All heavy metals are potentially toxic at elevated concentrations. Effects of Mercuric Chloride on the morphological parameters such as germination percentage, root length, shoot length, number of leaves, fresh and dry biomass, pigments, Carbohydrate, Protein and Amino acids were analyzed during investigation on 10th day seedlings of Vigna mungo L., All parameters exhibited reduced trend with increase in HgCl2 concentrations when compared to control plants. However, Protein content in shoot and root of the seedlings showed a different trend by increasing the content with the increase in heavy metal concentration. This indicates that, the seedlings are in the process of increase in tolerance to HgCl2 treatment. Metal toxicity affects crop yields, soil biomass and fertility.

Ageratum conyzoides is a common weed of the Niger Delta tropical and semi tropical regions useful in tradomedicine. This research investigated the taxonomic characteristics of the plant. The stem is erect, sometimes prostrate, branched and hairy. The petiolate leaves are simple ovate with opposite phyllotaxy having serrated margins measuring up to 10±2cm long and 7±2cm wide, growing to 80±15cm in height, with an acute apex. The inflorescence is terminal axillary cluster with whitish to pale bluish tubular florets. Epidermal study revealed anomocytic stomata which is amphistomatic in nature. Anatomical study showed a layer of epidermal cells. The hypodermis is made of 2 to 3 rolls of collenchyma, general cortex and pith dominated by parenchyma in the same pattern of occurrence in mid-ribs, petioles, stems, nodes and roots except that the number of rolls of cells varied slightly and vasculation is open type. There are presence of crystals and tanniferous cells. Proximate investigation revealed 81.45±0.12% moisture, 0.65±0.2% ash, 3.70±0.11% lipid, 4.42±0.04% proteins, 3.10±0.09% carbohydrate and 6.68±0.01% fiber respectively. The information generated here would further assist in the delimitation of the species.

From herbarium specimens and literature review of Rubiaceae, we established a list of 387 endemic taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) from Lower Guinea Domain, with 288 present in Cameroon. Two hundred and three taxa having specimens from BM, BR, BRLU, P, K, MO, SCA, WAG, and YA were taken into account in our analyses. The specific diversity was determined by counting the number of species per grid square with Arc view 3.3. The distribution maps are obtained by projecting the coordinates of collecting sites on map of Cameroon. It appears that there are several hotspots of Rubiaceae in Cameroun. Four principal zones are distinguished: Mount Cameroon area (86 taxa), Kupe and Bakossi area (66 taxa), Bipindi-Akom II area (68 taxa), and Yaounde and its surroundings (28 taxa). The most significant factor to explain the endemism and the specific richness of Rubiaceae in Cameroun is altitude. The high precipitation and the continental gradient also play an important role in explaining this richness. The confinement of endemic Rubiaceae in Atlantic forests seems to be an argument in favor of this hypothesis. The area around Yaoundé and the massifs around Bipindi have no conservation status. Both areas are under permanent threat from logging and slash-and-burn agriculture and from ever-increasing population pressures. There is an urgent need for conservation measures to be taken to protect these forests, the importance of which is highlighted in this study. Yaounde is a large urban agglomeration and the easily accessible hills could be, in the medium term, financially viable through ecotourism.

Three common medicinal plants in the Philippines, Gliricidia sepium (madre de cacao), Melothria pendula (wild pipino), and Pithecellobium dulce (Camachile), were studied to determine their phytochemical components. Healthy, matured leaves of which were collected from Piat, Cagayan, thoroughly washed, air-dried, and then subjected for ethanolic extraction. Phytochemical analysis showed that G. sepium contains coumarins, saponins, steroids (cardiac glycosides), tannins, and terpenoids. M. pendula, on the other hand, possesses alkaloids, anthraquinones, quinones, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, and xanthoproteins. P. dulce, meanwhile, has alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins, quinones, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, and xanthoproteins. These secondary metabolites present on the leaf extract of the aforementioned plants have various pharmacological properties such as analgesic, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. This is the reason that these plants were widely used in the local community for the treatment and immediate remedy for common ailments such as fever, loose bowel, and simple wounds.

Since there is insufficient study about morphological and genetic alteration of acid rain using Allium cepa test; hence, this study was conducted. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) was used to simulate acid rain. The two parameters were observed in six (6) treatments where in T1, served as negative control (distilled water at pH 7), followed by varying pH values of simulated sulfuric acid rain - T2 (pH 3.8), T3 (pH 4.08), T4 (pH 4.4), T5 (pH 4.63) and T6 (pH 5.32). To evaluate the morphological effects simulated sulfuric acid rain, number of root counts, percentage root growth and root length were considered. On the other, mitotic index, chromosomal index and chromosomal aberration were the focused of genetic alteration of simulated sulfuric acid rain. Thus, T1, as negative control, showed higher percentage root growth, longer root lengths, higher MI value and lower CI value, as compared to the rest of the treatments. On the other hand, T3 (using pH value of 4.08) had the lowest number of roots grown. T2 (using pH value of 3.80) showed lowest percentage root growth, shortest roots lengths, lowest MI value and highest CI value, as compared to the rest of the treatments. Moreover, there were nine (9) chromosomal aberration identified. And all of these were observed in T2. These CAs include sticky, laggard, bridge, and vagrant chromosomes, micronucleus, fragments, polyploidy, binucleate and nuclear lesions. But in T7, having the lowest frequency of aberrant cell, only sticky and vagrant chromosomes, fragments and polyploidy were the chromosomal aberrations observed in this treatment. It can be concluded that low pH values of simulated sulfuric acid did interfere with cell division and has genotoxicity effect on the cells as indicated by the morphological facet of the A. cepa roots. Thus, these results suggest that the lower pH value of simulated sulfuric acid rain, the more adverse morphological and genetic alteration effect to A. cepa.

Free gingival graft (FGG) continues to be most common and ideal procedure for the treatment of mucogingival problems. Amniotic membrane (AM) has shown promising results in context to healing and patients comfort in various treatment modalities like local drug delivery, after vestibuloplasty, treatment of periodontal osseous defects, gingival recessions and furcation defects but its efficacy in covering palatal wound has not yet been tested so the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of AM assisted healing as against natural healing of palatal wound after free gingival graft retrieval at different time intervals. In this randomized controlled trial 10 patients requiring treatment with FGG were selected. Palatal donor sites were randomly assigned (n=5 in each group) to experience either AM assisted healing (group A) or natural healing (group B). Healing at donor site was evaluated using Marini Early Wound Healing Score (EHS) and pain score by Wong and Baker Faces Scale (WBFS). Data were assessed and recorded at one, two and three weeks post-operatively. This prospective study showed statistically significant differences between test and control groups in terms of post-operative re-epithelization, inflammation, haemostasis and pain scores. Amniotic Membrane provides excellent predictability and reduction in inflammatory and pain scores resulting in better wound healing when used as periodontal dressing material as compared to natural healing in palatal free gingival graft wounds.