Involvement of striatal oxido-inflammatory, nitrosative and decreased cholinergic activity in neurobehavioral alteration in adult rat model with oral co-exposure to erythrosine and tartrazine.

Overuse or overconsumption of food additive or colorant cannot be ignored in our society and there are several reports of it harmful effect on the body system. This study investigated the toxicity effect of tartrazine and erythrosine (ET, 50:50) on neurobehavioral alteration, striatal oxido-nitrosative and pro-inflammatory stress and striatal acetylcholinesterase activity in experimental rat model. Rats were co-exposed to ET (2 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) and distilled water (control), p.o for 6 weeks. The change in neurobehavioral function (Open field test, Forced swimming test and Tail suspension test), Lipid peroxidation (Malonaldehyde, MDA), Antioxidants (Glutathione, GSH; Catalase, CAT) Nitrite, Pro-inflammatory cytokine (Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, TNF-α) and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were evaluated. Results showed significant decrease in neurobehavioral functions after co-exposure to ET. Moreover, there were significant increase in MDA and Nitrite level, significant decrease in the concentration of GSH and CAT and a significant increase TNF-α concentration and AChE activity after co-exposure to ET. Oral co-exposure to tartrazine and erythrosine induced decrease in locomotion and exploration, increase anxiety and depression-like behavior and altered the cholinergic system through upregulation of oxido-nitrosative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokine and acetylcholinesterase activity.

Hepatotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride: protective effect of Gongronema latifolium.

The protective effect of the ethanolic extract of Gongronema latifolium (GLE) on carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) induced hepatic toxicity was studied. Liver enzymes studied included alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotraferase (AST), and alkaline phosphates (ALP). Hepatic injuries involved with possible necrosis which may have contributed to its possible pathogenesis was explored. Administration of toxicant only showed that the ALT level was significantly (P<0.05) increased to 345.83% when compared to control. Pretreatment with Gongronema latifolium extract (GLE) non-significantly (P<0.05) decreased to 13.08% when compared to those treated with toxicant only. Also under experimental conditions, increasing the concentration of Gongronema latifoluim extract (GLE) non-significantly (P<0.05) decreased dose-dependently the level of ALT to 18.20%. The AST level was non-significantly (P<0.05) increased to 41.55% on treatment with toxicant only. Pretreatment with GLE decreased the AST level non-significantly (P<0.05) to 25.76%. No evident increase or decrease in the level of ALP was observed. Treatments with toxicant showed liver cells filled with uniformly distributed dense small fat droplets, large nuclei, inflamed cells and evidence of necrosis and fibrosis. Pretreatment with 100mg/kg of the extract showed microvesicular fatty change with no evidence of inflammation, necrosis or fibrosis. The protective effect of the GLE was more pronounced in ALT and AST. However, the GLE has a strong modulatory effect against the hepatocellular damage induced by carbon tetrachloride.

Haematopoietic properties of ethanolic extract of Ageratum conyzoides (goat weed) in albino rats.

The potential haematological effects associated with the administration of ethanolic leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides was investigated in rats. 27 rats were randomly divided into four groups. The first group had 6 rats and served as control, the remaining 3 experimental groups and had 7 rats each. These later groups were gavaged with the extract of Ageratum conyzoides in concentrations of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively for 30 days at a dose of 0.1 ml/body weight. The control group was gavaged with 0.9% sodium chloride at a dose of 0.1 m1/body weight as placebo. The extract at the doses administered was found to increase in a dose-related fashion PCV and Hb ([P < 0.01] for 200 mg/kg and [P < 0.001] for 400 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg), RBC ([P < 0.05] for 400 mg/Kg and 500 mg/kg) and marginal increases that were not significant for 200 mg/kg); MCH and MCV ([P < 0.05] and [P < 0.01] for 400 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively) 200 mg/kg was not significant. MCHC recorded no significant change. WBC recorded marginal increases that were not significant, similarly, the differential white blood cell recorded marginal increases that were not significant, except lymphocytes that recorded significant increase in group 4 [P < 0.05]. Marginal decreases in body weight were also observed, these decreases were however not significant. The result of this study thus indicate haematopoietic potentials of the extract and could possibly remedy anaemia.

The protective effect of aloe vera juice on lindane induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity.

The protective effect of fresh aloe vera (AV) leaves extract on lindane (LD) - induced hepatoxicity and genotoxicity was studied. Serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers: glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined after oral administration of aloe vera leaves extract and lindane. The level of polychromatic erythrocytes was also observed. Pretreatment with aloe vera leaves extract at concentration of 1.0 ml/kg body weight significantly decreased (P<0.05) the serum levels of GPT (by 41.8%), GOT (by 36.5%), GGT (by 14.3%) and ALP (by 10.7%) induced by 100mg/kg body weight of lindane. The level of polychromatic erythrocytes observed was not statistically significant when compared to control.