Phenylhydrazine is a hydrazine derivative widely used experimentally to induce oxidative and haemolytic tissue injury in animal models. This study investigated the ameliorative effect of ethanolic extract of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) leaves on phenylhydrazine-induced gastric toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats (140-220 g) were randomly assigned into five groups of five animals each. Group A (control) received feed and distilled water ad libitum; Group B received phenylhydrazine only (40 mg/kg); Group C received ethanolic extract of A. esculentus only (100 mg/kg); Group D received phenylhydrazine (40 mg/kg) co-administered with the extract (100 mg/kg); and Group E received phenylhydrazine (40 mg/kg) co-administered with a higher dose of the extract (200 mg/kg). Administration was carried out daily by oral cannula for 21 days. Body weight, relative stomach weight, and gastric histoarchitecture were assessed at the end of the study. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract, determined by Lorke's method, exceeded 5000 mg/kg, indicating a wide margin of safety. Rats induced with phenylhydrazine alone (Group B) showed a non-significant reduction in body weight and relative stomach weight, alongside severe histological gastric ulceration with marked inflammatory cell infiltration of the submucosa. Co-administration of the extract with phenylhydrazine (Groups D and E) was associated with visibly reduced ulceration and progressively improved mucosal healing relative to Group B, with the higher extract dose (Group E) showing the more advanced histological recovery. These findings suggest that ethanolic extract of A. esculentus exerts a dose-related gastroprotective and ameliorative effect against phenylhydrazine-induced gastric injury, supporting its potential as a dietary adjunct in the management of oxidative gastric mucosal damage.
E. O. Nweke, Benedict Onyekachukwu Ekwuno, A. Obi et al.· IPS Journal of Basic and Cli...· 1 citation
Background: Lead exposure is associated with systemic and reproductive toxicity, partly through oxidative stress and disruption of antioxidant defenses. Curcuma longa (turmeric) contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties and may therefore help mitigate toxicant-induced effects. This study evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa on body weight and relative testicular weight in lead acetate-exposed adult male Wistar rats.
Methods: Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of five animals each. Group A served as the control, Group B received 60 mg/kg lead acetate, Group C received 100 mg/kg ethanolic Curcuma longa extract, Group D received 60 mg/kg lead acetate with 200 mg/kg Curcuma longa extract, and Group E received 60 mg/kg lead acetate with 400 mg/kg Curcuma longa extract. Treatments were administered orally once daily for four weeks. Body weight was measured before and after treatment, while relative testicular weight was determined at the end of the experiment. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The lead-only group showed a non-significant increase in body weight from 136.33 ± 6.33 g to 141.00 ± 0.00 g (p = 0.538). A significant increase in body weight was observed in the group receiving lead acetate with 400 mg/kg Curcuma longa extract, from 140.66 ± 5.04 g to 168.50 ± 3.75 g (p = 0.035). Changes in the other groups were not statistically significant. Relative testicular weight ranged from 0.37 ± 0.01 g to 0.44 ± 0.05 g, with no significant difference among groups (F = 1.032, p = 0.437).
Conclusion: Ethanolic Curcuma longa extract at 400 mg/kg was associated with a significant increase in body weight in lead-exposed rats, suggesting a possible beneficial systemic effect. However, relative testicular weight was not significantly altered. Further studies incorporating biochemical, hormonal, sperm, and histopathological parameters are required to establish the reproductive protective effects of Curcuma longa against lead-induced toxicity.
E. O. Nweke, Emmanuel Chimagoziwom Prince, A. Obi et al.· IPS Journal of Toxicology· 4 citations
Background: Lead acetate is an environmental toxicant associated with impaired male reproductive function. Curcuma longa (turmeric), particularly its bioactive compound curcumin, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluated the effects of ethanolic C. longa extract on sperm quality and testicular histology following lead acetate-induced testicular toxicity in adult male Wistar rats.
Methods: Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 5). Group A served as control; Group B received lead acetate (60 mg/kg); Group C received ethanolic C. longa extract (100 mg/kg); and Groups D and E received lead acetate (60 mg/kg) with 200 and 400 mg/kg C. longa extract, respectively. Treatments were administered orally for four weeks. Sperm motility, total sperm count, morphology, and testicular histology were assessed. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test at p < 0.05.
Results: Lead exposure reduced active motile sperm (72.50 ± 1.44%) compared with control (82.50 ± 1.44%) and increased non-motile sperm (27.50 ± 1.44% vs. 17.50 ± 1.44%). Total sperm count decreased from 66.90 ± 0.80 to 59.30 ± 7.50 × 10⁶/ml. The 200 mg/kg co-treated group showed 80.00 ± 2.88% active motile sperm and the highest total sperm count (72.70 ± 0.40 × 10⁶/ml). The extract-only group showed the lowest motility and sperm count and highest abnormal morphology. Histologically, lead exposure altered seminiferous architecture, while extract-only treatment produced severe degeneration and spermatogenic arrest. Co-treated groups showed partial preservation, although abnormalities persisted.
Conclusion: Ethanolic C. longa extract produced variable effects on sperm quality and testicular histology following lead exposure, with some favorable changes particularly at 200 mg/kg. However, persistent abnormalities indicate that these effects were not uniformly dose-dependent. Further mechanistic studies are warranted.
E. O. Nweke, Emmanuel Chimagoziwom Prince, A. Obi et al.· Health Science Research Inte...· 1 citation