Wistar Rats

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.

Environmental toxicants, such as arsenic, pose significant health risks, particularly to vital organs like the kidneys. As key organs responsible for filtration and detoxification, the kidneys are especially vulnerable to the oxidative stress and inflammation caused by arsenic exposure. Inorganic arsenic, a highly toxic form found in contaminated water, food, and soil, accumulates in kidney tissues, leading to cellular damage, impaired function, and an increased risk of chronic kidney disease and other renal disorders. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by arsenic disrupts cellular homeostasis, damages mitochondrial function, and triggers proinflammatory responses, exacerbating kidney injury. Nutrient-rich foods like Persea americana offer a potential protective strategy against arsenic-induced kidney damage. Persea americana are abundant in antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and unsaturated fatty acids that combat oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and enhance cellular resilience. These bioactive compounds help neutralize ROS, improve mitochondrial
function, and mitigate arsenic's toxic effects on kidney tissues, supporting overall renal health and function. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Persea americanaon arsenic-induced kidney damage in fully-grown Wistar rats. Thirty (30) fully-grown Wistar rats were used weighing between 130g and 150g. They were grouped into six groups (A, B, C, D, E, and F). The rats in Group A served as the control, and the rats in Group B were administered10mg/kg of Arsenic Trioxide, the rats in Group C were administered 140mg/kg body weight ofSilymarin and 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide, the rats in Group D were administeredwith125mg/kg of Persea americana and 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide, the rats in Group Ewere administered with 250mg/kg of Persea americana and 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide and the rats in Group F were administered with 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide for 14 days and allowed to recover. The administration period spanned 28 days after which they were sacrificed and the kidneys harvested were collected for biochemical and histological assessments. Results showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the kidney weight, and Reno-somatic index across the experimental groups, there was a significant decrease in the weight of the group treatedwith10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide compared to the control group. In the case of the oxidative stress parameters arsenic, caused a is significant decrease in SOD, and GPX activities and a significant
increase in MDA activities when compared with control while treatment group was able to reverse these significant changes except for the recovery group. For the urea and creatinine level, there was a significant increase in the groups given 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide and the group that was given 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide and left to recover. The other groups had no significant difference in the urea and creatinine level when compared to the control group. Inconclusion, this study suggests that Persea americana provides protection against arsenic trioxide-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus on blood glucose, body weight and liver, kidney and pancreas reduced glutathione levels on normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the animals (diabetic control and diabetic treated), by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (45mg/body weight), while the control groups received equal volume of the citrate buffer (pH 4.5) solution intraperitoneally. Streptozotocin treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) blood glucose concentration in the diabetic rats compared to the normal rats. The normal treated and diabetic treated rats were given Cymbopogon citratus extract for 21 days (400mg/body weight). The pancreas, livers, and kidneys of the rats were excised and biochemical assay of reduced glutathione was determined. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the fasting blood glucose levels of the normal treated rats when compared with the normal control rats at the end of the 21 days treatment period. Levels of blood glucose in the diabetic rats were significantly increased (p<0.05) compared to the normal control rats. However, levels of blood glucose in the diabetic treated rats were not significantly different (p>0.05) when compared to the diabetic control rats. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in body weight in the diabetic rats when compared to the normal control rats. There was no significant % weight (p>0.05) gain in the diabetic treated rats when compared to the diabetic control rats and also there was a non- significant (p>0.05) decrease in weight in the normal treated rats when compared to the normal control rats. In the liver and the pancreas, the results for reduced glutathione concentration showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the normal treated rats when compared to the normal control rats, in the diabetic control rats when compared to the normal control rats and in the diabetic treated rats when compared to the diabetic control rats. In thekidney, there was no significant difference observed (p>0.05) when the normal treated rats were compared with the normal control rats and when the diabetic treated rats were compared with thenormal control rats. However, when the diabetic treated rats were compared with the diabeticcontrol rats, there was a significant difference (p<0.05). Cymbopogon citratus does have somehypoglycemic and antioxidant properties but further research is needed to ascertain these claims.

This study investigates the renoprotective potential of the dichloromethane (DCM) fraction of Garcinia kola (GL) stem bark in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder often associated with severe complications, including diabetic nephropathy, which remains a leading cause of kidney failure. The search for plant-based therapeutic agents with minimal side effects has intensified, particularly in traditional medicinal systems where Garcinia kola is widely utilized. In this experiment, diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using streptozotocin (STZ), after which the animals were treated with varying doses of the DCM fraction of GL stem bark. Biochemical parameters including serum creatinine, urea, electrolyte levels, and blood glucose were evaluated, alongside histopathological examination of kidney tissues. Oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities were also assessed to determine the mechanism of action. The results demonstrated that treatment with the DCM fraction significantly reduced elevated blood glucose levels and improved renal function indices compared to untreated diabetic controls. There was also a marked decrease in oxidative stress markers, accompanied by enhanced antioxidant defense systems. Histological findings revealed preservation of kidney architecture in treated groups, indicating protection against STZ-induced renal damage. In conclusion, the DCM fraction of Garcinia kola stem bark exhibits significant renoprotective effects in diabetic Wistar rats, likely mediated through its antihyperglycemic and antioxidant properties. These findings suggest its potential as a complementary therapeutic agent in the management of diabetic nephropathy, warranting further investigation into its active constituents and clinical applicability.

Medicinal plants have long been essential in traditional and alternative medicine due to their accessibility, affordability, and minimal side effects. Combining two or more herbs can provide diverse health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a polyherbal formulated tea comprising Anthocleista djalonensis, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Ageratum conyzoides, and Thespesia garckeana on haematological indices in Wistar rats with hyperlipidaemia induced by an atherogenic diet. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups of five: group 1 served as the normal control, group 2 as the cholesterol control, groups 3 and 4 received polyherbal tea at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively, and group 5 was treated with atorvastatin (5 mg/kg). Hyperlipidaemia was induced in groups 2 to 5 by administering 10 mg/kg of 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid. Treatments and the cholesterol diet were administered orally for 28 days. Blood samples were collected and analysed using a haematology auto analyser. The polyherbal tea at both 20 and 40 mg/kg doses significantly reduced platelet counts compared to the cholesterol control group (p < 0.01), while other haematological parameters remained unaffected (p > 0.05). These results suggest that the polyherbal tea may have antiplatelet and cardioprotective effects.

This study investigated the protective effects of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) rind extract against cadmium-induced toxicity,on lipid profiles in Wistar rats. Twenty rats were divided into five groups: a control, a cadmium-only group, a cadmium with vitamin C group, and two groups receiving cadmium along with watermelon rind extract at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight. The experiment lasted for 60 days. Results showed that cadmium exposure significantly suppressed weight gain and induced dyslipidemia, expressed by elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. Treatment with the hydroethanolic watermelon rind extract, particularly at the 500 mg/kg dose, ameliorated these effects, resulting in a significant increase in percentage weight gain and a normalization of the lipid profile, comparable to the protective effects of vitamin C. The extract did not significantly reduce blood cadmium levels, suggesting its mechanism is likely cyto protection through antioxidant activity rather than metal chelation. The results show that watermelon rind phytowaste possesses bioactive compounds that can mitigate cadmium induced metabolic disturbances.

This study investigated the antidiabetic potential of a bi-herbal aqueous leaf extract in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Thirty-two rats were divided into six groups: normal control, diabetic untreated control, a group treated with glibenclamide (10mg/kg), and three groups treated with the bi-herbal extract at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. Treatments were administered orally for 14 days. Blood glucose levels and lipid profiles were monitored. The results showed that the bi-herbal extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced blood glucose levels in a manner comparable to glibenclamide. Furthermore, the extract significantly ameliorated diabetes-induced dyslipidemia, as evidenced by reduced levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) in the treated groups compared to the untreated diabetic control. The study concludes that the bi-herbal extract possesses significant antihyperglycemic and lipid-lowering properties, validating its traditional use in diabetes management.

Lead exposure is thought to be harmful and has been linked to behavioral abnormalities, hearing deficiencies, neuromuscular weakness, and decreased cognitive abilities in humans. Flavonoids have beneficial biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antiviral, anticarcinogenic effects. Flavonoids are the most recognised phytochemicals that function as antioxidants. Flavonoids' antioxidant activity includes suppressing ROS generation by inhibiting enzymes, scavenging free radicals, and regulating antioxidant defenses. Rutin is a typical dietary flavonoid that is nontoxic and naturally derived. It has a variety of beneficial biological properties including anti-cancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, haematoprotective, anti-arthritis, anthelmintic effects. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the possible attenuative effects of Rutin on lead-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats. After purchase and acclimatization, the Wistar rats were weighed and divided into six equal groups (control and treatment groups). Group A (Control) was administered 1 ml dH2O/day. Group B (Pb) was administered 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) of Pb acetate only. Group C (RUT1 + Pb) was administered 50 mg/kg BW of Rutin and 100 mg/kg BW of Pb acetate. Group D (RUT2 + Pb) was administered 100 mg/kg BW of Rutin and 100mg/kg of Pb acetate. Group E (RUT1) was administered 50 mg/kg BW of Rutin only and Group F (RUT2) was administered 100mg/kg BW of Rutin only. The administration, via an orogastric tube, lasted for 28 days and rats were fed with standard rat chow and had free access to water throughout the entire study period. All Rutin administration pre-treatment were done one hour before Lead. Animals were weighed and neurobehavioral activity (Novel object recognition test) was evaluated. The rats were then sacrificed for sample collection, and the hippocampus was harvested for assessment of antioxidant activity and histological alterations . The findings showed that the Pb group showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in final body weight (FBW) compared to the control and Rutin treated groups, which showed a greater FBW. Neurobehavioral findings revealed that rats in the Pb group had significantly lower neurobehavioral function when compared to Control and Rutin treated groups. The Pb alone groups demonstrated oxidative stress (low antioxidant activity and increased lipid peroxidation), whereas the Control and Rutin treated groups had significant increase (p<0.05) in antioxidant activity. Histological findings shows altered morphology with the presence of vacuoles and pyknotic nuclei in the CA1 region of the Pb treated group, however the pretreated groups showed a healthier tissue architecture when compared to lead only treated group. In conclusion, the findings showed that Rutin was not toxic to the animals and protected against Pb toxicity.