BackgroundMethotrexate (MTX) is a commonly used antineoplastic and anti-rheumatoid agent whose efficacy is limited by marked organ toxicities associated with oxidative stress. The study investigated beneficial effect of virgin coconut oil (VCO) supplementation on MTX-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rats.MethodsRats were divided into 4 groups (n = 6): Control, MTX (20 mg/kg bw), VCO (5%) + MTX and VCO (15%) + MTX. The pre-treatment with VCO for 14 days was followed by single intraperitoneal injection of MTX and the rats were sacrificed after 3 days. Serum activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were also evaluated.ResultsMTX induced a distinct diminution in serum activities of oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH), while lipid peroxidation considerably increased demonstrated by MDA level. Similarly, levels of IL-6, CRP and NO increased prominently in MTX control rats. The VCO supplementation markedly enhanced resistance to the MTX-induced biochemical alterations in rats.ConclusionVCO can be a useful adjuvant natural product in MTX chemotherapy by reducing oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses.

Talinium triangulare have been proven to offer promising antiulcer properties which could validate its"folkoric use for the treatment of gastric ulcer in various part of Nigeria. This study investigates the role of methanolic extract of Talinium triangulare (METT) in gastric ulcer healing and the possible mechanisms involved. Twenty-eight male wistar rats (160-180gm, n=7) were grouped into; A-control, B-ulcerated untreated, C-ulcerated treated with Omeprazole (20 mg/kg b.w.) and D-ulcerated treated with METT (100 mg/kg b.w.). Gastric ulcer was induced by injecting 0.2 MLs of 40% acetic acid into the glandular part of the stomach for 45 seconds after which it was withdrawn, and the stomach surface cleaned with normal saline. Stomach samples were collected by day 14 post ulceration and assessed for ulcer score; a section of it was fixed for histological evaluation and immunohistochemical (Avidin-Biotin Immunoperoxidase method) analysis. Stomach tissue homogenates were used for enzymatic activities. Results were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance method. There was a significant reduction in the ulcer area of the METT treated group compared with other ulcerated treated and untreated groups. Malondialdehyde concentration of the gastric tissue homogenate was significantly lower in METT treated group compared to other groups. The METT treated group significantly increased the level of superoxide dismutase and catalase compared to other test groups. Histological study showed that only METT treated rats produces predominantly normal mucosa, METT treated rats also expressed CD31 (a marker of angiogenesis) and EGFR (a marker of proliferation) more than the other rats, while the expressions of Ki67 (proliferation) and p53 (Apoptosis) by METT group were not different from other groups. Methanolic extracts of Talinum triangulare accelerated the healing of gastric ulcers in rats probably through reduced oxidative stress, increased cell proliferation, and angiogenesis.

Background: The use of herbal medicines for treating ailments is rampant in recent years, and the toxicity implications of various plant preparations are sparingly reported. We investigated the potential effect of daily administration of aqueous extract of stem-bark of cashew tree on the liver and kidney status of rats. Methods: Rats were divided into 4 groups as follows: control rats received 1 mL of distilled water, G1 received 100 mg/kg, G2 received 200 mg/kg, while G3 received 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract for 28 consecutive days. The tissue homogenate supernatants were analysed for liver enzymes-alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and kidney function indices- urea and creatinine. Results: In comparison to control, total protein increased significantly (P< 0.05) at 400 mg/kg extract, whereas albumin level significantly decreased (P<0.05) in rats treated with extract. .Activities of AST, ALP and GGT increased markedly (P< 0.05) at 400 mg/kg, whereas a significant decrease was observed in bilirubin level when compared with the control. Levels of urea and creatinine in kidney tissue were significantly higher in extract-treated rats compared to control. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the extract dose at 400 mg/kg may cause alterations with toxic implications in the liver and kidney of rats.