ABSTRACT
Masfon – Aloe vera drink was employed in this study to ascertain its effect on gastric acid secretion, mucus output and cytoprotection. The study utilized forty five (45) wistar albino rats which were divided into 3 batches of 15 rats each. Batch 1 served for gastric acid secretion, while batches 2 and 3 were for mucus output and cytoprotection studies respectively. Each batch was further divided into three groups of 5 rats each (control, low dose and high dose). The study duration was 21 days. The control received 0.3 ml of normal saline (0.9% NaCl solution) while the low dose (LD) and high dose (HD) experimental groups received Masfon - Aloe vera drink (1 ml and 3 ml/kg body weight orally, once daily respectively). The study was done at the Department of Physiology, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Results showed the mean basal gastric acid output (μmol/L/hr) for both low dose (9.92±1.51) and high dose (13.36±1.25) groups were significantly (P<0.01 and P<0.001) greater than control (5.20±0.05). Following histamine administration, the mean gastric acid output in the experimental groups were, control (21.64±3.58), low dose (24.64±2.76), and high dose (19.60±1.93). Simultaneous administration of histamine + ranitidine showed a decrease in mean acid output which was significant (P<0.01) in the low dose (11.56±1.96) compared to the control (4.64±0.64) and high dose (5.88±0.89) groups. Results for gastric ulceration showed that the mean ulcer score for low dose (9.60±0.73) and high dose (9.60±0.75) groups were significantly (P<0.001) reduced when compared to the control group (14.30±0.75). The mean mucus output was 0.07±0.01 in the control group, 0.06±0.01 in the low dose group and 0.05±0.01 in the high dose group. Masfon–Aloe vera drink administered at these concentrations is anti–ulcerogenic via a mechanism that does not involve a reduction or increase in gastric acid and mucus respectively.
ABSTRACT
A general knowledge among youths is that alcohol enhances sexual desire and sexual performance. In contrast to this, studies have reported various adverse effects of alcohol on reproductive and sexual functions in both male and female. Male alcoholics frequently suffer from erectile dysfunction, intermittent delay in or absence of orgasm, and premature or delayed ejaculation. Alcohol is a toxin that can damage sperm-producing cells in the testicles, decrease testicular size, increase number of abnormally-shaped sperm and lower sperm count. Studies found that heavy alcohol consumption results in reduced testosterone and elevated estrogen levels in the blood and it can decrease the production, release and/or activity of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Female alcoholics have problems in producing enough natural lubrication for pain-free sex. Alcohol has a disruptive effect on menstrual cycle which can result in amenorrhea and anovulation. It affects estrogen and progesterone levels and also leads to hyperprolactinemia. It has been observed that when a man stops drinking alcohol, the negative effects on fertility and sexual abilities reverse quickly. Long term excessive intake of alcohol can lead to damage to the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system resulting in loss of sexual desire and infertility in men and women.
ABSTRACT
Aims: This study was designed to determine the effect of a high salt diet on serum bilirubin concentration and to ascertain the impact of treatment with Viscum album on same. Methodology: Twenty male albino wistar rats weighing 150 - 200g were used for this study. After seven days of habituation, the animals were randomly divided into four (4) groups of five rats each. Group 1 (NC) served as control and were fed with normal rat pellet and water; group 2(NT) served as the control treated group (administered 150 mg/kg Viscum album orally, in addition to rat pallet and water); group 3 (SF) served as the high salt diet fed group (without treatment), while group 4 (ST) served as the high salt diet fed group, treated orally with 150 mg/kg Viscum album. The feeding regimen lasted for six weeks, after which the animals were sacrificed and blood samples collected for analysis. Results: Mean serum total bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.001) higher in the SF group compared to control, NT and ST group. It was also significantly (p<0.001) lower in the ST group compared to SF group. Serum conjugated bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.001) increased in the SF group compared to NC, NT and ST group. It was also significantly (p<0.001) reduced in the ST group compared to the SF group. Serum unconjugated bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.001) increased in the SF group compared to NC, NT and ST group. Serum unconjugated bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.01) lower in the ST group compared to SF group. Conclusion: Our results are indicative of the fact that oral administration of Viscum album reduces serum bilirubin concentration in high salt fed animals.
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to determine the effect of type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on bilirubin excretion and to compare the effects of separate administration of Aloe vera gel and aqueous leaf extract of Viscum album on serum bilirubin, bile secretory rate and biliary bilirubin concentration. Methodology: Thirty six male albino Wistar rats weighing 180 - 220 g were used for this study. After 14 days of habituation, the rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus was induced in the test groups by a single i.p dose (65 mg/kg) of streptozotocin. Group 1 served as control; group 2 - diabetic untreated group (DM); group 3 - diabetic group, treated with 0.4 ml/100g Aloe vera gel orally (DM+Aloe); group 4 - diabetic group, treated with 150 mg/kg Viscum album leaf extract orally (DM+VA); group 5 - control group, treated with 0.4 ml/100g Aloe vera gel orally (C+Aloe); group 6 - control group, treated with 150 mg/kg Viscum album leaf extract orally (C+VA). All animals had unrestricted access to food and water. The regimen lasted for 21 days, after which bile secretion was determined and same was collected together with serum for biliary and serum bilirubin estimation. Results: The results showed that serum and biliary total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentrations were significantly (p<0.001) higher in the DM group compared to control, DM+Aloe and DM+VA, with DM+Aloe group having significantly lower serum and biliary total and conjugated bilirubin (p<0.001), and serum unconjugated bilirubin (p<0.05) compared to DM+VA group. Serum conjugated bilirubin concentration in C+Aloe and C+VA group was significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively) higher compared to control, while serum unconjugated bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively) lower compared to control. C+VA group had a significantly (p<0.001) higher biliary total and conjugated bilirubin concentrations compared to C+Aloe group. Conclusion: On the basis of the results obtained, we therefore conclude that Aloe vera gel and aqueous leaf extract of Viscum album enhances bilirubin excretion in diabetic and normal animals and are both hepatoprotective.
ABSTRACT
Aims: This study was embarked upon to determine the effect of diabetes mellitus on food intake, water intake and body weight, and to ascertain the impact of treatment with crude Aloe vera gel on diabetic animals. Methodology: The phyto-constituents and median lethal dose of crude Aloe vera gel were determined before administration. 32 albino wistar rats were divided into four groups thus, control, diabetic untreated group (DM), diabetic group treated with crude Aloe vera gel (DMT) and crude Aloe vera gel treated control group. Food intake, water intake, body weight and fasting blood glucose levels were measured during the research work. Results: Food intake, water intake, and fasting blood glucose levels were significantly (P<0.001) increased in DM group compared to control, DMT and CT group. Body weight was significantly (P<0.001) increased in CT group compared to control. DM group had a significantly (P<0.001) lower body weight compared to control, DMT (P<0.001) and CT (P<0.001) group at the end of the research work. Consequently, the body weight change in DM group was significantly lower (P<0.001) compared to control, DMT and CT group. Conclusion: Crude Aloe vera gel reversed polyphagia, polydipsia and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. Additionally, crude Aloe vera gel increased body weight in diabetic rats and can therefore be used to mitigate weight loss in type 1 diabetes mellitus.