David Olawale Adeyemi

Protective effects of Vitex doniana (Black plum) against ischemic testes torsion injury: Histological and morphometric features.

We evaluated the effects of Vitex doniana leaves on testes histology and morphometry in Wistar rats following testicular torsion. Thirty male Wistar rats (120-160g) were randomly assigned into six groups (n=5). Surgical procedures were performed under ketamine anaesthesia (5mg/kg i.m). Sham surgery was performed on group A rats and given distilled water for 7 days. Animals in other groups had their left testes twisted at 720° for one hour, sutured, and treated for 7 days. Group B rats were left untreated, groups C, D and E received 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of extract respectively while group F received 100mg/kg of vitamin C. Animals were sacrificed using ketamine (100mg/kg), testes excised, fixed in Bouins fluid and processed for histology and histomorphometry. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and Student Newman- Keuls post- hoc test for multiple comparisons. Seminiferous tubule diameter reduced significantly in group B when compared with control group while the luminal size increased significantly in group B when compared with control group and the treated groups. Group B also showed significant reduction of germinal epithelium when compared with groups A, E and F. Histology and histochemical results revealed atrophic seminiferous tubules, widened interstitial spaces and accumulation of glycogen in the basement membrane in the testes of untreated rats. The study concluded that aqueous extract of Vitex doniana leaves had ameliorative effect on testicular morphology and histology in the torsioned rat model.

ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON FIBROUS PROTEINS FROM COWRY SHELL (CYPRAEA MONETA, LINNAEUS)

Background: Biomaterials are non-drug substances used to treat, enhance or replace functions of body tissues or organs. Natural sources of biomaterials have recently become the focus of several research activities. Cowry shell constitutes one of the most promising natural sources of biomaterials because of its chemical stability, biodegradability and biocompatibility in the body. However, its applications may be limited due to immunogenic and toxic responses that may occur following implantation, hence this study. Materials and Methods: Crude fibrous protein extracted with citrate buffer from pulverised cowry shells (Cypraea moneta (L)), was resolved into two components (CSP1 and CSP2) by gel filtration. Immunological studies were performed with antisera obtained from rabbits by double immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis techniques. Mice treated with the proteins were observed for signs of toxicity and their liver, kidney, lungs and spleen were processed histologically. Results: The native molecular weight of CSP1 and CSP2 determined by gel filtration were 91kDa and 33kDa respectively. CSP1 and CSP2 displayed single bands on SDS-PAGE with subunit molecular weight values of 19kDa and 19.5kDa respectively. Antisera obtained from rabbits immunised with the crude citrate buffer extracts precipitated the antigen in double immunodiffusion tests. Histopathological examinations revealed a dose-dependent damaging effect of the shell proteins on liver, kidney, lung and spleen tissues of the treated mice. Conclusion: This study showed that cowry shells contain fibrous proteins which are immunogenic and toxic in mice at relatively high concentrations, causing visible organ damage without concurrent physical manifestations.

Experimental diabetes and the epididymis of Wistar rats: The protective effects of Anacardium occidentale (Linn.)

Aim: The use of botanical remedies as adjunct therapies in the management of diabetes mellitus is on the increase. Anacardium occidentale has been reported in the literature to possess anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic properties. This study evaluated the effects of acute treatment of A. occidentale on blood glucose and epididymis histopathology of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups of 10 rats each. A group served as the normoglycemic control and was administered 1 ml/kg bw/day citrate buffer. Hyperglycemia was induced in 30 overnight-fasted rats with a single i.p injection of STZ (70 mg/kg bw/day). Hyperglycemia was confirmed 48 h later and thereafter allowed to stabilize for 5 days. 300 mg/kg bw/day of ethanolic extract of A. occidentale was administered orally to a group of diabetic rats (n = 10). Insulin was also administered subcutaneously at 10 I.U/kg bw/day to another group (n = 10). Another group served as the hyperglycemic control and received 1 ml of citrate buffer/kg bw/day. Treatment after a 5-day stabilization of hyperglycemia lasted for 17 days. In each group blood glucose and epididymal histology were assessed. Results: By the end of the experimental period, all hyperglycemic rats in the extract-treated group had become normoglycemic. Moreover, extract-treated rats showed improved epididymal morphology and luminal sperm aggregate within the duct comparable to normoglycemic and insulin-treated rats. Conclusion: We conclude that A. occidentale proved valuable in mitigating the detrimental effects of hyperglycemia on the epididymis.

Acute toxicity and histopathology study of a galactose-specific lectin from the seeds of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) (Hutch and Dalz)

A lactose-binding lectin (TCL) was purified from the seeds of African walnut, Tetracarpidium conophorum, and acute toxicity studies of the lectin were carried out with Swiss albino male mice. Animals were administered doses of TCL from 500 to 2500 mg kg−1 body weight (b.wt.) orally while intraperitoneally the dose ranged from 10 to 600 mg kg−1 b.wt. Animals were then assessed for organ and body weight changes, mortality, and histopathology. TCL did not cause any observable toxicity via the oral route; however, when administered intraperitoneally, TCL elicited toxicity with an LD50 of 50 mg kg−1 b.wt. Death from intoxication was preceded by convulsion, hypoactivity, salivation, ataxia, and weakness. The animals given lethal doses of the lectin showed profound respiratory depression which was judged to be the primary cause of death. Histopathological analysis indicated that the lungs, liver, and spleen were adversely affected while the kidney and other organs were essentially normal. In all the affected organs, the severity of toxicity was dose-dependent as the effect of the lectin became more pronounced with increase of the dose administered.