Immunoregulatory properties of n-hexane extract of Osmundastrum cinnamomeum in treatment of Plasmodium berghei infection in mice

Malaria control is threatened by the emergence of drug-resistant parasites and there is an urgent need for the development of antimalarial agents with novel mechanisms of actions. This study evaluated the anti-plasmodial and immune-modulatory activities of N-hexane leaf extract of Osmundastrum cinnamomeum in a mice model. Chloroquineresistant Plasmodium berghei infected mice were separated into six treatment groups and treated orally with 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract, water and combination of dihydroartemisinin/ piperaquine (DHAP), respectively. Parasitological activities and survival rates were monitored for 30 days’ post infection. Phytochemical composition of O. cinnamomeum was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods. Levels of TNF-α and IL-10 were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Leaf extract of O. cinnamomeum is rich in terpenoids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. The extract showed significant (p<0.05) antiplasmodial effect in the treated groups relative to parasitemia (23.68 %) in the untreated control on day 13. Parasitaemia was significantly higher in the DHAP group (9.83 %) on day 30 compared to extract treatment of 50 mg/kg (2.09 %) and 100 mg/kg (1.83 %). Significantly low level of TNF-α (28.82 pg/ml) and conversely, high expression of IL-10 (79.04 pg/ml) were recorded in the 50 mg/kg test group. There was a significantly higher survival rate of animals in the same group (50 mg/kg). In conclusion O. cinnamomeum demonstrated potential activity to suppress parasite and also prime the immune system against malaria infection in mice. Therefore, O. cinnamomeum may be used as a potential adjunctive therapy in the treatment of malaria infection.Keywords: Osmundastrum cinnamomeum, Plasmodium berghei, Immunomodulation, Inflammatory cytokine

Gene frequencies of ABO and Rh blood groups in Nigeria: A review

Background : ABO and Rhesus factor (Rh) blood type are germane in human life in genetics and clinical studies. Aim of the study : The review was undertaken with the objective to provide data on the ABO and Rh(D) blood group distribution and gene frequency across Nigeria which is vital for blood transfusion and susceptibility to disease. Materials and methods: Literature search for ABO/Rh blood distribution in Nigeria was done and allele frequencies of A, B, O, D and d were calculated from the frequency recorded from six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. We reported frequency of ABO and Rhesus blood type from 318,940 and 280,514 individuals respectively. Prevalence were reported as percentage and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested using Chi square test and p was set at 0.05 unless otherwise stated. Results : We reported ABO blood group frequencies in the order O > A > B > AB (52.93%, 22.77%, 20.64% and 3.66%) while prevalence of Rh+ was 94.90% from total population studied. Our reported frequencies did not differ from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (goodness-of-fit X 2 for ABO = 1.74 df = 3, p < 0.05). Allelic frequencies for A(p), B(q) and O(r) are 0.143, 0.130 and 0.728 respectively. Conclusion : The study provides information on the distribution/frequency of ABO/Rh(D) blood group and their corresponding allelic proportion in a large Nigeria study. It also revealed how the Nigerian populations in the North, South, West and East vary with respect to genetic traits. This vital information will be important for population genetics and anthropology studies and may be helpful in planning for future health strategy and blueprint, particularly planning with regards to disease management and blood transfusion medicine

Relationship between Ratio of Second and Fourth Digit and Obesity Traits among Different Ethnic Groups in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

Digit ratio (2D:4D) denotes the relative length of the second and fourth digits. There are contradicting reports on its relationship with ethnicity/race, whereas convincing studies show it is related to obesity. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to demystify ethnic difference in 2D:4D ratio and to analyze its relationship with obesity among adults in Ilorin Nigeria. The cross-sectional study included 701 individuals. Finger lengths were measured with electronic calipers and other anthropometric traits were measured with standard procedure. Student t test and one-way ANOVA were used to detect differences among groups and relationship was computed with Pearson correlation. The receiver operator characteristic curves were used to detect the diagnostic effect of 2D:4D for obesity. The obtained results showed sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D ratio and other anthropometrics at p 0.05); this result proved that there was no ethnic specificity in 2D:4D ratio among study' participants. Thus, it can be reported that the digit ratio was related to high 2D:4D, but this cannot be said for different ethnic groups. The results imply that 2D:4D might be a good surrogate indicator for obesity, but not ethnicity

Assessment of histopathological damages in Swiss albino male mice induced by automobile waste leachate

The activities of auto-mechanic workshops in Nigeria are known to adversely affect the environment and pose threat to its biodiversity. This present study examined the testes, liver and kidney histopathological damages in Swiss albino male mice caused by automobile waste leachate from Ipata-Oloje, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Six treatment groups of 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25% leachate and a positive control each containing four mice per replicate were intraperitoneally administered 0.5 mL leachate sample as well as negative and positive control for 5 consecutive days. The result of heavy metal analysis of the sample presented elements such as Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn at concentrations above the permissible limits. The histology of kidney, liver and testes show gross structural abnormalities compared to the negative control. Testes histopathological damage includes shrinking of the tubular epithelium, slight vacuolation, degeneration of the tubular epithelium and atrophy of the germinal epithelium. Liver damages include distorted liver tissue architecture with infiltration, unevenly distributed sinusoids around the hepatic and portal tracts. This study showed organ toxicity arising from automobile waste and will help in proper management and disposal of this waste. Keywords: Mice, Automobile waste, Histopathological damages, Vacuolation, Tubular epithelium, Sinusoids, Heavy metal

Actividad enzimática in vivo e inducción de daño en el ADN en ratones machos albinos suizos por lixiviación de desechos de automóviles

The rapid growth of motor vehicles use, together with poor waste disposal, produce environmental and biological threats. We evaluated the genotoxicity and enzyme activity of simulated automobile waste leachate in Swiss albino male mice (Mus musculus). Four mice per group were intraperitoneally treated with four leachate concentrations (10%, 15%, 20% and 25% v/v: simulant (IOASL)/distilled water), as well as a negative control (0.5mL UILSL); and a positive control (cyclophosphamide 20mg/Kg body weight) for five consecutive days. There was a concentration-dependent increase in sperm abnormality compared to the negative control (except at 10% and 15%; p&lt;0,05). Heavy metal (Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn) exceeded permissible limits for waste water. Significant variability was also recorded in liver serum enzyme activity (AST, ALP, ALT and ALB) and in the frequencies of micronuclei (p&lt;0,05). The interaction of some of these components with the genetic constitution of the cell during spermatogenesis might be responsible for the abnormalities. El rápido crecimiento del uso de vehículos automotores, junto con la eliminación deficiente de residuos, producen amenazas ambientales y biológicas. Evaluamos la genotoxicidad y la actividad enzimática del lixiviado de residuos de automóviles en ratones machos albinos suizos (Mus musculus). Cuatro ratones por grupo fueron tratados por vía intraperitoneal con cuatro concentraciones de lixiviados (10%, 15%, 20% y 25% v/v: simulante(IOASL)/agua destilada), como control negativo (0,5mL UILSL); y un control positivo (ciclofosfamida 20mg/Kg de peso corporal) durante cinco días consecutivos. Hubo un aumento dependiente de la concentración en la anormalidad del esperma en comparación con el control negativo (excepto al 10% y 15%, p&lt;0,05). El metal pesado (Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cr, Cu, Fe y Zn) excedió los límites permisibles para las aguas residuales. También se registró una variabilidad significativa en la actividad enzimática del suero hepático (AST, ALP, ALT y ALB) en las frecuencias de micronúcleos (p&lt;0,05). La interacción de algunos de estos componentes con la constitución genética de la célula durante la espermatogénesis podría ser responsable de las anomalías

Cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos raises serum urea level and causes abnormal sperm morphology in Wistar rats

Chlorpyrifos (organophosphate) and cypermethrin (pyrethroid) are insecticides, which are widely used for agricultural as well as for domestic purposes. This study investigated the toxicological effect of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin on selected organs and tissues of male Wistar rats. Nine (9) male Wistar rats were randomly grouped into three and were orally given chlorpyrifos or cypermethrin, while the control group was given distilled water for 28 days. The results revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in rat serum AST activity for the chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin groups. Also, there was significant elevation in serum urea following oral exposure to either chlorpyrifos or cypermethrin. Conversely, a reduction in the rat liver ALP activity for treatment with cypermethrin or chlorpyrifos was recorded. Thehistology results revealed that the administration of chlorpyrifos but not cypermethrin for 28 days has no significant effecton the biochemical properties and sperm morphology of the rats. Taken together, findings indicate that cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos exposure in rats predisposes to renal injury, while altering sperm morpholog