O. E. Obaro-Onezeyi

Over population has become a problem worldwide thus the need for drugs with fewer sideeffects 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 14days 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.

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.

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) contains bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, resveratrol, flavonoids, and phytoestrogens with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hormone-modulating potentials. Considering the rising prevalence of female and the limitations of conventional therapies, this study explored Tiger nut as a possible natural alternative to enhance reproductive health. This investigation was aimed at evaluating the pregnancy outcome study of juice formulated from cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) on pregnant albino rats. Freshly prepared Tiger nut juice was administered orally to gravid albino Wistar rats at doses of 2 ml/kg and 5 ml/kg across the three trimesters of pregnancy. Key parameters assessed included maternal weight gain, serum progesterone levels, implantation sites, uterine horn development, pregnancy outcomes, fetal biometric indices, and blood glucose levels. The results showed significant improvements in maternal weight, progesterone concentration, implantation success, litter size, and fetal development in the grape-treated groups compared to controls. Additionally, low and higher doses of the Tiger nut juice maintained normoglycemia, within normal ranges. These findings demonstrate that Tiger nut juice positively influences maternal physiology, enhances uterine receptivity, and improves pregnancy outcomes, highlighting its potential role as a nutraceutical for supporting female fertility.

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) contains bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, resveratrol, flavonoids, and phytoestrogens with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hormone modulating potentials. Considering the rising prevalence of female infertility and the limitations of conventional therapies, this study explored Tiger nut as a possible natural alternative to enhance reproductive health. This investigation was aimed at evaluating the pregnancy outcome study of juice formulated from cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) on pregnant albino rats. Freshly prepared Tiger nut juice was administered orally to gravid albino Wistar rats at doses of 2 ml/kg and 5 ml/kg across the three trimesters of pregnancy. Key parameters assessed included maternal weight gain, serum progesterone levels, implantation sites, uterine horn development, pregnancy outcomes, fetal biometric indices, and blood glucose levels. The results showed significant improvements in maternal weight, progesterone concentration, implantation success, litter size, and fetal development in the grape-treated groups compared to controls. Additionally, low and higher doses of the Tiger nut juice maintained normoglycemia, within normal ranges. These findings demonstrate that Tiger nut juice positively influences maternal physiology, enhances uterine receptivity, and improves pregnancy outcomes, highlighting its potential role as a nutraceutical for supporting female fertility.

Inflammation is a fundamental biological response of the immune system that protects the body against harmful stimuli but can lead to pathological conditions when prolonged or uncontrolled. Current anti-inflammatory therapies, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are effective but associated with side effects, prompting the need for alternative remedies from natural sources. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract of Dioscorea alata (water yam) on experimentally induced paw edema in albino mice. Fresh tubers of Dioscorea alata were collected, processed, and extracted with ethanol. Sixty albino mice were used and divided into three (3) groups for acute and chronic inflammation models induced by carrageenan, egg albumin, and formaldehyde. Test groups received oral doses of Dioscorea alata extract (20
mg/kg and 250 mg/kg), while negative and positive controls received normal saline and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) as a standard drug respectively. Paw volume was measured at specified time intervals, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The results revealed that Dioscorea alata extract significantly reduced paw edema across all
models in a dose-dependent manner, with higher doses exhibiting comparable effects to indomethacin. Both acute and chronic inflammation models demonstrated notable antiinflammatory activity, suggesting the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as saponins, phenolic compounds, and diosgenin. Importantly, no mortality was observed among the treated animals. This study concludes that ethanol extract of Dioscorea alata possesses significant antiinflammatory properties, supporting its traditional use in the management of inflammatory conditions. It is recommended that further studies, including isolation of active compounds and clinical evaluations, be conducted to validate its therapeutic potential.

Rice and beans are staple foods consumed in many parts of the world, including Nigeria, where they are a common part of daily meals and it is prepared in various ways. Rice is a cereal grain, classified under carbohydrates, providing mainly energy in the form of starch, containing carbohydrates, some proteins and fiber, while beans are a legume, rich in protein, antioxidants, iron, potassium, and folate. Rice is richer in iron, folate, and vitamin B3, while beans provide more fiber, copper, phosphorus, and potassium. Rice and Beans together are considered a balanced diet because they complement each other nutritionally providing a complete protein source by combining the essential amino acid that each lack on its own. This combination is rich in fiber and protein, provide several health benefits that contribute to overall well-being, the digestive health, heart health, blood pressure regulation, diabetes management, colon cancer prevention, maintaining glycemic index etc.

Despite advancements in medical science and the availability of pharmacological interventions, diabetes mellitus remains a significant public health challenge worldwide. The soursop tree (Annona muricata L.), a tropical fruit-bearing plant, have been traditionally used in various cultures for their perceived medicinal properties. Inspite the global prevalence of diabetes mellitus, comprehensive research on the acute and sub-acute impacts of the methanol leaves extract of soursop on blood glucose levels remains scarce. Thus the aim of this experiment was to study the hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic effect of the leaves of Annona muricata on normoglycemic and streptozotocin induced diabetic white rats. The study employs diverse methods, encompassing acute toxicity assessment, normoglycemic blood sugar level evaluation, and anti-diabetic studies conducted on rats. Annona muricata L. (Soursop) extract demonstrated potential hepato-protective properties and exhibited a favorable impact on lipid profiles, notably reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL concentrations. Maintaining stable blood glucose
levels is vital for metabolic equilibrium and overall health. The methanol extract of the leaves of Annona muricata were administered, indicating its safety at doses up to 5000 mg/kg and its ability to reduceblood glucose levels in normoglycemic rats, substantiating its hypoglycemic effects. In diabetic rats, the extract effectively lowered elevated blood glucose levels, similar to the effects of the standard diabetic drug Glibenclamide, suggesting its potential in the management of hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. These findings highlight the promise of methanol leaves extract of soursop as a natural dietary intervention in diabetes care, offering hope for improved glycemic control and overall well-being.

This study investigates the antimicrobial effects of the essential oil extracted from Ocimum gratissimum commonly known as scent leaf on selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. With increasing concerns over antibiotic resistance, the search for alternative natural antimicrobial agents has intensified. Ocimum gratissimum is a well-known medicinal plant used traditionally in many African and Asian communities for treating infections and inflammatory diseases. The essential oil was extracted using standard distillation methods and tested against bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) using the agar well diffusion method. The results showed that the essential oil demonstrated considerable inhibitory effects on both bacterial types, with slightly higher activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The study confirms the potential of Ocimum gratissimum essential oil as a natural antimicrobial agent and supports its traditional use in treating bacterial infections. Further studies are recommended to isolate active compounds and evaluate theirmechanisms of action