Teratogenic Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Aspilia africana on The Dentate Gyrus of Wistar Rat Fetuses.

Aspilia africana is an herbal plant widespread in Africa used for medicinal purposes and also used by pregnant women for health related issues. This study was aimed at investigating the teratogenic effect of aqueous leaf extract of Aspilia africana on the dentate gyrus of albino wistar rat fetuses. Twenty (20) female adult rats weighing between 190-205g were used for this study. The rats were divided into four groups; control, low dose, medium dose and high dose with each group containing five rats. Pregnancy was induced by caging the female rats with sexually matured males. The presence of vaginal plug and tail structure in the vaginal smear the following morning confirmed coition, and it was regarded as day 0 of pregnancy. The control group was given distilled water. The low dose, medium dose, and the high dose groups received 750mg/kg, 1000mg/kg, and 1250mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract of Aspilia africana through an orogastric tube from day 7-11 of gestation. On the 20th day of gestation, the animals were sacrificed using chloroform-inhalation method. Their fetuses were harvested via uterectomy, the brain was excised and fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and then routine histological processes were carried out. Staining was done using Haematoxylin and Eosin method. Histological observation of the dentate gyri of experimental groups revealed marked distortion, reduction of the polymorphic layer, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of cells in the molecular and granular layer especially in the high dose group whose mothers received 1250mg/kg of the extracts. The result suggests high doses of aqueous leaf extract of Aspilia africana may be teratogenic to the dentate gyrus of Wistar rat fetuses.

A comparative study of the effect of diet and soda carbonated drinks on the histology of the cerebellum of adult female albino Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Carbonated drinks are widely consumed because of their taste and their ability to refresh and quench thirst. These carbonated drinks also exist in the form of diet drinks, for example Diet Coke®, Pepsi®, extra. OBJECTIVES: A comparative effect of the diet and regular soda carbonated drinks on the histology of the cerebellum of female albino Wistar rats was investigated. METHODS: Fifteen adult female Wistar rats weighing between 180-200 g were divided into 3 groups; designated as groups A, B and C, and each group consisted of five rats. Group A was the Control group and received distilled water, while groups B and C were the experimental groups. Group B was administered 50 ml of regular soda (RS), and group C was administered 50 ml of diet soda (DS) each per day for 21 days, and the rats were sacrificed on Day 22, and their cerebellums excised and preserved. RESULTS: Histological result of the sections of the cerebellum showed shrunken and degenerated Purkinje cells with hypertrophied dendrites, especially in the DS group, which was less in the RS group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that diet soda has adverse effect on the cerebellum of adult female albino Wistar rats.

Incidence of congenital malformation in 2 major hospitals in Rivers state of Nigeria from 1990 to 2003.

Although congenital malformations are believed to be on the rise in the oil production areas of Nigeria, few baseline data are available. This retrospective study documented the incidence of congenital abnormalities in 2 major hospitals in Port Harcourt, an oil-rich city in Rivers state, Nigeria. Delivery and nursery records were reviewed from January 1990 to December 2003. In the first hospital 78 congenital anomalies were recorded out of 19 572 births (4.00/1000), principally affecting the central nervous system (1.84/1000) and skeletal system (1.74/1000). In the second hospital, 47 congenital anomalies were recorded out of 20121 births (2.20/1000), with malformations of the central nervous system (0.80/1000) and skeletal system (1.14/1000) again predominating. More research is needed into long-term trends in congenital malformations and possible associations with environmental pollution in Rivers state.

Incidence of congenital malformation in 2 major hospitals in Rivers state of Nigeria from 1990 to 2003

Although congenital malformations are believed to be on the rise in the oil production areas of Nigeria, few baseline data are available. This retrospective study documented the incidence of congenital abnormalities in 2 major hospitals in Port Harcourt, an oil-rich city in Rivers state, Nigeria. Delivery and nursery records were reviewed from January 1990 to December 2003. In the first hospital 78 congenital anomalies were recorded out of 19 572 births [4.00/1000], principally affecting the central nervous system [1.84/1000] and skeletal system [1.74/1000]. In the second hospital, 47 congenital anomalies were recorded out of 20 121 births [2.20/1000], with malformations of the central nervous system [0.80/1000] and skeletal system [1.14/1000] again predominating. More research is needed into long-term trends in congenital malformations and possible associations with environmental pollution in Rivers state

Effect of methanolic extract of Neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) on ovarian histology and hormonal milleu.

BACKGROUND: Extract of neem leaves is commonly consumed as an antimalarial therapy. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of neem leaves on the histology of the ovary and also on serum levels of FSH and LH in female Wistar rats. METHODS: A total of eighteen (18) rats weighing 110g-150g were used. They were randomly divided into three groups (A, B, and C) of six rats each. Group A: served as control and received distilled water equivalent in volume to the test extract. Group B: was treated with 200mg/kg of the methanolic extract of neem leaves. Group C: received 400mg/kg of the methanolic extract of neem leaves. Administration was by gavage and lasted for a period of 14 days. RESULTS: Histological sections of the experimental groups revealed no histopathological features. No statistically significant difference was observed in the serum levels of FSH in the treated groups. However, serum levels of LH were significantly reduced when compared with the control. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that extract of neem leaves may affect fertility adversely by reducing serum levels of LH and subsequently, the release of ova during ovulation.

The distribution of hair on the phalanges of a sample population of Nigerian Yorubas in relation to sex, age and job type.

Five hundred adults aged between 18-35 years were used for the study. The aim of this study was to provide a reference document for Nigerians on the distribution of phalangeal hair using a sample population of Yorubas resident in Ilorin and to assess the effect of job type, age and sex hair distribution. With the help of a hand lens, the pattern and frequency of hair distribution on the proximal, intermediate and distal were randomly chosen from the population. Proximal phalangeal hair was absent in 10 (2%) individuals who were all males. The highest frequency distribution (51%) was found on the 2-3-4-5, digits of proximal phalanges (26% in males and 25% females) while the least (1%) was the 3-5; 1-2-3-5 digital pattern. It was observed that the frequency of middle phalangeal hair was low (1%). Females had less phalangeal hair. Hair was absent on the distal phalanges. Distribution is similar to other populations reported. Age was not a factor in the distribution but individual's job type and sex had effect on hair distribution. Hence people engaged in wet work should wear gloves.

The frequency of benign prostate hypertrophy in Calabar.

The present study was to find out through histopathological records the most frequently occurring disease of the prostate from suspected prostate diseases in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A total number of 324 cases of prostatic biopsies and autopsy materials recorded in the histopathology laboratory of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar between 1986 and 1995 were used for this study. Benign prostatic hypertrophy was observed as the major pathology among all the diseases of the prostate gland recorded in UCTH in Calabar having accounted for 76.3% (261 out of 342) while prostatic carcinoma accounted for 19% (65 out of 324), rest 4.7% (16 out of 342) were inflammatory lesions. The result indicated that benign prostatic hypertrophy occurs in men from 40 years and above. The frequency increased with age, reaching a maximum of 34.5% (90 out of 261) in the age group (70-79) years old. The people in Cross River State should be informed of the high frequency of benign prostatic hypertrophy and should be advised to seek health care promptly in suspected prostate related illness.