Nutritional therapy can reduce the burden of depression management in low income countries: A review.

Depression is a serious mental and mood disorder with global health and economic burden. This burden may be overwhelming in low income countries, although there are insufficient data. Most antidepressant formulations are predicated on the monoamine, neuroendocrine and neuro-inflammation hypotheses, with little or no cognizance to other neurochemicals altered in depression. A nutritional strategy with or without conventional antidepressants is recommended, as nutrition plays vital roles in the onset, severity and duration of depression, with poor nutrition contributing to its pathogenesis. This review discusses nutritional potentials of utilizing omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals and herbs or their phytochemicals in the management of depression with the aim of reducing depression burden. Literature search of empirical data in books and journals in data bases including but not limited to PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar that might contain discussions of sampling were sought, their full text obtained, and searched for relevant content to determine eligibility. Omega-3 fatty and amino acids had significant positive anti-depression outcomes, while vitamins and minerals although essential, enhanced omega-3 fatty and amino acids activities. Some herbs either as whole extracts or their phytochemicals/metabolites had significant positive anti-depression efficacy. Nutrition through the application of necessary food classes or herbs as well as their phytochemicals, may go a long way to effectively manage depression. This therefore will provide inexpensive, natural, and non-invasive therapeutic means with reduced adverse effects that can also be applied alongside clinical management. This nutritional strategy should be given more attention in research, assessment and treatment for those with depression and other mental illness in low income countries, especially in Africa.

Characterization of hippocampal histomorphology following R. vomitoria root extract treatment / Caracterización de la histomorfología del hipocampo después del tratamiento con extracto de la raíz de R. vomitoria

Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel. is an antipsychotic plant used by several African communities in the management of psychiatric conditions with good outcomes. Concerns about its dosages on brain activity lead to this investigation of its action on the hippocampal microstructure.Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats of average weight 200 g, were assigned into four groups (n = 6): control; 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight of RVroot bark extract, respectively. The administration was once daily, and orally for seven days. Daily observation of the animals was done till on day eight when they were sacrificed after deep anaesthesia. Each brain was processed for histology and immunohistochemical studies. Animals in the 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg RV groups appeared generally dull and drowsy, and barely fed. Their hippocampal histology showed neuronal atrophy and karyorrhexis, with no difference in cell count, although the pyramidal cell numbers decreased in the 300 and 400 mg/kg RV groups. Neuron-specific enolase decreased in the 400 mg/kg RV group, while neurofilament decreased in all test groups. Glial fibrillary acidic protein expression and density increased in the 200 and 300 mg/kg RV groups, but not the 400 mg/kg RV group, all compared with the control group.The given doses of RV root bark extractin adult Wistar rats showed sedative activities with hippocampal histopathological changes, which may not be reversible, thereby leading to the hippocampal functional deficit.

Introducción: Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) Afzel es una planta antipsicótica utilizada por varias comunidades africanas en el tratamiento de enfermedades psiquiátricas con buenos resultados. Las preocupaciones sobre sus efecto sobre la actividad cerebral conducen a esta investigación de su acción sobre la microestructura del hipocampo.Materiales y métodos: Se asignaron veinticuatro ratas Wistar macho adultas de un peso medio de 200 g, en cuatro grupos (n = 6): control; 200, 300 y 400 mg / kg de peso corporal de extracto de corteza de raíz de RV, respectivamente. La administración fue una vez al día y por vía oral durante siete días. Se realizó una observación diaria de los animales hasta el día ocho, cuando fueron sacrificados después de una anestesia profunda. Cada cerebro fue procesado para estudios histológicos e inmunohistoquímicos.Resultados: Los animales en los grupos de RV de 200, 300 y 400 mg / kg parecían generalmente apagados y somnolientos, y apenas alimentados. Su histología hipocampal mostró atrofia neuronal y cariorrexis, sin diferencia en el recuento celular, aunque el número de células piramidales disminuyó en los grupos de RV de 300 y 400 mg / kg. La enolasa específica de neuronas disminuyó en el grupo de RV de 400 mg / kg, mientras que el neurofilamento disminuyó en todos los grupos de prueba. La expresión y densidad de la proteína fibrilar ácida glial aumentó en los grupos de RV de 200 y 300 mg / kg, pero no en el grupo de RV de 400 mg / kg, todos en comparación con el grupo de control.Conclusión: Las dosis administradas de extracto de corteza de raíz de RV en ratas Wistar adultas mostraron actividades sedantes, con cambios histopatológicos del hipocampo, que pueden no ser reversibles, lo que conduce al déficit funcional del hipocampo.

Murine's amygdala microstructure and elevated plus maze activities following R. vomitoria root bark and G. latifolium leaf extracts administration.

R. vomitoria (RV), a plant used locally in the management of psychotic disorders, adversely affects the brain functionally and structurally. Such adverse reports, as well as the potential of G. latifolium (GL) to mitigate same warranted this investigation on the combined actions of RV and GL on the amygdala. Twenty-four male CD-1 mice weighing 22-27 g were divided into four groups (n = 6): Control (20 ml/kg body weight, b.w., distilled water); RV (200 mg/kg b.w.), GL (200 mg/kg b.w.), and RV (200 mg/kg b.w.) and GL (200 mg/kg b.w.) combination orally, and for 14 days. On day 15, the elevated-plus maze test was carried out and the animals sacrificed, and processed for histological and immunohistochemical studies. Neurobehavioural results showed significant decrease (p[Formula: see text] 0.001) in stretch-attend posture, time spent in closed arms, grooming frequency, protected head-dip, as well as significantly (p [Formula: see text] 0.01) increased time spent in the open arms and unprotected head-dips of the RV group. The combined RV and GL groups showed no such differences in these parameters. Histologically, the amygdala showed hypertrophied cells, with pyknotic and karyorrhectic nuclei, and reduced expression of Nissl substance in the RV group, while the combined RV and GL group showed less degenerative features. Glial fibrillary acidic protein expression (GFAP) was increased in the RV group, while the combined RV and GL group showed reduced expression. In conclusion, RV root bark extract has adverse effects on the microstructure of murines' amygdala and their behaviour, which may be ameliorated by GL.

Neuroprotective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on aluminium-induced temporal cortical degeneration.

Aluminium (Al), one of the metals implicated in neurodegeneration easily gain access to the nervous system through its presence in many manufactured foods, medicines and drinking water, and causes neurotoxicity utilizing the reactive oxygen specie pathway. The need to curtail these effects on the nervous system motivated the use of the plant Moringa oleifera (MO). This study thus, investigated the neuroprotective effects of MO leaf extract on aluminium-induced temporal cortical degeneration in rats. 24 male albino Wistar rats were grouped (n = 6) into control (1 ml/kg distilled water), l00 mg/kg aluminium chloride (AlCl3), 300 mg/kg MO, and 100 mg/kg AlCl3 and 300 mg/kg MO groups. The administration lasted for 28 days and the rats were sacrificed on day 29 by perfusion-fixation after blood was obtained for serum Al estimation. The brain tissues were then routinely processed for some histological and immunnolabelling studies. There was no significant difference in serum Al in the test groups. Histological results showed atrophied and karyorrhetic cells with loss of Nissl substance in the temporal cortex of the AlCl3 group, while no adverse effect was observed in the cytoarchitecture of the temporal cortex and Nissl substance of the MO group. However, groups which were administered AlCl3 simultaneously with MO extract showed less degenerative features in the cyto-architecture of the temporal cortex with normal Nissl substance staining. There was increased neuron specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expressions in the AlCl3 group, while the MO group also showed increased NSE but decreased GFAP expression. However, the group which were administered AlCl3 simultaneously with MO extract showed less expression of NSE and GFAP. In conclusion, MO protects against Al-induced neurotoxicity of the temporal cortex of rats.

Rauwolfia vomitoria inhibits olfaction and modifies olfactory bulb cells.

The rising cost of orthodox medication has endeared so many to the use of herbs for the management of neurological conditions. Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) one of such herbs is a rainforest shrub whose parts are used locally in the management of psychiatry and other medical issues. Its usefulness though not in doubt is wrapped with adverse reports as its active constituents depletes brain monoamine and dopamine stores. This motivated this research on the effects of the root bark extract on olfaction and the olfactory bulb of adult Wistar rats. Eighteen adult Wistar rats (220g average) were divided into three groups (n=6); control (placebo), 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg RV root bark extract, respectively. The oral administration lasted for seven days and on day 8, test of olfaction was carried out and the animals immediately anaesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride (i.p.) and perfuse-fixed with 10% neutral buffered formalin. All the brains were processed for histology and immunoreactivity. Results showed loss of body weights and olfaction in the 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg RV groups. There was hypertrophy and atrophy of mitral cells respectively, in the 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg RV groups, while there was hyperplasia of cells in the internal granular and plexiform layers of both groups. There was decreased neuron specific enolase (NSE) and neurofilament (NF) expression in the 200mg/kg RV group, while NF and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression was decreased in the 400mg/kg RV group. However, NSE expression was enhanced in the 400mg/kg group, while GFAP expression was enhanced in the 200mg/kg RV group. These results suggest that these doses of RV affect olfaction and appetite, and stimulate adverse cellular changes in the olfactory bulb.

Gongronema latifolium modulates Rauwolfia vomitoria-induced behaviour and histomorphology of the cerebral cortex / Gongronema latifolium modula los cambios de comportamiento e histomorfología de la corteza cerebral inducidos por Rauwolfia vomitoria

Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) has potent sedative effect, which may result in severe unpleasant consequences if not controlled. This necessitated this study on the effect of Gongronema latifolium (GL) on RV-induced behaviour, biochemical activities, and histomorphology of the cerebral cortex. Eighteen male Wistar rats of average weight 266 g were grouped into three (1­3). Group 1 was the control administered 0.5 mL of Tween®20, while groups 2 and 3 were administered 150 mg/kg of RV, and a combination of 150 mg/kg of RV and 200 mg/kg of GL (RV+GL), respectively for seven days. Twelve hours after treatments, open field neurobehavioral test was carried-out and the animals euthanized. Their sera were analyzed, and their cerebral cortices routinely processed by H&E method. There was lower (p<0.05) ambulatory, rearing and freezing activities in the RV group, while there was no difference in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels in all the groups. Cerebral cortical neurohistology of RV and RV+GL groups showed most neurons appearing hypertrophied with pyknotic nuclei in some, and less cellular population compared with the control group. RV produces sedative behaviour, and cerebral cortical neurohistological changes, which GL combination may help modulate.

Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) tiene un efecto sedante potente, el que puede provocar graves consecuencias si no es controlado. Se estudió el efecto de Gongronema latifolium (GL) sobre el comportamiento inducido por RV, como también en las actividades bioquímicas, e histomorfología de la corteza cerebral. Dieciocho ratas macho Wistar con un peso promedio de 266 g, fueron separadas en tres Grupos (1­3). El Grupo 1 (control) recibió 0,5 mL de Tween® 20, mientras que a los Grupos 2 y 3 se les administró, durante siete días, 150 mg/kg de RV y una combinación de 150 mg/kg de RV y 200 mg/kg de GL (RV + GL), respectivamente. Doce horas después de los tratamientos y pruebas neuroconductuales de campo abierto, los animales fueron sacrificados. Se analizaron los sueros y cortezas cerebrales, los cuales fueron procesados y teñidos on HE. Se observó menor actividad ambulatoria y de congelación (p<0,05) en el grupo RV, mientras que no hubo diferencia en la actividad aspartato aminotransferasa sérica y de fosfatasa alcalina, así como tampoco en los niveles de colesterol y triglicéridos séricos en todos los grupos. La neurohistología cortical cerebral de los grupos RV y RV + GL mostró que la mayoría de las neuronas aparecen hipertrofiadas con núcleos picnóticos, y una menor cantidad celular en comparación con el grupo control. La RV produce un comportamiento sedante, y cambios neurohistológicos a nivel de la corteza cerebral lo que podría ser modulado al combinarse con GL.

Cerebellar neurohistology and behavioural effects of gongronema latifolium and Rauwolfia vomitoria in mice.

Rauwolfia vomitoria and Gongronema latifolium are medicinal herbs used for the treatment of hypertension, malaria, mental and intestinal disorders. G. latifolium is known to prevent the side effects reported for R. vomitoria. Therefore we decided to investigate what effects a combination treatment of G. latifolium and R. vomitoria would have on mice. Thirty male mice weighing 15-26 g were divided into 4 groups of 6 mice each. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were the treatment groups, and were treated with 150 mg/kg of R. vomitoria root bark extract, 200 mg/kg of G. latifolium leaf extract, and combination of both extracts, respectively. The control group received 0.5 mL of 20% Tween. The treatments were by oral gavages and lasted for 7 days. The open field maze neurobehavioural test was performed on day 8 to ascertain locomotion, exploration and anxiety, and the animals were immediately sacrificed. Results indicate lower body weights, though no difference was seen in the brain weights and behavioural test parameters in the treatment groups compared with the control group. Neurohistology of the cerebellum showed slight hypertrophy of Purkinje cells, with brain matrix loss in treatment groups 2 and 3, but group 4 showed no apparent histopathology. The cellular population was higher, while the cellular sizes and total cellular areas were lower in all the treatment groups. This study showed that R. vomitoria root bark and G. latifolium leaf extracts may individually cause cerebellar cytoarchitecture changes, which may be prevented with the combination of both remedies.

Hormonal and Histomorphologic Effects of Azadirachta indica leaf Extract on the Pars Anterior of Wistar Rats / Efectos Hormonales e Histomorfológicosdel Extracto de la Hoja de Azadirachta indica en la Pars Anterior de Ratas Wistar

Azadirachta indica is a tree whose medicinal value is unquantifiable. Any part of the tree can be used in the treatment of malarial infection. Reports have indicated its antifertility effects, and this necessitated this study on the effects of the methanol leaf extract on serum luteinizing (LH) and follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) levels and the histomorphology of the pars anterior of Wistar rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were equally divided into 3 groups of A, B and C. Group A was the control and the animals received distilled water orally, while groups B and C were treated with 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively of the leaf extract by oral gavage for fourteen days. On day fifteen, the animals were sacrificed by chloroform anaesthesia. Blood was obtained from their hearts, while the skull was opened to assess the hypophysis. Hormonal assay showed that luteinizing (LH) and follicle stimulating (FSH) hormone levels in the serum were lower in groups B and C treated with 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively of the leaf extract, while that of LH were significant (P<0.001). Histomorphologic sections of the pars anterior revealed reduced acidophil and basophil populations, with prominent degranulated chromophobes which were larger in the group treated with 400mg/kg of A. indica leaf extract. This group also presented hypertrophy of the basophils compared to the control. In conclusion, methanol leaf extract of A. indica decreases serum LH and FSH and caused histomorphologic changes in the pars anterior of adult male Wistar rats.

Azadirachta indica es un árbol cuyo valor medicinal es invaluable. Cualquier parte del árbol se puede utilizar en el tratamiento de la infección por malaria. Reportes han indicado su efecto antifertilidad, lo que requirió estudiar los efectos del extracto metanólico de la hoja sobre los niveles séricos de las hormonas luteinizante (LH) y folículo estimulante (FSH) y la histomorfología de la pars anterior de ratas Wistar. Treinta ratas Wistar adultas fueron divididas en tres grupos. El grupo A fue utilizado como control y los animales recibieron agua destilada por vía oral, mientras que los grupos B y C fueron tratados con 200 mg/kg y 400 mg/kg respectivamente, con extracto de hoja mediante una sonda nasogástrica durante catorce días. A los quince días, los animales fueron sacrificados por anestesia con cloroformo. Se obtuvo sangre desde sus corazones, mientras que el cráneo fue abierto para evaluar la hipófisis. Los ensayos hormonales mostraron que los niveles en suero de la LH y FSH se redujeron en los grupos B y C, tratados con 200 mg/kg y 400 mg/kg respectivamente, siendo la reducción de LH significativa (p<0,001). Secciones histomorfológicos de la pars anterior revelaron una reducción de las poblaciones acidófilas y basófilas, con prominentes cromófobos degranulados que fueron mayores en el grupo tratado con 400 mg/kg del extracto de A. indica. Este grupo también presentó hipertrofia de los basófilos en comparación con el control. En conclusión, el extracto alcohólico de la hoja de de A. indica disminuye el nivel sérico de LH y FSH y provoca cambios histomorfológicos en la pars anterior de ratas Wistar adultas.

Comparative study of teratogenic potentials of crude ethanolic root bark and leaf extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria (apocynaceae) on the fetal heart.

BACKGROUND: Rauwolfia vomitoria, a tropical shrub, is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of a variety of ailments. It is popular to the locals because of its anti-hypertensive and sedative properties. AIM: This is to find the probable teratogenic effects of ethanolic leaf and root bark extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria on the morphological and histological features of the fetal heart. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty five female rats weighing between 170-200g were used for this study. The rats were divided into five groups labeled A, B, C, D and E, with each group consisting of five rats. Pregnancy was induced by caging the female rats with sexually matured males. The presence of vaginal plug and tail structures in the vaginal smear the following morning confirmed coition, and it was regarded as day 0 of pregnancy. Group A was given sham treatment of distilled water. Group B and C received respectively 150mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight doses of ethanolic leaf extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria, and those in groups D and E received respectively 150mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight doses of ethanolic root bark extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria. These treatments were on days 7-11 of gestation (5 days) with the aid of an orogastric tube. On the day 20 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed and the fetuses examined for gross anomalies, preserved and latter process for histological studies. RESULTS: There were no mortality in this study, and no obvious gross malformations in the fetuses. Histological observations of the fetal heart showed marked distortion of the cardiac muscle nuclei and myocardial fibers in the treated groups particularly those whose mothers received 250mg/kg of the extracts. These effects were more pronounced in the groups whose mothers received the root extract when compared with the control and the groups whose mothers received the leaf extract. CONCLUSION: This result suggests that high doses of ethanolic leaf and root extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria may be cardiotoxic to the developing rat's heart.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Psidium Guajava Leaves on Liver Enzymes, Histological Integrity and Hematological Indices in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin and total protein levels, as well as the tissue histological assay are known to be useful in assessing the functional integrity of the liver. Also, assessment of red and white blood cells count, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations is useful in determining the effect of some chemical substances on hemotopoietic system. In recent times, reports from medicinal plants research indicate that extracts from some plants are both hepatotoxic and hematotoxic, while others on the other hand are reported to be hepatoprotective and hematopoietic in action. This study considers the effects of aqueous extract of Psidium guajava (P. guajava) leaves on the histology and biochemical indices of liver function as well as hematological indices in rats. METHODS: In this study, phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of P. guajava leaves was carried out. Also, male and female rats were administered with 200 mg/kg body weight oral daily doses of aqueous extract of P. guajava leaves for a period of 30 days. At the end of the administration period, the rats were anaesthesized with chloroform vapors and dissected for the collection of blood and liver tissues which were used for the hematopoietic and liver functions investigations. RESULTS: Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant leaves showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, polyphenols, reducing compounds, saponins and tannins. Liver function tests revealed that the serum ALT, AST and ALP, as well as the concentrations of total protein and albumin in male and female rats were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the oral administration of the extract. Histopathological study also did not show any adverse alteration in the morphological architecture of the liver tissues in both sexes of the animal model. However, red blood cell counts, hemotocrit and hemoglobin concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05) on administration of the extract in both male and female rats. It was therefore observed that the effect of the extract on male rats was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from that obtained for the female rats. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this present study suggested that aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves may be hepatoprotective, and not hepatotoxic, with hematopoietic potentials in both male and female rats. These findings are therefore of clinical importance given the various reported medicinal potentials of the plant.