FACULTYOFLIFESCIENCES

Cadmium and lead represent hazardous heavy metals that present substantial threats to environmental quality and human health worldwide. These metallic contaminants undergo bioaccumulation in living tissues, triggering oxidative damage and multiple pathological manifestations in vital organs. Given the extended biological retention periods of these toxicants, there exists an urgent requirement for efficacious and environmentally sound therapeutic approaches. This research examined how Annona muricataphy to waste extracts influence lead and cadmium tissue accumulation in Wistar rat models. Thirty male Wistar rats (80-100g) were allocated randomly across five treatment cohorts over 90 days. Group I received distilled water (control), Group II was administered lead acetate with cadmium chloride, Group III received zinc sulfate (1mg/kg) and selenium (1.5mg/kg), while Groups IV and V were treated with ethanol-based Annona muricata extract at 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg, respectively. Heavy metal quantification in splenic, cerebral, and skeletal tissues was performed via atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results revealed marked metal deposition in untreated subjects, with cadmium elevated by 189% in the brain, 115% in the spleen, and 102% in the bone. Lead increasedby 79%in bone, 55% in brain, and 115% in spleen. Zinc-selenium intervention reduced cadmiumby76% (spleen), 67% (brain), and 65% (bone), while lead decreased by 64%, 67%, and54%respectively. The 250mg/kg EEAM dosage decreased cadmium by 73%across all tissues, with lead reductions of 66%, 46%, and 64%. The 500mg/kg dosage demonstrated superior protection in soft tissues, reducing cadmium by 80% in brain and lead by 75% in the spleen, though skeletal
The tissue showed paradoxical increases, suggesting metal mobilization. This investigation validates the therapeutic utility of Annona muricata phyto waste for ameliorating heavy metal intoxication.

This study addresses the challenge of unsustainable solid waste management in Edo South, Nigeria, by integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) technology with Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). The research focused on five critical criteria such as distance to road, slope, soil type, distance to water bodies, and proximity to residential areas, which were weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Road accessibility was determined to be the most critical factor, receiving the highest weight at 30%, emphasizing its role in operational
logistics and cost efficiency. A Weighted Overlay Analysis was performed to synthesize the standardized spatial layers, generating a final suitability map. The key findings reveal robust land availability: 34.6% of the Edo South Senatorial District was classified as Highly Suitable, 64.8%as Moderately Suitable, and only 0.5% as Least Suitable. The optimal, highly suitable sites are strategically concentrated in the outlying and less urbanized Local Government Areas (including Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East, Uhunmwonde, and Orhionmwon), confirming the necessity of siting new facilities away from the dense urban core. The final map serves as a reliable, data-driven planning tool, guiding policymakers and urban planners toward sustainable landfill
placement that ensures compliance with environmental standards and mitigates the public health and pollution risks associated with current improper waste disposal practices in the region.

Helminth infections remain an important public and veterinary health concern due to their impact on host populations, zoonotic potential and ecological significance. This study investigated the prevalence, diversity and mean intensity of helminths infecting small mammals (Mastomys sp, Mus musculus, Sorex sp, Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) from two Local Government Areas of Edo State in order to determine the impact of helminths on host populations, zoonotic potential and ecological significance. Atotal of 90 small mammals were captured using Rat Glue Board and Sherman traps baited with smoked fish. The captured small mammals were anesthetized by chloroform and the measurement of the total body length, tail length, hind foot length, head body length and ear length were taken using vernier caliper and recorded in centimeter (to the nearest 0.1cm). The sex of the animal was determined and the weight was also taken using weighing balance and recorded in grams (nearest 0.1g). Standard parasitological techniques were employed to recover, identify and quantify helminth parasites from gastrointestinal tracts, and morphological identification was carried out using established taxonomic keys. Results show an overall helminth infection prevalence rate of 31.1% (28 out of 90 small mammals were infected). Members of the order Soricomorpha recorded a higher prevalence and mean intensity rates compared to Rodentia. A total of 10 helminth parasites belonging to two taxa: Cestoda and Trematoda were recovered from the small mammalian hosts. Two zoonotic helminthes (Hymenolepis diminuta and Hymenolepis nana) were recovered in commensal small mammals (Sorex, Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus). Statistical analysis revealed significant variation (p<0.05) in infection rates with respect to host species, sex and the two Local Government Areas. The findings underscore the role of small mammals as important reservoirs of zoonotic helminths in Edo State, Nigeria. This highlights the need for continuous ecological surveillance, improved sanitation and public health education to mitigate potential transmission risks. This study provides essential baseline information for understanding the epidemiology of helminth infections among small mammal populations and their implications for human and animal health within the One Health framework