FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

This study evaluated the operational and health risk factors associated with municipal solid waste scavenging in two privately-operated municipal Solid waste dumpsites in Benin City, Edo State. Awell- structured questionnaire was administered to 100 randomly selected scavengers; the questionnaire covered demographics, personal details, and information on the types and frequencies of health hazards encountered by waste scavengers, providing insights into the challenges they face. The findings revealed significant health risks including injuries, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal illnesses, highlighting the need for interventions to improve the safety and well-being of the scavenging operations. Furthermore, they also face several operational risks due largely to the lack of use of personal protection equipment, resulting in cuts, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal illnesses, with a notable proportion experiencing frequent headaches and a high prevalence of malaria. We recommend that the operators of the dumpsites should be regulated by the Edo State Waste Management Board, with strict guidelines and punitive measures put in place for lack of compliance. On the part of the dumpsite operators, they should provide all necessary personal protection equipment and enforce their use as a standard operating procedure. Furthermore, first aid equipment for staff, drinking water and bathrooms with soap and water for their sanitation should be provided.

This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, mercury and oxidative stress status of tomatoes sold in local markets in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Fresh tomatoes samples were brought from Uselu and Ikpoba hill market in Benin City. The samples were oven-dried at 105°C for 24 hour and grinded to powder. The powdered samples were dissolved in deionized water, filter through whatman filter paper and the volume was made up to 25 ml using 10 ml of 98% nitric acid. The resulting solution was analysed for the presences of heavy metal using using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS, Perkin Elmer model 2130). The results showed that the nickel concentration present fresh tomatoes samples obtained from the two markets ranged from 0.13 mg/kg to 0.16 mg/kg, while the cadmium concentration ranged from 0.11 mg/kg to 0.13 mg/kg. However when compared to W.H.O standard the heavy metal concentration were slightly above the recommended value of 0.10 mg/kg. Also oxidative stress analysis showed that the superoxide dismutase (SOD) value ranged from 3.02 U/g to 3.48 U/g, Catalase (CAT) value ranged from 0.08 U/g to 0.10 U/g , Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) value ranged from 4.96 U/g to 5.73 U/g, while Malondialdehyde (MDA) value ranged from 0.50 U/g to 0.64 U/g respectively. These findings were indicative of environmental pollution due to industrial and vehicular emissions and also the mode of handing and processing of the samples. Although the heavy metals detected in this study are not beneficial to man and plant, low concentration can prove detrimental to health.

Amphibians play vital roles in our ecosystem as both predator and prey, contributing to insect population control and serving as a bio-indicator of the environmental health. This study was done to examine the food and feeding habits of anurans (Sclerophyrs maculata, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, and Ptychadena pumilio) around the Faculty of Life Science towards the Department of Anatomy at the University of Benin, Edo state, Nigeria. A total of 62 specimen were captured and analyzed using the stomach-flushing method to obtain the stomach content and the prey items were identified. The result revealed that the anurans mainly consumed insects in the Order Hymenoptera, which was the most abundant and frequently occurring prey item (73.43%). Sclerophyrs maculata had the highest dietary diversity, while H. occipitalis showed a preference for Araneae (spiders) and Ptychadena pumilio showed the lowest prey diversity probably due to the number of specimens captured. This study provides insight into the adaptability of these species to their environment, demonstrating their opportunistic feeding habits and the factors influencing their diet. The high consumption of hymenoptera suggests that crawling insects are a readily available and preferred type of food. The presence of empty stomach might indicate low availability of food or fast digestion rate.

Home gardens, whether in rural or urban areas, are structurally complex and multifunctional, providing numerous benefits to ecosystems and local communities. This study was carried out to investigate the diversity, ethnobotanical significance, and socio-economic impact of home gardens in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The research focused on three communities Ekosodin, Oluku and Ekiadolor, selected for their active gardening practices and
plant diversity. A total of fifteen (15) home gardens, five from each community, were purposively chosen based on species richness and community involvement. Data collection involved field observations, oral interviews, and structured questionnaires administered to gardeners and community elders. Focus group discussions were conducted to gather insights on plant types, gardening practices, and socio-economic benefits. A total of thirty-five (35) plant species were
identified across the communities, with Ekiadolor exhibiting the highest diversity (33 species), followed by Oluku (27 species) and Ekosodin (22 species). Key plant species such as Vernonia amygdalina, Dioscorea spp., Talinum triangulare, Ocimum gratissimum, Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annuum were prevalent, indicating the significance of home gardens for food security and traditional medicine. The study revealed that home gardens play a critical role in providing medicinal plants used to treat common ailments, enhancing household nutrition, and
serving as a source of income. Challenges such as pest infestations, poor soil fertility, and water scarcity were highlighted, with recommendations for integrated pest management. This study underscores the importance of home gardens in conserving biodiversity, promoting traditional health practices, and supporting sustainable livelihoods

Acute diarhoea is one of the major illness that cause death in children, despite clinical intervention and the use of oral rehydration therapy. Thus, there is need to discover other effective, affordable and accessible treatments for this disease. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of citrus sisnensis peel on castor oil-induced diarhoea in mice

The mushroom Pleurotus tuber-regium formed tea formulation with some local herbs such as Moringa, Bitter leaf and Scent leaf. P. tuber-regium formed three (3) different combinations with each of the three (3) herbs. That is, the tea formulations were of nine (9) different ratio combinations, which are: MU/MO 5:45, MU/MO 10:40, MU/MO 20:30; MU/SL 5:45, MU/SL 10:40, MU/SL 10:40; MU/BL 5:45, MU/BL 10:40, MU/BL 20:30. The combinations were each made into infusions by adding water into a cup with the tea mixture. The infusions were given to fifty (50) participants to consume at different time and location. After consuming the tea, the participants then gave their responses based on two (2) categories, taste and acceptability. Generally, the responses from the participants were positive and encouraging, and a few not so, which can be tackled by organizing programs/seminars for creating public awareness about the health benefits of mushrooms, through individual and government involvement in mushroom commercialization, through the development of adaptable mushroom cultivation, among others. It is worthy of note that none of the participants had complaints of a significant side effects like stomach upset, dizziness and allergies. This shows that this tea formulation is safe for consumption and that it fits the description of an ideal component of a healthy dietary habit that can be used to promote health.

Traditional medicine encompasses manual therapies, exercises, and spiritual therapies in addition to medical therapies, theories, and practices that involve medications derived from plants, animals, and minerals. This investigation aims to assess the ability of Azanza garckeana in treating diarrhea in Swiss mice. Castor oil-induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal transit models in mice were used to assess the antidiarrheal effects of various dosages of the plant extract (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg). According to the study’s findings, the extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced both the frequency of wet feces being defecated and the amount of feces produced overall when compared to the control group. In comparison to the untreated control, the extract triggered a substantial (p < 0.05) antimotility activity at higher doses. In conclusion, this study validated the ethnomedicinal report of Azanza garckeana as an efficacious anti-diarrhoea property, thereby required further study for compound elucidation and evaluation

Phyllanthus amarus(UBH-P406) is a small annual plant widely used in traditional medicine in many parts of the world. It's been investigated for various potential health benefits, including antiviral, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties. Piper guineense(UBH-P351) which is commonly known as Ashanti pepper or West African black pepper, is a West African spice with a
pungent flavor. It contains various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids and amides. Some studies suggest that Piper guineense may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.DMH (1,2-dimethylhydrazine): DMH is a chemical compound that is a potent colon carcinogen, commonly used in experimental studies to induce colon cancer in laboratory animals. It undergoes metabolic activation in the body, leading to the formation of reactive metabolites that can damage DNA and promote tumor development in the colon. The aim and objective of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus leaves mixed with Piper guineense leaves on 1,2 Dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer in Swiss Albino rat. In this present study, the body weight of the animals weighed from 150g-256g. The Rats were then separated into groups of 3 with 6 animals in each group, marked at different positions for easy identification of the rats and placed into plastic cages which had granular cellulose bedding. The rats were fed with growers' mash in regular pellets, they were also given tap water with constant light. Randomization was used with graphpad.com in respect to ARRIVE guideline. The groups the rats were divided into group 1 (control group), Group 2(20mg/kg of DMH bwt P. amarus and P. guinnense) Group 3(20mg/kg of DMH only). In the Liver, AST and ALT, control and DMH + P. amarus and P. guinnense were significantly different when compared to that of DMH only. In Kidney, Urea and Creatinine, control and DMH only were significantly different from DMH + P. amarus and P. guineense group. In electrolyte, Na+, K+, HCO3 and Cl, no significant difference was observed when control was compared to plant treated and DMH only groups. This suggest that aqueous extract + P. amarus and P. guineense have anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and hepatorenal protective potentials.

Investigation of wall geckos, caught in IDP Uhogua, Benin City, Edo State for their parasites was undertaken between July and September , 2025. A total of 27 specimens were collected consisting of 20 males and seven females. Two species of geckos were encountered, consisting of Hemidactylus angulatus and Hemidactylus mabouia. Out of the 27 samples examined, 17 were H. angulatus and 10 were H. mabouia. Twenty three out of the 27 wall geckos examined were infected with parasites giving an overall prevalence of 85.18%. The parasites recorded included pentastomid;; Raillietiella sp. (55.55%), Cestode; Oochoristica sp. (7.41%), Nematode; Parapharyngodon awokoyai (3.70%) and Thelandros scleratus (62.96%). The most encountered parasite was Thelandros scleratus while the least encountered was Parapharyngodon awokoyai. More males (74.1%) were infected than
Females (25.93%). This difference in prevalence values was statistically significant (p<0.05). The four parasites recorded in this study have previously been recorded by other researchers in Nigeria.Further study needs to be conducted on the helminth parasites of wall geckos from IDP camp Uhogua in order to unravel other species of wall geckos and helminth parasites infecting them which were not recorded in this study due to small sample size and short duration of study. Investigation of two species of wall geckos caught in Uhogua, Benin City, Edo State for their parasites was carried out between July and October, 2025. A total of 32 specimens were collected and all were males. Two species of geckos were encountered, consisting of Hemidactylus angulatus and Hemidactylus mabouia. Out of the 32 samples examined, fifteen were H. angulatus and seventeen were H. mabouia. Nineteen out of the 32 wall geckos examined were infected with parasites given an overall prevalence of 59.38%. The
parasites recorded included; Pentastomid; Raillietiella sp. (37.50%), Cestode; Oochoristica sp.(15.63%), Trematode; Paradistomoides(3.13%) and Nematodes; Parapharyngodon awokoyai (15.63%) and Thelandros scleratus(28.13%). The most encountered parasite was Raillietiella sp. having overall prevalence of 37.50% and mean intensity of 5.67 while the least encountered was Paradistomoides having an overall prevalence of 3.13% and mean intensity of 1.00. The difference in prevalence value was statistically significant (p<0.01). All parasites recorded affected both H. angulatus and H. mabouia except Oochoristica sp.
and Paradistomoides which infected only H. mabouia. The parasites recorded in this study have all been previously reported b other researchers from Uhogua and other localities in Edo State.

Germination is the process through which a seed begins to grow and develop into a new plant, driven by the embryo’s ability to restart its metabolic activities within the seed. Tetrapleura tetraptera, commonly known as Aridan fruit, is a medicinal plant found mainly in the lowland forests of tropical Africa, while Entandrophragma cylindricum, known as the Sapele tree, is a prized timber species that grows widely across the same region. Both trees serve many purposes as they are valuable sources of medicine for treating various ailments and are also used for firewood, charcoal, and timber production. This study investigated how different pre-treatment methods affect the germination of T. tetraptera and E. cylindricum seeds to find effective ways of overcoming seed dormancy and improving seedling production for reforestation and conservation. Seeds from both species were exposed to various scarification methods, including acid treatment with hydrochloric acid, dry heat, hot water, and mechanical rubbing with sandpaper, while untreated seeds served as a control. The treated seeds were planted in bags and observed for several days. However, none of the seeds germinated, suggesting that they are highly dormant and resistant to the applied treatments. The results from this study highlight the need for more advanced dormancy-breaking techniques to improve the propagation success and ensure the conservation of these forest trees, which are gradually declining due to deforestation and overexploitation.