SCHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used synthetic chemical found in food packaging, medical devices, and other products.BPAhas been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, alter brain structure, and impair learning and memory, even at low doses.The aim of this study investigated the effects of BPA on the hippocampus of Wistar rats. The rats were divided into three groups,group A which is the (control)was given 1ml distilled water,Group B was administered 5mg/kg BPA,Group C was administered 10mg/kg BPAfor 28 days.At the end of the 28-day administration period, the rats were weighed, sacrificed via cervical dislocation, and their skulls opened to harvest the brain. The brain weights was taken and the hippocampus was carefully detached, placed in a sample bottle, fixed in 10% buffered formalin and were processed according to the method of Drury and Wallington (1980) for Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and the parameters accessed include hippocampal antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH), MDA concentration and the histology of the hippocampus using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS/IBM statistical package version 20. Results obtained showed no significant change (p<0.05) in the initial body weight, final body weight and weight change of rats across experimental groups. No significant change (p<0.05) was observed in the cerebral
and relative cerebral weight of rats across experimental groups. However, a significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in hippocampus SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH activity of rats in group C (10 mg/kg bw BPA) when compared to control. A significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in MDA concentration of rats in group B (5 mg/kg bw BPA) and C (10 mg/kg bw BPA) when compared to control. Histological findings revealed normal archictecture of the hippocampus in group A, whereas dark shrunken neuronal cell bodies with deeply stained pyknotic nuclei and vacoulations were seen in the granular cells of rats in group B and C. In conclusion, findings from this study shows that BPA induced neurotoxic effect on the hippocampus via inducing oxidative stress and altering the architectural integrity of the hippocampus.

Sphenocentrum jollyanum is a medicinal plant widely employed in West African ethnomedicine for the management of diabetes mellitus and chronic wounds, yet the specific bioactive constituents responsible for its therapeutic efficacy remain insufficiently
characterized. The aim of this study was to profile the phytochemical composition of the root extract to identify bioactive compounds validating its traditional antidiabetic use. The research involved the collection and preparation of root samples, followed by solvent extraction and subsequent analysis using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to separate and identify volatile components based on their retention times, peak areas, and mass spectral fragmentation patterns. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of distinct bioactive compounds, with carbohydrate derivatives and glycosides being the most dominant
class. Specifically, Inositol, 1-deoxy- was identified as the major constituent, accounting for 43.45% of the total extract, followed by alpha-Methyl Mannofuranoside (3.79%) and the antioxidant D-alpha-Tocopherol (1.13%). The substantial concentration of inositol derivatives, which are known mediators of insulin signal transduction, alongside potent antioxidant agents, scientifically substantiates the traditional application of Sphenocentrum jollyanum in the management of diabetes and oxidative stress-related disorders.

Annona muricata (soursop) is a tropical plant widely used in traditional medicine for various ailments, yet comprehensive safety data on its effects on vital organs remain limited. This research aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of Annona muricata leaf extract on liver, kidney, testis, and ovaries of albino rats. Twenty-four healthy albino rats weighing 180- 200g were procured from the Animal House of the Department of Anatomy, University of Benin, and maintained under standard conditions with unrestricted access to feed and water. The rats were divided into four groups: Group A (control, n=2) received pelleted feed and distilled water; Group B (n=4) was administered 250mg/kg soursop extract; Group C (n=4) received 500mg/kg; and Group D (n=4) was given 1000mg/kg extract orally via gavage for one month. Following treatment, animals were euthanized, blood samples collected for biochemical analysis, and organs harvested for histopathological examination. Results revealed no significant changes in hematological parameters, liver function tests, or reproductive hormone levels across all groups (p > 0.05). However, kidney function analysis showed significant elevation in sodium (143±3.8 mEq/L) and chloride (107.3±0.5 mEq/L) levels in the highest dose group compared to controls (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed normal architecture in the control group organs. Groups B and C exhibited hepatic steatosis with microvacuolar degeneration, while Group D maintained normal liver histology. All kidney, testis, and ovary sections demonstrated preserved normal architecture across treatment groups. The findings suggest that Annona muricata leaf extract exhibits a complex dose-response relationship, with intermediate doses causing hepatic steatosis while higher doses appear protective. The preservation of reproductive organ integrate and absence of significant biochemical toxicity support the traditional use of soursop, though careful dose optimization and electrolyte monitoring are recommended for therapeutic applications.