Toxicological evaluation of the leaves of Guiera senegalensis (J.F. Gme), Cassia occidentalis (Linn), and Ziziphus mauritiana (Lam)

Microplastics exposure altered hematological and lipid profiles as well as liver and kidney function parameters in albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)

The global occurrence of microplastics and their poorly understood health implications underscore the need for scientific investigation. This study aimed to assess the effects of microplastics exposure. Twenty-five (25) albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into five (5) groups, each consisting of five rats. Group 1 (the negative control) received normal feed; group 2 (the positive control) was administered a 10 % lead acetate solution; and groups 3, 4, and 5 were administered 1 %, 5 %, and 10 % microplastic solutions, respectively. The rats were monitored for 28 days, after which blood samples were taken for hematological and lipid profiles as well as liver and kidney function parameters. The results revealed dose-dependent significant (p < 0.05) alterations in the health indices of the treated rats and the positive control compared with the negative control. Specifically, the hematological parameters, including the white blood cells (WBC) and its subtypes, were reduced, indicating immunosuppressive effects, and the red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), platelets, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were reduced, indicating anemia. The 1 % and 5 % microplastic solutions raised the lipid profiles of the treated rats, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), while the 10 % concentration decreased them, causing hyperlipidemia and hypolipidemia, respectively. The liver function parameters, including total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were elevated, indicating liver damage. Elevation of kidney function parameters, including sodium ion (Na+), potassium ion (K+), chloride ion (Cl-), urea, and creatinine (CRT), were noticed, suggesting kidney injuries. It can be inferred from these results that microplastics are toxic. Hence, human exposure to microplastics should be reduced to a minimum.

Hematotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of long-term administration of Guiera senegalensis (J.F. Gme), Cassia occidentalis (Linn), and Ziziphus mauritiana (Lam) leaves obtained in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

Introduction: Previously, we established the phytochemical composition and short-term administration safety of Guiera senegalensis (sabara), Cassia occidentalis (coffee senna), and Ziziphus mauritiana (jujube) leaves, which are common medicinal plants in Northern Nigeria. In the current study, heavy metal contents and long-term administration effects of the plants’ leaf extracts on hematological parameters and the kidneys of albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were investigated. The heavy metals analyzed were copper, lead, cadmium, nickel, and manganese, while the hematological parameters evaluated were packed cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Methods: Twenty-four mixed-sex rats were distributed into four groups of six rats each. Group 1 was made the control, while groups 2, 3, and 4 were administered 1000 mg kg-1 one of the plants extracts for 90 days. Blood and kidney samples were collected across the groups for hematological and histopathological examinations. Results: The heavy metals were present in the extracts within the World Health Organization’s acceptable limits. The treated rats were anemic compared to the control. However, on average, only the C. occidentalis group showed significant differences (P<0.05) in hematological parameters. Unlike the control, the kidneys of the rats fed with Z. mauritiana and G. senegalensis showed vacuolation of cytoplasm and tubular degeneration, while the C. occidentalis-fed rats had inflammation and dilated Bowman’s capsules. Conclusion: These findings reveal that constant administration of high doses of the extracts for a long time may cause health hazards. People are advised to seek an expert’s advice before using the plants.

Traditional medicinal plants used for treating emerging and re-emerging viral diseases in northern Nigeria

Introduction

For decades, viral diseases have been treated using medicinal plants and herbal practices in the northern part of Nigeria. Though scarcely investigated, these medicinal plants could serve as potential sources for novel antiviral drugs against emerging and remerging viral diseases. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the medicinal practices and plants used to treat emerging and re-emerging viral diseases including hepatitis, poliomyelitis, monkeypox, smallpox, yellow fever, Lassa fever, meningitis, and COVID-19 in some northern states; Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara and Sokoto states.

Method

Administered questionnaires and oral interviews were used to collect information on medicinal plants, method of preparation of herbal formulations, diagnosis, and treatment of viral diseases. Medicinal plants were collected, botanically identified, and assigned voucher numbers. The plant names were verified using www.theplantlist.org, www.worldfloraonline.org and the international plant names index.

Result

A total of 280 participating herbal medicine practitioners (HMPs) mentioned 131 plants belonging to 65 families. Plant parts such as roots, bark, leaf, seed, and fruit were prepared as a decoction, concoction, infusion, or ointment for oral and topical treatment of viral diseases. Moringa oleifera (75.3%), Elaeis guineensis Jacq. (80%), and Acacia nilotica (70%) were the most frequently mentioned plants in Kebbi, Kwara and Sokoto states, respectively.

Conclusion

The study revealed scarcely investigated and uninvestigated medicinal plants used to treat hepatitis, poliomyelitis, monkeypox, smallpox, yellow fever, Lassa fever, meningitis, and COVID-19. Future studies should be conducted to determine the antiviral potency and isolate novel bioactive agents from these plants against viral diseases.