ALBINO WISTAR RATS FED WITH HIGH FAT FROM COW‘S BRAIN

Kola bark extract have been widely used in tradition medicine for thousand of year, it improves liver functions and provides protection against high fat fed metabolic rats. Present investigations were carried out on the hepatoprotective role of Kola bark extract meal treatment to high fat fed wistar rat. Healthy adult male wistar rats were divided into four groups Group I: rats were fed a standard Laboratory diet (groups match) (20g/rat/day), Group II: rats were fed a high-fat diet alone (3.6g/rat/day), Group III: rats were fed with combined mixture of 70% of high-fat diet with 30% Kola bark meal (9.8g/rat /day), Group/ V: rats were fed with high fat diet and was administered with Lipitor (Atovastatin)  (10mg/rat/day)  . 

The  rats  were  sacrificed  at  the  end  of  the experiment (two weeks) period. The high fat fed rat substantially elevated its serum and liver tissue AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin with decreased in total protein levels. Where as the levels of all parameters significantly restored towards  normalization  by  the  kola  bark  husk  meal  treatment.  The  results obtained suggest that the Kola bark meal have potent hepatoprotective action on high fat fed rats. A companion of the performance in both Kola bark meal and Lipitor treatment on high fat fed rat in respect of hepatoprotective role is clearly indicator that the Kola bark meal treatment was more and related to the result of Lipitor as well as to the normal level.

THE EFFECT OF WATER EXTRACT OF COLA NITIDA POD ON LIPOPROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS OF ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Cola nitida has been in use in the eastern parts of Nigeria for the management  of  certain  ailments  and  as  an  aphrodisiac  in  the management of some sexual dysfunctions. However the effects of this extract in some health parameters in human objects have not been reported. This work, then, was aimed at investigating the effect of water extracts of kola pods on lipoprotein concentrations on albino wistar rats.

Rats were used in this study and they were divided into several groups and fed with a high calorie food (cow’s brain) so as to increase the blood lipoprotein concentration in the rat models. The effect of the water extracts of the sample used was compared with a known drug and the results statistically compared to ascertain the effect of the water extract on the rat models.
The results of this work indicate that water extracts of cola nitida pods can be used in the management of mild lipoprotein dysfunctions thus substantiating the reasons for its use in sexual erectile functions.

THE OXIDATIVE STRESS STATUS OF RATS FED ON OIL BEAN SEED MEAL

This  study  was  on  oxidative  stress  status  of  rat  fed  with     Pentraclethra  macrophylla, otherwise known as African oil bean seed oil in English or Ugba in Igbo. Sixteen male rats were distributed into four groups. 1 (control), then group 2, 3 and 4 as test groups. They were fed with their formulated meal (5%, 10%, 20% inclussions) for 28 days. Group 1 was the control and were fed with the normal feed, while group 2, 3 and 4 which were the test groups were fed with test feed formula..  The  parameters  determined  were  MDA  concentrations  and  catalase activity. Serum MDA significantly increased (p<0.05) while the catalase activity significantly  decreased  (p<0.05).  This  finding  may  be  clinically  significant  to individuals with predisposition to increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other degenerative diseases.

Conceptual Framework: A Step by Step Guide on How to Make One

What is a conceptual framework?

How do you prepare one? This article defines the meaning of conceptual framework and lists the steps on how to prepare it. A simplified example is added to strengthen the reader’s understanding.

In the course of preparing your research paper as one of the requirements for your course as an undergraduate or graduate student, you will need to write the conceptual framework of your study. The conceptual framework steers the whole research activity. The conceptual framework serves as a “map” or “rudder” that will guide you towards realizing the objectives or intent of your study.

What then is a conceptual framework in the context of empirical research? The next section defines and explains the term.

Definition of Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework represents the researcher’s synthesis of literature on how to explain a phenomenon. It maps out the actions required in the course of the study given his previous knowledge of other researchers’ point of view and his observations on the subject of research.

In other words, the conceptual framework is the researcher’s understanding of how the particular variables in his study connect with each other. Thus, it identifies the variables required in the research investigation. It is the researcher’s “map” in pursuing the investigation.

As McGaghie et al. (2001) put it: The conceptual framework “sets the stage” for the presentation of the particular research question that drives the investigation being reported based on the problem statement. The problem statement of a thesis presents the context and the issues that caused the researcher to conduct the study.

The conceptual framework lies within a much broader framework called theoretical framework. The latter draws support from time-tested theories that embody the findings of many researchers on why and how a particular phenomenon occurs.

Step by Step Guide on How to Make the Conceptual Framework

Before you prepare your conceptual framework, you need to do the following things:

    Choose your topic. Decide on what will be your research topic. The topic should be within your field of specialization.
    Do a literature review. Review relevant and updated research on the theme that you decide to work on after scrutiny of the issue at hand. Preferably use peer-reviewed and well-known scientific journals as these are reliable sources of information.
    Isolate the important variables. Identify the specific variables described in the literature and figure out how these are related. Some abstracts contain the variables and the salient findings thus may serve the purpose.
 If these are not available, find the research paper’s summary. If the variables are not explicit in the summary, get back to the methodology or the results and discussion section and quickly identify the variables of the study and the significant findings. Read the TSPU Technique on how to skim efficiently articles and get to the important points without much fuss.
    Generate the conceptual framework. Build your conceptual framework using your mix of the variables from the scientific articles you have read. Your problem statement serves as a reference in constructing the conceptual framework. In effect, your study will attempt to answer a question that other researchers have not explained yet. Your research should address a knowledge gap.

Example of a Conceptual Framework

Thesis statement: Chronic exposure to blue light from LED screens (of computer monitors and television) deplete melatonin levels thus reduce the number of sleeping hours among middle-aged adults.

The study claims that blue light from the light emitting diodes (LED) inhibit the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep and wake cycles. Those affected experience insomnia; they sleep less than required (usually less than six hours), and this happens when they spend too much time working on their laptops or viewing the television at night.


Notice that the variables of the study are explicit in the paradigm presented in Figure 1. In the illustration, the two variables are 1) number of hours devoted in front of the computer, and 2) number of hours slept at night. The former is the independent variable while the latter is the dependent variable. Both of these variables are easy to measure. It is just counting the number of hours spent in front of the computer and the number of hours slept by the subjects of the study.

Assuming that other things are constant during the performance of the study, it will be possible to relate these two variables and confirm that indeed, blue light emanated from computer screens can affect one’s sleeping patterns. (Please read the article titled “Do you know that the computer can disturb your sleeping patterns?” to find out more about this phenomenon) A correlation analysis will show whether the relationship is significant or not.

EFFECTS OF PROCESSING METHODS ON THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SWEET POTATO AND SORGHUM

This study evaluated "the effects of processing methods on the physico- chemical  properties  of  sweet  potato  and  sorghum  flour".  Sweet  potato ( Ipomoea batatas) is an important food crop in the tropical and sub-tropical countries and belongs to the family     convolvulaceae. Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and anti oxidants such as phenolic acids, anthocyannins, tocopherol and ß-carotene. The proximate composition of sweet potato was determined and these include moisture, lipids, ash, protein, carbohydrates and fiber. In carrying out the analysis practically, methods used  vary  according  to  the  food  material.

 The  anti  oxidants  were  also determined alongside with phenol oxidase, pasting properties, minerals and sugar  contents.  Sorghum  is  a  tropical  plant  belonging  to  the  family  of poaceae. More than 35% of sorghum is grown for human consumption. The analyses carried out in sweet potatoes are same with sorghum with the exclusion of phenol oxidase.

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PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON EFFECTS OF BURANTASHI EXTRACT ON LIPOPROTEINS OF ALBINO MALE AND FEMALE WHISTAR RATS

This work was carried out to investigate the effects of Burrantashi extracts on the lipoproteins Burantashi is a popular seasoning agent to barbecued meat (Suya) in Nigeria. Found in the northern parts of the country. Lipoproteins are the principal steroid or fat that is synthesized  in  the  liver  or  intestines  of  animals.  Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the consistent or recurrent inability of a man to attain or maintain penile erection, sufficient for sexual activity (2nd  international consultation on sexual dysfunction Paris, June 28th  –July 1st  2003). Following the discovery and introduction of  burantashi  research  on  the  mechanism  underlying  penile erection, had an enormous boost and many preclinical and clinical papers have been published in the last five years on the peripheral regulation of, and the mediators involved in human penile erection. The most widely accepted risk factors for e.g. are discussed. The research is focused on human data and the safety and effectiveness of burantashi stem as a phosphodiesterase – 5- inhibitors (PDEs) used to treat erectile dysfunction.