Modulatory Role of Curcumin on Cobalt-Induced Memory Deficit, Hippocampal Oxidative Damage, Astrocytosis, and Nrf2 Expression.

Chemical overexposure is a growing environmental risk factor for many medical issues. Cobalt toxicity from environmental, industrial, and medical exposure has previously been linked to neurological impairment. Hence, the current study looked into the neuroprotective potential of curcumin, a natural polyphenol contained in the spice turmeric, against cobalt-induced neurotoxicity. Adult rats were randomly divided into six groups as follows: control, 40 mg/kg cobalt chloride (CoCl2) only, 240 mg/kg curcumin only, 120 mg/kg or 240 mg/kg curcumin, or 100 mg/kg vitamin C co-administered with CoCl2. The administration was via oral route daily for 4 weeks. After that, neurobehavioral tests were undertaken to evaluate short-term spatial memory. Biochemical investigation was performed to determine the hippocampal levels of status via measures of SOD, CAT, GST, and LPO. Furthermore, immunohistochemical assessment of the expression of GFAP and Nrf2 in the hippocampus was carried out. In the CoCl2 group, the results showed altered behavioral responses, a decrease in antioxidant activities, increased expression of GFAP and the number of activated astrocytes, and decreased immunoexpression of Nrf2. These effects were mitigated in the curcumin- and vitamin C-treated groups. These results collectively imply that curcumin enhances memory functions in rats exposed to cobalt possibly by attenuating oxidative responses, mitigating astrocytosis, and modulating Nrf2 signaling.

Adansonia digitata L. leaf extract attenuates lead-induced cortical histoarchitectural changes and oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex of adult male Wistar rats.

Objectives Adansonia digitata L. is popularly known for the management of various neurological diseases in ethno-medicine. Studies have shown that lead toxicity is a possible risk factor for early onset of neurodegenerative disease. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of A. digitata aqueous leaf extract (ADALE) against lead-induced oxidative stress and histo-architectural changes in the prefrontal cortex of adult Wistar rats. Methods Saline (10 mL/kg), ADALE (500 and 1000 mg/kg) and EDTA (55 mg/kg) were pretreated orally 30 min prior to lead acetate (LA) (120 mg/kg) administration to male Wistar rats (n=7) for 21 days. Thereafter, standard biochemical (superoxide dismutate, catalase, glutathionxe and malondialdehyde), histological (H&E) and histochemical assessment (crystyl fast violet stain for nissil substance) were carried out in the prefrontal cortex. Results ADALE significantly (p<0.05) reversed LA-induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased catalase, superoxide dismutase and oxidized glutathione levels, and decreased malondialdehyde concentration in the prefrontal cortex. Also, the increase chromatolysis and neuronal pyknosis of the pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex were significantly attenuated by ADALE. Conclusions The result of this study showed that A. digitata aqueous leaf extract attenuated lead acetate-induced cortical neurodegeneration via inhibition of oxidative stress.

Unexpected delivery: a case report of cryptic pregnancy in Nigeria.

The etiology of cryptic pregnancy has not been fully elucidated and there exist misconceptions about this phenomenon in our contemporary Nigerian society. This case presents the first case report of cryptic pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa. A case of a 19 year old overweight female student who presented to the sick bay at 01: 30 hours with a 3-day history of lower back pain, abdominal discomfort and constipation. At the sick bay the general practitioner on call asked if she was pregnant and she vehemently said no, recounting that she sees her menstruation regularly. Abdominal examination however, revealed a gravid uterus of about 36 weeks and vaginal examination showed a fully dilated cervix. She was surprised, terrified and confused and only remembered having unprotected sexual intercourse many months earlier. Barely two hours later, she gave birth via spontaneous vaginal delivery, to a live female infant at 03: 14 hours. This case emphasizes the need for general practitioners and specialists in sub-Saharan Africa to be aware of the phenomenon of cryptic pregnancy, which involves women not being conscious of their gravid state until final weeks of gestation or at delivery, to reduce neonatal and maternal complications.

Curative Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Crinum Giganteum on NMDA-Receptor Antagonist-Induced Schizophrenic Wistar Rat Model.

AIM: This study evaluated the curative potential of Crinum giganteum in the treatment of schizophrenia using an NMDA-receptor antagonist-induced schizophrenic Wistar rat model. METHODS: Twenty-five adult Wistar rats of both sexes of average weights 180 g were divided into two groups: control and schizophrenic rat models. The controls received 0.1 ml of 0. 9% saline, while schizophrenia was induced in models using 25 mg/kg of ketamine hydrochloride (i.p.) for 7 days. On the 8 day models were divided into group's k1, k2, k3 and k4 of 5 rats each. K1 and the controls were sacrificed then, groups k2 and k3 were treated with 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg aqueous leaf extract of Crinum giganteum while, k4 (standard) received 25 mg/kg of chlorpromazine orally for 28 days. Amygdala were harvested, processed and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H &E) stain, Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) marker was also used to monitor the curative effect on the amygdala. RESULTS: Degenerative changes and increased NSE immunoreactivity were observed in the untreated models. Extract-treated models showed normal amygdala and negative NSE immunoreactivity while chlorpromazine treated models revealed decreased NSE immunoreactivity. CONCLUSION: Crinum giganteum extracts exhibits better curative effect than the standard antipsychotic agent.