Corrigendum to "Long-term consumption of virgin coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil diet impairs learning and memory in CD1 mice" [Chinese Herbal Medicines 12 (2020) 414-420].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2020.03.008.].

Long-term consumption of virgin coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil diet impairs learning and memory in CD1 mice.

Objective: Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been used in the management of dementia in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, this research investigated the effect of long-term consumption of VCO diet on learning and memory in CD1 mice. Methods: Thirty male CD1 mice (divided into three groups, n = 10) were fed with standard rodent chow (control), 5% and 20% VCO diets (respectively) for 28 d. The Morris Water Maze (MWM) test was used to test the effect of VCO on visuo-spatial learning and memory, while the Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT) was used to measure short- and long-term recognition memory. Results: Learning performance of mice did not differ in the MWM. During the probe trial, duration in the retention quadrant and annulus crossings were lower (P < 0.05) in the 5% and 20% VCO diet groups compared to the control diet group, showing that VCO impaired visuo-spatial memory. During the NORT, mice showed more total approaches in the 20% VCO diet group (P < 0.05) compared to control and the 5% VCO diet groups during the short-term memory test. During the long-term memory retention test, the total approaches were also higher in the 20% VCO group compared to control and 5% VCO group (P > 0.05). The discrimination index was also lower in the 20% VCO group compared to control and 5% VCO diet groups indicating impaired long-term cognitive memory in mice given 20% VCO diet. Histological examination of brains showed damage within the CA1 pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampus in the 20% VCO diet group, in line with the behavioural observations. Conclusion: Long-term consumption of virgin coconut oil diet impairs memory in mice.

Viscum album (mistletoe) extract prevents changes in levels of red blood cells, PCV, Hb, serum proteins and ESR in high salt-fed rats.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was aimed to determine the effects of Viscum album (mistletoe) on red blood cells, packed cell volume, Hb content, absolute haematological values {mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), colour index (CI)}, plasma proteins and ESR in high salt-fed rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 male albino Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 received normal rat pellets+drinking water. Group 2 took same as group 1+mistletoe extract (150 mg/kg body weight, orally once daily). Group 3 took high salt (8% NaCl) diet+1% NaCl drinking water. Group 4 took same as group 3+mistletoe extract (150 mg/kg body weight, orally once daily). The feeding regimens lasted for 6 weeks. RESULTS: We observed that the mean RBC, PCV and Hb in the control group were 5.21+/-0.09 x 10(6)cells/mm(3), 43.50+/-1.61%, and 10.88+/-0.21 g/dl respectively. The extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced the RBC (5.72+/-0.08 x 10(6)cells/mm(3)), PCV (54.50+/-2.64%) and Hb (14.33+/-5.78 g/dl) in high salt-fed rats to near control levels. The extract also brought the elevated total plasma protein levels and reduced ESR in the high salt-fed rats (86.77+/-1.08 g/L and 1.83+/-0.31 mm/h respectively) to near control levels (82.23+/-0.91 g/L and 2.83+/-0.31 mm/h respectively), indicating the ability of the extract to prevent marked changes in the blood viscosity. The MCV, MCH, MCHC, and CI were not significantly altered by either extract or salt loading. CONCLUSION: Crude mistletoe extract prevents changes in RBC, PCV, plasma protein levels, and ESR, and indication that the extract prevents changes in blood viscosity a major determinant of arterial blood pressure.

Effect of ethanolic extract of Dennettia tripetala fruit on haematological parameters in albino Wistar rats.

The effect of oral administration of ethanolic extract of Dennettia tripetala fruits on haematological parameters in albino Wistar rats was investigated. Lethality studies revealed that the extract had an LD50 value of 251.19mg/kg mice intraperitoneal. Fifteen (15) male albino wistar rats weighing between 150 - 200g were used for the study and randomly assigned into three study groups of five animals each. The group 1 control received via oral route a placebo (4ml of normal saline), while test groups 2 and 3 received 85mg/kg body weight and 170mg/kg body weight of D. tripetala extract in 2.0ml and 4.0ml of the vehicle (normal saline) via oral route respectively. The administration of ethanolic extract of D. tripetala for 14 days produced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in RBC and WBC counts in group 2 versus group 1 (control) but the decrease in RBC and WBC counts in group 3 were not significant compared to group 1. There was no significant difference in PCV and haemoglobin levels in groups 2 and 3 compared to control. The differential WBC results showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) in neutrophil count in group 2 versus group 1. While neutrophil count in group 3 was significantly decreased (P <0.001) compared to group 1. There was a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in eosinophil count in groups 2 and 3 when compared to the control group. From the results, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in lymphocyte count in group 2 while a significant increase (P <0.01) in lymphocyte count was observed in group 3 when compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in basophils and monocytes counts in groups 2 and 3 compared to the control group. The study shows that D. tripetala extract, given at moderate to high doses may have hematotoxic effect, but the effect was worse with moderate doses.