Effect of aqueous extract of Canavalia ensiformis seeds on hyperlipidaemia and hyperketonaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The effect of Canavalia ensiformis (DC) seeds on diabetic albino rats was studied. Alloxaninduced diabetes mellitus was accompanied by several fold increases in plasma glucose and urinary excretion of glucose. Total plasma triacylglycerol, cholesterol and hydroxybutyrate were also significantly increased (p<0.05). One-week oral administration of an aqueous extract of the seeds of C. ensiformis significantly reduced (p<0.05) hyperlipidaemia and hyperketonaemia in the diabetic rats. These results suggest that C. ensiformis seeds possess an antidiabetic principle and can be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.Keywords: Canavalia ensiformis, alloxan, diabetes mellitus, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, -hydroxybutyrat

Control of hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and hyperketonaemia by aqueous extract of Dioscorea dumetorum tuber

Dioscorea dumetorum (Pax) used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus possesses hypoglycaemic effect. The present study investigates the effect of oral administration of the aqueous extract of the tuber on blood lipid and ketone levels in alloxan–induced diabetic rats. Method: Wistar strain albino rats were made diabetic with the intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate. Consequently, an aqueous extract of Dioscorea dumetorum tuber was administered orally to the diabetic rats and their plasma and urine glucose, triacylglycerol, cholesterol and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were estimated using standard procedures. Results were compared with untreated normal and diabetic control rats. Phytochemical screening of the extract of the tuber was also carried out. Results: Treatment with the extract significantly (

Antidiabetic Effect of Aqueous Root Extract of Carica papaya L. in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Antihyperglycaemic effect of aqueous root extract of male Carica papaya L. (Family: Caricaceae) was investigated in alloxan-induced albino rats. 500 mg/kg body weight extract was administered by gavage orally twice daily for 7 days. Consequent upon induction of diabetes, the resulting raised levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were significantly (p<0.05) reduced after one week of administering the extract. In contrast, the significant decrease in total plasma protein of rats injected with alloxan were significantly (p<0.05) increased following administration of extract compared to diabetic control rats. The results indicate the aqueous extract of male Carica papaya root ameliorated hyperglycaemia and hypercholesterolaemia lending credence to its folkloric use as treatment for diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, the extract ameliorated hepatic tissue injuries in the diabetic rats. Keywords: Carica papaya L., antihyperglycaemic, diabetic rats, aqueous, root, extract DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-6-01 Publication date:March 31st 202

Antihyperglycaemic Effect of Methanol Leaf Extract of Alchornea laxiflora (Benth) Pax and Hoffman in Diabetic Rats

The administration of the methanol leaf extract of Alchornea laxiflora (Benth) Pax and Hoffman regulates blood sugar levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. A. laxiflora therapy also caused significant reductions in hitherto raised levels of plasma cholesterol, urea and creatinine and reversed the decreases in concentration of plasma total protein and albumin following alloxan injection (p<0.05). The significant increases in activity (p<0.05) elicited in plasma liver enzymes studied: aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, in the diabetic rats were gradually restored to normal values (p<0.05). No significant changes (p>0.05) were observed in the normal rats administered with the extract. Thus A. laxiflora is an antihyperglycaemic agent and not hypoglycaemic and appears to correct the metabolic derangements indicative of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Alchornea laxiflora (Benth) Pax and Hoffman, antihyperglycaemic, diabetic rats, methanol, leaf, extract

Proximate, Mineral and Phytochemical Composition of Dioscorea dumetorum Pax

Proximate, mineral and phytochemical composition of Dioscorea dumetorum tubers was investigated using standard procedures. Proximate analysis included in g% dry weight: crude protein (6.44 ± 0.32), crude fat (0.75 ± 0.04), crude fibre (15.00 ± 0.56), total ash (3.45 ± 0.20) and a moisture content of 70.04 ± 2.37 g% wet weight. A low value of 19.36% was recorded for total carbohydrate and 109.95 kcal/100g as calorific content. Mineral analysis revealed this order in concentration K>Mg>Na>Ca>Fe>Mn>Cu>Zn>P. Potassium and magnesium levels were 17,036.00 and 1,630.50 ppm respectively. Phytochemical screening of the tuber revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Tannins and anthraquinones were not detected. The results justify the medicinal use of the tuber and suggest it could contribute to the nutrition of man and animal. Its low calorific content may be beneficial to dieters. Keywords: Dioscorea dumetorum, proximate composition, mineral analysis, phytochemical screenin

Effect of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Gongronema Latifolium on Blood Glucose and Cholesterol Levels in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium (Family: Asclepiadaceae) on blood glucose and cholesterol levels in alloxan-induced diabetic albino wistar rats. 30 male albino wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups (A-D). Groups A and B had 10 animals each while Groups C and D had 5 each. They were fed with standard feed and water ad libitum. Diabetes was induced in Groups A and B animals with 150mg of alloxan/kg body weight of animal. Group A rats were orally administered 400mg of the extract/kg body weight of animal twice daily. Group C rats also received 400mg of extract/kg body weight of animal for the same duration. Groups B and D animals served as diabetic and normal control respectively and were given distilled water in place of the extract. Treatment lasted for 10 consecutive days and blood samples for analysis were collected from the tail tips of the animals every two days. Results obtained showed that there were significant (p < 0.05) reductions in blood glucose and cholesterol levels in Group A rats post-treatment when compared with rats in Group B (diabetic control). No hypoglycaemic effect was observed in normal rats administered with the extract (p ˃ 0.05) when compared with the control animals. Therefore, the ethanolic leaf extract of G.latifolium has the potentials of lowering blood glucose and cholesterol levels in alloxan–induced diabetes and could be useful in the management of diabetes and its associated complications. Keywords: Gongronema latifolium, diabetes, glucose, cholesterol

Effect of aqueous extract of Canavalia ensiformis seeds on hyperlipidaemia and hyperketonaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The effect of Canavalia ensiformis   (DC) seeds on diabetic albino rats was studied. Alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus was accompanied by several fold increases in plasma glucose and urinary excretion of glucose. Total plasma triacylglycerol, cholesterol and β-hydroxybutyrate were also significantly increased (p<0.05). One-week oral administration of an aqueous extract of the seeds of C. ensiformis significantly reduced (p<0.05) hyperlipidaemia and hyperketonaemia in the diabetic rats. These results suggest that C. ensiformis seeds possess an antidiabetic principle and can be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Effects of Vernonia amygdalina in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Vernonia amygdalina (Del.) has been documented as a traditional treatment for diabetes mellitus. Following the intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate to Wistar strain albino rats, the course of diabetes was monitored by estimations of fasting plasma glucose, triacylglycerol, cholesterol and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. Feed consumption and body weight changes were also monitored. One week oral administration of an aqueous extract of the V. amygdalina root to the diabetic rats significantly (P < 0.05) decreased plasma total triacylglycerol from 1.96 ± 0.02 to 0.80 ± 0.04mmolL-1, total cholesterol from 3.17± 0.06 to 1.60 ± 0.03mmolL-1 and β-hydroxybutyrate from 2.21 ± 0.17 to 0.61 ± 0.09mmolL-1. Results suggested that V. amygdalina root can ameliorate the development of hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and hyperketonaemia associated with diabetes mellitus. Key words: Vernonia amygdalina, alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, β-hydroxybutyrate Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences Vol.12(1) 2003: 25-3

Ficus exasperata: effects on diabetes mellitus in an experimental rat model

Effect of Ficus exasperata (Vahl) leaf on hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and hyperketonaemia associated with alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus were studied. One week oral administration of an aqueous extract of the leaf to alloxan-induced diabetic rats decreased plasma total triacylglycerol levels. Similarly, cholesterol and b-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were significantly (