Effect of stem bark hydroalcoholic extract of cocoa (T. Cacao) on liver function of Wistar albino rats induced with anaemia

The study investigated the effect of stem bark hydroalcoholic extract of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) on liver function of phenlyhydrazine (PHZ)-induced forty anaemic (treated) and normal albino rats divided into 8 groups of five rats each in the study. The activities of marker enzymes such as aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were assayed. In addition serum total protein, total bilirubin, albumin were determined. There was a significantly (p<0.05) decrease in AST of anaemic not treated rats compared to normal control rats with the exception of serum total protein, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, albumin, ALT and ALP where no significant (p>0.005) change was recorded. In the group (anaemic rats) treated with bark extract of Theobroma cacao at the doses of 100, 200, and 500mg/kg, AST was significantly (p<0.05) reduced while there was significant (p>0.05) increase in serum total protein, total bilirubin, albumin, ALT and ALP. In the group (non anaemic rats) treated with graded doses of the extract 200mg, 500mg and 1000mg, there was a significant (p<0.05) of total bilirubin diect bilirubin, and AST while no significant (p>0.05) change was recorded. The study illustrate that the bark extract of Theobroma cacao possess antioxidant and membrane permeability properties. Dose of Theobroma cacao at 500mg does not have antianaemic potentials

The Effects of the Aqueous, Ethanol and Hexane Extracts of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius Leaf on the Hematological Indices and Liver Histological Status of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

The effect of the aqueous, ethanol and hexane extracts of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Ca) leaf was examined heamatologically and histologically on Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. 50 Wistar rats were purchased but only 40 rats were given a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (60mg/kg body weight). 25% of STZ dosed animals died while the survivals were distributed into groups II-V. Group II was untreated while groups III, IV and V were treated to hexane, ethanol and aqueous extract of Ca respectively. Rats that constituted the Control group were selected from the STZ untreated animals but were allowed liberty to rat chows and normal saline. Heamatological parameters evaluated revealed significant (P<0.05) increase in the Hb, PCV, and Total Red Blood Count (TRBC) levels when compared with the diabetic group. Furthermore, the Total White Blood Count (TWBC), platelets, neutrophils and lymphocytes were near normal for the Ca extract treated groups as the control. The liver architecture of the STZ-induced diabetic group from this present result displayed distortion of the lobular pattern of the hepatocytes, with several foci of edema and congestion. These were followed by marked periportal hepatolysis and cast within parenchyma. Furthermore, between the hepatocytes were dilation of sinusoids with increased leucocytic infiltration and fibrosis. The nuclei of most cells revealed clear signs of necrosis and the hepatocytes were swollen with conspicuous cytoplasmic vacuolations. Upon treatment with aqueous, hexan and ethanol extracts of C. aconitifolius, sections of the hepatocytes exhibited moderate congestion and improved hepatic features with the aqueous extract exhibiting more potency than the hexane and ethanol extracts. The anti-oxidative tendency of each solvent extract depicts reduced MDA and increased GSH contrary to the diabetic-induced group alone. Hence from this study, the anti-diabetic rationale of C. aconitifolius was further buttressed revealing aqueous solvent extract of C. aconitifolius as a more potent anti-diabetic agent. Keywords: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Ca), heamatology, liver histopathology, streptozotocin DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-4-05 Publication date: March 28th 202