DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY

Isotretinoin (Accutane), a retinoid widely used for severe acne, has been reported to induce hippocampal toxicity through oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation, which can impair prenatal development. The hippocampus, being particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage, may contribute to learning and memory deficits when exposed to Isotretinoin during gestation. This study evaluates the protective efficacy of Vitamin E, and quercetin against Accutane-induced hippocampal toxicity in prenatal Wistar rats. Four groups were examined in this: control, Accutane only, Accutane + quercetin + vitamin E, and Accutane + vitamin E. Administration was carried out from GD 14-21 of pregnancy. After littering, the neonates were left until PND 31 (postnatal day 31) before sacrifice. Histological analysis of hippocampal integrity, and developmental parameters in offspring (birth weight, neurobehavioral testing) were assessed. Results showed that Accutane exposure led to reduced birth weight and brain weight, along with neuronal degeneration in the hippocampal cells. Co-administration of vitamin E and quercetin significantly improved hippocampal morphology and restored neurobehavioral activity. Neurobehavioral results revealed that Accutane increased transfer latency and reduced exploratory activity, whereas combined antioxidant treatment improved behavioral performance. Offspring from the co-treated group also exhibited higher body weight and brain weights compared to the Accutane-only group. In conclusion, quercetin and vitamin E effectively counteracted Accutane-induced prenatal toxicity in the hippocampus of Wistar rats. The synergistic antioxidant action of both compounds preserved neural architecture and improved developmental outcomes, suggesting
their potential as therapeutic agents against retinoid-related neurotoxicity in pregnancy.

Green tea (camellia sinensis) is rich in bioactive compounds, particularly catechins like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin and flavonoids. Thes constituents contribute to its well-documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic properties. Arsenic contamination represents a serious environmental and health hazard, particularly in developing nations where regulatory oversight of water and food quality is often lacking. Among the various organs affected, the gastrointestinal tract, especially the duodenum, is a primary site of arsenic-induced toxicity due to its direct contact with ingested substances. One of the primary mechanisms by which arsenic exerts its toxic effects is through the generation of oxidative stress, which leads to cellular injury, inflammation, and apoptosis. This study investigated the protective effects of aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis on arsenic-induced duodenal damage in adult Wistar rats. The study used adult Wistar rats that were randomly divided into six groups (A-F). The first group A(control) were given feed and water, while the rats in group B were administered arsenic trioxide 10mg/kg body weight for 14days and sacrificed by cervical dislocation afterwards. The rats in group C were administered arsenic trioxide 10mg/kg body weight for 14 days and standard drugs(omeprazole) for 28 days. The rats in group D were administered arsenic trioxide 10mg/kg body weight for 14 days and aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis 250mg/kg body weight for 28 days while group E were administered arsenic trioxide 10mg/kg body weight for 14 days and aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis 500mg/kg body weight for 28days. The rats in group F were administered arsenic trioxide 10mg/kg for 14days and allowed to recover for 28days. The results showed that the rats in group A (control) show normal tissue architecture with well-defined mucosal lining, crypts, lamina propria, muscularis, mucosa and submucosa. However, the rats treated with arsenic only (group B) show severe atrophy, mural infiltrates of inflammatory cells and cell congestion, similar findings were observed in group C, rats treated with omeprazole (mild degree) and the group F treated with only arsenic and allowed to recover showed comparable degrees. Also, treatment with aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis at a dose of 250mg/kg (group D), completely resolved chronic duodenitis, while high dose of 500mg/kg body weight (group E), mildly resolved chronic duodenitis. Findings also showed that there were increased oxidative stress markers in rats treated with arsenic trioxide only and similar findings was also seen in the group treated with omeprazole and the group treated with arsenic and allowed to recover. The first group(control) has great level of anti- oxidant enzymes, similar findings were observed in the groups treated with aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis. The findings in the study suggest that aqueous leaf extract of camellia sinensis has a protective effects against arsenic-induced duodenal injury in adult Wistar rats.

Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) is an environmental toxicant and a chemotherapeutic agent, whose efficacy is shadowed by its significant adverse effects on the gastrointestinal system. The large intestine, or colon, is a primary target for its toxicity, experiencing a cascade of damage from the cellular to the organ level. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of aqueous extract of Cyperus esculentus against arsenic trioxide induced damage on the large intestine across group of adult Wistar rats. 20 adult wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, each group containing 5 rats. Group A served as control while B, C, and D served as treatment groups. The wistar rats were fed with grower mash feeds and the rats had free access to water throughout the entire study period. Group A was the control and was administered 1ml of distilled water. Group B was administered Arsenic trioxide only (10mg). Group C was administered Arsenic trioxide (10mg) and a low dose of Cyperus esculentus (200mg). Group D also received arsenic trioxide (10mg) and a high dose of Cyperus esculentus (400mg). At the end of the administration period, the rats were anesthetized using chloroform. The large intestine was harvested and weighed and immediately fixed in formal-saline to avoid autolysis and taken through tissue processing. The result shows that, the control group (group A) showed normal large intestinal architecture. The Group B was given Arsenic trioxide only produced extensive mucosal necrosis and inflammatory bodies. Group B was observed extensive mucosal necrosis and heavy mucosal infiltrates of inflammatory bodies without much difference from Group C. Group C was better than Group B with some observable difference. Group D gave the best observable difference and results of all having ameliorated the harmful effects of Arsenic trioxide. There was a significant decrease of final weight in Group B. There was a significant increase in the gastrointestinal weight of Group D. Across the group there was an increase in the final weight of experimental animal when compared to their initial weights except for Group B. Therefore, Cyperus esculentus appears to effectively mitigate the harmful effects of arsenic trioxide exposure, offering a promising therapeutic approach for reducing mucosal damage and inflammation

Aim Of this study is to investigate the effects Of aqueous extract Of Cinnamon bark on the kidney Of Wistar rat. Twenty (20) Adult Wistar rats Of weighing between I SO g•180g were used for this The rats were prvw•ured from the animal holdings Of Department Of Anatomy. School Of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin. Benin City. The animals were housed in the Department of Anatomy. University of Benin. Care and management Of animals was carried out in accordance with the guidelines for the care and use Of laboratory animals. The animals were allowed to acclimatize for a vxriOd Of two weeks before commencement Of experiment. The bark Of Cinnamon was purchased from the vegetable market Of "Stop to Shopv located opposite the University Of Benin. The bark was chopped into little bits and allowed to dry at room temperature. dried bark was pounded using wooden mortar and pestle and milled into fine in an electric blender. Five hundred grammes Ofthe powder were soaked in 2 liters of distilled water for 24 hours. The mixture was filtered with white filter and the residue would be separated from the filtrate. The filtrate was concentrated using Free7ß dried technique in the National Centre for Energy and Environment at the University of Bcnin. Benin City. •Ihc rats were randomly assigned into a Control group (A) and five treatment groups (B, C, and D) containing five (S) animals Rats in Group B administered With 100 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark; group C was administered with 200 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark; Group D 500 mg/kg aqueous of Cinnamon bark. Group E 1000 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark At the end of the exi*rimental period, the animals were sacrificed using Chloroform anesthesia and the kidney tissues were harvested and fixed in 10% buffer saline for routine histological procedure for hematoxylin and Eosin staining technique. Blood samples were collected from the descending abdominal aorta and preserved, in heparin coated tubes, for biochemical determination of Liver function tests. The data carried out using Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 16) rnanufactured by international Business Machine Corporation (IBM) in Armonk, New York. nie significance of the difference in the means of all parameters would determined using one-way analysis of variance (95% confidence interval). Result obtained showed that the Cinnamon extract showed that lower doses Of the extract had no deleterious effects on kidrry but however the highest dose Of 1000 mg/kg t»dy weight showed significant vascular.

This study investigates the effects of Dendropanax trifidus, a traditional medicinal plant, on kidney function and morphology in Wistar rats. The aim is to evaluate the potential nephroprotective and therapeutic properties of Dendropanax trifidus extract through a series of experimental assays. Wistar rats were divided into control and treatment groups, receiving varying doses of Dendropanax trifidus extract over a predetermined period. Biochemical analyses were conducted to assess kidney function, including serum levels of creatinine, urea and electrolytes. Histological examinations of kidney tissues were performed to evaluate morphological changes and structural integrity. Results demonstrated that administration of Dendropanax trifidus significantly improvedrenal function markers in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting its potential nephroprotective effects. Histological analysis revealed a reduction in tubular injury and preserved glomerular architecture in treated rats compared to controls. These findings indicate that Dendropanax trifidus may possess beneficial effects on kidney health, potential offering a natural therapeutic option for the management of renal disorders. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and to explore possible clinical applications in nephrology

Consuming toxic chemicals and substances can induce gastric damage to the stomach, which can result in serious medical disorders, cancer, and even death. Traditional herbs are being studied and processed into contemporary medications that are used to treat a variety of illnesses and medical issues. Mistletoe extracts have a long history of usage as secondary treatments for a variety of illnesses. Additionally, they include antioxidants such flavonoids, which have effects both in vitro and in vivo, and they have also been documented to exert specific pharmacological actions (such as cytotoxic and immunomodulatory). This study was carried out to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of mistletoe on lead acetate˗induced gastric damage in adult Wistar rats. Thirty (30) Wistar rats weighing between 150g and 250g were grouped into six; Group A, B, C, D, E and F. Each groups was made of up 5 rats and the rats were fed with grower mash feed (Primer Feed mill, Nigeria) and had free access to water throughout the entire period of study. Group A served as control. Group B rats were given 10mg/kg of lead acetate and 200mg/kg extract of Mistletoe (low dose). Group C rats were given 10mg/kg of lead acetate and 400mg/kg extract of Mistletoe (intermediate dose). Group D were given 10mg/kg of lead acetate and 800mg/kg extract of Mistletoe (high dose). Group E were given 10mg/kg of lead acetate only. Group F were given 10mg/kg of lead acetate and standard drug 500mg/kg (Omeprazole). After receiving the treatment for 28 days, the rats were sacrificed. Choloform was used to render the rats unconscious. The stomach was removed, weighed, and placed in 10% formal˗saline to prevent autolysis before being sent to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) histopathology department for tissue processing and histological evaluation. The results from this research shows that there was significant increase (P<0.05) of body weight in Group A, B, C, D and F when the initial body weight were compared to the final body weights. There was no significant difference (P˃0.5) of gastrosomatic index across all the groups. There was no significant difference (P˃0.05) of gastric weight across all the groups. The Viscum album extract had a dose dependent ameliorative, therapeutic and protective effect on the gastric damage caused by lead acetate on the stomach as revealed and seen in the histology results.

The application of plants as herbal medicine has been used by various populations throughout human evolution, whereas people started to learn in selecting plants for food, to cure and prevent ailments and diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark on the liver of wistar rat. Twenty (20) Adult Wistar rats of weighing between 150 g-180g were used for this experiment. The rats were procured from the animal holdings of Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City. The animals were housed in the Department of Anatomy, University of Benin. Care and management of animals was carried out in accordance with the guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals. The animals were allowed to acclimatize for a period of two weeks before commencement of experiment. The bark of Cinnamon was purchased from the vegetable market of “Stop to Shop” located opposite the University of Benin. The bark was chopped into little bits and allowed to dry at room temperature. The dried bark was pounded using wooden mortar and pestle and milled into fine powder in an electric blender. Five hundred grams (500g) of the powder were soaked in 2 liters of distilled water for 24 hours. The mixture was filtered with white filter paper and the residue would be separated from the filtrate. The filtrate was concentrated using Freeze dried technique in the National Centre for Energy and Environment at the University of Benin, Benin City. The rats were randomly assigned into a Control group (A) and three (3) treatment groups (B, C, and D) containing five (5) animals each. Rats in Group B were administered with 200 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark; group C was administered with 500 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark; Group D 1000 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed using Chloroform anesthesia and the Liver tissues were harvested and fixed in 10% buffer saline for routine histological procedure for hematoxylin and Eosin staining technique. Blood samples were collected from the descending abdominal aorta and preserved, in heparin coated tubes, for biochemical determination of Liver function tests. The data generated carried out using Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 16) manufactured by international Business Machine Corporation (IBM) in Armonk, New York. The significance of the difference in the means of all parameters would be determined using one-way analysis of variance (95% confidence interval). Result obtained showed that the extract had no deleterious effect on the Liver of the rats. However there was activation of inflammatory cells aggravating toward the portal area. Further studies should be carried out to corroborate this finding

Alcohol (ethanol) is a widely consumed psychoactive substance known to induce oxidative stress and gastrointestinal mucosal damage, particularly in the stomach. Chronic alcohol exposure generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disrupts mucosal integrity. M melatonin on alcohol-induced gastric toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Forty adult male Wistar rats (150–180 g) were randomly divided into four groups (n=10): control, melatonin only (5 mg/kg), alcohol only and melatonin plus alcohol. All treatments were administered orally via gavage for 28 days. After the exposure period, a weight test was done, and gastric tissues were harvested for histopathological analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA with significance set at p<0.05. Alcohol induced ulceration in the mucosa of the stomach, and the ulcer induced was irregularly -shaped. The control group showed a normal gastric architecture, while the group given alcohol only exhibited disruption of the muscularis mucosa with the formation of a irregular-shaped ulcer. The group given alcohol and melatonin showed that melatonin attenuated the ulcerative lesion in the stomach, indicating that melatonin effectively resolved alcohol-induced gastric injury.

This study investigates whether the plant Gongronema latifolium can reduce anxiety (anxiolytic effect) and protect the brain from damage caused by exposure to manganese chloride in laboratory rats.Manganese, although essential in small amounts, becomes toxic when taken in excess. It can accumulate in the brain, leading to oxidative stress, neuronal injury, and behavioral changes such as anxiety and restlessness. Excessive exposure to manganese (Mn) has been associated with neurotoxicity, leading to anxiety-like behaviors due to oxidative stress and neuronal damage. Gongronema latifolium is a medicinal plant commonly used in African traditional medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective properties. The research evaluates how effective extracts of this plant are in preventing or reducing anxiety behaviors and brain damage caused by manganese.Wistar rats were exposed to manganese chloride and then treated with different doses of Gongronema latifolium. Their behavior was tested using standard models of anxiety such as the Elevated Plus Maze, Open Field Test, tail suspension test and string test. Brain tissues were later examined for structural and biochemical changes.The study found that Gongronema latifolium reduced anxiety-like behavior, improved antioxidant enzyme levels, and preserved brain structure — showing that it has both anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects. Forty-eight (48) adult Wistar rats of both sexes (n = 8 per group) with an initial mean weight of 100 ± 10 g were randomly divided into six groups. Group A served as the normal control and received distilled water; Group B received manganese chloride (10 mg/kg) to induce anxiety; Groups C and D were treated with manganese chloride plus Gongronema latifolium extract (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively); Group E received Gongronema latifolium (100 mg/kg) as a standard anxiolytic; and Group VI received Gongronema latifolium extract alone (200 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for the Gongronema latifolium and intraperitoneally for Manganese chloride for 28 comsecutives days. Neurobehavioral parameters were assessed using the Tail suspension test (TST) ,String Test, Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Open Field Test (OFT). Brain tissues were harvested for histological and biochemical analysis.Manganese exposure significantly (p < 0.05) increased anxiety-like behaviors, evidenced by reduced open-arm entries and time in the EPM and decreased central zone exploration in the OFT. Pre-treatment with Gongronema latifolium significantly ameliorated these effects in a dose-dependent manner, comparable to diazepam. In conclusion, Gongronema latifolium demonstrated potent anxiolytic and neuroprotective activities against manganese-induced neurotoxicity through antioxidant and neurorestorative mechanisms. These findings suggest its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing anxiety disorders associated with heavy metal neurotoxicity.

Caffeine is a commonly ingested psychoactive substance classified under the methylxanthine group and acts primarily as a central nervous system stimulant. It occurs naturally in beverages and foods such as coffee, tea, cocoa-based products, and numerous energy formulations. Although moderate consumption promotes wakefulness and diminishes tiredness, excessive exposure has been implicated in adverse gastrointestinal outcomes, particularly affecting gastric integrity. This investigation evaluated the impact of graded caffeine administration on the gastric structure and functional indices of adult Wistar rats. A total of twenty adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups. The control group (Group A) received distilled water, whereas Groups B, C, and D were administered caffeine at doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively for a duration of 21 days. Following the treatment period, the animals were humanely sacrificed, and gastric tissues were harvested for histopathological assessment using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining techniques. Morphometric parameters including body weight, gastric weight, and gastrosomatic index were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis. Findings demonstrated a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in body weight in all groups relative to baseline values, though weight gain was comparatively reduced in the higher-dose cohorts. Elevated stomach weights and gastrosomatic index values were observed in Groups C and D, suggesting inflammatory changes. Microscopic evaluation revealed preserved gastric histoarchitecture in the control and low-dose groups, whereas the highest dose group (200 mg/kg) exhibited superficial mucosal erosion, vascular congestion within the gastric wall, and submucosal vasodilatation, indicating dose-related gastric injury. Overall, the study establishes that caffeine induces dose-dependent morphological alterations in the gastric tissue of adult Wistar rats. Excessive intake was associated with inflammatory and erosive changes, underscoring the potential gastric risks of high caffeine consumption and supporting moderation in dietary intake.