Wistar Rats

Acute toxicity studies is essential for determining the immediate safety of substances following a single high-dose exposure, providing early indicators of potential adverse effects or lethality. CellifeIQ, a multi-component nutraceutical formulated with antioxidant-rich herbal extracts, vitamins, and minerals, is widely promoted for supporting cellular health, yet its toxicological safety has not been scientifically evaluated.This study evaluated the acute oral toxicity of CellifeIQ in male Wistar rats. Using Lorke’s method,male wistar rats received single oral doses of 10, 100, 1000, 1600, 2900, and 5000 mg/kg and were observed for 14 days for mortality, behavioural changes, body-weight trends, feed and water intake, and gross pathological alterations in major organs. No mortality occurred at any tested dose, indicating an LD₅₀ greater than 5000mg/kg. Mild and transient effects, such as slight restlessness or sedation, were observed at higher doses but resolved within hours, while delayed mild itching was noted only at doses ≥1000 mg/kg. Body-weight progression, feed consumption, water intake, and feed efficiency showed no significant differences compared to controls (p>0.05). Gross necropsy revealed no visible abnormalities in the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, or spleen. CellifeIQ demonstrated very low acute oral toxicity and may be considered practically non-toxic under single-dose exposure conditions in male Wistar rats. However,further studies including sub acute and chronic toxicity,biochemical assays,histopathology, and genotoxicity evaluations are recommended to fully characterize its long-term safety profile.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an industrial chemical primarily used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element, vital for the health of humans and other living organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Bisphenol-A (BPA) on some oxidative stress markers in adult male rats and evaluate the potential effect of Selenium (Se) in BPA-induced oxidative damage. A total of twenty (20) male Wistar rats weighing between 180g and 200g were purchased and kept in standard cages for two weeks to enable them acclimatize to their new environment. After acclimatization period, the twenty-adult male Wistar rats were divided into four (4) different groups A, B, C, D: control, BPA-only, Se-only, and BPA+Se. Group A served as control, Groups B D received 20mg/kg BPA, 2mg/kg Se, and both, respectively, for 54 days. Blood was collected and analyzed for oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide Distumates (SOD) and catalase (CAT). All statistical analyses were carried out using Graph Pad prism statistical software version 10.0. The data from all the groups were presented as Mean ± S.E.M (Standard Error of Mean), (n=5) in each group and analyze for statistical significance using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Values were considered significant at P<0.05. The result shows that exposure to BPA resulted in significant (p<0.05) reduction in body weight. There was significant (p<0.05) increase in MDA levels in all groups compared with the control. On the other hand, SOD and CAT activities were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in all groups compared with the control, thereby indicating decreased antioxidant enzyme activities. In conclusion, these finding shows that Selenium (Se) supplementation did not mitigate the adverse effects of BPA and instead worsened oxidative stress, implying that Selenium (Se) may not provide protection against the harmful effect of Bisphenol-A (BPA) even at this dose but rather potentiated the effect of Bisphenol-A (BPA).

Icacina trichantha, known for their medicinal use possessing bioactive compounds with anti inflammatory and hematopoietic properties, offer promises for novel treatments. This study explores the effect of the aqueous leave extract on Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) expression to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving its therapeutic action. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the effect of Icacina trichantha aqueous leaves extract on Cyclooxygenase 1 expression in Aluminum Chloride-Induced Anaemia in Albino Wistar Rats. A total of sixty (60) adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into six (6) groups; A, B, C, D, E and F representing control, aluminum chloride group, ferrous sulphate group, aluminum chloride + 100mg/kg leaf extract of Icacina trichantha, aluminum chloride + 200mg/kg leaf extract of Icacina trichantha and aluminum chloride + 400mg/kg leaf extract of Icacina trichantha groups respectively. 5 milliliters (ml) of blood sample was drawn from each rat, and haematological parameters and mRNA of COX-1 were determined using a SRFI Haematology autoanalyzer and polymerase chain reaction respectively. Data obtained was analyzed using the GraphPad prism 8.02 software.The comparison of Haematological parameters amongst the study groups showed that there was no significant difference in Total white blood cell count (TWBC μL) across the groups. Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) was significantly lower in group E (8.96±0.27) when compared to group D (10.6±0.31) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in other platelet parameters across the groups. Group C and D showed significantly lower expressions of COX-1 when compared to group B (p<0.05).Group C, D and E had significantly lower expression of COX-1 when compared to group F (p < 0.05). Groups E had significantly higher expressions of COX-1 when compared to group A, and significantly lower expression when compared to group B (p<0.05). Groups F had significantly higher expressions of COX-1 when compared to group A (p<0.05). In conclusion, administration of aluminum chloride resulted in no significant difference in white blood cell counts. There was also no alteration in platelet parameters, except PDWwhich showed slight difference. Administration of leaf extract of Icacina trichantha led to
alteration in the gene expression of COX-1.

Palm oil is widely consumed worldwide, particularly in Africa and Asia, where improper storage often leads to increased levels of free fatty acids (FFA). Elevated FFA levels can induce oxidative stress and impair organ function, including the heart. The study aimed to determine the influence of varying FFA levels in palm oil on body weight, total ATPase activity and the histopathological integrity of cardiac tissue in rats. Palm oil samples with FFA levels ranging from 0.4% to 42.7% were fed to six groups of Wistar rats for four weeks. The study observed significant differences in weight gain across groups consuming palm oil
with different FFA levels, the control group show moderate weight gain as baseline for
comparison, the low level FFA group (0.4% FFA) show a significant weight gain suggesting optimal intake of nutrient while the higher level FFA group (28.4% FFA) showed reduce weight gain particular in the 8.4% FFA group. Total ATPase activity was assessed using standard spectrophotometric methods, while histopathological analysis of cardiac tissue was conducted to evaluate structural changes. The study revealed an initial increase in ATPase activity in groups fed moderate FFA levels (4.8%), reflecting potential adaptive metabolic responses. However, higher FFA levels (≥8.4%) led to suppressed ATPase activity, likely due
to oxidative damage. Despite the increase observed in ATPase activity and tissue structure ,no evidence of acute myocardial damage was found in the control and experimental groups. Histopathological analysis showed normal cardiac architecture in the control and palm oil fed groups. The finding underscore the importance of proper palm oil storage to limit FFA accumulation and prevent potential adverse effects on cardiac health.

The cerebrum, vital for cognition and motor control, is highly susceptible to toxic injury. Excess manganese chloride exposure induces oxidative stress, mitochon drial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, resulting in cerebral degeneration. Vanillin, a natural antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent, may counter these effects. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the activity of vanillin against manganese chloride–induced cerebral toxicity in adult Wistar rats. Forty-eight (48) Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F). Group A rats served as the control group; Group B rats were administered 10 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride; Group C rats were administered 20 mg/kg body weight of vanillin and 10 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride; Group D was administered 40 mg/kg body weight of manganese chloride and 40 mg/kg body weight of vanillin; Group E was administered 20 mg/kg body weight of vanillin; Group F was administered 40 mg/kg body weight of vanillin. All administrations lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. Neurobehavioural activities were evaluated using the Y-Maze Test. Results from the study showed manganese chloride-exposed rats showed significant (p<0.05) weight loss, cognitive deficits, decreased antioxidant enzymes activity, and increased lipid peroxidation with vacuolization and pyknotic nuclei observed in the cerebrum histology

Arsenic exposure remains a major global health challenge, and sodium arsenite is one of the most toxic inorganic arsenic compounds known to cause severe hematological, oxidative, and immunological disturbances. This study examined the protective effects of vitamin E against sodium arsenite–induced changes in hematological parameters in Wistar rats. Thirty-five male rats were randomly divided into five groups of seven: a control group, a vitamin E–only group (50 mg/kg), a sodium arsenite–only group (10 mg/kg), and two co-treatment groups receiving sodium arsenite with either 25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg of vitamin E. All treatments were given orally for 14 days, after which blood samples were collected for hematological analysis. Results showed that sodium arsenite caused significant hematotoxicity, marked by reductions in red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), lymphocyte percentage, and monocyte levels, along with increases in white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil levels, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). These changes indicate anemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune suppression linked to arsenic toxicity. Co-administration of vitamin E significantly reduced these effects in a dose-dependent manner. The 50 mg/kg dose of vitamin E showed the greatest improvement across all hematological parameters, demonstrating its superior protective effects. The findings suggest that vitamin E effectively reduces sodium arsenite–induced hematological damage through its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and membrane-stabilizing properties. This study highlights the potential of vitamin E as a natural antioxidant therapy to manage hematotoxicity caused by environmental arsenic exposure

The use of traditional medical therapy is an important method in the treatment and management of diseases in the African continent and this could be as a result of social, cultural and economic lifestyles. Pharmacologically, the active ingredients found in pyrenacantha staudtii can be extracted and used to cure and prevent numerous diseases. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of pyrenacantha staudtii on the undamaged spleen of adult wistar rats. Thirty adult wistar rats weighing between 110g and 200g were used for this experiment with five rats in each group. All rats were allowed two weeks of acclimatization and they all had equal access to feed and water. Group A was the control and was not administered with any extract. Group B was administered with a low dose of the extract(100mg). Group C was administered with a medium dose of the extract(200mg). Group D was administered with 400mg of the extract. Group E was administered with 800mg of the extract. Group F was administered with 1600mg of the extract. All the rats were administered with the extract for 35 days. On the 36th day, the rats were sacrificed via chloroform anaesthesia and the spleen were harvested immediately and preserved in 10% formal saline for tissue processing using H&E for histological analysis

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