Datura metel is one of psychoactive substances of great ethno-pharmacological significance often abused because of its unrestricted availability, yet, little is known about its mechanisms of action. This work was therefore aimed at assessing the activity of ethanolic seed extract of D. metel on Nissl substances, astrocytes, axonal and neuronal integrity of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of Wistar rats. Eighteen Wistar rats averaging 175 g were used and randomly assigned to three groups: group A rats (n = 6) were administered extract of 100 mg/kg bw, group B rats (n = 6) received extract of 200 mg/kg bw, and group C-control (n = 6) took distilled water only for 14 days. The results revealed that D. metel is deleterious to the health of Wistar rats at a dose-dependent rate as observed in its actions on the medial prefrontal cortex at 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw. The histological study of the treated Wistar rats exhibited features of disoriented neuronal integrity such as, chromatolysis, reduced protein synthesis due to loss of Nissl substances and nuclei, neuronal loss as well as axonal injuries.
Diabetes mellitus has not ceased to be on rise in spite of the continuous research on its management. Brain dysfunction associated with Diabetes mellitus especially Type II has been the great concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of insulin sensitizing drug metformin and ethanolic extract of garlic on membrane bound enzymes Na + /K + ATPase, Ca 2+ ATPase and glutamate-glutamine cycle enzyme, Glutamine Synthetase activities in the hippocampus of streptozotocin-Nicotinamide induced Type II Diabetic rats. Twenty four male wistar rats weighted 120-150 g were used and divided into four groups with six rats in each group. Group A was non-diabetic (Control) and Groups B, C and D were diabetic. Group B received no treatment (DNT) while Groups C and D were treated with 1000 mg/kg of ethanolic garlic extract (EGE) and 50 mg/kg of metformin (MET) respectively orally for three weeks. All the groups were fed on standard rat chow with water ad libitum. Blood glucose was monitored weekly. Animals were sacrificed and the brains were removed and hippocampi were carefully excised and homogenate were obtained. Homogenate was analyzed for Na + /K + ATPase, Ca 2+ ATPase and Glutamine Synthetase (GS) activities. MET and EGE significantly reduced the blood glucose levels. There was a significant increase in the activities of hippocampal Na+/K + ATPase, Ca 2+ ATPase and GS in MET and
Background: Oral hypoglycemic agents use during pregnancy was assumed to cause fetal macrosomia and skeletal deformities, and maternal complications due to significant transfer across placenta or ineffective control of blood glucose.Objective: This study investigated effects of insulin, metformin and glibenclamide on maternal blood glucose; and fetal crown-rump length, gross malformation and pancreatic histology in pregnant streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Twenty-five pregnant rats of groups 1 to 5 as normal and diabetic controls; and diabetic treated with insulin, metformin and glibenclamide were used. Experimental GDM was induced using 45 and 35mg/Kgbw of intraperitoneal streptozotocin.Results: Metformin, Insulin and Glibenclamide significantly reduced maternal glucose by 140.6mg/dL, 103.2mg/dL and 98.54mg/dl; respectively and showed islets with regular interlobular ducts, islets with some irregular interlobular ducts, and islets with many irregular interlobular ducts in histological fetal pancreatic photomicrographs respectively. This depicts metformin having highest ameliorative effect. There were no significant differences in maternal and fetal body weights, maternal blood glucose between diabetic groups, and fetal gross examination.Conclusion: At the doses used in this research, metformin and glibenclamide showed no adverse effects on maternal and fetal features in the treatment of GDM. Thus, they can be used as safe and inexpensive alternatives to insulin.Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus, oral hypoglycemic agents, blood glucose, fetal malformation and fetal pancreatic histology.
Cleome gynandra is a medicinal plant that is used all over Uganda to hasten childbirth because, it possesses the ability to contract the uterus. It is also used as an abortifacient in the first trimester. In this study, the effects of Cleome gynandra were investigated on the estrous cycle and the histology of the ovary and uterus of adult Wistar rat. Twelve adult female Wistar rats of 130-140g average weight were used. These were divided into three groups of four animals each. Group A received distilled water only, while animals in groups B and C received 250mg/kg body weight and 500mg/kg body weight of extract, orally and daily respectively. Monitoring of estrous cycle continued throughout the three weeks of extract administration. After three weeks, the ovaries and uteri were excised and processed for histological examination. In the ovary, there was a reduction in number of primordia, primary, secondary and graafian follicles in the treated groups. Vacuolations were common to both the ovarian and uterine tissues of treated animals. The estrous cycle of Group B and C, showed a mild disruption when compared to animals in Group A. The results showed that the plant extract studied, exerted negative influences on the estrous cycle and histology of the ovary and uterus of Wistar albino rats, suggesting a disturbance on the reproductive health of the animals. Further studies to determine the mechanism of action of Cleome gynandra on the ovary and uterus and the levels of FSH, LH, estradiol and progesterone is recommended.Key Words: Cleome gynandra, estrous cycle, Wistar albino rats, ovarian follicles.
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