The effects of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on the blood pressure of anaesthetized cats, as well as on the liver and kidney status of the rabbit were investigated in this study. The results revealed that, the extract produced a small fall in the blood pressure of the anaesthetized cat and also reduced the effect of adrenaline-induced elevation of blood pressure. In rabbits, biochemical analysis of serum was carried out; urea and creatinine were used as tests of its effect on the renal function while alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) served as enzyme indices of the liver function. In addition, the tissues of the liver and kidney were microscopically examined. The treated rabbits showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in their serum creatinine accompanied by significant increase in their serum urea (P < 0.05). No significant changes of these biochemical parameters were seen in the serum of control animals. While a significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed in the activity of the ALP of the treated animals, a non-significant increase (P > 0.05) was recorded in the AST and ALT aminotransferases of both the treated and control animals. The increase recorded in the treated group was much higher (8.64 and 13.63%) as compared to the control group (0.69 and 7.05%). The histopathological examination of the kidney and liver of treated animals showed shrunken glomeruli with increased urinary space, mild necrosis of the tubules and hyaline droplets, while the liver tissue revealed necrosis of the liver cells, lymphocytic infiltration and pericuffing of the bile duct. The control animals, however, showed normal histological structure. In addition after 4 weeks of treatment, body weight in the control group was significantly higher than those in the treated group. It was concluded that the pharmacological basis for the use of B. pinnatum among the Igbos of Nigeria to lower blood pressure was established by this study. However, the facts that the reduction in blood pressure produced is slight and the B. pinnatum leaf extract is potentially organotoxic negate its use as a blood pressure lowering agent.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests (4, 5). Garcinia kola (GK) contains sterols, terpenoids, flavenoids, glycosides, pseutannins, saponin, protein and starch. It prevails as a multi-purpose tree crop in the home gardens of southern Nigeria (6). Garcinia kola contains some active principles interfering with insulin metabolism causing reduction in glucose level (7). Kolaviron (KV), biflavonoid from garcinia kola has been shown to offer significant antidiabetic and tissues protective effects in diabetic rats (8). Pharmacological D

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Objective: Cymbopogon citratus extract has been reported to have hypoglycemic properties but not much is known about its hypolipidemic effects. In this study it was aimed to demonstrate the hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic potentials of Cymbopogon citratus extract on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Eighteen male albino rats of weights between 106-118 g were used for the study and divided into three groups of six rats each. The rats of the non-diabetic control group were given 1 ml of distilled water daily. Two other groups induced with diabetes using alloxan by a single dose administration of 120 mg/kg body weight (BW); one of these diabetic rat groups were treated with Cymbopogon citratus extract daily at 1.5 ml/100 g BW for 4 weeks while the other group was left untreated. Blood samples were collected and total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and glucose levels were assayed. Results: After four weeks of treatment, data indicated significant reductions in BW, blood glucose, TG, TC and LDL levels of diabetic rats treated with Cymbopogon citratus extract compared to the non-treated group. The treated diabetic rats also indicated significantly higher HDL levels compared to the non-treated group. Conclusion: Treatment of diabetic rats with the Cymbopogon citratus extract lowered blood glucose, TG, TC and LDL levels and increased the HDL level. This shows that the extract has both hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. [J Exp Integr Med 2013; 3(3.000): 249-253

The cloacal bursa (bursa of Fabricius) in the guinea fowls appeared either as an oval blind sac with a short thick stalk in one group or had a pointed cranial blind end with a slightly bulging middle part that was followed by a thick caudal stalk in the other group. Both groups of bursae originated from the proctodeal wall of the cloaca and were placed dorsal to the rectum. The average length of the bursa was 18 mm while the average width at the mid section was 15 mm. The internal surface showed about 12-14 primary folds. Histologically, the outline of the bursa was well established by day 18 of incubation. The primary folds had also been formed. Lymphocytes had already been encountered within the framework of the bursa at this day. The epithelium bordering the tunica propria was composed principally of two layers of cuboidal cells. Epithelial buds had also formed and some were already detached from the epithelial lining. The blood vessels present were positioned just beneath the outer covering. At day 19 of incubation, most of the epithelial buds had two layers of cells arranged in a circumscribed manner while a few had three layers of cells. Blood vessels had increased in number and were deeper placed inside the bursa than previously. At day 20, the cells of the upper layer of the epithelium were dorsoventrally flattened and stained paler than the cells of the lower layer. It was possible to distinguish the cortex from the medulla and the basement lining between both zones was distinct. Tiny vesicles within the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells at the mucosa and follicles were observed. Macrophages were also observed within the gland. At day 21, blood vessels were observed in the cortex of the follicles. The maximum number of primary folds (14) had been formed. At day 22, several follicles had severed connections with the mucosal epithelium. The mucosal lining had dropped to a single layer of cells in some areas. Goblet cells were observed amongst the mucosal cells. A plasma cell had first appeared. By day 25, dead cells had increased quite in number and there was also an increase in number of medium and small-sized lymphocytes within the gland. By day 26, the upper layer of the surface epithelium was composed primarily of tall columnar cells with numerous large vacuoles. Macrophages had suddenly increased within the thin interfollicular spaces and most of them were crowded internally with various sizes of debris.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)