Mucuna pruriens seed repeals the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis disruption following carbamazepine treatment in male Wistar rats.

This study examined the potential effects of Mucuna pruriens (MP) seed powder on the disruptions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis caused by the carbamazepine (CBZ) treatment in male Wistar rats. A total of 35 male Wistar rats were randomized into 5 groups (n=7). The animal in group 1 received normal saline (0.2 ml) orally, while groups 2-5 received carbamazepine (CBZ) 25 mg/kg per oral. Groups 1, and 2 were fed with standard rats' chow, while groups 3-5 rats were supplied with a diet containing MP seed powder at 2.25 g, 1.5 g, and 0.75 g respectively. The serum level of male reproductive hormones, estradiol, seminal profiles, and histoarchitecture of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and testis was delineated. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the result. There was a marked decrease in the testicular weight, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone concentration, and normal sperm cells in the CBZ, and CBZ + MP (2.25 mg/kg) treatment groups.  There was a marked increase in the testicular tissue lipid peroxidation in the CBZ, and CBZ + MP (g) treated rats in addition to various morphological alterations in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and testis. These anomalies were receded in the CBZ + MP (1.5 g), and CBZ + MP (0.75 g) treatment groups. Consumption of MP (1.5 g, and 0.75 g) may alleviate the injurious effects of CBZ treatment on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular functions.

Mucuna pruriens seed protects the hippocampal neurons and abrogates seizure indices in chemically-convulsed mice: Evidence of the Nrf2 expression defense pathway.

The anti-convulsant mechanisms and neuroprotective effects of Mucuna pruriens (MP) seed in male BALB/c mice were evaluated. Ninety mice were kindled with picrotoxin, strychnine, or pilocarpine hydrochloride at the 30th minute of intraperitoneal injection (i.p) of normal saline (0.2 ml), MP (200, 100, 50 mg/kg), diazepam (7.5 mg/kg), or haloperidol (5 mg/kg). The onset of convulsion and percentage mortality was recorded. The histoarchitectural and immunohistochemical profiles of the brains were determined. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), while p < 0.05 was considered significant. There was a significant prolongation of the latency to first seizure across the treatment groups following picrotoxin, and pilocarpine-induced convulsion; a decrease in percentage mortality in the MP (50 mg/kg) treatment group, and an increase in the hippocampal nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 count, and Neu-N expression in the MP (200 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg) treated mice. Treatment with MP seed may abolish seizure occurrence and consequential mortality; mechanisms traceable to its GABAergic expression and hippocampal NRF 2 and Neu N expression.

Preliminary assessment of proanthocyanidin isolates of Vitis vinifera seed on the central nervous system of male Albino mice.

This study evaluated the potential neurobehavioral effects of proanthocyanidin-rich-fraction (PRF) obtained from Vitis vinifera seed in male Albino mice. Adult (2½- to 3-month old) male Albino mice were treated with PRF (200, 100, 50 mg/kg) and subjected to diverse behavioral models specially designed for the assessment of central nervous system-acting agents. One-shot intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of PRF (200 and 100 mg/kg) decreased the rectal temperature, exploratory activities (locomotion, rearing, and grooming), anxiety-like responses (% open-arm time, open-arm entries but decreased the total number of enclosed arm times). However, acute i.p administration of PRF decreased the total score of apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviors, latency to hexobarbitone-induced sleep, and increased the total sleep duration. Moreover, indices of convulsion (tonic flexion, extension, clonic convulsion, stupor, and recovery time) were decreased in the PRF treatment groups, especially the PRF (50 mg/kg)-treated mice. Based on these present findings, it could therefore be inferred that systemic administration of PRF of V. vinifera seed origin induces diverse modification on the behaviors of the treated mice stemming from anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative, and decrease in core temperature.

Proanthocyanidin from Vitis vinifera attenuates memory impairment due to convulsive status epilepticus.

This study investigated the effects of proanthocyanidin-rich fraction (PRF) of Vitis vinifera seed extract on the markers of hippocampal-dependent memory in convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) rat model. One hundred juvenile Wistar rats were randomized into 6 groups. Group 1 (n = 10) received propylene glycol (PG 0.1 ml/100 g) intraperitoneally (i.p), while convulsion was induced in groups 2-6 (n = 18 each) using lithium (127 mg/kg i.p) and pilocarpine hydrochloride (40 mg/kg i.p). The established CSE rats in groups 2-6 received a daily treatment of PG (0.1 ml i.p), PRF (30 mg/kg i.p), PRF (20 mg/kg BW i.p), PRF (10 mg/kg BW i.p) or diazepam (5 mg/kg BW i.p) for seven days. Thereafter, they were kept untreated but with access to feed and water for 21 days. The control and CSE-treated rats were subjected to behavioral tests, while the biochemical and histomorphological evaluations of the hippocampus were done after the sacrifice. The results were presented as mean ±â€¯SEM in graphs or tables. The level of significance was considered when p < 0.05. There was significant decrease in the hippocampal-dependent memory, hippocampal weight and an increased malondialdehyde concentration following CSE. The activities of acetylcholinesterase decreased significantly in the PRF-treated CSE rats. The hippocampal glial cells and granule count increased significantly following CSE, with various neurodegenerative features in the CA1 of the hippocampus. These derangements were attenuated significantly following PRF treatment. Memory impairment following CSE may be attenuated with the administration of PRF from V. vinifera seed in rats.

Curcuma longa normalized cimetidine-induced pituitary-testicular dysfunction: Relevance in nutraceutical therapy.

BACKGROUND: The increasing incidence of chemically induced infertility is both a social threat and a threat to the continuation of life itself. Treatment or management therapy is often expensive. This study investigated the effects of acetone extract of a local plant (Curcuma longa) in a Wistar rat model of cimetidine-induced pituitary-testicular dysfunction. METHODS: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats. After a phytochemical screening of an acetone extract of C. Longa, cimetidine and the extract at three doses, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, were orally co-administered to the rats for 28 consecutive days. Comparisons were made (at P < 0.05) against a control (2 mL/kg distilled water), a standard treatment group (cimetidine + 50 mg/kg vitamin C), a toxic group (60 mg/kg cimetidine) and a group receiving extract alone. RESULTS: Cimetidine administration was associated with deleterious alterations to sperm motility, sperm count and sperm viability, as well as derangements in the plasma levels of FSH, LH and testosterone (P < 0.05). Both brain and testicular GSH and TBARS levels were significantly altered following cimetidine administration, and distortions were seen in the pituitary and testicular histoarchitecture. These changes were significantly normalized by co-administration of graded doses of the extract, with an associated improvement of both pituitary and testicular histology. CONCLUSION: Acetone extract of C. Longa normalized cimetidine-induced pituitary-testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats. This presents the extract as a potential nutraceutical choice against chemically induced reproductive toxicity.

Ginger polyphenols attenuate cyclosporine-induced disturbances in kidney function: Potential application in adjuvant transplant therapy.

Cyclosporine (CYA), a common immuno-suppressant drug that is used in organ transplants, is associated with nephrotoxic effects. Scientific exploration of natural products of plant origin should be considered; especially, in a world with increasing prevalence of kidney diseases. Effects of ginger polyphenols (GP) in Wistar rats with CYA-induced perturbations in electrolyte balance and kidney function was determined. Fifty Wistar rats were recruited for this study such that graded doses of GP were administered following CYA-induced kidney injury and comparisons were made against control and toxic groups at p < 0.05. Distilled water, CYA (50 mg/kg p.o. for 10 days) and GP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o. for 21 days) were administered to the rats at 0.2 ml/100 g. CYA administration induced kidney injury as characterized by significant deleterious alterations in plasma and urine levels of creatinine, urea, Na+ and K+ electrolyte balance as well as creatinine clearance. Also, there was a significant derangement in feeding pattern and relative kidney weight. Using GSH and SOD as antioxidant indicators, there was significant disturbance of the anti-oxidant system while histopathological results showed evidence of interstitial vacuolations with atrophic glomeruli. These conditions were significantly attenuated (p < 0.05) following administration of graded doses of GP. It was, therefore, concluded that GP could potentially be a therapeutic choice for patients with CYA-induced kidney injury.