LEAF EXTRACT

Excessive exposure to Manganese chloride (MnCl2) has been shown to induce neurotoxicity, particularly within the cerebellum, due to oxidative stress and neuronal degeneration. The cerebellum’s high metabolic activity and synaptic density make it especially vulnerable to heavy metal accumulation and oxidative injury.Gongronema latifolium (Utazi leaf), a tropical West African herb rich in flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids, has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in experimental studies. This study was aimed at investigating the neuroprotective effects of aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium against Manganese chloride induced cerebellar toxicity in adult wistar rats. Forty-eight (48) adult wistar rats were used in this study. They were randomly divided into six groups (n=8) and treated for 28 days as follows: Group A served as control and received 1mL of distilled water, Group B received 10mg/kg of Mncl2, Group C received 100mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium and 10mg/kg of Mncl2, Group D received 200mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium and 10mg/kg of Mncl2, Group E received 100mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium and rats in Group F received 200mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium. Administration of aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium was done orally, using an orogastric tube while the administration of Manganese chloride was done via intraperitoneal injection for 28 days respectively. At the end of administration, the neurobehavioral activity was evaluated using the open field and Y-maze tests. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the organ (cerebellum) was harvested. This organ was further analyzed for antioxidant enzymes activity, lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes. Graphpad prism softaware was used for all statistical analysis and data was expressed as mean with standard error of mean (SEM). Results obtained showed no significant change (p> 0.05) in the initial body weight and final body weight. A significant decrease (p< 0.05) was observed in the weight change of rats in group B ( 10mg/kg b.wt of Mncl2) when compared to control, however a significant increase was observed in the weight change groups of C and D when compared to B. No significant change (p> 0.05) was observed in the cerebellar and relative cerebellar weight of rats across experimental groups. A significant decrease (p< 0.05) was observed in cerebellar SOD, CAT, GPx AND GSH activity of rats in group B (10mg/kg b.wt. MnCl2)when compared to the control. However, a significant increase (p< 0.05) was observed in cerebellar SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH activity of rats in group C and D when compared to group B. A significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in MDA concentration of rats in group B (10mg/kg b.wt. MncCl2) when compared to control. However, a significant decrease was observed in group C and D when compared to B. Histological anaylsis revealed cerebellar degeneration in rats exposed to Mncl2. However, administration of aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium mitigated the adverse effects induced by manganese chloride. In conclusion,findings from this study shows that Gongronema latifolium leaf
extract mitigated cerebellar damage caused by MnCl2 exposure.

Annona muricata is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments; however, its safety profile on vital organs remains insufficiently documented. This study investigated the histopathological effects of Annona muricata leaf extract on the liver, kidney, testis, and ovaries of albino rats. Twenty-four healthy albino rats (180–200 g) were obtained from the Animal House, Department of Anatomy, University of Benin, and maintained under standard laboratory conditions. The animals were divided into four groups: Group A (control) received feed and distilled water, while Groups B, C, and D were administered 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg of the extract respectively via oral gavage for 28 days.

Annona muricata (soursop) is a tropical plant widely used in traditional medicine for various ailments, yet comprehensive safety data on its effects on vital organs remain limited. This research aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of Annona muricata leaf extract on liver, kidney, testis, and ovaries of albino rats. Twenty-four healthy albino rats weighing 180- 200g were procured from the Animal House of the Department of Anatomy, University of Benin, and maintained under standard conditions with unrestricted access to feed and water. The rats were divided into four groups: Group A (control, n=2) received pelleted feed and distilled water; roup B (n=4) was administered 250mg/kg soursop extract; Group C (n=4) received 500mg/kg; and Group D (n=4) was given 1000mg/kg extract orally via gavage for one month. Following treatment, animals were euthanized, blood samples collected for biochemical analysis, and organs harvested for histopathological examination. Results revealed no significant changes in hematological parameters, liver function tests, or reproductive hormone levels across all groups (p > 0.05). However, kidney function analysis showed significant elevation in sodium (143±3.8 mEq/L) and chloride (107.3±0.5 mEq/L) levels in the highest dose group compared to controls (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed normal architecture in the control group organs. Groups B and C exhibited hepatic steatosis with microvacuolar degeneration, while Group D maintained normal liver histology. All kidney, testis, and ovary sections demonstrated preserved normal architecture across treatment groups. The findings suggest that Annona muricata leaf extract exhibits a complex dose-response relationship, with intermediate doses causing hepatic steatosis while higher doses appear protective. The preservation of reproductive organ integrity
and absence of significant biochemical toxicity support the traditional use of soursop, though careful dose optimization and electrolyte monitoring are recommended for therapeutic applications.

Plants have shown immense contribution to man’s nutrition as they are also used for medicinal purposes. There is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases, microorganisms are rapidly developing resistance to the available once. Hence, the leaf of Dacryodes edulis (African pear) was analyzed for its phytochemical and anti-bacterial properties on clinical bacteria isolates Klebsiella sp., Proteus sp. and Escherichia coli. Samples of leaf were obtained from Okhoro community in- Benin metropolis, dried, blended into powder and macerated using sterile distilled water and methanol as solvent. Antibacterial assay was carried out via Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Findings from this research showed that Dacryodes edulis leaf aqueous extract was active against Klebsiella sp. with a mean zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 8.00±0.00mm across all concentrations (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml). Proteus sp. and E. coli had mean ZOI of 8 ±0.70mm at 12.5µg/ml and at 100µg/ml the ZOI was 10 ±0.28mm and 12 ±0.14mm respectively. Methanol extract was only active to Proteus sp and Klebsiella sp with a mean ZOI of 8 ±0.00mm at 12.5µg/ml and 25µg/ml respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of aqueous extract against all isolates is 12.5µg/ml and it was bactericidal to only E.coli at a concentration of 50µg/ml. Methanolic extract had a MIC of less than 12.5µg/ml for Proteus sp and 12.5µg/ml for Klebsiella sp. The MBC was 12.5 and 50 µg/ml for Proteus sp and Klebsiella sp respectively. All test organisms were resistant to all standard antibiotics used. They were susceptible to gentamycin which serves a control. Despite the fact that the extract was able to inhibit the growth of the organisms, the isolates are regarded as resistant to the extract because their ZOI were less than the standard value of resistance which is 14. Phytochemical screening reveals that phenol, flavonoid, saponin, tannin, alkaloid and steroids were present in aqueous and methanol extract of the leaves .More work should be done to test the presence of active metabolites to determine its antibacterial activity.

Annona muricata (soursop) is a tropical plant widely used in traditional medicine for various ailments, yet comprehensive safety data on its effects on vital organs remain limited. This research aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of Annona muricata leaf extract on liver, kidney, testis, and ovaries of albino rats. Twenty-four healthy albino rats weighing 180-200g were procured from the Animal House of the Department of Anatomy, University of Benin, and maintained under standard conditions with unrestricted access to feed and water. The rats were divided into four groups: Group A (control, n=2) received pelleted feed and distilled water; Group B (n=4) was administered 250mg/kg soursop extract; Group C (n=4) received 500mg/kg; and Group D (n=4) was given 1000mg/kg extract orally via gavage for one month. Following treatment, animals were euthanized, blood samples collected for biochemical analysis, and organs harvested for histopathological examination. Results revealed no significant changes in hematological parameters, liver function tests, or reproductive hormone levels across all groups (p > 0.05). However, kidney function analysis showed significant elevation in sodium (143±3.8 mEq/L) and chloride (107.3±0.5 mEq/L) levels in the highest dose group compared to controls (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed normal architecture in the control group organs. Groups B and C exhibited hepatic steatosis with microvacuolar degeneration, while Group D maintained normal liver histology. All kidney, testis, and ovary sections demonstrated preserved normal architecture across treatment groups. The findings suggest that Annona muricata leaf extract exhibits a complex dose-response relationship, with intermediate doses causing hepatic steatosis while higher doses appear protective. The preservation of reproductive organ integrity and absence of significant biochemical toxicity support the traditional use of soursop, though careful dose optimization and electrolyte monitoring are recommended for therapeutic applications

Reproductive health disorders are increasingly prevalent due to environmental and dietary factors, necessitating investigation into natural therapeutic alternatives. This study aimed to examine the histopathological effects of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) leaf extract on the reproductive organs of albino rats. Twenty-four healthy albino rats weighing 180-200g were divided into four groups: Group A (control, n=2) received pellets and distilled water; Groups B, C, and D (n=4 each) were administered 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, and 1000mg/kg of Cymbopogon citratus leaf extract respectively via oral gavage for one month. After treatment, animals were euthanized, blood samples collected for hormonal analysis using ELISA kits, and reproductive organs harvested for histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results revealed normal ovarian histomorphology across all groups, with follicles containing oocytes surrounded by theca and granulosa cells at different maturation stages. Most testicular sections showed normal seminiferous tubules with Sertoli cells and sperm cells at various maturation stages. However, Group C1 exhibited testicular atrophy characterized by shrunken seminiferous tubules with thickened basement membranes and reduced germ cell populations. Significant hormonal changes were observed in Group B, showing significant differences in both testosterone and progesterone levels compared to controls (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in organ weights or full blood count parameters across all groups. The findings suggest that Cymbopogon citratus leaf extract exhibits dose-dependent effects on reproductive tissues, with moderate doses potentially causing testicular atrophy and hormonal alterations. While the extract demonstrated minimal effects at low and high doses, the intermediate dose showed adverse effects, highlighting the importance of dosage optimization in herbal medicine applications for reproductive health

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.

The increasing global reliance on medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes especially in developing countries has intensified the need for scientific validation of their biochemical activities and safety. Terminalia mantaly H. Perrier, a member of the Combretaceae family is traditionally used in various African communities for the treatment of wounds, gastrointestinal issues, and inflammatory conditions. This study investigated the effects of the methanol leaf extract of T. mantaly on various biochemical parameters of female Wistar rats, when administered for 28 days. Fresh leaves of T. mantaly were harvested, authenticated, shade-dried and then oven-dried, before milling into powdered form using an electric miller. The resulting powdered leaf was subjected to methanol (100%) extraction with the aid of a Soxhlet apparatus, concentrated with a rotary evaporator, and reduced to dryness on a thermostatically controlled water bath (65℃). The extract was administered orally to four groups of female Wistar rats containing 5 rats each, at concentrations of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg respectively, for 28 days. The liver, renal and lipid parameters were assayed using standard methods