Cucumis metuliferus also known as horned melon is a plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family which has been reported to have medicinal value. Every part of the plant is consumed, except the rind, although edible is mostly discarded as waste. Solid food waste contributes to greater percentage of pollution in our environment. Therefore, to minimize food wastage, the nutritional and medicinal value of the rind need to be evaluated to promote its usage. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate the proximate, phytochemical and vitamin compositions of the rind of Cucumis metuliferus. The analyses were carried out using standard methods. The proximate analyses showed that the rind contained high concentrations of carbohydrate (54.84%), moisture (18.40%) and crude fibre (11.34%); moderate concentration of crude fat (8.89%) with low concentration of ash (3.59%) and crude protein (2.95%). From the result of the phytochemical analysis, the rind contained varied concentrations of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids and phenol. The result also showed that the rind is rich in vitamins C, E, D, B9 and A with appreciable concentrations of vitamins B2, K, B1 and β-carotene which were all above the recommended daily vitamin allowance. The high concentration of these nutrients and phytochemicals proves that the rind of Cucumis metuliferus has nutritive and medicinal value. Therefore, the rind could be useful as food supplements and in pharmaceutical preparations.

This study investigated the in-vitro antioxidant activity of ethanol leaf extract of Justicia carnea and its effect on antioxidant status of alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. The in-vitro antioxidant activity was assayed by determining the total phenol, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and lycopene contents and by using 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, reducing antioxidant power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation antioxidant systems. Oxidative stress was produced in rats by single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg alloxan and serum concentration of malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined. Five experimental groups of rats (n=6) were used for the study. Two groups of diabetic rats received oral daily doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg Justicia carnea leaf extract respectively while gilbenclamide (5 mg/ml); a standard diabetic drug was also given to a specific group for 14 days. From the result, the leaf extract contained a higher concentration of flavonoids followed byphenols, ascorbic acid, lycopene and β-carotene. The extract displayed more potent reducing power ability with EC50 of 40 µg/ml compared to BHA (EC50 of 400µg/ml). The percentage DPPH radical scavenging activity of the extract was also higher with EC50 of 200µg/ml and increased with increase in concentration while BHA had EC50of 320µg/ml. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation also increased with increase in concentration with EC50 of 58µg/ml and comparable with BHA (EC50=60µg/ml). The effect of the plant extract on antioxidant enzyme activities was concentration-dependent. Administration of 100mg/kg of the plant extract resulted in a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum MDA concentration, while 200 mg/kg of the extract caused a significant (p˂0.05) increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities with a non-significant increase (p>0.05) in the serum level of MDA when compared with the diabetic untreated group. These findings suggest that ethanol leaf extract of Justicia carnea have antioxidant properties and could handle diabetes-induced oxidative stress.

Neem Azadirachta indica is a useful traditional medicinal plant growing in Nigeria, India, and America. The phytochemicals and the biopesticidal components present were ascertained. The results showed that saponins, steroids and terpenes were mostly present, while tannins and glycosides were moderately present, and alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and oxalic acid were least present. The presence of these phytochemical could account for the therapeutic uses of neem.

The aim of this study was to compare the minerals, heavy metals and amino acids compositions of the seeds and juice of Cucumis metuliferus. The minerals and heavy metals content were evaluated using FS240AA agilent atomic absorption spectrometer according to the method of American Public Health Association while the amino acids content was evaluated using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). From the mineral analysis, concentrations of calcium (23.416 ppm), aluminum (0.094 ppm), manganese (0.242 ppm) and iron (1.243 ppm) were higher in the juice than in the seeds with respective values of 20.084 ppm, 0.079 ppm, 0.221 ppm and 0.934 ppm while the concentrations of magnesium (29.749 ppm), zinc (4.184 ppm), copper (0.125 ppm), sodium (8.927 ppm) and potassium (7.594 ppm) were higher in the seeds than in the juice with respective values of 20.592 ppm, 1.271 ppm, 0.030 ppm, 8.594 ppm and 6.833 ppm. The juice had higher concentrations of heavy metals such as arsenic (20.082 ppm), lead (4.135 ppm), cobalt (0.178 ppm), silver (0.074 ppm), selenium (7.246 ppm) and mercury (4.609 ppm) as against the seed with respective values of 0.578 ppm, 1.455 ppm while cobalt, silver, selenium and mercury were not detected. However, the concentrations of cadmium (0.389 ppm), chromium (0.545 ppm) and nickel (0.288 ppm) were higher in the seeds than in the juice with respective values of 0.082 ppm, 0.252 ppm and 0.016 ppm. From the result of amino acid analysis, 18 amino acids were found in both the seeds and juice which include 9 essential and 9 non-essential amino acids respectively. The qualitative composition of amino acids in both the seeds and the juice was same, but the quantitative contents differed although non-significantly from each other with prevalence of amino acids in the seeds. Aspartate was the most abundant of the amino acids found while cysteine was the least.  These results suggest that the seeds and juice of Cucumis metuliferus contain adequate essential minerals which are beneficial to human health. The contaminant levels of heavy metals highlights the necessity on the quality and safety concerns about their use and handling. The amino acids analysis showed that both the seeds and juice of Cucumis metuliferus are good sources of amino acid and could be used as food supplement. The amino acid content may also provide useful information for determination of the protein quality of Cucumis metuliferus.

Background: Citrus aurantifolia has been well known for its economic importance either as food or medicine. Previous studies have shown the antidiabetic, anti-cholesterol, hepato-protective and antioxidant properties of the fruit juice. Purpose: This study focused on the effects of continuous oral administration of C. aurantifolia (lime) fruit juice for a period of three months on the biochemical indices of Wistar albino rats. Methods: Acute toxicity test (LD50) was done using Lorke’s method. Twenty (20) rats of both sexes weighing between 120 g and 130 g were randomized into 4 groups of five rats each. Group A (normal control) was given feed and water only, Group B, C and D were given 2, 4 and 8 ml/kg bodyweight (b.w) of Citrus aurantifolia fruit juice respectively. At the end of the treatment period, fasting blood glucose level was determined and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture from the experimental animals for the evaluation of the serum concentrations of biochemical parameters (liver function, kidney function, electrolytes, lipid profile, lactate dehydrogenase, and lipid peroxidation). These analyses were carried out using standard diagnostic techniques. Results: From the result of the LD50, no death was recorded for doses of 50 ml/kg b.w and below while at doses of 60 and 100 ml/kg b.w, there were signs of toxicity and death of the experimental animals.  The mean lethal dose (LD50) was 54.8 ml/kg bw. The fasting blood sugar levels were maintained within the normal range throughout the period of administration. The concentrations of ALT, AST, ALP, urea and creatinine were significantly (p<0.05) decreased while GGT, Albumin, Total protein, total bilirubin, K+, Na+, Cl-, HCO3- and the pH levels were not significantly (p<0.05) altered for the 3 doses tested when compared to the normal control. However, a dosage of 8 ml/kg bw significantly decreased the direct bilirubin level. The levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, triacylgylcerol and VLDL were significantly (p<0.05) reduced with a significant (p<0.05) increase in the HDL-C when compared to the normal control. There was also a significant (p<0.05) increase in blood LDH levels. Dosages of 2 and 4ml/kg bw did not significantly alter the levels of MDA in relation to the normal control but 8 ml/kg bw significantly (p<0.05) decreased the MDA levels of the rats. Conclusion: The biochemical parameters assayed suggests that proper doses of the C. aurantifolia fruit juice do not cause any harmful or adverse effect to the organs and tissues in the body.