Anti-Diabetic Activities of the Methanol Leaf Extracts of Hymenocardia acida (Tul.) in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

The effect of methanolic extract of Hymenocardia acida leaves on diabetes and associated lipidemia were investigated on experimentally-induced diabetic rats. The extract did not demonstrate any acutely toxic effect in rats within the dose range (250 mg/kg - 2000 mg/kg) employed in the study; hence it was well tolerated by the rats. In all experiments, the anti-diabetic effects were dose-dependent and comparable to that of glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) standard. At a dose of 500 mg/kg, lipid profile markers such as the serum total cholesterol (TC) levels, LDL-C, triglycerides and HDL-C were significantly lower (p <0.05) than those of both the treated and untreated controls.Keywords: Hymenocardia acida, Diabetes mellitus, Lipid profile, Glibenclamide, Alloxan monohydrat

Comparative analysis of phytoconstituents in commonly used vegetables in gas flaring and non-gas flaring communities in southeastern Nigeria

A comparative study to determine the impact of gas flaring (GF) on some phytoconstituents of five commonly used green leafy vegetables was done. Two locations in south-east states in Nigeria, Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State, a gas flaring (GF) community and Nsukka in Enugu State, a non-gas flaring (NGF) community, were used. Five fresh green leafy vegetable samples were used for this study (Amaranthus hybridus, Gnetum africanum, Talinum triangulare, Telfairia occidentalis, and Vernonia amygdalina) and were obtained from community farmlands during the rainy season between August and November, 2016. After collecting and identifying the green leafy vegetables from five different farmlands in GF and NGF areas and at a distance of about 2km radius from the flare site in GF communities, detailed laboratory analysis was done for alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. For A. hybridus, the flavonoid and tannin contents in NGF community were significantly (p<0.05) higher than in GF community; G. africanum, the alkaloid and tannin contents were higher in NGF community; T. triangulare, the alkaloid content alone was higher in NGF community; T. occidentalis, the alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin and tannin contents were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the NGF community; V. amygdalina, the tannin content alone was higher in NGF community compared to the GF community. Most green leafy vegetables from NGF community produced higher and better phytoconstituent concentrations than the GF community. This can be attributed to the non-pollution of the former environment

Gongronema Latifolium delays gastric emptying of semi-solid meals in diabetic dogs

The aim of the study was to investigate sonographically the effect of Gongronema latifolium on gastric emptying of semi-solid meals in diabetic dogs. Twenty-five alloxan-induced diabetic dogs were randomly allotted into five groups of five dogs each in a randomised placebo-controlled study. These are placebo, prokinetic dose, low dose, moderate dose and high dose groups. The placebo group served as the control. The low, moderate and high dose groups ingested methanolic leaf extract of G. latifolium at 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg respectively, while the prokinetic group ingested 0.5 mg/kg of metoclopramide. After a 12-hour fast, each group ingested its treatment capsules 30 minutes before the administration of test meal. Measurements of gastric emptying and blood glucose levels were obtained from each dog 30 minutes before and immediately after the ingestion of a test meal, every 15 minutes for another 4 hours and then every 30 minutes for further 2 hours. Gastric emptying of the moderate and high dose groups were 227.8 ± 9.9 min and 261.3 ± 19.3 min respectively and significantly (p < 0.0001) slower than the placebo control group of 143.0 ±17.8 min. The gastric emptying of the low dose group (169.8 ± 3.8) and control group did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). A strong inverse relationship between gastric emptying and the incremental blood glucose levels was noted in the diabetic dogs after the ingestion of Gongronema latifolium (r = - 0.90; p < 0.0001). Gonogronema latifolium delayed gastric emptying in diabetic dogs.Keywords: Diabetes, Gastric emptying, Gongronema latifolium, Sonography, Postprandial blood glucose, Antral are

Acanthus montanus: An experimental evaluation of the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunological properties of a traditional remedy for furuncles

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Acanthus montanus </it>(Nees) T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) is a shrub widespread in Africa, the Balkans, Romania, Greece and Eastern Mediterranean. It is used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of urogenital infections, urethral pain, endometritis, urinary disease, cystitis, leucorrhoea, aches and pains. In southeastern Nigeria, the root is popular and acclaimed highly effective in the treatment of furuncles. This study was undertaken to experimentally evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of the root extract as well as its effect on phagocytosis and specific cell-mediated immune response which may underlie the usefulness of the roots in treatment of furuncles.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The aqueous root extract (obtained by hot water maceration of the root powder) was studied for effects on the growth of clinically isolated strains of <it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa </it>and <it>Staphylococcus aureus</it>. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using acute topical edema of the mouse ear induced by xylene, acute paw edema induced by agar in rats, formaldehyde arthritis in rats, vascular permeability induced by acetic acid in mice and heat- and hypotonicity-induced haemolysis of ox red blood cells (RBCs). Also evaluated were the effects on <it>in vivo </it>leukocyte migration induced by agar, phagocytic activity of macrophages on <it>Candida albicans </it>and specific cell-mediated immune responses (delayed type hypersensitivity reaction (DTHR) induced by sheep red blood cell (SRBC)). The acute toxicity and lethality (LD₅₀) in mice and phytochemical constituents of the extract were also determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The extract moderately inhibited the growth of the test organisms and significantly (<it>P </it>< 0.05) inhibited (57%) topical acute edema in the mouse ear. It significantly (<it>P </it>< 0.05) suppressed the development of acute edema of the rat paw in a non-dose-related manner and was not effective in inhibiting the global edematous response to formaldehyde arthritis. It also inhibited vascular permeability induced by acetic acid in mice and the haemolysis of ox RBCs induced by heat- and hypotonicity. The extract increased total leukocyte and neutrophil counts and caused a significant (<it>P </it>< 0.05) dose-related increase in the total number of macrophages at the 800 mg/kg dose. On phagocytic activity, the extract evoked a significant (<it>P </it>< 0.05) increase in the number of macrophages with ingested <it>C. albicans </it>at 800 mg/kg dose, and significantly (<it>P </it>< 0.05) inhibited DTHR in a dose-related manner. Phytochemical tests on the extract revealed an abundant presence of alkaloids and carbohydrates while saponins, glycosides, and terpenoids occurred in trace amounts. Acute toxicity test established an oral and intraperitoneal LD₅₀greater than 5,000 mg/kg.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The effectiveness of the root of <it>A. montanus </it>in the treatment of furuncles may largely derive from mobilization of leukocytes to the site of the infection and activation of phagocytic activity as well as suppression of exacerbated immune responses by its constituents. Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities are likely contributory mechanisms. Phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids and carbohydrates may be responsible for these pharmacological activities.</p

Pharmacological Effects of a Fraction of the Methanolic Extract of Prosopis africana Fruit (Guill and Perr ) Taub

The pharmacological effects of some fractions of the Prosopis africana fruits (MEPAF) were investigated. The fractions were obtained by subjecting the MEPAF to accelerated gradient column and Thin-Layer chromatography (TLC). Nine (9) fractions were obtained based on their retention factor (R ). One of the fractions, f fraction G was selected for further studies based on its better local anaesthetic activity using the guinea pig wheal test. The MEPAF did not show any measurable effect on the ocular reflexes and isolated frog rectus abdominis muscles but showed both concentration and timedependent inhibitions of the intrinsic peristaltic contractions of the rabbit jejunum. It also induced concentration-dependent inhibitions of the contractions induced by acetylcholine (2.5 ìg/ml) on isolated rabbitjejunum. These inhibitions are thought to be antimuscarinic or atropine-like, since the contractions of the jejunal segment is believed to be through muscarinic receptors and could be blocked by atropine and related compounds . Phytochemical spot tests of the fraction Grevealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, sterol, terpenes but not flavonoids, polyuronoids and reducing sugar. These findings give credence to the folkloric use of Propsopis africana in the treatment of body pain, toothache and dysentery

Erythrocyte stability, membrane protective and haematological activities of Newbouldia laevis in alloxan –induced diabetic rats

The high prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the developing world and its attendant high cost on healthcare have necessitated search for cheaper, effective and readily available alternative therapies in plants. One of such plants used in Nigeria is Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv) (NLE). Its effect on erythrocyte fragility, membrane stability and haematological parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats for 21 days showed that Newbouldia laevis at 250 mg/kg reduced erythrocyte haemolysis to 11.08±2.50 % while Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid 200 mg/kg) reduced the haemolysis by 10.87±2.16 %. Glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) a standard oral antidiabetic drug reduced the haemolysis to 22.52±3.50 % all at the NaCl concentration of 0.85 %. It also demonstrated its ability to protect the liver, kidney and the pancreas especially at the dose rate of 250 mg/kg against alloxan-induced diabetic membrane destruction. It dose-dependently decreased the packed cell volume (PCV) from 43.67±7.34 % at the dose of 62.5 m g/kg to 33.64±6.34 % at the dose of 125.0 mg/kg and 28.33±3.67 % at the dose of 250 mg/kg. Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), reduced from 14.57±2.43 % at the dose of 62.5 mg/kg to 9.43±1.20 % at 250 mg/kg. But at the same time, it dose-dependently increased the white blood cell count (WBC) from 4.13±0.83 x 103 at the dose of 62.5 mg/kg to 6.26±1.3 x 103 at the dose of 250.0 mg/kg. In conclusion, Newbouldia laevis at 250 mg/kg has erythrocyte and membrane protection ability in alloxan-induced diabetic rats comparable to Vitamin C and glibenclamide, but has variable effects on haematological parameters that are within the normal ranges in diabetic rats.Keywords: Diabetes, Erythrocytes, Haematology, Membrane stability, Newbouldia laevi

Trypanocidal activity of the ethanolic extract of Buchholzia coriacea seed

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Evaluation of local anaesthetic efficacy of the crude extract of Sterculia tragacantha using West African Dwarf Goats

The crude extract of Sterculia tragacantha was subcutaneously infiltrated at the scrotum and left flank of West African dwarf goat prior to orchidectomy and non invasive flank procedures respectively. To assess the local anaesthetic efficacy of the extract post orchidectomy, the pain threshold, changes in vital parameters and blood glucose were monitored. Post flank infiltration, the durations of local anaesthesia, degree of analgesia and distances of tissue diffusion of the extract were monitored. Data obtained in the extract group were compared with those of lignocaine group and a control group. Mean heart rate (HR) of the extract group were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than HR obtained in the control group at 30 and 120 min while mean respiratory rate (RR) of extract group was significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than RR of control group at 30, 120 and 240 min. Post orchidectomy, glucose values of extract group were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than those in control group. The mean post operative pain scores in extract group were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than those obtained in control group. Duration of local anaesthesia at the flank due to lignocaine infiltration was significantly (P&lt;0.05) longer compared to that due to the extract. Avoidance responses to pain exhibited post flank infiltration of the extract and lignocaine were not significantly (p&gt;0.05) different. Similarly, the rate and distances of tissue diffusion of the extract and lignocaine were not significantly different (p&gt;0.05). On scrotal infiltration, S. tragacantha extract significantly attenuated post operative rise in the vital parameters and blood glucose. The extract was as efficacious as lignocaine when infiltrated on the flank. These results showed that an active component with potent local anaesthetic activity could be isolated from the extract if further purified.Keywords: Anaesthesia, Flank, Infiltration, Lignocaine, Orchidectomy, Sterculia tragacantha