Combretum micranthum G. Don (kinkeliba) is a medicinal plant traditionally employed in West Africa for its diuretic and gastrointestinal therapeutic properties. Despite its extensive ethnomedicinal use, comprehensive toxicological assessments are still lacking. This study aimed to characterize the phenolic composition of C. micranthum ethanolic leaf extract using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS and evaluate its acute and subacute oral toxicity in BALB/c mice, per OECD Guideline 420. Female mice received oral doses of 50, 300, and 2000 mg/kg of extract for acute toxicity assessment for 14 days. In the subacute study, both sexes were administered daily doses at the same concentrations over 28 days. Clinical signs, body weight, and food and water consumption were regularly monitored throughout both protocols. At the end of each study, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters were analyzed. Phenolic profiling revealed nine major compounds with a total of 293.54 mg/g extract. No mortality or significant clinical manifestations were observed at any dose. However, significant variations in platelet counts and amylase activity were noted in the acute phase. In the subacute model, slight, non-critical alterations in hepatic and renal biomarkers were observed, without signs of systemic toxicity. Histopathological examination revealed similar lesions in both acute and subacute phases, including multifocal inflammatory infiltrates (lymphocytes and neutrophils) in the periportal area of the liver, minimal bacterial overgrowth in the superficial layer of the gastric mucosa, minimal medullary mineralization and inflammatory infiltrates with lymphocytes in the kidneys, and minimal to moderate vacuolization in the pancreatic acini. These results indicate that C. micranthum ethanolic extract is relatively safe at the tested doses, reinforcing its traditional use and supporting further research into its pharmacological potential.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, and current therapies are limited by adverse side effects. Combretum micranthum G. Don (kinkeliba), a medicinal plant traditionally used in West Africa, has been reported to possess pharmacological activities and a favorable safety profile. In this study, an ethanolic extract of Combretum micranthum (EECM) was characterized using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS to identify its phenolic constituents. Acute colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice using 3% DSS, while EECM (100 and 200 mg/kg) was administered orally for seven days. Disease Activity Index was monitored daily, and colonic injuries were evaluated through macroscopic and histological analyses, as well as hematological and biochemical assessments. In vitro, EECM contained 293.54 mg/g of total phenolic compounds and showed strong antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Furthermore, the extract exhibited antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, and Streptococcus pyogenes at various concentrations. In contrast, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were not affected at the tested concentrations. No antifungal activity was detected against the filamentous fungus Aspergillus brasiliensis and the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida albicans. In vivo, EECM alleviated the clinical signs of colitis, reduced histological damage, and modulated hematological and biochemical parameters. Overall, EECM exhibited significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and may represent a promising natural candidate for IBD management. Further investigations into chronic experimental models are necessary to establish their therapeutic relevance.

The aim of the study was to present a review of the literature and research on the carotid body (CB) over the past years and update the latest findings. The purpose of this article is to present a general overview and comparative analysis of CB between species, from the microanatomy to the pathology of CB. This study gives information about the embryological development and physiological aspects of anatomical findings and their differences. The second part of the article gives a comparative analysis of the pathology of CB. Neoplasia of the CB in humans, namely, paraganglioma, in most cases, is part of a genetic MEN syndrome (multiple endocrine neoplasia). In dogs, paraganglioma is also involved with multiple neoplasia formations throughout the body, including endocrine and neuroendocrine glands. From this perspective, dogs are the most suitable specimens for studying carotid body tumors and their involvement in a MEN-like syndrome.

Background: Chronic relapsing colitis involves immune dysregulation and oxidative stress, making monotherapies often insufficient. This study investigates a therapeutic strategy combining doxycycline (Dox), an immunomodulatory antibiotic, with Arthrospira platensis extracts to enhance anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, improving remission and controlling relapse. Methods: Ethanolic (ES) and aqueous (AS) extracts of A. platensis were chemically characterized by GC-MS after derivatization. Colitis was induced in mice using two intrarectal DNBS administrations spaced 7 days apart, with oral treatments (Dox, ES, AS, or combinations) given daily between doses. Disease progression was evaluated through clinical monitoring, histological scoring, and biochemical analysis, including MPO and CAT activities, as well as NO, MDA, and GSH levels. Results: GC-MS identified 16 bioactive compounds in each extract. ES contained mainly fatty acids and amino acids, whereas AS was rich in polysaccharides and phytol. Combined doxycycline and A. platensis extracts significantly enhanced recovery in reactivated DNBS colitis compared to monotherapies. Each treatment alone reduced disease severity, but their combination showed synergistic effects, significantly reducing disease activity index (p < 0.001), restoring mucosal integrity, and modulating inflammatory and oxidative markers (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Doxycycline potentiates the anti-colitic effects of A. platensis extracts via complementary mechanisms, offering a promising combination for managing relapsing colitis.

Experimental diabetes models induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and alloxan are widely used in preclinical research; however, direct standardized comparisons in female rodents remain limited. The present study evaluated multiple chemical induction protocols in female Wistar rats, including STZ (40 and 65 mg/kg), STZ at the same doses combined with nicotinamide (110 mg/kg), and alloxan (130 mg/kg). Glycemic progression, oral glucose tolerance test, body weight evolution, oxidative stress markers, and multi-organ histopathology were assessed over a 14-day period. High-dose STZ (65 mg/kg) and alloxan produced rapid, sustained hyperglycemia (p < 0.0001), significant body weight reduction, increased lipid peroxidation (elevated MDA), nitric oxide overproduction, thiol depletion, and pronounced pancreatic and renal structural damage. In contrast, STZ–nicotinamide protocols generated moderate but stable hyperglycemia with partial preservation of islet architecture, attenuated oxidative imbalance, and improved systemic tolerability. Oral glucose tolerance test confirmed impaired glucose handling in the STZ–nicotinamide group, consistent with a type 2 diabetes-like phenotype rather than complete insulin deficiency. These results demonstrate that induction strategy critically determines metabolic stability, oxidative stress burden, and tissue remodeling patterns, supporting model selection according to specific experimental objectives.

Background: Kinkeliba (Combretum micranthum G. Don), commonly used in West African traditional pharmacopeia for its anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal properties, remains poorly studied regarding its potential role in the prevention or treatment of ulcerative colitis. Objective: This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of the ethanolic extract of Combretum micranthum (EECM) in a murine model of chronic DSS-induced colitis. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to three cycles of 1.5% DSS administration over nine weeks to induce chronic colitis. EECM was administered orally at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg during the final week. Disease severity was evaluated using the Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, biochemical and hematological markers, along with histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment of colonic tissue. Results: EECM treatment significantly improved clinical parameters and prevented colon shortening in chronic DSS-induced colitis. These improvements were associated with the restoration of serum biochemical and hematological profiles, along with reduced histopathological damage and preservation of colonic tissue architecture. Immunohistochemical analysis further demonstrated decreased CD3-positive T-lymphocyte infiltration in colonic tissue, suggesting modulation of local immune cell responses. Conclusions: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential EECM in ulcerative colitis and support further investigations to elucidate its mechanisms of action and evaluate its efficacy in future translational studies.