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)

Wound-healing and potential anti-keloidal properties of the latex of Calotropis procera (Aiton) Asclepiadaceae in rabbits.

Calotropis Procera (CP) has been used in the management of toothache, fresh skin burns, gum bleeding as well as others to make it qualify as a medicinal plant. This study was designed to assess its wound-healing property in rabbits and its potentials for anti keloidal activity.Fresh latex of Calotropis were obtained and evaluated phytochemically. Fifteen male rabbits were used and four excisional wounds were created on each rabbit. The rabbits were divided into five groups of three each. Group 1 was the negative control and received no treatment. The wounds of group 2 animals were treated with 2mL of Calotropis latex; group 3 with 2mL honey; and group 4 with a mixture of 1ml honey and 1 mL of the latex. The animals in group 5 were given 2mg triamcinolone intramuscularly. All the groups had their wounds treated daily for 21 days. The wounds' diameters were measured on the day of wound creation, thereafter on days 7, 14 and 21 post wound creation. Biopsies of the wounds were taken on days 3 and 21 and viewed histologically. Phytochemical study of the latex revealed the presence of glycosides, tannins and alkaloids. The wounds were found to be significantly (p<0.05) reduced in groups treated with 50% latex in honey and triamcinolone, respectively, on day 7 post wound creation while there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in wound surface area in all treated groups on days 14 and 21 post wound creation. Histological findings in untreated group showed thick bundle of collagen fibres some of which had broad based configurations, reminiscent of keloid. The group treated with 2mL of Calotropis latex revealed the presence of florid granulation tissues on day 3 while there was a marked reduction in quantity and size of collagen fibres on day 21 post wound creation which was comparable with what was seen for the triamcinolone-treated group.The general effect of Calotropis latex on wound-healing was noted. Likewise it's similarity to that of triamcinolone, an anti-keloidal agent; this makes it a probable candidate for future anti-keloidal study using a suitable model.

Histological and biochemical effects of arteether™ on the liver of Wistar rats.

Arteether™ is among the recent drugs that are used to combat chloroquine-resistant malarial parasites. This study examined the effects of arteether™ on enzyme biomarkers of the liver, serum protein concentrations, and liver morphology. Twenty (20) adult albino Wistar rats weighing 200 - 250 g were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) of five animals each, and used in this study. Group A rats were given intramuscular (i. m.) arteether™ (3 mg/kg b. w.) daily for 3 days. Group B rats received i. m. arteether™ (6 mg/kg b. w.) daily for 3 days. Group C rats were given i. m. arteether™ (3 mg/kg b. w.) daily for 3 days. 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 body weights of the animals were determined and recorded. Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (ASP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP) and albumin were assayed, and histological studies were performed. Results obtained show no significant difference (P<0.05) in liver enzymes (ALT, ASP, ALP). TP and albumin were significantly reduced in group C rats. Histological studies revealed no cyto-architectural changes. It is concluded that at therapeutic doses, arteether™ is well tolerated in Wistar rats.

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.