Wistar Rats

This study investigated the comparative effects of co-administration of aqueous and methanol fractions of Cleome rutidosperma and Hunteria umbellata on hematopoiesis in L-NAME/STZinduced hypertensive and diabetic male Wistar rats. Hypertension and diabetes are chronic metabolic disorders that frequently coexist and contribute to cardiovascular complications through oxidative stress and hematological alterations. Traditional medicinal plants such as Cleome rutidosperma and Hunteria umbellata have been reported to possess antihypertensive and antidiabetic properties, yet their combined effects on blood cell formation remain underexplored. Hematological indices were evaluated to determine their effects on erythropoiesis, leukopoiesis, and thrombopoiesis. The findings revealed that both extracts produced beneficial effects on altered hematological parameters, with the methanol fraction showing greater hematoprotective efficacy. The methanol fraction significantly improved total lymphocyte, mid- sized cell percentage, and platelet indices, indicating enhanced immune response, erythropoietic stability, and hemostatic balance. These results suggest that the methanol fraction of Cleome rutidosperma and Hunteria umbellata exerts superior restorative effects on hematopoiesis in L- NAME/STZ-induced hypertensive and diabetic rats, highlighting its therapeutic potential in managing hematological disturbances associated with cardiometabolic disorders.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) is a potent environmental toxicant that induces oxidative stress in the testes via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, leading to lipid peroxidation, antioxidant depletion, and impaired spermatogenesis. This study investigated the protective effect of Entandrophragma utili bark extract (EUE) on oxidative stress indices in the testes of CCl₄-intoxicated Wistar rats. Thirty (25) male Wistar rats (150–180 g) were divided into five groups (n=5): Group I: Normal control (distilled water) Group II: CCl₄ only (0.5 mL/kg, 1:1 in olive oil, ip., twice weekly) Group III: CCl₄ + Crude extract (400 mg/kgbwt) Group IV: CCl₄ + Ethyl acetate (400 mg/kgbwt) Group V: CCl₄ + Ethanol residue (400 mg/kgbwt) Treatment lasted 28 days. Testes were excised, homogenized, and assayed for reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Entandrophragma utili bark extract exhibits dose-dependent antioxidant protection against CCl₄- induced testicular oxidative damage, possibly via free radical scavenging. It holds promise as a natural therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-related male reproductive disorder. CCl₄ intoxication significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx, and reduced GSH levels, confirming severe oxidative stress. Pre-treatment with the crude EUE extract significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated these alterations, restoring antioxidant enzyme activities and GSH levels near to normal and preserving testicular cytoarchitecture. The solvent fractions showed milder, non-significant restorative effects.

Aim Of this study is to investigate the effects Of aqueous extract Of Cinnamon bark on the kidney Of Wistar rat. Twenty (20) Adult Wistar rats Of weighing between I SO g•180g were used for this The rats were prvw•ured from the animal holdings Of Department Of Anatomy. School Of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin. Benin City. The animals were housed in the Department of Anatomy. University of Benin. Care and management Of animals was carried out in accordance with the guidelines for the care and use Of laboratory animals. The animals were allowed to acclimatize for a vxriOd Of two weeks before commencement Of experiment. The bark Of Cinnamon was purchased from the vegetable market Of "Stop to Shopv located opposite the University Of Benin. The bark was chopped into little bits and allowed to dry at room temperature. dried bark was pounded using wooden mortar and pestle and milled into fine in an electric blender. Five hundred grammes Ofthe powder were soaked in 2 liters of distilled water for 24 hours. The mixture was filtered with white filter and the residue would be separated from the filtrate. The filtrate was concentrated using Free7ß dried technique in the National Centre for Energy and Environment at the University of Bcnin. Benin City. •Ihc rats were randomly assigned into a Control group (A) and five treatment groups (B, C, and D) containing five (S) animals Rats in Group B administered With 100 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark; group C was administered with 200 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark; Group D 500 mg/kg aqueous of Cinnamon bark. Group E 1000 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark At the end of the exi*rimental period, the animals were sacrificed using Chloroform anesthesia and the kidney tissues were harvested and fixed in 10% buffer saline for routine histological procedure for hematoxylin and Eosin staining technique. Blood samples were collected from the descending abdominal aorta and preserved, in heparin coated tubes, for biochemical determination of Liver function tests. The data carried out using Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 16) rnanufactured by international Business Machine Corporation (IBM) in Armonk, New York. nie significance of the difference in the means of all parameters would determined using one-way analysis of variance (95% confidence interval). Result obtained showed that the Cinnamon extract showed that lower doses Of the extract had no deleterious effects on kidrry but however the highest dose Of 1000 mg/kg t»dy weight showed significant vascular.

Parkia biglobosa (African locust beans) is a perennial plant, it's seed has been reported to have good organoleptic containing high levels of fat, crude protein, pure protein, carbohydrates and starch. The fermented seed of P.biglobosa has been reported to contain an increased level of nutrients and secondary metabolites such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, phenols, saponins, flavonoids as compared to the unfermented seed. In various studies p.biglobosa has been shown to have antiulcer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory therapeutic properties. Aspirin is a salicylic acid and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Aspirin is used to reduce fever and relieve mild to moderate pain. Aspirin has been reported to have cardiovascular protective effect as well as adverse effects such as stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study is to investigate fermented seed extract of Parkia biglobosa for its gastroprotective effect on aspirin induced gastrointestinal injury. Thirty male wistar rats where used for this study,which was divided into six groups having five rats per group (n=5). Animals in group one served as the unexposed group, groups two where fed 1000mg/kg of extract, group three where fed 20mg/kg of aspirin, group four, five and six were fed the extract and aspirin at alternated time frame. Histological changes as well as stomach weight, initial and final body weight were analyzed. Statistical softway SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data obtained. The statistical results showed no significant difference in increased stomach and body weight at p value <0.05. In the histological analysis of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine, group one and two where normal, group three had inflammation as a result of the aspirin administered. In group four the various parts analyzed where normal which showed the counter effect of p.biglobosa. Group five and six had various parts still inflamed which could be as a result of increased dosage or the duration of administration. In conclusion, it maybe inferred that Parkia biglobosa has an effect, which is a counteracting effect on aspirin against gastrointestinal tract injury in male wistar rat.

This study explores the harmful effects of lead acetate exposure on the kidneys, liver, and blood in Wistar rats, aiming to shed light on potential risks to human health from this common environmental toxin. Over a four-week period, adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups: a control group receiving distilled water and three treatment groups administered varying doses of lead acetate (low, medium, and high) via oral gavage. Weekly assessments included hematological analyses such as complete blood counts, measurements of inflammatory markers like TNF-α in liver and kidney tissues, and oxidative stress evaluations through assays for key enzymes and antioxidants. Results revealed dose- dependent disruptions, with treated groups showing significant reductions in hemoglobin, platelet, and white blood cell counts, alongside elevated neutrophil and lymphocyte levels indicative of immune stress. In the liver and kidneys, heightened TNF-α concentrations pointed to progressive inflammation, while oxidative stress markers demonstrated increased lipid peroxidation and depleted antioxidant defenses, particularly in higher-dose groups by week four. These findings underscore lead acetate's capacity to induce organ damage through oxidative and inflammatory pathways, highlighting the need for stricter controls on lead exposure in industrial and everyday settings to prevent similar toxicities in humans.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), leading to severe motor and cognitive impairments. Its complex pathophysiology involves oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and glutamatergic excitotoxicity. Hyperthermia, or high body temperature, is also known to cause cellular damage by impairing mitochondrial function and increasing oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate physiological alterations associated with hyperthermia in MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) induced Neurotoxicity using the MPTP rat model. Adult Wistar rats were divided into Control, Heat only, and MPTP + heat groups, receiving intranasal administration of MPTP (0.1ml/nostril)daily for 2 days. Heat exposure was carried out with heat bulbs for 6hours/day for one week at a temperature range of 28°c - 43°c. The study assessed key biochemical parameters, including oxidative stress markers (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), and Malondialdehyde (MDA)), and Total Protein levels. Biochemical analysis confirmed that MPTPt + HEAT treatments induced a severe state of oxidative stress. This was evidenced by a significant increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) alongside a decrease in the lipid peroxidation marker MDA. This pattern indicates that the cellular antioxidant defenses were overwhelmed by the toxin and heat.. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant decrease in total protein levels across the Heat only and MPTP+ heat groups, suggesting widespread cellular injury and apoptotic death consistent with severe heat exposure and MPTP neurotoxicity. This study confirms the physiological alterations caused by heat, demonstrating that MPTP administration and heat exposure promote molecular damage, oxidative stress, and widespread protein loss.

The application of plants as herbal medicine has been used by various populations throughout human evolution, whereas people started to learn in selecting plants for food, to cure and prevent ailments and diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark on the liver of wistar rat. Twenty (20) Adult Wistar rats of weighing between 150 g-180g were used for this experiment. The rats were procured from the animal holdings of Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City. The animals were housed in the Department of Anatomy, University of Benin. Care and management of animals was carried out in accordance with the guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals. The animals were allowed to acclimatize for a period of two weeks before commencement of experiment. The bark of Cinnamon was purchased from the vegetable market of “Stop to Shop” located opposite the University of Benin. The bark was chopped into little bits and allowed to dry at room temperature. The dried bark was pounded using wooden mortar and pestle and milled into fine powder in an electric blender. Five hundred grams (500g) of the powder were soaked in 2 liters of distilled water for 24 hours. The mixture was filtered with white filter paper and the residue would be separated from the filtrate. The filtrate was concentrated using Freeze dried technique in the National Centre for Energy and Environment at the University of Benin, Benin City. The rats were randomly assigned into a Control group (A) and three (3) treatment groups (B, C, and D) containing five (5) animals each. Rats in Group B were administered with 200 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark; group C was administered with 500 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark; Group D 1000 mg/kg aqueous extract of Cinnamon bark. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed using Chloroform anesthesia and the Liver tissues were harvested and fixed in 10% buffer saline for routine histological procedure for hematoxylin and Eosin staining technique. Blood samples were collected from the descending abdominal aorta and preserved, in heparin coated tubes, for biochemical determination of Liver function tests. The data generated carried out using Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 16) manufactured by international Business Machine Corporation (IBM) in Armonk, New York. The significance of the difference in the means of all parameters would be determined using one-way analysis of variance (95% confidence interval). Result obtained showed that the extract had no deleterious effect on the Liver of the rats. However there was activation of inflammatory cells aggravating toward the portal area. Further studies should be carried out to corroborate this finding

This study investigates whether the plant Gongronema latifolium can reduce anxiety (anxiolytic effect) and protect the brain from damage caused by exposure to manganese chloride in laboratory rats.Manganese, although essential in small amounts, becomes toxic when taken in excess. It can accumulate in the brain, leading to oxidative stress, neuronal injury, and behavioral changes such as anxiety and restlessness. Excessive exposure to manganese (Mn) has been associated with neurotoxicity, leading to anxiety-like behaviors due to oxidative stress and neuronal damage. Gongronema latifolium is a medicinal plant commonly used in African traditional medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective properties. The research evaluates how effective extracts of this plant are in preventing or reducing anxiety behaviors and brain damage caused by manganese.Wistar rats were exposed to manganese chloride and then treated with different doses of Gongronema latifolium. Their behavior was tested using standard models of anxiety such as the Elevated Plus Maze, Open Field Test, tail suspension test and string test. Brain tissues were later examined for structural and biochemical changes.The study found that Gongronema latifolium reduced anxiety-like behavior, improved antioxidant enzyme levels, and preserved brain structure — showing that it has both anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects. Forty-eight (48) adult Wistar rats of both sexes (n = 8 per group) with an initial mean weight of 100 ± 10 g were randomly divided into six groups. Group A served as the normal control and received distilled water; Group B received manganese chloride (10 mg/kg) to induce anxiety; Groups C and D were treated with manganese chloride plus Gongronema latifolium extract (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively); Group E received Gongronema latifolium (100 mg/kg) as a standard anxiolytic; and Group VI received Gongronema latifolium extract alone (200 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for the Gongronema latifolium and intraperitoneally for Manganese chloride for 28 comsecutives days. Neurobehavioral parameters were assessed using the Tail suspension test (TST) ,String Test, Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Open Field Test (OFT). Brain tissues were harvested for histological and biochemical analysis.Manganese exposure significantly (p < 0.05) increased anxiety-like behaviors, evidenced by reduced open-arm entries and time in the EPM and decreased central zone exploration in the OFT. Pre-treatment with Gongronema latifolium significantly ameliorated these effects in a dose-dependent manner, comparable to diazepam. In conclusion, Gongronema latifolium demonstrated potent anxiolytic and neuroprotective activities against manganese-induced neurotoxicity through antioxidant and neurorestorative mechanisms. These findings suggest its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing anxiety disorders associated with heavy metal neurotoxicity.

Haemolytic anaemia is characterised by accelerated erythrocyte destruction and is often accompanied by oxidative damage and organ dysfunction. Medicinal plants used in traditional medicine may offer protective and regenerative benefits in anaemic conditions. This study evaluated the regenerative effects of a polyherbal aqueous leaf extract of Ipomoea batatas, Justicia carnea and Ficus sur on selected organs in phenylhydrazine-induced haemolytic anaemic rats. Anaemia was induced in Wistar rats using phenylhydrazine hydrochloride. Animals were treated with graded doses of the polyherbal extract, while control groups included normal and anaemia-induced untreated rats. Liver, spleen and thymus tissues were harvested and processed for histopathological examination using haematoxylin and eosin staining. Phenylhydrazine-induced anaemia caused marked histopathological alterations in the liver, spleen and thymus, including hepatocellular degeneration, splenic architectural distortion and thymic involution. Treatment with the polyherbal extract resulted in varying degrees of tissue protection and structural recovery across the organs examined. The polyherbal aqueous extract of I. batatas, J. carnea and F. sur demonstrated protective and regenerative effects against phenylhydrazine-induced organ damage, supporting its potential role in the management of haemolytic anaemia.

Street-vended foods provide affordable nutrition for many urban populations but often serve as vehicles for food-borne pathogens capable of causing systemic health effects. This study investigated the effects of pathogens isolated from street-vended foods on the hematological parameters and oxidative stress markers of Wistar rats. Bacteria isolated from street-vended foods were obtained for this study and identified using molecular (polymerase chain reaction) technique. Thereafter, isolates were screened for phenotypic virulence characteristics (biofilm formation, haemolysin and gelatinase production) using standard techniques. Twenty-five wistar rats weighing 169.40g-175.01g were used. Enumeration and isolation of feed samples was done using serial dilution and pour plate techniques. After one week acclimatization, rats were randomly selected into five equal groups (control, W1,W2, X1 and X 2). Rats were experimentally infected with different concentrations (0.06ml and 0.1ml) of Escherichia coli (PX395408) and
Klebsiella pneumoniae (PX395409). After infection, changes in the weight of rats were determined weekly. Following sacrifice, blood and tissue samples were obtained for hematology and histopathological examination. The results revealed that E. coli exhibited β-hemolytic activity, was positive for biofilm formation, and negative for gelatinase production, while K. pnuemoniae showed γ-hemolytic activity and was negative for both biofilm and gelatinase production. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts of feed samples ranged from 5.35±0.07 to 6.90±1.56×10⁵ cfu/g, with isolates including Citrobacter spp and Klebsiella spp. The initial body weight of rats ranged from 169.00 ± 13.90 g to 175.00 ± 10.40 g, while the control group weighed 170.61 ± 4.90 g. After infection, the control rats gained weight steadily (189.35 ± 12.52g), whereas infected rats showed weight reduction, ranging from 125.76 ± 11.95 g to 145.02 ± 28.94 g, indicating systemic infection. Hematological analysis revealed that the control rats maintained normal values except for slightly higher white blood cell counts compared to infected groups. Rats infected with E. coli (0.06 mL) recorded higher red blood cell (RBC) and hemoglobin (HGB) levels than the control, while platelet (PLT) counts significantly increased in K. pneumoniae-infected rats, particularly in the high-dose group (1315±546). Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values, while other parameters showed no significant differences (p>0.05). Oxidative stress markers revealed that K. pneumonia infected rats exhibited elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating oxidative damage, whereas catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly increased in all infected groups. These findings demonstrate that E. coli and K. pnuemoniae from street-vended foods can induce hematological alterations, oxidative stress, and weight loss in Wistar rats, underscoring the need for improved food hygiene and stricter safety regulations.