The incidence of hepatic infarction in rats fed with graded doses of Carica Papaya seeds

This study investigates the sub-acute and chronic effects of graded doses of carica papaya seed-treatment on the liver of rats. The study involved 15 Sprague Dawley rats (95.0 ± 10.0 grams) within the ages of 7 ± 1weeks. They were divided into three groups: A (control; n = 5), B= (Test 1; n = 5) and C= (Test 2; n = 5). Test Groups B and C were fed with same doses of powdered Carica papaya seed (6 grams) but for 3 weeks (group B; sub-acute test duration) and 6 weeks (group C; chronic test duration) respectively. The histological observations revealed that there were dosage-duration-dependent distortions in the parenchyma of the liver, especially the histological signs of hepatic infarction/hemorrhage, exudations, pyknosis and parenchymal erosions. These findings suggest therefore, that Carica papaya seeds have the capacity to induce liver damage and considering the increasing usage of herbal medications amongst the population, its clinical consequences can only be better imagined.Keywords: Carica papaya, Hepatic infarction, Herbs, Nigeria

Histological study on the staining potentials of Aqueous extract of Ceratonia Siliqua bark

This study was designed to determine the staining potentials of aqueous extract of Ceratonia Siliqua bark adapted for the first time as a counter stain in Haematoxylin and Eosin staining reaction. The staining solution was used to stain liver, lung and kidney sections. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of tannin (hennatonic acid or Lawsone), while results of the staining reactions showed that Ceratonia siliqua at a low pH, has intense staining qualities, confirming further that the effectiveness of a stain is influenced by the pH of its environment.Key words: Ceratonia siliqua, Extract, Haematoxylin and Eosin, Counterstain, General tissue structure

Incidence of Candida Albicans in Pregnent Women: A Case Study of Ekpoma, Nigeria

This study examines the incidence of Candida albicans among pregnant women of varied age range/occupation, within any of the three trimesters, and attending antenatal clinic in Ekpoma and its environs. A total of 100 high vagina swab- samples were collected from women and then transported to the Medical Laboratory at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo, Nigeria, for analysis. The samples were inoculated on CHROMagar Candida medium and incubated at 370C for 48hours to isolate and presumptively identify the Candida species. The  results  revealed that 40% of the samples tested positive for Candida species (Candida albicans (75.0%), Candida krusei (2.5%), Candida novergensis (7.5%), Candida parapsilosis (5.0%), Candida dublinensis (2.5%) and mixed Candida species  (7.5%). The colonization of the vagina by Candida species was found to be statistically  significant  (P< 0.05)  in  the  third trimester (21%) when compared to the second (16%) and first (3%) trimesters. On the other hand, Candida species colonization was statistically insignificant (P> 0.05) when compared with the occupation of the women. These findings therefore, indicate that Candida albicans is more predominant in pregnant women than the other non-albicans species and tends to increase as gestation period progresses.Keywords: Pregnancy, Candida species, Candida albican, Ekpoma

Weight changes induced by ingestion of Alomo bitters (A combination of herbal constituents): Experimental study on wistar rats

This study investigates Weight changes induced by ingestion of Alomo bitters (A combination of herbal constituents): Experimental study on  Wistar rats. The sixteen Wistar rats (151.67 ± 2.89 grams) involved in thestudy were divided into four groups; a control (Group A) and three test groups (B, C and D). For 3 weeks, group A (control) received normal feed (growers mash) with distilled water only, while groups B-D (test) received normal feed with water mixed with graded quantities of Alomo Bitters: B (7.5ml/kg), C (15ml/kg) and D (22.5ml/kg). Comparatively, the results showed that body weight gain was highest in the test groups (B-D) in a dosage duration fashion and lowest in the control group (22.40 ± 11.21g). Also, a non-significant variation in organ-weight was observed for the testis. The observed changes on body weight and weights of the liver, kidney and testis were dosage and duration dependent. Thus, alomo bitters may be important in weight and appetite management considering its effect on body weight. However, further investigations are required in this regard.Keywords: Mondia whitei, Herbs, Weight, Obesity, Appetite, Public Health issues