Aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus protects against oxidative stress and misfiring of dopaminergic neurons in Paraquat-induced Parkinson's disease-like model of adult Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: Phyllanthus amarus has high nutritional value and is beneficial in managing and treating diverse ailments. This study assessed the role of aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus on Paraquat (PQ) induced neurotoxicity in the substantia nigra of Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The role of aqueous leaves extract of Phyllanthus amarus was assessed using an open field test (OFT) for motor activity, oxidative stress biomarkers [Catalase (CAT), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)], histological examination (H and E stained) for cytoarchitectural changes and immunohistochemical studies using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) as a marker for dopaminergic neurons. Forty-two (42) rats were categorized into six groups (n = 7); group 1: control was administered 0.5 ml/kg distilled water, group 2: received 10 mg/kg PQ + 10 mg/kg L-dopa as reference drug, group 3; received 10 mg/kg PQ, while group 4: received 10 mg/kg PQ + 200 mg/kg P. amarus, group 5: received 10 mg/kg PQ + 300 mg/kg P. amarus, and group 6: received 10 mg/kg PQ + 400 mg/kg P. amarus respectively, for 14 days. All administrations were done orally; a significant difference was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The study's open field test (OFT) revealed no motor activity deficit with Paraquat (PQ) exposure. Also, cytoarchitectural distortions were not observed with Paraquat (PQ) only treatment group compared to the control and other groups pretreated with P. amarus and L-dopa. Moreover, the Paraquat (PQ) only treatment group showed oxidative stress by significantly decreasing the antioxidant enzyme (SOD) compared to the control and L-dopa pretreated group. A significant decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expressing dopaminergic neurons was also observed in Paraquat (PQ) only treatment. However, P. amarus treatment showed therapeutic properties by significantly increasing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expressing dopaminergic neuron levels relative to control. CONCLUSION: Aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus possesses therapeutic properties against Paraquat (PQ) induced changes in the substantia nigra of Wistar rats.

Anti-inflammatory, anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and memory enhancement potential of Phyllanthus amarus in potassium-dichromate induced neurotoxicity of male Wistar rats.

This study investigated the protective effect of aqueous Phyllanthus amarus leaf extract (APALE) in Potassium dichromate (PDc)-induced neurotoxicity. Seventy young adult male, Wistar rats with a weight of 130-150 g, were randomised into seven groups (n = 10): Group 1; distilled water; Group 2: 300 mg/kg APALE; Group 3: 17 mg/kg PDc; Group 4: 5 mg/kg Donepezil (DPZ); Group 5: 17 mg/kg PDc + 400 mg/kg APALE; Group 6:17 mg/kg PDc + 200 mg/kg APALE; Group 7: 17 mg/kg PDc + 5 mg/kg DPZ. All administrations were given once daily via an orogastric cannula for 28 consecutive days. Cognitive assessment tests were employed to ascertain the treatments' effects on the rats' cognitive function. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed, morphometric analysis was done, and the brains were dissected for histology, enzyme, and other biochemical analysis. Findings from this study showed that APALE significantly improved locomotive activity, recognition memory sensitivity, protection against fear and anxiety, enhanced decision-making, and improved memory function in a dose-dependent manner comparably to DPZ. In addition, APALE significantly increased antioxidants level, reducing oxidative stress in PDc-induced neurotoxic rats and significantly reducing brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity by regulating gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) levels in PDc-induced neurotoxic rats compared to DPZ. Furthermore, APALE alleviated neuroinflammatory responses via maintaining histoarchitecture and down-regulation of IBA1 and Tau in PDc-induced rats. In conclusion, APALE protected against PDc-induced neurotoxicity via a combination of anti-inflammatory, anticholinergic, and antioxidant effects on the prefrontal cortex of rats.

Anti-fertility effect of Aerva lanata crude extract in male Dams offspring: An experimental study.

Background: Aerva lanata, a herb used as food and also consumed as a tonic by pregnant women to relieve stomach pains and prevent miscarriage. In addition to other characterized properties, it possesses antifertility and anti-implantation activities. Objective: This study investigates the testicular toxicity of the testes of offsprings of Dams treated with crude aqueous extract of Aerva lanata. Materials and Methods: 25 pregnant Wistar rats (Dams) weighing 180-240 gr were randomly earmarked into 5 groups (n = 5/each). Group A served as control; groups B, C, D, and E received 200, 400, 800, and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Aerva lanata extract, respectively, beginning from 12 th to 19 th day of gestation. The pups (delivered of Dams) were weighed, observed, and sacrificed 6 wk post-parturition. The testes of the male pups were obtained for histological procedures the testis histology was examined. Results: No gross malformation was observed in the treatment groups, the number of pups/litter was significantly reduced in group E (p= 0.01), pups weight analysis showed a significant reduction in groups C and E (p= 0.04, and 0.02 respectively), and the mean pup testes weight was significantly reduced in groups B, C, D, and E (p= 0.03, 0.03, 0.01, and < 0.001 respectively) when compared with control. Histologically, the treated pup testes tissues showed varying degrees of disruption and distortion of the cellular arrangements of the germinal epithelium in a dose dependent manner compared to the control. Conclusion: The study revealed a testicular toxicity and possibly antifertility role of Aerva lanata in dams' pups.

Sulforaphane response on aluminum-induced oxidative stress, alterations in sperm characterization and testicular histomorphometry in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: The exposure of male individual to environmental toxicant is regarded as a channel that results in reduced sperm counts and infertility. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the ameliorative response of Sulforaphane (SFN) on Aluminum trichloride (AlCl 3 ) induced testicular toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 adult male Wistar rats (180-200 gm between 8-10 wk) were divided into four groups (n = 8/each). Group A) received distilled water orally as placebo; Group B) received 100 mg/kgbw AlCl 3 only orally; Group C) received 100 mg/kgbw AlCl 3 and 100 mg/kgbw SFN orally; and Group D) received 100 mg/kgbw SFN only orally. After 28 days of experiment, animals underwent cervical dislocation, blood serum was obtained for analysis, and testes were harvested for biochemical assays, histology, hormonal profile, and sperm characterization. RESULTS: The sperm parameters showed a significant difference within the AlCl 3 only group compared with the control and SFN only groups (p = 0.02). However, AlCl 3 and SFN co-treatment showed improvement in the motility, viability, and sperm count compared with the AlCl 3 only group (p = 0.02). Furthermore, there was a significant decline in the levels of hormones profile and antioxidant status in AlCl 3 only group compared to the control and SFN only (p = 0.02). The testicular histoarchitecture of the AlCl 3 only group showed shrinkage of seminiferous tubules, spermatogenesis disruption, and empty lumen compared to the control and SFN only groups. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed the ameliorative response of SFN on AlCl 3 -induced testicular toxicity on serum hormone profiles, antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation, and histomorphometric analysis through oxidative stress.

A Cross-sectional Anthropometric Study of Cranial Capacity among Ukwuani People of South Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Cranial capacity is used as a measure of brain volume and has a relationship with age and gender. The purpose of this study was to provide normative data and population-, age- and gender-specific regression formulae related to cranial capacity using head dimensions among the Ukwuani people of Nigeria. METHODS: This study included 605 subjects grouped according to age as follows: 6-12 years, 13-19 years and ≥20 years. A cross-sectional study design using multistage sampling technique was adopted. Head length, head width, and auricular head height were measured in centimetres using a spreading caliper, and cranial capacity was calculated. The data were analysed using SPSS 20. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. A t-test was used to identify significant gender differences. Regression analyses were performed to derive age-, gender- and population-specific models. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: In all the parameters, males had significantly higher values than females (P < 0.05). The mean (SD) cranial capacity values at 6-12 years, 13-19 years and ≥20 years were 1176.95 (98.35) cc, 1288.59 (113.21) cc and 1408.90 (116.44) cc, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: All the parameters exhibited sexual dimorphism. Cranial capacity was found to increase with age. The models derived in this work will be relevant to population and growth studies as well as forensic anthropology.