Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry

U. Njoku Obioma ¹, Joshua Parker Elijah ¹, C. Okonkwo Chukwudi ¹

Affiliations
1 Lipid & Lipoprotein Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, NG

Abstract

Gongronema latifolia (Utazi) is a plant found in the tropical regions of West Africa. The phytochemical analysis and the antioxidant activities of Gongronema latifolia were investigated. The acute toxicity of the plant was found to be 2450mg/kg body weight, indicating that the plant is safe for consumption. The ethanol extract of the plant gave a yield of 17.94%. The phytochemical analysis on the leaves extract revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, resins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, steroids, and terpenoids with higher levels of flavonoids and alkaloids. The antioxidant properties of ethanol extract of the plant were evaluated in vitro with rat liver homogenate. The ethanol extract of the plant showed a significant inhibition with nitric oxide, ferrous sulphate and carbon tetrachloride induced lipid peroxidation activities which were comparable with ascorbic acid. The inhibition was found to be concentration dependent. From this study, it was found that the plant is a potent scavenger of free radicals and can ameliorate the effects of oxidative stress which have been implicated in most pathological conditions.

Keywords

Gongronema latifolia, Antioxidant, Free Radicals, Peroxidation.

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Ubani Chibuike Samuel ¹, Joshua Parker Elijah ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG

Abstract

This study was aimed to elucidate the effect of kerosene on the liver enzyme markers. The parameters investigated included alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein (TP) levels in the blood sample of experimental rats. The route of exposure (or administration) was through ingestion of diet contaminated with kerosene and the blood sample for the study was got through the retro-bulbar plexus of the medial canthus of the test animals (Rats). The result showed that the levels of ALT and ALP in the group of rats exposed to kerosene contaminated diet (test groups) as compared with the level of the control group were found to be significant (P<0.05) while the TP level was significantly decreased (P<0.05) as compared to the control in both weeks. The effect of kerosene on these parameters is dose-time-dependent and these results showed that frequent exposure to kerosene and its combustion products may be highly deleterious to the liver cells and the biological system in general.

Keywords

Kerosene, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total Protein.

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