Effect of hibiscus sabdariffa l., zingiber officinale roscoe and piper nigrum l. On the hematological parameters of alloxan induced diabetic wistar rats.

Background: Diabetes is a disease condition of metabolism clinically expressed by chronic hyperglycemia and protein disorder; it has a link to several complications that cause morbidity and mortality and native plants with antidiabetic properties can be used to avoid further progression of the disease Objective: To investigate the antidiabetic properties of combined extract of hibiscus sabdariffa l., zingiber officinale roscoe and piper nigrum l. as well as its effect on selected hematological parameters in alloxan induced diabetic wistar rats Methods: Thirty (30) male wistar rats aged between 8-10 weeks, weighing 130g to 138g were divided into five groups of six rats each and acclimatized for a week prior to the commencement of the treatments. Of the 5 groups, 4 were induced with 170mg/kg body weight of alloxan. Diabetic rats were treated with 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg of the combined extract as well as 500mg/kg of metformin. The last diabetic group was left untreated and served as the negative control. All treatments were administered for 21 days with blood glucose level and body weight of the experimental animals regularly measured during the course of the treatment. At the end of the treatments, experimental rats were sacrificed and the blood collected was used to carry out hematological analysis including White Blood Cell count(WBC), Red Blood Cell count (RBC), Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), Hematocrit (Hct) or Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and  Platelet (Plt). The results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P˂0.05. Results:  The combined plant extract was observed to cause a decrease in the blood sugar level and also helped to maintain the body weight of animals. Similarly, the level of the PCV and the HB significantly increased (p<0.05) after administering the combined extract at the two selected doses. Also the WBC count was significantly (p<0.05) lowered following the administration of the combined extract. Conclusion: The combined extracts of Hibiscus Sabdariffa and Zingiber Officinale and Piper Nigrum have potential in the management of hyperglycemia as well as in the improvement of hematological parameters in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Effect of hibiscus sabdariffa l. Piper nigrum l. And zingiber officinale r. Extract on serum electrolytes profile and changes in the pancreas of alloxan induced diabetic rat.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disease which is characterized by hyperglycaemia, altered metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and protein with an increased risk of many complications such as liver and pancreas damage and altered serum electrolytes level. During the past few years many plants and spices have been used to manage DM. This work aimed to investigate the possible anti-diabetic effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Zingiber officinale roscoe and Piper nigrum L. extract treatments in alloxan induced diabetic rats via studying pancreas, liver structure abnormalities and serum electrolytes level alteration. 30 male Wistar rats (130-180 g) were injected intraperitoneally and divided into five main groups each of 6 rats. The control group was injected with a single dose of saline solution (0.9% NaCl), diabetic group was injected with a dose of alloxan solution (170 mg/kg), high and low dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg extract after induction of diabetes respectively and metformin treated group was injected at a daily dose 500 mg/kg metformin after induction of diabetes. Microscopic histopathology examination of pancreatic tissues showed decrease in islets of Langerhans size in the diabetic group, sinusoidal enlargement and increased fatty vacuoles in the liver tissues of the diabetic group. There were alterations in the serum electrolytes levels of the diabetic group. These abnormalities were healed after treatment of diabetic rats with extract which could have the ability to regenerate beta cells of islets of Langerhans. The present study could verify that the extract normalized the various serum electrolytes levels and histological abnormalities resulted due to diabetes metabolic disorders

Nutritional and antimicrobial evaluation of Saccharum officinarum consumed in Calabar, Nigeria

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) stem pulp is widely consumed in Nigeria as a snack mainly for sugar content and is believed to possess some remedy against infectious diseases. This study therefore quantitatively evaluated the nutritional and chemical composition of the sugarcane stem pulp with a view to validating this claim. The results of proximate composition indicate relatively high amount of moisture (71.91 ± 0.05%) and a low level of dry matter (28.09%) consisting of carbohydrate (58.55 ± 0.04 g/100 g), fibre (29.88 g/100 g), ash (6.69 g/100 g) and some mineral elements, implying an active role in nutrient supplementation. Generous amounts of phytochemical compounds such as alkaloids (8.07 ± 0.04 μg/100 g), saponins (5.57 ± 0.01 μg/100 g) and flavonoids (1.52 ± 0.02 μg/100 g); and mineral elements including magnesium (1.596 mg/100 g), potassium (0.639 mg/100 g), calcium (0.318 mg/100 g) and others in trace amounts were also obtained. .Antimicrobial results revealed that the sugarcane extract showed the highest growth inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (8.67 - 24.00 mm) among the bacterial isolates and C. albicans (6.00 – 14.00 mm) for the fungal isolates studied. Data from the study suggest that sugarcane stem pulp could be suitable for use in rehydration and as a functional food plant. Also, the plant possesses some antimicrobial qualities which could be beneficial to both pharmaceutical and food industries.Keywords: Saccharum officinarum, sugarcane, proximate analysis, mineral, phytochemical, antimicrobia

The effect of Vernonia calvoana extract on some haematological indices in acetaminophen treated male wistar rats

The effect of Vernonia calvoana extract on some haematological indices in  acetaminophen (paracetamol) treated albino Wistar rats was investigated in this  study. Thirty-five (35) albino Wistar rats weighing 100-150g were randomly assigned into five (5) groups of seven rats each. Group 1 was the normal control ( Normal saline), group 2 received normal saline after treating with 2g/kg  Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) via oral gavage, group 3 was treated with 200mg/kg body weight of V.C, group 4 received 400mg/kg body weight of V.C and group 5 was administered 100mg/kg body weight of Vitamin E. All treatments were done orally gavaged and lasted for twenty-one days. At the end of the treatment period, animals were euthanized using chloroform vapours, and blood was collected via cardiac puncture. The blood was collected and used for evaluation of some haematological indices. Results indicated significant (p<0.001) increase in red blood cell count,  haemoglobin and packed cell volume in the 400mg/kg body weight Vernonia  calvoana extract treated group compared with acetaminophen treated group.  Similarly, platelet count, Lymphocytes and white blood cell count were markedly increased in the 200mg/kg VC, 400mg/kg VC and vit Etreated groups (p<0.05). We, therefore, conclude that ethanolic leaf extract of Vernonia calvoana  administered at 400mg/kg body weight possess anti-anaemic properties.Keywords: Acetaminophen, anti-anaemia, Wistar rats and Vernonia calvoan

The Lipid Lowering and Cardioprotective Effects of Vernonia calvoana Ethanol Extract in Acetaminophen-Treated Rats

Background: Paracetamol overdose/abuse as a result of self-medication is a common occurrence amongst people living in low/middle income countries. The present study was designed to investigate the hypolipidemic and cardioprotective potentials of Vernonia calvoana (VC) ethanol extract in acetaminophen (paracetamol)-treated rats. Methods: Thirty-five Wistar rats weighing 100–150 g were randomly assigned into five groups of seven rats each. Groups 2–5 received high doses of paracetamol to induce liver damage, while group 1 was used as normal control. Afterwards, they were allowed to receive varying doses of VC (group 3 and 4) or vitamin E (group 5), whilst groups 1 and 2 were left untreated. The treatment period lasted for twenty one days after which sera were harvested and assayed for serum lipid indices using standard methods. Results: Groups 3 to 5 treated animals indicated significant decrease (p < 0.001) in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG) levels relative to the normal and acetaminophen-treated controls, the atherogenic index showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in all treated groups compared with normal and acetaminophen-treated controls. However, the VC- and vitamin E-treated groups showed significant (p < 0.001) increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) relative to the controls. Conclusions: Data from our study suggest that ethanol leaf extract of VC possesses probable hypolipidemic and cardioprotective effects

Haemostatic property of Chromolaena odorata leaf extracts: in vitro and in vivo evaluation in wistar rats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of aqueous, ethanol and crude extracts of Chromolaena odorata leaf on haemostatic mechanism of wistar rats and its possible in vitro use in coagulation study. Fifty wistar rats of both sexes weighing between 140-180 g were sorted into 10 groups each fed via oral gavage once daily for 21 days. Sample collection was done by cardiac puncture. Bleeding and clotting times were performed using Duke’s and Ivy’s methods, respectively. The prothrombin time was performed using the Quick’s one stage method, while the partial thromboplastin time using kaolin was done using Macpherson and Hardity method using Giess diagnosis reagent. Significant results were observed in the bleeding and clotting times of the three extracts in a dose-dependent manner. The 300-mg/kg ethanol extract decreased the bleeding time more than the other two extracts. Only the ethanol 150 and 300 mg/mL showed in vitro activity. The study showed the in vivo haemostatic properties of Chromolaena odorata leaf extracts and its possible use in in vitro coagulation study

Some hematological parameters of Wistar rats treated with Chromolaena odorata leave extracts

This study was designed to investigate the effects of the different extracts of Chromolaena odorata leave on the hematopoietic system of Wistar rats. Solvent extraction was used for the ethanol and aqueous extractions while decoction method was used for the crude extraction. Fifty Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 140-180 g were used for this study. They were divided into ten groups each containing five rats. The animals were fed the extracts by oral gavage once daily for 21 days. Blood sample was collected via cardiac artery. Hematological parameters were analyzed using automation method. The ethanol extract gave the highest extract yield. The aqueous, ethanol and crude extraction had median lethal toxicity (LD50) of 2738.6 mg/kg, 1581.1 mg/kg and 224.7 mg/kg, respectively. Significant difference (P<0.05) in the total white blood cell count was observed in the 75 mg/kg ethanol and 300 mg/kg crude extracts when compared with control group. Significant difference (P<0.05) in the hemoglobin concentration was observed in the 150 mg/kg ethanol extracts when compared with the control group. Significant difference (P<0.05) in the packed cell volume was seen in the 75 mg/kg aqueous, 150 mg/kg aqueous and 75 mg/kg ethanol extracts in respect to the control group. The mean cell volume, the mean platelet volume and platelet large cell ratio of the 75 mg/kg aqueous extract were significantly different (P<0.05) when compared with the control group. The present study showed possible treatment-induced hematopoietic function of C. odorata leave extracts

Antioxidant activity of the inflorescents of Vernonia calvoana growing in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

Vernonia calvoana is an indigenous green leafy vegetable that grows around the Cameroons and the southern part of Nigeria. This study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical and antioxidant activity of V. calvoana inflorescents using the following methods: 1, 1 – diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), Ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), 2, 2–azobis-3-ethyl benzothiolin-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), anti-lipid, superoxide, phosphomolybdate and ascorbic acid assay. The result showed significantly high saponins, alkaloids and polyphenols at (p<0.05). Oxalates, cyanates, phytates, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, anthraquinones, flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones were found in trace amounts. The assay indicated strong free radical scavenging activity, including ABTS, anti-lipid, superoxide, phosphomolybdate activities of the inflorescents. However, the percentage antioxidant capacity was low in the inflorescents using FRAP, whereas the antioxidant capacity increased with increase in concentration compared to the ascorbic acid standard. Moreover, the inflorescents were found to show stronger antioxidant activity (137.0+6.86) compared to ascorbic acid (79.44%).We therefore conclude that V. calvoana inflorescents could serve as source strong diatary antioxidants.Running Title: Vernonia calvoana inflorescents in CalabarKeywords: Vernonia calvoana, antioxidant activity and nutraceutical

Comparative in vitro antioxidant properties of water juice from selected African fruits consumed in Calabar, Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria

This study is based on a comprehensive comparison among different African fruits relative to one another and to identify the ones with high antioxidant capacity as compared to the standard ascorbic acid. The antioxidant capacity was analyzed using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical spectrophotometric assays. The results of the DPPH assay indicated the antioxidant capacity as follows (decreasing order): Soursop (Annona muricata) (81.81% at 400ug/ml), sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) (75.62% at 400ug/ml), cocoa (Theobroma cacao) (72.26% at 400ug/ml), watermelon (Citrulluslanatus) (70.50% at 50ug/ml), chivita (70.03% at 400ug/ml), garden egg (Solanummelongena) (65.58% at 100ug/ml), pawpaw (Carica papaya) (65.53% at 100ug/ml), surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora) (65.00% at 400ug/ml), tomatoes (Solanumlycopersicum) (64.99% at 400ug/ml), malay apple (Syzygiummalaccense) (61.67% at 200ug/ml), tangerine (Citrus tangerina) (61.42% at 400ug/ml), monkey cola (Cola millenii K. Sckhum) (60.88% at 100ug/ml), lime (Citrus aurantifolia) (52.87% at 100ug/ml), cucumber (Cucumissativus) (51.71% at 400ug/ml). The antioxidant capacities of the fruit juices were however, less when compared to the standard ascorbic acid. The FRAP assay result revealed that only the juices from African star apple (Chrysophyllumafricanum) and cocoa (Theobroma cacao) were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the standard ascorbic acid at 400ug/ml. The fruit juices have been demonstrated as good sources of natural antioxidants, hence can be exploited in the production of functional foods.Keywords: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), antioxidants, fruits, water juice, Calaba