SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

This study aimed to determine metal analysis on the soil, weight changes, antioxidant defense systems, level of malondialdehyde, lipid content, the phospholipids profile, the activity for two weeks of energy and some enzymes in energy metabolism, and the lipid profile in tadpoles exposed to effluents from automobile workshops. Tadpoles were obtained from runoff water containing effluents used in automobile workshops from two different sites (Evbarake and Uwelu) in Benin City, Nigeria were used in this study. A total of 60 tadpoles were divided into three Groups with each group containing 20 tadpoles. Group 1 served as the control. Group 2 Evbarake site. Group 3 Uwelu site. Soil samples were collected from Capitol University of Benin Control group and automobile workshops (Exposed groups) respectively. The animals were maintained for the study period of two weeks with their requisite sample soil/water from the respective sites. Metal analysis on the soil, weight changes, antioxidant defense systems, level of malondialdehyde, lipid content, the phospholipids profile, the activity for two weeks of energy and some enzymes in energy metabolism, and the lipid profile were analyzed using standard methods. The data from Table 4.1 show that the heavy metal analysis were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control. The malondyaldehyde levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in tadpoles from both sites compared to the control group. The Evbarake site showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in catalase activity compared to the control, while the Uwelu site showed a slight decrease. The glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly increased in tadpoles from both test sites when compared to the control. Aldehyde oxidase activity was significantly higher in tadpoles from both contaminated sites compared to the control. The results demonstrated that the exposure led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total lipids, triacylglycerol, low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins in a site-dependent manner. The exposure led to a significant increase in glucose levels. It was also observed that the exposure of tadpoles within the test sites decreased the weight of tadpoles and final weight of head region in tadpoles from the Uwelu site showed a significant decrease when compared to those from the control site (p < 0.05). Overall, this study provides important insights into the potential health risks associated with effluents exposure including alteration in glucose metabolism, antioxidant enzymes activity, and lipid peroxidation in the presence of effluents which may cause oxidative stress in the test sites. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential longterm effect of this exposure.

Sphenocentrum jollyanum is a member of the diverse family of plants which is known as Menispermaceae. It is a perennial plant which thrives in deep shade, from sea-level up to 400m altitude. Extract of this plant has been successfully used as anti-diabetic,anti-bacterial, and antioxidant agents. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of methanol leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum on biochemical (liver, kidney), antioxidant, hormonal and histopathological parameters of male Wistar rats. A total of twenty-five male Wistar rats were used for this study and equally distributed into five groups. Group 1 served as control, while other groups were the test groups. Group 2 received 0.7mg/kg of sildenafil citrate, Group 3, 4 and 5 received graded doses of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 500mg/kg body weight of methanol leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum respectively. Prior to the commencement of the study, the animals were acclimatized for two weeks. The extract was orally administered to the rats, and after twenty-eight days, the rats were sacrificed, and biochemical and histopathological assays were carried out. Results from this study showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity in the group that received 100mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively, when compared to that of the control group. There was also a significant increase (P < 0.05) in albumin and total protein concentration in the 500mg/kg body weight test group, compared to that of control. The study also showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in total sperm cell count in the group administered 0.7mg/kg of sildenafil citrate, compared to that of the control group. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in the 100mg/kg body weight test group, compared to the control group. There was a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in creatinine concentration in the 200mg/kg, 500mg/kg body weight, and the group that received 0.7mg/kg of sildenafil citrate, compared to the control group. Histopathological findings from this study showed a normal testes and prostate gland. The methanol leafe extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum also showed a high reducing power during Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay when compared to standard ascorbic acid.