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Crayfish is a fresh water crustacean resembling small lobsters (Procambarus clarkii) that is a rich source of protein. The objective of this study is to assess the environmental toxicants and evaluate the health risks associated with consuming Procambarus clarkii harvested from an oil exploring region. The crayfish samples were sourced by fisher men from Mbo river and sold at Oron beach market in Akwa-Ibom state. It was analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health hazards were estimated for both adult and children using the incremental life cancer risk (ILCR), hazard quotient and hazard index (HQ and HI) models. The concentrations of identified PAHs are as follows: xylene>benzo (α) anthracene>anthracene>pyrene>benzo (g-h-i) perylene> acenaphthylene>dibenzyl (a-h) anthracene>naphthalene>flouranthene>benzo (k) fluoranthene. The prevailing PAHs identified were high molecular weight PAHs (HMWPAHs) and mainly PAHs with 5 rings. The carcinogenic and mutagenic potency was highest with dibenzo (a-h) anthracene. The non-carcinogenic health hazard (HQ and HI) evaluated were all less than 1. The ILCR evaluated in children showed that consuming dibenzo (a-h) anthracene and benzo (α) anthracene identified in the crayfish have potential risk for cancer since they had a value of 5.51e-3 and 6.09e-3 respectively. This work suggests that children will be at a higher risk of developing cancer since they had a greater evaluated RI (1.16e-2) when compared to adult (1.40e-3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a metabolic disease of global concern, causing death due to triggered oxidative and inflammatory complications. Alpha-glucosidase has become a popular drug target for managing diabetes. This study, therefore, investigated the potential of Curcuma longa (Tumeric) rhizome methanolic extract (MECL) to inhibit alpha-glucosidase and screened its phytochemical library through molecular biology docking for potential new drug candidates. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of MECL showed that the plant extract was abundant with phenols (790.32 ± 129.20 mg/100 g), alkaloids (494.99 ± 1.27 mg/100 g), flavonoids (171.08 ± 0.04 mg/100 g), and terpenoids (131.99 ± 6.59 mg/100 g). Moreover, in vitro inhibitory studies showed a dose-dependent increase in the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase by MECL, and the maximum inhibition (37.01%) was observed at 30 µg/mL, possibly a better inhibition with increased concentration. Further scrutiny was performed using molecular docking to screen for Turmeric phytochemicals (retrieved from PubChem) with alpha-glucosidase (PDB ID: 3W37) inhibitory potentials. Based on their binding affinity, the top three compounds [Guaiacol (−7.422), Eriodictyol (−5.266), and p-Tolyl-MethylCarbinol (−3.939)] were analyzed for their intermolecular interactions in the binding pocket of alpha-glucosidase and ADMET properties; and compared to the standard drug, acarbose (−9.522). Interestingly, strong and weak interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, pi-pi stacking, and charged and hydrophobic interactions, were observed with Guaiacol in the binding pocket of alpha-glucosidase. Although acarbose had a better docking score, Guaiacol showed better ADMET (including physicochemical, drug-likeness, and pharmacokinetic) properties. Future studies could evaluate those potential anti-diabetes drug candidates against other targets and analyze them through in vivo experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]