Microstructural Observations on Nissl Substances in the Cerebellar Cortex of Adult Wistar Rats following Quinine Administration

Purpose: This study assessed some microstructural effects of quinine, commonly used in malaria chemotherapy, especially in chloroquine-resistant and cerebral malaria, on the Nissl substance in the cerebellar cortex of adult Wistar rats using microanatomical studies.Methods: Twenty seven adult male Wistar rats, weighing between 150g and 190g, were randomly separated into groups A, B and C (n=9). The rats in group A served as the control and received intramuscular injection of physiological saline. Group B rats were injected intramuscularly with liquid quinine, 16mg/kg body weight as a start dose, followed by 8mg/kgbody weight 8 hourly for seven days. Group C rats received the same treatment as group B but were subjected to a withdrawal period of one week. Groups A and B rats were sacrificed at the end of the treatment while group C rats were sacrificed at the end of one week. The cerebellum of each rat was removed and fixed in 10% formol saline for histological analysis. Results: The findings showed that the Nissl substances in the cerebellar cortex in control rats stained more intensely and distinctly compared with the less intense stain and degenerated Nissl substances in the treated rats. Conclusion: The observed degenerative changes in the Nissl substances in the cerebellar cortex of the treated rats may affect the synthesis of proteins in correlation with neuronal functions

Efficacy of vitamin C and ethanolic extract of Sesamum indicum in promoting fertility in male Wistar rats

Aims: This study investigates the efficacy of ethanolic extract of Sesamum indicum (EES), vitamin C (VC), and EES + VC in promoting fertility and finding a possible link between their profertility effects and their antioxidant activities. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats [Body weight (BW) 186.56 ± 0.465 g] were randomly analyzed into four groups of ten rats each: Control, EES G (EES only), VC G (vitamin C only), and EES + VC G (EES in conjunction with vitamin C). Control was given 5 ml/kg BW/day of normal saline orally; EES G was administered 0.3 g/kg BW/day of EES; VC G was administered 15 mg/kg BW/ day of VC; while EES + VC G was administered both 0.3 g/kg BW/day of EES and 15 mg/kg BW/day of VC. All treatments were for 10 weeks. Statistical Analysis Used: Independent-sample T test was used to analyze the obtained results. Results: The results obtained showed that EES, VC, and more importantly EES + VC are capable of significantly increasing BW gain, seminal parameters, testosterone level, and body antioxidant activities. Conclusions: These findings lead to the conclusion that EES + VC as well as ESS and VC promote fertility due to both their testosterone-increasing effects and their antioxidant effects