Chronic Treatment with Ethanolic Extract of the Leavesof Azadirachta indica Ameliorates Lesions of Pancreatic Islets in Streptozotocin Diabetes

Botanical drugs are complementary therapies in the management of diabetes mellitus. In this work, we studied the effects of chronic treatment of diabetic rats with A. indica (neem) on blood glucose, pancreatic islet histopathology, and oxidative status of the pancreas. Fifty-four Wistar rats (5-8 weeks old) were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups. Hyperglycemia was induced in 34 fasted rats with a single i.p. injection of STZ (70 mg/kg bw/d). Ethanolic extract of A. indica leaves (500 mg/kg bw/d) was given orally to diabetic rats (n=12) for 50d. Glibenclamide was given (p.o) at 600 µg/ kg bw/d. In each group, blood glucose, islet histopathology, and pancreatic oxidative status, were assessed. All hyperglycemic rats in the neem-treated group had become normoglycemic at the end of week 2. By 50d, the number of viable b cells was highest in the neem-treated diabetic rats (compared with the diabetic and glibenclamide groups). Similarly, islet histology showed marked improvement in this group, in addition to improved oxidative stress. Our findings confirmed the hypoglycemic effect of neem. Besides, the improved islet morphology and oxidative status in neem-treated diabetic rats suggest the potential of this herb at improving lesions of the pancreatic islet in diabetes mellitus. Los medicamentos a base de plantas son terapias complementarias en el manejo de la diabetes mellitus. En este trabajo se estudiaron los efectos del tratamiento crónico de ratas diabéticas con A. indica (Neem) sobre la glucosa de la sangre, la histopatología de los islotes pancreáticos, y el estado oxidativo del páncreas. Cincuenta y cuatro ratas Wistar (5-8 semanas de edad) fueron asignadas aleatoriamente a 5 grupos de tratamiento. La hiperglucemia fue inducida en 34 ratas en ayunas con una única inyección IP de STZ (70 mg/kg peso corporal/d). El extracto etanólico de hojas de A. indica (500 mg/kg de peso corporal/día) fue administrado por vía oral a ratas diabéticas (n=12) por 50d. Glibenclamida fue dada (PO) a 600 mg/kg peso corporal/d. En cada grupo, la glucosa en la sangre, la histopatología de los islotes, y el estado oxidativo de páncreas, se evaluaron. Todas las ratas de hiperglucemia en el grupo tratado con el Neem se habían convertido en normoglucémicas al final de la semana 2. Por 50d, el número de células b viables fue mayor en el Neem ratas tratadas con diabetes (en comparación con los grupos de diabéticos y glibenclamida). Del mismo modo, la histología de los islotes mostró una notable mejoría en este grupo, además de mejorar el estrés oxidativo. Nuestros resultados confirman el efecto hipoglucemiante de Neem. Además, la mejora de la morfología de los islotes y el estado de oxidación en el neem tratados con ratas diabéticas sugieren el potencial de esta hierba en la mejora de las lesiones de los islotes pancreáticos en la diabetes mellitus

EMPERICAL ANALYSIS OF LIBRARY RESOURCES USE BY CLINICAL STUDENTS IN LAUTECH COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

The study was designed to examine use of library resources by medical students in LAUTECH College of Health Sciences, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. The study employed the descriptive survey design to collect primary data from Medical students of College of Health Sciences, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. A total of two hundred and eighty (280) medical students (400 -600 level) of College of Health Sciences were randomly selected for the study. The main instrument for data collection was a structure questionnaire which was administered to the respondents shortly after their lectures. Both face and content validity of the instrument were carried out. The reliability test of the research instrument was done by means of the Cronbach alpha test and a Cronbach’s score of 0.7 was derived. The data gathered was analyzed using relative importance index. Relative importance index helps to rank the criteria according to their relative importance. Findings from the study indicated that medical textbooks (0.812) ranked first of the library resources available to students, closely followed by dictionaries (0.754), newspaper magazines (0.696), internet (0.687), medical journals (0.598), encyclopedia (0.552), data base (0.519), world health publications (0.514), OPAC (0.474), thesis & dissertation (0.446) and CD-ROM (0.438). With regards to purpose of use, it shows that research (0.826), followed by examination preparation (0.825), advancing knowledge (0.808), and self-development (0.806), were the major reasons for using the library. Those materials frequently used include medical textbooks (0.608) ranked first in the frequency at which library resources are used, followed by dictionaries (0.676). Others are internet (0.666), newspaper magazines (0.661), medical journals (0.608), encyclopedias (0.596), thesis & dissertation (0.564), world health publication (0.561), CD-ROM (0.542), data-base (0.534) and OPAC (0.533) lastly, with regards to barriers militating effective use of the library and its resources, the study shows that obsolete library resources (0.743), difficulty locating resources (0.703), poor sitting arrangement (0.671), poor ventilation (0.675), noisy library environment (0.652), and slow internet network (0.733) constituted major barriers. The study recommended that the college authority should urgently looked into the critical barriers highlighted in this study and adopt workable strategies to effectively improve the overall library condition both in terms of physical and material resources that are hindering effective library utilization among medical students and scholars in the college

Azathioprine and methotrexate impaired the morphology and functions of the kidney in adult wistar rats.

Azathioprine (50-150mg per day) and Methotrexate (2.5mg per week) are used in the treatment of cancer in adult Man. We evaluated the nephrotoxic effects of Azathioprine and Methotrexate in rats. Forty adult male wistar rats (150 - 230g) were used in the study. Group I was control. Experimental Groups II - V received oral administrations of 5mg/kg/bodyweight of Azathioprine per day, 15mg/kg/bodyweight of Azathioprine per day, 8mg/kg/bodyweight of Methotrexate per week and 20mg/kg/bodyweight of Methotrexate per week respectively for 35 days. Histological examinations of the kidney showed dose-dependent morphological anomalies such as irregular cyto-architecture and decreased diameters of the Urinary Space, shrunk Glomeruli and necrotic cells in Groups II – V. Statistical analyses showed dose-dependent elevated levels (P≤0.05) of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde in kidney homogenates of Groups II – V when compared to Group I. This implied increased oxidative stress in rats of Groups II – V. Evaluations of creatinine and urea concentrations showed dose-dependent significantly elevated levels (P≤0.05) in Groups II – V when compared to Group I. This study provided further evidence that the nephrotoxic activities of Azathioprine and Methotrexate could be due to generated increased oxidative stress, which resulted in impaired morphology and functions of the kidney in rats.Key words: Azathioprine, methotrexate, kidney, morphology, functions

Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract Ameliorates Hyperglycemia and Hepatic Glycogenosis in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

We studied the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (AIE) on hepatic microscopic anatomy and oxidative stress markers in diabetic rats. Seventy-five Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were randomly assigned to five treatment groups: control; diabetic; diabetic+AIE; AIE only; and diabetic+glibenclamide. Hyperglycemia was induced in fasted rats with streptozotocin. AIE was administered orally at 500 mg/kg bw/d and glibenclamide at 600 μg/kg bw/d for 50 days (50 d). Animals were sacrificed on treatment days 7, 21 and 50. The liver was stained with PAS. Hepatic markers of oxidative stress were also estimated. At 50 d, histological study of the liver of diabetic rats showed swollen PAS+ hepatocytes, whose content was confirmed to be glycogen. On the contrary, hepatocytes of AIE-treated diabetic rats lacked glycogen. The major finding in these rats was exacerbated oxidative stress. Our findings in this model showed the beneficial effect of AIE in the amelioration of diabetic hepatic glycogenosis.Keywords: Diabetes, Azadirachta indica, hepatic glycogenosis, oxidative stress, live

Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract Ameliorates Hyperglycemia and Hepatic Glycogenosis in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

We studied the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (AIE) on hepatic microscopic anatomy and oxidative stress markers in diabetic rats. Seventy-five Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were randomly assigned to five treatment groups: control; diabetic; diabetic+AIE; AIE only; and diabetic+glibenclamide. Hyperglycemia was induced in fasted rats with streptozotocin. AIE was administered orally at 500 mg/kg bw/d and glibenclamide at 600 μg/kg bw/d for 50 days (50 d). Animals were sacrificed on treatment days 7, 21 and 50. The liver was stained with PAS. Hepatic markers of oxidative stress were also estimated. At 50 d, histological study of the liver of diabetic rats showed swollen PAS+ hepatocytes, whose content was confirmed to be glycogen. On the contrary, hepatocytes of AIE-treated diabetic rats lacked glycogen. The major finding in these rats was exacerbated oxidative stress. Our findings in this model showed the beneficial effect of AIE in the amelioration of diabetic hepatic glycogenosis.Keywords: Diabetes, Azadirachta indica, hepatic glycogenosis, oxidative stress, live

Developmental changes in frontocortical morphology and neurochemistry of neonatal rats following gestational nicotine exposure

Exposure of the embryo or foetus to nicotine during development results in some forms of neurological deficits later in life. The current study aimed at determining the effects of prenatal nicotine administration during the 1st and 2nd gestational weeks on the frontal cortex of neonatal Wistar rats. For each week of gestation, pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to 3 groups: a control group (1), and two treated groups (2 and 3), and were given intra-peritoneal nicotine at 6.88 mg/ kg and 13.76 mg/kg doses respectively. The weights of the litters were taken at birth and at postnatal day 4; the whole brain and frontal cortical weights were also assessed. Tissues for histological demonstration were fixed in freshly prepared formol calcium, while specimen for biochemical studies were homogenised and processed for the determination of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activities. Findings in the treated animals showed low birth weights, raised ALP but reduced MDA, with corresponding alterations in the cortical cytoarchitecture, which could explain some of the pathological basis for the neurobehavioural problems associated with offspring of women smokers.Keywords: Prenatal nicotine, Frontal cortex, Morphology, Histology, ALP, MD

Evaluation of the neuroprotective potential of Trans-cinnamaldehyde in female Wistar rat model of insulin resistance

Background: Chronic hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes is associated with altered cognitive function. Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA) is one of the active components in cinnamon. It has been reported to have many pharmacological activities such as anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Aim and Objectives: This present work evaluates the neuroprotective effects of TCA in the hippocampus of insulin-resistant rats. Material and Methods: Twenty female adult Wistar rats were fed with high fat diet for 8 weeks and then injected with a low dose of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally). Sixty mg/kg of TCA was orally administered for 4 weeks once daily. Y-maze and Morris water maze tests were employed to test for learning and memory. Fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, hippocampal Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Nuclear Factor κB (NF‐κB) were assayed. Results: The high fat diet/streptozotocin-induced insulin resistant-rats, characterized by hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia performed poorly in the Y-maze and Morris water maze (38.17 ± 1.3 s) when compared with the controls (26.67 ± 1.4 s), suggesting the impairment of learning and memory with corresponding increase in NF‐κB and TNF-α in the hippocampus. Conclusion: Treatment with TCA significantly reversed diabetes‐induced impairment of learning and memory. TCA as a prospective novel therapy in insulin-resistant subjects with dementia could be further explored

Practicable Vocational and Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition for job Creation and Poverty Alleviation Among Nigerian Youths

Purpose:  This study examined the concepts of poverty, youth unemployment and vocational and entrepreneurial skills acquisition. It also identified the various factors responsible for poverty and youth unemployment in Nigeria. It highlighted the rationale for Nigerian youths to acquire vocational and entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance, income generation, wealth creation and employment generation for others.   Theoretical Framework: The aim of  vocational and entrepreneurial skills acquisition is to make it practicable in order to drive and deliver the purpose of job creation and poverty alleviation among Nigerian youths. Making it more practicable achieves the driving force to creating economic values and creative business engagements by Nigerians. The focus also provides job opportunities for the teeming Nigerian youths, channels their future to productive activities and turn to make poverty and unemployment to be things of the past if the practicability is achieved through entrepreneurial activities.   Design/Methodology/Approach:  The study adopted the mode of conducting literature review and conceptualization of the variables and x-rayed the  reasons for poverty and unemployment and deepen how the social problems can be identified and reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria.   Findings: Our findings revealed there is serious poverty and unemployment in Nigeria. It as well suggest that it is of valuable and useful direction to promote practicable skills acquisition among Nigerian youths and that the curricula of Nigerian educational institutions should be more pragmatic and have built-in-job training programmes that would enable students to acquire relevant practicable vocational and entrepreneurial skills required for self-employment, job and wealth creation and poverty alleviation. While all stakeholders should be actively involved in the funding of vocational and entrepreneurship education.   Research, Practical & Social implications: This study in its focus contributes to a better understanding of the important role being played by entrepreneurial skills acquisition in achieving practicable vocational skills and to develop entrepreneurial attitudes of Nigerian youths  that will form the economic growth of the country through their engagements and make them employers of labour through their acquired practicable vocational skills acquisition to better the society. This study also contributes to a better understanding of the causes of the menace which therefore proffers solution to tackling the problem of poverty among Nigerian youths through the provision of a viable, robust, comprehensive and practical-oriented vocational and entrepreneurship education.  It also expressed how the collective responsibility of all prominent Nigerians could be keyed-into supporting entrepreneurship programmes in Nigeria in the area of funding of vocational and entrepreneurship education in Nigeria which both Government at Federal, State and Local Government levels and the Non-Govermental Organisations (NGOs).   Originality/value: The added value of this study provides insights on how vocational entrepreneurial skills acquisition programmes can be practicable effective in a way to structure the future of Nigerian youths and citizens for productive economic activities. It is as well sought how poverty and unemployment can be reduced and make citizens focus for economic growth and self-dependence businesses

A Viable Entrepreneurship Education as an Antidote for Eradication of Poverty and Unemployment Among Youths in Nigeria

Nigeria is passing through a period of uncertainty and pervasive economic recession which has further aggravated the problem of poverty and unemployment among Nigerian youths. These jobless youths take solace in all form of atrocities and social vices that pose a serious threat to sustainable development of the nation. This research took a cursory look at the concepts of poverty, youth unemployment and viable entrepreneurship education. It highlighted the lofty objectives of viable entrepreneurship education in Nigeria. The various factors responsible for poverty and youth employment in Nigeria were identified. Attention was also directed to the role of viable entrepreneurship education in eradicating poverty and youth unemployment in Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that the curriculum of educational institutions in Nigeria should be more pragmatic and have built-in-job training programmes which would enable all students to acquire relevant entrepreneurial skills required for self-employment, job and wealth creation and poverty eradication

Preliminary study on temporal variations in biting activity of Simulium damnosum s.l. in Abeokuta North LGA, Ogun State Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Simulum damnosum </it>Theobald <it>sensu lato </it>(<it>s.l</it>.) is the vector of the parasitic filarial worm <it>Onchocerca volvulus </it>Leuckart which causes onchocerciasis. In order to understand the vector population dynamics, a preliminary 12 months entomological evaluation was carried out at Abeokuta, the Southwest Zone of Nigeria, an onchocerciasis endemic area, where vector control has not been previously initiated. <it>S.damnosum s.l</it>. flies were caught on human attractants between 700 to1800 hours each day, for 4 days each month, from August 2007 to July 2008. The flies caught were classified as either forest-dwelling or savanna-dwelling groups based on the colour of certain morphological characters. Climatic data such as rainfall, humidity and temperature were also collected monthly during the period of survey.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 1,139 flies were caught, 596 (52.33%) were forest-dwelling group while 543 (47.67%) were savanna-dwelling group of <it>S. damnosum s.l</it>. The highest percentage of forest-dwelling group was caught in the month of August 2007 (78.06%) and the least percentage of forest-dwelling groups was caught in November 2007 (8.14%). The highest percentage of savannah-dwelling group was caught in the month of November 2007 (91.86%) and the least percentage of savannah-dwelling group was caught in August 2007 (21.94%). There was no significant difference between the population of forest and savannah-dwelling groups of the fly when the means of the fly population were compared (<it>P </it>= 0.830). Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between monthly fly population with monthly average rainfall (<it>r </it>= 0.550, n = 12, <it>P </it>= 0.033), but no significant relationship with monthly average temperature (<it>r </it>= 0.291, <it>n </it>= 12, <it>P </it>= 0.179). There was also a significant relationship between monthly fly population and monthly average relative humidity (<it>r </it>= 0.783, <it>n </it>= 12 <it>P </it>= 0.001). There was no significant correlation between the population of forest-dwelling group of <it>S. damnosum s.l</it>. and monthly average rainfall (<it>r </it>= 0.466, <it>n </it>= 12, <it>P </it>= 0.064) and monthly average temperature (<it>r </it>= 0.375, n = 12, <it>P </it>= 0.115) but there was significant correlation with monthly average relative humidity (<it>r </it>= 0.69, <it>n </it>= 12, <it>P </it>= 0.006). There was significant correlation between savannah-dwelling group and monthly average rainfall (<it>r </it>= 0.547, <it>n </it>= 12, <it>P </it>= 0.033), and monthly average relative humidity (<it>r </it>= 0.504, <it>n </it>= 12, <it>P </it>= 0.047) but there was no significant correlation with monthly average temperature (<it>r </it>= 0.142, <it>n </it>= 12, <it>P </it>= 0.329)</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results from this study showed that both the forest and the savannah dwelling groups of <it>S. damnosum s.l</it>. were caught biting in the study area. This could have implications on the transmission and epidemiology of human onchocerciasis if not monitored.</p