Background: Depression is a severe neurological condition that interferes with the brain neurochemistry and downstream signaling pathways that are involved in the regulation of mood and behavior. Studies have highlighted the antidepressant potential of GABA mimetics such as Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines. Objective: This study investigated the activities of Phenobarbitone in acute and chronic mice models of depression. Methodology: The experimental animals received a single intraperitoneal injection of Phenobarbitone 10mg/kg, 5mg/kg, 2.5mg/kg and 0.5mg/kg respectively. Imipramine 20mg/kg was used as a positive control and 0.1mg/kg of distilled water was used as the negative control. The experimental animals were subjected to a series of stressors using neurobehavioral assays in the Forced swimming test (FST), Tail suspension test (TST), and Chronic mild stress (CMS) models of depression. The duration of immobility in the TST and FST were taken as an index of behavioral despair which is a core index of depression, while aversion to consumption of palatable solution containing 2% sucrose was also taken as index anhedonia, a symptom of depression. Result: A statistically significant decrease in the immobility time was observed in the highest dose tested i.e., 10 mg/kg Phenobarbitone (P<0.05) in both phases of the study when compared to control. There was no statistically significant decrease in the immobility time in the 5mg/kg, 2.5mg/kg, and 0.5mg/kg groups in both phases of the experiment when compared to the control. Mice subjected to the Sucrose preference test showed an increase in sucrose preference at the highest dose tested, while mice subjected to the Open field test (OFT) following exposure to CMS paradigms did not show any statistically significant increase in locomotory activity (line crossings) when compared to control. Conclusion: The result of the study indicates that Phenobarbitone possesses antidepressant activity at the highest dose tested (10mg/kg).

Background: Momordica balsamina L. is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to stimulate milk production. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Momordica balsamina L. on milk yield, serum lactogenic hormones and biomarkers of oxidative stress in lactating. Material and methods: Twenty five female lactating Wistar rats (n = 25) with 4 pups each were divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats each and treated as follows: Group I: 1ml/kg distilled water; group II: 5 mg/kg metoclopramide; group III: 200 mg/kg; group IV: 400 mg/kg and group V: 800 mg/kg of Momordica balsamina L., respectively. Administration was done orally once daily at 18:00 hr for a period of 10 days, during which the milk yield was calculated daily at 18 hr after gavage. At the end of the experiment, the Wistar rats were sacrificed and blood samples and mammary tissue were harvested for analysis of prolactin, growth hormone and biomarkers of oxidative stress and histological studies. Results: There was a significantly lower serum prolactin level (p< 0.05) in the 800 mg/kg treated group when compared to the control. Serum growth hormone level was significantly higher in all the treated as compared with the control group (p< 0.05). Momordica balsamina L. stimulated a significant increase (p< 0.05) in milk yield at 400 mg/kg when compared to the control group. It also caused a significantly lower (p < 0.05) serum activity of superoxide dismutase in the 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg groups compared to the control group. While, serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly lower (p< 0.05) in the 800 mg/kg treated groups, when compared to the control group. Significantly higher (p< 0.05) serum Melondialdehyde levels were observed in the treated compared to the control. The mammary glands of rats treated with the extract showed lobuloalveolar development at 400 mg/kg. Conclusion: The study highlighted that Momordica balsamina L. stimulates mean milk yield, increase serum growth hormone and enhance lobuloaveolar development.

This study was designed to evaluate the hepatotoxic effect of Securidaca longipedunculata in adult wistar rats. Twenty four male (24) rats were randomized into four groups of six rats each (n=6) and treated as follows: Group one was administered normal saline (10 ml/kg), groups two, three and four were administered 60, 120 and 240 mg/kg doses of methanolic leaf extract of securidaca longipedunculata (MLESL) respectively. Administration was carried out by oral gavage for a period of twenty eight (28) days. At the end of experiment, animals were euthanized and blood samples collected, from which sera was obtained and used to assay for liver enzymes levels; Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Liver tissues were harvested and used for histological study. Serum AST level was significantly elevated (P< 0.05) in all the extract treated groups; 60 mg/kg (49.50±1.23), 120 mg/kg (51.17 ±1.17) and 240 mg/kg (51.50±0.65) when compared to the control (44.17±1.74). A significant increase (P< 0.05) in serum ALT and ALP levels were observed in the 240 mg/kg extract treated group; (56.25±1.38) and (86.75±1.11) respectively when compared to the control (49.50±1.38). In conclusion, the extract has a good safety profile at low to moderate dose but has shown toxic potential at high dose over long use.