Effects of aqueous extract of Basella alba leaves on haematological and biochemical parameters in albino rats

The effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Basella alba on haematological and biochemical parameters were studied in Wistar strain albino rats. Twenty four (24) Wistar strain albino rats were randomly distributed into four groups of six (6) rats each. Group I rats served as control and received 10 ml/kg of normal saline, while group II, III and IV received 60, 80 and 100 mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of B. alba, respectively, for two weeks. Administration of the extract was done orally. At the end of the treatment period, haematological parameters (red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration) and biochemical parameters (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST)) were determined. The results showed that B. alba significantly increased (p < 0.05, 0.01) red blood cell count, white blood cell count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and platelet count. However, the extract significantly (p < 0.05, 0.01) reduced the activity of the liver enzymes such as ALP, ALT and AST. The decreases were dose dependent. In conclusion, adding B. alba leaves as part of daily diet may reduce anaemia and maintain good health.Key words: Basella alba, haematological parameters, biochemical parameters, albino rats

Antidiabetic effect of aqueous extract of Basella alba leaves and metformin in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats

The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect of aqueous extract of Basella alba leaves in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Thirty (30) male albino rats weighing 100 to 150 g were used for this work. The rats were randomly distributed into five groups containing six (6) rats per group. Group I rats served as the healthy control group and were neither induced with diabetes nor given any treatment. Group II rats served as the diabetic control. They were induced with diabetes but not given any treatment throughout the experiment. Rats in group III and IV were induced with diabetes and administered B. alba leaf extract at different doses, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Group V rats were also induced with diabetes and treated with Metformin at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. The various treatments were administered orally for a period of three weeks. The mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) of the rats was determined weekly using a glucometer. The rats treated with B. alba at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg had their mean FBG levels significantly lower than the diabetic control group (p<0.05). Similarly, there was significant difference between rats in the group treated with Metformin and the diabetic control group (p<0.05). The mean FBG levels of rats treated with 200 mg/kg of B. alba leaf extract was not statistically different from that recorded in rats treated with Metformin. The results show that B. alba leaf extract has antidiabetic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, varying with the quantity ingested. Hence, consumption of B. alba leaf as a vegetable should be encouraged for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.Keywords: Basella alba, diabetes mellitus, fasting blood glucose, metformin, hypoglycemia.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(24) 2455-245

Chemical composition and health benefits of coconut oil: an overview

Coconut oil is an integral part of Sri Lankan and many South Asian diets. Initially, coconut oil was classified along with saturated fatty acid food items and criticized for its negative impact on health. However, research studies have shown that coconut oil is a rich source of medium-chain fatty acids. Thus, this has opened new prospects for its use in many fields. Beyond its usage in cooking, coconut oil has attracted attention due to its hypocholesterolemic, anticancer, antihepatosteatotic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and skin moisturizing properties. Despite all the health benefits, consumption of coconut oil is still underrated due to a lack of supportive scientific evidence. Even though studies done in Asian countries claim a favorable impact on cardiac health and serum lipid profile, the limitations in the number of studies conducted among Western countries impede the endorsement of the real value of coconut oil. Hence, long-term extensive studies with proper methodologies are suggested to clear all the controversies and misconceptions of coconut oil consumption. This review discusses the composition and functional properties of coconut oils extracted using various processing methods