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Background: Justicia carnea has overwhelming evidence demonstrating its medicinal and nutritional benefits, some of its phytochemicals are antinutritional and can have negative consequences including impairment of the male reproductive functions when ingested. The adverse effects on male reproductive function by ethanol leaf extract of Justicia carnea has been reported including alteration of the antioxidant system of the testes, reduction in the weight of testes, reduced sperm count/motility and testosterone levels as well as distortion of the histoarchitecture of the testis in male wistar albino rats. Most agents that alter male fertility do so by altering the antioxidant system of the testes.  Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the varieties of phytochemicals present in both boiled aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves of Justicia carnea, the impact of administration of these extracts on the testicular antioxidant system status (superoxide dismutase - SOD, catalase - CAT, malonaldehyde - MDA and reduced glutathione - GSH) and testicular/epididymal histology of male Wistar Albino rats.Methods: The GC-MS of both boiled aqueous extracts (AJC) and ethanol extracts (EJC) of the leaves of Justicia carnea were carried out to determine the phytochemical components of both extracts which were administered to the experimental male Wistar Albino rats. Forty-Two Albino Wistar rats (12-14 weeks of age) in seven groups (I-VII) with average weight of 180-200g were used for the study. The control was fed normal grower feed and water only. The test groups were in addition given 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg BW of either boiled aqueous or ethanolic-leaf extracts of Justicia carnea for a period of 21 days. The first batch of the experimental animals (drawn from each group) were sacrificed on day 21 and the second batch were fed normal grower feed and water only for further 52 days after discontinuation of the extracts before sacrificing them. Testicular tissue redox status was determined by assaying for superoxide dismutase (SOD) using Sun and Zigma method, catalase by Aebi method, Malondialdehyde (MDA) by Buege and Aust method, reduced glutathione (GSH) by Sedlak and Lindsay method. The histology of the testis/epididymis was also carried out. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used for analysis of the results.Results: The GC-MS results show that the ethanol extract has six different known male antifertility compounds while the boiled aqueous extracts have two. There was no significant change (P < 0.05) in the level of testicular SOD after 21 days of administration of the extracts except for the group that received 400mg/kg BW of AJC which had a significantly higher level that was reversed 52 days after discontinuation. However, at 52 days after discontinuation, the group that received 400mg/kg BW of EJC had significantly higher SOD (P < 0.05) compared to the rest. Testicular catalase (CAT) was reduced but not significantly (P < 0.05) in all the experimental groups experimental groups at 21 days after administration of both extracts but exhibited variable changes at 52 days after withdrawal of administration of the extracts. While there was a non-significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the levels of CAT amongst most groups, there was a non- significant increase (P < 0.05) in the group that received 400mg/kg BW of AJC and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the group that received 400mg/kg BW of EJC. The administration of 400mg/kg BW, 600mg/kg BW of EJC and 600mg/kg BW of AJC caused a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), while 400mg/kg BW of AJC caused a non- significant reduction (P < 0.05) after 21 days of administration. At lower doses, 200mg/kg BW of AJC caused a non-significant increase (P < 0.05) while 200mg/kg BW of EJC caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of GSH after 21 days of administration. At 52 days after discontinuation, the group that received 200mg/kg BW of EJC still had a sustained significantly higher (P < 0.05) level of GSH, while the group that received 200mg/kg BW AJC still had no significant change (P < 0.05) in the level of GSH. However, the group that received 400mg/kg BW of AJC and 600mg/kg BW EJC still showed a significantly lower (P < 0.05) GSH while those that received 400mg/kg BW of EJC and 600mg/kg BW of AJC had a non-significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the GSH activity 52 days after withdrawal. Many of the treatment groups show significantly higher level (P < 0.05) of testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) after 21 days of treatment, except the groups that received 200mg/kg BW of AJC and 600mg/kg BW of EJC which showed non-significantly lower (P < 0.05) levels and unchanged levels respectively. The, group that received 400mg/kg BW of EJC had the least MDA levels at 21 days after administration which is significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the control. Most of the changes in the levels of MDA were in reversal at 52 days after discontinuation of the extracts as the 200mg/kg BW, 400mg/kg BW of EJC and 400mg/kg of AJC groups then had non-significantly elevated (P < 0.05) MDA levels. While the group that received 200mg/kg BW of AJC had significantly lower levels (P < 0.05) of MDA, the group that received 600mg/kg BW of EJC and 600mg/kg BW of AJC had non-significantly lower (P < 0.05) MDA levels. There was no obvious distortion of testicular histology or histoarchitecture in any of the experimental groups as the epididymis displayed normal ducts, while the testisshowed seminiferous tubules with layers of germ cells at various stages of maturation.Conclusion: There are numerous male antifertility phytochemicals in both extracts of Justicia carnea. This study shows that boiled aqueous and ethanol extracts of Justicia carnea leaves can have a negative impact on the testicular antioxidant system and by extension the male fertility potentials but no recognizable effect on the histoarchitecture of the testes at the doses used in this study.

In spite of the advances made in orthodox medicine, there has been an increasing interest in herbal medicine. The leaves of Carica papaya and Pakia biglobosa have been reported to contain lots of beneficial medicinal compounds, hence their use in the traditional prevention, management and treatment of ailments/diseases. In this study, the effect of varied concentrations of the ethanol leaf extract of the plants on some biochemical parameters of albino rats was assessed. The phytochemical compositions of the leaves were determined using established standard laboratory methods. Fifty four male Albino rats weighing between 150g-200g were randomly distributed into nine groups of six animals each. A daily single dose of 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg, 1500mg/kg and 2000mg/kg body weight of either of the extracts was respectively, administered to the eight test groups for fourteen days. The control group was given only feed and water. Biochemical parameters such as the serum activities of Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminotranferase and Alkaline phosphatase as well as the serum concentrations of Bilirubin, Albumin, HCO3-, Urea, Creatinine and Na+ were assessed. Result of the analyses showed that the administration of the extracts did not significantly raise the serum activity of ALT. The decreases in serum concentrations of Urea and increase in the concentration of HCO3- were directly proportional to the concentration of the extracts. It can be deduced from this study, that 500mg, 1000mg 1500mg and 2000mg/kg bw of either C. papaya or P. biglobosa did not elicit any marked hepatotoxicological or renotoxicological effect on the experimental animals

Aim: Citrullus lanatus is a fruit widely consumed for its pulp though incompletely, as its other parts (seed and rind) are discarded and may possibly offer bioactive compounds involved in ameliorating certain disease conditions. Hence, this study aimed at comparatively investigating the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of the seed, pulp and rind of C. lanatus so as to inform the inclusion of these different parts into the fare of the people. Methodology: Standard analytical methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists were used to determine proximate, phytochemical, vitamin, mineral and antioxidant aspects of the fruit parts. The results were analyzed using Student’s t-test at .05. Results: The proximate analysis showed a high moisture value in the pulp (93.34 +/- .82) followed by the rind (77.11 +/- 3.44) and the seed (10.00 +/- .48). High crude protein and fiber contents were both noted in the seed followed by the rind and pulp. Mineral determinations revealed potassium to be abundant in the rind (452.31mg/kg) than the seed (305.7mg/kg) and the pulp (100.5mg/kg), followed by calcium occurring more in the rind (292.61mg/kg) than in the pulp (257.21mg/kg) and seed (227.45mg/kg) and then manganese being the least concentrated among the minerals. The investigated phytochemical principles revealed the highest concentration of cardiac glycosides in the seed (14.82 +/- .66) than the rind (1.95 +/- 0.80) and pulp (1.10 +/- 0.17), followed by saponins occurring most in the rind (12.05 +/- 3.91) than the seed (10.17 +/- 0.63) and pulp (.13 +/- .01). The seed had the highest DPPH scavenging activity followed by the rind and pulp respectively. The seed also showed a higher reducing power and lipid peroxidation capacities than the other fruit parts suggesting a potent property for antioxidant activity in the fruit parts of C. lanatus. Conclusion: The findings imply that both seed and rind of C. lanatus can be good sources of nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant components in addition to the pulp which is commonly consumed and these may be implicated in management of certain diseases with further evidential research.

Purpose: Gingko biloba (GB) leaves have been recognized for their therapeutic effects, dating back to traditional Chinese medicine where the ground leaves were used to treat several health problems. GB extracts are renowned for their medicinal properties in Asia, Europe and South America. However, GB leaves are rarely grown and used in Nigeria. In this study, we screened the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activities of GB leaves (aqueous and ethanol extracts) grown in Enugu, Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Study Design: Experimental Materials and Methods: Quantitative analyses of phytochemicals were done using gas chromatography while disk diffusion and broth dilution methods were used to determine the antimicrobial activities. Results: The phytochemical analysis of aqueous and ethanol extracts showed high quantity of flavonoids (anthocyanin, rutin, epicatechin, kaemferol and catechin), alkaloids (lunamarine and ribalindine) and saponin while the moderate quantity of steroids and terpenes, tannin and phenols were also observed. The phytochemical analysis also showed very little concentration of antinutrients (phytate and oxalate) in both extracts. The ethanol extract showed some degree of antibacterial and antifungal activities as observed from their zones of inhibition (mm). Activity was observed on gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcusaureus (15.5+0.71mm) and less activity on gram-negative bacteria; Escherichia coli (10.5+1.41mm) and Pseudomonasaeruginosa (no activity). Also there was an activity on yeast; Candida albicans (16.5+0.71mm) and less activity on moulds; Penicilliumcyclopium (9+1.41mm) and Aspergillus fumigatus (no activity). The aqueous extract showed no antimicrobial activity on both bacteria and fungi. Conclusion: This study revealed the medicinal potentials of Ginkgo biloba leaves grown in Nigeria. The findings, therefore, will be useful for pharmaceutical industries and medical practice in Nigeria and beyond for the provision of good health to individuals.

Many continents are susceptible to food insecurity and malnourishment which is predominantly evident in rural areas where people chiefly depend on agriculture for food and income. However, the world agricultural sector has for decades been faced with many challenges, particularly low productivity caused by pest attacks to the crops. To tackle this challenge, modern biotechnology through genetic modification offers the additional tool for increasing crop productivity. The aim is to transfer a desirable gene (pest-resistant gene) from donor specie to the recipient plant, in such that they become toxic to certain pests. When such modification is done, the recipient plant is regarded as genetically modified (GM) plant. The world's most common GM crops with pest-resistant character include maize, cotton, soybean, and potato. This chapter examined the concept of genetic modification, genetic modification resulting to pest-resistant crops, GM pest-resistant crops, and the regulations of GM crops.

Nutraceuticals are food or part of food that offers medical/health benefits including the prevention and treatment of diseases. In a more general term, they are natural substances that include certain herbs that are used as dietary supplements and regulated as foods. Plant derived nutraceuticals have received significant consideration because of their supposed safety, and multiple nutritional and therapeutic effects. They are widely seen as a prevailing instrument that acts against nutritionally induced acute and chronic diseases, thus promoting good health and longevity. The nutraceuticals as herbal and dietary supplement is rapidly growing and has gained a global market that is estimated at over 100 billion USD. Among the common plant-derived (herbal) nutraceuticals are curcumin from turmeric, glucosamine from ginseng and omega-3- fatty acids from linseed. This chapter presents an overview of nutraceuticals, the herbals used as nutraceuticals, the regulation of herbal nutraceuticals and an overall perspective of herbal nutraceutical’s global market.

Objective: To carry out an inventory on the availability, challenges, and needs of dietary assessment (DA) methods in Africa as a pre-requisite to provide evidence, and set directions (strategies) for implementing common dietary methods and support web-research infrastructure across countries. Methods: The inventory was performed within the framework of the " Africa's Study on Physical Activity and Dietary Assessment Methods" (AS-PADAM) project. It involves international institutional and African networks. An inventory questionnaire was developed and disseminated through the networks. Eighteen countries responded to the dietary inventory questionnaire. Results: Various DA tools were reported in Africa; 24-Hour Dietary Recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire were the most commonly used tools. Few tools were validated and tested for reliability. Face-to-face interview was the common method of administration. No computerized software or other new (web) technologies were reported. No tools were standardized across countries. Conclusions: The lack of comparable DA methods across represented countries is a major obstacle to implement comprehensive and joint nutrition-related programmes for surveillance, programme evaluation, research, and prevention. There is a need to develop new or adapt existing DA methods across countries by employing related research infrastructure that has been validated and standardized in other settings, with the view to standardizing methods for wider use.

Malaria and typhoid fever are among the most endemic diseases in the tropics and are associated with poverty and underdevelopment with significant morbidity and mortality. Both diseases can lead to liver damage if not properly treated. The liver function assessment was therefore conducted on (90) volunteer patients; comprising (30) patients with malaria only, (30) with typhoid only and (30) with malaria-typhoid co-infection randomly selected from Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria and (20) healthy individuals were used as control. Blood samples collected from these subjects were screened for malaria parasite and Staphylococcus typhi using standard methods. Mean serum levels of ALP (112.55±84.23), AST (31.33±12.80), ALT (23.10±11.84), TB (19.43±5.02), CB (5.91±3.03) and ALP (116.69±48.68), AST (28.33±11.72), ALT (22.8±5.94), TB (19.31±5.84),CB (5.60±2.50) were obtained for those subjects with malaria and typhoid respectively and subjects with malaria-typhoid co-infection recorded the following; ALP (134.33±56.62), AST (33.97±8.43), ALT (24.40±4.37),TB (21.27±2.96),CB (6.58±3.10) while the control subjects had mean serum levels ofALP (71.05±18.18), AST (16.65±7.45), ALT (13.85±6.09), TB (10.05±4.85) and CB (3.00±1.67). These mean values were subjected to a statistical test using students t-test which revealed a significant increase (p