2 research outputs found

    Antidiabetic properties of Solanum villosum and Solanum nigrum var sarrachoides in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice model

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    Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) poses immense challenge to the health of people worldwide. Current therapies are limited by cost and adverse effects. Solanum nigrum, a complex of many species in the family Solanaceae has been recorded to be used by many communities in the management of DM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical, antidiabetic efficacy and safety of two species, namely; Solanum villosum and S. nigrum var sarrachoides using streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice model.Methods: Qualitative assessment for phytochemical constituents was carried out. Acute toxicity was conducted based on ‘Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development’ 2001 guidelines. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal after the mice fasted for 8 hours. Aqueous extracts were administered orally using an oral gavage at doses of 150, and 300 mg/kg body weight for each plant daily and monitored weekly for 28 days.Results: Both plants contain vital phytochemicals. Flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, and glycosides were present in both plants. However, phytosterols and coumarins were absent in S. villosum. Additionally, both plants did not show toxicity. Both plants showed efficacy with S. nigrum var sarrachoides being more potent at both doses.Conclusions: The study validates the use of these plants by herbalists and recommends further studies on them with the aim of elucidating the active compounds that can be used as novel therapies for diabetes. Additionally, the study recommends the evaluation of other species in this complex for antidiabetic properties

    Antioxidant activity and effects of Kenyan Tea (Camellia sinensis) on the liver function and serum biochemistry in male Wistar rats

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    Background: Tea is a beverage that is most widely consumed worldwide. Studies have shown that oral consumption of tea has health benefits however, there is paucity of data in Kenya detailing the biochemical effects of tea in the liver and elucidation of its mechanism of action.Methods: The polyphenol composition and antioxidant capacity of tea were determined by HPLC and the Folins Ciocalteu spectrophotometric methods. Metal levels were determined using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Aqueous black and green tea extracts were administered to the rats at dosages of 400mg/kg b.w.t. The effect of tea on total blood proteins, Albumin, ZHX1, TBARS, AST, ALP and ALT were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The body weight of each rat was also determined at one week interval.Results: Total Polyphenols (TP), Total Catechins (TC) and Antioxidant Activity (AA) between the black and green teas were significantly (P0.05) effect on TP, ALB, ALT, AST, ALP, MDA and ZHX1 in the test animals compared with the controls. This data indicates that green tea is rich in catechins while black tea being rich in Theaflavins (TFs) and Thearubigins (TRs). Both tea products possess essential and non-essential metals well within the maximum permissible concentrations.Conclusions: Findings from this study indicate both green and black tea aqueous extracts have polyphenols and high antioxidant activity. Administration of the aqueous tea extracts have no toxicological effect on the liver.
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