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Introduction The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activities of the ethanolic roots extract of Ageratum conyzoides (AC) in alloxan-induced hepatic damage in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by the administration of alloxan (150 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). The ethanolic roots extract of AC, at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight, was administered to diabetes-induced rats at a single dose per day for a period of 28 days. Results The effect of the ethanolic roots extract of AC on blood glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and hepatic oxidative stress markers was measured in the diabetic rats. The ethanolic roots extract of AC exhibited significant reduction of blood glucose (p < 0.05) at the dose of 500 mg/kg when compared with the standard drug glibenclamide (600 µg/kg). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the diabetic group without treatment when compared with the control group. In addition, the levels of oxidative stress markers, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH), were significantly decreased in the diabetic rats compared with the normal rats, while the lipid peroxidation significantly increased in the diabetic group without treatment compared with the control (normal) group. The results demonstrated that the morphological, functional and oxidative stress changes in the liver caused by the ingestion of alloxan were attenuated in diabetic rats treated with the ethanolic roots extract of AC. Conclusion We concluded that the ethanolic roots extract of AC possesses significant antidiabetic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Proton pumps are membrane-bound enzymes important in generating gradients that help in maintaining cellular ion homeostasis, cell membrane potential, water, and solute transport across the cell surface. This study investigated the modulatory role of vitamin E on proton pump activity and reproductive parameters in cadmium-induced testicular damage. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats weighing between 180 and 200 g were sorted into 4 groups of five rats each. Group I served as the control and was given normal saline orally, Group II rats were treated with a single dose of 2 mg/kg BW cadmium chloride (CdCl2) intraperitoneally, Group III rats were given 100 mg/kg BW of vitamin E orally, and Group IV rats were given 100 mg/kg BW of vitamin E orally for 30 days prior to intraperitoneal administration of single dose of 2 mg/kg BW of cadmium chloride. The rats were anaesthetized with diethyl ether, and blood samples were obtained for sex hormonal analysis; caudal epididymis was dissected for sperm count, motility, and viability, and the testis were homogenized for lipid peroxidation and proton pump (Na+/K+ ATPase, Ca2+ ATPase, and Mg2+ ATPase) activity. Proton pump activity was assayed spectrophotometrically using the Stewart method to determine the inorganic phosphate level. Histopathological changes of the testis were also studied. The group treated with CdCl2 showed a significant ( p < 0.05 ) decrease in proton pump activity, sperm count, and motility and a significant ( p < 0.05 ) increase in malondialdehyde level when compared with the control group. The CdCl2-treated group also showed decrease reproductive organ weights and hormonal levels and cause necrosis of spermatogonia lining the seminiferous tubules. Rats treated with vitamin E orally for 30 days prior to CdCl2 exposure showed improvement in proton pump activity, a significant ( p < 0.05 ) increase in sperm parameters and luteinizing hormonal level, and a decrease in the lipid peroxidation level as compared with the CdCl2 group. This study showed that vitamin E ameliorated the toxic effect of CdCl2 on proton pump activity in the testes, hence improving testicular integrity, structures, and functions.

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