Toxico-Pathological Effects of Saponins from Massularia acuminata Stem in Male Wistar Rats

Saponins from Massularia acuminata stem have been implicated to be responsible for some of the pharmacological effects of the plant without recourse to its toxic implications. Therefore, the toxic implications of saponins from Massularia acuminata stem in some organs of male rats were investigated. Male rats (271.00±5.30 g) grouped into A, B, C and D were orally administered distilled water, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight of saponins for 14 days. The biochemical indices of tissue damage corroborated with histological studies were evaluated in male rats using standard methods. Saponin confirmed with vanillin-perchloric acid and 6% erythrocyte in phosphate buffered saline significantly (P<0.05) increased serum potassium, sodium, phosphate, urea, creatinine, total and conjugated bilirubin; alkaline and acid phosphatases (ALP and ACP) in the kidney, liver and serum, glutamte pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in the liver and kidney. The testicular body-weight ratio, ALP, serum GPT, uric acid, globulin, albumin and calcium ions were reduced (P<0.05). Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activity (GOT) increased in the kidney, testes and serum whereas it decreased in the liver. The histoarchitecture of the organs were preserved during esposure period. The saponins caused only functional dysfunction of the organs but not structural and thus not completely ‘safe’ as an oral remedy

Frequency of anxiety after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Negative psychological outcomes occur frequently after stroke; however, there is uncertainty regarding the occurrence of anxiety disorders and anxiety symptoms after stroke. A systematic review of observational studies was conducted that assessed the frequency of anxiety in stroke patients using a diagnostic or screening tool. SUMMARY OF REVIEW: Databases were searched up to March 2011. A random effects model was used to summarize the pooled estimate. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I(2) statistic. Forty-four published studies comprising 5760 stroke patients were included. The overall pooled estimate of anxiety disorders assessed by clinical interview was 18% (95%confidence interval 8-29%, I(2)  = 97%) and was 25% (95% confidence interval 21-28%, I(2)  = 90%) for anxiety assessed by rating scale. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale 'probable' and 'possible' cutoff scores were the most widely used assessment criteria. The combined rate of anxiety by time after stroke was: 20% (95% confidence interval 13-27%, I(2)  = 96%) within one-month of stroke; 23% (95% confidence interval 19-27%, I(2)  = 84%) one to five-months after stroke; and 24% (95% confidence interval 19-29%, I(2)  = 89%) six-months or more after stroke. CONCLUSION: Anxiety after stroke occurs frequently although methodological limitations in the primary studies may limit generalizability. Given the association between prevalence rates and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety cutoff used in studies, reported rates could in fact underrepresent the extent of the problem. Additionally, risk factors for anxiety, its impact on patient outcomes, and effects in tangent with depression remain unclear