Preclinical Safety Assessment of Furostanol Glycoside-Based Standardized Fenugreek Seed Extract in Laboratory Rats

Ethnoveterinary Uses of Certain Yemeni Plants: A Review of the Scientific Evidence

Livestock is an important and integral component of agriculture production in Yemen and contributes 28% of the total agricultural production income. Research in the field of Yemeni ethnoveterinary medicine is limited to a few studies. Therefore, our work aims to substantiate scientifically the ethnoveterinary use of some documented plant species based on a literature review of their bioactivities and toxicological properties. Searching the scientific literature has revealed various pharmacological activities that may support the claimed healing activities of 11 out of 14 plant species for some of their ethnoveterinary utilization. This comprises the use of Aloe spp. latex for constipation, worms, boils, and wounds; Boswellia sacra underbark for wounds and its oleo-gum resin for mastitis; Soqotraen Boswellia species as an insect repellent; Cissus rotundifolia for stomach pain; Cyphostemma digitatum as an appetite stimulant; Psiadia punctulate for bone fracture; Pulicaria undulata as an insect repellent; combinations of Aristolochia bracteolate with Sorghum bicolor grains for bloating; Rumex nervosus and salt for eye pimples; and Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds with Hordeum vulgare grains for constipation. Some plants were found to demonstrate various toxic effects in in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. The local administration of Calotropis procera latex was also reported to induce an intense inflammatory response. It can be concluded that our work has provided valuable scientific information on the biological and toxic activities of some Yemeni ethnoveterinary remedies that could be utilized for the benefit of farmers to ration the use of these remedies and avoiding their toxicity.

Potential impact of pollutant emitted by generator-powered telecommunication masts on air quality of Oja Oba in Akure metropolis

The main aim of this study is to simulate the concentrations of three major air pollutants, namely carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and particulate matter of diameter less or equal to 10 μm (PM₁₀), commonly emitted from base station of telecommunication masts powered by a generator running on diesel and evaluated the simulated pollutants in terms of health risks they pose to people living at close proximity to the telecommunication masts. In this study, we engaged the AERMOD model to simulate the concentrations of pollutants emanating from the use of generators in powering telecommunication base stations around a major busy market place in Akure, Nigeria, a tropical location. The simulation of pollutants was carried out for both dry months (January, February, and March) and wet months (June, July, and August) of 2018. Results showed that CO has the 1-h highest simulated concentration of 1013.4 μg/m³, and it was found during wet seasons, while NOx has 1-h highest concentration of 78.8 μg/m³, and the corresponding value of PM₁₀ was 58.7 μg/m³. While highest concentrations of CO and NOx occurred during the wet season, PM₁₀ highest concentration occurred during the dry season. Measured concentrations of the pollutants also showed similar pattern; however, the measured concentrations are higher than their corresponding simulated values. This difference between measured and simulated is accounted for as background concentration from other sources of pollution. The risks posed to human health by these pollutants were evaluated using hazard quotient (HQ) against some air quality related such as asthma, aggravated asthma, eye irritation, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. CO posed greater human health risks in both wet and dry seasons having HQ greater unity, while PM₁₀ human health risk is noticeable during the dry season. NOx do not pose a human health risk due to very minor content of nitrogen compound emitted by the generators. It is has been demonstrated that the use of a generator to power electrical need of telecommunication base stations has a high impact on air quality within the vicinity of these stations. The hazard could be escalated where many base stations are co-located close public places. Renewable sources of energy could be used in place of generators in the base stations to reduce the impact on air quality and safeguard human health.