Haematological and immunological effect of coadministration of extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Azadirachta indica on normal and diabetic rats

This study evaluated the effect of co-administration of extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA) and Azadirachta indica Linn.(AI) on haemapoietic and immunological indices of normal and diabetic rats. White blood cells which were non-significantly decreased (p>0.05) in diabetic control rats relative to the normal control, respectively increased and decreased non-significantly (p>0.05) upon administration of the combined extracts of VA and AI to diabetic and non-diabetic test rats. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin content and red cell count as well as its derived factors (mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration) of both diabetic and non-diabetic rats were not affected by the treatment, relative to their respective controls. As compared to insulin treatment, the combined extracts significantly increased (p<0.05) mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of diabetic rats. Platelets number which was non-significantly lower (p>0.05) in diabetic control rats as compared to non-diabetic control was further decreased non-significantly (p>0.05) upon administration of the combined extracts and insulin. Diabetes induction significantly increased CD4+ count (p<0.05) as compared to the normal control. This was however decreased significantly (p<0.05) upon treatment with the combined extracts and insulin. The combined extract similarly decreased CD4+ counts in normal test rats as compared to the normal control. Combined extracts of VA and AI is non-haematotoxic and may possess some anti-inflammatory properties when used as a management against diabetes mellitus.Key words: Diabetes, haematological and immunological indices, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica

Effect of thermoxidised groundnut oil on aminotransferase activity of heart tissue in wistar rats

The effect of thermoxidised groundnut oil on the aminotransferase activity of the heart health of Wistar rats was investigated. Eighteen female albino rats were randomly divided into three groups of six rats each .Group 1 was fed 15% fresh groundnut oil supplemented rat pellet, group 2 received 15% thermoxidised groundnut oil supplemented rat pellet, while group 3 received the normal pellet only. The feeding experiment lasted for a period of twenty one days after which the animals were sacrificed and tissue homogenates analyzed for tissue enzymes using standard methods. The results indicated a significant increase (P<0.05) concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in animals treated with the oils with respect to the control. The AST showed similar pattern in group 2 treated when compared to the control. The amongst group variation was not significant. We therefore conclude that thermoxidised groundnut oil impact adversely on heart tissues as indicated in raised enzyme levels.KEYWORDS: Wistar rats, groundnut oil, thermoxidation and aminotransferas

Vernonia amygdalina Del: A potential prophylactic anti-diabetic agent in lipid complication

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 13 (1) 2007: pp. 103-10