Aim:To study the effect of chronic exposure of tartarzine at ADI doses on some biochemical parameters of male albino rats. Study Design: The design involved chronic study. In the study, the experiment was divided into phase 1, 2, and 3 which lasted for 30, 60 and 90 days respectively. In each phase, 40 rats were used and were divided into treatment and control groups. The treated groups were given 7.5 mg/kg of tartrazine orally on daily basis over the stipulated periods while the control groups were not treated with tartrazine. Place and Duration of Study:The study was carried out in the within a period of 12 months (December 2017 -December 2018). Methodology: At the end of the chronic study, 5mls of whole blood specimens was collected by means of cardiac puncture into Lithium Heparin bottles and fluoride oxalate bottles (for glucose AJRB, 5(1): 1-14, 2019; Article no.AJRB.50623 2 only). The collected specimens were spun, plasma collected and analyzed for glucose, Lipase, AST, ALT, ALP, total protein, albumin and globulin. Renal, hepatic, and pancreatic tissues collected were fixed in 10% formol saline and later examined histologically using H&E stain. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism version 5.03 (San Diego, California, USA). Results: In the chronic treatment, glucose indicated significant increases after 30, 60, and 90 days of chronic treatment at ADI doses. Urea, AST, and ALT showed significantly higher values after 60 of treatment while creatinine, ALP, total protein, albumin and globulin indicated significantly higher values after 90 days of treatment. However, lipase did not show any significant difference after 30, 60, and 90 days of treatment. Histologically, hepatic distortions such as fatty degeneration, vacuolation, pcynosis, and compression of central vein were seen in the liver section. In the renal section, hyaline cast in proximal tubules, hypercellularity of messengial cells, and inflammation of the glomerulus were observed in the treated rats while the histology of the pancreas indicated mild vacuolation of the islet region. However, the pancreatic ducts and acinar cells were not distorted. Conclusion: The administration of tartrazine over a period of 30 days at ADI dose did not indicate hepatocellullar and renal derangements as well histological distortions in liver, pancreas and kidneys. However, after 60 and 90 days, mild hepatocellular, pancreatic, and renal derangements were seen. Original Research Article

Aim: To evaluate the protective and therapeutic potentials of corn silk extract on gentamicin (CN)-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Study Design: The rats were randomly selected and grouped as follows: Group 1 (NC): Were given only food and water. They served as negative control. Group 2 (PC): Were treated with 80 mg/kg/day of CN over a period of 7 days. They served as the positive control. Protective Treatment: Group 3a (CN+CSP 200 mg/kg): Concurrently treated with 200 mg/kg corn silk extract and 80 mg/kg/day of CN for 7 days. 200 mg/kg corn silk extract continued for 30 days. Group 3b (CN+CSP 400 mg/kg): Concurrently treated with 400 mg/kg corn silk extract and 80 mg/kg of CN for seven days. 400 mg/kg corn silk extract continued for 30 days.  Therapeutic treatment: Group 4a (CN+CST 200 mg/kg): Induction of nephrotoxicity with 80 mg/kg/day of CN for seven days before the administration of 200 mg/kg of corn silk extract for 30 days. Group 4b (CN+CST 400 mg/kg): Induction of nephrotoxicity with 80 mg/kg/day of CN for 7 days before the administration of 400 mg/kg of corn silk extract for 30 days. Methodology: At the end of the treatment, the animals were allowed to fast for 18 hours and later anaesthetized using chloroform. Whole blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture and put into lithium heparin bottles. The samples were then spun at 3500 rpm for 5 minutes to obtain plasma. Kidney specimens harvested were fixed in 10% formol saline. Sections were prepared using histological techniques and stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin stain. Urea was analysed using Berthelot’s enzymatic colorimetric method, creatinine using Jaffe’s enzyme-kinetic method while the estimation of Na+, K+, and Cl- were performed using Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) analyzer. Results: Significantly lower (p<0.05) values of creatinine and urea were seen in protective and therapeutic treatment groups when compared against positive control. Potassium indicated significantly lower values especially in the therapeutic groups when compared against negative control while chloride indicated significantly higher values in 400 mg/kg rats compared with positive control at p<0.05. Histology of the protective treatment groups showed slightly distorted glomerular space, vacuolations, and dilated proximal and distal tubules. The positive control and the therapeutic treatment groups indicated severely damaged glomerulus, glomerular space, proximal and distal tubules as well as loss of parenchymal materials and presence of kupffer cell infiltration were seen but less severe in the therapeutic group compared to the positive control. Conclusion: The results obtained suggest protective and therapeutic potentials of corn silk extract on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. However, the therapeutic efficacy was progressively gradual and not be fast-effective as documented in most traditional or herbal literatures.