Evaluation of Toxicological Effects of Spondias Mombin in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Spondias mombin is relied on for various herbal remedies for numerous conditions. This study is to evaluate the acute toxic effect of mombin in adult male Wistar rats. Acute toxicity test was carried out with modified Lorke’s method. Twenty-five male rats weighing between 120-180g were used for the sub-chronic study. The rats were divided into five groups A- E (n=5). Group A served as control. Group B and C received respectively 250mgkg-1 and 500mgkg-1 body weight doses of aqueous leaf extract,  groups D and E received  250mgkg-1 and 500mgkg-1 body weight doses of ethanolic extract. Treatments lasted for twenty eight days. Acute toxicity test carried out showed that leaf extracts of Spondias mombin did not produce mortality in rats.  Significant (p<0.05) reduction in brain and kidney weights was observed in group E treated with 500mgkg-1 of ethanolic extract. Similarly, significant (p<0.05) reduction was observed in spleen weights in groups C and E that were treated with 500mgkg-1 of both extracts. The levels of LDL (p<0.001) and ALP (p<0.05) were significantly reduced.  Alterations in the histology of the liver and kidney of extracts treated groups were observed. Conclusion: This result suggests that although the use of the leaf extracts of Spondias mombin is relatively safe, hepatic and renal toxicity may occur with prolonged use. Keywords: Adverse effects, Mortality, Methods, Complication, Utilizatio

Comparative Study of Neuronal Degenerative Potentials of Ethanolic Root Bark and Leaf Extracts of Rauwolfia Vomitoria on the Cerebellum of Adult Wistar Rats

Rauwolfia vomitoria has been used for centuries in India and Africa for treatment of a variety of disorders including snake bites and sting, insomnia and insanity. Neuronal degenerative potentials of ethanolic root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria on the cerebellum of adult wistar rats was investigated. Thirty wistar rats weighing between 170-240g were divided into six groups, each consisting of five rats. Groups A served as the normal control that received distilled water while group B served as the olive oil control that received 0.5mls of olive oil. Experimental groups C and D received 200mg/kg, 300mg/kg of ethanolic root bark extracts while groups E and F received 200mg/kg, 300mg/kg of the leaf extract orally respectively for seven days.  In this study, the treatment groups showed a dose-dependent degree of silver impregnation of the cell bodies and axons. The sections of the cerebellar cortex of the treated group C, D, E and F showed various degrees of neurodegenerative changes highlighted by the silver stain impregnation which was more intense in groups C and D that received 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg ethanolic root-bark than in the groups E and F that received 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg of ethanolic leaf extract. These changes may result in cerebellar dysfunction Keywords: Ethanolic extracts, Root-bark extract, Leaf extract, Rauwolfia vomitoria

Antigonadotrophic Effect of Spondias Mombin Leaf Extract In Male Wistar Rats

Spondias mombin is a fructiferous tree used for medicinal purposes and is relied on for its contraceptive and abortifacient properties. The aim is study is to investigate the effect of Spondias mombin leaf’s aqueous extract on the anterior pituitary cells and hormones. 30 mature male Wistar rats (180- 200g) were obtained and divided equally into three groups 1, 2 and 3. Group 1 served as control and received vehicle. Groups 2 and 3 were treated with 400mgkg-1 and 800mgkg-1 of the leaf extract through oral gavage for 28 days. The animals were anaesthetized by chloroform and sacrificed on the 29th day.  Blood was obtained from the hearts of the animals and skull was opened to excise the pituitary gland. Testicular and accessory glandular weights were taken. Regression of gonadotropin cells was observed in the experimental groups compared to the control. Hormonal assay showed significantly reduced levels (p<0.05) of FSH, LH and T in experimental groups. Significant (p<0.05) changes were recorded in weights of testis, epididymis and prostate gland with no changes in the weight of seminal vesicle. We conclude that aqueous leaf extract of Spondias mombin may cause regression of the anterior pituitary cells with decrease in serum levels of FSH, LH and T which supports its use as an herbal contraceptive. Keywords: Antigonadotrophic, FSH, LH, Spondias mombin, Regression

Teratogenic Effects of Crude Ethanolic Root Bark and Leaf Extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) on the Femur of Albino Wistar Rat Fetuses

Introduction. Rauwolfia vomitoria is a plant used as a sedative and in the treatment of psychotic tendency. This study was on the teratogenic effects of its root bark and leaf extracts on Wistar rat’s fetal femurs. Materials and Methods. Twenty-five female rats weighing between 180 and 200 g were divided into 5 groups, of 5 rats each. Group A was the control, while Groups B, C, D, and E were the experimental. The female rats were mated with mature male rats to allow for pregnancy. Groups B and C animals received orally 150 mg/kg each of the root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria, respectively, while Groups D and E animals received 250 mg/kg bodyweight each of the root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria, respectively, from day 7 to day 11 of gestation. On day 20 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed, the fetuses were examined, and their femurs were dissected out and preserved, decalcified, and routinely processed using the Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method. Results. Histological observations of the fetal femur bones showed numerous osteoblast and osteoclast, hypertrophy, and hyperplasia of bone cells compared with the control. Conclusion. Ethanolic root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria may lead to advanced skeletal development