Body Weight Of Ethanolic Extract Research Articles

Folic Acid Reverses the Effects of Cannabis on the Brain of New Born Wistar Rats

There are conflicting reports on the effect of Cannabis on brain cells, some reports support damage to brain cells while others do not. This work was carried out at the neuroscience unit of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria. It investigated the neurodegenerative effect of extract of Cannabis sativa plant on brain regions in newborn Wistar rats exposed to Cannabis in utero and also combining the antioxidant and cell proliferative properties of folic acid to reverse these changes particularly in the Purkinje layer of the cerebellum in the group that received folic acid and cannabis. Four groups of pregnant Wistar rats were treated from Day 5 to 20 of pregnancy as follows: group A received 2ml of normal saline solution per os, group B received 2.0 mg /kg body weight of ethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa plant dissolved in normal saline per os, group C received 2.0 mg /kg body weight of Cannabis sativa extract and 40 mg/kg body weight of folic acid tablets (Emzor®) and group D received 2 mg/kg body weight of folic acid per os. The rat pups from group B showed deficit in locomotor function with spongiosis and astrogliosis in the corpus callosum, cerebellum and hippocampal regions of the brain. While pups from group A showed normal locomotor activities with no visible lesions in regions of the brain such as the cerebrum, cerebellum and the hippocampus. Group C pups were presented with normal locomotor activities with congestion of vessels in cerebrum and meninges and scattered areas of cell loss in the cerebrum, cerebellum hippocampus and corpus callosum and group D pups showed normal locomotor function, with vascular congestion in the meninges and cerebrum. We, therefore, concluded that folic acid which is a crucial factor in cell division, neurotransmitter production and an antioxidant in the nervous system could have a reversal of behavioural and locomotor deficits on nervous tissues exposed to Cannabis sativa extract by reducing the rate of cell death and increasing cellular stability and integrity in brain.

Phytochemical composition of <i>Annona senegalensis</i> leaf and its antioxidant activity during <i>Trypanosoma brucei brucei</i> induced oxidative stress in mice

The quantitative phytochemical analysis of Annona senegalensis leaf was carried out and the effects of its ethanolic extract on some haematological and biochemical parameters of oxidative stress in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected mice were determined. Treatment of T. b brucei -infected mice with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of A. senegalensis leaf, which commenced on the first day parasites were sighted in the blood of rats was done daily for seven days. Parasitaemia levels of mice were observed daily. Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), lipid peroxidation; catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined after the seventh day treatment. A. senegalensis leaf was found to contain 34% tannins, 20% flavonoid, 7.9% alkaloids, 7.42% saponins and 3.2% steroids. Treatment with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of ethanolic leaf extract of Annona senegalensis reduced the parasitaemia of infected mice by 70%, 87.86% and 88.57% respectively by day 9 post infection. The values of haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume, as well as SOD and CAT activities were significantly increased (p<0.05) and lipid peroxidation significantly reduced (p<0.05) in T. b. brucei -infected mice treated with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg the ethanolic extract compared with the infected untreated ones. The high percentage of tannins and flavonoids contained in A. senegalensis leaf as observed in this study could have played a significant role in the antitrypanosomal and antioxidant activity displayed by the extract and this might be useful in the fight against sleeping sickness. Keywords: Annona senegalensis , Trypanosoma brucei , oxidative stress, iron chelation, phytochemical ana

English

The aim of this research was to determine the median lethal dose of sesamum indicum seeds in Wistar rats. Methods: Twelve Wistar rats within the ages of five to six weeks and of weights, ranging from (98-160) g of both sexes were used for the experiment. They were categorized into two phases of I and II. Phase I consisted three (3) groups of three (3) animals each. While phase II consisted three (3) groups of one (1) animal each. The phase I group was orogastrically intubated with (10, 100 and 1000) mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of sesamum indicum seeds respectively with the aid of a 2ml syringe with an intubation needle of size 24 mounted on it. The animals in phase II were similarly administered 1600, 2900 and 5000mg/kg body weights of the extract respectively and observed for one hour and ten minutes after every two hours for twenty four hours. Result: No mortality or any physical signs of toxicity were observed in any of the groups. Conclusion: The LD50 of ethanolic extract of sesamum indicum seeds is above 5000mg/kg body weight in adult Wistar rats. Key Words: LD50, Sesamum seeds, Wistar rats.

Garlic Extract (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Allium sativum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Enhances Spatial Working Memory in Wistar Rats: Involvement of Hippocampal Na&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;+&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;/K&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;+&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; ATPase and Ca&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;2+&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; ATPase Activities

Hippocampus plays a central role in the acquisition and recall of both episodic and spatial memory. Studies have shown that garlic has neuroprotective effects in various capacities and enhancement of different forms of memory. However, the effect of garlic spatial memory and direct effect of garlic extract on the activities of membrane bound enzymes Na+/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase in the hippocampus of rat still remain elusive. Therefore, we studied the effect of ethanolic extract of garlic on spatial working memory using object location memory OLM test and the hippocampal Na+/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase activities. Sixteen male wistar rats weighted 120 - 150 g were used and divided into two groups of eight rats each. The control and experimental groups were treated 1ml of normal saline and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of garlic respectively orally for three weeks. OLM test was carried out on the two groups. Animals were sacrificed and the brains were removed, and hippocampi were carefully excised and homogenate was obtained. Homogenate was analyzed for Na+/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase activities. There was significant increase in the exploration time in experimental group when compared with control group (p +/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase activities in experimental group when compared with control group (p +/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase. Our findings provide potential mechanism and therapeutic target for memory deficit neurological disorders.

Acute oral toxicity study of ethanol extract of Ceiba pentandra leaves as a glucose lowering agent in diabetic rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate the use of Ceiba pentandra (C. pentandra) as a glucose lowering agent and the attendant physiological changes in albino rats. MethodsAcute oral toxicity study of the extract was carried out by the administration of 10, 100, 1000, 1600, 2900, and 5000 mg/kg body weight of C. pentandra to rats in their respective groups. Twenty healthy albino rats weighing between 140 and 150 g were randomly allotted to five groups of four rats each. 100 mg/kg body weight of alloxan monohydrate was i.p. administered to rats and rats with blood glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL were considered diabetic. 5 mg/kg body weight of standard drug, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of C. pentandra were orally administered to diabetic rats in their respective groups once daily for 12 days while the control groups received 0.1 mL of normal saline for the same period. The blood glucose was checked after every 4 days and the experiment was terminated on the 17th day. ResultsThe safe dose (LD50) of the extract was greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. The extract treated groups exhibited a remarkable reduction in blood glucose [(87.72 ± 7.67) mg/dL for 200 mg/kg body weight dose and (86.33 ± 4.54) mg/dL for 400 mg/kg body weight dose] competitively with the normoglycemic group [(88.71 ± 4.56) mg/dL]. The body weight of the extract and standard drug treated groups appreciated significantly (P < 0.05) as compared with normoglycemic group. High density lipoprotein increased significantly in the extract treated groups with the 400 mg/kg body weight having the highest value of (18.61 ± 3.44) mg/dL and a concomitant reduction in the concentrations of low density lipoprotein, triacylglycerol, and cholesterol of same group. The 400 mg/kg body weight dose of the extract also demonstrated the highest reduction in the activities of aspartate transaminase [(59.66 ± 3.45) IU/L], alanine aminotransferase [(33.33 ± 4.34) IU/L] and alkaline phosphatase [(48.36 ± 3.41) IU/L] that elevated as a result of diabetes. The two extract treated groups demonstrated a marked reduction in Cl−, and elevation in HCO3− and Na+ levels. K+, urea, creatinine, total and conjugated bilirubin that were elevated in the diabetic untreated group were all ameliorated in the treatment groups. ConclusionsEthanol extract of C. pentandra has glucose lowering effect and can ameliorate the biochemical abnormalities associated with diabetes mellitus.

Contraceptive Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Dioscorea villosa Tuber on Reproductive Hormones of Female Wistar Rats

The contraceptive effect of oral administration of ethanolic extract of Dioscorea villosa tuber for thirty days on reproductive hormones of female albino rats was investigated. Twenty four female albino rats weighing 150-220g were completely randomized into four groups (A-D) comprising six rats each. Animals in Group A (control) were administered 0.5ml of distilled water. Animals in groups B, C and D received 100, 200 and 400mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of Dioscorea villosa tuber respectively for 30 consecutive days. Preliminary phytochemical screening of ethanolic extract of

Chronic Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity Study of Orally Administered Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Carica papaya Seeds in Adult Wistar Rats

About 80% of the population in many third world countries still use traditional medicine (medicinal plants) as the sole means of therapy against diseases. <em>Carica papaya</em> is a medicinal plant which has been proven to contain substances that can be used for such purposes. Some of its uses include anti-ulcerogenic, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-tumour and it is employed in wound-healing activity and antifertility activity to mention a few. This study was designed to evaluate the chronic hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of orally administered aqueous and ethanolic extracts of <em>Carica papaya</em> seed in adult Wistar rat. The up-and-down method as outlined in the OECD guidelines was used to determine the LD50. Twenty five adult Wistar rats weighing between 160-220 gm were used for the study. They were randomised and five assigned to each of the treatment groups. Group one was the control, group two and three received 100 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract respectively while groups four and five received 100 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract respectively. They were all dosed orally for 60 days. The results of the haematological indices, renal function test and liver function test for both extracts were normal and so also were the organ body weight ratios. The histological studies of the liver, kidneys and spleen did not reveal any pathologic changes when compared to the control group. In Conclusion it can be said that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of <em>Carica papaya</em> seed extract is not hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic to adult Wistar rats.

Effect of ethanol extract of Portulaca oleracea L on ovulation and estrous cycle in female albino rats

BackgroundThe population control is major problem as it affects the socio-economic growth of the country. So in order to control population, family planning has been promoted through several methods of synthetic contraception, but synthetic drugs have more side effects hence there is need to search safe natural contraceptive drug from medicinal plants. The Portulaca oleracea L is traditional medicinal plants used for various pharmacological activities. MethodsThe present study was to know the effect of ethanol extract of P. oleracea L (Portulacea) on ovulation, estrous cycle, and uterine weight and biochemical changes in adult rats. Female rats weighing 100 g were divided into three experimental groups. Group I was administered with 0.2 ml of 1% Tween 80, served as negative control. Group II received 0.2 ml of 250 mg/kg of body weight of ethanol extract (low dose) and group III received 500 mg/kg of body weight of ethanol extract (high dose). All the above treatment was given for 15 days daily morning between 10 and 11 am to cover 3 cycles and vaginal smear was taken daily from all the group to monitor estrous cycle and ovulation. ResultsThe uterine muscle weight was recorded; ovulation was inhibited resulting in reduced number of ova in oviduct of the high dose treated rats (2.5 + 0.2) and moderate (5.7 + 1.1) in low dose when compared with control group (8.1 + 3.2). There is an increase (761.66 + 1.5275) of uterine weight of high dose treated rats compared to control group (222.66 + 2.5166). The ethanol extract at high dose (500 mg/kg of b. w) was found to possess estrogenic activity when tested in immature ovariectomized female albino rats. ConclusionThese findings proved the pharmacological basis for the traditional use of this plant for contraceptive purpose in India.