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This study evaluated anticancer potentials of Musa sapientum (MS) and Moringa oleifera (MO) in cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced skin and liver carcinogenesis. Musa sapientum fraction-1 (MSF1) and Moringa oleifera fraction-6 (MOF6) were extracted from MS suckers and MO leaves, respectively, using column-chromatography methods. Forty-five adult male rats were randomly divided into 11 groups (n = 5). Cancer-induction was via single intraperitoneal administration of 1.25 mg/kg CdCl2. Groups 1 and 2 received physiological saline and CdCl2dose, respectively. Groups 3-5 received CdCl2dose on day 1 but were post-treated on days 15-56 with 15 mg/kg MOF6, 30 mg/kg MOF6 and 10 mg/kg MSF1, respectively. Group 6 received CdCl2dose on day 1 and were post-treated on days 15-28 with doxorubicin + cisplatin doses. Groups 7-9 received MOF6 dose and MSF1 dose, respectively (days 1-56). Groups 10 and 11 received CdCl2dose on day 1 and were posttreated with 30 mg/kg MOF6 and 10 mg/kg MSF1, respectively (days 1-56). Doxorubicin and extracts doses were administered orally. Skin histo-pathology (haematoxylin and eosin), sera melatonin and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) (enzyme linked immunosorbent assays [ELISA]) levels were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (thiobarbituric acid assay) and p53 (ELISA) levels were evaluated in liver homogenates. Data were statistically analysed using ANOVA at p ≤ 0.05. Results showed skin histo-alterations in Group 2, compared with normal skin histology in Groups 1 and 3-11. Statistical analyses showed significant downregulation of p53, non-significant downregulations of malondialdehyde and TNFa, and non-significant upregulation of melatonin in Groups 3-11 compared with Group 2. Overall, post-treatments with MOF6 and MSF1 exhibited possible anticancer potentials of these plants extracts via degrees of amelioration of CdCl2-induced skin histo-pathology and carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Albendazole is used as an anthelmintic in the treatment of some parasitic infections. This study determined how the effects of albendazole on liver enzymes are influenced by diet. Materials and Method: Thirty adult male Wistar rats of mean weight 304.12 ± 11.34 g were randomly grouped into five: Group A: Control, was given rat pellets and water only; Group B received 15 mg/kg/d of albendazole while fasting; Group C received 15 mg/kg/d of albendazole with fatty meal; Group D received 15 mg/kg/d of albendazole with normal diet (rat pellets); and, Group E received 30 mg/kg/d of albendazole with normal diet (rat pellets); they were given orally for 3 consecutive days. The animals were sacrificed thereafter and blood samples obtained for quantitative study of the serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Results: Significant elevation in the serum levels of the transaminases especially in animals which were on their normal diet (rat pellets), while ALP was either reduced or increased based on dietary factors. Conclusions: Oral administration of albendazole before meal or with a fatty diet could help limit severe elevation of liver enzymes associated with its use, while still ensuring optimal efficacy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Synthetic prednisolone (PRED) is a widely used over-the-counter glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids have inhibitory effects on the immune system and are often used as immunosuppressive agents. Suppressed immunity may impact fertility via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Bitter leaf (BL) has been shown to improve sperm parameters, but its effects on immunosuppression-associated infertility have not yet been documented. Objective: To determine the fertility effects of bitter leaf on immunosuppressed Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 male adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n = 5/each). Group A served as a control and were given distilled water in addition to normal feeds, group B received 2 mg/kg PRED for 14 days and served as the standard immunosuppressed group, and groups C-F were immunosuppressed as in B but in addition received 50 mg/kg levamisole, low-dose (250 mg/kg) BL, highdose (375 mg/kg) BL, and low-dose BL + levamisole, respectively. The CD4 counts, hematological parameters, and sperm parameters were analyzed and compared. Results: There were significant decreases in sperm motility, progressive motility, morphology, and life/death ratio in the animals given PRED only compared to the controls (p = 0.002, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.01, respectively). These were significantly increased in the treated groups, and animals given levamisole and 250 mg/kg BL showed significantly increased sperm counts compared to the controls (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04, respectively). Conclusion: Low-dose BL (250 mg/kg) restored the sperm parameters altered by prednisolone administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]