Reproductive dysfunction is often characterized by malfunction of the reproductive tissues, which may lead to disruption of the synergistic rhythm that should bring about a progression of sexual events and the conception of new life. This may therefore result in the sexual dysfunction and infertility that can be seen in couples having prolonged biological difficulty in reproducing their offspring after having unrestricted sexual intercourse for at least twelve months. Several factors have been implicated in the cause and progression of reproductive dysfunction, including poor nutrition, drug side effects, disease states, and toxicant ingestion. A well-known food additive that has been found to be potent at initiating reproductive anomalies in males is monosodium glutamate (MSG). This regular flavor enhancer is widely used as a taste enhancer in several diets. The different mechanisms by which it may induce reproductive dysfunctions include spermatogenic alteration resulting in a low sperm count, high sperm abnormality, reduced live sperm and decreased sperm pH, oxidative damage (increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities), histological alteration (blood hemorrhage, distorted germ and Sertoli cells), as well as gonadotropin imbalance (reduced testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations). Therefore, this review discusses various established mechanisms through which MSG may induce reproductive dysfunction and the treatment strategies to ameliorate its toxic effects.

There is the indication that human deaths as a result of water-borne diseases exceed five million people per year, with over half of the diseases being microbial intestinal infections, especially cholera and diarrhea. A number of pathogenic microorganisms, regarded as water pollution indicators have been observed as the agents of such. These water pollution indicators are present in feces, sewage and can survive as long as pathogenic organisms. These pathogenic microorganisms cause several waterborne infections and diseases like bacterial (cholera, salmonellosis, shigellosis and several diseases associated with pathogenic strains of E. coli), viral (ranging from a mild febrile illness to myocarditis, meningoencephalitis, poliomyelitis, herpangina, hand-foot-and mouth disease and neonatal multi-organ failure), protozoan (cryptosporidiosis, diarrhea encaphilitis, giardiasis, amoebiasis) and fungal (candidiasis, blastomycosis, cryptococcusis, aspergilosis). These biological contaminants that cause several water-borne diseases can however be removed from water through physical (ultraviolet radiation, solar radiation and boiling) and chemical disinfection methods (chlorination, chloramination and ozonation). The aim of this paper was to review the microbial indicators and pathogenic microorganisms in water and wastewater. The paper also discussed the treatment strategies for microbial-contaminated water and wastewaters.

Helianthus annuus has been widely used for its medicinal and nutritional properties. This study was aimed at assessing the ethyl acetate, n-hexane and methanol extracts of Helianthus annuus for antibacterial and antioxidant potentials. The phytochemical screening, total phenols, DPPH radical scavenging assay and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity were carried out following standard procedures. Preliminary screening of the antibacterial activities of the extracts was carried out on five bacterial species (Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae), using the agar-diffusion method. Growth rate studies in presence of the extract was investigated on two bacterial species (Bacillus subtilis and E. coli). The methanol extract was observed to inhibit the growth of the five bacterial species while ethyl acetate and N-hexane extracts showed inhibition against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Extended lag periods of 5 - 6 h were observed when the Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were grown in broth medium that contained the respective extracts. In broth medium with mixture of extract and ascorbic acid, there was no observed growth of the Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli throughout the 7 h incubation period. The total phenolics content of the extracts revealed concentrations of 6.66 ±0.45, 5.58 ±0.11 and 6.06±0.41 mg TAE.g-1) for the methanol, N-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging assay results displayed gradual increase in percentage inhibition from the lowest to the highest concentration across all the standard groups, a similar trend was observed with the extracts, the ethyl acetate extract showed highest percentage inhibition amongst the other extracts. All the extracts showed high reducing power ability. The nitric oxide scavenging ability of the extracts showed constant increase with increase in concentration. Helianthus annus, it could be a good source of antimicrobial and antioxidant especially in a world where resistance to antibiotic has increasingly become a global concern.

Background: Cadmium toxicity is an environmental health menace in developing countries, which can result in damage to the male reproductive system. The mechanisms of cadmium toxicity include an increase in lipid peroxidation, depletion of glutathione, reduction in protein-bound sulfhydryl groups, and increase of oxidative stress. Agnus castus has been differently reported for its strong antioxidant potential and reproductive-enhancing properties. These two properties make the plant viable for the possible amelioration of cadmium toxicity. Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Agnus castus aqueous leaf extract on the testicular function indices in cadmium chloride-treated rats. Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats (100 - 160) g, Rattus norvegicus strain, were randomly distributed into five different groups, each containing five animals. The animals were grouped as follows. Group A (control group) received distilled water, and group B received 6.5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride. Groups C, D, and E received 6.5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride each together with 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Agnus castus, respectively. The administration was done by oral gavage, once daily for 21 days. The animals were finally sacrificed on day 22. The serum was collected, and the testis was excised for testicular function indices, hormonal assays, and antioxidant activities. Results: Exposure to cadmium chloride caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the weight of the testes and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione) compared to the control group. However, co-treatment with cadmium chloride and Agnus castus leaves resulted in the amelioration of cadmium-induced reduction in testicular weight and antioxidant enzymes. Exposure to cadmium chloride caused a significant decrease in testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone when compared to the control group. Co-treatment with cadmium chloride and Agnus castus increased the levels of glycogen, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone in the rats’ testes. Conclusions: The aqueous leaf extract of Agnus castus displayed a protective role in testicular function and antioxidants in Wistar rats against cadmium chloride toxicity, compared to control rats that received distilled water only.

Hepatoxicity, also known as toxic hepatitis, is a condition, in which the liver becomes inflamed due to exposure to such substances as chemicals, medications, herbal products, or excessive alcohol consumption. Cadmium is a major environmental pollutant from agricultural and industrial sources and has been reported to induce hepatotoxicity. Cadmium can also be found in phosphate fertilizers, detergents, and refined petroleum products as an impurity and used industrially in the production of polyvinyl chloride product stabilizers and the fabrication of nickel-cadmium batteries. Cadmium can be absorbed into the human body through the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory, and dermal routes. Cadmium-induced hepatic damage is very much associated with oxidative stress through inactivation of the antioxidant enzymes, depletion of the glutathione concentration, and increase in mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species production. Several processes of ameliorating cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity include the use of orthodox medicine (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, dimercaptosuccinic acid, and dimercaptopropane sulfonate). Furthermore, the phytomedicinal approach has served as hepatoprotective agents to averts any damage due to oxidative stress caused by cadmium in the liver. Therefore, this review seeks to understand the hepatotoxic effect of cadmium and its amelioration by orthodox medicine and selected medicinal plants.