, FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus on blood glucose, body weight and liver, kidney and pancreas reduced glutathione levels on normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the animals (diabetic control and diabetic treated), by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (45mg/body weight), while the control groups received equal volume of the citrate buffer (pH 4.5) solution intraperitoneally. Streptozotocin treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) blood glucose concentration in the diabetic rats compared to the normal rats. The normal treated and diabetic treated rats were given Cymbopogon citratus extract for 21 days (400mg/body weight). The pancreas, livers, and kidneys of the rats were excised and biochemical assay of reduced glutathione was determined. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the fasting blood glucose levels of the normal treated rats when compared with the normal control rats at the end of the 21 days treatment period. Levels of blood glucose in the diabetic rats were significantly increased p<0.05) compared to the normal control rats. However, levels of blood glucose in the diabetic treated rats were not significantly different (p>0.05) when compared to the diabetic
control rats. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in body weight in the diabetic rats when compared to the normal control rats. There was no significant % weight (p>0.05) gain in the
diabetic treated rats when compared to the diabetic control rats and also there was a non- significant (p>0.05) decrease in weight in the normal treated rats when compared to the normal control rats. In the liver and the pancreas, the results for reduced glutathione concentration showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the normal treated rats when compared to the normal control rats, in the diabetic control rats when compared to the normal control rats and in the diabetic treated rats when compared to the diabetic control rats. In the kidney, there was no significant difference observed (p>0.05) when the normal treated rats were compared with the normal control rats and when the diabetic treated rats were compared with the normal control rats. However, when the diabetic treated rats were compared with the diabetic control rats, there was a significant difference (p<0.05). Cymbopogon citratus does have some hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties but further research is needed to ascertain these claims.

This study aimed to determine the compliance and non-compliance of University of Benin students to prescription spectacle wears. Random sampling technique was used to select subjects from the various faculties in the university of Benin as a total number of three hundred subjects were selected which was made up of 233 females and 67 males as a semi-structured questionnaires were distributed to them, which had questions that would help determine compliance and non-compliance level. The questionnaires were given to subjects that are known to be prescription spectacle wearers and instructions were given as regard how to fill the questionnaires and the data were collated after the subjects had filled the questionnaires. The statistical test used for the analysis was the chi-square from the Package of SPSS (version 22.0) to check for the scores and variables obtained in the study. In conclusion, there were more female subjects than males subjects, and the level of compliance was found to be higher than level of non-compliance. The result showed that 76.3% of the subjects had their glasses from optometrist, 9.7% from ophthalmologist and optician respectively, while 4.3% from an outreach. The result also showed that 73 (24.3%) of the subjects believed that they often lose their eye glasses as reason for non-compliance while 227 (75.7%) of the subjects disagreed to the statement. It was also seen that 194 (64.7%) of the subjects disagreed that eye glasses are most useful to them only during exams, while 106 (35.3%) agreed.

The discharge of industrial wastewater into aquatic ecosystems poses significant environmental challenges, including the contamination of water bodies with various pollutants and chemicals. This study investigates the effect of non-alcoholic wastewater effluent from a carbonated beverage manufacturing plant on the growth hormone (GH) gene expression of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The fish were exposed to concentration levels of 0.5%, 1.5%, 3.5% and 5.0% of the carbonated non-alcoholic wastewater effluent for 96 hours, and the liver was extracted for RNA isolation, DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and gel electrophoresis analysis. The results obtained revealed a dose-dependent effect of the non-alcoholic wastewater effluent on the expression of the GH gene in African catfish. The rise in gene expression in response to soft drink effluent exposure was statistically significant (p < 0.05) according to the statistically significant correlation between the gene’s expression levels at different
concentrations and the comparable control. The gene’s increased expression indicates that the soft drink industry’s effluent is having a detrimental effect on Clarias gariepinus. Therefore, Implementing more effective wastewater treatment processes in industries, conducting thorough Environmental Impact Assessments and increasing public awareness can help reduce the potential harmful effects of wastewater effluent on aquatic organisms.

Over population has become a problem worldwide thus the need for drugs with fewer side effects compared to known orthodox drugs. At present there are reports from pregnant women who used the bi-herbal formulation during early pregnancy and noticed that it caused abortion, thus the need to scientifically investigate the safety of the bi- herbal formulation of Carica papaya leaf and Vernonia amygdalina on pregnant and non- pregnant albino Wistar rats. The n- hexane extract of bi- herbal formulation of Carica papaya leaf and Vernonia amygdalina was administered to the female animals orally at the doses of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg per day for 14 days before mating and after confirmation of pregnancy respectively. Twenty four hours after the last administered dose, all the animals were sacrificed, uteri and blood were collected for examination and hormonal assay respectively. The results revealed that the reproductive hormonal assays (progesterone, estrogen, follicle stimulating hormones and luteinizing hormones) of tested animals significantly decreased within the tested period compared to the control. The pregnancy outcome results revealed there were signs of resorption and abortion in the uterus of the supposed pregnant rats compared with the control which had fetus in their uteri. This result revealed that the extract can be used as a contraceptive and an abortificent agent.

Polyherbal teas, also known as herb-herb combinations, have been used in Chinese medicine practice, but scientific evidence of their therapeutic benefit is lacking. This study aims to examine the nutritional composition, characterization of some phytochemical constituents, and hepatoprotective activity of a poly-herbal tea formulation comprised of Moringa olifera, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and lemon in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Proximate and mineral compositions were analyzed by the method described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The characterization of some phytochemical constituents was analyzed using HPLC. CCL4 induced hepatotoxicity was used for hepatoprotective activity. The proximate composition of poly-herbal formulated tea indicated carbohydrate (64.66 %), protein (19.25 %), fat (6.35 %), moisture content (6.12 %), ash content (0.24 %) and fibre (3.36%). Mineral compositions present include potassium (1356.0 mg/kg), calcium (821.3 mg/kg), magnesium (380.8 mg/kg), phosphorus (331.4 mg/kg), and iron (221.4 mg/kg).nt). Luteolin, Arbutin, Kaempferol, Apigenin and Quercetin were the most abundant phenolic compound, Quinine was the most abundant alkaloid, Diosgenin and Ergocalciferol were the most abundant steroid, Epigattotechin and Catechin were the most abundant tannins in polyherbal formulated tea. The body weight of animals given 10 mg/kg of the formulated tea extract, 5 mg/kg of the tea extract + CCL4, 10 mg/kg of tea extract + CCL4 and CCL4 without treatment significantly reduced compare to control (*p<0.05) in CCL4-induced nephrotoxicity. There was liver weight reduction in the animals that were given distilled water, 5 mg/kg of the formulated extract, 10mg/kg of the formulated extract, 5 mg/kg of the extract + CCL4, 10 mg/kg of extract + CCL4 when compared with CCL4 without treatment (***p<0.001; *p<0.05). ALP, AST and ALT levels in the animals were reduced by 5 mg/kg of the formulated tea extract, 10 mg/kg of the formulated extract, 5 mg/kg of the extract + CCL4, 10 mg/kg of extract + CCL4 when compared with CCL4 without treatment (**p<0.01; *p<0.05). Superoxide dismutase and catalase values were increased, and the molondialdehyde level was reduced by the formulated tea extract when compared with CCL4 without treatment (****p<0.0001; ***p<0.001; **p<0.01; *p<0.05). Conclusively polyherbal tea formulation (Moringa olifera, garlic, ginger, turmeric and lemon) possesses hepatoprotective activity

This study examines the socioeconomic impact of the ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) in Lagos State, Nigeria, with particular attention to households, small businesses, and informal sector workers. The research explores how the ban has affected economic activities, behavioural adaptation, and environmental conditions across the state. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from questionnaires distributed to traders, households, and micro and small enterprises across selected local government areas with qualitative insights from interviews conducted with officials of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, LAWMA, and market leaders. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour, Just Transition Theory, and the Environmental Kuznets Curve, the study analyses the relationship between behavioural change, economic transition, and environmental sustainability. The findings are expected to reveal both environmental gains—such as improved sanitation and reduced pollution—and economic challenges for low-income groups, offering valuable guidance for a more inclusive and sustainable
transition away from single-use plastics in Lagos State.

Petrol station attendants are occupationally exposed to petroleum products and it’s fumes which represents complex mixture of genotoxic agents that possesses an increased risk of various cancers such as that of the oral mucosa. This study assessed the level of genotoxic damage in exfoliated buccal cells obtained from petrol station attendants within Oluku Axis, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Twenty - five exposed petrol station attendants were recruited from five filling stations which includes;
thirteen females and twelve males whose duration of exposure is within zero to five years while nine unexposed healthy individuals were recruited fromthe University of Benin. Buccal cell samples were collected by scrapping of the inner cheeks which was fixed with Carnoy’s reagent and stained using May - Grunwald and Giemsa stains, after which it was analyzed using a light microscope at 100x magnification. A total of 3400 cells were examined for micronuclei and other anomalies such as binucleated and anucleated cells. A significant increase in the frequencies of micronucleated cells, binucleated cells and anucleated cells (12.50, 6.17 and 6.00) with (p < 0.05) were found in the workers exposed as compared to the controls (0.67, 4.50 and 3.33)
respectively. These findings indicate that continuous exposure to benzene have the potential to induce anomalies reflecting DNA strand breaks. This study concludes that petrol station attendants within Oluku Axis experience measurable genetic damagelinked to occupational exposure to petroleum products. It recommends that protective strategies should be implemented by the concerned authorities to minimize exposure to petroleum products.

Solid waste generation and management is a major concern for both developed and developing countries. Because of population density, consumption pattern, production activities and rural-urban migration, solid waste management has become a major environmental issue and problem in major cities. The purpose of the study was to view, analyze and interpret waste generation, disposal methods mechanism, environmental impacts associated with waste management; nutritional value of maize (Zea mays) husks as animal feed. The primary data were obtained via questionnaires administered to a randomly selected population in the study area. Oral interviews and field observation were also carried out for holistic assessment. The questionnaires had questions on demographic characteristics, waste management matters, and collection of maize (Zea mays) husks waste. Proximate analysis and test for nutritional value of freshly unboiled and boiled maize (Zea mays) husks were carried out in the Benin Owena laboratory. The secondary data were obtained from relevant literatures. Results indicated that streets, roads and open spaces were used as waste dumps; ineffectiveness of waste managers contributed to the problem of waste management. Data revealed that almost equal gender respondents, with (49.5%) males and (50.5%) females. The highest respondents were 50-59years. Educational status recorded highest (29.5%), followed by middle school (20.5%). Food waste accounted for the largest proportion of waste generated (40%), followed by plastics (30%). Public bins (28.75%) and roadside disposal (25.5%) were the most common waste disposal methods. However, environmentally unfriendly practices like open space disposal (15.5%) and roadside

Cyanide poisoning poses a significant threat to cardiovascular health, leading to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Ocimum gratissimum (OG), commonly known as scent leaf, is a medicinal plant with potential cardioprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the ethanol extract of OG on CVD risk factors in cyanide-induced rabbits. Fifteen rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: group one(drug), group two(ethanol extract), group three(ethanol extract), group four(cyanide), group five(control). Cyanide-induced rabbits were orally administered OG extract and drug (Sylimarin) for 21 days. Blood samples and organs(heart) were collected for biochemical analysis of CVD risk factors, including total protein profile, cholesterol levels, arterogenic coefficient, cardiac risk ratio, vitamin, and nitric oxides concentration. Certain experimental groups displayed promising changes, such as elevated HDL- C levels, improved endothelial function, and enhanced cardiac muscle function, others exhibited adverse alterations in lipid profile and endothelial function. These findings underscore the complex nature of herbal remedies and emphasize the importance of empirical validation to ensure their safety and efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases.

Enzymes are biological catalysts that regulate specific biologicak reactions. Pectinase is an essential industrial enzyme widely utilized in food processing, textile, and paper industries due to its ability to degrade pectin and enhance product quality. Microorganisms like Aspergillus spp have been used in the commercial production of this industrially important enzyme.This study aimed to investigate the production of pectinase using Aspergillus spp isolated from soil samples
under submerged fermentation conditions. Aspergillus species were isolated from a total of five (5) soil samples gotten from dump sites within the University of Benin and the village of Ekosodin, after all the samples were serially diluted and inoculated on Potato dextrose agar (PDA) using the pour plate technique. Pure cultures were obtained and the fungal isolates were identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics then screening was carried out, for selecting species that are capable of producing amylase on a commercial scale. The results were based on the mean counts of the fungi isolates which ranged from 13±1.00 ×10³cfu/g to 37±1.00 ×10³ cfu/g representing the lowest and highest mean counts obtained respectively, percentage frequency of the fungi isolates showing the various fungi isolated which include Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus tarmari, Mucor, Penicillium Chrysogenum, Penicillium spp and Fusarium of which Aspergillus niger has the highest percentage of occurrence(35), morphological description, optical density of which 0.09±0.0005 and 0.314±0.005 represents the lowest and highest values respectively.In conclusion, the results from this study shows that Aspergillus species were predominant in the soil and can be readily isolated and applied industrially in the production of the enzyme pectinase