Enugu State University of Science and Technology

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induces oxidative stress, leading to liver, kidney, and hematological toxicity. Cola hispida, a plant with ethnomedicinal relevance, possesses bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant properties. This study investigates the protective effects of the methanolic extract of C. hispida (MECH) against CCl4-induced systemic toxicity in rats. Thirty rats were randomly assigned to six groups: controls, CCl4-only, and co-treatment with MECH at doses of 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg for 21 days, as well as the MECH-only group. CCl4 (liquid form, Sigma-Aldrich) was diluted in olive oil to 30% (v/v) and administered intraperitoneally at 10 mL/kg once weekly. CCl4-induced organ toxicity was assessed via changes in body and organ weights, liver and kidney function markers, hematological indices, malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidative stress biomarkers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], and histopathology. The administration of CCl4 caused a significant (p < 0.001) increase in hepatic and renal indices [Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine, sodium], oxidative stress (elevated malondialdehyde [MDA]), and hematological disturbances [significant decrease in packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cell count (WBC)]. The methanolic extract of C. hispida (MECH) co-administration dose-dependently reversed these alterations. Antioxidant enzymes were significantly restored, and histopathological evaluation confirmed reduced tissue damage in the MECH-treated groups. Correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed strong inverse relationships between oxidative stress markers and organ function parameters. MECH exhibits potent systemic protective effects against CCl4-induced hepato-renal and hematological damage, primarily through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. These findings underscore the therapeutic promise of C. hispida in the management of oxidative stress-related multi-organ toxicity and support its ethnopharmacological use.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder associated with dysregulated dopaminergic and noradrenergic signaling. Although current pharmacotherapies are effective, they carry significant cardiovascular and abuse liabilities, highlighting the need for safer, targeted alternatives. This study evaluated Garcinia kola secondary metabolites as potential inhibitors of human dopamine (DAT) and norepinephrine (NET) transporters utilizing in silico approaches. Of twenty-seven metabolites, sixteen met Lipinski’s Rule-of-Five and synthetic accessibility (SA) criteria and were further analyzed through molecular docking and CNS-relevant ADMET profiling. Cycloartenol, δ-tocotrienol, and 2-hydroxyxanthone demonstrated the strongest predicted dual-target binding affinities with both transporters, surpassing those of the reference ligand, atomoxetine, and engaging targets via hydrophobic, aromatic, and hydrogen-bonding interactions. ADMET analysis indicated that cycloartenol, δ-tocotrienol, and 2-hydroxyxanthone have high predicted brain exposure, favorable bioavailability, and no hepatotoxicity, whereas the reference ligand atomoxetine was flagged for hepatotoxicity. Garcifuran B and Garcipyran also showed favorable dual binding affinities and interactions, compared to the reference ligands, but predicted low blood-brain barrier permeability, suggesting that structural optimization may be required to improve their CNS delivery. In conclusion, δ-tocotrienol, cycloartenol, and 2-hydroxyxanthone emerge as predictive leads for dual DAT/NET inhibition and warrant further experimental in vitro and in vivo validation as safer, non-stimulant ADHD therapeutics.

The study evaluated the indigenous apprenticeship system and the growth of entrepreneurship in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine the relationship between imu oruaka (learning a craft) and the self-employment rate of entrepreneurship, and ascertain the relationship between igba boi (becoming an apprentice) and the number of SMEs in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design approach. The primary source of data was staff members of the organizations under study. The total population of 930 comprised artisans and traders who were once apprentices, trainees, or mentees. A sample size of 272 was determined using the Freund and Williams formula at a 5% margin of error. Two hundred and sixty-four (264) respondents returned the questionnaire, which was accurately completed. Data were presented and analyzed using the Likert Scale, while the hypotheses were tested using the Z-test. The findings indicated that imu oruaka (learning a craft) had a significant positive relationship with the self-employment rate of entrepreneurship in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria, Z(95, n = 264) = 9.724, p < .05. Likewise, igba boi (becoming an apprentice) had a significant positive relationship with the number of SMEs in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria, Z(95, n = 264) = 9.601, p < .05. The study concluded that imu oruaka (learning a craft) and igba boi (becoming an apprentice) had significant positive relationships with the selfemployment rate and the number of SMEs in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria. The study recommended, among other things, that the engagement of youths in learning crafts should be encouraged to promote and nurture creativity and spur innovative abilities in them. It inspires them to think outside the box and seek new ways of achieving their goals instead of merely following directions.

High levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), turbidity, and total dissolved solids (TDS) in brewery wastewater (BWW) pose serious environmental and public health concerns. Using avocado pear seed (PS) and Moringa oleifera seed (MOS) as sustainable bio-coagulants, we treated BWW sample through coagulation–flocculation experiments. The bio-coagulants were prepared by aqueous extraction and characterized through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and proximate analysis. TDS was selected as the sole response variable for process optimization. One-factor-at-a-time experiments established the operating ranges after which response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design was employed to optimize the effects of pH, coagulant dosage, and treatment time on TDS removal. The developed quadratic models adequately described the experimental responses and were successfully validated. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of amine, hydroxyl, carbonyl, and aromatic functional groups associated with coagulation activity. Combined with evidence from the literature, these results suggest that pollutant removal proceeds mainly through charge neutralization, adsorption, and interparticle bridging. Under the optimized conditions of pH 4, dosage 4 g and treatment time 40 min, experimental TDS removals of 91.33% and 94.23% were obtained for PS and MOS, respectively. Under the same experimental treatment conditions, PS and MOS also achieved turbidity removals of 85.1% and 93.3%, COD removals of 88.9% and 77.5%, and BOD5 removals of 89.2% and 68.8%, respectively. Comparison with previously reported plant-derived bio-coagulants further revealed that both PS and MOS exhibit competitive treatment performance despite the use of simple distilled-water extraction. These findings establish avocado pear seed and Moringa oleifera seed as effective, low-cost, and environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical coagulants for brewery wastewater treatment and provide a basis for future evaluation of their combined application.