Effect of Xylopia aethiopica, Fiscus mucuso and Anthocleista vogelli Extracts on Some Biochemical Parameters Following Ethanol-induced Toxicity.

The objective of the study was to comparatively verify the effects of aqueous extracts of three plants on some biochemical parameters following ethanol administration with a view to ascertaining the role of the extracts in ameliorating ethanol toxicity. A total of forty rats were divided into eight groups (n=5). Group A were control rats; Group B were administered with absolute ethanol; Group C were ethanol administered rats treated with Xylopia aethiopica; Groups D were ethanol administered rats treated with Fiscus mucuso, Group E were ethanol administered rats treated with Anthocleista vogelli; Group F were normal rats administered orally with Xylopia aethiopica; Group G were normal rats administered orally with Fiscus mucuso; Group H were normal rats administered orally with Anthocleista vogelli. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed and serum was obtained for total protein, uric acid, creatinin, urea, aspartate aminotrasferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) analysis using respective research kits. The result showed that Xylopia aethiopica had protective effect on the kidney as compared with Fiscus mucuso and Anthocleista vogelli treated rats. Also, The AST and ALT was lowered with the beginning of Xylopia aethiopia treatment. The total protein, creatinin and urea were slightly (p>0.05) affected with ethanol, an effect which was normalized with the beginning of extract treatment. It can be concluded that Xylopia aethiopica had a better reno-protective and hepatoprotective effect than Anthocleista vogelli and Fiscus mucuso extract as evident in its ameliorative role on the biochemical profiles.

Histological studies on the retina and cerebellum of Wistar rats treated with ArteetherTM

Introduction: Arteether TM, a derivative of artemisinin, is among the recent drugs that have given renewed hope for combating malarial menace. The present study investigated the effects of arteetherTM on the histology of the retina and cerebellum of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty adult albino Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g, were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) of five animals each and used for this study. Group A rats were given intramuscular (i.m.) arteetherTM (3 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 3 days. Group B rats were given i.m. arteetherTM (6 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 3 days. Group C rats were also given i. m. of arteetherTM (3 mg/kg b. w.) daily for 3 days, and the same dose was repeated at two-weekly intervals for 4 further weeks; while Group D rats which received normal saline (0.9 % w/v, 3 ml/kg b.w.), served as controls. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The retina and cerebellum were excised and processed routinely for histopathology changes, using haematoxylin and eosin stain (H & E), as well as Nissl stain. Results: Results obtained showed normal cellular components of the retina and cerebellum in all groups, and no cyto-pathological changes were observed. Conclusion: Thus, this study showed that under light microscopic examination, therapeutic doses of arteetherTM caused no significant cyto-pathologic changes in the retina and cerebellum of Wistar rats.(AU)

Histological and histochemical studies of the aorta and pulmonary trunk in STZ-induced diabetic wistar rats treated with momordica charantia / Estudio histológico e histoquímico de la aorta y el tronco pulmonar en ratas wistar diabéticas inducidas por STZ y tratadas con momordica charantia

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious metabolic disorder with micro and macro-vascular complications that result in a significant morbidity and mortality. The present study investigated the effects of Momordica charantia (M. charantia) on histological changes of the aorta and pulmonary trunk in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Forty healthy adult Wistar rats of both sexes were randomly assigned into five groups A, B, C, D and E of eight rats each. Group A were the control (normal rats); B were the experimentally-induced diabetic rats; C were diabetic rats treated with methanolic extracts of M. charantia for two weeks (withdrawal group); D were diabetic rats treated with methanolic extracts of M. charantia for four weeks. E was diabetic rats treated glimepiride for four weeks. Tissues were harvested, processed routinely in paraffin wax and stained with routine and special stains. Histological results revealed morphological alterations in the aorta and pulmonary trunk of diabetic rats. Histochemical analysis also revealed abnormal deposition of glycogen in these vessels of diabetic rats. M. charantia and glimperide attenuated the morphological alterations and reduced the glycogen deposits. In conclusion M. charantia has a promising ameliorative effect on the morphology of the aorta and pulmonaty trunk in STZ-induced diabetic wistar rats and by extension, may be relevant in the management of cardiovascular alteration associated with DM.

La diabetes mellitus (DM) es una enfermedad metabólica grave con complicaciones micro y macro vasculares que resultan en una significativa morbilidad y mortalidad. El presente estudio investigó los efectos de Momordica charantia (M. charantia) sobre los cambios histológicos de la aorta y el tronco pulmonar en ratas Wistar con diabetes inducida por estreptozotocina. Cuarenta ratas Wistar adultas sanas de ambos sexos fueron asignadas al azar en cinco grupos A, B, C, D y E, 8 ratas cada grupo. El grupo A fue control (ratas normales); el grupo B fue de ratas diabéticas inducidas experimentalmente; el grupo C fue de ratas diabéticas tratadas con extractos metanólicos de M. charantia por dos semanas (grupo de retirada); grupo D fue de ratas diabéticas tratadas con extractos metanólicos de M. charantia durante cuatro semanas, y el grupo E fue de ratas diabéticas tratadas con glimepirida durante cuatro semanas. Los tejidos obtenidos se incluyeron en parafina y se tiñeron con técnica de rutina y tinciones especiales. Los resultados histológicos revelaron alteraciones morfológicas en la aorta y el tronco pulmonar de las ratas diabéticas. El análisis histoquímico reveló también la deposición anormal de glucógeno en estos vasos de ratas diabéticas. Tanto M. charantia y glimperida atenuaron las alteraciones morfológicas y redujeron los depósitos de glucógeno. En conclusión, la M. charantia tiene un efecto de mejora prometedor sobre los cambios en la morfología de la aorta y el tronco pulmonar en ratas Wistar diabéticas inducidas por STZ y, por extensión, pueden ser relevantes en el manejo de alteraciones cardiovasculares asociadas con la DM.