Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor in etiology of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown association between vegetarian diet and low total serum cholesterol as well as LDLcholesterol which is a pointer to low risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary fiber, antioxidants and other classes of nutrients have been reported to ameliorate cardiovascular risk factors. Fruits and vegetables being rich sources of fiber and antioxidants have been the focus in intervention studies. The current work reports the effect local fruits and vegetables on cardiovascular risk factors in African hypertensive subjects in an 8 week study. Though there was no significant difference in the Body Mass Index and HDL-cholesterol at the end of the eighth week, there were significant reductions (P < 0.05) in serum triglycerides (125.87 ± 6.0 to108.27 ± 5.49 mgdL -1 ); total serum cholesterol (226.60 ± 6.15 to 179.20 ± 5.78) and LDL-cholesterol (135.69 ± 5.56 to 93.07 ± 7.18 mgdL -1 ). We concluded that consumption of combination of local fruits and vegetables may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular risk factors in Africans.

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BackgroundThe global increase in acceptance and use of herbal remedies in recent times is still accompanied with poor knowledge of their potential adverse effects and the toxicological implications of their use are underestimated.MethodsBon-santé Cleanser® (BSC), a polyherbal containing Anogeissus leiocarpus, Terminalia ivorensis, Massularia acuminate and Macuna pruriens, is an “energizer and hormone booster”. We assessed the effect of BSC on reproductive function after administration for 60 days in male Wistar rats. Rats (150–300 g) were assigned into four groups of 8/group. Control received distilled water (10 ml/kg) while other groups received BSC 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day p.o. respectively. Animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation and samples collected for analysis.ResultsBSC (250 mg/kg) elevated (p < 0.05) follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels respectively. BSC decreased sperm motility and the live-dead ratio at 1000 mg/kg and reduced reproductive hormone at 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively. BSC at 500 mg/kg increased (p < 0.05, F = 3.18–13.21) testicular reduced glutathione level (50.3%) and catalase (43.7%) but not activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and malondialdehyde level. Further, BSC influenced Mg, Zn, Cu, P, Mn, Ni and Fe levels (p < 0.05). BSC (1000 mg/kg) decreased testis weight (p < 0.05) and induced mild inflammation characterized by atrophic tubules.ConclusionOverall, our data suggest BSC at low doses may increase reproductive hormones regulated by FSH and LH as observed in this study. However, BSC administration should be done with caution as it may induce reproductive toxicity in large doses.

Aim:We tested the hypothesis that administrations of methanolic extracts of Musa sapientum sucker (MEMS) with exercises attenuated hyperglycemia in alloxan-diabetic rats.Materials and Methods:A total of 40 adult male rats were divided into equal eight groups. Normoglycemic Group A was Control. Alloxan (180 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to rats in Groups B - H to induce diabetes. Group B (diabetic control) received physiological saline. Groups C - H received MEMS (5 mg/kg), MEMS (10 mg/kg), Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), MEMS (5 mg/kg) + exercises, MEMS (10 mg/kg) + exercises and Exercises only, respectively. Changes in body weight, blood glucose levels (BGL) and pancreatic histology were evaluated during or at the end of experiment. Body weights and BGL of rats were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and analyzed using the statistical software program SPSS 15. Statistical comparisons were done using the Student’s t-test for unpaired samples. Differences between groups were determined as significant at P ≤ 0.05.Results:Significantly (P < 0.05) decreased bodyweight was observed in B and H compared to A and C - G. Treatment with MEMS significantly (P < 0.05) decreased elevated BGL in C and D. Hypoglycemic effect of MEMS appeared enhanced with exercises in F and G. Exercises regimen alone (H) resulted in percentage reduction in BGL lower than those of C - G. Histopathological examinations revealed normal pancreas (A), atrophied islet cells (B), hyperplasia with adequate population of islet cells (C - G), and reduced hyperplasia of islet cells (H).Conclusion:MEMS with exercises attenuated hyperglycemia in alloxan-diabetic rats.

This study was carried out to investigate the cardiovascular effect of administration of antimalarial drugs amodiaquine and artesunate and the efficacy of Garcinia kola extract (kolaviron) in protecting against such possible effect. Thirty (30) adult male albino rats divided into six (6) groups were used in this study. Groups D, E and F were treated with 100 mg/Kg b. w of the extract twice daily for the first one week and 200 mg/Kg b. w. /day for the subsequent three (3) weeks. Amodiaquine (10mg/Kg. b. w. /day) was administered orally for four (4) days into rats in groups A and E while rats in groups B and F were treated with artesunate (5mg/Kg b. w. /day) for four (4) days. Group C rats (normal control) were treated with normal saline. All the rats were sacrificed after four (4) weeks treatment period. Blood was withdrawn by cardiac puncture while the liver, kidney, stomach and heart were removed, cleansed and weigh. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDLcholesterol and triglycerides were measured in the serum, while total fibrinogen, platelet count, red blood cell and white blood cell count were measured in the whole blood. The artherogenic and coronary risk index were also determined. Results indicate that both amodiaquine and artesunate predispose to cardiovascular disease, however the effect was more pronounced with artesunate than amodiaquine. The result also suggests that both drugs could increase the risk of coronary and artherogenic diseases and that Garcinia kola do not prevent the cardiotoxicity and coronary risk effect.

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