Stress is becoming an unavoidable threat in recent times, there has been increasing interest by researchers in the use of naturally occurring biologically active compounds with medicinal value to cure body ailments. The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of methanol extract of Basella alba leaves on stress in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). A total of 35 male rats were used in this study. They were grouped into seven groups of five rats each. Group 1 (normal control) was received 10 mL/kg normal saline. Group 2 contained restraint stress rats only. Group 3 contained forced swim stress rats only. Group 4 and 5 were treated with 60 mg/kg of B. alba extract (BAE) thereafter subjected to restraint and forced swim stresses respectively. Group 6 and 7 were treated with 120 mg/kg of BAE thereafter subjected to restraint and forced swim stresses respectively. Stress procedures were carried out at the end of first and third weeks. In the stressed rats, there were significant increases (P < 0.05) in fasting blood glucose and white blood cell count while there were significant decreases in superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione concentration when compared to group 1. There were significant decreases (P < 0.05) in blood glucose and white blood cell count and significant increases in superoxide dismutase and glutathione concentrations in BAE treated rats when compared to group 2 and 3. Some of the significant differences were either dose or duration dependent. In conclusion, results from this research suggest that BAE alleviates hyperglycaemia, chronic activation of immune system and generation of free radicals due to stress in Wistar rats.

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IIRI) is a serious pathological condition that not only causes local damage to the intestine but also contributes to injury in distant organs such as the heart. Basella alba, a commonly consumed leafy vegetable with known antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties in traditional medicine, is believed to have protective effects against such injuries. This study aimed to investigate the cardioprotective potential of methanol extract of Basella alba leaves in male Wistar rats subjected to IIRI. Thirty male Wistar rats (200–250g) were divided into five groups. Group A (sham operated) received normal saline (10 ​mg/kg) for two weeks. Group B was subjected to IIRI and also received normal saline. Groups C and D were pretreated with Basella alba extract at 100 ​mg/kg and 200 ​mg/kg, respectively, before IIRI. Group E received vitamin C (200 ​mg/kg) prior to IIRI induction as a standard control. The study assessed cardiac oxidative stress parameters, inflammatory and cardiac injury markers, alongside histological evaluation. Results revealed that Basella alba-pretreated groups and the vitamin C group had increased levels of antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)—and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker. Inflammatory markers including myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly reduced, while interleukin-4 levels were elevated. Cardiac injury markers such as troponin C and creatine kinase-MB were also significantly decreased. Histological assessment confirmed the biochemical findings, showing improved heart tissue architecture in treated groups. In conclusion, methanol extract of Basella alba demonstrated significant cardioprotective effects against IIRI, comparable to vitamin C at high dose. These findings support its traditional use and suggest its dietary inclusion could benefit individuals at risk of heart injury due to IIRI.

Background and aims: Plant alkaloids are naturally occurring nitrogen-containing chemicals with a wide range of therapeutic applications. They have been reported to cure a considerable number of illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, malaria, and heart dysfunction. This study sought to evaluate the impact of several plant alkaloids on hematological parameters in animals. Methods: The results of different plant extracts containing alkaloids in laboratory animals on hematological indices such as red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), white blood cell count, platelet count, and others using normal laboratory methods were gathered from scientific papers and databases using keywords such as plant alkaloids, alkaloid toxicity, hematological parameters, hematological changes, blood, and animals. Results: Plant alkaloids identified through the search had different impacts on hematological indices. Some alkaloids raised RBC count, Hb concentration, and Hct, while others lowered these values. Platelet count was generally observed to increase, but there were exceptions. Certain alkaloids found in some plants have no substantial influence on hematological parameters. Conclusion: Plant alkaloids can cause various changes in hematological parameters in animals. These alterations might be useful or deleterious depending on the alkaloid and its concentration. Understanding these effects is essential for the safe and effective use of plant-based therapies.

Insulin resistance and other metabolic risk factors are associated with increased cardiovascular diseases in animals fed with high fat diets (HFD). L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid produced both endogenously and taken in the diet as supplements. It has been documented to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been considered a plausible candidate for the management of metabolic disorders. Therefore, this study is aimed to determine the effects of L-arginine on lipid dysregulation and insulin resistance in high fat-fed male Wistar rats. Twenty-four (24) male Wistar rats randomly selected into 4 groups, mean weight 110 ± 5 and, (n = 6) were fed rat chow + distilled water (vehicle); CTR, rat chow + L-arginine (150 mg/kg), HFD + vehicle, HFD + L-Arginine (150 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. The animals were anesthetized with 50 mg/kg pentobarbital sodium intraperitoneally, blood sample was taken via cardiac puncture and thereafter collected into a heparinized tube. Data were expressed as means ± SEM. HFD increased body weight gain, serum Insulin, Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), area under the curve (AUC), leptin, Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a), triglyceride-glucose index (TYG), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFAs), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), TC/HDL-C, Log TG/HDL-C, TC-HDL-C)/HDL-C but decreased phospoinositide-3-kinase (PIK3) when compared with control. L-arginine, resulted in significant reduction in weight gain, fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, AUC, HOMA-IR, leptin, while increasing PIK3, Lp(a), TG, TC and FFA when compared with HFD. The amelioration of lipid and glucose accumulation by L-arginine supplementation in high fat diet-fed male Wistar rats is accompanied by reduced leptin levels and PIK3 augmentation.

Pain is a complex phenomenon involving the perception of physical discomfort caused by tissue damage in the body. Risperidone, a neuroleptic with dopamine (D2) and serotonin (5-HT2) receptor antagonistic potentials, also exhibits antinociceptive properties, however, its use in the treatment of peripheral nociception has received little attention. Hence, this study evaluated the antinociceptive effects of risperidone and its possible mechanism of action. Ninety Swiss mice (23–30 ​g) were divided into two phases: antinociceptive and mechanistic. Antinociceptive activity was assessed using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw-licking tests. In each model, mice were grouped (n ​= ​6) and treated with distilled water (control), risperidone (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 ​mg/kg), or indomethacin (10 ​mg/kg). Mechanistic studies involved atropine, propranolol, or naloxone co-administered with risperidone (1.5 ​mg/kg). The results of the studies showed that risperidone significantly decreased neurogenic and inflammatory pain in the paw licking test while risperidone 1.5 ​mg/kg significantly decreased writhing in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. In the mechanistic studies, atropine co-administered with risperidone group showed significantly reversed anti-nociception when compared with risperidone 1.5 ​mg/kg alone in the paw-licking test model. Histological assessment of the mice paw tissues using Hematoxylin & Eosin, and Giemsa staining techniques revealed improved infiltration of inflammatory cells, which was significantly decreased in mice pre-treated with atropine, further supporting the analgesic potential of risperidone in the study. This study highlights risperidone's antinociceptive potential and suggests its mechanism is mediated via cholinergic pathways, offering insights into its therapeutic applications that can be implore in pain management.

High fructose diet has been linked with impaired body metabolism and cardiovascular diseases. Sodium butyrate (NaB) was documented to improve glucoregulation and cardiometabolic problems associated with high fructose diet (HFrD) but the mechanisms behind it are unclear. As a result, the purpose of this study was to look into the effects of NaB on VEGF and cardiac lactate in HFrD-induced dysmetabolism. Twenty male Wistar rats of weight 130–140 g were assigned randomly after a week of acclimation into four groups: Control diet (CTR), High fructose drink (HFrD); 10 % (w/v), NaB (200 mg/kg bw), and HFrD + NaB (200 mg/kg bw). The animals were induced to be unconscious with 50 mg/kg of pentobarbital sodium intraperitoneally, blood samples were taken via cardiac puncture and cardiac tissue homogenates were obtained for Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and plasma insulin, cardiac glycogen, plasma and cardiac glycogen synthase, plasma and cardiac nitric oxide as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). HFrD resulted in statistical elevation body and cardiac weight, plasma glucose, plasma insulin, cardiac lactate, glycogen and decreased nitric oxide level (NO) when compared with the control group. Administration of NaB reduced cardiac weight, blood glucose, plasma insulin, cardiac lactate while nitric oxide and glycogen increased (P < 0.05). NaB increased plasma glycogen synthase in normal rats, plasma and cardiac circulating VEGF in HFrD administered rats (P < 0.05) while no change was produced in plasma and cardiac glycogen synthase level of HFrD treated rats. Sodium butyrate improves glucoregulation by reducing cardiac lactate and increasing circulating VEGF in HFrD-treated rats.