DAWLEY RATS

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

Medicinal plants contain numerous phytochemicals that have the ability to prevent, manage, and cure various diseases. Picralima nitida has been used in herbal medicine since ancient times and possesses several pharmacological properties. This study aimed to access the toxicity effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Picralima nitida using healthy normal adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, investigate its effect on glucose and insulin secretion and analyze its effect on the pancreas. We carried out both acute and subchronic toxicity study. The acute toxicity study comprised of 15 rats and was carried out in 2 phases. At the end of acute toxicity test, there were no visible signs of toxicity observed in all the animals administered the extracts. Subchronic toxicity study comprised of 30 rats and lasted for over a period of four (4) weeks. Fasting blood sugar levels were measured in groups administered with doses of 150mg/kg, 300mg/kg, 800mg/kg, 2000mg/kg and 5000mg/kg. Across all groups, there was a consistent decrease in FBS when the baseline FBS is compared to the final week FBS. This suggests that the aqueous stem bark extract of P.nitida may be a potential hypoglycemic agent, although these changes are not statistically important. Insulin levels were measured to access the extract’s impact on insulin secretion and compared to the normal control group (4.04±3.32), most doses did not significantly alter insulin secretion, except for the 150mg/kg dose which increased to about 4.30±2.26a and 5000mg/kg dose, which showed a substantial increase (27.94±23.21). However, this increase was not statistically significant (p = 0.433). The effects of the extract on the pancreatic weight showed a significant reduction across all doses compared to the normal control. Pancreatic weight decreased significantly at all administered doses (150mg/kg to 5000mg/kg) with p = 0.000, indicating a high level of statistical significance. The histology of the pancreas showed that there was no inflammation also the extract at 150mg/kg and 2000mg/kg dose increased Islets of Langerhans markedly. At 300mg/kg and 5000mg/kg there was no increase in Islets of Langerhans.