Amelioration of Chemical Induced Hepatic Injury by Vitex agnus castus ExtractAmelioration of Chemical Induced Hepatic Injury by Vitex agnus castus Extract

Objective: The liver is the major organ of detoxification of ingested materials such as food, beverages and drugs, thus it is prone to toxicity with attendant pathologies. We studied the ability of Vitex agnus castus plant extract to ameliorate the biochemical and structural alterations in Wistar rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury. Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were allotted into eight equal groups. Group1 was normal control (NC); Group 2 Liver injury without extract (LI). The remaining six groups were paired composite group of varying dosage of the plant extract (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg). Only one member of each pair had induced liver injury. Consequently, the groups were Low extract without liver injury (LE), Low extract with liver injury (LEL); Medium extract without liver injury(ME) Medium extract with liver injury (MEL) and High extract without liver injury (HE),High extract with liver injury (HEL).The biochemical parameters evaluated were the liver function test {Total protein plus globulin and albumen fractions; liver enzymes- alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase}. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the activities of antioxidants namely; Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx).Histology of the harvested liver specimens was used to assess the structural alterations. Results: The mean liver weight was highest in the HEL group and significantly different from that of its control (HE) and NC.The mean serum total protein of all the groups were significantly higher than that of the NC.The mean aspartate amino transferase levels of the LEL, ME and MEL groups were significantly lower than that of the control while that of the HEL was significantly higher than those of the LEL and MEL. The results of alanine amino transferase were similar to those of aspartate amino transferase. The alkaline phosphatase levels in all the experimental groups were significantly depressed when compared with the control. Amongst the experimental groups, the serum alkaline phosphatase level was significantly raised than those of the LEL, and MEL groups. The glutathione (GSH) activities of LE, HE and HEL were significantly lower. While the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity of the control was significantly lower to those of groups LEL, ME, MEL and HEL.Histopathology of the liver showed preservation of the liver architecture with normal hepatocytes in all the groups. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Vitex agnus castus was able to reduce the severity of carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in wistar rats.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Garlic and Licorice on Carbon Tetra Chloride induced Liver Fibrosis by evaluating serum Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) and Serum Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT)

Background : Hepatic fibrosis results from various chronic insults such as chronic hepatitis B and C, parasitic disease, autoimmune hepatitis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hereditary metal over load e.g. iron and cupper and it is linked with remarkable morbidity and mortality Aim: T o evaluate and compare the antifibrotic effect of Aqueous Garlic extract and Licorice Aqueous extract on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. Method: 4 groups of rats were taken. In group A and group B, rats were given injection of normal saline intraperitonally. In group C and D, rats were given injection of Aqueous garlic extract (AGE) and licorice aqueous extract (LAE) 01 ml / Kg body weight of rat /day intraperitonally for next four weeks respectively. At the end, all rats were sacrificed. Blood and liver were taken for biochemical examination. Results : This study results showed that the use of aqueous garlic extract and aqueous licorice extract reduces CCl4 induced liver fibrosis in rats. Keywords: Aqueous garlic extract (AGE), licorice aqueous extract (LAE), hepatic fibrosis, anti-fibrotic effect

Substitution of fishmeal with solid-state fermented pigeon pea and effects on growth and gut microbiomes of Nile Tilapia

Solid state fermented pigeon pea meal (FPP) was used in substituting fish meal (FM) in diets of Oreochromis niloticus. Five diets varying in inclusion levels of FM: FPP as followed: Feed 1, 250:50; Feed 2, 200:100; Feed 3, 150:150; Feed 4, 100:200 and Feed 5, 50:250 were made. A commercial feed (Feed 6), was used as a control. Triplicate groups of tilapia fingerling were stocked in plastic aquaria at six fish per unit and fed ad libitum for 60days. Results showed that specific growth rate (SGR) of tilapia fed Feed 5 (2.60±0.12% day-1) was better (p<0.05) than those recorded in Feed 1 (2.36±.07 % day-1). Similarly, food conversion ratio (FCR) (1.13±0.01) and mean weight gain (60.00±0.04g) were higher (p<0.05) in Feed 5 when compared with those in Feed 1 where FCR was 1.19±0.02 and MWG (50.96±0.04g). The results of Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) decreased with increasing inclusion level of FPP. Gut microbial load increased with increasing level of FPP. The fish group fed Feed 5 had the highest foregut (2.60 x 10-5 CFU/ml), midgut (3.98 x 10-5 CFU/ml) and hindgut (4.52 x 10-5 CFU/ml) micrbiota. In general, gut microbiomes were dominated by cellulose and carbohydrate utilizing bacteria: Citrobacter fruendi, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Inference from the study revealed that O. niloticus was able to utilize the diets due to the presence of probiotics in them.

Ameliorative potentials of Persea americana leaf extract on toxicants - induced oxidative assault in multiple organs of wistar albino rat

Background Persea americana (PA) is a popular medicinal plant in folkloric medicines. The present study therefore investigates the ameliorative potentials of its leaves extract on carbon tetrachloride and rifampicin-induced toxicity in the liver, kidney and heart of albino rat. This was aimed at assessing the potentials of the plant in the management of liver, kidney and heart diseases. Methodology Forty (40) rats were randomly divided into eight (8) groups of five animals each. Groups I and II were administered with only distilled water and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) respectively. Groups III and IV animals received 3.0 ml/kg bw of CCl4 and were treated with the extract at 50 mg/kg bw and 100 mg/kg respectively, while group V received 100 mg/kg bw. of silymarin orally for 14 days. Groups VI animals were administered with rifampicin (250 mg/kg bw.) only, while groups VII and VIII animals received rifampicin and were treated with 50 mg and 100 mg/kg bw of the extract respectively. Activities of creatine kinase, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase, catalase as well as levels of urea, uric acid, bilirubin and malonidialdehyde (MDA) were assayed. Lipid profiles and histopathological examination of liver and kidney slices were also performed. Result Treatment with P. americana significantly (p < 0.05) restored all deranged biochemical parameters (creatine kinase, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, uric acid, bilirubin, MDA, lipid profile as well as superoxide dismutase and catalase) in a dose-dependent manner. Normal hepatic and renal histoarchitecture were also restored following treatment with P. americana. Conclusion Amelioration of distorted cardiac, hepatic and renal histoarchitecture as well as restoration of lipid profile, biomarkers of liver and kidney injury and antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) affirm the potential usefulness of P. americana in the management of liver, kidney and heart diseases.

Effects of sex, polydactylism and rearing systems on serum biochemical indices of Fulani ecotype chickens in Southwestern Nigeria

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of sex, polydactylism and rearing systems on blood serum biochemical indices of 30 Fulani ecotype chickens selected at random from 90 Fulani ecotype chickens raised under intensive management systems (deep litter and caged) for 16 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the birds at 11th and 16thweek was used for biochemical analyses. The parameters measured were Cholesterol, Total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GB), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphate (ALP). The biochemical parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) different among the sex, polydactyly and rearing systems at 11weeks but cholesterol in the male birds were significantly (P<0.05) different. Polydactyly was significantly different (P<0.05) for aspartate amino transferase and rearing system were significantly different (P<0.05) for total protein, globulin, albumin and alkaline phosphatase at week 16. The present result is the serum blood parameter of Fulani ecotype chickens which could serve as baseline information for future improvement of Fulani ecotype chickens.

Electrolyte Concentrations and Liver Enzymes in Car Spray Painters Exposed to Car Spray Paints within Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Aim: To determine the effect of car spray paint on electrolyte concentrations (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and chloride), Anion gap, Total Protein, Albumin, liver enzymes (Alanine amino transferase and Aspartate amino transferase) of car spray painters. Place of Study: The study was conducted within Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State Nigeria. Methodology: Twenty (20) male car spray painters age range between 25 and 61 years with 7- 28 years work experience in car spray painting (test subjects) and twenty (20) apparently healthy male individuals aged between 25 and 61 years who work within an office setting far away from car spray painting garage (non-exposed individuals) were used as control for the study. Plasma electrolyte concentrations were estimated using Ion selective electrode method while Liver Enzymes Alanine amino transferase and Aspartate amino transferase were estimated using spectrophotometric method. Results obtained from the experiment were expressed as Mean ± Standard Deviation. P < .05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Sodium, Potassium, Bicarbonate and Chloride concentrations in plasma of car spray painters when compared to non-car spray painters did not showed any significant difference (P> .05). However, Anion gap was significantly increased (P<.05) in plasma of car spray painters when compared to non-car spray painters. Alanine amino transferase activity were significantly higher in plasma of Car spray painters (P < .05) when compared to non-car spray painters while Aspartate amino transferase activity, Total protein and Albumin concentrations remained relatively unchanged when compared between the studied groups. However, Aspartate amino transferase and Alanine amino transferase activities were affected by years of exposure to car paints. Conclusions: This study suggest that car spray paint affects Anion gap and Alanine amino transferase activity in car spray painters hence safety apparatus should be worn while working. However further test on other liver enzymes should be done to validate the effect of spray paint on the liver.

Hypolipidemic Activity of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) Seed Oil and Its Mechanism of Action

The present study was designed to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity of Tetracarpidium conophorum oil and its mechanism(s) of action. The oil was extracted using the Soxhlet method and subjected to column chromatography/spectroscopic techniques. GC-MS analysis was performed on the oil to identify 15 constituents with 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid (ω-3 fatty acid or α-linolenic acid) (68%) showing the highest proportion. Isolation and purification of the oil gave three compounds, namely, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and stearic acid (octadecanoic acid). Thirty-five rats were used and divided into seven groups for the in vivo hypolipidemic study. Findings from this study showed significant decreases (p<0.05) in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in rats fed a normal diet and receiving T. conophorum oil (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) for 20 days. But there were significant increases (p<0.05) in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate amino transferase, malondialdehyde, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, and C-reactive protein levels with a decline in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in rats fed the high cholesterol diet when compared to those fed a normal diet. However, oral administration of T. conophorum oil and atorvastatin for 20 days resulted in a significant lowering (p<0.05) of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate amino transferase, malondialdehyde, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, and C-reactive protein levels with a rise in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in rats nourished with the high cholesterol diet. The study showed that T. conophorum seed oil possesses hypolipidemic and cardioprotective properties.

Toxic Effect of Ladosulfan-Pesticides on Biochemical Indices of Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell 1822) Juveniles

ladosufan is an insecticide extensively used in agriculture for pest control. The 96h LC50 estimated from probeit analysis was 1.89mg/L. Sub lethal concentrations of 1/10th (0.19 mg/L),1/5th (0.49mg/L) and 1/2th (0.95mg/L) of LC50 were used to determine the effects of the ladosulfan -pesticide on biochemical parameters at day 1, 7, 14 and 21exposure periods. Water quality test was determined on pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, hardness and alkalinity. The results show that biochemical parameters viz; Total Protein, Alkaline Phosphatase ALP, Alanine Transferase ALTAspartate Amino Transferase (AST) concentrations increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in time and concentration dependent manner. The biochemical parameters concentration had higher values in treated samples than control. The total protein increased from (8.80±0.002b -9.20±0.103b) at 0.19 mg/L, (9.20±0.102a –9.70±0.103c) at 0.48 mg/L and (9.27±0.152a –9.80±0.103c) at 0.95 mg/L of ladosulfan when compared with the control (7.67±0.931c –9.06±0.763c ); Alkaline Phosphatase increased from (60.00±0.002a -86.00±1.001b) at 0.19 mg/L, (62.00±1.002b –88.00±1.001c) at 0.48 mg/L and (65.00±1.001a –92.00±1.002d) at 0.95 mg/L of endosulfan when compared with the control (40.00±1.002a–53.67±5.511a) ; Alanine Transferase also increased from (30.00±1.002a -40.00±1.001c) at 0.19 mg/L, (35.00±1.002a –54.00±1.001a) at 0.48 mg/L and (38.00±1.002b –89.00±1.001d) at 0.95 mg/L of ladosulfan when compared with the control (22.33±2.083c –27.33±2.882b) ; Aspartate Amino Transferase increased from (64.00±1.002b -87.00±1.001c) at 0.19 mg/L, (66.00±1.002c –88.00±2.001d) at 0.48 mg/L and (68.33±0.582c –90.00±1.001d) at 0.95 mg/L of ladosulfan when compared with the control (63.00±2.002b –68.00±1.001b) ; respectively. The results indicate that commercial formulation of ladosulfan is toxic to C. gariepinus, the insecticide should be prudently used in both terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems to avoid eco-toxicological hazards.