Histomophological Study of the Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Nauclea latifolia on Neonatal Kidney

Histomorphological study of the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia on neonatal kidney was investigated. 72 albino wistar rats consisting of 60 females and 12 males weighing between 100-273g were used for this study. This study was divided into 3 phases, each phase consisting of 4 groups (one control group and three experimental groups). LD50 was carried out to determine the doses represented as low dose (500mg/kg), middle dose (1000mg/kg) and high dose (1500mg/kg) of Nauclea latifolia leaf extract. In all the 3 phases, the control groups (1A, 2A and 3A) received 10% Tween 80. In phase 1, the experimental animals designated (1B, 1C and 1D) received, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 1500mg/kg of Nauclea latifolia respectively for 21 days before pregnancy. In phase 2, the experimental group animals designated (2B, 2C and 2D) received, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 1500mg/kg of Nauclea latifolia respectively for 21 days before pregnancy and 7th to 13th day of gestation. In phase 3, the experimental group animals designated (3B, 3C and 3D) received 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 1500mg/kg of Nauclea latifolia respectively from 7th to 13th day of gestation and the litters were sacrificed within 48 hrs and tissues were processed using haematoxylin and eosin (H & E). The result showed that the extract affects the cytoarchitecture of the neonatal kidney. In phase 1 and the sub-groups, there was an abnormal cellular pattern with area of inflammation in the experimental animals. Phase 2 revealed abnormal cellular patterns with numerous area of necrosis in the entire treated sub - groups while in Phase 3 there was an abnormal cellular pattern with numerous areas of necrosis and vascular degeneration in the experimental animals compared to the control groups. It is evident that Naulea latifolia at low doses, showed mild toxic effect on neonatal kidney and the effect increases tangentially as the doses increased. Gross morphologically, there was significant weight gain in the body weight of the groups compared to the control groups at p > 0.05. Thus signifies the use of this plant during pregnancy/gestation impose deleterious effect with histopathological alterations and the usage to be discouraged during pregnancy. Keywords: kidney, body weight Nauclea latifolia and albino wistar rat

Chronic Consumption of Abelmoschus Esculentus and Piper Guineense Induce Testicular-Toxicity in Wistar Rats, Histopathological Finding

Histopathology of the Testes is one of the parameters used in assessing its micro-structural integrity. In this study, the effect of the oral chronic consumption of 500mg/kg of Abelmoschus esculentus and 20mg/kg of piper guineense on the Testes of wistar rats was assessed. Twenty adult wistar male rats weighing (123-207g), divided into four groups 1, II, III &1V, group 1 as control and groups II, III &IV as experimental groups. The rats in the control group were administered with distilled water, while rats in group II and III were administered with 500mg/kg of Abelmoschus esculentus and 20mg/kg of piper guineense respectively. Group IV received a combination of the two extracts. After 28days of administration of extracts, animals were sacrificed Testes was extracted and processed to paraffin section, cut at 5micron, stained, and observed histopathologically under light microscope. Result showed numerous atrophied and damaged seminiferous tubules, degenerated myoid cells, spermatogenic lining cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa and lumen filled with semen, degenerated interstitial cells of leydig and interstitial fibrosis against the background of connective tissues with marked area of necrosis in group II and III and IV as compared to the control group 1. Statistical value in the weight of the body and testes showed significant value (p<0.05) compared to control. In conclusion, Abelmoschus esculentus and Piper guineense has severe toxicity effect on the testes of albino wistar rats. Keywords: Abelmoschus esculentus, piper guineense, Histopathology, Testes and wistar rat

Cardioprotective Activities of Ethanolic Extract Root of Ageratum conyzoides on Alloxan-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus has developed into one of the debilitating diseases disturbing the health of many people living with cardiovascular diseases in modern times. The root of Ageratum conyzoides was investigated for its effects on alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats’ cardiac tissues. Thirty-two (32) Wistar rats weighing between 180 and 190 g were randomly divided into four groups. The animals in groups B-D were induced with a single dose of 150 mg/kg body weight of alloxan (ALX) intraperitoneally. They were confirmed hyperglycemic after 72 hours of induction and then sustained in hyperglycemic condition for 2 weeks. Animals in groups C and D received AC intervention, as stated above, for four weeks. The body weight of the experimental animals and blood collection for glucose estimation were taken weekly for six weeks using appropriate instruments. Biochemical assays for lipid profile, antioxidant enzymatic, and nonenzymatic markers were carried out. Histopathological changes in the cardiac tissues were also studied. Administration of 150 mg/kg of ALX to experimental rats induced diabetes and significantly reduced the body weights, significantly (p<0.05) increased the glucose level, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, and decreased the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and antioxidant enzymatic markers such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) while the antioxidant nonenzymatic marker such as malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly increased. By contrast, rats given the ethanolic extract root of A. conyzoides had significantly (p<0.05) increased the body weight gain, whereas the glucose levels significantly (p<0.05) improved in treated diabetic rats. This extract also improved the cardiovascular system of the diabetic rats by significantly decreasing TG and LDL levels, significantly (p<0.05) increasing the HDL level, significantly reducing the cardiac contents of CAT, SOD, and GPx, and significantly (p<0.05) decreasing MDA. Ethanolic extract root of A. conyzoides exhibited antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities and mitigates damage to the heart from the ALX-induced myocardial toxicity associated with type-1 diabetes

Irvingia gabonensis leaf extract scavenges nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide in vitro and modulates arsenic-induced hepatic oxidative stress in wistar rats

Abstract Background Arsenic is a carcinogenic heavy metal that contaminates the environment, predisposing the exposed populace to its detrimental health effects. This study investigated the liver protective effect of ethanol leaf extract of Irvingia gabonensis (ELEIG) in sodium arsenite (SA)-exposed Wistar rats and its nitric oxide (NO.) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-scavenging properties in vitro. Methods Eleven experimental groups made up of five (5) rats each (weight range 100 - 161 g) were used in this study. Group 1 (normal control) had normal rat chow and water. Group 2 received 4.1 mg/kg body weight (kgbw) of SA. Groups 3–8 received SA and graded doses of ELEIG and groups 9-11 had varied doses of ELEIG. Treatment, which spanned 14 days, was by oral gavage. Concentrations of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as activities of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT) and concentrations of total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL) were determined using standard procedures. Standard methods were also used to determine the in vitro NO. and H2O2-scavenging properties of the extract. Results Exposure to SA orchestrated significant (p ˂ 0.05) increases in CAT, MDA, AST, ALT, ALP and GGT and significant (p ˂ 0.05) decreases in SOD and GPx, relative to control. There were insignificant (p ˃ 0.05) differences in TBIL and DBIL concentrations, compared with control. Simultaneous and post-treatment with ELEIG at graded doses, alleviated the noxious effects of SA. In addition, ELEIG scavenged NO. and H2O2 in concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion The results suggest that ELEIG possesses potent antioxidant property and combats SA-induced hepatic oxidative stress/toxicity in Wistar rats