DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY

Infertility remains a major reproductive health concern, often influenced by hormonal imbalance and impaired uterine morphology. The present study evaluated the modulatory effects of Jatropha tanjorensis on fertility hormones and uterine structure in Ocimum gratissimum treated female Wistar rats. Thirty (30) adult female Wistar rats weighing 130–160g were randomly divided into five groups of six animals each. Group I served as control and received Food and water; Group II received Ocimum gratissimum extract (500 mg/kg); Group III received Jatropha tanjorensis extract (500 mg/kg); Group IV received a combined extract of both plants (500 mg/kg each); and Group V served as a Proginova-treated or recovery group. Extracts were administered orally for twenty-eight (28) days. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assay, and ovarian and uterine tissues were excised for histological evaluation.The results revealed that administration of O. gratissimum and J. tanjorensis significantly increased serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) (p < 0.05), whereas estrogen and progesterone levels decreased across treatment groups when compared with control. Co-administration of both extracts produced an intermediate hormonal profile, suggesting partial modulation of the antifertility effects induced by O. gratissimum. Prolactin and testosterone levels were elevated, indicating possible disruption of steroidogenic enzyme activity. Histological examination of the uterus showed reduced endometrial thickness and mild stromal vacuolation in treated groups, consistent with hormonal findings.In conclusion, Jatropha tanjorensis and Ocimum gratissimum significantly influenced female reproductive hormones and uterine morphology. The combined administration resulted in moderated but persistent endocrine alterations, implying complex phytochemical interactions. These findings suggest that chronic or unregulated use of these plants for fertility enhancement may pose reproductive risks. Further molecular and mechanistic studies are recommended to elucidate their exact hormonal pathways.

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a widely-used submaximal field walking test used to evaluate functional exercise capacity. It assesses the distance an individual can walk on a flat, hard surface in six minutes and the final distance is recorded in meters. This study was aimed to investigate changes in oxidative stress marker levels in young adult males of different genotypes post functional exercise at the University of Benin. Forty-four (44) healthy young adult males aged 18-29 years were recruited for this study. Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and insufficient antioxidant defenses Oxidative stress marker levels were measured pre and post-test. The analysis was done at the chemical pathology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. The statistical analysis was done using Graph Pad Prism statistical package Version 8.1. The standard error of mean (SEM) was used in tables and graphs to display the results. The dependent and independent variable means were compared using the student t-test. P<0.05 was accepted as significant. The results showed that there was no significant change in the oxidative stress marker levels relative to genotype.

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is Oxidative stress and inflammation are interconnected thatcontribute to a tropical fruit renowned for its hydrating qualities and rich nutritional content. It contains vital micronutrients such as vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as minerals and phytochemicals like lycopene and L-citrulline. These bioactive compounds possess significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to maintaining normal physiological function and protecting body systems from oxidative damage. Several studies have reported that natural fruit extracts, including watermelon juice, can enhance behavioral responses and regulate biochemical and hematological indices under oxidative or inflammatory stress conditions (Perkins-Veazie & Collins, 2021; Olayemi et al., 2020). physiological disturbances tissue injury, aging, and disease development. An imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the body’s antioxidant defenses can result in cellular damage affecting major organs, particularly the brain and circulatory system (Adebayo et al., 2019). Such pathological conditions often impair locomotor performance and alter blood and immune parameters. Therefore, evaluating the influence of watermelon juice—a naturally antioxidant-rich beverage—offers valuable insights into dietary interventions that may alleviate oxidative damage and preserve normal physiological functions.

The global consumption of energy drinks and caffeine-containing beverages has increased due to their stimulating effects, yet concerns regarding their impact on oxidative stress remain largely unaddressed. This study investigates the effects of energy drinks and caffeine on oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA), in heart and kidney tissues. Fifty (50) young Sprague-rats weighing between 164g-250g were used for this study. The rats were divided into five groups; Group 1 as control (n=10) received water, Group 2 (n=10) received 5ml of energy drink, Group 3 (n=10) received 10ml energy drink, Group 4 (n=10) received 5ml of caffeine 0.89mg/kg b.w., Group 5 (n=10) received 10ml of caffeine 2.0mg/kg b.w. The various doses of energy drinks and caffeine were administered orally daily for six weeks .Weight of rats were taken weekly, at the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed and organs collected into plain tubes filled with normal saline solution. Oxidative stress parameters were measured using spectrophometric method. Results were presented as standard error of mean (SEM). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of tests and control value while the post-hoc test was done using Dunnett’s multiple comparison tests and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results showed that energy drinks increased antioxidant enzyme activities in the heart but also elevated MDA levels, indicating oxidative stress. Caffeine reduced antioxidant activity in the heart and increased MDA levels in the kidney, signifying oxidative damage. These effects were tissue-specific and dose-dependent, highlighting potential health risks. In conclusion, excessive consumption of energy drinks and caffeine may pose health risks due to oxidative stress. Therefore, public awareness and regulatory measures are essential to mitigate these effects.

Salbutamol, montelukast, and prednisolone are widely used in the management of respiratory disorders. Despite their therapeutic benefits, their effects on pulmonary oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses, particularly when used in combination, remain unclear. This study evaluated the influence of these agents on oxidative stress markers and total protein concentration in lung tissue. Experimental animals were divided into five groups (n = 8 group): negative control, positive control, salbutamol, montelukast, prednisolone, salbutamol/prednisolone, salbutamol/montelukast, and prednisolone/montelukast. Lung tissue homogenates were analyzed for total protein concentration, antioxidant enzyme activities superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)—and oxidative stress markers, including hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide (NO). Data were expressed as mean ± SEM and analyzed using one-way ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05. Total protein concentration significantly increased only in the salbutamol/prednisolone-treated group compared with the negative control (p < 0.05). This group also exhibited significant decreases in SOD, CAT, and GPx activities relative to both negative and positive controls (p < 0.05), indicating reduced antioxidant capacity. In contrast, salbutamol/montelukast and prednisolone/montelukast treatments did not alter protein concentration or most antioxidant enzymes compared with the negative control, although CAT and GPx were decreased relative to the positive control (p < 0.05). Hydrogen peroxide levels were significantly elevated in salbutamol/montelukast and prednisolone/montelukast groups compared with the negative
control (p < 0.05), while NO levels did not differ significantly among groups. However, compared with the positive control, NO concentration increased in salbutamol/prednisolone and salbutamol/montelukast groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, combination therapy with salbutamol and prednisolone reduces pulmonary antioxidant enzyme activity while increasing total protein, suggesting mild oxidative stress. Montelukast-containing combinations primarily modulate hydrogen peroxide without major effects on protein content or overall antioxidant capacity. These findings indicate that drug combinations exert differential effects on lung oxidative homeostasis, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of pulmonary redox status during combination therapy.

The global consumption of energy drinks and caffeine-containing beverages has increased due to their stimulating effects, yet concerns regarding their impact on oxidative stress remain largely unaddressed. This study investigates the effects of energy drinks and caffeine on oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA), in heart and kidney tissues. Fifty (50) young Sprague-rats weighing between 164g-250g were used for this study. The rats were divided into five groups; Group 1 as control (n=10) received water, Group 2 (n=10) received 5ml of energy drink, Group 3 (n=10) received 10ml energy drink, Group 4 (n=10) received 5ml of caffeine 0.89mg/kg b.w., Group 5 (n=10) received 10ml of caffeine 2.0mg/kg b.w. The various doses of energy drinks and caffeine were administered orally daily for six weeks .Weight of rats were taken weekly, at the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed and organs collected into plain tubes filled with normal saline solution. Oxidative stress parameters were measured using spectrophometric method. Results were presented as standard error of mean (SEM). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of tests and control value while the post-hoctest was done using Dunnett’s multiple comparison tests and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results showed that energy drinks increased antioxidant enzyme activities in the heart but also elevated MDA levels, indicating oxidative stress. Caffeine reduced antioxidant activity in the heart and increased MDA levels in the kidney, signifying oxidative damage. These effects were tissue-specific and dose-dependent, highlighting potential health risks. In conclusion, excessive consumption of energy drinks and caffeine may pose health risks due to oxidative stress. Therefore, public awareness and regulatory measures are essential to mitigate these effects

roponin I (TnI) is a crucial component of the troponin complex in striated muscle, playing a central role in regulating contraction and relaxation through calcium interaction. Heat stress refers to the overall response of the human body to the combined effects of environmental factors and temperature. It indicates how much heat the body is exposed to within its thermal surroundings. The justification for studying troponin I levels in heat-exposed Sprague-Dawley female rats is grounded in the need to understand cardiac responses to hyperthermia. Elevated troponin I levels can indicate myocardial injury, which is critical during heat stress conditions. The study aimed to explore the connection between heat exposure and myocardial damage by
examining variations in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels in heat-exposed Sprague-Dawley female rats. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (1, 2, 3 and 4) for a period of eight weeks. The rats were exposed to heat for 1 to 2 hours daily at a temperature of 38°C to 40°C. Group 1 served as the control group which were not exposed to heat. Group 2 was exposed to heat for 14 days and group 3 and 4 were exposed to heat for 28 days and 42 days respectively. At the end of the experiment, each animal was first anaesthetized using chloroform vapour, followed by a dissection procedure to harvest the heart tissue. After harvesting the heart tissue, it was minced into small pieces and homogenised using phosphate buffer solution, thereafter spun and the supernatant was collected and sent for biochemical analysis. Statistical analysis was done using graph pad prism version 10.4. Results were presented as mean ± standard error of mean. One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of tests and control value while post hoc test was done using Dunnett's multiple comparison test and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The result gotten from this research shows that mild heat exposure may not induce noticeable cardiac stress. In conclusion, long periods of high temperature exposure may indicate possible myocardial alteration, so heat exposure should be kept within reasonable limits

Medicinal plants and the bioactive substances they contain have drawn the
interest of various researchers over the past ten years due to their ability to
cure different illnesses. Ocimum gratissimum is a member of the Lamiaceae
family. It is cultivated in several gardens surrounding village huts in Nigeria
under the popular name "scent leaf" for both medicinal and culinary purposes. The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect of ocimum gratissimum on some hematological parameters in male wistar rats. The effect of methanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum on some red blood indices of Wister rats was studied using fifteen healthy adult wistar rats with weights ranging between 140-160g. The rats were divided into three groups; control group, low dose group and high dose group. Increasing doses (100mg and 300mgkg-1 body weight) of the extract were administered orally to the other two groups for a period of four weeks. Sample collection was done via cardiac puncture using 5ml syringes. The extract displayed a significant increase (p<0.05) difference in platelet levels when compared with the normal control and a non significant difference (p<0.05) in the other parameters were observed. In conclusion, the extract of gratissimum might be a panacea in the management of anaemic conditions due to its
erythropoietic, and/or haematopoietic effects, and beneficial to the blood’s oxygen supporting ability and thrombopoietin, putting into consideration that there were no alteration in the morphology and fragility of the RBCs

Hematological indices are essential for evaluation of blood composition and overall health.
They are a set of measurements and values obtained from a complete blood count (CBC) test. They include: Red blood cell count, total and differential white blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), platelets count etc. This study aims to measure and compare the values of RBCs, Total and Differential WBCs, MCV, MCH,
MCHC and Platelets between young male and female human adults. A Questionnaire was given to collect demographic and a little clinical data from the participants to ensure they met the criteria for participation.
The participants constituted two (2) groups – males and females, with each group having 20 individuals between ages 18-30. Blood samples were collected. The data obtained from the groups were presented as Mean ± S.E.M (Standard Error of Mean), (n=20) in each group and analyzed for statistical significant at (p ≤ 0.05). The statistical software used includes R and WPS sheets. The results for RBC count, MCV, MCH and MCHC were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in males than in females, while the values of total WBC count, each of the differential WBC count and the platelet count, were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in females compared to males. In conclusion, the results of this study highlights and buttress that there are significant differences between the selected hematological parameters of males and females. These variations are most likely due to physiological factors like the testosterone on erythropoiesis and the potential differences in body composition and metabolism.

The use of medicinal plants as traditional medicine is made possible as a result of the presence of bioactive metabolite in plants which form the basis of herbal medication. This study was carried out to assess the antidiabetic activity of cocoa extract and its effect on body weight, food and water consumption using normal and diabetes mellitus-induced wistar albino rats. Thirty five healthy male Wistar albino rats with average body weight of 200 g were purchased and grouped into 5 groups (A to E) with 7 rats in each group. Group A was normal rats fed with standard rat feed (Normal control). Group B was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed (Diabetic control). Group C was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 300mg/kg cocoa extract (Low Dosage). Group D was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 600mg/kg cocoa extract (Moderate Dosage). Group E was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 900mg/kg cocoa extract (High Dosage). The result showed that there were significant differences in water and food intake of the rats across the treatment groups (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in fasting blood glucose levels of the rats across the treatment groups (p < 0.05). The histological plates also provide visual evidence of the effects of low dosage, moderate dosage, and high dosage of cocoa extracts on pancreatic tissue in a rat model of diabetes. While LD extract appears to have a positive impact on tissue architecture and islet regeneration, MD and HD cocoa extracts may have limited benefits in reversing diabetes-induced changes. These results provide a foundation for future research into the therapeutic potential of these extracts in managing diabetes.