The present work was carried out to investigate the possible effects of ethyl acetate seed fraction of Nigella sativa on gastric ulcers and basal gastric secretions using the Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug-induced (NSAID) model. Phytochemical screening according to Trease and Evans, 2002 and acute toxicity tests using the Lorke's Method, 1983 were conducted. For the mucosal integrity study, ulcer and preventive indices were analysed, while volume of gastric juice, titratable acidity, acid output and pepsin concentration were assessed for basal gastric secretion parameters. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, glucocinolates amongst others, while the acute toxicity studies revealed a median lethal dose above 5000mg/kg. The rats were grouped into 9 (n = 5), with the extract fraction administered at 50, 100 and 200mg/kg subcutaneously, followed by pyloric ligation with cimetidine used as the standard drug. Five rats received normal saline 1ml/kg/rat subcutaneously (S.C) as Negative Control, Five rats received indomethacin (20 mg/kg S.C), Ten rats for the study of the effect of two different doses of cimetidine 50 and 100 mg/kg S.C (5 rats for each dose). Ten rats for the study of effect of two different doses of cimetidine (50 mg and 100 mg/kg) S.C, given 30 minutes prior to indomethacin administration (5 rats for each dose). The three experimental doses of the extract at 50,100 and 200mg/kg showed a dosedependent decrease in both ulcer and preventive indices with the 200mg/kg dose at 0.6mm and 94% respectively. It also showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in volume of gastric juice, titratable acidity, acid output and pepsin concentration in dose-dependent manner with the three experimental doses administered with the highest reduction at the 200mg/kg dose. The results obtained suggest that this fraction down-regulated all those parameters which might be attributed to the presence of the phytoconstituents present in this fraction, particularly the flavonoids. Therefore, the extract fraction of this plant possesses gastroprotective activity further explaining the folkloric use of this plant in the therapy of peptic ulcer disease.

Epilepsy is one of the most frequent neurological afflictions characterized by excessive temporary neuronal discharges resulting in convulsion. The pathophysiology is still not fully understood. Even though oxidative stress has been implicated as one of the mechanisms, yet the management of convulsions do not take into cognizance the important role played by antioxidants. The aim of the study was to assess the combined effect of sodium valproate (conventional antiepileptic drug) and ascorbic acid (potent antioxidant) in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures. Thirty mice were divided into six groups of five each (n=5). Group 1 served as control and administered normal saline 1ml/kg, group 2 received sodium valproate 200mg/kg, groups 3 and 4 were administered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) 100mg/kg and 300mg/kg, groups 5 and 6 were administered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) 100mg/kg and 300mg/kg respectively, in combination with sodium valproate 200mg/kg, 15 and 30 minutes prior to intra-peritoneal injection of PTZ (65 mg/kg). Seizure latency and duration were determined. The results showed that ascorbic acid alone has no effect on the seizure parameters. Sodium valproate 200mg had protective effect on PTZ-induced seizures. Combination of 300 mg/kg ascorbic acid with 200 mg/kg sodium valproate had a significant (p<0.05) synergistic and marked protective effect, as indicated by increase in the latency of seizure and reduction in seizure duration as compared to the control. Anti-oxidant vitamin C is recommended as co-treatment with sodium valproate in the management of seizures.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) has been associated with cognitive and psychomotor impairments in both humans and animals. This cognitive impairment has been linked to its enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating capacity. Therefore, antioxidant treatment may provide a novel therapeutic window for the management of these related impairments. The aim of this work was to evaluate the beneficial role of resveratrol on chlorpyrifos-induced cognitive impairment and lipid peroxidation biomarker in Swiss albino mice. Swiss albino mice were divided into (6) six groups of five each (n=5). Group I served as the control and were administered olive oil (2 ml/kg), group II received carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) 10 mg/kg, group III received resveratrol 30 mg/kg, group IV received chlorpyrifos (CPF) 3 mg/kg, group V received CPF (3 mg/kg) after the oral administration of resveratrol (30 mg/kg) and group VI received Vitamin E (Vit E) 100 mg/kg All administrations were done by oral gavage for a duration of 21 days. Cognitive function was assessed using Y-maze,and Novel object recognition tests and oxidative stress was evaluated using oxidative biomarkers techniques.The results obtained showed that resveratrol at dose 30 mg/kg significantly(p<0.05) improved cognitive impairment and significantly decreased (p<0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration when compared with the control. In conclusion, 30mg/kg resveratrol suppressed memory impairment, decreased malondialdehyde levels, increased catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels in our chlorpyrifos-induced cognitive impairment mice model.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) as a drug used in the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain has been shown to facilitate the effects of free radicals. Resveratrol (RESV), known as 3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene, is found in grapes and other plant products. It effectively scavenges free radicals and other oxidants. Vitamin E (Vit E) is a lipid soluble antioxidant present in all cellular membranes. The present study assessed the combined effect of vitamin E and resveratrol on hematological markers of carbamazepine-induced oxidative stress. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 25) were randomly allotted to five groups: Group I (control) received distilled water, Group II received CBZ (50 mg/kg), Group III received CBZ(500mg/kg) and Vitamin E (200 mg/kg); Group IV received of CBZ(50 mg/kg), and resveratrol (20 mg/kg); Group V received CBZ (50 mg/kg) and the coadministration of vitamin E (200 mg/kg) and resveratrol (20 mg/kg). Administration was done orally daily for 45 day after which animals were sacrificed and blood samples were used for biochemical analyses. Hematological parameters such as Red Blood Cell Count (RBC), White Blood Cell Count (WBC), Platelets Count (PC) and Osmotic Fragility (OF) were determined. Combination of RESV and Vit E significantly increased RBC, WBC PCV and decreased OF compared to the CBZ, RESV and Vit E treated groups respectively. In conclusion, co administration of RESV and Vit E resulted in better protective effect on CBZ induced hematological changes in rats than their respective doses of RESV and Vit E.