Wistar Rats

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has presented a major threat to public health worldwide. COVID-19 is the result of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China on December 2019. It is highly contagious and transmission is via respiratory droplets and direct contact. There are no specific antiviral measures available to treat COVID-19 but there are several treatment options that could be pursued as first-line therapy for COVID-19 which is the repurposing of drugs like Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, zinc, selenium, lopinavir/ritonavir and ivermectin. The aim of this project was to evaluate and monitor the adverse effects of the recommended drugs for the treatment of COVID 19 in the liver Proteins of Wistar rats. 60 rats were used for this study and the parameters that was assayed for was albumin, total protein, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin. Albumin was analysed using bromocresol green reagent, total protein was analysed using biuret reagent, and bilirubin by Evelyn and Malloy's method. The data generated were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 (IBM Inc. USA). The results showed that the Albumin of animals treated with Combination 7(2.93±0.14), Combination 8 (3.10±0.15) and combination 9 (3.08±0.15) were significantly lower than that of the control (4.17±0.18) (p<0.05). There was significant difference in direct bilirubin of experimental animals across most treated groups (p<0.05). It also showed that total bilirubin was significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals treated with ivermectin (0.93±0.10) and Lopinavir-ritonavir (0.92±0.06) when compared to control (0.47±0.07), and Total protein was significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals treated with ivermectin (8.62±0.45) when compared to control (7.02±0.22). In conclusion, the administration of these drugs adversely affected the synthetic and excretory functions of the liver. Regular assessment of liver function parameters, including albumin, total bilirubin, and total protein levels should be made compulsory in patients receiving COVID-19 drugs.

Cissus populnea has been reported to have high antioxidant content which is beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects aqueous extract of Cissus pulpolnae on the liver of Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats were allowed to acclimatize for two weeks under standard laboratory conditions (temperature 24-28°C and 12 hour light-dark cycle) before commencement of the experiment. The rats in each group were allowed access to standard rat chow and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The rats were randomly assigned into a control group and three treatment groups (5) rats each. The rats in Group A served as control and received feed and water ad libitum only. The treatment groups B received intraperitoneal injection of 30% CCl4 only; group C received 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Cissus populnea only; group D received 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Cissus populnea and intraperitoneal injection of 30% CCl4. The experimental period lasted for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia. Blood samples were collected, in plain bottles, from the Inferior vena cava of each rat for biochemical assay. The liver was excised and fixed in 10% buffered formalsaline for routine histological processing. The data generated were subjected to statistical analysis. Significant difference in the means of all parameters was determined using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA; 95% confidence interval). The result obtained showed that CCL4 induced some pathologies on the liver tissue ranging from formation of lipid vacuoles (steatosis) to degeneration of the hepatocyte and obliteration of the sinusoids. Cissus populnea ameliorated the pathologies induced by CCL4 on the liver tissue. It is concluded however that Cissus populnea possess hepatoprotective potential against CCL4 insult.

A common medicinal plant in many traditional medical systems, bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina L.), is commonly used in African and Asian traditional medicine. As a result of it's numerous medicinal applications, this plant has been shown to have antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory qualities (Ogidi, 2019). To maximize the optimum potential of medicinal plants, it is essential to understand how their phytochemical content and antioxidant activity vary depending on the solvent used during extraction (Wenli et al., 2023). Due to their strong antioxidant properties, phenolics and flavonoids are the major bioactive chemicals that bring about these health benefits

Cerebellar disorders are a class of neurological impairments characterized by unsteady gait anduncoordinated movements, typically resulting from lesions or pathologies affecting the cerebellum. These disorders may arise from congenital anomalies, hereditary ataxias, or exposure to environmental neurotoxicants such as heavy metals. Mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal, is known to exert deleterious effects on the central nervous system. Its lipophilic nature enables it to cross the blood-brain barrier, where it accumulates and induces oxidative stress, leading to neuroinflammation, neuronal damage, and impaired motor coordination. Dietary antioxidants have shown promise in combating mercury-induced neurotoxicity. Accordingly, this study investigated the activity of ethanol extract of Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) against mercuric chloride (HgCl2) induced cerebellar toxicity in Wistar rats. In this study, fortytwo (42) Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F). Group A rats served as control; Group B received 4 mg/kg body weight [bw] of HgCl2 only; Group C received 4 mg/kg bw of HgCl2+ 250 mg/kg of P. ostreatus; Group D received 4 mg/kg bw of HgCl2 + 500 mg/kg of P. ostreatus; Group E received 250 mg/kg bw of P. ostreatus only and Group F received 500mg/kg bw of P. ostreatus only. All administrations were done orally for twenty-eight (28) days. Neurobehavioural activity was subsequently evaluated using the Open Field, String, Movement Initiation and Step Tests. Following the assessments, the experimental rats were sacrificed via cervical dislocation and the cerebellum harvested for antioxidant enzymes activity, lipid peroxidation, mercury concentration and histological assessments. The findings revealed that rats exposed to HgCl2 exhibited significant (p <0.05) weight loss, motor deficit, impaired antioxidant defense, elevated lipid peroxidation, elevated mercury levels and degeneration of Purkinje cells and molecular layer neurons. However, co-administration with P. ostreatus significantly (p < 0.05) mitigated these mercury-induced cerebellar alterations in Wistar rats. Overall, the findings from this study indicate that P. Ostreatus mitigates mercuric chloride-induced cerebellar toxicity, primarily through its antioxidant, neuroprotective, and metal-chelating properties, thus making it a promising agent for the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at managing mercury neurotoxicity and its associated motor impairments.

Cadmium (Cd) a toxic non-essential transition metal that poses a health risk for both humans and animals. With many reviews recommending the use of plant extracts in abating heavy metal toxicity due to its rich medicinal properties. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Cocos nucifera L. water in abating cadmium-induced toxicity in male wistar rats. Twenty (20) sexually matured male wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups (n=5). Group A received with 2ml of cadmium chloride, Group B received 2ml of cadmium chloride and 4ml of Cocos nucifera L. water, Group C received 2ml of cadmium chloride and 6ml of Cocos nucifera L. water and Group D received Cocos nucifera L. water for 7 days. Thereafter, rats were sacrificed to obtain the blood and the testis were used for testosterone and histopathological analysis. Result showed that the cadmium chloride significantly decreases (p<0.05) body weight and testosterone level in group A however, the coadministration of Cocos nucifera L. water with cadmium chloride significantly increases (p>0.05) testosterone level both in Group B and C. Histopathological analysis showed that cadmium chloride caused mild intestinal edema in both in Group A when compared with Group D but no significant changes occurred when compared with cotreated groups (Group B and C). From this investigation, Cocos nucifera water showed abating potential in cadmium toxicity due to its polyphenol content and antioxidant properties, however, more studies in recommended

Anaemia remains a significant global health challenge, with conventional iron supplementation frequently associated with gastrointestinal side effects and poor patient compliance. This has necessitated the exploration of herbal alternatives with improved safety profiles and better tolerability. This study evaluated the hematinic potential of a polyherbal aqueous extract combining leaves of Justicia carnea, Ipomoea batatas, and Ficus sur using an experimental Wistar rat model of hemolytic anaemia. Thirty-six Wistar rats were subjected to phenylhydrazine hydrochloride-induced hemolytic anaemia (40 mg/kg for seven consecutive days). Following confirmation of anaemia through significant reductions in red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume on Day 1, the animals were randomly assigned to six groups: three treatment groups receiving the polyherbal extract at graded doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg; a positive control group administered 5 mg/kg folic acid; a negative control receiving no treatment; and a normal control group without induction or treatment. Treatment interventions continued on daily basis for 14 days. Post treatment assessment demonstrated dose-dependent hematological recovery across all measured parameters. The highest dose (100 mg/kg) exhibited remarkable efficacy, producing a 60.15% increase in Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, 38.50% elevation in hemoglobin levels, and 55.66% improvement in Pack Cell Volume (PCV), with the performance comparable to the standard folic acid control. Statistical analysis revealed significant inter-group differences in RBC count at Day 7 (p = 0.005) and PCV at Day 14 (p = 0.05).

This study comparatively evaluated the peripheral blood smear restorative potential of the equal mixture of aqueous polyherbal leaf extracts of Justicia carnea Lindl., Ficus sur L., and Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. in phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced haemolytic anaemia Wistar rats, with the aim of providing scientific validation for their traditional use as “blood tonics” in Southern Nigeria. Haemolytic anaemia was induced by intraperitoneal administration of PHZ on days 1 and 2, after which rats were treated daily for 14 days with distilled water (negative control), vitamin C ( positive control), while aqueous polyherbal leaf extracts at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg respectively. Peripheral blood smears prepared on days 0, 7, and 14 post-induction were microscopically assessed for key erythrocyte morphological parameters including anisocytosis, poikilocytosis (schistocytes, echinocytes, stomatocytes), polychromasia, and presence of nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs). At 24 hours post-PHZ, severe haemolytic damage was evident across all PHZ-treated groups, which moderately normalize by day 7. Treated animals exhibited a near-complete normalization of RBC size and shape by day 14. The findings underscore the importance of integrating morphological endpoints like anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, and nucleated RBCs into preclinical evaluations of anti-anaemic phytomedicines.

This study investigated the antidiabetic and electrolyte-modulating effects of ethanol extract of Tetracera alnifolia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. The extract was administered at doses of 200 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg, and its effects on fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels and sodium levels were evaluated. The results showed that the 500 mg/kg dose exerted a significant hypoglycemic effect, maintaining lower FBS levels over time. Additionally, the extract at 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg maintained sodium levels closer to the normal range. These findings suggest that the ethanol extract of Tetracera alnifolia may have therapeutic potential in the management of diabetes, particularly in regulating blood glucose and electrolyte balance.

Sodium arsenite is a toxic metalloid compound widely distributed in the environment through contaminated water, industrial effluents, and pesticides. Exposure to arsenic compounds has been associated with severe oxidative damage, particularly affecting the liver and kidneys. This study investigated the protective effect of rutin, a natural flavonoid with potent antioxidant properties, on sodium arsenite–induced hepato-renal toxicity in Wistar rats. Thirty-five (35) male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of seven animals each. Group 1 served as the control and received corn oil only; Group 2 received 50mg/kg of rutin dissolved in distilled water; Group 3 received sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg body weight) dissolved in distilled water; Group 4 received rutin (25 mg/kg) and sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg) and; while Group 5 received rutin (50 mg/kg) and sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg). After the treatment period, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of liver and kidney function biomarkers- aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), urea, and creatinine. The results showed that sodium arsenite administration caused a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, urea, and creatinine compared to the control group, indicating hepatic and renal impairment. However, co-administration of rutin led to a dose-dependent decrease in these biomarkers, bringing their values closer to the normal range. This suggests that rutin effectively mitigated the biochemical alterations induced by sodium arsenite. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that rutin possesses potent antioxidant and protective properties capable of ameliorating sodium arsenite–induced liver and kidney toxicity in Wistar rats. This implies that rutin may have potential therapeutic applications in preventing heavy-metal-induced oxidative damage in humans.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition characterized by the persistent inability to achieve or sustain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance standard. The condition often arises from impaired relaxation of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle, a physiological process essential for penile erection, as it permits increased arterial inflow and blood retention within the penile tissue. Disruption of this mechanism is a major contributor to ED, making the corpus cavernosum a primary target for pharmacological intervention. Conventional management typically involves phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, such as sildenafil and tadalafil, which enhance nitric oxide–mediated smooth muscle relaxation. However, prolonged use of these agents has been linked to undesirable side effects and contraindications in certain individuals, thereby increasing the interest in natural alternatives derived from medicinal plants with established traditional aphrodisiac uses. The therapeutic potential of plant-derived agents for ED treatment has gained increasing attention because they are derived from natural sources and show reduced toxicity while targeting multiple biological pathways.