Cortico-hippocampal molecular characterization in rat model of multiple sclerosis: Neuroprotective mechanisms of Nigella sativa oil Rhoda Mama Kolo, Chijoke Bethel Ehirim, Damilola Opeadua Olabiyi, Isaac Ayobami Ayobamidele, Rukayat Jaji-Sulaimon, et al. Multiple Sclerosis Journal Experimental Translational and Clinical, 2025 Background Current multiple sclerosis management primarily targets symptom alleviation and immune modulation, with limited success in halting progression or achieving sustained remission. Consequently, the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting the underlying mechanisms of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains a critical area of research. Objectives This study investigated the putative neuroprotective properties of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) in a cuprizone-induced demyelination model in adult male Wistar rats. Methods Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Group A (Control) received normal mash feed; Group B received 0.2% cuprizone diet; Group C received 5 ml/kg NSO, while Group D received 0.2% cuprizone diet and 5 ml/kg NSO. After 35 days, rats were tested for memory and behaviour (Y-maze, Morris water maze, open-field test). Rats were euthanized, brains were excised then examined for myelin integrity, oligodendrocyte loss, and microglial activation using immunohistochemistry (antibodies: myelin basic protein, oligodendrocyte transcription factor, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1). Results Cuprizone exposure resulted in impaired memory function, reduced exploratory behaviour, and increased anxiety-like behaviours. Treatment with NSO mitigated these behavioural deficits. Additionally, NSO treatment reduced microglial activation and preserved myelin integrity. Conclusion Nigella sativa oil ameliorated behavioural alterations, neuroinflammation and demyelination in cuprizone model of MS, suggesting that NSO may have therapeutic potential for MS.
Low dose bitter leaf improves sperm quality disrupted in immunosuppressed wistar rats: An experimental study Risikat Eniola Kadir, Abdulmumin Ibrahim, Balkis Abimbola Ibrahim, Sadiya Musa Gwadabe, Rukayat Jaji-Sulaimon, et al. International Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine, 2020 Background: Synthetic prednisolone (PRED) is a widely used over-the-counter glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids have inhibitory effects on the immune system and are often used as immunosuppressive agents. Suppressed immunity may impact fertility via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Bitter leaf (BL) has been shown to improve sperm parameters, but its effects on immunosuppression-associated infertility have not yet been documented.
 Objective: To determine the fertility effects of bitter leaf on immunosuppressed Wistar rats.
 Materials and Methods: A total of 30 male adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n = 5/each). Group A served as a control and were given distilled water in addition to normal feeds, group B received 2 mg/kg PRED for 14 days and served as the standard immunosuppressed group, and groups C-F were immunosuppressed as in B but in addition received 50 mg/kg levamisole, low-dose (250 mg/kg) BL, highdose (375 mg/kg) BL, and low-dose BL + levamisole, respectively. The CD4 counts, hematological parameters, and sperm parameters were analyzed and compared.
 Results: There were significant decreases in sperm motility, progressive motility, morphology, and life/death ratio in the animals given PRED only compared to the controls (p = 0.002, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.01, respectively). These were significantly increased in the treated groups, and animals given levamisole and 250 mg/kg BL showed significantly increased sperm counts compared to the controls (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04, respectively).
 Conclusion: Low-dose BL (250 mg/kg) restored the sperm parameters altered by prednisolone administration.
 Key words: Bitter leaf, Immunosuppression, Infertility, Prednisolone, Rats.
Testicular morphology and seminal fluid parameters of adult Wistar rats following honey administration Eniola R Kadir, Lekan S Ojulari, Abdulmumin Ibrahim, Oluwole J Ekundayo, Rukayat Jaji-Sulaimon, et al. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2018 Purpose : Honey has a long history of use in the traditional medical systems This objective of this study was to find out the effects of honey on quality and quantity of sperm and testicular microstructure when compared to fertility boosting drug and controls. Methods : A total number of thirty (30) matured male Wistar rats that were sexually active weighing 200 - 280g were used for this study. The animals were grouped into five as A - E. Group A was the control; Group B (standard group) was the standard group that received 0.3ml of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) drug for 6 days; groups C, D and E received 1ml, 2ml, and 2.5ml of honey daily for 21days respectively. After 21 days of administration, the testes were removed for analysis of the sperm parameters and the histology. Results : Honey significantly improved the sperm quality and spermatogenesis rate (denser seminiferous tubule lumen) of exposed animals compared to control animals, but most improvement was seen in the standard group that received 0.3ml FSH. Also no sign of degeneration or cellular loss was observable in the testicular histo-architecture of experimental animals. Conclusion : This research showed that honey possesses some fertility boosting properties in exposed animals compared to controls and honey is not associated with increased sperm abnormalities. Keywords : Honey, Fertility booster, Spermatozoa, Ologospermia
Moringa oleifera ameliorates histomorphological changes associated with cuprizone neurotoxicity in the hippocampal Cornu ammonis (CA) 3 region Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences, 2018
Prenatal exposure to gestational nicotine before neurulation is detrimental to neurodevelopment of wistar rats’ offspring Gabriel Olaiya Omotoso, Risikat Eniola Kadir, Fatima A. Sulaimon, Rukayat Jaji-Sulaimon, Ismail Temitayo Gbadamosi, et al. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2018 Background and aim This study aimed to determine the effect of gestational nicotine exposure before neurodevelopment on the morphology and histology of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in rats. Methodology Adult female Wistar rats were time-mated and grouped into three categories: (a) control–given 0.1 mL of normal saline, (b) low-dose nicotine–given 6.88 mg/ kg/d/0.05 mL, and (c) high-dose nicotine–given 13.76 mg/kg/d/0.1 mL in two divided doses. Treatment was given intraperitoneally from gestational days 2 to 6. On postnatal day 15 (P15), the pups were separated from their mothers, anaesthetised and sacrificed, followed by intracardial perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde. PFC was excised from the brain and processed for tissue histology, histochemistry, and morphology of brain cells. Results Gestational nicotine exposure during the first week of gestation in rats significantly reduced birth weights in nicotine-treated groups compared with control; it, however, accelerated body weights, altered neuronal morphology, and elevated astrocytic count significantly, while oligodendroglial count was slightly increased in the PFC of juvenile rats examined at P15. Conclusion These alterations revealed that gestational nicotine exposure before the commencement of the cellular processes involved in brain development negatively affects neurodevelopment, and this could result in neurological dysfunctions in later life.
