B P International

Studies of dumpsites have revealed that the surrounding soils and water are contaminated with high threshold of heavy metals through anthropogenic inputs. In this review, the uptake and toxicity risks of these heavy metals by habitual edible plants at levels above threshold limit and the implications for public health have been discussed. Edible plants are plants with nutritional and medicinal potentials which can salvage numerous human and animal needs when taken. Edible plants like most other underutilized plants in dumpsites have developed mechanisms which enable them to not only survive but accumulate high level of toxic heavy metals due to high level of environmental metal load in the dumpsites. This ultimately could lead to high human and animal exposure to these toxic elements through food-chain/food-web or direct ingestion of soils. The toxic effects caused by excess concentrations of these heavy metals in living organisms vary considerably and present numerous clinical situ...

The herbicide dichlobenil is widely used to control unwanted weeds in non-agricultural areas and aquatic environment. When released into environment, it may harm the growth of algae, which in turn might disturb the balance of aquatic ecosystem. Herein, the physiological as well as the biochemical responses of two fresh water algae, namely Ankistrodesmus acicularis (Chlorophyta) and Anabaena flos-aquae (Cyanobacteria), to different concentrations of dichlobenil were assessed. Parameters, including chlorophyll (a) Content, EC50 values, carbohydrate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contents as well as the uptake by both algal species were evaluated. We found a significant decrease in chlorophyll (a) content of both algal species to intermediate and high concentration of dichlobenil, whereas stimulative effect was observed for low concentration of dichlobenil on Chl (a) content. Attainable results derived by probit analysis revealed that the EC50 values at 5th and 7th days were approxim...

Environmental contaminants are having a major impact on receiving ecosystems including air, soil and surface water. Wastes resulting from human activities mostly end up in surface water through deposition and indirectly through runoff. Indiscriminate application of pesticides and the remains of empty cans are often improperly discharged. This possess a threat to the aquatic system especially amongst communities close to surface water resources. In Nigeria, the use of 2, 2- dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (an organophosphate insecticide) for the control of insects in household settings, agricultural field practice and in storage facilities abounds. 2, 2- dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate has different trade names depending on the region. This study reviewed the toxicity associated with 2, 2- dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate. The study found that the toxicants induces behavioural and morphological alteration, histopathological, haematological, biochemical, enzymatic, electrolytes and ...

The use of medicinal plants has grown all over the world. Nowadays the ethnopharmacological applications of medicinal plants are an important matter when it comes to search for new molecules with biological activity. Castanea sativa Mill is a species with great economic value since chestnut trees are an important crop in the northern region of Portugal and new applications of this plant are being developed by the pharmaceutical and food industries. Beyond its economic importance it also has beneficial effects in human health as consequence of their biological activities namely antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, among others. In this work we present a review of the main bioactive compounds that constitute the chestnut extracts, their toxicity and their main biological activities. Author(s) Details José Manuel Neves Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, Rua Carlos da Maia, 296 4200-150 Porto, Portugal. Sílvia Cunha Faculty of Healt...

Extracts of Parkia biglobosa stem bark is used in Nigerian traditional medicine (NTM) to treat malaria, diarrhea and pains. To establish the toxicity profile of the medicine such parameters as the lethal dose (LD50) as well as effects on body functions and organs were evaluated in albino Wistar rats. The bioactive constituents of the water and methanol extracts were also evaluated as a link to toxicity. The LD50 was greater than 5000mg/kg per oral (p.o) for both extracts.  No significant (P< 0.05) changes in body weights and vital organs of treated animals. However, at 5000mg/kg of water extract, a significant  increase  in  relative  weight  of  the  kidneys  and  hyper -cholesterolemic  effects  were observed. The extract also elicited significant increase in blood glucose level. The kidneys and livers of animals treated with P. biglobosa water extract for 14 days revealed histopathological evidence of pathological lesi...