Efficacy of aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina on plasma lipoprotein and oxidative status in diabetic rat models

Many minor components of foods, such as secondary plant metabolites, have been shown to posses antioxidant activities, improving the effects of oxidative stress on diabetes and other disease conditions. This study evaluates the effect of aqueous extracts from Vernonia amygdalina leaves on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The results showed that the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were subjected to oxidative stress as was shown by the extent of lipid peroxidation (high malondialdehyde levels) present in the plasma. The aqueous extract of V. amygdalina leaves possessed antioxidant activity as shown by decreases in malondialdehyde levels. High values of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides levels, which are typical of the diabetic condition, were also found in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extract also significantly reduced triglyceride levels and normalized cholesterol concentrations. This shows that the aqueous extract of V. amygdalina leaves have both hypolipidaemic and antioxidant properties. Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, lipoproteins, oxidative status, diabetic rats Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol. 20(1-2) 2005: 39-4

Is Vernonia amygdalina hepatotoxic or hepatoprotective? Response from biochemical and toxicity studies in rats

The effects of various concentrations of aqueous extract of Vernonia amygdalina leaves on some biochemical indices of liver function were investigated in albino Wistar rats. Acute toxicity tests of theextract gave an LD50 of 500 mg/kg. Phytochemical analysis of the plant material showed that anthracene glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, proteins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, saponins and tannins werepresent. Liver function tests revealed that the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased significantly (p0.05) increase in both alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities for all the concentrations administered. Also the increase in mean values of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin for all theconcentrations administered were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The results, therefore, strongly suggest that V. amygdalina leaf extract is not hepatotoxic in rats. The findings are of nutritional, clinicaland veterinary relevance considering the diverse applications of the plant in almost all African populations

Oxidative stress and non-enzymic antioxidant status in hypertensive patients in Nigeria

Oxidative stress and non-enzymic antioxidant status in plasma of hypertensive patients in Nigeria were investigated. One hundred and fifty hypertensive patients (82 males and 68 females) age range 55 – 75 years visiting Federal Medical Centre, Owerri were selected for the study. Controls were 120 apparently healthy subjects (66 males and 54 females) age range 55 -75 years. Patients with complication such as renal diseases, viral and bacterial infections were excluded from the study. In The hypertensive patients presented significantly higher mean values of plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerolsand reduced HDL-cholesterol and phospholipids (p < 0.05). The result of plasma lipid peroxide was significantly higher in hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). Also the levels of non-enzymic antioxidantssuch as Vitamin C, vitamin E and reduced glutathione in plasma were significantly depleted in the hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). This study shows that hypertension is associated with increasedoxidative stress and depleted non-enzymic antioxidant status even in developing countries like Nigeria

Protective role of Phyllantus niruri extract on serum lipid profiles and oxidative stress in hepatocytes of diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus has been associated with lipid abnormalities and oxidative stress. Some phytochemical properties have been shown to possess antioxidant activities, improving the effects of oxidative stress on diabetes. This present investigations confirmed that untreated diabetic rats were associated with lipid abnormalities as indicated by high levels of total- and LDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols and low levels of HDL-cholesterol and phospholipids, compared to non-diabetic rats(control). The aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri significantly normalized the serum lipids levels. The study also showed that untreated diabetic rats were subjected to oxidative stress as indicated by significantly abnormal activities of their scavenging enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase and significantly low levels of non-enzymic antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E and reduced glutathione) in liver and plasma when compared with controls and in the extent of lipid peroxidation (increased malondialdehyde levels) in plasma and liver cells. The aqueous extract of P. niruri possessedantioxidant activities as shown by increased activities of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants and decrease in malondialdehyde levels

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Vernonia amygdalina Leaves on Biochemical Indices of Liver Function in Rats

The effects of various concentrations of aqueous extracts of Vernonia amygdalina leaves; 100mg/kg (high dose) and 50 mg/kg (low dose) on some indices of liver function; serum bilirubin (conjugated and unconjugated) alanine and asparate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were investigated in albino Wistar rats. The classes of chemical components of the aqueous extract of the plant were determined. Anthracene glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, proteins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, saponins and tannins were found to be present. Acute toxicity test in rats gave an LD50 of 500 mg/kg. The activities of asparate aminotransferase increased significantly for all concentrations administered (P0.05) for all the concentrations administered. Also the increase of the mean value of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin levels for all the concentrations administered were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The results therefore, strongly suggest that Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract may not have hepatotoxic effect when used as therapeutic or nutritional agents

Effect of aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium on some indices of liver function in rats

No Abstract. Global Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 5(1) 2006: 17-2

Hypolipidaemic And Antioxidant Properties Of Ocimum gratissimum On Diabetic Rats

It has been shown that many minor components of food, such as some plant metabolites may possess hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities, thus reducing the effects of oxidative stress on diabetic and other disease conditions. This study was designed to investigate the effect of aqueous extract from Ocimum gratissimum leaf (200 mg/kg) on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. The classes of chemical components of the aqueous extract of the plant were determined. Glycosides, alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids, were found to be present while cyanogenic glycosides was not detected. Acute toxicity test in rats gave an LD50 of 1050.45 ± 64 mg /kg. The results showed that the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were subjected to oxidative stress as was shown by the extent of lipid peroxidation (high malondialdehyde levels) present in plasma. The aqueous extract of O. gratissimum leaves decreased the malondialdehyde levels. High values of LDL- cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, which are typical of the diabetic condition, were found to be reduced significantly in the diabetic rats by the aqueous extract of O. gratissimum. This study shows that the aqueous leaf extract of O. gratissimum may possess both hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities Keywords: O. gratissimum, Lipoproteins, Oxidative status, Diabetic rats.Plant Product Research Journal Vol. 11 2007: pp. 1-

Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidaemic Effects of Phyllanthus niruri in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri leaves in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. The acute toxicity studies showed that the extract from the aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus niruri produced an LD50 of 516.2mg/kg in rats,by intraperitoneal route. The classes of chemical components of the aqueous extract of the plant were determined. Glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and tannins were found to be present. STZ induction causes a significant elevation in the level of blood glucose and loss of body weight in rats. In this study, we observed that the administration of aqueousextract of P. niruri at doses of 120 and 240mg/kg body weight to diabetic rats not only caused a significant decrease in blood glucose but also had a significant effect in controlling the loss of body weight which occurred during diabetes. The present investigations also confirmed that untreated diabetic rats manifested evidence of lipid abnormalities as indicated by high levels of total- and LDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols and low levels of HDL-cholesterol, compared to non-diabetic rats (control). The aqueous extract of P. niruri significantly normalized the serum lipids levels. Theseobservations showed that the aqueous extract of P. niruri leaf may have hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects

Anti-Atherogenicity Following Administration of Exudate from Aloe barbadensis Leaves in Diabetic Rats

No Abstract

Effect of vitamins E and C on exercise-induced oxidative stress

The effects of ingesting antioxidant vitamins E and C for 4 weeks on serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels at rest and after exercise was studied in humans. Twenty-four young healthy males aged 15 30 years participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to either an antioxidant vitamin supplemented group (daily doses of 1000IU of α tocopherol and 1000mg of ascorbic acid) or a control group. Exercise consisted of 40 min of treadmill running at 60% of maximal O2 consumption (VO2 max) followed by 10min of running at 90% of VO2 max. Blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after two exercise bouts. The mean values of serum MDA concentrations (marker of lipid peroxidation) in antioxidant vitamins E and C supplemented group increased from 4.0 ± 0.04 nmol MDA /ml at rest to 4.95 ± 0.06 nmol MDA /ml at moderate exercise and then to 5.88 ± 0.4 nmol MDA /ml at high intensity exercise. It was concluded that taking 1000mg vitamin C and 1000IU of vitamin E daily lowered the makers of lipid peroxidation at rest and after exercise but does not prevent the exercise induced increase in oxidative stress.Keywords: vitamin E, vitamin C, oxidative stress, exercise Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 12(2) 2006: 199-20