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Background: This research investigated the recuperative (restorative) effect of aqueous extract of Carica papaya fruit on cadmium induced prefrontal-cortex damaged in adult Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). Previous research reports have confirmed that cadmium toxicity results in cellular damage which is due to an increase in production of reactive oxygen species and prevention of the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Various parts of the brain (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and so on) are majorly affected by cadmium as its induced damage. Methods: 30 Wistar rats (70 g-190 g) were used for this research. The rats were randomly selected into six groups of five animals each. A single dose of 3CdSO4.8H2O (Cadmium sulphate octahydrous) 3.5 mg/kg body weights was administered intraperitoneally to three of these groups against control a group that was not exposed to Cadmium. Two groups were treated with different doses of Carica papaya fruit extract for the period of four weeks. After four weeks, the rats were sacrificed and organs excised, weigh and fixed in fixative for histological processing. The photomicrographs of the normal control, induced control and treated groups were observed and compared for histomorphological similarities and differences. Results: Cadmium was observed to have caused a distortion, disruption and calcification in the cells and tissue of the prefrontal cortex. There was shrinkage of nuclei of the neurons in cadmium induced rats. It was also observed that cadmium caused a loss in function of cell in the process of protein biosynthesis. The morphology of the neuronal cells of rats treated with high and low doses of Carica papaya extract was found to be slightly normal with increased viable neuronal cells as compared with the neurons of the normal control group 1 animals, though the restorative effects of the high dose treated rats were more pronounced. Also, it was observed that the damage to the brain section neurons treated with vitamins C and E before induction was not pronounced. Moreso, loss in body weight were observed in cadmium induced group animals and over treatment with Carica papaya, gain in the rats body weight was observed in the treatment animal groups as compared with the body weight of rats in normal control. Animal body weight before cadmium inoculation, after inoculation and before animal sacrifice were compared across all the groups and it was found that, there was a progressive increase in rats body weight (99±2,35≤ 150 ±3.21), (120±2.32≤189±3.21) and (135±1.35≤175±2.15) respectively which was significant at P ≤ 0.05. Conclusion: It can be ascertained from this present study that Carica papaya has ameliorative properties against deleterious effects of cadmium on the neurons and neuroglia of the prefrontal-cortex in Wistar rats which is dose dependent.
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Background: Cadmium is a carcinogenic agent in humans, and therefore, a cancer causing substance. In the body it is extensively circulated, but it is bound mainly to erythrocytes. Though cadmium binds to various macromolecules and proteins in the body, it is not well metabolized. Cadmium intensifies oxidative damage in the nervous system (and various other organ systems) thereby causing harm. The damage results from an increase in production of reactive oxygen species and inhibition of antioxidant enzymes as shown by previous researches. This study investigated possible effects of Carica papaya as an antioxidant in the damage of the brain caused by cadmium. Methods: Thirty Wistar rats weighing between 120 g-180 g of both sexes were divided into six groups of five animals each and used in this study. Six groups were induced intraperitoneally with a single dose of 3.5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium sulphate. Two out of these six groups were treated with high and low doses of Carica papaya, 250 mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight respectively for the period of four weeks. After sacrifice, enzyme assays were carried out on the tissue supernatant homogenates. Results: The investigation showed that MDA level of activities decreased in the prefrontal cortex supernatant of groups 1, 2 and 6 animals and an increase in the MDA level of activities were observed in groups 4 and 5 rats which was significant at p<0.05. There was a decrease in catalase activities in groups 2 and 3 rats, also, an increase in CAT activities in groups 4 and 5 rats, the decrease was significant in groups 2 and 3 animals as compared with the control group 1 rats. GST activities decreased in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 rats and the decreased activities were significant at p<0.05 when compared with control group 1 animals. Progressive increase in the superoxide dismutase was observed in groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 rats and this increase in activities was found significant at p<0.05 in groups 4, 5 and 6 rats when compared with the control group 1 rats. Conclusion: The present study has justified the ameliorative properties of Carica papaya in scavenging the free oxygen radicals and supplement the cellular antioxidant systems.
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Background: Hypertension and Diabetes mellitus have emerged as the leading non-communicable disease worldwide, thus, the increasing need to continuously explore more and better ways of treating these diseases.Objectives: To carry out a survey of plants used in the treatment of hypertension and Diabetes mellitus in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: Interview was conducted among respondents using semi-structured questionnaires and asking open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.Result: A total of 30 respondents comprising of 60.0% male and 40.0% female with the highest distribution of age range at above 50 years old (50.0%) was reported. Forty (40) medicinal plant species belonging to thirty-one (31) plant families were cited with the Apocynaceae family having the highest number of medicinal plants, followed by Asteraceae. For hypertension, 32 plant species were reported of which the most cited were Allium sativum (4) and Ficus asperifolia (2) while for Diabetes mellitus, 20 plant species were mentioned, of which the most cited were Hunteria umbellata (10) and Vernonia amygdalina (9). Of particular interest in this study were the plants that appeared for both hypertension and Diabetes treatment.Conclusion: This survey has helped to increase available medicinal plants knowledge and documentation in the management of hypertension and Diabetes. However, further work on the pharmacological activity of these plants as well as formulation in proper dosage form is recommended
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus/therapy , Hypertension/therapy , Medicine, Traditional , Nigeria , Plants, Medicinal/therapeutic use , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) share similar routes of transmission; making it possible for an individual to have a co-infection. HBV infection is well known to be a major cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV infection among HIV infected HAART naive patients and investigate the effect of co-infection on CD4 count and liver function. Study design: This was a hospital based descriptive cross sectional study of one hundred consecutive therapy-naive HIV-infected individuals. The CD4 count; Hepatitis B surface antigen; Serum albumin; total Protein; and liver enzymes were determined using standard techniques. Results:The prevalence of HIV and HBV co-infection was 37. The mean serum ALT and ALP were significantly higher in the co- infected patients (Pvalues 0.05). The mean CD4 count of the mono infected patients was significantly higher (p-value of 0.014). The mean serum ALT; AST and ALP of mono and co-infected patients with CD4 count200/?l were significantly higher than those with count ? 200 cells/?l. (p-value of 0.01). The mean ALT and AST of the co -infected patients and all patients with CD4 count 200 cells/?l were higher than the normal reference range. Conclusion : Approximately one third of HIV positive patients had hepatitis B virus co-infection. Coinfection and CD4 count 200 cells/?l are likely to result in abnormal ALT and AST. We recommend that co-infected patients and those with CD4 count 200 cells/?l should be given non-hepatotoxic antiretroviral drug
Subject(s)
Coinfection , HIV Infections , Hepatitis B virus , LiverABSTRACT
Post-pandial glycaemic responses to food can be affected by the method involved in the preparation of the food. Dietary intervention with food modification forms the corner- stone of management of type 2 diabetes worldwide. The effect of processing on yam; a staple food in Nigeria; was studied among diabetic and non-diabetic Nigerians. Despite undergoing more processing; amala prepared from yam flour had a better post-pandial glycaemic response index (PGRI) compared to other yam preparations; and this was also significantly higher among the diabetic subjects. Yam-based products; particularly amala; should be encouraged among diabetic Nigerians