BACKGROUND The reversibility of reproductive toxicity induced by the Nigerian Bonny light crude oil (BLCO) was investigated in rats. METHOD Adult male Wistar rats were orally treated with BLCO at 0, 50, 100 and 200mg kg(-1) for 21 days. One-half of the rats were sacrificed on day 22 while the remaining one-half stayed additional 21 days without treatment. RESULTS While sperm quality was compromised in dose-dependent manner, testis histopathology was only evident at 200 mg kg(-1) after 21 days. BLCO significantly decreased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase but markedly elevated gamma glutamyltransferase and glutathione S-transferase activities as well as malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and glutathione levels in both testes and sperm. Most of the above-mentioned parameters were consistent in animals from withdrawal experiment. CONCLUSION Taken together, BLCO exposure impaired fertility via increased oxidative stress and was not reversible upon withdrawal of treatment within the time course of investigation in male rats. BLCO exposure poses a risk for impaired fertility and its contribution to infertility in the Nigerian male population may not be excluded.

Nigerian bonny light crude oil induces irreversible reproductive toxicity in adult male rats.

This study evaluated the ameliorative potential of the aqueous leaf extracts of Pterocarpus mildbraedii against crude oil-induced toxicity in rats. The effects of co-administration of the P. mildbr...

The effect of aqueous leaf extracts of Pterocarpus mildbraedii on crude oil-induced toxicity in Albino rats

The present study was undertaken to assess the allelopathic effect of Chrysanthemum procumentens in relation to germination and growth of bean seedling. C. procumentens reduced germination and suppressed early seedling growth of beans. With increase in extract concentration from 20 mg ml-1 to 60 mg ml-1, a gradual decrease in seed germination evaluated by reduction in the concentration of biomolecules such as total protein, total soluble sugar and amylase activities; and increase in the activities of hydrolytic enzymes such as proteases, Lipases and Arginase occurred. The longest seedling root and shoot lengths were recorded on day 1 at 20 mg ml-1 extract concentration while the shortest seedling root and shoot length were recorded on day 6 at 80 mg ml-1 extract concentrations. It was noted that the reduction in germination and suppression of seedling growth observed in this study were concentration and time dependent. The result suggested that C. procumentens had good allelopathic potential which reduces germination and plant growth.

Allelopathic Effect of Chrysanthemum Procumentens on the Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Beans Phaseolus Vulgaris: Akinwunmi et al

The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract and fractions of Chrysanthemum procumetens leaves were evaluated. The extract was obtained from dried leaf samples using 70% methanol and screened for phytochemical constituents. The crude extract was partitioned successively with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol. Membrane stability and inhibition of albumin denaturation assays were done to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Antibacterial activity was determined using six test bacteria strains of both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. Phytochemical screening tested positive for flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, tannins and cardiac glycosides. The crude extract had the highest total phenol (344.67 ± 11.26 mg GAE g⁻¹) and flavonoids (230.30 ± 22.11 mg RE g⁻¹) while the butanol fraction had the lowest total phenol and total flavonoids (117.57 ± 9.40 mg GAE g⁻¹ and 100.60 ± 1.99 mg RE g⁻¹, respectively). The crude extracts and fractions exhibited concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory activity, comparable to Ibuprofen. The anti-bacterial activity of the crude extract and ethyl acetate fraction of C. procumetens were positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa with inhibition zone of 24.30 ± 0.02 mm; 15.5 ± 0.02 mm and MIC of 1.70 ± 0.01 mg mL⁻¹ and 2.00 ± 0.03 mg mL⁻¹, respectively.

Chizi Amadi

Papers

The effect of aqueous leaf extracts of Pterocarpus mildbraedii on crude oil-induced toxicity in Albino rats

Allelopathic Effect of Chrysanthemum Procumentens on the Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Beans Phaseolus Vulgaris: Akinwunmi et al

Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Potentials of the Leaf Extract and Fractions of Chrysanthemum procumetens