Histopathological and Biochemical effects of aqueous leaf extract of Cadaba farinosa on the liver of adult Wistar Rats

Background: Plants are important source of chemical substances with therapeutic effects. Although, the promising potentials for good number of medicinal plants are being established, there exists in developing countries where people resort to herbal plants without proper awareness of the associated risks particularly in event of excessive or chronic use. Hence, the need to evaluate the histological and biochemical effects of aqueous leaf extract of Cadaba farinosa used traditionally for treatments of gastrointestinal parasites, cancer and diabetes in North-Eastern Nigeria. To evaluate the histological and biochemical effects of aqueous leaf extract of Cadaba farinosa on liver of adult Wistar rats.Methods: Twelve adult Wistar rats of both sexes were used and divided into four groups of three rats each. Group 1 served as control. Aqueous leaf extract were orally administered for 28 days at doses of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg respectively. Biochemical and histological analysis were performed.Results: This study showed significantly elevated levels of aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and alanine transaminase in animals treated with Cadaba farinosa (especially the highest dose 300mg/kg) compared to negative control. Elevated liver enzymes were corroborated by histopathological changes of liver exhibiting ballooning degenerations and steatohepatitis.Conclusions: Cadaba farinosa causes hepatic injury. Hence, further work needs to be done to ascertain whether reducing the dose of Cadaba farinosa would ameliorate this effect. Authors speculate that injury to multiple organelles including fat droplets and endoplasmic reticulum contribute to this characteristic finding.

The role of Ki‑67, p16, CD34, Bcl‑2, cyclooxygenase‑2 in the pathogenesis of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia.

CONTEXT: Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a highly persistent and aggressive oral pre‑malignant lesion with an obscure etiopathogenesis and a malignant transformation rate of 85‑100%. AIMS: The aim of the present study is to assess the role of Ki‑67, p16, CD34, Bcl‑2, cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑2) in the spectrum of PVL to ascertain their role in its etiopathogenesis. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective chart analysis was carried out on a series of seven confirmed cases of PVL, which were followed‑up for 2 years. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical appraisal of these cases was carried out by a panel of markers, related to cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and inflammation. The expression of these markers was correlated with patients’ clinicopathological profile. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The frequency distribution of the group data was analyzed. RESULTS: The latest labeling index of Ki‑67 in our cases ranged from 8.18 to 12.6. p16 was positive in 3/7 cases. Bcl‑2 expression was moderately positive in 2/7 cases. All cases were intensely positive for COX‑2 staining. Microvascular density assessed by CD34 staining ranged from 11 to 20/high power fields. One case which transformed into squamous cell carcinoma demonstrated increased Ki‑67, Bcl‑2, COX‑2, CD34 expression, but negative p16 and Bcl‑2 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Application of these markers in understanding the behavior of PVL suggests that an imbalance between the proliferation apoptosis dynamics of the lesion accompanied by an increase in inflammation and angiogenesis underlie the molecular pathogenesis of the PVL spectrum.

Neural regulation of the stress response: glucocorticoid feedback mechanisms

The mammalian stress response is an integrated physiological and psychological reaction to real or perceived adversity. Glucocorticoids are an important component of this response, acting to redistribute energy resources to both optimize survival in the face of challenge and to restore homeostasis after the immediate challenge has subsided. Release of glucocorticoids is mediated by the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, driven by a neural signal originating in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Stress levels of glucocorticoids bind to glucocorticoid receptors in multiple body compartments, including the brain, and consequently have wide-reaching actions. For this reason, glucocorticoids serve a vital function in negative feedback inhibition of their own secretion. Negative feedback inhibition is mediated by a diverse collection of mechanisms, including fast, non-genomic feedback at the level of the PVN, stress-shut-off at the level of the limbic system, and attenuation of ascending excitatory input through destabilization of mRNAs encoding neuropeptide drivers of the HPA axis. In addition, there is evidence that glucocorticoids participate in stress activation via feed-forward mechanisms at the level of the amygdala. Feedback deficits are associated with numerous disease states, underscoring the necessity for adequate control of glucocorticoid homeostasis. Thus, rather than having a single, defined feedback ‘switch’, control of the stress response requires a wide-reaching feedback ‘network’ that coordinates HPA activity to suit the overall needs of multiple body systems.

Molecular analysis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: A tissue microarray study.

Background : An intriguing aspect of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OSCC) is its behavioral disparity. Among patients who present with the similar clinicopathological features, some have a better prognosis than others. Identification of molecular alterations responsible for this may contribute to a greater understanding of tumor behavior. Tissue microarray (TMA) approach is a high throughput technology that enables analysis of multiple molecular targets simultaneously without causing any morphological alteration to tissue specimens. Aim and Objective : To assess the tumor behavior based on the expression of p53, Bcl-2 and E-cadherin using TMA technology. Settings and Design : This was a case series analysis using tissue microarray technology. Materials and Methods : Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks of histological proven cases of OSCC (n = 30) were retrieved from the department archives. Tissue microarray blocks were constructed; 4 ΅m thick sections were cut and immunostained for p53, Bcl-2 and E-cadherin. Stastistical Analysis : Mean (SD) was used to summarize age, frequencies with percentages was used to summarize categorical variable and Chi-square test was used to find association between histopathology evaluation and expression of Bcl-2, p53, E-cadherin. Results and Conclusion : Bcl-2 was the most frequently expressed biomarker. The expression of Bcl-2 was inversely related to the degree of differentiation (P = 0.005). The follow-up data showed that 63.6% of the cases that were positive for both Bcl-2 and E-cadherin were disease-free following treatment. Tissue microarray technology is a promising way to analyse multiple biomarkers simultaneously. The molecular data obtained from TMA will enhance diagnosis, provide better prognostication and will improve cancer treatment for individual patients.

Ameloblastic carcinoma. A case report with review of literature.

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare odontogenic malignant tumour and has been a subject of great debate in literature. It does challenge the diagnostic acumen of pathologists, as this lesion needs to be detected at an early stage for adequate therapy. We present a case of the same with literature review.

Glandular odontogenic cyst. A rare entity with aggressive biological behaviour. A case report.

Glandular Odontogenic cyst is an apparently rare jaw cyst characterised by typical histopathological features, propensity to reach large size and high rate of local recurrence, if not adequately treated. Identification of this cyst as a separate entity is important because of the difference in biological behaviour. We report a case of Glandular Odontogenic cyst occurring in maxilla.