Toxicological Studies of Methanol Stem Bark Extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on Wister Albino Rats

Aim: The aim is to evaluate the toxicological profiles of methanol stem bark extract of E. camaldulensis (MSEEC) on Wister albino rats. Methods: Acute toxicity study was conducted according to OECD, 2001. The rats were grouped into six groups of one rat each and were given single oral dose 5000 mg/kg of the extract. A total of 30 albino rats of both sex were used for the toxicological study. The rats were divided into five (5) groups of six (6) rats. Control group (group 1) received distilled water orally 1 ml/kg. Groups (2-5) received doses of 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg of the extracts. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0. Results: The LD50 of MSEEC was greater than 5000mg/kg. The sub-chronic doses of 500-2000 mg/kg of the extract shows no significant (P>.05) difference of the hematological parameters when compared to the control. The Serum biochemical parameters were no significant (P>.05) compared to the control. However, there was an increase in creatinine level at doses 500, 1500 and 200 mg/kg. Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that administration of methanol stem bark extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis did not produce significant toxic effect.

Chronic exposure of industrial grade calcium carbide and ethylene glycol alter histological architecture of systemic organs by disrupting redox balance in rat

Objectives The threat to human health or the surroundings by the use of artificial fruit ripening agents has become a global concern. Calcium carbide (CaC2) and ethylene glycol (EG) are the two widely using ripening agents. The present study evaluates the toxic effect of chronic exposures of CaC2 and EG in rats. Methods CaC2 and EG were administered to the rats for 180 days orally. The alterations in oxido-reduction status, haematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters were analysed. Arsenic content in CaC2 and animal samples were detected by atomic absorption spectrometer and phosphorus by molybdate-UV method. Results At chronic doses, there were no significant alterations in haematological and biochemical parameters except in creatinine level especially by EG. However, histological details revealed microvesicular fatty change in liver, corpuscles degeneration in kidney and lymphocytes infiltration in various tissues. In intestine, the mucosal lesion scoring was found high (p<0.01). SOD and CAT activities and GSH level was reduced significantly by CaC2 administration (p<0.01). Arsenic and phosphorus detected is above the toxic level: 7.222 and 13.91 mg/dL in CaC2, 1.634 and 6.22 mg/dL in blood and 0.563 and 6.99 mg/dL in liver, respectively. Conclusions The study suggests that the industrial grade CaC2 and EG induce systemic toxicity to rats and the liver is the most susceptible organ. The CaC2 and EG toxicity is mediated through the upset of redox balance and subsequent inflammatory responses. This could be due to the presence of arsenic and phosphorus contents that detected above the normal level in the industrial grade CaC2.

Splenic and Leucocytic Responses in Wistar Rats Exposed to Chronic Doses of Hydromethanol Extract of Helianthus annuus Leaf in Feed

To evaluate the effects of the hydromethanol extract of Helianthus annuus on leucocyte profile and spleen histology after prolonged exposure to Wistar rats. This study involved the incorporation of varied concentrations (2.50, 5.00 and 10.00 mg/10 g) of hydromethanol extract of H. annuus in feed and feeding same to Wistar rats for 90 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected from the retro-orbital plexus of the rats on days 30, 60 and 90, for leucocyte count. Histopathological examination of the spleen was also conducted. The extract treatment did not cause a significant (p >0.05) change in the leucocyte profile and the spleen histology in the treated rats when compared to the normal control rats. On day 90, the total leucocyte counts of 15.24 ± 1.47, 12.69 ± 0.84 and 16.29 ± 3.36 for the groups that were treated with extract 2.50, 5.00 and 10.00 mg/10 g feed respectively, were not significantly (p > 0.05) different when compared with the total leucocyte count (12.01 ± 0.77) of the control group. The findings suggest that hydromethanol extract of H. annuus do not have a significant effect on the leucocyte profile and the histology of spleen.

The Effects of Cannabis Use on Cognitive Function in Healthy Aging: A Systematic Scoping Review

Background Older adults (≥50 years) represent the fastest-growing population of people who use cannabis, potentially due to the increasing promotion of cannabis as medicine by dispensaries and cannabis websites. Given healthy aging and cannabis use are both associated with cognitive decline, it is important to establish the effects of cannabis on cognition in healthy aging. Objective This systematic scoping review used preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines to critically examine the extent of literature on this topic and highlight areas for future research. Method A search of six databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Family and Society Studies Worldwide, and CINAHL) for articles published by September 2019, yielded 1,014 unique results. Results Six articles reported findings for older populations (three human and three rodent studies), highlighting the paucity of research in this area. Human studies revealed largely null results, likely due to several methodological limitations. Better-controlled rodent studies indicate that the relationship between ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cognitive function in healthy aging depends on age and level of THC exposure. Extremely low doses of THC improved cognition in very old rodents. Somewhat higher chronic doses improved cognition in moderately aged rodents. No studies examined the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) or high-CBD cannabis on cognition. Conclusions This systematic scoping review provides crucial, timely direction for future research on this emerging issue. Future research that combines neuroimaging and cognitive assessment would serve to advance understanding of the effects of age and quantity of THC and CBD on cognition in healthy aging.

The effects of cannabis use on cognitive function in healthy aging: A systematic scoping review

Middle-to-older-aged adults (>50 years) represent the fastest-growing cannabis-using population. Given aging and cannabis use are associated with cognitive decline, it is important to establish the effects of cannabis on cognitive function in this population. This systematic scoping review used PRISMA guidelines to critically examine the extent of literature on this topic and highlight areas for future research. A search of six databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Family and Society Studies Worldwide, and CINAHL) for articles published by September 2019, yielded 1,014 unique results. Only six articles reported findings for middle-to-older-aged populations (three human and three rodent studies), highlighting the paucity of research. Available human studies revealed largely null results, likely due to several methodological limitations. Nevertheless, the better-controlled rodent studies indicated an age and dose-dependent relationship between ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cognitive function in aging. Extremely low doses of THC improved cognitive function in very old rodents. Somewhat higher chronic doses were required to improve cognitive function in moderately aged rodents. No studies examined the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) or high-CBD cannabis on cognition. Future research should examine the relevance of age and dose-dependent effects of THC in humans and the effects of CBD on cognitive function in aging.

Toxicological Study of Leaf Extracts of Loranthus micranthus Linn Using Albino Wistar Rats

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of high sub-chronic doses of the aqueous and methanol leaf extracts of Loranthus micranthus on biochemical parameters of albino rats. Acute toxicity studies were performed according to standard methods. The animals were divided into 5 groups (n = 5). Aqueous and methanol extracts of L. micranthus leaves were administered in doses of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight to four groups of rats respectively for 30 days through the intraperitoneal route. The fifth group served as control and received saline (5 ml/kg b.w, i.p). Blood samples were collected by retrorbital puncture and analyzed for biochemical and haematological parameters using assay kits. Acute toxicity studies indicated that both extracts had an LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. The results indicated significant (p<0.001) increases in alkaline phosphatase serum levels in both extract treated groups. The extracts also produced significant elevation in serum bilirubin levels when compared with normal control (p<0.05). Both extracts did not affect the levels of alanine and aspartate transaminases significantly (p>0.05). There were significant increase in the serum levels of urea in the extracts treated rats (p<0.05; p<0.01). The 2000 mg/kg aqueous extract produced significant increases in mean serum chloride and bicarbonate levels of treated rats when compared with control (p<0.01). The extracts produced significant decrease in the serum creatine kinase levels of treated rats in a non-dose related manner when compared with control (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in sodium and potassium levels of treated rats. The methanol extract had no significant effect on the haematological indices studied. The aqueous extract produced significant reductions in the haemoglobin and PCV of treated rats (p< 0.01). The total and differential leucocyte counts were not affected by extract treatment (p>0.05). From these results, the extracts caused significant biochemical changes but were not cytotoxic to leucocyte cell lines. Therefore, there should be caution in the long term use of these extracts.

1,3-Dinitrobenze-Induced Genotoxicity Through Altering Nuclear Integrity of Diploid and Polyploidy Germ Cells

1,3-Dinitrobenzene (mDNB) is a widely used intermediate in commercial products and causes testicular injury. However, genotoxic effects upon low-level exposure are poorly understood. The present study evaluated the effects of very low-chronic doses of mDNB on sperm nuclear integrity. Male hamsters were treated with 1.5 mg/kg/d/4 wks (group A), 1.5 mg/kg/mDNB/d/week/4 weeks (group B), 1.0 mg/kg/mDNB/3 d/wk/4 wks (group C), or polyethylene glycol 600 (control). Nuclear integrity of distal cauda epididymal sperm was determined using the sperm chromatin structure assay and acridine orange staining (AOS). The germ cell nuclear integrity was assessed by the comet assay. Testicular histopathology was conducted to evaluate the sensitive stages. The comet assay revealed denatured nuclear DNA in group A (in diploid and polyploid cells from weeks 2-5); respectively at week 4 and weeks 3 to 4 in groups B and C. According to AOS, only group A animals exhibited denatured sperm DNA (weeks 1 and 3). The effective sperm count declined from weeks 1 to 6. Mean sperm DNA denaturation extent, percentage cells outside the main population, and standard deviation indicated altered sperm nuclear integrity in group A. Same animals exhibited progressive disruption of the Sertoli cells, while groups B and C exhibited damages on germ cells. The results suggest that mDNB affects sperm nuclear integrity at very low chronic doses targeting cell-specific testicular damage.