Liver weight changes in wistar rats treated with crude aqueous extracts of Mangifera indica stem bark.

This study was designed to determine the weight changes in the liver of wistar rats treated with crude aqueous extracts of Mangifera indica stem bark. Twenty Wistar rats (170-185g) were used for this study. They were subdivided into four groups: A, B, C & D (n=5 each). Group A served as control, while B, C, and D served as tests. For 14 days, group A received normal feed mash and water only, while groups B, C and D received oral doses of 0.25ml (25mg), 0.5ml (50mg) and 1ml (100mg) of aqueous extract of Mangifera indica stem bark respectively. At the end of the experiment, the animals were weighed and sacrificed to harvest the liver for organ weight determination. Results showed no significant increase (p>0.05) in the body weight of the control rats compared to test group; but a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the weight of the liver in group D (p< 0.05) when compared with the control. It suggests that 100mg of Mangifera indica is above the safe dose level for rats and that crude AE of M. indica has no significant effect on somatic growth but caused a significant decrease in liver weight at higher doses.KeyWords: Aqueous extract, Liver, Mangifera indica, Weight changes

The combined incidence of Grade II and Grade IV astrocytoma in the brain of rats fed with diet containing Yaji: A complex Nigerian Suya meat sauce

Available scientific evidence has shown that some of the active principles of Yaji -capsaicin, piperine and monosodium glutamate, have excitotoxic, apoptotic or tumourigenic potentials. The focus of this histological study however, is to determine the tumourigenic potentials of Yaji in the brain of rats. Eight weeks old white albino rats were used. They were divided into eight groups (A – H), each of which has three subgroups (n=5). The subgroups represent experimental durations of 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks respectively. Group A served as control while groups B – H served as the test groups. The control received only normal feed daily, while the test groups received normal feed plus graded levels of Yaji daily. Microscopic examination of the stained brain tissue sections showed emerging histological features similar to those described for grade II astrocytoma in test group H3 (6 weeks; 70%), and grade IV astrocytoma in test groups D3 (6 weeks; 30%). These observed incidence of astrocytoma appeared to be high-dosage/duration dependent, indicating therefore, that the call for the regulation of Yaji-production and consumption, is now more pertinent.Keywords: Suya, Yaji, Additives, Spices, Astrocytom

Histological changes in the liver of wistar rats treated with crude aqueous extracts of Mangifera indica stem back

This study was designed to determine the effect of aqueous extract of Mangifera indica stem bark on the histology of the liver in animal models. Twenty Wistar rats weighing between 170-185g were used for this study. They were sub-divided into four groups: A, B, C and D (n=5 each). Group A served as control, while B, C, and D served as test groups. For 14 days, group A received normal feed (grower’s mash and water only, while groups B, C and D received oral doses of 0.25ml (25mg), 0.5ml (50mg) and 1ml (100mg) of aqueous extract of Mangifera indica stem bark respectively. At the end of the experiment, the animals were weighed and sacrificed to harvest the liver for tissue processing and microscopy using standard laboratory procedures. The results showed that liver sections in group A (control) and test group B, presented no remarkable histological changes, while mild to pronounced cytoarchitectural distortions were observed in theliver sections of groups C and D respectively; suggesting that at higher doses, Mangifera indica can be hepatotoxic.Key Words: Aqueous extract, Liver, Mangifera indica, Weight changes

Assessment of Dermatoglyphic Patterns and Sex Distribution in Esan Ethnic Group of Edo State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to find out the possibility of a unique pattern of palm and finger prints (Dermatoglyphics) among 192 adults (96 males and 96 females) of Esan origin who, at the time of this study, were residing in Esan-land - the central senatorial district of Edo state, Nigeria. The subjects were selected via multi-stage sampling technique and fingerprint determination was performed using the Indian ink methods. Palm and fingerprints were observed for the angles connecting the triradii at the roots of the fingers (a-index finger, b-middle finger, c-ring finger d-small finger and t-the most proximal triradii in the palm) taken as atd, tad and tda angles. The data collected were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) using the student t-test, chi square test and ANOVA as statistical tools. Results showed that the loop pattern had the highest frequency (61.7%) followed by whorl (24.9%), arch (12.8%) and double whorl (0.6%). The mean atd angles were 43.49 for males and 44.02 for females; tad angles were 75.11 for males and 74.71 % for females; and tda were 61.22% for males and 61.35% females. These reveals that the pattern of finger prints distribution were similar for both sexes except that the males had more arches on the right hand (53%) than the females with more arches on the left hand (57.1%).Keywords: Esan people, Dematoglyphic Patterns, Finger Prints, Pal