Histopathological Evaluation of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Lippia adoensis on Liver, Kidney, and Biochemical Parameters in Swiss Albino Mice

Background

Eighty percent of Ethiopians use traditional medicine, one of which is the leaf of Lippea adoensis.

Objective

To investigate subacute toxicity of aqueous extracts of L. adoensis leaves on the liver and kidney and biochemical parameters in Swiss albino mice.

Methods

LD₅₀ was assessed with nine experimental groups and one control group of adult female Swiss albino mice (five in each group). In the subacute study, 40 mice of both sexes were randomly divided into four groups of ten mice (both sexes) per group. Group I served as controls and received distilled water and feed only. Groups II-IV were used as treatment groups. They received calculated doses of aqueous leaf extracts orally at doses of 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg body weight, respectively.

Results

Since 80% of deaths occurred at the 10,000 mg/kg body-weight dose in this experiment, LD₅₀ was considered to be <10,000 mg/kg. In the subacute test, general signs of toxicity like hypoactivity, piloerection, lethargy, and a single episode of convulsion were observed at the 2000 mg/kg dose. Beginning from the third week of administration, both male and female mice receiving 500 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg and all treatment groups in the fourth week showed significant (P<0.05) weight loss compared to controls. Biochemical parameters were found to increase in all groups treated with ethanolic leaf extracts. Several histopathological changes like congestion, hemorrhage, severe necrosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in both liver and kidney in the L. adoensis-treated rats were observed at all doses.

Conclusion

In the present study, the ethanolic leaf extracts of L. adoensis produced dose-dependent weight loss and histopathological and biochemical changes in Swiss albino mice.

Anatomical branching patterns of the aortic arch in Ethiopia: An imaging-based study

Background: The aortic arch (AA) is a key anatomical vascular structure through which blood is distributed to the body’s organs. Knowledge of its branching patterns is important for surgical procedures. This study aimed to describe anatomical variations in the branching patterns of human AAs in patients who underwent chest contrastenhanced computed tomography. Methods: A retrospective study involving 630 chest contrastenhanced computed tomography scans from July 2018 to July 2019 was carried out at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia. These images were reviewed for AA branching patterns and classified accordingly. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Of the 630 patients (364 males and 266 females), AA branching pattern variations were found in 35.2%: type II, 26%; type III, 6.5%; type V, 2.7%; the rest, 64.8%, had a normal (type I) AA branching pattern. The left vertebral artery and the aberrant right subclavian artery were also observed to originate directly from the AA. Conclusions: AA branching pattern variation types II, III, and V were found in our study. These findings could be vital during aortic instrumentation and surgical procedures of the head and neck in Ethiopia and globally.

Neuroimaging patterns of anatomical features in pediatric cerebral palsy patients at Ayder hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia

Background

Neuroradiological studies have greatly improved the knowledge and diagnoses of cerebral palsy with its underlying pathology, types and accompanying changes in brain morphology. However, there is no published study on cerebral palsy neuroimaging patterns in Ethiopia.

Methods

Retrospective chart and neuroimaging reviews were conducted among pediatric patients, who attended Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital between January 2016 and August 2019, fulfilling the study criteria. The magnetic resonance images and computed tomography scans reviewed by a neuroradiologist and/or pediatric neurologist were included. Data was collected using a structured checklist and analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 22. Results were represented using tables, graphs and images.

Results

The median age at neuroimaging was 2 years. There were more males (54.5%) than females (45.5%) with a male: female ratio of 1.2:1. Majority of the patients had magnetic resonance (81.8%) as opposed to computed tomography scans (18.2%). Most of the patients (69.7%) had been born at term with spastic quadriplegia (33.3%) found to be the leading type of cerebral palsy. 30.3% of the patients had normal neuroimaging studies whereas 69.7% had neuroimaging abnormalities. Anomalies included pathologies of the white matter (18.2%), basal ganglia (15.2%), cortex and lobes (27.3%), corpus callosum (6.1%), lateral ventricles (12.1%), cysts (18.2%) and cerebellum (3%), respectively. Other findings were seen in 45.5% of the patients.

Conclusion

Severe forms of cerebral palsy (spastic quadriplegia) were most common with majorly cortical and subcortical brain involvement.