Evaluation of the Side Effects of Cisplatin Drug in a Nephrotoxicity Model of Wistar Rats

This study critically assessed the observable side effects of cisplatin (anti-tumor) drug in a Portulaca oleracea treated nephrotoxicized wistar rats. Twenty four albino female rats were grouped into four-groups A, B, C, & D. Group A served as the control group; group C and D were all nephrotoxicized using 2ml/kg cisplatin and treated with 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg doses of Portulaca oleracea methanolic extract respectively. Group B were nephrotoxicized but remained untreated. Significant Increase in serum creatinine (P<0.05) in group B rats showed presence of nephrotoxicity and results further showed recovery (significant decrease at P<0.05) in serum creatinine level of groups C &D rats due to the administration of portulaca oleracea. Physically observable features were examined in the rats at the 4th & 7th day of drug administration which showed the presence of side effects (ototoxicity, loss of appetite, black stool, dizziness, fever, etc) which were seen to be increasing with prolonged administration. This research posits seemingly untreatable side effect of cisplatin chemotherapy which increases with increased chemotherapy duration and decreased side effects in the combination of portulaca oleracea in cisplatin chemotherapy. Keywords: chemotherapy, cisplatin and nephrotoxicity

The Pharmaceutical Properties, Microbial Quality, In-vivo Aphrodisiac Effect and Safety of Some Herbal Bitters Sold in Southwest Nigeria

Aphrodisiac drugs are used to enhance sexual activity and rectify erectile dysfunction especially among older men. In Nigeria, herbal medicinal products formulated as herbal drinks/bitters are prevalent and sold in various locations including motor parks, store and markets. Despite their wide use, the potency and safety of the herbal drinks have not been ascertained. Thus, pharmaceutical and aphrodisiac properties of five randomly selected herbal drinks with aphrodisiac claim have been evaluated. Pharmaceutical and microbial qualities were evaluated using standard procedures and the in vivo aphrodisiac activities were evaluated in male Wistar rats. The effects of chronic consumption of the bitters on the biochemical and tissue histology were assessed. The herbal bitters exhibited low viscosity (< 10 cP), high alcohol content (30 – 52 %), acidic pH (3.33 - 5.40), and low density (0.942-1.070 g/ml). The phytoconstituents include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardenolides, tannins and anthraquinone. Microbial contaminations were with the limits for oral preparations. The bitters exhibited significant (p < 0.001) aphrodisiac effect but had no significant effect on fertility and hematological parameters. Chronic consumption of the herbal drinks at 250mg/kg following was hepatotoxic while two brands were cardiotoxic and nephrotoxic. There is therefore the need to monitor and control the quality and use of herbal bitters/drinks sold in the Nigerian market to safeguard public healt

The Renoprotective Effect of Methanolic Extract of Portulaca Oleracea on Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Wistar Rats

This study was carried out to investigate the renoprotective effect of Portulaca oleracea on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic wistar rats. Twenty four (24) female wistar rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups - Group A were given no treatment and served as the control group; Group B was given only a single dose of cisplatin (2ml/kg) and served as the cisplatin control group. Groups C and D were orally given 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg body weight of methanolic extract of portulaca oleracea (MEPO) respectively 6 hours after cisplatin injection (2ml/kg) . Groups E and F were orally given 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg body weight of MEPO respectively 6hours before cisplatin injection (2ml/kg) for 7 days. The effect of the treatment on relative kidney weight, serum creatinine level, serum uric acid and histoarchitecture of the rat kidney were accessed. Results showed significantly decreased serum creatinine levels (p<0.05) in rats treated with 400mg/kg b.wt. and 800mg/kg b.wt.  MEPO as compared with the cisplatin control group. Serum uric acid was significantly decreased  in groups C, D, E, and F when compared with control A. The relative average weight of the kidney increased significantly in all treated groups except group treated with 800mg/kg b.wt. MEPO 6hours before cisplatin. Kidney histological slides showed both recovery from and prevention of effects of induced toxicity at all treatment doses. Results suggest that Portulaca oleracea extract may be used to cure or prevent cisplatin-induced renal toxicity without any adverse effect; hence it can serve as a novel combination agent with cisplatin to limit renal injury. Keywords: Cisplatin, portulaca oleracea, renoprotection, nephrotoxicity

Aluminum Intoxication Induced Biochemical and Histopathological Alterations in Male Wistar Albino Rats Hepotocytes

Aluminum is released into the environment both by natural and anthropogenic processes and its neurological effects are well documented but this effect is on the hepatocytes is poorly studied. This study evaluates the biochemical and histopathological alterations in hepatocytes of aluminum intoxicated rats. A total of sixteen (24) rats of eight (8) each in a group were given 3.8mg/kg and 38mg/kg body weight of aluminum (treated groups) and 0.2ml normal saline (control) respectively for days 7 and 14. The protein and aluminum levels, and histopathological  examination were determined using standard methods. The weight of aluminum exposed rats differed significantly (p<0.05) after days 7, 10 and 14. The results showed significant  increase (p<0.05) in aluminum levels in liver homogenate of the group given 38mg/kg, 3.8mg/kg and 38mg/kg  after days 7 and 14 respectively. However, the protein level in liver homogenate decreased significantly (p<0.05) for the aluminum test group given 38mg/kg after days 7 and 14, as compared to the control. The results from this study showed that the liver sections collected from test animals showed proliferation of cells around the portal tract (PT) but the liver sections of  control animals were normal with well preserved hepatic cells (H). This result suggests that aluminum ingestion induced accumulation, biochemical and histopathological alterations in aluminum exposed rats. Keywords: Aluminum Intoxication, Histopathology,Cellular Proliferation