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Background: Nicotine is a subject of continuous research because of its likely ameliorative effects on neurologic and neurodegenerative disorders. Purpose: This study examined the effects of its chronic subcutaneous administration on hippocampal and striatal microstructure in both female and male rats. Methods: Forty adult female and male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Three experimental groups were administered nicotine via subcutaneous injections at doses of 0.25, 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Control groups received normal saline. Following administration, routine processing of brain tissues was carried out. Sections obtained were stained using routine H&E methods for general histological appearance, Cresyl violet methods for nissl substances, and Bielschwolsky silver impregnation method for neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Results: The study showed significant increase in percentage of neurons showing degenerating features in the hippocampus and striatum of both female and male rats following the higher doses of nicotine treatment. Only female rats showed positive agyrophilic (black-coloured) aggregations in the hippocampal and striatal regions after nicotine treatment. Conclusion: The present study indicates that higher dose of chronic nicotine administration may induce hippocampal and striatal neurodegenerative changes. However, further studies using more specific method for studying neurodegeneration within brain regions is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken to assess the neuroprotective effects of aqueous extract of Garcinia kola on neurotoxin administered malnourished mice. The study was carried out using thirty-two adult Malnourished mice which were randomly assigned into four groups (n=8): A, B, C, and D. Group A served as control, while the other groups served as the experimental groups. Animals in group A were fed malnourished diet ad libitum and water given liberally. Animals in group B were administered with 3- Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) (neurotoxin) only (20 mg/kg body weight), group C were given only Garcinia kola extracts, and group D were pre-treated with Garcinia kola extracts for seven days (200mg/kg) prior to administration of neurotoxin (20 mg/kg body weight). After three days of neurotoxins administration in the relevant groups, the brains were excised and fixed in formal calcium for histological processing. The study showed that hippocampal and cerebellar neurons of animals in group B exhibited some cellular degeneration and blood vessel blockage, which were not seen in groups A, C and D. Cresyl violet staining was least intense in group B than in groups A, C and D. Despite the fact that animals in group D has equal administration of 3-Nitropropionic acid concentration, there were no traces of neural degeneration as it was evidenced in group B. It was concluded that Garcinia kola has protective effects on the neurons of the hippocampus and cerebellum of malnourished mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nicotine is a subject of continuous research because of its likely ameliorative effects on neurologic and neurodegenerative disorders., Purpose: This study examined the effects of its chronic subcutaneous administration on hippocampal and striatal microstructure in both female and male rats., Methods: Forty adult female and male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Three experimental groups were administered nicotine via subcutaneous injections at doses of 0.25, 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Control groups received normal saline. Following administration, routine processing of brain tissues was carried out. Sections obtained were stained using routine H&E methods for general histological appearance, Cresyl violet methods for nissl substances, and Bielschwolsky silver impregnation method for neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles., Results: The study showed significant increase in percentage of neurons showing degenerating features in the hippocampus and striatum of both female and male rats following the higher doses of nicotine treatment. Only female rats showed positive agyrophilic (black-coloured) aggregations in the hippocampal and striatal regions after nicotine treatment., Conclusion: The present study indicates that higher dose of chronic nicotine administration may induce hippocampal and striatal neurodegenerative changes. However, further studies using more specific method for studying neurodegeneration within brain regions is recommended.

The study investigated the microanatomical effects of the extracts of Cola nitida on the stomach mucosa of adult male Wistar rats. Twenty adult male wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups of A, B, C and D (n = 5). Animals in experimental groups B, C and D were given 600 mg/kg body weight of crude extract of Cola nitida each by oral intubation for five, seven and nine consecutive days respectively, while group A (control) received equivalent volume of distilled water. Twenty four hrs after the last administration, the animals were sacrificed; tissues were harvested and fixed in 10% formol saline for histological analysis. The study revealed necrotized surface epithelium, degenerated gastric mucosa, and loss of glandular elements in the stomachs of experimental groups' vis-à-vis the control group. These observations were days-dependent; as those groups which received the extract for higher number of days were seen to be adversely affected. In conclusion, Cola nitida at 600 mg/kg body weight can cause gastric lesion in animals. This lesion may be pronounced if the administration continued for days. Cola nitida should, therefore, be taken with caution to avoid gastric complications.