The hypoglycemic effect of aqueous leaf extract of aloes in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats

The hypoglycemic effect of aqueous leaf extract of aloes was studied in alloxan-induced diabetic albino winster rats. Twenty five mature rats used in the study were randomly divided into five groups with five rats in each group. Group C served as the control and received no drug. Group 1was treated with water; group 2 was treated with the plant extract at 1000 mg/kg; group 3 was treated with the drug glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) and group 4 with a combination therapy (500 mg/kg aloes extract and 5 mg/kg Glibenclamide). The rats were fed ad libitum in 14 day experiment. At 3 days intervals, the blood sample was collected to determine the glucose level in all the different groups. When compared with the standard drug gluburide, the glucose lowering effect of aqueous extract of aloes was significantly at p<0.05. The oral treatment with 1000 mg/kg/day of Aloe extract for 14 consecutive days significantly lowered the fasting blood glucose level (p<0.05) in the diabetic rats indicative of the fact that the extract contains active phytochemicals with potent hypoglycaemic property.Keywords: Aloes, alloxan, diabetic, glyburide, hypoglycemic effect, albino ra

The effects of crude extracts of Pterocarpus soyauxii on the hematology of albino wistar rats

The effects of crude extract of Pterocarpus soyauxii leaves on the red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), parked cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin concentration (HBC) were studied in 30 albino rats of both sexes weighing between 150 and 200 g. The rats were divided into 3 groups of 10 rats each. Group I served as the control, while the other two served as the experimental groups that received 0.5 and 1.0 ml of the crude extract of Pterocarpus soyauxii leaves. The extract at the dose of 0.5 ml significantly increased RBC, HBC and PCV, while 1.0 ml slightly decreased almost all the parameters measured. In conclusion, the effect of Pterocarpus soyauxii on blood parameters is dose dependent. At lower dosage, it increases the hematological parameters and could therefore be beneficial in the treatment of anemic conditions at this level, but has opposite effect at higher dosage.Keywords: Pterocarpus soyauxii, hematological parameters, albino wistar rats, anemia International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(4): 361-364, 200

Effects of Ocimum Gratissimum on the Hematological Parameters of Albino Wistar Rats

The effects of crude extract of Ocimum gratissimum on some hematological parameters was studied in 32 albino Wistar rats weighing between 150 and 180 g. Increasing doses of 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 ml of the extract were administered orally to different groups of rats for 30 days. Significant decreases were recorded in red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin concentration HBC. These blood parameters decreased with increase in the doses of the extract. Ocimum gratissmus therefore may have anti-haemopoietic effects in albino Wistar rats. Keywords: Ocimum gratissimum, basil, blood, Wistar rat