Histomorphological and morphometric studies of the pancreatic islet cells of diabetic rats treated with extracts of Annona muricata

Microanatomical changes in the pancreatic islet cells of streptozotocin induced diabetic Wistar rats were studied after treatment with methanolic extracts of Annona muricata leaves. Thirty adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups (control, untreated diabetic group, and A. muricata-treated diabetic group) of ten rats each. Diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced in groups B and C by a single intra-peritoneal injection of 80 mg/kg streptozotocin dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer. The control rats were intraperitoneally injected with an equivalent volume of citrate buffer. Daily intra peritoneal injections of 100 mg/kg A. muricata were administered to group C rats for two weeks. Post sacrifice the pancreases of the rats were excised and fixed in Bouin’s fluid. The tissues were processed for paraffin embedding and sections of 5 μm thickness were produced and stained with H & E, Gomori aldehyde fuchsin, and chrome alum haematoxylin-phloxine for demonstration of the β-cells of islets of pancreatic islets. Histomorphological and morphometric examination of the stained pancreatic sections showed a significant increase in the number, diameter, and volume of the β-cells of pancreatic islets of the A. muricata-treated group (5.67 ± 0.184 N/1000 μm2, 5.38 ± 0.093 μm and 85.12 ± 4.24 μm3, respectively) when compared to that of the untreated diabetic group of rats (2.85 ± 0.361 N/1000 μm2, 2.85 ± 0.362 μm and 69.56 ± 5.216 μm3, respectively). The results revealed regeneration of the β-cells of islets of pancreatic islet of rats treated with extract of A. muricata. (Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 2: 92-100

Effects of ficus exasperata vahl. (moraceae) leaf aqueous extract on the renal function of streptozotocin-treated rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible reno-protective effect of Ficus exasperata leaf aqueous extract (FEE) in a rat experimental paradigm of diabetes mellitus. Forty Wistar rats (weighing 200–230 g) were divided into four (A, B, C, and D) groups, each group consisting of 10 rats. Group A rats served as ‘control’ animals and received citrate buffer (pH 6.3) solution in quantities equivalent to intraperitoneally-administered volumes of streptozotocin (STZ) and FEE. Diabetes mellitus was induced in Groups B and C rats by intraperitoneal injections of STZ (75 mg/kg). Group C rats were additionally treated with FEE (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) 4 weeks post STZ injections, for 4 consecutive weeks. Group D rats received FEE (100 mg/kg/day p.o.) only for 4 weeks. Post-euthanisation, kidney tissues were excised for histopathological evaluation and processed for light microscopy. Plasma malondialdehyde and tissue nitric oxide were determined. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, nitrite, and albumin concentrations were measured for the evaluation of renal function. The diabetic rats significantly lost more weight and their blood glucose levels were significantly elevated as compared to the ‘control’ group of animals. Renal dysfunction was evidenced by kidney hypertrophy, decreased renal blood flow, and increased serum creatinine and nitrite concentrations. Furthermore, vascular dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased carotid blood flow, was observed in the diabetic rats. FEE treatment positively ameliorated the alterations in the biochemical variables in the STZ + FEE-treated rats. In conclusion, our findings suggest that FEE treatment ameliorates STZ-induced nephrotoxicity

Northern Nigeria: Sheep and goat production in the traditional Fulani agropastoral sector

Data are presented on the performance of Yankasa sheep and Red Sokoto goats kept by Fulani pastoralistst in a traditional agropastoral system in north Nigeria. Some comparisons are made with data from other studies in Nigeria and various West African countries. It is evident that small ruminant, especially goats, are important in providing ready cash for small household requirements. Management, nutrition and pre-weaning mortality are the main constraints to increased productivity, and efforts should be made to develop low-cost, low technology assistance in these areas

Antitrichomonal and antioxidant activities of Dorstenia barteri and Dorstenia convexa

Dorstenia barteri and D. convexa extracts and some isolated components of the former were investigated for effectiveness against Trichomonas gallinarum and compared with quercetin and quercitrin. The antioxidant activity of the extracts/compounds was also determined. The minimum lethal concentrations (MLCs) for the extract of D. barteri leaves and twigs at 24 h were found to be 15.625 and 15.625 µg/ml, respectively. However, the MLCs of the leaf and twig extract of D. convexa were 125 and 437.5 µg/ml, respectively. The prenylated and geranylated chalcones were as active as the prenylated flavones, 6-prenylapigenin and the diprenylated derivative 6,8-diprenyleridictyol. The order of the antitrichomonal activity of the compounds at 24 h was: quercetin (0.121 µg/ml) > quercitrin (0.244 µg/ml) > or = bartericin B (0.244 µg/ml) > bartericin A (0.73 µg/ml) > stigmasterol (0.98 µg/ml) > 6,8-diprenyleridictyol = isobavachalcone = dorsmanin F (31.25 µg/ml). D. barteri extracts, quercitrin, and bartericin A, and the prenylated flavonoids had potent antioxidant properties. The twig extract of D. barteri was more potent than the leaf extract. Moderate (EC50 >50 µg/ml) and high (EC50 <50 µg/ml) antioxidant activities were detected in the leaf and twig extracts of D. barteri and the prenylated flavonoids. Prenylated flavonoids and the isolated compounds with antioxidant properties described here may account for the anti-inflammatory action of these extracts. The antitrichomonal and antioxidant activities shown by the extracts and compounds in this study are consistent with the ethnomedicinal and local use of the Dorstenia species studied