A-21 day safety evaluation of methanol extract of stem bark of artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) fosberg (Moraceae) in wistar rats

Background: Medicinal plants have been used as therapeutic agents since prehistoric era. Artocarpus altilis (Breadfruit)is used in African traditional medicine to treat hypertension with scanty information on its safety profile in animals.Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the toxicological effects of oral administration of methanol extract of Artocarpus altilis (MEAA) in rats.Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each and were treated orally with corn oil (control), 100, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of MEAA for twenty one days.Results: MEAA caused insignificant (p>0.05) changes in the activities of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases(ALT and AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) relative to the control. Cardiac and hepatic AST (114.8±4.8 and(111.0±1.0) serum urea (1.1±0.2), creatinine (0.3±0.1), lactate dehydrogenase (17.3±5.8) and creatinine kinase (15.5±4.4)were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in rats treated with 2000 mg/kg of MEAA when compared to control [(134.8±5.8and 129.7±5.0), 2.94±0.3, 0.4±0.1, 38.5±13.3 and 41.3±2.9]. The MEAA significantly decreased (p<0.05) serum total cholesterol and triglyceride while high density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-c) level was increased. Histopathological examination of liver, kidney and aorta slides from MEAA- treated rats showed little alteration from the control.Conclusions: The MEAA could be safe when used over a long period for therapeutic purposes

Effects of long-term consumption of energy drinks on the body and brain weights of adult Wistar rats

Background: Effects of long-term consumption of energy drinks commonly used as flavored beverage drinks on the body and brain weights of adult Wistar rats was carefully studied. Materials and Methods: Twenty adult Wistar rats; with average weight of 200 g were randomly assigned into treatment (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups. The rats in the treatment group received energy drinks and distilled water alternatively on a daily basis for 10 h and 14 h liberally for 30 days while the control group received distilled water liberally for the 30 days. The weight of the rats were measured daily during the period of the study. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on the 31st day of the experiment; and the brain was carefully dissected out; weighed using Mettler Toledo weighing balance. The values obtained from the control and treatment groups were recorded and compared statistically using the unpaired sample t-test and symmetric measured test of the statistical package for social sciences. Results: The results of this experiment indicated that there was a significant (P 0.05) increase in the body and brain weights (g); and a significant (P 0.05) decrease in relative brain weight () of the treated animals with energy drinks as compared to the control group. Conclusion: Long-term consumption of energy drinks could; therefore; have adverse effects on the body and brain weights of adult Wistar rats. Recommendation: We suggest that further studies aimed at corroborating these observations in humans be carried out

The Effect of Cold and Haemorrhagic Stress on Reticulocytes in Male Albino Wistar Rats

Background: In this study; the effect of cold and haemorrhagic stressors in male albino Wistar rats will be investigated. Methods: Cold stress was induced by placing the animals in thermostatic chamber containing ice cold water (0-10oC) and well aerated. Rats were allowed to stay for 5; 10; 15 and 20 minutes before they were bled from the tail vein at 2; 4; 6; 8 and 24 hours for reticulocyte counts. For the haemorrhagic stress; 30of blood was withdrawn from the vein after which reticulocytes were counted at 2; 4; 6; 8 and 24 hours. Results: Cold and haemorrhagic stress caused increased reticulocyte counts in male albino Wistar rats. The controls were not subjected to any condition. In cold stress; the maximum percentage reticulocyte count was (at zero hour) 6.21 + 0.21while the control was 1.02 + 0.12. In the case of the haemorrhagic stressor; the percentage reticulocyte was seen to peak at the 6th hour (6.19 + 0.12) and subsequently decrease to 2.59 + 0.02. The probable causes of this rise in reticulocytes are discussed. Conclusion: In cold and haemorrhagic stress; reticulocyte count peaked at 2 and 6 hours respectively; depicting when maximum erythropoietic activity was reached in blood forming organs

Effets de la chloroquine sur la thyroide de rat

Depuis les observations de Marine vers les annees 1950; le goitre colloide est considere comme etant le resultat de l'accumulation de colloide apres l'arret de la stimulation de la glande prealablement hy-perplasique. Nous avons injecte ou administre par voie orale; 1mg de chloroquine a des rats Wistar pendant 1 ou 3 jours. D'autres rats ont d'abord recu le 6 - Propyl - 2 Thiouracil (0;25) dans leur ali-mentation avant l'administration de la chloroquine. Les rats ont ete peses ainsi que leur thyroide. Les coupes histologiques ont ete traitees au PAS. Nous avons observe une augmentation des poids moyen absolu et relatif; un goitre colloide et parfois des depots de substance fibrinoide. Ces observa-tions font suggerer un blocage de l'endocytose par la chloroquine. L'usage de la chloroquine au long cours pourrait etre implique dans la pathogenie du goitre dans les regions d'endemie palustre