Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria 

About: Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria is an academic journal published by African Journals OnLine. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Internal medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 0794-859X. Over the lifetime, 440 publications have been published receiving 4073 citations.

Efficacy of aqueous leaf extract of vernonia amygdalina on plasma lipoprotein and oxidative status in diabetic rat models.

Abstract: Many minor components of foods, such as secondary plant metabolites, have been shown to posses antioxidant activities, improving the effects of oxidative stress on diabetes and other disease conditions. This study evaluates the effect of aqueous extracts from Vernonia amygdalina leaves on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The results showed that the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were subjected to oxidative stress as was shown by the extent of lipid peroxidation (high malondialdehyde levels) present in the plasma. The aqueous extract of V. amygdalina leaves possessed antioxidant activity as shown by decreases in malondialdehyde levels. High values of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides levels, which are typical of the diabetic condition, were also found in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extract also significantly reduced triglyceride levels and normalized cholesterol concentrations. This shows that the aqueous extract of V. amygdalina leaves have both hypolipidaemic and antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants, cadmium-induced toxicity, serum biochemical and the histological abnormalities of the kidney and testes of the male Wistar rats.

Abstract: The effect of different doses of cadmium [CD] on some biochemical, hormonal and histopathological parameters of the liver, kidney and testes of the Wistar rate were investigated. Cadmium in the dose range 0-40 mg/kg while causing a time-and dose-dependent decrease of the basal serum levels of alkaline phosphatase [ALP] also caused a dose-dependent increase in the serum concentration of the acid and prostatic acid phosphatases. The value of the ALP changed from 148.7+/-1.0 IU/L in the control to 53.7+/-0.098 at 40 mg/kg of cadmium. While the ACP and ACPT changed from 32.6+/-0.72 and 7 Units in the control to 54 and 17 units respectively at 40 mg/kg of CD. Furthermore cadmium also caused positively correlated dose-and time-dependent destruction of the histology of the liver, kidney and testes. These were characterized by vascular congestion, vacuolation, destruction of the seminal epithelial layers, focal necrosis of nucleus, oedema of the seminal epithelia layers, focal necrosis of nucleus, oedema of the seminiferous tubules and reduction of spermatogenesis. CD also caused granular and eosinophilic cytoplasm, enlargement of sinusoids with kupffer cells, haemorrhage and apoptosis of cells. Finally pre-treatment with vitamin C [0.0015/kg], vitamin E [1.51/g] and selenium [0.25 mg] which on their own had little or no effects on the serum basal phosphatases, hormonal and histological stability caused a reversal of the cadmium-induced biochemical, hormonal and histological toxicities of the liver, kidney and testes. These results may be explained by the oxidational/antioxidational properties of these xenobiotics and their mechanisms of actions.

Effects of garcinia kola seed extract on ovulation, oestrous cycle and foetal development in cyclic female sprague-dawley rats.

Abstract: The effects of Garcinia kola (G. kola) seed extract on oestrous cycle, ovulation and foetal development were studied in adult female Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats. Cyclic female rats weighing 150 to 200 g were divided into three experimental groups and a control group. Group 1 was fed with 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract on proestrous. Group 2 received 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract daily for six weeks, while group 3, consisted of pregnant rats which received the same dose of the extract on days 1-5, 7-9 (th), 13 (th), and 14 (th), day of gestation. In groups 1 and 2, vaginal lavage was taken daily to monitor the oestrous cycle and ovulation. In group 3, gestational parameters monitored were number of total implants, resorption and dead foetuses. Live foetuses were weighed and examined for external malformation and variation. The results showed that the oestrous cycle was altered for the first two weeks after commencement of extract but returned to normal from the third week. This was indicated by the irregular pattern of oestrous with a prolonged dioestrus observed in the treated rats. Ovulation was partially blocked as shown by the reduced number of ova observed in the oviduct from the treated rats compared with control [P < 0.05]. There was a significant decrease in the weight of foetuses from the treated rats [P < 0.05]; while foetuses from pregnant rats (7 %) which received treatment for the first five days of gestation, had malformed left upper limb. Results suggest that G. kola seed at 200 mg/kg body weight administered alters oestrous cycle in rats, partly inhibits ovulation and may produce duration dependent teratogenicity in foetal rats.

The effects of menopause on the serum lipid profile of normal females of South East Nigeria

Abstract: Dyslipidemia in menopause is a known feature in women, whether it leads to significant increase in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) is still controversial, more so in our environment where little work has been done. The present study is aimed at comparing the level of total serum cholesterol, including its subunits in premenopausal with that of their postmenopausal counterparts. This is to enable us ascertain the relative risk of developing cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women in our environment. One hundred and twenty six (126) apparently healthy, non-pregnant females (74 premenopausal and 52 postmenopausal) were recruited for the study. Serum total cholesterol and their subfractions- high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and triglycerides (TG) were estimated using enzymatic and established mathematical methods. There was no significant difference in the total serum cholesterol and triglyceride between the two groups. There was however, a significant reduction of HDL and VLDL in the postmenopausal group [P < 0.005] and a significant increase in the level of LDL in the postmenopausal group [P < 0.005]). The elevated LDL and the reduction of cardio protective HDL and VLDL is an indication that menopause is an independent risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease in our environment.

Safety and hypoglycaemic properties of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Abstract: The claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves have antidiabetic properties was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the experimentally diabetic rats for 28 days. Administration of the aqueous leaf extract caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extract appeared nontoxic as evidenced by normal serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TPT, ALB and bilirubin. These data appear to agree with claimed hypoglycaemic effects of Ocimum gratissimum . Key Words: Ocimum gratissimum ; Diabetes mellitus; Hypoglycaemia, Liver enzymes