Amelioration of radiation-induced cellular alterations in rats administered with solvent fractions of methanol leaf extracts of Adansonia digitata and Corchorus olitorius

Exposure of rats to radiation results in an increase of free radical level from subtoxic (24 μg/mol) to a toxic concentration (120 μg/mol) in the system of rats. Free radical level above 120 μg/mol, leads to dysregulated Nf-kB and Nrf-2, thus exacerbating oxidative stress and cellular alterations in rats. This study investigated the effects of solvents (n-hexane, ethylacetate and n-butanol) fractions of Adansonia digitata and Corchorus olitorius leaves in radiation-induced Nf-kB and Nrf-2 dysregulation in Cellular System of Rats. A total of 48 rats (198 ± 5.00g) were used in this study and were distributed into 8 groups of 6 each. Group I were fed with rat chow and distilled water only, all other groups were irradiated, such that groups II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX were administered distilled water, n-hexane fractions of A. digitata and C. olitorius, ethylacetate fractions of A. digitata and C. olitorius, n-butanol fractions of A. digitata and C. olitorius and Vitamin-C at 1000 mg/kg body weight respectively. Secondary metabolites screening of A. digitata and C. olitorius revealed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenol, alkaloids, tannins and saponins. irradiation significantly (p<0.05) increased Nf-kB, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT) and significantly (p<0.05) reduced Nrf-2 and antioxidant capacity. Administration of solvents fractions at 1000 mg/kg bwt significantly (p<0.05) reduced Nf-kB, ALP, ALT and significantly (p<0.05) increased Nrf-2 and antioxidant capacity of rats in the treated groups, such that, n-butanol fraction is the most effective. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and Duncan multiple range test at p<0.05. n-butanol fractions, can therefore be explored as oral remedy against cellular alterations in rats

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF THE SOLVENT FRACTIONS FROM BULBINE NATALENSIS TUBER

Bulbine natalensis Baker has been acclaimed to be used as an antimicrobial agent in the folklore medicine of South Africa without scientific evidence to substantiate or refute this claim. In view of this, the in vitro antimicrobial activity of solvent fractions (ethanol, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water) from Bulbine natalensis Tuber against 4 Gram positive and 12 Gram negative bacteria as well as 3 fungal species were investigated using agar dilution. The ethanolic extract, n-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions inhibited 75, 87.5 and 100% respectively of the bacterial species in this study. The ethanolic, n-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions produced growth inhibition at MIC range of 1-10, 3-10 as well as 1 and 5 mg/ml respectively whereas the water fraction did not inhibit the growth of any of the bacterial species. Again, it was only the ethyl acetate fraction that inhibited the growth of Shigelli flexneri, Staphyloccus aureus and Escherichia coli. The ethanolic, ethyl acetate and n-butanolic fractions dose dependently inhibited the growth of Aspergillus niger and A. flavus whereas the water fraction produced 100% growth inhibition of the Aspergillus species at all the doses investigated. In contrast, no growth inhibition was produced on Candida albicans. The growth inhibition produced by the solvent fractions of B. natalensis Tuber in this study thus justifies the acclaimed use of the plant as an antimicrobial agent. The ethyl acetate fraction was the most potent

Liver and Kidney Functional Indices of Pregnant Rats Following the Administration of the Crude Alkaloids from Senna alata (Linn. Roxb) Leaves

Background: Alkaloids from Senna alata leaves implicated as the active constituents of abortifacient are yet to be investigated for their effects on the normal functioning of the maternal liver and kidney. Therefore, the effects of crude alkaloids on some biochemical indices of kidney and liver damage were investigated in pregnant rats. Methods: Pregnant rats were randomized into 4 groups: A (control), B, C, and D and were orally administered 0.5 ml of distilled water, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the alkaloids respectively once daily on days 10-18 post coitum. Results: Thin-layer chromatographic separation gave five spots with Rf values of 0.28, 0.33, 0.39, 0.47, and 0.55 that produced creamy precipitate and reddish-brown colour, respectively, with Mayer’s and Wagner’s reagents. Quantitative determination gave 0.30 g which corresponded to a percentage yield of 1.50 % of the alkaloids. The decreases in the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate (AST) and alanine transaminases in the liver and kidney of the animals by the alkaloids were accompanied by corresponding increases in the serum enzymes. The alkaloids reduced liver- and kidney-body weight ratios, serum globulin, urea, uric acid, and phosphate ions while the serum concentrations of albumin, bilirubin, creatinine, potassium ions, AST/ALT ratio, blood urea nitrogen: creatinine increased. The levels of sodium, calcium, and chloride ions did not change significantly (P>0.05). Conclusion: Overall, the alkaloid at doses of 250-1000 mg/kg body weight produced permeability changes in the plasma membrane of the organs and adversely affected the normal secretory, synthetic, and excretory functions of these organs

Aqueous extract of Carpolobia lutea root ameliorates paroxetine-induced anti-androgenic activity in male rats

Study objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of Carpolobia lutea root on the androgenic indices of paroxetine-treated male rats. Materials and methods: Sexually active, male rats (133.10 ± 4.21 g) were completely randomized into five groups (A–E) of 5 animals each. Rats in group A received 0.5 ml of distilled water once daily for 7 days while those in groups B, C, D and E which were induced with anti-androgenicity (oral administration of 10 mg/kg of paroxetine suspension, once daily for 21 days) received 0.5 ml of distilled water and 0.5 ml corresponding to 47, 94 and 141 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively. Outcome: Administration of paroxetine significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the levels of total protein, sialic acid, glycogen, total cholesterol and testosterone as well as the activities of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transferase in the testes of the animals. In contrast, the decreased levels of these androgenic parameters following the administration of paroxetine were reversed by the extract towards those of the normal animals that received distilled water. The 141 mg/kg body of extract completely attenuated the levels of these androgenic parameters when compared with the normal distilled water treated animals. Conclusion: The reversibility and/or enhanced synthesis of testosterone and androgen dependent parameters by the C. lutea root which confers anabolic and androgenic activities on the plant may explain the rationale for its use in the management of sexual dysfunction and fertility in animals

Effects of Aqueous Stem Extract of Massularia Acuminata on Some Liver Function Indices of Male Rats

Background: Massularia acuminata has been claimed to be used in managingseveral ailments in folk medicine and in some instances substantiated withscientific data. This however has been without recourse to its safety. Therefore,aqueous stem extract of M. acuminata was evaluated for its effects on somefunction indices of the liver of male rats.Methods: Sixty, male rats were grouped into 4 (A, B, C and D) such that Group A(control) was orally administered 1cm3 of distilled water while those in groups B, Cand D received orally 1 cm3 of extract corresponding to 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kgbody weight respectively. Some biochemical parameters of liver function wereevaluated in the animals after 1, 7 and 21 daily doses.Results: The extract significantly decreased (P<0.05) the activity of alkalinephosphatase in the liver of rats throughout the experimental period. This decreasewas accompanied by corresponding increase in the serum enzyme. In contrast, allthe doses of the extract increased the activities of both the AST and ALT in the liverand serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase as well asthe concentrations of serum total bilirubin, protein and albumin.Conclusion: This study has revealed that the aqueous stem extract of Massulariaacuminata at the doses of 250-1000 mg/kg body weight hampered the normalfunctioning of the liver of male rats and is therefore not safe for oral consumption atthe doses investigated

Effects of 1:1 Mixture of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides Root Bark Extracts on Haematological Parameters, Liver and Kidney Function Indices of Male Rats

Background: This study evaluated the effects of 1:1 mixture of aqueous root bark extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC) Guill & Perr (Combretaceae) and Terminalia avicennioides Guill & Perr (Combretaceae) in male rats. Methods: Male rats were orally administered a 1:1 mixture of both extracts (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) for seven days. Liver and kidney function indices, haematological parameters and the levels of malondialdehyde were evaluated in the animals at 7 days post-administration of the mixture of the extracts. Results: Administration of mixture of the extract significantly (p0.05) altered. Conclusions: The present study revealed that the mixture caused functional toxicity of the liver and kidney of male rats without any evidence of haematotoxicity. The consumption of the 1:1 mixture of the plant extracts at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight has some toxic implications in male rats

Attenuation of Biochemical, Haematological and Histological Indices of Alloxan Toxicity in Male Rats by Aqueous Extract of Fadogia agrestis (Schweinf. Ex Hiern) Stem

Background: The effects of aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis stem at the doses of 18, 36, and 72 mg/kg body weight on alloxan-induced toxicity was investigated in Wistar rats. Methods: In total, 35 rats of both sexes (132.80±7.22g) were randomized into five groups (A-E): animals in group A received 0.5 ml of distilled water orally on daily basis for 15 days while the alloxanized rats in groups B, C, D and E also received orally 0.5 ml of distilled water and same volume of the extract corresponding to 18, 36, and 72 mg/kg body weight, respectively after which levels of some biomolecules were determined. Results: Administration of alloxan significantly (P<0.05) increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratio, levels of serum total and conjugated bilirubin, uric acid, Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Cl- as well as activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the serum whereas activities of ALP, AST and ALT in the liver and kidney, erythrocytes and leucocytes indices, total protein, globulin and PO42- levels as well as albumin/globulin ratio decreased (P<0.05) significantly. Alloxan also caused severe necrosis of the tubular epithelial cells in the nephrons and degeneration of the hepatocytes. Although all doses of the plant extract significantly mitigated these changes; the reversals at 72 mg/kg body weight of the extract compared well (P>0.05) with their respective non-alloxanized distilled water treated control animals in 78% of the parameters investigated. Conclusion: Overall, the aqueous extract of Fadogia agrestis stem attenuated the alloxan treatment related biochemical, haematological and histological changes in the rats with the 72 mg/kg body weight achieving total reversal in 18 out of the 23 parameters investigated

Effects of Aqueous Root Bark Extracts of Anogeissusleiocarpus (DC) Guill&Perrand TerminaliaavicennioidesGuill&Perr on Redox and Haematological Parameters of Diethylnitrosamine-Administered Rats

Background: This study investigated the protective effects of aqueous extracts of Anogeissusleiocarpus (DC) Guill&Perr (family: Combretaceae) and Terminaliaavicennioides Guill&Perr (family: Combretaceae) root barks, as well as their 1:1 (w/w) mixture on liver redox and haematological parameters of diethylnitrosamine-treated rats. Methods: Rats were orally administered distilled water, diethylnitrosamine (30 mg/kg body weight once a week on weeks 3 and 4), curcumin (200 mg/kg body weight), extracts and 1:1 mixture (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight) for 4 weeks. Malondialdehyde, markers of oxidative stress and hematological indices were evaluated. Results: The extracts and their mixture significantly (P<0.05) reversed the diethylnitrosamine-induced alterations in the levels of liver malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione, vitamin C and platelet counts. The other haematological parameters (red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count and neutrophil count) were not affected by diethylnitrosamine and extracts. Conclusion: The extracts possess antioxidant, hepatoprotective and haemoprotective activities that compared well with curcumin. These activities were better exhibited by the mixture than the individual extracts

Protective Effect of Free and Bound Polyphenol Extracts from Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) on the Hepatic Antioxidant and Some Carbohydrate Metabolizing Enzymes of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of polyphenols from Zingiber officinale on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by assessing liver antioxidant enzymes, carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes and liver function indices. Initial oral glucose tolerance test was conducted using 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg body weight of both free and bound polyphenols from Z. officinale. 28 day daily oral administration of 500 mg/kg body weight of free and bound polyphenols from Z. officinale to streptozotocin-induced (50 mg/kg) diabetic rats significantly reduced (P<0.05) the fasting blood glucose compared to control groups. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in the antioxidant enzymes activities in the animals treated with both polyphenols. Similarly, the polyphenols normalised the activities of some carbohydrate metabolic enzymes (hexokinase and phosphofructokinase) in the liver of the rats treated with it and significantly reduced (P<0.05) the activities of liver function enzymes. The results from the present study have shown that both free and bound polyphenols from Z. officinale especially the free polyphenol could ameliorate liver disorders caused by diabetes mellitus in rats. This further validates the use of this species as medicinal herb and spice by the larger population of Nigerians