O.C. UGBENI

Glyphosate is a non-selective systemic herbicide and the most often used pesticide globally. This study examined the effects of antioxidant levels in the liver and kidney of Wistar rats fed maize- based diets formulated from grains obtained from glyphosate-exposed soils. The rats were 15 in total and were grouped into A (commercial feed only), C (maize grown on glyphosate controlled weed field above the recommended dose), F (maize grown on glyphosate controlled weed field following the recommended dose + raw glyphosate (2ml), G (maize grown on glyphosate controlled weed field following the recommended dose), and H (feed produced from maize grown by local farmers), and were maintained under standard conditions for the duration of 28 days. Antioxidant parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed. The following results showed reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes in the glyphosate-fed groups compared to group A, indicating the presence of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. The various activities suggest that glyphosate residues in feed may disrupt cellular redox balance, compromise organ function, and increase susceptibility to oxidative damage. Overall, the study discussed the potential health risks associated with the consumption of crops cultivated on glyphosate exposed soils and the need for continuous monitoring of herbicide residues in animal feed and food chains.

This experiment aimed to investigate the subchronic toxicity of Icacina trichantha ethanolic extract and its impact on the liver's biochemical and histological parameters in male Wistar rats. The research specifically focused on examining the potential positive or negative effects of the extract. The main objective was to evaluate liver function by analyzing various biochemical
parameters, including liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT), total protein, albumin, bilirubin, and lipid profile. Over a period of 28 days, twelve male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, with the first group serving as the control. The rats in the other groups were orally administered the extract in different solutions. After the specified time, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture. The collected blood samples were then used to analyze the biochemical parameters. The histological examinations of the liver showed vasodilation, normal hepatocytes and activation of Kupffer cells. The results of this study indicate that Icacina trichantha has specific effects on Wistar rats, particularly in terms of regulating liver function, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. These specific effects suggest a complex interaction between the active compounds in the extract and the physiological processes of the rats. The observed changes in important biochemical markers demonstrate the potential of Icacina trichantha as a source of therapeutic bioactive compounds. However, caution should be exercised when using it, and further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and assess its safety and effectiveness in clinical settings. Nevertheless, these findings offer valuable insights into the specific effects of Icacina trichantha and provide a foundation for future investigations into its pharmacological potential. aminations of the liver revealed vasodilation, normal hepatocytes, and activation of Kupffer cells.