Ameliorative effects of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on anaemia and osmotic fragility induced by proteinenergy malnutrition

This study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of dietary supplementation of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf on anaemia and changes in erythrocyte osmotic fragility in protein energymalnourished rats. Protein energy malnutrition has been associated with anaemia and changes in osmotic fragility, deformability and lifespan of erythrocytes. In this study, protein-energy malnutritioninduced in weanling male Wister rats by feeding them low protein diet for 3 weeks was associated with significantly reduced (

Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota)

Compared to the higher fungi (Dikarya), taxonomic and evolutionary studies on the basal clades of fungi are fewer in number. Thus, the generic boundaries and higher ranks in the basal clades of fungi are poorly known. Recent DNA based taxonomic studies have provided reliable and accurate information. It is therefore necessary to compile all available information since basal clades genera lack updated checklists or outlines. Recently, Tedersoo et al. (MycoKeys 13:1--20, 2016) accepted Aphelidiomycota and Rozellomycota in Fungal clade. Thus, we regard both these phyla as members in Kingdom Fungi. We accept 16 phyla in basal clades viz. Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota. Thus, 611 genera in 153 families, 43 orders and 18 classes are provided with details of classification, synonyms, life modes, distribution, recent literature and genomic data. Moreover, Catenariaceae Couch is proposed to be conserved, Cladochytriales Mozl.-Standr. is emended and the family Nephridiophagaceae is introduced

Antidiabetic and haematinic effects of Parquetina nigrescens on alloxan induced type-1 diabetes and normocytic normochromic anaemia in Wistar rats

Background: The plant, Parquetina nigrescens is used in folklore medicine to treat diabetes mellitus and its complications in several parts of West Africa. Objective: To determine the effect of Parquetina nigrescens extract on fasting blood glucose in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: The blood glucose levels, complete blood count, erythrocyte indices and osmotic fragility, body and organ weights were evaluated. Results: Diabetic rats treated with the extract showed significant (P<0.01) reduction of the blood glucose to levels comparable to that of the non-diabetic control and those treated with chlorpropamide (standard drug). Similarly, there was significant (P<0.01) reduction in the complete blood count in the diabetic rats. Discussion: The anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia associated with the diabetes were corrected in the animals treated with the extract and chlorpropamide. The extract also reduced the erythrocyte osmotic fragility, body and organ weights. Parquetina nigrescens demonstrated antidiabetic property by reducing the elevated blood glucose in alloxan treated rats which is comparable to animals that received the standard drug. Conclusion: Paraquetina nigrescens stabilized the erythrocyte membrane, decreased the body weight probably by lowering lipogenesis. However, the mechanism underlying the antidiabetic and haematinic properties of Parquetina nigrescens remains to be elucidated

Hepatocellular carcinoma and the underlying mechanisms

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma is increasing worldwide as well as the associated risk factors, some of which include exposure to aflatoxin B1, Hepatitis B (HBV) virus and hepatitis C (HCV) virus. Mutation of tumour suppressor gene p53 at codon 249ser at exon 7 has been found to contribute significantly to replication of damaged DNA and subsequent tumour progression. The x gene of HBV (HBx) is the most common open reading frame integrated into the host genome in hepatocellular carcinoma and the integrated HBx is frequently mutated in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mutant HBx proteins still retain their ability to bind to p53 thereby attenuating DNA repair and p53-mediated apoptosis

Amelioration of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity and haemotoxicity by aqueous leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in rats

This study was conducted to explore possible protective effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (CA) leaf extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity and haemotoxicity in experimental animal models. Thirty six rats of six per group were used in this study. Group I received 10ml/kg normal saline as control. Group II-VI rats were administered with 1.25ml/kg body weight (bwt) of carbon tetrachloride intraperitonealy. Animals in groups III, IV, V and VI were however pre-treated with aqueous extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius at 100, 250, 500 and 750mg/kg body weight (bwt) respectively. Administration of CCL4 in untreated rats led to microcytic hypochromic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, increased erythrocyte fragility and stress induced leucocytosis accompanied with significant (P<0.05) increase in neutrophils and decrease (P<0.01) in lymphocyte counts. CCl4 also led to significant (P<0.05) increase in serum transaminases (ALT and AST) and phosphatase (ALP) respectively compared with control animals. Also, CCL4 produced significant (P<0.05) increase in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine compared with normal rats. Pre-treatment with Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf extract brought about significant restoration of the haematological parameters to values that were comparable to those of the control with concomitant decrease (P<0.05) in the activities of the marker of hepatic damage enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP), in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were also brought to near normal by the CA in a dose-dependent manner. From this study, we conclude that pre-exposure to Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf extract considerably reduced the effect of CCl4 on the blood parameters and ameliorated hepatic damage by the haloalkane

Ameliorative effects of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on alloxan toxicity in Wistar rats

Background: Diabetes has been associated with several complications occasioned by oxidative stress. Thus, in treatment of the condition, these complications must also be taken into consideration. This study evaluates the effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius complications of diabetes induced by alloxan, on haematology and sperm morphometry using the Wistar rats.Methods: Diabetes was induced in 25 rats using alloxan. The diabetic rats were then divided into five groups B-F consisting of five rats per group. Groups C-E were administered with 100mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg of ethanolic leaves extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, respectively, for four weeks post treatment with alloxan, while group F received Chlorpropamide (Diabenes®, Pfizer). The diabetic rats in group B were not treated while group A served as the non diabetic control.Result: Following treatment with alloxan, there was anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leucopenia, while the sperm count, motility and live/dead ratio were significantly reduced. Sperm morphological abnormalities and erythrocyte osmotic fragility also increased significantly. Following treatment of alloxan treated-rats with the extract, there were significant increases in the PCV, RBC, Hb, WBC, MCV and the platelet values. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility, sperm count, motility and live/dead ratio also improved significantly.Conclusion: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius extract was found to ameliorate the effects of alloxan induced diabetes on the haematology but not on the abnormal sperm morphometry in rats.Keywords: Haematological parameters, osmotic fragility, sperm morphometry, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, chlorpropamid

Changes in haematology, plasma biochemistry and erythrocyte osmotic fragility of the Nigerian laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) in captivity

The haematology, plasma biochemistry and erythrocyte osmotic fragility of the Nigerian laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) were studied after 4 and 8 weeks in captivity. At 8 weeks, there was a normocytic hypochromic anaemia characterized by reduced values for packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), but the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was unaltered compared with the corresponding values at 4 weeks. The platelet count, total white blood cell count, heterophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were also lower at 8 weeks than those of the birds sampled at 4 weeks in captivity. There was also a stress induced increased heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and the erythrocytes were more fragile in hypotonic solution in birds sampled at 8 weeks. Plasma aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphate (ALP) increased at 8 weeks, though non-significantly, which might have been due to muscle wasting consequent upon decreased muscular activities associated with prolonged captivity. The results suggest that maintaining wild birds in captivity for a prolonged period could be stressful as shown by the heterophil/lymphocytes ratio and reduced erythrocyte osmotic resistance, and could lead to decreases in erythrocyte parameters and muscle wasting.Keywords: Haematological parameters, erythrocyte osmotic fragility, laughing dove, captivit

Evaluation Of Cytogenotoxic And Nutrient Composition Of Three Commonly Consumed Vegetables In South- Western Nigeria

Consumption of leafy vegetables provides health benefits but sometimes may turn out to be the cause of certain health problems. Thus, adequate toxicological screening is needed to ensure safety of their consumption. Aqueous extracts of Corchorus olitorius L., Celosia argentea L., and Ocimum gratissimum L. were evaluated for cyto-genotoxic effects on Allium cepa L. root cells using 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 25.0 and 50.0 part per thousand (ppt), each of the vegetable extracts. The levels of macronutrients (moisture, ash, protein, fibre, fat and carbohydrate) in the vegetables and some minerals (cadmium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, nickel and zinc) of their aqueous extracts were determined. The carbohydrate values were in the order O. gratissimum > C. olitorius > C. argentea with 48.17% as the highest. The values obtained for ash, protein, fat, Mg and Zn contents were in the order C. argentea > C. olitorius > O. gratissimum , with the highest values of 19.98%, 30.79%,, 0.22% , 226.4 mg/L and 2.57mg/L, respectively obtained for C. argentea. The concentration of Cu and Pb were in the order of O.gratissium > C. argentea> C. olitorius with 0.67 and 0.21mg/L obtained for O.gratissium (P<0.05). The aqueous extracts of the three vegetables inhibited root growth and cell division in the A. cepa root tips, with the highest inhibitory effects observed in C. argentea at 50.0 ppt. Induced chromosomal aberrations were significant only at 1.0 and 25 ppt of O. gratissimum, whereas there were no significant differences in aberrant cells in C. olitorius and C. argentea compared to the control. Chromosomal aberrations observed in the treated A. cepa roots include c-mitosis, Chromosome bridge and sticky chromosome. The results showed that the three vegetables have nutritive qualities but with root growth and mitotic inhibitory activities, which were severe in C. argentea. Although the result indicates that chromosomal aberrations might be induced at higher concentrations, the antimitotic potential of the extract of C. argentea may favour its uses in the development of drugs to prevent the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells of which investigation is required