DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY

Many different forms of exposure to Cadmium have been shown over the past century with Cadmium
been present in the environment as a result of many human activities. The constant sources of Cadmium
contamination are related to it's application in industry as a corrosive reagent, as well as it's use as a stabilizer in PVC products, color pigments and Ni-Cd batteries. In areas with contaminated soils, house dust is a potential route for cadmium exposure. Cadmium exposure causes pathological conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Medicinal drugs have been
administered to fight the effect on humans. Due to this, many plants have been discovered for the treatment of the disease caused by Cadmium. Turmeric is one of the medicinal plants which contains anti- oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which helps to fight against oxidative stress caused by Cadmium. It helps fight against neurodegenerative diseases. Accordingly, this research was designed to
evaluate the protective activity of the ethanolic Curcuma longa root extract on cadmium-induced hippocampal damage in adult Wistar rats. For this study period of twenty-one days, thirty adult Wistar rats were randomized into six groups(A-F) consisting of five rats each. The rats were left to acclimatize for two weeks after which their weights were taken and recorded as initial weights while feeding then
with standard rat chow and free access to water throughout the study. All administration, given orally, started with Group A serving as the control group and received 1ml of water. Group B was given 5mg/kg
body weight of Cadmium only. Groups C and D were given 100mg and 200mg/kg body weight of ethanolic Curcuma longa root extract and 5mg/kg body weight of cadmium respectively. Groups E and F
were given only 100mg and 200mg/kg body weight of ethanolic Curcuma longa root extract, respectively. At the end of the experiment, neurobehavioural activity (y-maze test) was evaluated, recorded, and the rats were then sacrificed for sample collection. Following appropriate harvesting of the hippocampus, the antioxidant activity and histological alterations were investigated. Results showed a significant decrease in the brain and body weight of rats treated with cadmium. For the Y-maze test, Curcuma longa demonstrated significant inhibition of Cadmium-induced cognitive dysfunction. Curcuma longa produced a significant decrease in MDA level and increased SOD, CAT, GPx enzymes as compared to the Cadmium treated group. The histology of rats pre-treated with ethanolic Curcuma longa root extract showed considerable retention of the normal histological morphology of the hippocampus. In conclusion, the findings of the study validated the toxicity of cadmium and provided the first research evidence of the protective activity of Curcuma longa against cadmium toxicity in adult Wistar rats.

Alcohol (ethanol) is a widely consumed psychoactive substance known to induce oxidative stress and gastrointestinal mucosal damage, particularly in the duodenum. Chronic alcohol exposure generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disrupts mucosal integrity. Melatonin, a neurohormone synthesized in the pineal gland and gastrointestinal tract, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may offer protection against alcohol-induced tissue injury. To Investigate the Effects of Melatonin on Alcohol induced duodenal Toxicity in Adult Wistar Rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=5): control, alcohol only (50% ethanol), melatonin only (5 mg/kg), and melatonin plus alcohol. All treatments were administered orally via gavage for 28 days. After the exposure period, blood samples were collected to assess oxidative stress markers, and duodenal tissues were harvested for histopathological analysis. Statistical analysis were performed using one-way ANOVA with significance set at p<0.05. Alcohol induced ulcer in the mucosa of the duodenum and the ulcer induced was a funnel shaped. The group given melatonin and alcohol showed protective effect, preventing alcohol induced ulceration. In conclusion, melatonin at 5mg/kg prevented against alcohol-induced duodenal ulceration in wistar rats.

Isotretinoin (Accutane), a retinoid commonly prescribed for severe acne, has been shown to induce oxidative stress and organ toxicity during pregnancy, leading to developmental abnormalities in the fetus. The liver and kidneys are particularly prone to Accutane-induced damage due to their vital roles in detoxification and excretion. Previous studies has shown that quercetin scavenges free radicals and inhibits lipid peroxidation, while vitamin E stabilizes cell membranes and enhances antioxidant defense mechanisms. This study investigated the attenuating effects of quercetin, a natural flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and vitamin E, a lipid-soluble antioxidant, on Accutane-induced liver and kidney toxicity during prenatal development. Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five animals each: Control, Accutane only, Accutane + Vitamin E, and Accutane + Quercetin + Vitamin E. Administration was carried out from gestation day 14–21, and the littered fetuses
were sacrificed on postnatal day 30 for biochemical and histological analyses. Data was analysed using the SPSS statistical tool. Results showed that exposure to Accutane led to reduced birth weight and crown-rump length compared to other groups, while co-treatment with quercetin and vitamin E improved birth weight comparable to the control. Histological findings of the Accutane-only and Accutane + Vitamin E groups showed periportal inflammation in the liver while the Accutane-only group showed interstitial congestion and tubular swelling in the kidneys, both markedly reduced by co-treatment. In conclusion, the
combination of quercetin and vitamin E significantly attenuated Accutane-induced hepatorenal toxicity, highlighting their potential as protective antioxidants for maternal and fetal health

Hippocampal dysfunction, often linked to learning and memory impairments, can result from neurodegeneration or exposure to toxic agents. Manganese chloride, a neurotoxic compound, accumulates in the hippocampus and disrupts neuronal signalling through oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation, leading to cognitive deficits. Vanillin, a natural phenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown potential in protecting against such neurotoxic damage and preserving hippocampal integrity. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of vanillin on manganese chloride-induced hippocampal toxicity in Wistar rats. Forty-eight (48) adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F). Group A served as control; Group B received 10 mg/kg body weight [BW] of manganese chloride only; Group C received 20 mg/kg BW of vanillin and 10 mg/kg BW of manganese chloride. Group D received 40 mg/kg BW of vanillin and 10 mg/kg BW of manganese chloride. Group E received 20 mg/kg BW of vanillin only and Group F received 40 mg/kg BW of vanillin only. All administrations, lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. Nneurobehavioral activities were evaluated using the Novel object recognition and elevated plus maze tests.

The cerebrum, vital for cognition and motor control, is highly susceptible to toxic injury. Excess manganese chloride exposure induces oxidative stress, mitochon drial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, resulting in cerebral degeneration. Vanillin, a natural antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent, may counter these effects. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the activity of vanillin against manganese chloride–induced cerebral toxicity in adult Wistar rats. Forty-eight (48) Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F). Group A rats served as the control group; Group B rats were administered 10 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride; Group C rats were administered 20 mg/kg body weight of vanillin and 10 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride; Group D was administered 40 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride and 40 mg/kg body weight of vanillin; Group E was administered 20 mg/kg body weight of vanillin; Group F was administered 40 mg/kg body weight of vanillin. All administrations lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. Neurobehavioural activities were evaluated using the Y-Maze Test. Results from the study showed manganese chloride-exposed rats showed significant (p<0.05) weight loss, cognitive deficits, decreased antioxidant enzymes activity, and increased lipid peroxidation with vacuolization and pyknotic nuclei observed in the cerebrum histology

The use of traditional medical therapy is an important method in the treatment and management of diseases in the African continent and this could be as a result of social, cultural and economic lifestyles. Pharmacologically, the active ingredients found in pyrenacantha staudtii can be extracted and used to cure and prevent numerous diseases. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of pyrenacantha staudtii on the undamaged spleen of adult wistar rats. Thirty adult wistar rats weighing between 110g and 200g were used for this experiment with five rats in each group. All rats were allowed two weeks of acclimatization and they all had equal access to feed and water. Group A was the control and was not administered with any extract. Group B was administered with a low dose of the extract(100mg). Group C was administered with a medium dose of the extract(200mg). Group D was administered with 400mg of the extract. Group E was administered with 800mg of the extract. Group F was administered with 1600mg of the extract. All the rats were administered with the extract for 35 days. On the 36th day, the rats were sacrificed via chloroform anaesthesia and the spleen were harvested immediately and preserved in 10% formal saline for tissue processing using H&E for histological analysis

Cissus populnea has been reported to have high antioxidant content which is beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects aqueous extract of Cissus pulpolnae on the liver of Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats were allowed to acclimatize for two weeks under standard laboratory conditions (temperature 24-28°C and 12 hour light-dark cycle) before commencement of the experiment. The rats in each group were allowed access to standard rat chow and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The rats were randomly assigned into a control group and three treatment groups (5) rats each. The rats in Group A served as control and received feed and water ad libitum only. The treatment groups B received intraperitoneal injection of 30% CCl4 only; group C received 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Cissus populnea only; group D received 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Cissus populnea and intraperitoneal injection of 30% CCl4. The experimental period lasted for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia. Blood samples were collected, in plain bottles, from the Inferior vena cava of each rat for biochemical assay. The liver was excised and fixed in 10% buffered formalsaline for routine histological processing. The data generated were subjected to statistical analysis. Significant difference in the means of all parameters was determined using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA; 95% confidence interval). The result obtained showed that CCL4 induced some pathologies on the liver tissue ranging from formation of lipid vacuoles (steatosis) to degeneration of the hepatocyte and obliteration of the sinusoids. Cissus populnea ameliorated the pathologies induced by CCL4 on the liver tissue. It is concluded however that Cissus populnea possess hepatoprotective potential against CCL4 insult.

Arsenic trioxide, widely used in industry and medicine, poses significant risks of cardiotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and damage to cardiac tissue. Azanza garkeana, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offering potential cardioprotective effects by mitigating oxidative damage and preserving cardiac function. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Azanza garckeana on arsenic trioxide-induced cardiotoxicity in adult Wistar rats. Thirty (30) Wistar rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups of five (5) rats each. Group A served as the control group and receive 1 ml of distilled water. Group B received 100 mg/kg body weight of Arsenic trioxide only. Group C received 100 mg/kg body weight of Arsenic trioxide + 500 mg/kg body weight of Azanza garckeana. Group D received 100mg/kg body weight of Arsenic trioxide + 1000mg/kg body weight of Azanza garckeana. Group E and Group F received 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Azanza garckeana only, respectively. Rats received oral administration for 28 days. The rats were sacrificed afterwards and heart tissues were harvested and processed for routine haematoxylin and eosin staining. Results showed some histological alterations: hypertrophic cardiomypathy, vascular dilatation and congestion, perivascular infiltrates of inflammatory cells, evidence of myocarditis in rats treated with arsenic trioxide only. However, there were significant improvements in the rats treated with arsenic trioxide and Azanza garckeana evidenced by normal histological features: branching and anastomosing myocardial fibres with centrally-located nuclei. In conclusion, findings from this study showed that Azanza garckeana protects against arsenic trioxide-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats.

Cardiac damage induced by environmental toxins such as cadmium chloride (CdCl₂Cl₂) poses a major public health concern. Cadmium chloride accumulates in tissues, exerting harmful effects through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage, particularly affecting the cardiovascular and hematological parameters. Sphenocentrum jollyanum, a medicinal plant rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may counteract such damage. This study evaluated the protective effects of S. jollyanum aqueous leaf extract on cadmium -induced cardiac damage in Wistar rats. Thirty- six Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=6): Group A control (1ml of distilled water), Group B (10 mg/kg CdCl₂Cl₂), Groups C (150mg/kg extract) and D (300 mg/kg extract), and Groups E (CdCl₂Cl₂ + extract at 150 mg/kg) and F (CdCl₂Cl₂ + extract at 300 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 28 days. Parameters assessed included body and heart weights, hematological indices (RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, platelets), and cardiac histology and histochemistry analysis for Masson’s Trichrome. Group B showed significant reductions in body weight, RBCs, hemoglobin, platelets, and exhibited myocardial degeneration, inflammation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) disruption. Co-treatment with S. jollyanum, especially at 300 mg/kg (Group F), significantly reversed these effects, restoring hematological values, preserving myocardial architecture, and maintaining ECM integrity. Histological sections from Group F showed well-aligned cardiomyocytes, normal collagendistribution, and reduced inflammation

Azanza garckeana , a plant native to Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, as well as parts of West Africa, is traditionally renowned for its medicinal properties, particularly its role in enhancing male reproductive health. This study investigated the protective effects of aqueous leaf extract of Azanza garckeana (AGE) against lead acetate-induced testicular toxicity in Wistar rats. This specific objectives evaluated the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant capacity of Azanza garckeana , as well as its effects on various physiological and
biochemical parameters in Wistar rats. The objectives also included assessing changes in body and organ weights, oxidative stress markers, and male reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone) across experimental groups. Additionally, sperm analysis was conducted, and the impact of A. garckeana aqueous extract on the histology of testes in lead acetateinduced rats was examined. Thirty-six adult Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Group A served as the control, receiving only feed and water. Group B was exposed to 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) of lead acetate. Group C received 400 mg/kg BW of AGE only, while Group D was administered 800 mg/kg BW of AGE. Group E received a combination of 400 mg/kg BW of AGE and 100 mg/kg BW of lead acetate, and Group F received 800 mg/kg BW of AGE alongside 100 mg/kg BW of lead acetate.