Pathological Lesions in the Lungs of Neonatal Wistar Rats from Dams Administered Ethanol during Gestation

Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ethanol ingestion during pregnancy on the fetal lungs development. Adult Wistar rats were used and grouped into four groups and each group having four females and two males. Group A was the control group received only distilled water, while groups B, C and D received 0.2 mL of 20, 25 and 30% ethanol orally respectively daily for seven days during the 4 th to 10 th day of gestation. After delivery, the fetal lungs were removed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. The neonates' lungs were prepared through histological techniques and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin and were studied under the light microscope. The result showed alveolar degeneration, bronchiole-capillary thickening, bronchiolar degeneration and extravasations of erythrocyte in the ethanol treated groups while the control was normal. Ethanol ingestion during pregnancy could lead to ethanol-induced lung damage in the fetuses. Hence, alcohol ingestion should be avoided during pregnancy

Acute Exposure to Artesunate and its Effect on the Hematological Indices, Hepatotoxicity and Histology of the Liver of Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract: The effect of artesunate on the hematological indices, hepatotoxicity and histology of liver was investigated in 20 adult male wistar rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 5 each and group 1 which served as control were administered normal saline while groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered 1, 2 and 5 mg/kg/day respectively for a period of 5 days. The animals were humanely sacrificed on the sixth day and blood samples were obtained for hematological indices and serum enzyme analysis. The liver were excised and processed for light microscopy using the H & E stain. Hematological indices indicated insignificant difference in the RBC, WBC and DC counts, while a significant dose dependent increase in PCV and hemoglobin were observed (p<0.05). No changes were observed in the serum levels of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) among the groups. Histological examination of the liver revealed points of focal necrosis among the treated groups. The mild liver tissue damage was more evident among the over dosed group. Artesunate is thus safe, when administered within the therapeutic range

Health Effects of Psidium guajava L. Leaves: An Overview of the Last Decade

Today, there is increasing interest in discovering new bioactive compounds derived from ethnomedicine. Preparations of guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaves have traditionally been used to manage several diseases. The pharmacological research in vitro as well as in vivo has been widely used to demonstrate the potential of the extracts from the leaves for the co-treatment of different ailments with high prevalence worldwide, upholding the traditional medicine in cases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and parasitic infections. Moreover, the biological activity has been attributed to the bioactive composition of the leaves, to some specific phytochemical subclasses, or even to individual compounds. Phenolic compounds in guava leaves have been credited with regulating blood-glucose levels. Thus, the aim of the present review was to compile results from in vitro and in vivo studies carried out with guava leaves over the last decade, relating the effects to their clinical applications in order to focus further research for finding individual bioactive compounds. Some food applications (guava tea and supplementary feed for aquaculture) and some clinical, in vitro, and in vivo outcomes are also included.The author Vito Verardo thanks the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) for “Ramón y Cajal” post-doctoral contract

Von Economo neurons: A review of the anatomy and functions

Von Economo neurons (VENs) are large bipolar neurons found in the anterior cingulate, fronto‑insular, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices of great apes and the humans. VENs are defined by their thin, elongated cell body, and long dendrites projecting from the apical and basal ends. These neurons are mostly present in particularly high densities in cetaceans, elephants, and hominoid primates mainly, humans and apes. VENs have been shown to contribute in the specializations of neural circuits in species that share both large brain size and complex social cognition due to their location. This could possibly be due to the adaptation to rapidly relay of socially‑relevant information over long distances across the brain. The VENs have been shown to be recently evolved cell type that may be involved in the fast intuitive assessment of complex social situations. As such, they could be the part of the circuitry supporting human social networks. The VENs emerge mainly after birth and increase in number until 4 years of age. The presence of VENs in the fronto‑insular cortex has been linked to a possible role in the integration of bodily feelings, emotional regulation, and goal‑directed behaviors. Some studies have shown decreased number of VENs in neuropsychiatric diseases, in which social cognition is markedly affected. Some researchers have shown that selective destruction of VENs in the early stages of frontotemporal dementia implies that they are involved in empathy, social awareness, and self‑control which are consistent with evidence from functional imaging.Keywords: Apes, fronto‑insular cortex, frontotemporal dementia, humans, prefrontal cortex, Von Economo neuron

Annals of Experimental Biology 2014, 2 (4):21-27 Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antinociceptive activities of Orally Administered Aqueous Extract of Carica papaya Seeds in Animal Models

ABSTRACT It is generally agreed that medicinal plants and their products are safer than their synthetic counterpart

Effect of ethanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum on sodium nitrite‑induced cerebellar cortex toxicity in adult Wistar rats

Introduction: Intoxication of nitrites mainly from food and water constitute a potential hazard with a resultant hypoxia. Aim: The aim was to study the effects of ethanolic leaves extract of Ocimum gratissimum on sodium nitrite (NaNO2)‑induced cerebellar toxicity in adult Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty‑four adult Wistar rats weighing 150–250g were divided into six groups of four rats each. Group I was the control and received distilled water, Group II received 54 mg/kg body weight (bwt) of NaNO2, Group III received 750 mg/kg bwt of the extract and 54 mg/kg bwt of NaNO2, Group IV received 375 mg/kg bwt of the extract and 54 g/kg bwt of NaNO2, Group V received 54 mg/kg bwt of NaNO2 and 2 ml/kg bwt of olive oil, and Group VI received 2 ml/kg bwt of olive oil. The administration was by oral route and lasted for 21 days, after which the animals were sacrificed and blood collected for analyses, and the tissues were processed for histological studies.Results: The result showed a decrease in the mean bwt of the animals in Groups III and IV, a significant increase in serum levels of malondialdehyde and a decrease in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in Group II. The result of the hematological analysis showed a significant increase in red blood cells, white blood cells, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (P < 0.05). The result of histological studies showed degenerative changes in Group II with less degeneration in Group IV.Conclusion: The result showed that O. gratissimum in a controlled manner may be useful in the management of neurodegenerative conditions that involve free radical generation and reduction in brain energy production.Keywords: Cerebellum free radical, enzymes, hypoxia, oxidative stress, Ocimum gratissimu

Ethanol Extract of Carica papaya Seeds Induces Reversible Contraception in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Abstract: The quest for the development of an ideal male contraceptive has led to the discovery of the antifertility property of some species of C. papaya seed extracts. This study investigates the antifertility activity and reversibility of ethanol extract of C. papaya seeds in sexually matured male Wistar rats. 30 adult males and 60 female Wistar rats weighing between 180 and 220 g were used for the study. The male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 each. Group I which served as control were orally administered distilled water while groups II and III received 100 and 250 mg/kg/day of ethanol extract of C. papaya seeds respectively for a period of 90 days. 5 males from each group were subjected to fertility test before they were sacrificed to harvest the testes for histopathological analysis. The administration of the extract was discontinued for another 90 days period and the remaining 5 males in each group were subjected to fertility test before they were sacrificed to obtain the testes for histopathological analysis. The results showed normal pregnancy outcome in the females paired with the control group, reduced and zero pregnancy outcome in the females paired with the 100 and 250 mg/kg groups respectively after 90-day administration of the extract. After 90 days of discontinued administration of extract, normal pregnancy outcome were recorded in both the control and treated groups. The result of the histopathological analysis showed a moderate and highly depleted germinal epithelium in the 100 and 250 mg/kg groups respectively after 90 day administration of the extract. The germinal epithelium seen in both the control and the experimental groups were normal after 90 days discontinued extract administration. The study concludes that ethanol extract of C. papaya seeds induces reversible male contraception in Wistar rats