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Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant properties of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Punica granatum (Pomegranate) seed in testosterone induced benign prostate hyperplastic albino Wistar rats. Study design: This study is an interventional study. Place and Duration of Study: The experimental aspect of this study was conducted at the animal house, Department of Pharmacology, University of Port Harcourt between April and September, 2019. Methodology: Seventy (70) adult albino male wistar rats were used for this study. They were divided into 12 groups of 5 rats each and fed with commercial rat diet and clean drinking water. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Punica granatum seed were prepared using the maceration method. Benign Prostate Hyperplasia was induced in rats after they submitted to bilateral orchiectomy by daily injections of testosterone propionate (TP) (4 mg/kg b.wt.sc). Rats were treated with 500 or 1500 mg/kg b.wt. of aqueous or ethanoI extracts of Punica granatum seed, dutasteride or in combination. Administration of extracts was done by gavage. Plasma total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, were analyzed using sandwich ELISA Kits by Shanghai Korain Biotech Co., Ltd, China, while oxidative stress indices (OSI) were calculated. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0 of Windows Stat Pac and p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed that the mean TOS, TAS, SOD and OSI for the rats in the normal control group were 1.66±0.2U/ml, 2.71±0.25U/ml, 41.8±2.9pg/ml and 0.62±0.10 respectively. After BPH induction (group 2), the values were 3.25±0.5U/ml,1.17±0.14U/ml, 23.38±2.09 pg/ml and 2.81±0.60pg/ml respectively. There were significant decreases for TOS and OSI, and significant increases for TAS and SOD when the rats where treated with lower and higher doses of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Punica granatum and Dutasteride. Conclusion: In conclusion, both doses of Punica granatum seed for ethanolic and aqueous extracts individually and in combination and with dutasteride markedly reduced total oxidant status, oxidative stress indices and improved the activities of antioxidant parameters like superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant status.

Lipid profile in Wister rats was investigated after administration of different concentration of aqueous extract of Allium sativum. The animals were divided into five (5) groups of five rats in each group, and were given different concentrations of the extract for three weeks. Thereafter, plasma lipid profiles were assayed. The result of comparing the mean total cholesterol (T. CHOL), triglyceride (TG), Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and control levels with those of the test groups A, B, C and D showed great decrease except in group D where there was an increase in mean LDL. The decrease in mean T.CHOL in group A and C were significant while decrease in T.CHOL in group B and D were not significant when compared with T.CHOL of Control samples at p< 0.05. The decrease in TG was significant in all test groups when compared with Control TG samples at p< 0.05, while the decrease in LDL in group D was not significant when compared with the LDL control samples at p< 0.05. The mean HDL of the test group showed a great increase when compared with the mean Control and the increase observed was significant when compared with the Control HDL at p< 0.05. The findings reveal that garlic bulb extract causes a significant reduction in some lipid profile parameters (p< 0.05) especially TG and an increase in HDL. These findings therefore suggest that the administration of Allium sativum extract could prevent plasma lipid related disease especially those associated with cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.

Malaria in pregnancy is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted through the bite of female anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it accounts for an estimated 660,000 deaths every year around the world mainly in Africa due to inappropriate management of imbalances in the electrolyte system of the patients. The aim of this study was to determine the severity of electrolyte imbalance in pregnant women with malaria parasitaemia. A total of 90 subject participated in the study. Sixty (60) pregnant women with malaria and thirty (30) pregnant women without malaria as control, all within the age bracket of 20 -40 years. Analysis of the mean value of Na + , K + , Cland HCO 3 of the test group were significantly lower than the control (P < 0.05). Considering the severity of electrolyte imbalance in pregnant women with malaria, it is imperative that all pregnant women with malaria parasitaemia be managed with the view of improving the electrolyte imbalance, to avert the attendant complication of electrolyte imbalance.

Aims:To assess the antioxidant effects of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ginger rhizome in testosterone induced prostate hyperplasic male rats. Study Design: The study was a cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The experimental aspect of this study was conducted at the animal house, Department of Pharmacology, University of Port Harcourt between April and September, 2019. Methodology: Sixty (60) adult albino male wistar rats were used for this study. They were divided into 12 groups of 5 rats each and fed with commercial rat diet and clean drinking water. Aqueous and ethanolic extractions of Ginger rhizome seed were prepared using the maceration method. BPH was induced in rats after they submitted to bilateral orchiectomy by daily injections of Obisike et al.; JOCAMR, 8(2): 1-12, 2019; Article no.JOCAMR.52835 2 testosterone propionate (TP) (4 mg/kg b.wt.sc). Rats were treated with 500 or 1500 mg/kg b.wt. of aqueous or ethanoI extracts of Zingiber officinale (Zo) rhizome, dutasteride or in combination. Administration of extracts was done by gavage. Plasma total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, were analysed using sandwich ELISA Kits by Shanghai Korain Biotech Co., Ltd, China, while oxidative stress indices (OSI) were calculated. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0 of Windows Stat Pac and p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed that exogenous induction of BPH in rats significantly increased (p=0.000) plasma TOS and OSI while TAS and SOD activities were reduced. However, 500 and 1500 mg/kg b.wt. of Zo rhizome administered orally after exogenous induction of BPH had been established for 15 days, significantly decreased (p=0.000) TOS, OSI and significantly improved the activities of antioxidant parameters like SOD and TAS. Non-significantly increased mean TAS and SOD were seen in a combination of both extracts with dutasteride, possibly suggestive of synergistic interaction between the herbs and the drug. Simultaneous administration of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Zo rhizome with TP for 30 days also showed antioxidant qualities, although the effects were statistically not better than values for treatments done when BPH was established before treatment. Ethanolic extracts of Zo rhizome produced better antioxidant effects compared to the aqueous extracts. Conclusion: From the findings, we conclude that Zo rhizome can ameliorate oxidative stress and therefore may be beneficial in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Original Research Article