Antispermatogenic Activity Of Morinda Morindoides Root Bark Extract In Male Wistar Rats

To investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of the root bark of Morinda morindoides (Rubiaceae) on the reproductive activity of male Wistar rats, three groups (A, B and C) of six rats each were treated with 400,800 and 1600 mg/kg/day of Morinda morindoides root bark extract respectively for 28 days while 5mls/kg of distilled water was given to the control group D. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed and sperm characteristics, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. Morinda morindoides root bark extract caused a significant reduction (p<0.05) in sperm motility, a significant dose dependent reduction in the sperm count and a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent increase in morphological abnormalities of the spermatozoa of the treated rats. Histopathological evaluation of the testis and epididymis revealed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis of the germinal epithelia cell of the seminiferous tubules and spermiostasis. Morinda morindoides root bark extract has significant anti-spermatogenic effects on adult male Wistar rats which could impair reproductive activities in these male Wistar rats. &nbsp

Intra-nasal midazolam in conscious sedation of young pediatric dental patients.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of 3 different doses of intra-nasal midazolam in the conscious sedation of young paediatric dental patients and to compare the effectiveness of the sedation in the fasting and non-fasting child. DESIGN: Double blind random controlled trial. SAMPLE AND METHODS: Thirty-eight uncooperative young children aged 2-5 years (mean age 4.02 years) were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups. The groups and the doses of midazolam administered intra-nasally were A: 0.3 mg/kg, B: 0.4 mg/kg, and C: 0.5 mg/kg body weight. Each child in each group had two visits for restorative treatment: one without food (fasting) and the other with soft drink and light food (non-fasting) before treatment. Child behaviour and sedative effects were evaluated using the scoring system of Houpt. The vital signs were monitored continuously using a pulse oximeter and Dinamap machine. RESULTS: There was rapid onset of sedation with the maximal effect between 8 and 15 minutes. This sedation lasted for 25-40 minutes in Groups A and B and for 60 minutes in Group C. Conscious sedation and dental treatment were achieved in 79%, 96% and 100% of the children in Groups A, B and C, respectively. Consistently higher Houpt scores were seen in Groups B and C, with statistically significant differences between Groups A and C, and B and C (Tukey's range test, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the general behaviour of the child, the onset and the duration of sedation between the fasting and the non-fasting child (nonparametric ANOVA P > 0.05). All the vital signs were within normal physiological limits and there were no significant adverse effects either with or without fasting. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 doses of intranasal midazolam were effective in modifying the behaviour of the uncooperative child patient to accept dental treatment. This was irrespective of fasting.King Saud Universit

Diabetogenic potential of dexamethasone and effect Annona muricata methanolic bark extract as post-exposure therapy in albino rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder leading to high level of morbidity and mortality in human population and it has been identified as the leading cause of death from non- nfectious diseases. The use of dexamethasone has been on the increase due to widearray of therapeutic effects it&nbsp; has and the use has mostly been without prescription, since it is a non- prescription drug. Therefore, the potential of dexamethasone to induce DM&nbsp; was studied. Some of the drugs currently used in the treatment of diabetes have their own problematic effects and also expensive, Annona muricata methanolic bark extract (AMMBE) was used in the treatment of dexamethasone-induced diabetes in rats. The research was carried out on albino rats in Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan and lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. The rats were allotted into four groups (A, B, C and D). Group B, C and D were induced with glucocorticoid (Dexamethasone) (2mgkg-1) daily for seven (7) days intraperitoneally,&nbsp; while group A which was the positive control were given distilled water throughout without induction with glucocorticoid. Group B (the negative control) was induced with glucocorticoid with no AMMBE administration. Group C, was induced and treated with AMMBE at 400 mgkg-1for 14 days. While Group D, was induced with glucocorticoid and were treated with the standard drug (glibenclamide) at 2.5mgkg-1body weight of the rats daily&nbsp; for 14 days. Organ samples of liver, kidney and pancreas were collected for histopathological lesions Evaluation. The result showed that&nbsp; dexamethasone induced diabetes after seven (7) days of intraperitoneal administration of 2 mgkg-1 body weights with the glucometer readings in most of the albino rats up to and above 129 mgdL-1. The average blood sugar levels in induced groups (B, C and D) were 132.0±4.05, 129.0±1.41&nbsp; and130.0±2.93, respectively which were not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05). After administration of AMMBE, the average blood sugar level for group B (126.0±1.41) was significantly different (P&lt;0.05) from C (91.0±1.72) and D (87.0±2.97). Clinical signs of alopecia, dehydration, writhing, paw-licking were observed. There were massive losses of pancreatic cell mass grossly after induction with dexamethasone. Histopathological lesions observed&nbsp; ranges from no visible lesion in the control and glibenclamide treated groups to accentuation of hepatocytes in the AMMBE treated rats, and marked vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes in periportal areas to centrilobular area with Kidney degeneration and multifocal coagulation&nbsp; necrosis of tubular epithelium in group induced with dexamethasone but untreated (group B) degeneration, multifoci coagulation and necrosis. The blood sugar levels post exposure to AMMBE and Glibenclamide showed reduction in the sugar levels. It could be concluded that dexamethasone has the potential of inducing diabetes when its use is prolonged and AMMBE has antidiabetic effect which could be fully explored. Keywords: Dexamethasone, Diabetes mellitus, Annona muricata, Albino rats, Histopatholog