Anticonvulsant and sedative activities of aqueous leave extract of Leucas martinicensis (Jacq.) R. Br

Leucas martinicensis is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat convulsions and epilepsy. The present study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant and sedative effects of the aqueous leave extract of L. martinicensis in Wistar rats. The anticonvulsant activities of L. martinicensis (50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg i.p.) were evaluated using maximal electroshock seizure (MES) - and strychnine (STR) -induced seizure models while the sedative properties were evaluated using the diazepaminduced sleep model in Wistar rats. The 400 mg/kg of the extract protected rats (100%) against seizures in both models while at 200 mg/kg seizure protection (100%) was only in STR model. There was a significant (p<0.05) delay in the onset and reduction in the duration of seizure in the two models in unprotected rats. L. martinicensis exerted sedative effect by significantly reducing the onset (sleep latency) and increasing the total duration of sleep induced by diazepam. These results suggest that aqueous extract of L. martinicensis may possess anticonvulsant and sedative properties that might show efficacy against primary generalised seizures and secondarily generalised tonic -clonic seizures in humans. It also lends pharmacological credence to the use of the plant in traditional medicine for the management of epilepsy and convulsions.Keywords: Leucas martinicensis; Epilepsy; Traditional medicine; Anticonvulsant; slee

Global Transcriptomic Profiling of Bovine Endometrial Immune Response In Vitro. II. Effect of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus on the Endometrial Response to Lipopolysaccharide

Infection with noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (ncpBVDV) is associated with uterine disease and infertility. This study investigated the influence of ncpBVDV on immune functions of the bovine endometrium by testing the response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Primary cultures of mixed epithelial and stromal cells were divided into four treatment groups (control [CONT], BVDV, CONT+LPS, and BVDV+LPS) and infected with ncpBVDV for 4 days followed by treatment with LPS for 6 h. Whole-transcriptomic gene expression was measured followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Differential expression of 184 genes was found between CONT and BVDV treatments, showing interplay between induction and inhibition of responses. Up-regulation of TLR3, complement, and chemotactic and TRIM factors by ncpBVDV all suggested an ongoing immune response to viral infection. Down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, CXCR4, and serine proteinase inhibitors suggested mechanisms by which ncpBVDV may simultaneously counter the host response. Comparison between BVDV+LPS and CONT+LPS treatments showed 218 differentially expressed genes. Canonical pathway analysis identified the key importance of interferon signaling. Top down-regulated genes were RSAD2, ISG15, BST2, MX2, OAS1, USP18, IFIT3, IFI27, SAMD9, IFIT1, and DDX58, whereas TRIM56, C3, and OLFML1 were most up-regulated. Many of these genes are also regulated by IFNT during maternal recognition of pregnancy. Many innate immune genes that typically respond to LPS were inhibited by ncpBVDV, including those involved in pathogen recognition, inflammation, interferon response, chemokines, tissue remodeling, cell migration, and cell death/survival. Infection with ncpBVDV can thus compromise immune function and pregnancy recognition, thereby potentially predisposing infected cows to postpartum bacterial endometritis and reduced fertility

Ficus platyphylla promotes fertility in female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain: a preliminary study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Ficus platyphylla </it>Delile (family- Moracea) commonly called gutta percha tree is a deciduous plant found in savannah areas. It grows widely in the Northern part of Nigeria, up to 60 ft. high and is known as 'gamji' by the Hausas. The seeds, bark and leaves have been used traditionally in combination to promote fertility. Scientifically, the plant has been shown to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and CNS effects. The present study was to validate the use of this plant to promote fertility in female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain using various fertility parameters.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain weighing between 150-180 g were randomly selected and divided into two major groups. Each group was subdivided into 5 treatment groups of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg BW of aqueous extract of <it>F. platyphylla </it>and a control group of 5 ml/kg of distilled water. A positive control of clomiphene citrate was used. Treatment of the first group was discontinued after 15 days prior to mating (pre-mating treatment group), while the other was treated continuously till delivery (continuous treatment group). At the 10^thday, females were sacrificed and implantation sites were checked and embryos counted. Upon delivery, litter sizes were determined and the pups weighed and checked for deformities. Other reproductive indices were calculated. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and students T-test. Proportions were analysed by Chi square. Statistical evaluations were performed using STATS programs and Graphpad prism, and a difference was considered statistically significant at P < 0.05.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a significant reduction in the percentage post implantation losses of both the pre-treatment and the continuous treatment groups when compared to their distil water controls. The litter size of the pre-treatment group was similar to the distil water group while at 400 mg/kg, the continuous treatment group showed an increase in the litter size similar to that of the clomiphene group. There were no observed external deformities in the pups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Administration of aqueous extract of <it>F. platyphylla </it>promotes fertility by reducing post implantation loss and by increasing litter size in female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain.</p

BVDV alters uterine prostaglandin production during pregnancy recognition in cows

Embryonic mortality in cows is at least in part caused by failure of pregnancy recognition (PR). Evidence has shown that bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection can disrupt pregnancy. Prostaglandins (PG) play important roles in many reproductive processes, such as implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BVDV infection on uterine PG production and PR using an in vitro PR model. Bovine uterine endometrial cells isolated from ten BVDV-free cows were cultured and treated with 0 or 100ng/mL interferon-τ (IFNT) in the absence or presence of non-cytopathic BVDV (ncpBVDV). PGF2α and PGE2 concentrations in the spent medium were measured using radioimmunoassays, and in the treated cells expression of the genes associated with PG production and signalling was quantified using qPCR. The results showed that the IFNT challenge significantly stimulated PTGS1 and PTGER3 mRNA expression and PGE2 production; however, these stimulatory effects were neutralised in the presence of ncpBVDV infection. ncpBVDV infection significantly increased PTGS1 and mPGES1 mRNA expression and decreased AKR1B1 expression, leading to increased PGE2 and decreased PGF2α concentrations and an increased PGE2:PGF2α ratio. The other tested genes, including PGR, ESR1, OXTR, PTGS2, PTGER2 and PTGFR, were not significantly altered by IFNT, ncpBVDV or their combination. Our study suggests that BVDV infection may impair PR by (1) inhibiting the effect of IFNT on uterine PG production and (2) inducing an endocrine switch of PG production from PGF2α to PGE2 to decrease uterine immunity, thereby predisposing the animals to uterine disease

Evaluation of blood pressure and indices of obesity in a typical rural community in eastern Nigeria

Aim: With increasing urbanization of lifestyle, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have been on the increase in Africans. Studies on cardiovascular risk factors in rural communities in South East Nigeria are scarce. This study focused on hypertension and obesity in adult Nigerians dwelling in a rural setting in Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 218 participants from the rural community were recruited into the study. A questionnaire was used to assess prior knowledge of their weight and blood pressure status as well as drug history for those found to have hypertension. Each participant′s blood pressure was measured and any value ≥140/90 mmHg was regarded as high blood pressure (HBP). Their heights and weights were measured and their body mass indices (BMI) calculated using the standard formula of BMI = Weight in Kg/Height in m 2 ; BMI ≥30 Kg/m 2 was referred to as global obesity. Their waist circumferences (WC) were also measured and any value ≥102 cm for males and ≥88 cm for females was regarded as abdominal obesity. Results: The general prevalence of HBP in the rural community was 44.5%. The prevalence of HBP increased as age increased and awareness about HBP was low (15.2%). Females were more aware than the males. The prevalence of HBP was higher in males (49.3%) compared with their female counterparts (42.3%), whereas the females had a higher prevalence of all forms of obesity (abdominal: 36.2%, global: 14.8%) compared with the males (abdominal: 14.5%, global: 10.1%). Higher BMI was associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP values. Hypertensive participants had higher BMI and WC than those who had normal BP. Conclusion: The prevalence of both hypertension and obesity seems to be increasing in rural communities in Nigeria and thus, the available prevalence documented in previous studies for rural communities may no longer represent the current trend. Awareness of the participants about these major cardiovascular risk factors is still very low. Higher BMI was associated with higher values of both systolic and diastolic BP

Evaluation of blood pressure and indices of obesity in a typical rural community in eastern Nigeria

Aim: With increasing urbanization of lifestyle, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality have been on the increase in Africans. Studies on cardiovascular risk factors in rural communities in South East Nigeria are scarce. This study focused on hypertension and obesity in adult Nigerians dwelling in a rural setting in Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 218 participants from the rural community were recruited into the study. A questionnaire was used to assess prior knowledge of their weight and blood pressure status as well as drug history for those found to have hypertension. Each participant\u2032s blood pressure was measured and any value 65140/90 mmHg was regarded as high blood pressure (HBP). Their heights and weights were measured and their body mass indices (BMI) calculated using the standard formula of BMI = Weight in Kg/Height in m 2 ; BMI 6530 Kg/m 2 was referred to as global obesity. Their waist circumferences (WC) were also measured and any value 65102 cm for males and 6588 cm for females was regarded as abdominal obesity. Results: The general prevalence of HBP in the rural community was 44.5%. The prevalence of HBP increased as age increased and awareness about HBP was low (15.2%). Females were more aware than the males. The prevalence of HBP was higher in males (49.3%) compared with their female counterparts (42.3%), whereas the females had a higher prevalence of all forms of obesity (abdominal: 36.2%, global: 14.8%) compared with the males (abdominal: 14.5%, global: 10.1%). Higher BMI was associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP values. Hypertensive participants had higher BMI and WC than those who had normal BP. Conclusion: The prevalence of both hypertension and obesity seems to be increasing in rural communities in Nigeria and thus, the available prevalence documented in previous studies for rural communities may no longer represent the current trend. Awareness of the participants about these major cardiovascular risk factors is still very low. Higher BMI was associated with higher values of both systolic and diastolic BP

Neuropharmacological evaluation of the methanol leaf extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus (Kuntze) Exell and its ethyl acetate fraction in mice

Purpose: To investigate the neuropharmacological effects of the methanol leaf extract (ME) and fractions of Phyllanthus muellerianus (PM) (Phyllanthaceae) (Kuntze) Exell (PM) in mice. Methods: Acute toxicity was carried out on the extract using standard protocol. ME was fractionated into hexane (HF), ethyl acetate (EF), and methanol (MF) fractions. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure, open field (OF) and motor coordination (rotarod) tests were models employed. Mice allotted into fourteen groups of six animals each were treated orally with 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg of the extract and fractions in pentylene tetrazole (PTZ) seizure model. Seizure was induced with intraperitoneal (ip) injection of 70 mg/kg of PTZ. The positive and negative controls employed were phenobarbitone (35 mg/kg) and 5 ml/kg of 7 % Tween 80, respectively. In the OF and motor coordination tests, six groups of six mice were treated orally with ME and EF at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. Control groups received either 5 ml/kg of 7% Tween 80 or diazepam (1 mg/kg ip) as negative and positive controls respectively Results: In the PTZ model, only EF abolished seizures completely (p&lt;0.05), when compared with the negative control, producing 100% protection, even better than the phenobarbitone which gave 83.3% protection. In the OFT, in comparison with the control, ME at 400 mg/kg (p &lt; 0.05) decreased both the number of line crossing and the number of assisted rearing similar to that produced by diazepam. EF increased both the locomotor and exploratory activities significantly (p &lt; 0.05) in mice. ME at 400 mg/kg significantly (p &lt; 0.05) evoked reduction in the time of fall of mice from the rotarod when compared to the control in the same way as diazepam while EF did not elicit any appreciable differences. Conclusion: ME has anticonvulsant, sedative, and anxiolytic activities, while EF possesses anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activities devoid of sedative and cognitive impairment. The observed anticonvulsant effect was better than that produced by phenobarbitone. Thus, it may be a good lead for developing antiepileptic and other central nervous system active agents

Reproductive Effects of Medicinal Plant (<i>Azadirachta indica</i>) Used as Forage and for Ethnoveterinary Practices: New Insights from Animal Models

In some African and Asian countries, Azadirachta indica (AI) has been fed to livestock for decades and traditionally used to treat certain animal and human diseases. Recently, there are suspicions that the plant may possess anti-reproductive properties and concerns that the continued use of AI as forage or for folkloric medicine may detrimentally affect reproduction in the subjects. To address these challenges, this work determined the reproductive and fertility effects of a methanolic seed extract of AI (MSEAI) using adult female albino rats (AFARs) as an experimental model. Sixty-four AFARs were randomly assigned into four groups (A–D) of sixteen rats each. Group A was the control while groups B, C and D were treated daily with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of MSEAI respectively, for 28 consecutive days via oral gavage. Blood samples were collected for hormonal and biochemistry assays. Ovarian samples from the experimental rats were harvested for histopathological studies. Thereafter, the remaining experimental rats were bred, and certain fertility indices determined. The mean serum FSH and LH levels were significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05) in the 100 and 200 mg/kg groups. The histopathological studies revealed massive follicular degeneration in the 100 and 200 mg/kg treatment groups. The fertility indices indicated that the post-implantation survival index was 100% in the control and 0% in the 200 mg/kg treatment group. No abortion occurred in the control and 50 mg/kg groups, but 25% and 100% of the pregnant does aborted in the 100 and 200 mg/kg treatment groups, respectively. Considering that high doses (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) of MSEAI had significant anti-reproductive and antifertility properties, the use of AI as forage or for ethnoveterinary medicine in breeding females may adversely affect their reproductive potentials. However, the anti-reproductive and antifertility effects could be utilized in rodent depopulation programs in animal agriculture and as a contraceptive to limit the proliferation of stray dogs, known to be reservoirs of the rabies virus in developing countries. Moreover, the MSEAI could be further refined for human use as an effective, cheap, eco-friendly and acceptable alternative to synthetic/modern contraceptives, the use of which is limited in developing nations due to superstitious beliefs and their multiple side effects