PHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-DIABETIC PROPERTIES OF Hibiscus sabdariffa ON RATS

Effects of different quantities (75g, 100g and 125g) of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf, stem and root aqueous extracts and combination of 300g Hibiscus sabdariffa +100g Allium sativum+100g Zingiber officinale on alloxan-induced diabetic Wister albino rats at 1ml/kg/day for17 days were investigated. Body weight and fasting blood glucose level of rats were monitored before and during the experiment. Quantitative analysis of secondary plant products of various parts of the investigated plants was also studied. Results showed that 1ml/kg/day of 75g Hibiscus sabdariffa aqueous extract did not cause significant (p>0.05) sugar reduction compared with basal values as high sugar level was still observed in alloxan-induced rats treated with 1ml/kg /day of 75 Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf (246.00+6.00mg/dl) and stem (207.50+3.50 mg/dl) extracts except root (196.00+1.20mg/dl). Combination of the extracts caused significant (P>0.05) sugar reduction compared with any of the single parts.1ml/kg of 100g Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extracts ameliorated rats«¤?? weights loss by 14.75%.1ml/kg of 125g Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf, stem and root extracts significantly (p<0.05) reduced the glucose level of diabetic treated rats by 54.08%, 58.95% and 62.44% compared with glibenclamide (22.77%). Phytochemical analysis revealed that flavonoids (0.79mg/g) and alkaloids (0.86mg/g) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in root than in stem and leaf of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The combination 300gHibiscus sabdariffa + 100g Allium sativum 100g Zingiber officinale revealed significantly (p<0.05) higher flavonoids (0.85mg/g), saponins (0.95mg/g) alkaloids (1.81mg/g) and tannins (0.56mg/g). Combination of 300g Hibiscus sabdariffa +100g Allium sativum+100g Zingiber officinale produced the best hypoglycaemic effect (71.05%).ª¤?ª¤

ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF PLANTS USED IN MANAGING ULCER IN ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Ethnobotanical survey of plants often used for the management of ulcer in Abeokuta metropolis, Ogun State was carried out. A total of 100 respondents comprising 50 herbal traditional practitioners and 50 ulcer patients were interviewed. Study was carried out on plant parts used, modes of preparation, solvents used and types of preparation. Also, quantitative analysis of phytochemical ingredients of the most frequently used plants; Occimum basillicum, Musa paradisiaca, Aloe vera, Azadirachta. indica, Brassica oleracaeª¤? and Carica papaya was carried out. Data were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with probability set at (p<0.05). Results revealed a total of 40 plants belonging to 30 families out of which Zingiberaceae, Apocynaceae, Moraceae, Asteraceae, Liliaceae, Malliacaeae,ª¤? Arecaceae, and Poaceaeª¤? were the most frequent families. The most frequently mentioned plants were Occimum basillicum (57.5%), Musa paradisiaca (55%), Aloe vera (50%), Azadirachta indica (47.5%), Brassica oleracae (25%) and Carica papaya (25%). Records from this study revealed that the largest life form of plant was herbs (30%), followed by trees (28%), shrubs or trees (4%) while least plant forms were grasses, flowers, underground stems, climbers and chalk as represented by 1% each. The main methods of preparation were decoction and infusion. The plant parts recorded being used for ulcer management were leaves, barks, fruits, seeds, roots, rhizomes and the whole plant as in Aloe vera.ª¤? The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (45%) while fruits, seeds, roots and rhizomes were the least parts used as represented by 5% each. Water, alcohol palm wine, palm oil and fermented maize water were the medium for ulcer herbal preparations.ª¤

ETHNOTHERAPEUTIC EVALUATION AND ANTI-NUTRIENT CONTENT OF COMMON PLANTS USED FOR MANAGEMENT OF KIDNEY AND LIVER DISORDERS IN ODEDA COMMUNITIES, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

A survey study was carried out on plants used to manage kidney and liver diseases in Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of hundred (100) questionnaire were administered using stratified sampling method on traditional herbal practitioners. Ethnobotanical data such as, plants and plant parts and methods of extraction used were sought. Anti-nutrients of the frequently mentioned plants were also evaluated. Data were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with probability set at p<0.05 and descriptive statistics. Results revealed that 55.5% of the respondents were females while 45.5% were males. Largest percentage (47.9%) were between the ages 41-60years.  Twenty six 26(26.0%) of the respondents were herbalists, 34(34.0%) were herb sellers, 21(21.0%) were Traditional practitioners while 19 (19.0%) were Traditional practitioners and herb sellers. Twenty three (23) of the respondents had 1-5years, 35 had 6-10 years while 42 of them had being in the herbal profession for more than 10 years. Seventy four percent (74%) of plants collated during this study were available both in home garden and markets. Fifty 50 plants species belonging to 37 families were reported being used to manage kidney and liver diseases. Malvaceae and meliaceae were the most frequently mentioned families. Largest number of plants 20(40%) collated were trees, followed by herbs 19(38%) while vegetable 1(2%) was vegetable. The most commonly used plants part were Leaves, barks roots, fruits, seeds bulbs and combination of any of these parts. Decoction, soaking, infusion, grinding, strong heating paste and combination(s) of any of these methods were employed for preparing herbal remedies of these diseases. No significant difference (P>0.05) was recorded in the phytate content of Khaya ivorensis and Kigelia africana leaves. Similar observation was recorded in the oxalate and cyanide content of Chasmantheran dependens and Kigelia africana leaves.. Polyphenol and tannins were significantly different across the leaves of plants under this investigation. No significantly different (P>0.05) was recorded in the quantity of phytate present in Chasmantheran dependens and Kigelia africana, oxalate of  Chasmantheran dependens, Kigelia africana and Azadirachta  indica, and cyanide in root of the plants. Highest phytate (13.00) was recorded in Azadirachta  indica, oxalate (12.33), Polyphenol (9.00) and cyanide (4.33) in Ficus exasperate while tannins (16.00) were recorded in the leaves of Chasmantheran dependens.Keywords: Ethnobotanical data , Anti-nutrient content, Kidney and Liver disorder

INDIGENOUS USES AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENTS OF PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF MENSTRUAL DISORDERS AND AFTER- CHILD BIRTH PROBLEMS IN ABEOKUTA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

A survey of plants used for the treatment of menstrual disorders and after-child birth problems was conducted in Abeokuta South Local Government. Hundred (100) questionnaires were administered using multi stage sampling method on traditional herbal practitioners. Ethnobotanical information such as, plants and plant parts used, methods of extraction used and mode of administration of the herbal preparations of these plants were requested. Also, phytochemical contents of the most frequently mentioned plants were determined. Data were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with probability set at p<0.05 and descriptive statistics. Results revealed that a total of fifty-six (56) plants belonging to 37 families were mentioned. The most frequently mentioned families are Euphorbiaceae, Leguminoceae, Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Araceae and Combretaceae. Sesamum indicum, Dioclea sarmentosa, Clausena anisata, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Alafia barteri, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Daniella oliveri, Lannea egregia and Alstonia boonei were the most frequently mentioned plants used in the treatment of menstrual disorders and after-childbirth problems. Leaves (34%), fruits (7%), flowers (3%), tubers (2%), stem-barks (28%), seeds (11%) , roots and barks (2%) and roots (13%) were the plants  reported being used for the remedy of these disorders. Decoction (54%), squeezing (9%), grinding/squeezing (14%), paste (4%), exudation (4%), cooking (4%), soaking/ decoction/infusion (4%), and heating to ashes (4%) were the methods of extracting the bioactive principles of the plants using water (79%) as major solvent. Significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in the quantities of   tannins recorded in the leaves of Sesamun indicum, Dioclea sarmentosa, Clausena anisata, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Alafia barteri. Similar observations were found in the quantities of saponnins, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenol. Highest values of tannins (0.32mg/g), saponnins (1.07mg/g), alkaloids (5.16mg/g), flavonoids (3.12mg/g) and phenol (0.09 mg/g) were determined in the leaves of   Clausena anisata, Sesanum indicum, Dioclea sarmentosa and Alafia barteri. Across the roots of these plants, similar amount of tannins and saponnins were quantified. This observation varied significantly when compared with alkaloids, flavonoids and phenol quantified in the roots of plants. Highest tannins (1.67mg/g) and saponnins (3.33 mg/g) were recorded in the roots of Dioclea sarmentosa, alkaloids (4.33 mg/g) and flavonoid (6.33 mg/g) in Anogeissus leiocarpus while phenol (1.33 mg/g) was recorded in roots of Sesanum indicum.  Key words:  Menstrual Disorders, Childbirth Problems, phytochemical contents, Traditional practitioners, Indigenous plant

Oxidative defense mechanisms of proline on growth, nutritional compositions and antioxidant activities in water-stressed Solanum aethiopicum L.

The growth performance of vegetables is influenced by water availability. This study explored the use of proline as an osmoregulator on growth, nutritional compositions and oxidative enzyme activities in water-stressed Solanum aethiopicum. Seedlings of the vegetable were subjected to 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% proline against droughted and well-watered. Morphological and physiological characters, nutritional compositions and oxidative activities were determined in the vegetable. Plant height (20.37 cm), number of leaves (35.75 cm), Leaf area (347.55 m2), specific leaf area (72.02 m2 g-1), leaf area index (0.71 m2 m-2) relative growth rate (0.21 mg g-1 day-1), net assimilation rate (0.058 mg g-1 day-1) and leaf area ratio (0.19 m2 g-1) were higher in S. aethiopicum seedlings sprayed with 100% proline. Crude fat (0.11%), ash (1.57%), crude fibre (1.49%), crude protein (2.44%) and carbohydrate (3.50%) were higher in the leaves of the vegetable sprayed with 100% proline. Higher vitamin A (84.21 mg/100 g), vitamin B3 (0.56 mg/100 g) and vitamin C (10.97 mg/100 g) were observed in the leaves of the vegetable under 100% proline. Furthermore, sodium (8.93 mg/100 g), potassium (402.20 mg/100 g), calcium (121.55 mg/100 g) and magnesium (58.80 mg/100 g) were recorded in the leaves of well-watered. Higher SOD (0.88 mg g-1), APX (0.95 mg g-1), CAT (0.98 mg g-1), GR (0.96 ug g-1) and GST (14.52 mg g-1) were observed in the roots of S. aethiopicum droughted. Although all the proline levels sustained growth components, nutritional compositions and oxidative enzymes of S. aethiopicum under water stress, however, 100% proline produced better ameliorative effects

ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF PLANTS USED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS IN ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

An ethnobotanical survey of some plants used for management of diabetes in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria was conducted. A total of 100 questionnaires were administered; (50 herbal practitioners and 50 on patients). Investigations were carried out on the plant parts used, methods of preparation and administration including, dosage and duration of usage. The results showed that fifty (50) plant species belonging to 30 families used in herbal anti-diabetes recipes. The most frequently used plant was Vernonia amygdalina (54%), followed by Azadirachta indica (44%), Ocimum gratissimum (20%), Mormodica charantia (10%) and Citrus aurantifolia (10%). Irrespective of the plant parts (leaves, fruits, stem- barks or roots) or combinations of the plant parts, water and alcohol were the main solvents. The most frequently used plant parts was leaf (62%) and mainly by decoction. Treatment regimens were by chewing or drinking of the aqueous herbal preparations (350-400ml) daily for 6-12 weeks or until symptoms of diabetes disappear.Keywords: Anti-diabetic plants, ethnobotanical survey, herbs, plant parts