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This study reports the protective role of the aqueous extract of Syzygium aromaticum (ESA) against lead (Pb)-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Thirty male mice weighing between 18 g and 25 g were randomly divided into five groups. (1) Group 1 (control group), (2) group 2 (Pb-test group): was administered with a solution containing 0.1% (w/v) of lead acetate (PbAc), (3) group 3 (ESA + Pb100 group): was administered with 0.1% (w/v) of PbAc followed by 100 mg/kg of S. aromaticum extract by gavage, (4) group 4 (ESA + Pb200): was administered with 0.1% (w/v) of PbAc followed by 200 mg/kg of S. aromaticum extract, and (5) group 5 (ESA-group): was administered with 100 mg/kg of S. aromaticum. Level of lead was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Cerebral cortex synaptosomes prepared from mice administered orally with lead-acetate shown a significantly increased (p < .05) in tyrosine hydroxylase and protein carbonyl level and significantly decreased (p < .05) superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione transferase activities. Also, there was a significant increase in brain lead concentration level, however, it was observed that S. aromaticum significantly reduced (p < .05) the level of lead at all tested doses. S. aromaticum rescued cerebral cortex synaptosomes from lead-induced neurotoxicity by relieving oxidative stress and abating elevated tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Moreover, S. aromaticum at the different dose grade (100 mg and 200 mg) abrogated the loss of motor performance in mice groups induced with lead. Altogether, our findings showed that S. aromaticum possesses antioxidant and neuro-modulatory potential against lead-induced neuronal damage. Practical applicationsEnvironmental pollution with heavy metals is a known public health concern and their incremental concentrations in soil and water have risen to an unprecedented degree.Lead is one of the top 10 contaminants on the WHO's list of substances of greatest public health concern that impact the brain. However, exogenous natural bioactive supplements molecules could be one of the remedies to reduce Pb-induced toxicity.Our findings indicate therefore that, S. aromaticum could be a good fit for lowering Pb How to cite this article:

Heat shock proteins 70 and 90 (HSP-70 and HSP-90) are associated with gastroprotective and ulcer healing potentials. Reports in literatures have shown that age affects gastric ulcer healing, but the role of these heat shock proteins in relation to age has not been fully understood. This study, therefore, investigated changes in the expression of HSP-70 and HSP-90 in the gastric mucosa of 3, 6 and 18-month old rats during healing of Acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. Male Wister rats (aged 3, 6 and 18 months) were divided into 3 groups according to their ages. Acetic acid ulcer model was used for this study. Ulcer area, oxidative stress, antioxidant markers, HSP-70 and HSP-90 concentration by ELISA and expression by immunohistochemistry was assessed. Results obtained indicate the highest percentage area healed on day 14 in 3 months old rats (100%), while percentage healing for 6 and 18 months old rats was 89.00% and 55.29%, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was directly proportional to age, while antioxidant enzyme (Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)) activities were inversely proportional to age. The concentration and expression of HSP-70 were inversely proportional to age while HSP-90 had directly proportionality to age. The histological architecture also confirmed the faster rate of healing in 3-month old rats recorded in this study.This study indicates that HSP-70 and HSP-90 play different roles in age-related healing of gastric ulcers.

Cardiovascular disease is the world's leading cause of death, killing 17 to 19 million people each year. The usage of traditional drugs was influenced by the need for effective medications for the treatment of cardiovascular disease without side effects. The current study investigated the cardio-protective effects of Adansonia digitata leaf extract on doxorubicin-mediated cardiotoxicity in laboratory rats. Thirty-five albino rats were divided into five groups, each consisting of seven rats. Group 1 was given filtered water as a control, while Group 2 was given saline and doxorubicin, Group 3 received doxorubicin and Vitamin E, and Groups IV and V were myocardial oxidative animals treated with Adansonia digitata leaf extract (150 and 300 mg/kg/wt) for two weeks. After the rats were sacrificed, their hearts were collected and homogenized for biochemical assays. The results on the activities of creatinine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate amino transferase (AST), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde were determined. Histopathology examination was used in addition to assays to validate myocardial damage. In comparison to the control group, rats provided doxorubicin showed a significant increase in the activities of cardiac marker enzymes (CK, LDH, and AST), as well as a significant increase in malondialdehyde concentration with a concomitant decrease in antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and NOS), implying cardiotoxicity. In rats with doxorubicin-induced myocardial infection, pretreatment with Adansonia digitata leaf extract reduced myocardial damage, these biochemical results were confirmed by histopathology. Finally, the new study demonstrates that Adansonia digitata has cardioprotective properties.