SILVANUS OLU INNIH

Caffeine is a commonly ingested psychoactive substance classified under the methylxanthine group and acts primarily as a central nervous system stimulant. It occurs naturally in beverages and foods such as coffee, tea, cocoa-based products, and numerous energy formulations. Although moderate consumption promotes wakefulness and diminishes tiredness, excessive exposure has been implicated in adverse gastrointestinal outcomes, particularly affecting gastric integrity. This investigation evaluated the impact of graded caffeine administration on the gastric structure and functional indices of adult Wistar rats. A total of twenty adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups. The control group (Group A) received distilled water, whereas Groups B, C, and D were administered caffeine at doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively for a duration of 21 days. Following the treatment period, the animals were humanely sacrificed, and gastric tissues were harvested for histopathological assessment using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining techniques. Morphometric parameters including body weight, gastric weight, and gastrosomatic index were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis. Findings demonstrated a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in body weight in all groups relative to baseline values, though weight gain was comparatively reduced in the higher-dose cohorts. Elevated stomach weights and gastrosomatic index values were observed in Groups C and D, suggesting inflammatory changes. Microscopic evaluation revealed preserved gastric histoarchitecture in the control and low-dose groups, whereas the highest dose group (200 mg/kg) exhibited superficial mucosal erosion, vascular congestion within the gastric wall, and submucosal vasodilatation, indicating dose-related gastric injury. Overall, the study establishes that caffeine induces dose-dependent morphological alterations in the gastric tissue of adult Wistar rats. Excessive intake was associated with inflammatory and erosive changes, underscoring the potential gastric risks of high caffeine consumption and supporting moderation in dietary intake.

Tetrapleura tetraptera¸ commonly known as Aidan fruit, is a tropical plant indigenous to Western and Central Africa. Botanically, it belongs to the Fabaceae or Leguminosae family and is renowned for its distinctive four-winged fruit pods, which inspired its name tetraptera. This plant has been a prominent part of West African traditional medicine and culinary practices for generations. Several reports have documented that the various parts of the plant have various medicinal properties and it
also possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and antioxidant properties. This study examines The Effect of Tetrapleura tetraptera on the Livers of adult Wistar Rats. This work involved the use of an experimental study design, consisting of twenty-four (24) adult Wistar rats weighing 160-212g which were acclimatized for two (2) weeks, separated into four (4) groups; A, B, C and D with each group having six (6) Wistar rats of randomized patterns for administration and were all weighed prior to it. In Group A (control group), the rats were administered with 1ml distilled water, Group B were administered with 200mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (low dose), Group C were administered with 400mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (intermediate dose), Group D were administered with 800mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (high dose). After administration (twenty-eight (28) days), the animals were sacrificed, organs harvested and processed for assays according to established methods. Data from the animals were subjected to statistical analysis using GraphPad prism version 8.1 statistical package and relevant statistical values were obtained. One-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) was carried out and data were presented as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM). Least significant difference (LSD) post-hoc test was used. Values of P<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The statistical values obtained were converted into graphical representation in form of bar charts. Histologically, Group A, the control group, showed liver tissue with normal architecture comprising of hepatocytes, sinusoids, bile ducts and the portal veins

Cardiac damage induced by environmental toxins such as cadmium chloride (CdCl₂Cl₂) poses a major public health concern. Cadmium chloride accumulates in tissues, exerting harmful effects through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage, particularly affecting the cardiovascular and hematological parameters. Sphenocentrum jollyanum, a medicinal plant rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may counteract such damage. This study evaluated the protective effects of S. jollyanum aqueous leaf extract on cadmium -induced cardiac damage in Wistar rats. Thirty- six Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=6): Group A control (1ml of distilled water), Group B (10 mg/kg CdCl₂Cl₂), Groups C (150mg/kg extract) and D (300 mg/kg extract), and Groups E (CdCl₂Cl₂ + extract at 150 mg/kg) and F (CdCl₂Cl₂ + extract at 300 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 28 days. Parameters assessed included body and heart weights, hematological indices (RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, platelets), and cardiac histology and histochemistry analysis for Masson’s Trichrome. Group B showed significant reductions in body weight, RBCs, hemoglobin, platelets, and exhibited myocardial degeneration, inflammation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) disruption. Co-treatment with S. jollyanum, especially at 300 mg/kg (Group F), significantly reversed these effects, restoring hematological values, preserving myocardial architecture, and maintaining ECM integrity. Histological sections from Group F showed well-aligned cardiomyocytes, normal collagendistribution, and reduced inflammation

Annona muricata (also known as Soursop) is a tropical fruit which belongs to the annonaceae family, native to tropical countries, it is a small evergreen tree that can be slender and upright or low spreading and bushy and become straggly as it matures. Different components of Annona muricata are extensively applied in traditional medicine of many countries to cure various ailments and diseases. This study examines The Effect of Annona muricata on the hearts of adult Wistar Rats. This work involved the use of an experimental study design, consisting of twenty-four (24) adult Wistar rats weighing 180-200g which were acclimatized for two (2) weeks, separated into four (4) groups; A, B, C and D with each group having six (6) Wistar rats of randomized patterns for administration and were all weighed prior to it. In Group A (control group), the rats were administered with feed and distilled water, Group B were administered with 200mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Annona muricata (low dose), Group C were administered with 400mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Annona muricata (intermediate dose), Group D were administered with 800mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Annona muricata (high dose). After administration (twenty-seven (27) days), the animals were sacrificed, organs harvested and processed for assays according to established methods. Data from the animals were subjected to statistical analysis using GraphPad prism version 8.1 statistical package and relevant statistical values were obtained. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out and data were presented as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM). Least significant. Difference (LSD) post-hoc test was used. Values of P<0.05 were considered statistically significant. The statistical values obtained were converted into graphical representation in form of bar charts. Histologically, Group A, the control group, showed heart tissue with normal architecture composed of distinct cardiomyocytes, coronary arteries and interstitial spaces. Group B, also showed heart tissue with architecture composed of distinct cardiomyocytes, coronary arteries filled with blood (active vascular congestion) and normal interstitial spaces. Group C showed heart tissue with normal cardiomyocyte bundles with active coronary vascular congestion and mild perivascular infiltrates of plasma cells. Group D, showing the heart tissue with normal cardiomyocyte bundles, coronary arteries and interstitial spaces, all normal. In conclusion, across the graded doses, Annona muricata had no damaging effect on the heart tissue, it proved to have vasodilative properties as it increased blood flow in the coronary vessels in the heart tissue.