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Background In this study, the hematological and antioxidant potential as well as the osmotic fragility effects of a Nigerian polyherbal formulation were evaluated. Materials and methods A total of 40 fats were divided into four groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 served as the control group, and the rest were assigned increasing daily oral administration of the extract for 28 days. At the end of treatment, blood was collected for hematological and osmotic fragility studies. The free radical scavenging effect of the extract was investigated via different in vitro models as well. Results Results showed that the nitric oxide scavenging and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activities of the extract were significant (p < 0.05) and compared favorably with that of vitamin C. At 200 and 400 μg/mL, the nitric oxide scavenging activities for Ajumbise Polyherbal Extract (APE) were 60.71 ± 0.25% and 59.49 ± 0.98%, respectively, whereas for the same concentrations of vitamin C, 74.60 ± 0.25% and 85.24 ± 0.14 scavenging activities were obtained. The (DPPH) activity at 100 μg/mL was 81.24 ± 0.02% for the extract and 96.22 ± 0.18% for vitamin C. However, at all concentrations, the extract had significantly lower Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) activity than vitamin C. Red blood cell counts (RBCC), hemoglobin and packed cell volume values (PCV) were significantly lowered only in groups treated with 400 and 800 mg/kg of the extract (p < 0.05), whereas other RBCC parameters and white blood cell counts (WBCC) were not significantly affected (p < 0.05). Platelet (PLT) count was also significantly lowered in all extract-treated groups. The extract also significantly reduced RBCC percentage hemolysis (p < 0.05). Conclusions Ajumbise polyherbal may be free of hematoxicity and may improve the integrity of the RBC membrane due to its appreciable antioxidant activity.

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of Crude Methanol Extract of Adansonia digitata Fruit Pulp on Naja nigricollis Venom-Induce Toxicity in Wistar rats., Methods: A . digitata was extracted using 70% methanol and median lethal dose (LD 50 ) of both the extract and venom were determined using the up-and-down method. Sixty Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 10 groups of 6 rats each and were administered with normal saline, venom only, venom + antivenom, 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg crude methanol extract (CME) pre-envenomation, 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg CME post-envenomation, and venom + antivenom + 250 mg/kg CME, respectively. Blood samples were collected 8-h post-envenomation in EDTA and plain sample bottles. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) test was carried out on the EDTA blood samples while serum was harvested and used for Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) assays., Results: LD 50 of the CME and venom was >5,000 mg/kg and 0.889 mg/kg, respectively. N . nigricollis -induced oxidative stress was evident in group B through increased % haemolysis, MDA and lowered SOD activities. The groups treated with antivenom only, 250 mg/kg CME post-envenomation and antivenom +250 mg/kg CME significantly (p<0.05) reduced EOF, MDA values and increased SOD. The CME revealed better ameliorative effect than protective via inhibition of EOF, MDA values and increased SOD activity., Conclusions: The CME when administered singly showed more ameliorative properties and the combination of CME with antivenom for protection was not as effective as when compared to single administration., (© 2022 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)

Objectives: Artocarpus is a tropical plant known for its high concentration of secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids and phenolics. This study aims to evaluate the potential use of ethanol extracts obtained from three species of Artocarpus ( Artocarpus altilis, Artocarpus champeden, and Artocarpus heterophyllus ) as gastroprotective agents., Methods: The gastroprotective potential of the extracts at concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW was studied in an animal model induced by absolute ethanol. The animals were subjected to extract pre-treatment for 14 days. Subsequently, the gastroprotective potential was evaluated based on the area of the lesion, the volume of gastric fluid, gastric pH, total acidity, gastric wall mucus content, and microscopic lesions., Results: There was a significant decrease in the lesion area and gastric fluid volume in the animals that received pre-treated extracts of A. altilis , A. Champeden , and A. heterophyllus , as well as a significant increase in the pH and gastric wall mucus secretion when compared to the ethanol group (p<0.05), rather than the omeprazole or the normal group (p>0.05). Both macroscopic and microscopic examinations revealed a significant decrease in necrotic lesions., Conclusions: Extracts of A. altilis , A. Champeden , and A. heterophyllus are effective in lowering the risk of peptic ulcers since they have the potential to be used as natural gastroprotective agents., (© 2022 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)