A B S T R A C TObjective: To assess the effects of hot water leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia (N. latifolia) on antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation values and parasite levels in hepatic and brain tissue of experimental mice (BALB/c) infected with Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) malaria. Methods: Forty nine mice were divided into seven groups (n = 7) and used for the study. Group A (control) were given 0.2 mL/kg phosphate buffer saline; Group B mice were infected with P. berghei and treated with phosphate buffer saline. Groups C and D mice were also infected but treated with 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of leaf extract respectively. Groups E and F mice were not infected, but received 200 and 300 mg/kg of leaf extract respectively. Group G mice were infected and treated with chloroquine (5 mg/ kg). Liver and brain tissues of mice were prepared for both biochemical assay and microscopic examination. Results: Results showed that P. berghei malaria infection induced oxidative stress in both liver and brain tissues as evidenced by the significant (P < 0.05) decrease in antioxidants: superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase. These reductions perhaps caused compromise in membrane integrity as indicated by the significant increase in lipid peroxidation product malondialdhyde. Malaria parasites were also identified in these tissues. However, N. latifolia treatment eliminated the parasites in tissues and protected them from oxidative damage even better than chloroquine treatment did, whose anti-malarial potency also cleared tissue parasites. The measurement of protection by N. latifolia against damage was strengthened by the insignificant micro structural alterations. Conclusions: The bioactive phytochemical(s) in N. latifolia should be structured and the mechanism(s) of its antimalarial tendency should be further investigated.

Cigarette smoking could predispose an individual to a multitude of diseases which include metabolic syndrome. This study evaluates the biomarkers (blood glucose, body mass index [BMI], lipid profile and blood pressure) of metabolic syndrome in serum of some cigarette smokers in Delta State. One hundred apparently healthy male undergraduate students divided into two groups (50 smokers and 50 non-smokers) were recruited for the study conducted between August, 2010 and April 2011. Body mass index (BMI), blood glucose, blood pressure parameters and serum lipid profile were determined using standard procedures. Results indicate that smokers' systolic (137.67±8.97mmHg) and diastolic (82.14±8.23mmHg) blood pressure measures were significantly (p<0.05) elevated than those of the non-smokers (systolic: 129.93±10.33mmHg, diastolic: 75.20±2.55mmHg). Their body mass index (BMI) were comparable (p>0.05). Lipid profiling reveals that smokers' HDL-cholesterol level (0.47±0.08mmol/L) was significantly lower than that of the non-smokers (0.72±0.09mmol/L) but both groups expressed comparable LDL-Cholesterol levels, although smokers' level (6.12±0.34mmol/L) is higher than the non-smokers' level (6.10±0.42mmol/L). The ratio of HDL: LDL-cholesterol (an index of cardiovascular risk) is higher for non-smokers (0.12) compared with the smokers (0.08). Put together, results imply that smokers have higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Therefore, the existence and prevalence of metabolic syndrome among smokers in Delta State, Nigeria, should be investigated and documented for public campaign and formulation of policies that could reduce cigarette smoking.

This study reports the effect of cigarette smoking on serum and salivary α-amylase activities of some consenting Nigerian male smokers (20) in apparent good health and between 30 to 70 years. Age and sex-matched non-smokers (20) were included as control subjects. Alpha amylase activity was assayed using standard colorimetric method. Results obtained show that the mean α-amylase activity in serum and saliva were significantly higher (P<0.05) in smokers (131.2 ± 17.0 IU/L and 241.8 ± 23.6 IU/L) when compared with non-smokers (68.3 ± 11.3 IU/L and 133.5 ± 8.6 IU/L), and these represent 84.3% and 95.2% increases in serum and saliva values for the smokers relative to the non-smokers. Evidence from this study indicates a measure of pancreatic, salivary and parotid glands' dysfunction among the cigarette smokers in Nigeria. Measurement of serum and salivary α-amylase activity could be useful in the early detection and diagnosis of pancreatitis and parotitis.

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