The effects of Moringa stenopetala on blood parameters and histopathology of liver and kidney in mice

Background: Moringa stenopetala and related species are commonly used in folk medicine for various human diseases such as antimalarial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic and as antispasmodic. Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of M. stenopetala on blood parameters, and histopathology of liver and kidney in experimental mice. Methods: Fresh leaves of M. stenopetala were collected from Arbaminch area, Southwest Ethiopia, in November 2005. The leaves were dried and extracted with water. Three month-old Swiss albino male mice, which were kept under uniform laboratory conditions, were randomly divided into four groups (one group of controls and three experimental). (The control group was orally given 0.5 ml of distilled water, and groups II, III and IV were given the aqueous leaf extract of M. stenopetala using intragastric tube to achieve the required doses of 600, 750 and 900 mg/kg body weight, respectively once a day at 24 hours intervals for six weeks and then sacrificed). Blood sample was collected from each mouse and examined for hematological and biochemical parameters. Liver and kidney were removed, stained and examined for histopathological profiles. The effects of treatment with aqueous extract of M. stenopetala on hematological, biochemical and histopathology features were compared with control group following standard procedures. Results: Mice treated with 900 mg/kg of the extract per kg of body weight showed a significant increase in body weight compared to the controls (P=0.014). Neither a significant change in the weight nor in histopathology of liver and kidney were observed in the animals treated with aqueous extract of M. stenopetala compared to those of the controls. Serum glucose level (P=0.034) and serum cholesterol level (P=0.016) decreased significantly after six weeks treatment. Conclusion: The aqueous leaf extract of M. stenopetala is shown to increase body weight and reduce serum glucose and cholesterol level in mice. This indicates nutritional and medicinal values, but we cannot yet recommend its therapeutic use before more and complete studies are done

The Effect of Clerodendrum Myricoides Aqueous Extract on Blood, Liver and Kidney Tissues of Mice

Clerodendrum myricoides is a plant traditionally used for its medicinal value in many parts of the world including Ethiopia. Several human defects are treated in different regions of Ethiopia using the roots, leaves, twigs, fruits and root barks of Clerodendrum myricoides species. The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Clerodendrum myricoides root on different tissue of mice in chronic administration. The root of the plant were collected in Bale area, Ethiopia dried and crushed into powder and soaked in water to yield aqueous extract. The extract was then administered to mice at doses of 100 and 400mg/kg bw/day for six weeks and 1134mg/kg bw/day (LD50) once. The 400mg/kg bw/day and LD50 treated mice showed hypoactivity (abnormally diminished activity), grooming, prostration (submissively prone position), piloroerection (elevation of hairs) and irritation, while 100mg/kg bw/day treated mice showed no behavioral changes. The dose of 100mg/kg bw/day produced significant weight gain, while 400mg/kg bw/day produced significant weight lost in chronic administration. The extract increased only urea at the dose of 100mg/kg bw/day, whereas it increases most hematological and biochemical parameters at 400mg/kg bw/day. The extract, however did not show significant change in platelet, HGB and MCHC value at both doses. Several histopathological changes in liver and kidney were also observed at both doses of the extract. There were inflammation and hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes at both doses. The LD50 of the extract produced hemorrhages and congestion in the glomeruli of the kidney

HISTOPATHOLOGIC PATTERN OF THYROID DISEASE

ABSTRACTBackground: Diseases of the thyroid are manifested by alteration in hormone secretion,enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter), or both. The principal diseases of the thyroidgland are goiter (diffuse or nodular), hypo or hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis and neoplasms.The incidence and prevalence of these thyroid diseases in a given community are variabledepending on various factors. Simple (non-toxic) goiter is extremely common throughoutthe world and is most prevalent in mountainous areas. The reported prevalance of goiter inEthiopia varies between 18% and 30%.Objective: To review the histopathologic patterns of thyroid disease and their relationshipwith age and sex over a five year period.Setting: Tikur Anbessa teaching and referral hospital, Department of Pathology, Faculty ofMedicine, Addis Ababa University.Methods: Retrospective analysis of five years biopsy material from patients with thyroiddisease.Results: Seven hundred and eighty consecutive patients with thyroid disease were includedin the study. Six hundred and sixty(79%) were found to be non-neoplastic and 164 (21%)were neoplastic. Nodular colloid goiter (NCG) were found in 600 (76.9%) cases. Adenoma,carcinoma and thyroiditis accounted for 100 (12.8%), 64 (8.2%) and 16 (2.1%) casesrespectively. Female to male ratio was 4.5:1. Eighty five point seven per cent of the thyroiddiseases were found in the age group 20-59 years.Conclusion: Nodular colloid goiter is the most prevalent thyroid disease. Papillary carcinomais the most frequent cancer seen in this series. Appropriate measures should be taken toreduce the iodine deficiency states in the diet to alleviate the social and medical consequencesof the NCG. Similary clinical evaluation of goiter should be thorough, and use all meansespecially histopathologic stu

Barium enema with reference to rectal biopsy for the diagnosis and exclusion of Hirschsprung disease

Background: Hirschsprung disease is congenital disease caused by a lack of ganglion cells in the distal bowel wall which results in functional obstruction of the aganglionic segment due to failure of relaxation during peristalsis. Barium enema is the best imaging modality to diagnose Hirschsprung disease but the gold standard to confirm the diagnosis is biopsy. Methods: A retrospective study to assess barium enema accuracy relative to rectal biopsy in diagnosing Hirschsprung disease was done at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and data were collected from August 1st to 14th 2010. Seventy one patients who had undergone both rectal biopsy and barium enema examination between January 2002 and December 2009 were studied. In this study patients’ record were reviewed and radiologic findings were compared with histopathology results. The results were analyzed using SPSS16. Results: In our study the mean age at diagnosis was 19 months which is a late diagnosis compared to other studies. Hirschsprung disease was more common in males and recto sigmoid was the most common area of transition zone. Large number of patients had emergency operation and diagnosis was late. Total percent agreement of barium enema and biopsy to diagnose HD is 79.1% and Kappa agreement of 0.34. In children greater than 1 year old accuracy of barium enema was very high (91.1%). Conclusion and recommendation: Sensitivity of barium enema is less in neonates. If barium enema has positive result intervention can be done safely, especially in children above 1year old. Biopsy is not always necessary for diagnosing Hirschsprung disease

Magnitude of internalised stigma and associated factors among people with bipolar disorder at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Objectives To assess the magnitude of internalised stigma and associated factors among patients with bipolar disorder attending the outpatient department of Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Design Institution-based cross-sectional study design.Setting Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Participants We recruited about 418 participants using systematic sampling technique for an interview during the study period.Measurement Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale was used to measure internalised stigma. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Oslo-3 Social Support were instruments used to assess the associated factors. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. ORs with 95% CI were computed to determine the level of significance.Results The magnitude of internalised stigma was 24.9% (95% CI: 21.2% to 28.9%). In the multivariate analysis, unemployed (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.3, 95% CI: 1.0 to 5.0), unable to read and write (AOR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.05 to 10.7), poor social support (AOR=5.3, 95% CI: 1.9 to 15.0), ≥4 previous hospitalisations due to bipolar disorder (AOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.1 to 6.1) and low self-esteem (AOR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.1 to 5.1) had a significant association with internalised stigma.Conclusions One in four patients with bipolar disorder reported high internalised stigma. Unemployment, low educational status, low self-esteem, poor social support and being hospitalised more than three times before were significantly associated with internalised stigma. Thus, a stigma-reduction programme focusing on self-esteem improvement and psychological health of patients to increase their stigma resistance to counteracting effects of internalised stigma is essential