EFFECTS OF CINNAMON AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL, LIVER BIOMARKER ENZYMES, HEMATOLOGICAL AND LIPID PROFILE PARAMETERS IN ALLOXAN- INDUCED DIABETIC MALE ALBINO RATS.

Cinnamon extract are widely used in Middle East and Asian countries as herbal medication for diabetes. The study evaluates the effects of Cinnamon aqueous extract on blood glucose level, liver biomarker enzymes, hematological and lipid profile parameters in alloxan- induced diabetic male albino rats (Wistar strain). Adult male albino rats weighing between 170-220g were induced intraperitoneally with alloxan. The male albino rats were grouped into five groups of six animals per group. Group A is the normal control group, Group B served as the negative control, Group C served as positive control and was treated with glibenclamide, Group D and E were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of cinnamon aqueous extract respectively. The extracts were given to the animals orally for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, the albino rats from each experimental group were starved for 16 hours and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The weight of diabetic untreated rats (Group B) were significantly (P<0.005) reduced when compared to other groups. The animals treated with glibenclamide, 100 and 200mg/Kg body weight of cinnamon extract showed significant decrease (P<0.05) of blood sugar level compared to the untreated rats (group B). This suggests that the plant extract possesses anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic effect. The extracts significantly increased RBC, HGB and HCT; and the WBC was significantly reduced in the treated groups compared to the untreated group. There were significant decrease (P<0.05) in plasma TC, TG, LDC-Cholesterol and an increase in HDLCholesterol values was observed in the treated groups compared to the untreated group. This is an indication that the extract had hypolipidemic effect and can be used in the treatment of diabetes. The extract significantly increased (P<0.05) plasma total protein level in the treated groups. The extract significantly reduced (P<0.005) liver biomarker enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP), an indication that it does not have effect on the liver

IN-VIVO ANTI-PLASMODIAL ACTIVITY AND IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA AND ITS POSITIVE EFFECT ON HEMATOLOGICAL AND LIPID PARAMETERS IN SWISS ALBINO MICE INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM BERGHEI NK 65.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of in vivo anti-plasmodial and in vitro antioxidant properties of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and its positive effect on hematological and lipid parameters in Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65. Swiss albino mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with Plasmodium berghei NK65. The mice were grouped into six groups, five per group. Group I were not infected with P.berghei, Group II and III served as both the negative and positive control while Group IV, V, and VI were treated with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of methanolic leaf extract of A. indica. The secondary metabolites in the extract include tannin, flavonoids, glycosides and saponin etc. The extract does not have any toxic effect that can lead to the death of the animals. The median lethal dose LD50 was estimated to be >5000mg/Kg body weight. The extract caused 47.80%, 50.96% and 52.30% suppression in parasitaemia at 200, 400 and 800mg/kg body weight respectively while Chloroquine exerted 100% suppression at 5mg/kg body weight. The curative test shows that the different concentration of the extract exert a growth inhibition of 50.1%, 74.57% and 73.68% at 200, 400, 800mg/kg body weight respectively while Chloroquine cleared the parasites by 94.07% at 5mg/kg body weight. The Hematological parameters showed that the extract is not hematotoxic since it significantly increase (P<0.05) RBC, HGB, and HCT values while their WBC count reduced significantly when compared to the infected untreated mice. There is a significant decrease (P<0.05) in plasma TC, TG and LDL-C in the treated groups and their HDL-C significantly increase when compared to infected untreated group. This study shows that A.indica extract has hypolipidemic effect. In the in-vitro antioxidant assay, the extract significantly increase (P<0.05) the level of SOD, CAT and GSH in the liver homogenate induced with oxidative stress using H2O2 while the MDA values reduced significantly with the administration of the extract of A.indica

IN-VIVO ANTI-PLASMODIAL ACTIVITY AND IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA AND ITS POSITIVE EFFECT ON HEMATOLOGICAL AND LIPID PARAMETERS IN SWISS ALBINO MICE INFECTED WITH PLASMODIUM BERGHEI NK 65.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of in vivo anti-plasmodial and in vitro antioxidant properties of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and its positive effect on hematological and lipid parameters in Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65. Swiss albino mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with Plasmodium berghei NK65. The mice were grouped into six groups, five per group. Group I were not infected with P.berghei, Group II and III served as both the negative and positive control while Group IV, V, and VI were treated with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of methanolic leaf extract of A. indica. The secondary metabolites in the extract include tannin, flavonoids, glycosides and saponin etc. The extract does not have any toxic effect that can lead to the death of the animals. The median lethal dose LD50 was estimated to be >5000mg/Kg body weight. The extract caused 47.80%, 50.96% and 52.30% suppression in parasitaemia at 200, 400 and 800mg/kg body weight respectively while Chloroquine exerted 100% suppression at 5mg/kg body weight. The curative test shows that the different concentration of the extract exert a growth inhibition of 50.1%, 74.57% and 73.68% at 200, 400, 800mg/kg body weight respectively while Chloroquine cleared the parasites by 94.07% at 5mg/kg body weight. The Hematological parameters showed that the extract is not hematotoxic since it significantly increase (P<0.05) RBC, HGB, and HCT values while their WBC count reduced significantly when compared to the infected untreated mice. There is a significant decrease (P<0.05) in plasma TC, TG and LDL-C in the treated groups and their HDL-C significantly increase when compared to infected untreated group. This study shows that A.indica extract has hypolipidemic effect. In the in-vitro antioxidant assay, the extract significantly increase (P<0.05) the level of SOD, CAT and GSH in the liver homogenate induced with oxidative stress using H2O2 while the MDA values reduced significantly with the administration of the extract of A.indica

Production of pectinase enzyme from cheap plant materials (corn pomace, rice bran and peanut chaff) using Aspergillus niger.

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Growth performance of African Giant Land Snails (Archachatina marginata) on dried kola nut testa and palm kernel cake mixture

This experiment was set up to assess the sensory evaluation of African giant land snails (Archachatina marginata) fed dried kola nut testa (DKT) and palm kernel cake mixture (PKC). A total of 72 snails were randomly distributed into four (4) dietary treatments which were replicated 3 times with 6 snails per replicate in a completely randomized design. The treatments were: A (100% fresh pawpaw leaf); B (75% DKT: 25% PKC); C (50% DKT: 50% PKC) and D (25% DKT: 75% PKC). The result revealed significant differences (P0.05) in shell breadth and feed intake. Values recorded for aparture raduis and weight gain were: 2.14cm,2.62cm, 2.43cm and 2.53cm and 20.00cm, 39.96cm 30.15cm and 21.56cm respectively for diets A,B,C and D. As for the carcass analysis the dressing (%),shell/liveweight (%),and visceral/liveweight (%),the values obtained were:37.07,37.89,36.02,and 36.91; 22.31,31.80,29.67 and 28.45; and 13.46,26.42,27.20 and 20.02 for snails fed diets A,B,C, and D respectively. The performance characteristic and carcass values obtained shows that diet B was the best while diet D was the least of all the diet. This study hence established that it is practicable and possible to feed dried kolanut testa and palm kernel cake mixture- a simple concentrate formula for farmer, in feeding African giant land snails (Achachatina marginata).This study will provide a background to effectively utilize the kola testa, regarded as wastes in kola plantations in Nigeria. (Af. J. of Livestock Extension: 2003 2: 9-12