Cytotoxicity of chlopyrifos and cypermethrin: The ameliorative effects of antioxidants

The present paper reviews the mechanism underlying chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin poisoning. It explains the mechanism of action of chlopyrifos and cypermethrin and the role of oxidative stress. It sheds light on the interaction between chlopyrifos and cypermethrin as observed in many cocktails of pesticide combinations today. It also explains the adverse health effects of pesticides and some antioxidants which may ameliorate their effects. Further research aimed at identifying more agents that may ameliorate chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin-induced toxicity should be carried out.Key words: Pesticides, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin oxidative stress, antioxidant

Toxicological Evaluation of Ethanol Extract of Adenium obesum Stem Bark in African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus

The toxicity of ethanol extract of Adenium obesum stem bark as a tool foraquaculture pond management prior to the stocking of desired fish species was evaluated in Clarias gariepinus over a 96-h exposure. The fish were exposed to 6.25 mgL-1, 7.50 mgL-1, 8.20 mgL-1, 8.80 mgL-1 and 10.00 mgL-1 of the extract and a control in an acute static toxicity bioassay after performing a range finding test to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50) of the extract. Exposed fish showed signs of changed behaviours with adaptive responses, respiratory distress and nervous compromise, including mortality in some of the exposed fish. The appearance and intensities of the observed signs were concentration and exposure period-dependent. An LC50 value of 7.35 mgL-1 was establishedfor the extract in the exposed fish where mean mortality was significantly (p<0.05) concentration and exposure period-dependent. The toxic nature of the extract in the exposed hardy fish can be exploited for effective aquaculture pond management against some unwanted predatory and weed aquatic organisms. However, the indiscriminate use of higher extract concentrations could seriously jeopardise the biodiversity of any aquaticenvironment

Haematotoxicity of ethanol extract of Adenium obesum (Forssk) Roem & Schult stem bark in Wistar rats

Purpose: To investigate the acute toxicity of ethanol extract of Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult stem bark in Wistar rats in relation to haematological parameters.Methods: This involved the administration of single dose of 300 mgkg-1, 2000 mgkg-1 and 5000 mgkg-1 of the extract by oral gavage separately to three different groups of female rats (n = 3) one after another based on the absence of mortality and/or morbidity during a 14-day observation period. The control group was administered distilled water as placebo (1 mL per 100 g body weight).Results: The exposed rats did not show any obvious signs of toxicity, morbidity or mortality. Median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was ≥ 5000 mgkg-1 or ∞ (unclassified) based on the fixed LD50 cut-off values. Final body weight of control rats (196.00 ± 3.06 g) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the initial body weight (184.30 ± 1.45 g) and weight gain in extract treated groups was not significant (p > 0.05). Packed cell volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentrations in the rats (42.67 ± 1.33 %, 5.10 ± 0.20 x 1012 L-1 and 130.70 ± 2.96 gL-1, respectively did not change significantly (p > 0.05). However, the white blood cell count significantly increased from 7.50 ± 0.63 x 109 to 11.63 ± 0.50 x 109L-1 while the lymphocyte count significantly increased from 5.81 ± 0.43 x 109 to 9.99 ± 0.42 x 109 L-1 (p < 0.05) at the highest extract dose (5000 mgkg-1) compared to their respective controls.Conclusion: Adenium obesum might not be haematotoxic and is considered a safe medicinal plant administered orally.Keywords: Adenium obesum, Haemoglobin, Blood count, Mortality, Morbidity, Haematotoxicit

Effect of fermented seed extract of Carica papaya on litters of female wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

This study was performed to determine the effects of fermented seeds of Carica papaya on litters of female Wistar rats, and ascertain its safety as a food condiment. Animals in group one served as control, and were given only water; those in groups two and three were given the aqueous extract of the fermented seeds of C. papaya at 500 and 1500 mg/kg, respectively, from gestation day six to gestation day 15, kept till terms and allowed to litter. Results showed that the percentage increase inweight of rats in the control group was not significant (

Evaluation of Anti-Fertility Property of Lawsonia Inermis L. (Lythraceae) Roots in Rats

Traditional contraceptive practices and use of medicinal plants is a common occurrence in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Lawsonia inermis L. (Lythraceae) roots which is the most frequently used anti-fertility agent was evaluated in rats. Apparently healthy female and male Wistar rats were used. Pre-implantation and mating ratio, determinations of implantation sites and Corpora lutea were also conducted. The effects of extract on weight of the rats were also determined. There were loss of implantation sites and decrease in body weight. The number of implantation sites showed dose–response relationship significantly (p£0.05) among the doses of extract and to standard drug (ethinyl estradiol). There was also significant (p£0.05) difference observed in the number of Corpora lutea in all experimental and control groups. Similarly, there was significant (p£0.05) difference observed in all the experimental and control groups on percentage pre-implantation loss. The plant extract exhibit anti-fertility effects. The finding may explain the traditional use of the plant as antifertility agent.Keywords: Traditional Medicine, Contraception, Methanol Extract, L. inermis Root, Medicinal Plant

Haematogical changes induced by subchronic glyphosate exposure: Ameliorative effect of zinc in Wistar rats

The aim of this study was to determine the haematological changes induced by subchronic glyphosate exposure in Wistar rats and the ameliorative effect of zinc. Sixty adult male and female Wistar rats were used for the study. Twelve of them were used for the LD50 which was evaluated to be 3750 mg kg-1 with clinical signs of respiratory distress, diarrhoea, rough hair coat and subsequently death observed. The remaining 48 rats were divided into six groups of four males and four females each. The agent(s) administered are as follows: Group I (DW), control, distilled water (2 ml kg-1), group II (Z), zinc (50 mg kg-1), group III (G), glyphosate (375 mg kg-1, 10 % of the LD50), group IV (Z + G), zinc (50 mg kg-1) and glyphosate (375 mg kg-1) while group V (GC), glyphosate (14.4 mg kg-1) and group VI (Z + GC), zinc (50 mg kg-1) and glyphosate (14.4 mg kg-1). The treatment regimens were administered orally by gavage once daily for eight weeks. At the end of the study, blood samples were collected and analysed but there were no statistical different (p>0.05) among the treatment groups. However, the haematological parameters were relatively higher in the groups treated with glyphosate alone except the lymphocyte which was relatively low in the glyphosate treated groups compared to the control group. These changes were suggestive of haematological toxicity induced by oxidative stress caused by glyphosate exposure. In conclusion, the alterations in the haematological parameters such as packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, total white blood cell count, neutrophils and lymphocyte counts induced by subchronic glyphosate exposure were found to be differentially ameliorated by pre-treatment with zinc.Keywords: Ameliorate, Glyphosate, Haematology, Subchronic, Wistar rat, Zinc