The effect of codeine administration on oxidative stress biomarkers and the expression of the neuron-specific enolase in the brain of Wistar rats.

The study aimed to assess the effects of codeine medication on some oxidative stress parameters and how it affects the expression of enolase in neuronal cells. The codeine medication used for the study was Archilin™ with codeine syrup and dihydrocodeine 30 mg. The study used 30 male Wistar rats which were grouped in five: A, B, C, D, and E (n = 6), while treatments were administered for 21 days. Based on the LD50s of 6.09 ml/kg body weight (b.wt.) Archilin™ with codeine syrup and 3.145 mg/kg b.wt. dihydrocodeine, group A served as control and were given normal saline; groups B and C were treated with 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg b.wt. dihydrocodeine, respectively; while groups D and E were treated with 2 ml/kg and 4 ml/kg b.wt. Archilin™ with codeine syrup, respectively. After treatments, animals were sacrificed via cervical dislocation and the brains were harvested and prepared for determination of oxidative stress biomarkers as well as immunohistochemical studies of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) to assess for neuronal cell integrity. Significantly decreased mean values (p < 0.05) of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were observed while malondialdehyde (MDA) is significantly increased (p < 0.05) among treated groups. The expression of enolase was downregulated in treatment groups when compared to control. Animals in group A which are control showed strong staining intensity of the prefrontal cortex compared to groups C, D, and E which showed mild staining. The scoring of group A for cerebellum showed strong staining intensity, groups B and C showed mild staining, while groups D and E showed weak staining intensity. From the findings of this study, prolonged codeine syrup administration causes oxidative stress and this affects the expression of enolase in neuronal cells resulting in glucose hypometabolism which eventually results in functional brain failure.

Maternal Geophagy of Calabash Chalk on Foetal Cerebral Cortex Histomorphology.

BACKGROUND: Calabash chalk, a kaolin-base substance is a common geophagic material mostly consumed by pregnant women. This study investigated its effect on the histomorphology of the foetal cerebral cortex. METHODS: Twelve gestating Wistar rats were divided equally into groups 1 and 2. On pregnancy day seven (PD7), group 2 animals were administered 200 mg/kg body weight of calabash chalk suspension, while group 1 animals served as the control and received 1 ml of distilled water, by oral gavages and for 14 days (PD7-PD20). On PD21, the dams were sacrificed, and the foetuses removed, examined for gross malformations, weighed and culled to two foetuses per mother. Their whole brains were excised, weighed and preserved using 10% buffered formalin, and routinely processed by haematoxylin and eosin, and Luxol fast blue methods. RESULTS: The foetuses showed no morphological change, but their mean body weights was higher (p=0.0001). Histomorphological sections of the cerebral cortex showed hypertrophy and hyperplasia of cells in all the cortical layers, with less demonstrated Nissl and higher (p=0.001) cellular population compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Calabash chalk cause body weight increase and histomorphological changes in the cerebral cortex of foetuses.

Gongronema latifolium modulates Rauwolfia vomitoria-induced behaviour and histomorphology of the cerebral cortex / Gongronema latifolium modula los cambios de comportamiento e histomorfología de la corteza cerebral inducidos por Rauwolfia vomitoria

Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) has potent sedative effect, which may result in severe unpleasant consequences if not controlled. This necessitated this study on the effect of Gongronema latifolium (GL) on RV-induced behaviour, biochemical activities, and histomorphology of the cerebral cortex. Eighteen male Wistar rats of average weight 266 g were grouped into three (1­3). Group 1 was the control administered 0.5 mL of Tween®20, while groups 2 and 3 were administered 150 mg/kg of RV, and a combination of 150 mg/kg of RV and 200 mg/kg of GL (RV+GL), respectively for seven days. Twelve hours after treatments, open field neurobehavioral test was carried-out and the animals euthanized. Their sera were analyzed, and their cerebral cortices routinely processed by H&E method. There was lower (p<0.05) ambulatory, rearing and freezing activities in the RV group, while there was no difference in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels in all the groups. Cerebral cortical neurohistology of RV and RV+GL groups showed most neurons appearing hypertrophied with pyknotic nuclei in some, and less cellular population compared with the control group. RV produces sedative behaviour, and cerebral cortical neurohistological changes, which GL combination may help modulate.

Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) tiene un efecto sedante potente, el que puede provocar graves consecuencias si no es controlado. Se estudió el efecto de Gongronema latifolium (GL) sobre el comportamiento inducido por RV, como también en las actividades bioquímicas, e histomorfología de la corteza cerebral. Dieciocho ratas macho Wistar con un peso promedio de 266 g, fueron separadas en tres Grupos (1­3). El Grupo 1 (control) recibió 0,5 mL de Tween® 20, mientras que a los Grupos 2 y 3 se les administró, durante siete días, 150 mg/kg de RV y una combinación de 150 mg/kg de RV y 200 mg/kg de GL (RV + GL), respectivamente. Doce horas después de los tratamientos y pruebas neuroconductuales de campo abierto, los animales fueron sacrificados. Se analizaron los sueros y cortezas cerebrales, los cuales fueron procesados y teñidos on HE. Se observó menor actividad ambulatoria y de congelación (p<0,05) en el grupo RV, mientras que no hubo diferencia en la actividad aspartato aminotransferasa sérica y de fosfatasa alcalina, así como tampoco en los niveles de colesterol y triglicéridos séricos en todos los grupos. La neurohistología cortical cerebral de los grupos RV y RV + GL mostró que la mayoría de las neuronas aparecen hipertrofiadas con núcleos picnóticos, y una menor cantidad celular en comparación con el grupo control. La RV produce un comportamiento sedante, y cambios neurohistológicos a nivel de la corteza cerebral lo que podría ser modulado al combinarse con GL.

Cerebellar neurohistology and behavioural effects of gongronema latifolium and Rauwolfia vomitoria in mice.

Rauwolfia vomitoria and Gongronema latifolium are medicinal herbs used for the treatment of hypertension, malaria, mental and intestinal disorders. G. latifolium is known to prevent the side effects reported for R. vomitoria. Therefore we decided to investigate what effects a combination treatment of G. latifolium and R. vomitoria would have on mice. Thirty male mice weighing 15-26 g were divided into 4 groups of 6 mice each. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were the treatment groups, and were treated with 150 mg/kg of R. vomitoria root bark extract, 200 mg/kg of G. latifolium leaf extract, and combination of both extracts, respectively. The control group received 0.5 mL of 20% Tween. The treatments were by oral gavages and lasted for 7 days. The open field maze neurobehavioural test was performed on day 8 to ascertain locomotion, exploration and anxiety, and the animals were immediately sacrificed. Results indicate lower body weights, though no difference was seen in the brain weights and behavioural test parameters in the treatment groups compared with the control group. Neurohistology of the cerebellum showed slight hypertrophy of Purkinje cells, with brain matrix loss in treatment groups 2 and 3, but group 4 showed no apparent histopathology. The cellular population was higher, while the cellular sizes and total cellular areas were lower in all the treatment groups. This study showed that R. vomitoria root bark and G. latifolium leaf extracts may individually cause cerebellar cytoarchitecture changes, which may be prevented with the combination of both remedies.

Teratogenic Effect of Crude Ethanolic Root Bark and Leaf Extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) on Nissl Substances of Albino Wistar Rat Fetuses.

Rauwolfia vomitoria is a plant used for the treatment of insanity. The possible adverse effects of crude ethanolic root bark and leaf extract of the plant on Nissl substances of albino Wistar rat fetuses were studied using 25 mature female Wistar rats. The animals were divided equally into 5 groups, labeled A, B, C, D, and E. Group A was the control, while groups B, C, D, and E were the experimental. The female rats were mated with the males overnight, and the sperm positive day was designated as day zero of pregnancy. Oral doses of 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weight of the root bark extract were administered to groups B and C animals, respectively, while groups D and E animals received 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weight of the leaf extract, respectively, from day 7 to 11 of gestation. On day 20 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed, the fetuses brains extracted, and the cerebral cortices excised and routinely processed for Nissl substances using Cresyl fast violet staining method. Results showed reduced staining intensity of Nissl substances in the treated groups, especially those that received the root extract. Thus, the herbs may have adverse effects on protein synthesis within the cerebral cortex.

Evaluation of calabash chalk effect on femur bone morphometry and mineralization in young wistar rats: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Calabash chalk, a popularly consumed geophagic material in Nigeria has been reported to contain lead, arsenic, alpha lindane, endrin, and endosulfan 11 among other pollutants. AIM: The continuous exposure of young children to this chalk necessitated this study on the bone morphometry and mineralization in young Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen young (weanling) Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 54-72 g were assigned into two groups of seven animals each. Group I served as control, while group II was the test group (TG). 40 mg/ml of C. chalk was administered as suspension to the test animals in group II. Animals in the control group were orally treated with 1ml of distilled water. Administration of the C. chalk in the animals lasted for 28 days, and the animals were sacrificed on day 29, using chloroform anaesthesia. The femur bones were dissected out, cleaned of flesh and sun-dried. The lengths and weights of the femur bones were measured using graphite furnace atomic mass spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Results showed 1.6% decrease in body weight change in the TG, insignificant decreases in the weights and lengths of both the right and left femur bones, and significant decreased (P < 0.0126) organ-somatic index, and femur bones concentrations (mg/l) of zinc, phosphate, carbonate, calcium, sodium, and potassium (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study showed that C. chalk may alter growth rate, and cause de-mineralization in the femur bone, hence, it may be detrimental to bone growth.

Hormonal and Histomorphologic Effects of Azadirachta indica leaf Extract on the Pars Anterior of Wistar Rats / Efectos Hormonales e Histomorfológicosdel Extracto de la Hoja de Azadirachta indica en la Pars Anterior de Ratas Wistar

Azadirachta indica is a tree whose medicinal value is unquantifiable. Any part of the tree can be used in the treatment of malarial infection. Reports have indicated its antifertility effects, and this necessitated this study on the effects of the methanol leaf extract on serum luteinizing (LH) and follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) levels and the histomorphology of the pars anterior of Wistar rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were equally divided into 3 groups of A, B and C. Group A was the control and the animals received distilled water orally, while groups B and C were treated with 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively of the leaf extract by oral gavage for fourteen days. On day fifteen, the animals were sacrificed by chloroform anaesthesia. Blood was obtained from their hearts, while the skull was opened to assess the hypophysis. Hormonal assay showed that luteinizing (LH) and follicle stimulating (FSH) hormone levels in the serum were lower in groups B and C treated with 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively of the leaf extract, while that of LH were significant (P<0.001). Histomorphologic sections of the pars anterior revealed reduced acidophil and basophil populations, with prominent degranulated chromophobes which were larger in the group treated with 400mg/kg of A. indica leaf extract. This group also presented hypertrophy of the basophils compared to the control. In conclusion, methanol leaf extract of A. indica decreases serum LH and FSH and caused histomorphologic changes in the pars anterior of adult male Wistar rats.

Azadirachta indica es un árbol cuyo valor medicinal es invaluable. Cualquier parte del árbol se puede utilizar en el tratamiento de la infección por malaria. Reportes han indicado su efecto antifertilidad, lo que requirió estudiar los efectos del extracto metanólico de la hoja sobre los niveles séricos de las hormonas luteinizante (LH) y folículo estimulante (FSH) y la histomorfología de la pars anterior de ratas Wistar. Treinta ratas Wistar adultas fueron divididas en tres grupos. El grupo A fue utilizado como control y los animales recibieron agua destilada por vía oral, mientras que los grupos B y C fueron tratados con 200 mg/kg y 400 mg/kg respectivamente, con extracto de hoja mediante una sonda nasogástrica durante catorce días. A los quince días, los animales fueron sacrificados por anestesia con cloroformo. Se obtuvo sangre desde sus corazones, mientras que el cráneo fue abierto para evaluar la hipófisis. Los ensayos hormonales mostraron que los niveles en suero de la LH y FSH se redujeron en los grupos B y C, tratados con 200 mg/kg y 400 mg/kg respectivamente, siendo la reducción de LH significativa (p<0,001). Secciones histomorfológicos de la pars anterior revelaron una reducción de las poblaciones acidófilas y basófilas, con prominentes cromófobos degranulados que fueron mayores en el grupo tratado con 400 mg/kg del extracto de A. indica. Este grupo también presentó hipertrofia de los basófilos en comparación con el control. En conclusión, el extracto alcohólico de la hoja de de A. indica disminuye el nivel sérico de LH y FSH y provoca cambios histomorfológicos en la pars anterior de ratas Wistar adultas.

Comparative study of teratogenic potentials of crude ethanolic root bark and leaf extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria (apocynaceae) on the fetal heart.

BACKGROUND: Rauwolfia vomitoria, a tropical shrub, is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of a variety of ailments. It is popular to the locals because of its anti-hypertensive and sedative properties. AIM: This is to find the probable teratogenic effects of ethanolic leaf and root bark extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria on the morphological and histological features of the fetal heart. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty five female rats weighing between 170-200g were used for this study. The rats were divided into five groups labeled A, B, C, D and E, with each group consisting of five rats. Pregnancy was induced by caging the female rats with sexually matured males. The presence of vaginal plug and tail structures in the vaginal smear the following morning confirmed coition, and it was regarded as day 0 of pregnancy. Group A was given sham treatment of distilled water. Group B and C received respectively 150mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight doses of ethanolic leaf extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria, and those in groups D and E received respectively 150mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight doses of ethanolic root bark extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria. These treatments were on days 7-11 of gestation (5 days) with the aid of an orogastric tube. On the day 20 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed and the fetuses examined for gross anomalies, preserved and latter process for histological studies. RESULTS: There were no mortality in this study, and no obvious gross malformations in the fetuses. Histological observations of the fetal heart showed marked distortion of the cardiac muscle nuclei and myocardial fibers in the treated groups particularly those whose mothers received 250mg/kg of the extracts. These effects were more pronounced in the groups whose mothers received the root extract when compared with the control and the groups whose mothers received the leaf extract. CONCLUSION: This result suggests that high doses of ethanolic leaf and root extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria may be cardiotoxic to the developing rat's heart.

The effect of calabash chalk on some hematological parameters in female adult Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: Calabash chalk is a naturally occurring mineral consumed among the Nigerian community for pleasure and commonly by pregnant women as a remedy for morning sickness. Reports have shown that it contains different toxic substances, with lead being the most abundant. This study was therefore undertaken to ascertain the effect of two commonly available preparations of this chalk on some hematological parameters. METHODS: Twenty-four adult female Wistar rats with average weight of 100 g were assigned into three groups (1, 2, 3). Group 1 served as the control and the animals received distilled water, while Groups 2 and 3 were treated by oral gavage with 40 mg/kg of non-salted (NSCC) and salted calabash chalk (SCC), respectively, for 14 days. RESULTS: The hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) count were significantly (p<0.05, 0.001 respectively) lower in the NSCC group, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the NSCC group compared to the control. There were no significant differences in packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (Pl) counts compared to the control. The SCC group presented no significant difference in all blood count parameters compared to the control. CONCLUSION: This infers that calabash chalk, particularly the non-salted form, alters the normal concentration of Hb, RBC and Pl counts, and ESR, as observed in the female Wistar rats studied.

Prevalence of congenital malformations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria from 1980-2003.

A retrospective study was conducted on the prevalence of congenital malformations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria from 1980-2003. These states lie in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the percentage of occurrence of birth defects and provide reference data for this part of the country. Details of congenital malformations were compiled by reviewing the delivery register of the records departments of maternity sections of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, St Luke's Hospital Anua and St Mary's Hospital Uruakpan. A total of 127,929 births were recorded, of which 452 cases of malformations were recorded. The anomalies recorded in the skeletal system were the highest with 132 cases (29.2%) detected. Other malformations were found to be associated with the central nervous system with 111 cases (24.6%) detected. Those associated with the urogenital system were found in 83 cases (18.4%). Congenital anomalies of the lip, palate and jaw were found in 56 cases (12.4%), while those of the eye and ear were found in 12 cases (2.7%). Those of the gastrointestinal tract were found in 29 cases (6.4%), while those of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems were found in 28 cases (6.2%) and in one case (0.2%), respectively. Fifteen cases (3.3%) were associated with chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. However, these results do not provide a complete incidence of congenital malformations in the two states studies because most anomalies are not recorded in rural health and traditional birth centers.