Indexing

Abstract: In Okpon river forest reserve, soil nutrients play an important role in the formation of plant communities. In this study, trees species diversity and soil physiochemical properties in Ukpon river forest reserve cross River State, Nigeria was assessed using Systematic line transects and purposive sampling techniques for plots demarcation and data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as tables, frequencies and diversity indices were analyzed using ‘R’ soft wear. 65 tree species in 32 families and 10 genera were identified. Meliaceae, (6) Caesalpiniceae and Moraceae (5) families each were the most abundant families individuals population. ). The highest relative frequency (2.256%) and (2.241%) were recorded in Melicia excelsa. Relative dominance (4.970%) was highest in Bianella toxisperma. IVI recorded the highest value (4.970%) in Melicia excelsa . The highest dbh and tree height were (80.5cm) and (68.3m). Shannon wiener index was  (5.058), Margelef index ( 36. 097) and species richness (68). However, it is necessary to understand the phenology of the forest reserve, to study whether seeds or fruits produced are adequate, physiological conditions to germinate and growth into wildlings for regeneration purpose.

Keywords: Trees, Species, Soil, Ukpon River.

Title: TREES SPECIES DIVERSITY AND SOIL PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES IN UKPON FOREST RESERVE, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Author: Esor .P.E., Iwara, I.O. Omini, D.I

International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)

ISSN 2349-7823

Vol. 10, Issue 1, January 2023 - March 2023

Page No: 41-50

Paper Publications

Website: www.paperpublications.org

Published Date: 13-March-2023

Abstract: The effect of ethanol extract of Chromolaena odorata on reproductive hormones and histology of the testes in adult male albino rats was investigated in this study. Twenty male albino rats weighing between 120-130g were used for this study. They were randomly divided into four (4) groups, n=5. Group 1 served as control group and administered with distilled water only. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were orally administered with 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 100mg/kg body weight (b.w) of the extract respectively.  At the end of experimental period of 14 days, the animals were fasted overnight and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Testis tissues and blood samples were collected and taken to the laboratory for biochemical analysis using standard procedures. The result showed that 250mg/kg b.w of Chromolaena odorata administered to group 2 rats had  no significant difference (p>0.05) in Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH) , prolactin and testosterone serum concentration when compared to the control group while groups  administered with 500mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg b.w of Chromolaena odorata extract respectively, had significant (p<0.05) decrease in concentration of  LH, FSH, testosterone and a significant increase in serum prolactin concentration. There was normal testicular architecture in groups 2 and 3 administered with 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg b.w. However, testicular atrophy was observed in group 4 administered with 1000mg/kg b.w. from the histology of the testes. From this study, it can be deduced that the extract exhibited potential to induce spermatogenic arrest in male albino rats.

Keywords: Reproductive hormones, Testes, Histology, Graded Doses and Chromolaena odorata.

Title: REPRODUCTIVE HORMONE CHANGES IN MALE WISTAR RATS ADMINISTERED GRADED DOSES OF Chromolaena odorata LEAF EXTRACT

Author: Okwakpam, FN, Omeodu SI, Odinga, T, Ijeoma, SN

International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)

ISSN 2349-7823

Vol. 10, Issue 1, January 2023 - March 2023

Page No: 33-40

Paper Publications

Website: www.paperpublications.org

Published Date: 06-March-2023

Abstract: Methylmercury exposure and intoxication in human and animal populations has increased in recent years due to exposure from various sources. Methylmercury has been implicated to be the number one hormonal disruptor. This study explores the comparative chelating effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum ethanolic leaf extract from a plant that is largely used in folkloric medicine to treat various ailment and succimer, a standard agent used for the treatment of mercury intoxication, on testosterone and the gonadotropins: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) of Wistar rats. Fresh Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves were harvested, air dried, pulverized and active components extracted using 70% ethanol. The hormonal analysis was carried out using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of methylmercury was 7.07 mg/kg and was determined using Lorke’s method. The animals were randomly group in eight (8) groups, the Control (Distilled water); Methylmercury (MetHg) 1mg/kg; MetHg (1mg/kg) + BPELE (100mg/kg); metHg (1mg/kg) + BPELE (200mg/kg); BPELE (100mg/kg); BPELE (200mg/kg); metHg (1mg/kg) + succimer and succimer alone. The results showed that for testosterone, MetHg (1mg/kg/bw) combined with B. pinnatum (100 mg/kg) and MetHg (1mg/kg/bw) combined with Succimer (5mg/kg/bw) were significant p<0.001 compared to the control. Principal Component Analysis and Dendrogram were used for the analysis. Testosterone decreased significantly p<0.001 compared to the control. There was an ameliorative increase in testosterone production in the combination groups of MetHg(1mg/kg/bw) +B. pinnatum (100mg/kg/bw) and MetHg(1mg/kg/bw) + succimer (5mg/kg/bw) compared to MetHg alone group. However, succimer showed a better ameliorative increase in testosterone than B. pinnatum. The results for FSH for both B. pinnatum 100 and 200 mg/kg/bw were significant compared to the control, there was also significant difference in the succimer and MetHg combined groups but at different level of significance. There was no statistical difference in the LH results amongst the treatment groups compared to the control. This study suggests that B. pinnatum has ameliorative effects against methyl mercury. as observed in the improvement of testosterone production in the testis, otherwise suppressed by methylmercury administered orally to Wistar rats. BPELE could be an ameliorative blocker for the disruptive effects of methylmercury on male reproductive hormones and that BPELE could be a possible herbal chelate for methylmercury poisoning.

Keywords: Methylmercury, Succimer, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone.

Title: Comparative Chelating and Ameliorative Effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum Ethanolic Leaf Extract and Succimer on Gonadotropin Hormone of Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Methylmercury

Author: Onyagbodor, O. P. Aprioku J. S., Vincent-Akpu I. F.

International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)

ISSN 2349-7823

Vol. 10, Issue 1, January 2023 - March 2023

Page No: 22-32

Paper Publications

Website: www.paperpublications.org

Published Date: 25-January-2023

Abstract: Alterations of neurochemical homeostasis and brain derived neurotrophic factors are linked to schizophrenia-like features. It has been suggested that these schizophrenia-like alterations are reversible by naturally occurring psychotropic agents with neuroleptic property. Here, we investigated the antipsychotic property of geraniol, an acyclic monoterpene with neuroprotective and antioxidant functions, in the reversal study of ketamine-induced schizophrenia-like behavior. According to the reversal protocol, group 1 mice (n=5) received normal saline (10 mL/kg), mice in groups 2-5 received intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (20 mg/kg) for 14 days. From days 7-14 animals in groups 3-5 additionally received geraniol (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) and risperidone followed by behavioral assessments using novel object recognition test (NORT) and forced swim test (FST) respectively on day 15. Neurochemical assays such as dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholinesterase, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were thereafter performed in the striatum, prefrontal-cortex and hippocampus with ELISA and standard biochemical procedures. Geraniol (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) reverses ketamine-induced non-spatial memory impairment and behavioral despair in the NORT and FST respectively. The increased dopamine release in the striatum and hippocampus were significantly reversed by geraniol (100 mg/kg). Also, ketamine-induced increased serotonin and acetylcholinesterase levels were significantly reduced by geraniol. Notably, geraniol also dramatically increased the levels of GAD and BDNFin the different brain regions. We conclude that modulation of neurochemical homeostasis and enhancement of brain derived-neurotrophic factor are associated with the reversal effects of geraniol in mice exposed to ketamine-induced schizophrenia-like behavior.

Keywords: Ketamine, Neurochemical, Psychosi, Geraniol, Cognitive symptoms.

Title: Modulation of Neurochemical Homeostasis and Enhancement of Brain Derived-neurotrophic Factor Associated with Reversal Effects of Geraniol in Mice Exposed to Ketamine-induced Schizophrenia-like Behavior

Author: Christian Ifeanyi Uruaka, Udeme Owunari Georgewill, Owunari Abraham Georgewill

International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)

ISSN 2349-7823

Vol. 10, Issue 1, January 2023 - March 2023

Page No: 8-21

Paper Publications

Website: www.paperpublications.org

Published Date: 21-January-2023

Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate the anti-hyperglycemic and hepato-protective properties of combined leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Moringa oleifera in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. The study design involved 25 rats weighing 140 to 2100g which were randomly divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 received distilled water and feed; group 2 received no treatment; group 3 received 4% extract combination of V. amygdalina and M. oleifera; group 4 received 8% extract combination of V. amygdalina and M. oleifera and group 5 received 16% extract combination of V. amygdalina and M. oleifera. After 14 days of treatment, the animals were anaesthetized and sacrificed to obtain blood by cardiac puncture. Serum was collected and assayed for alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferases (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) while the blood glucose levels were determined using hand-held glucometer. The results showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels of treatment groups with combined extracts of V. amygdalina and M. oleifera when compared with normal control and negative control groups. Also, the ALT, AST and ALP levels of the treatment groups decreased significantly (p<0.05) when compared with the normal control and negative control group. This reduction in blood glucose levels and liver enzyme markers can be attributed to presence of bioactive compounds in both plants working synergistically. Hence, V. amygdalina and M. oleifera combination may be more potent in management of diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes, Vernonia amygdalina, Moringa oleifera, Aanti-hyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, Liver enzymes.

Title: ANTI-HYPERGLYCEMIC AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF COMBINED AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF Vernonia amygdalina AND Moringa oleifera IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED DIABETIC RAT MODEL

Author: Omeodu SI, Uahomo PO

International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS)

ISSN 2349-7823

Vol. 10, Issue 1, January 2023 - March 2023

Page No: 1-7

Paper Publications

Website: www.paperpublications.org

Published Date: 01-January-2023