Browsing by Author "Mgbemena, Ifeyinwa C."

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    Evaluation of toxicological effects ethanol extracts of mimosa pudica in adult male albino rats
    (U. P., 2018) Ugenyi, Assumpta U.; Ozoh, Pactrick. O.; Ukwandu, N. C.; Mgbemena, Ifeyinwa C.; Okorie, Chioma C.; Onyeocha, Ignatius O.
    This study evaluated the in vivo toxicity effect of ethanolic extracts of Mimosa pudica in adult male albino rats. Acute toxicity test was carried out with Lorke′s method. Fifteen male rats weighing 130-160 g were used for the sub-chronic study. The rats were divided into three groups 1-3 (n=5), Group 3 served as control, Groups 1 and 2 received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight doses of the extracts respectively. Acute toxicity test carried out showed that the leaf extracts of M. pudica at a single dose of 5000 mg/kg produced treatment- related signs of toxicity and mortality in the test animals. The LD50 of this plant extract was 3808 kg/mg which is less than 5000 kg/kg. Sub-chronic oral toxicity study, the administration of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of M. pudica extracts per body weight revealed significant increase (p ˂0.05) in the mean body weight, no significant difference (p˃0.05) for liver and renal function, oxidative stress and cardiac function, heamatological parameters, relative organ weight of the rats compared to the control groups. Biochemical parameters significantly increased (p˂0.05) in a dose dependent manner while haematological parameters significantly decreased (p˃0.05). Mild infiltration of the inflammatory cells and necrosis of the organs were observed. The use of leaf extracts of M. pudica is safe but intake of high doses and prolonged use may cause organ toxicity.
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    Studies on the recovery potentials of a disturbed aquatic ecosystem: Focus on pre-and post-dredging analysis of Nworie River, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
    (U. P, 2014-06) Udensi, Justina U.; Iwuala, Moses O. E.; Nwigwe, Harriet C.; Onyedineke, Nkechi E.; Okereke, Joseph N.; Mgbemena, Ifeyinwa C.
    A study was done to monitor the recovery potential of Nworie river system, in Imo State, Ni- geria from July 2010 to January 2012. Water samples were collected from 5 Stations prior to, during and after dredging. Station 1 was the dredging point, Stations 2 and 3 were 250m and 500m upstream of the point, while Stations 4 and 5 were 250m and 500m downstream of the dredging point respectively. The physicochemical parameters of the water before dredging were assessed to be within acceptable limits of established water standards; pH 6.5-7.8, Tem- perature 27.6-29.9 °C, Conductivity 34-196us/cm, Turbidity 0-76NTU, TDS 22.1-127.4 mg/l, TSS 9-51mg/l, Nitrate 1.2-33.6mg/l, Phosphate 0.2-3.7mg/1, Sulphate 0-33mg/l, DO 4.3- 9.4mg/l and BOD5 9.5- 10.9mg/l. During the dredging, the water physicochemistry changed noticeably with indices outside the permissible limits of the standards. The pH values de- creased drastically to 4.6, DO to 1.3mg/l, Nitrate to 1.2mg/l, temperature increased to 30.2°C, Turbidity 620NTU, TSS 349mg/l, Conductivity 498 μs/cm, TDS 298.8 mg/l, BOD5 19.1mg/l, Sulphate 33mg/l and Phosphate 0.92mg/l. Three months after the dredging, the values for the parameters returned to their pre-dredging concentrations. However, during the rainy season, as the leachates and silts from the spoils were washed into the river, the recovery of the river sys- tem was prolonged to about 9 months. This implies that the effects of dredging on the river are short term, but improper disposal of dredge spoils compounded the impacts.