Anatomy

Permanent URI for this collection

http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/200

Browse

Browsing Anatomy by Author "Afework, Mekbib (PhD)"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Evaluation of the Acute and Sub-chronic Toxic Effects of Aqueous Leaves Extracts of Artemisia Afra on Liver, Kidney and Some Blood parameters in Wistar Rats at Addis Ababa University on year 2014/2015
    (Addis Abeba University, 2015-08) Eshetu, Nikodimos; Afework, Mekbib (PhD)
    Traditional medicine has remained to be the most affordable and easily accessible source of treatment in the primary healthcare system of resource poor communities and, it is the only means of treatment for such communities. Plants have been the basis for treatment throughout human history, and they are still widely practiced today as part of traditional medicine. The plant Artemisia afra has been shown to display a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities, which provide experimental support for the empiric ethno-pharmacological use of this plant in traditional medicine. However, despite its widespread use, very little is known about its safety and efficacy. This Experimental laboratory based study has been carried out to investigate the acute and subchronic toxic effects of leaves of Artemisia afra on liver and kidney; and some blood parameters in rats. The study was carried out in Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University. The experiments were performed on 59 Wister rats (32 for acute and 27 for subchronic study) based on the OECD guideline they were assigned to each group randomly. The study was conducted from January 2014-July 2015. Various doses of aqueous extract of the leaves were employed for single dose toxicity studies, while the effective dose and triple the effective dose were used for repeated toxicity studies. This study showed that the oral lethal dose (LD50s) is higher than 5000mg/kg. Generally in the acute toxicity study; the general behavior and body weights were not altered in Wister rats administered with doses up to 5000mg/kg. After subchronic study with both doses (600 and 1800mg/kg), there were no significant changes in the overall body weight, the evaluated hematological and most of the biochemical parameters. No death was recorded. In gross observation, the kidneys and liver of treatment groups appear normal in their texture, size or color as compared to the control. Histopathological presentations were generally normal though there were mild mononuclear leukocytic infiltrations around the central venules & portal areas of Wister rats’ liver at both 600 and 1800mg/kg dose in addition minor tubulointerstitial leukocytic infiltrations were observed in small areas of kidney sections administered higher dose. Findings of this study revealed that A. afra is relatively safe. Keywords: A. afra, Traditional medicine, Toxicological assessment
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Project paper on risk of Congenital Limb Reduction Defects Associated with in Utero Exposure to Oral Contraceptives
    (Addis Abeba University, 2014-07) Diriba, Workineh; Afework, Mekbib (PhD)
    Oral contraceptives are widely used and are generally safe and effective for many women. Oral contraceptives are known also as the Pill, POP, COCPs, OCs, BCs, BC tablets, or birth control pills. This medicine usually contains two types of hormones, estrogens and progestins and, when taken properly, prevents pregnancy. The aim of this project is to review and present the teratogenic effects of Oral contraceptives on the limb development. Allegations that inadvertent pregnancies occurring in users of contraception are associated with congenital anomalies are common. Fortunately, there is little to no scientific basis for such claims. Evaluating these claims requires consideration of the two general mechanisms responsible for human malformation: teratogenesis and mutagenesis. Some study indicate that there is a possibility of a sevenfold (7X) increase in risk of limb reduction defects, Other authors concluded that, exposure to sex hormones during pregnancy doubled the risk for some specific diagnoses, including certain limb defects, but these increases were not statistically significant. Inbred normal adult SWR mice were used to investigate the possible teratogenic effect of Microginon 30 (0.15mg leronogestrel (L) + 0.03mg EE), as an oral contraceptive on fetuses of females receiving doses from day 7 to day 12 of pregnancy. External malformations including abnormal hind limb, abnormal tail and exencephaly have been induced in low frequencies by the doses 0.48L + 0.96E and 1.20L +0.24E mg/kg. An analysis of available epidemiologic data leads the present reviewer to conclude that the use of exogenous hormones during human pregnancy has not been proved to cause developmental abnormality in non-genital organs and tissues. If there are increased risks of non-genital malformations associated with the administration of certain sex steroids, the risks are very small, may not be causal, and are substantially below the spontaneous risk of malformations. Key words: Oral contraceptive, congenital limb reduction defects, pregnancy