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Turmeric spice has a diverse array of biological activities. The present study evaluated body weight and haematological impact of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) in male albino rats using  standard analytical methods. Twenty four healthy male albino rats were used for the study.  Results shows no significant increase in body weight in the first week of dieting while a gradual increase     was observed with increasing weeks of dieting.  Treatment with the powder did not significantly (P ≥ 0.05) alter the levels of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC) and means corpuscular volume (MCV) of the rats. The result also showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in the platelets and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations (MCHC). However, the white blood cells (WBC) and the packed cell volume (PCV) concentrations were slightly reduced. This study   suggests that adding Curcuma longa (Turmeric) at 50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight within the duration of study could positively affect the hematological parameters and general well being of the body.

ABTRACT Investigations were carried out to evaluate the blood sugar lowering activity of the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolus roots (SLA) in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The extract (250 mg/kg body we ght p o) caused 76 % reduct on in blood g ucose w th n 6h in fasted diabetic rats. However, the extract at the same dose showed no effect in normorglycaemic rats. Acute toxicity studies of the extract in mice gave an oral LD i ; . i l i i t f 50 value greater than 5000 mg/kg. Phytochemical tests revealed that SLA tested positive for alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, s erols and glycosides. The results show that the aqueous root extract of S latifolus has blood glucose lowering ef ect, which is consistent with the use of the root in folklore diabetes management.

Dyslipidemia is one of the key risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, which is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to investigate the effect of powdered Curcuma longa (turmeric) tubers on lipid profile of albino rats. Twenty-four (24) male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups (A-D), receiving once daily administration of distilled water, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the powder respectively. The body weights of the animals were measured weekly, while lipid profile was determined after three weeks. The result showed that daily oral administration of graded doses of the C. longa powder for three weeks resulted in a non-significant increase in the body weights of the animals. Daily oral turmeric powder (200 mg/kg) treatment significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lowered the serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, while those that received 100 mg/kg significantly increased HDL-Cholesterol and reduced LDL-Cholesterol. Turmeric powder lowered total cholesterol, triglyceride and increasing HDL cholesterol in albino rats at the indicated doses and duration.

Aims: There is a high risk associated with using artificial materials like polyethylene or foil for wrapping foods before cooking. The present study investigated the phytochemical and nutrient composition of Thaumatococus daniellii leaf, a local food wrapper. Place and Duration of Study: Biochemistry Unit, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo, between April and May 2018. Methodology: The phytochemical compounds were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) while proximate and vitamin composition was determined using standard analytical methods.  Results: The GC-MS phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of eight (8) bioactive compounds 1,2,3,4-Butanetetrol, d-Glycero-d-idoheptose, Cyclopentane,1-ethyl-1-methyl-, 6-Octyl-1-ol,3,7-dimethyl-, 2-Octenal, E- Octane,1-chloro-,2-Acetoxy-1,1,10-trimethyl-6,9-epidioxydecalin and Bicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-ol,2,6,6-trimethyl-,(1α,2β,3α,5α)- while vitamin assay results showed that Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf contained 3.1mg/100g of vitamin A, 1.07 mg/100 g  vitamin B1, 1.32 mg/100 g  vitamin B3, 1.11 mg/100 g of vitamin B5, 16.34 mg/100 g of vitamin B6, 11.86 mg/100 g of vitamin B12 and 25.19 mg/100 g of vitamin C. Result of proximate analysis indicates that Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf contains 10.15% ash, 9.67% moisture, 20.41% protein, 11.42% lipids, 13.78% fibre and 34.57% carbohydrate. Conclusion: In summary, our findings indicate that Thaumatococcus daniellii leaves contain bioactive compounds, an appreciable number of vitamins and high nutritional constituents. Hence Thaumatococcus daniellii leaves can be incorporated into animal feed, taking into cognizance the high protein, fat and vitamin contents. These suggest that it may play critical medicinal and nutritional roles and probably be a safer alternative to polyethylene paper and aluminum foil wraps; hence justifying its local usage as food wrapper. The leaves may also serve as a lead for the production of a healthier material for wrapping local foods.