Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy

Improvement in Cognition, Memory and Hippocampal CA1 microstructure in Aluminium Chloride-exposed Rats Following Pretreatment with Aqueous Psidium guajava Leaf Extract

P.O. Amhanyunose — 2024-03-19

Reports indicate that humans are commonly exposed to aluminium (Al) to the extent that neuronal death may occur. However, studies show that antioxidant sources can inhibit the toxic effects of Al. Psidium guajava, a traditional plant known for its diverse medicinal properties, is reported to be a potential source of natural antioxidants. Hence, this study investigated the activity of aqueous Psidium Guajava leaf extract (APGE) against AlCl₃-induced neurotoxicity. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into six equal groups as follows: Group A (Control) received 1 ml H₂O/day, Group B received 100 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day of AlCl₃ only, Group C received 200 mg/kg BW/day of APGE and 100 mg/kg BW/day of AlCl₃, Group D received 400 mg/kg BW/day of APGE and 100 mg/kg BW/day of AlCl₃, Group E received 200 mg/kg BW/day of APGE only and Group F received 400 mg/kg BW/day of APGE only, for twenty-eight days. Thereafter, the Novel Object Recognition test was conducted and the rats were sacrificed to harvest the hippocampus for antioxidant enzymes activity, lipid peroxidation, acetylcholinesterase and histological evaluation. Results showed a significant decline in the discrimination index and antioxidant enzymes activity, in addition to elevated lipid peroxidation, increased acetylcholinesterase and severe hippocampal alterations in AlCl₃-exposed rats when compared to the control. Conversely, pretreatment of Al-exposed rats with APGE mitigated the effects induced by AlCl₃. Altogether, these findings showed that APGE protected against AlCl₃-induced hippocampal toxicity, consequently providing novel research evidence on its therapeutic activity against Al.

Effects of Acute Oral Administration of Syzygium guineense Root Extract on the Liver of Albino Wistar Rats

Z.A. Isa — 2024-03-19

Acute oral toxicity is the general side effects that a substance causes after one or more doses are administered over a period of 24 hours. Syzygium guineense is used in the treatment of diabetes, diarrhea and epilepsy. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of acute oral administration of Syzygium guineense’s root extract on the liver of albino Wistar rats. A total of fifteen young healthy male albino Wistar rats (8-10 weeks old) weighing between 140g-and 165g were used for this study, which was designed and conducted in two (2) phases: phase I and phase II. In phase I, twelve rats were divided into four (I-IV) groups of three rats each. Group I was designated as the control group, while groups II, III and IV were administered with 10 mgkg-1 , 100 mgkg^-1 and 1000 mgkg^-1 respectively. In phase II, three rats were used and shared into three (I-III) groups of one rat each. Groups I, II and III were administered with 1600 mgkg^-1 , 2900 mgkg^-1 and 5000 mgkg^-1 respectively. Liver function parameters evaluated include albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total protein. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism version 9.2.0. Results from this research were presented as mean±SEM. There was no mortality in relation to the treatment with the extract. Alanine aminotransferase and Aspartate aminotransferase increased significantly. Groups administered with 1600 mgkg^-1 (E) showed enlarged central vein. Therefore, there is need to be cautious when administering the root of Syzygium guineense orally.

Preliminary Assessment of Clomiphene Citrate and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Activity on Uterine Histology In Female Wistar Rats

O.U. Idemudia — 2024-03-19

Anovulation, a common cause of infertility in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) women, prompts the use of antiestrogenic drugs like clomiphene citrate (CC). However, there are conflicting reports on the effect of CC, and accordingly, this study investigated the effects of clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on uterine histomorphology. Twenty adult female rats were divided into four groups as follows: Group A (control) received only feed and water; Group B received 0.7 mg/kg body weight (BW) of hCG on day one, followed by 0.7 mg/kg BW of CC twice daily for five days, and sacrificed on day 7; Group C received 0.7 mg/kg BW of CC twice daily for five days and sacrificed on day 19; Group D received 0.7 mg/kg BW of CC twice daily for five days and sacrificed on day 23. Thereafter the histology of the uterus across experimental groups was examined for possible alterations. Findings revealed normal uterine architecture in all groups, with consistent features such as a patent lumen, three-layer composition (endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium), and intact endometrial glands. These findings suggest that the treatments did not alter the basic histological structure of the uterus when compared to the control group. Taken together, these findings contribute to the understanding of the effects of these drugs and further research is necessary to explore their long-term effects.

Ameliorating Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Citrullus Lanatus on Lead Acetate-Induced Testicular Damage In Adult Male Wistar Rats

D.E. Odiase — 2024-03-19

Citrullus lanatus has attracted considerable attention by researchers and has been reported to have strong antioxidant activities. This study was aimed at investigating the ameliorative effects of C. lanatus leaf extract on lead acetate-induced testicular damage in adult male Wistar rats. Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups. Group A served as control, groups B and C were administered 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, group D was treated with 50mg/kg body weight of lead acetate only while groups E and F were administered 100mg/kg body weight and 50mg/kg body weight of lead acetate and 200mg/kg body weight and 50mg/kg body weight of lead acetate respectively for a period of 56 days. Thereafter, blood sample was collected from the inferior vena cava into plain sterile bottle for antioxidant analysis, testes and epididymes were harvested, weighed and fixed in Bouin’s fluid for histopathological analysis. Result showed that the groups treated with low and high doses of the extract in addition to lead acetate showed remarkable antioxidant properties when compared to the group treated with lead acetate only. Histological analysis revealed that the cytoarchitecture of the testis and epididymis in the group treated with the low and high doses of the extract together with lead acetate were less deranged compared to the rats treated with lead acetate only. In conclusion, it was noted that the antioxidant properties of Citrullus lanatus is protective of the testes against lead acetate toxicity in Wistar rats.

Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Occlusion (BCCAO)-induced Ischemic Stroke causes Cognitive Impairment and Alterations in Histoarchitectural Features of CA1 and CA3 Regions of the Hippocampus

O.B. Onimisi — 2024-03-19

A stroke occurs when there is an alteration in the blood circulation within the brain, resulting in neurological impairments. This study aimed to evaluate the cognitive and histological impairment as a result of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion-induced ischemic stroke.Twelve adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups (n=6); the Control group was only operated on and administered 2 ml/ kg distilled H2O, while the BCCAO/R group was induced with cerebral ischemia by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion (BCCAO/R). Following the induction of ischemic stroke, the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) test was performed to evaluate learning and memory. After experimentation, the animals were anaesthetized with chloral hydrate (350 mg/kg i.p) and euthanatized. The brains were harvested, and the hippocampi were carefully dissected. Homogenates were prepared from half of the disserted hippocampi to assess the specific activity levels of Acetylcholinesterase. The other halves were preserved in 4% paraformaldehyde. The preserved tissues were processed using routine histological procedures and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. The result of this study showed a significant decrease in the discrimination ratio and difference score in the BCCAO/R group when compared to the control group during the NOR test. Hippocampal AchE enzyme activity levels increased significantly (P<0.05) in the BCCAO/R group when compared to the control. Histological examination of the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus in the control group showed normal histoarchitecture of these regions while the BCCAO/R group demonstrated marked neuronal degenerative changes in the CA1 and CA3 regions presenting as karyorrhexis, perineural vacuolation, pyknotic neurons, dark neuron, cytoplasmic vacuolation. BCCAO-induced ischemic stroke induced changes in the cognitive function and histoarchitecture of the CA1 and CA3 regions.

Relationship between Some Anthropometric Parameters with Menarche and Dysmenorrhea among Adolescents Secondary School Girls in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Z.M. Siraj — 2024-03-19

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is throbbing, aching cramps in the lower belly which can strike right before
and during menstruation. Most adolescents experiencing dysmenorrhea have primary dysmenorrhea, i.e. without
pelvic pathology. The study aimed to determine the relationship between some anthropometric parameters with
menarche and dysmenorrhea among adolescent secondary school girls in Kano Metropolis. A total of 1141
secondary school girls participated in the study: 742 students from public school and 399 from private school. A
convenient study was conducted on students aged 11 – 19 years old. Relevant data were collected through a selfadministered questionnaire after which some anthropometric measurements, including weight, height, waist
circumference, and hip, determine the relationship between body mass index, hips-to-waist ratio and percentage
of circumference, triceps skin fold, thigh skin fold, supra iliac skin fold and subscapular skin fold were done. The
mean age at menarche was 13.51±1.18 years, the mean menarcheal age of students from public school was
13.75±1.25 years, while the mean menarcheal age of students from private school was 13.08±0.9 years. The
prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 77%, with 43% mild pain, 25% moderate pain, 7% severe pain and 2% worst
pain. In conclusion, menarcheal age showed a significant positive correlation with age, total body fat, and body
mass index and an inverse correlation with weight, hip circumference and waist circumference; subjects with higher
body mass index, waist circumference, and percentage of body fats have a higher incidence of dysmenorrhea

Effects of Aqueous Extract of Glycine max on Testis and Epididymis of Adult Male Wistar Rats

D.E. Odiase — 2024-03-19

Glycine max has been a source of nutrients to humans and animals for decades. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of aqueous seed extract of Glycine max on the testes and epididymis of Wistar rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups of five rats each. Group A served as control, groups B, C and D were administered 100; 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Glycine max respectively for 56 days. Thereafter, the testes and epididymis harvested, weighed and fixed in Bouin’s fluid for histopathological analysis. Semen was aspirated and analyzed for sperm motility, morphology and total count. Result from the study showed no significant difference (P<0.05) in the final body weight and testicular weight across the studied groups when compared to control. Also, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in motility in all the groups administered with the extract. However, there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in total sperm count in the group administered with 400mg/kg of the extract when compared to control. Histologically, the testis of rats treated with 400 mg/kg of G. max showed spermatogenic arrest. The epididymis was filled with spermatozoa in the groups administered 100 and 200mg/kg body weight of the extract showing features similar to the control group unlike group treated with 400mg/kg body weight of aqueous seed extract of Glycine max. In conclusion, G. max was found to have a dose- dependent antifertility effects on the treated animals.