Comparative effects of some medicinal plants on blood glucose concentration and lipid levels in alloxaninduced diabetic rats

The comparative effects of the chloroform extracts of the leaves of Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae) and Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae) and fruits of Xylopia aethiopica  (Annonaceae) on blood glucose concentration and lipid levels of diabetic rats were investigated using standard methods. The results show 74, 82 and 83% reductions in the blood glucose concentrations upon the  administration of A. occidentale (100 mg/kg body weight), E. globulus (100mg/kg body weight) and X. aethiopica (250 mg/kg body weight) extracts respectively as from the 10th hour of treatments in relation to the 74 and 69% reductions in glibenclamide and diabetic untreated groups respectively while the synergic treatment group [A. occidentale + E. globulus (100 mg/kg body weight)] showed 83% decrease in the blood glucose  concentration as from the 10th hour upon the administration of the combined extracts when compared with the values obtained for the glibenclamide and diabetic untreated groups. P. guajava extract had the greatest significant (p<0.05) reduction in the total cholesterol concentration of the treated rats. P. guajava + X. aethiopica treatment group in a similar manner showed the most significant (p<0.05) decrease in the triglyceride concentration of the treated rats. Hence, the individual  performances of these extracts on blood glucose concentration and blood lipids confirm their ability to reduce blood glucose and diabetic  complications.Key words: Chloroform extract, Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae), Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtaceae), Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae)

Ethanol extracts of Newbouldia laevis stem and leaves modulate serum liver marker enzymes and antioxidant enzymes activities in diabetic rats

Diabetes is known to involve oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant enzymes. Many plants metabolites have been shown to possess antioxidant activities, improving the effects of oxidative stress complications in diabetic conditions. This study evaluated the effects of extracts from Newbouldia laevis leaves and stem on liver marker enzymes and antioxidant enzymes in rat model. The results confirmed that the untreated diabetic rats were subjected to oxidative stress as indicated by significantly abnormal activities of their scavenging enzymes (low superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione activities) to the extent of liver enzymes leakage from the hepatocytes when compared with apparently healthy rats. The ethanol extracts of N. laevis leaves and stem possessed antioxidant activity as shown by increased activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and glutathione levels of the diabetic rats after treatment. High levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), which are typical of oxidative stress condition were differentially ameliorated after treatment with the ethanol extracts of N. laevis leaves and stem in a dose dependent manner.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress, Newbouldia laevis, liver enzymes, antioxidant enzymesAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(22) 2265-227

Effects Of Palm Oil On Some Oxidative Indices Of Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits

No Abstract. Animal Research International Vol. 2 (1) 2005 pp. 227-23

Characterization of biosurfactant produced from submerged fermentation of fruits bagasse of yellow cashew (Anacardium occidentale) using Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Biosurfactants are amphiphilic compounds produced by bacteria and fungi to reduce surface and interfacial tension. This work was designed to produce biosurfactants from the fermentation of submerge cashew bagasse (Anacardium occidentale) using a microorganism Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The proximate components of the biosurfactant was determined. Results show that yellow cashew fruit bagasse contains lipid (11.34 ± 0.16%), protein (26.67 ± 0.66%), carbohydrate (49.37 ± 0.60%), moisture (5.78 ± 0.17%), ash (2.70 ± 0.04%) and fibre (2.86 ± 0.09%). Biosurfactants activity was characterized based on emulsification index and oil displacement capacity. The yield of biosurfactants was, 0.71 g; when only cashew was used; 0.93 g for cashew and glucose and nutrient broth 0.12 g respectively. The preliminary biochemical characterization revealed that the biosurfactants contained carbohydrates and lipids designated as glycolipids. The biosurfactants showed antimicrobial activity against a range of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria strains with diameters of zone and growth inhibition: Escherichia coli, 38.70 ± 1.30 mm; Staphylococcus aureus, 38.00 ± 2.94 mm; Klebsiella, 31.00 ± 2.20 mm and Bacillus cereus, 28.70 ± 1.70 mm. These results suggest that cashew fruits bagasse serve as cheap carbon source for the production of glycolipid biosurfactants with useful industrial applications. Key words: Biosurfactants, fruit bagasse, yellow cashew, characterization and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

In vivo antioxidant and antihyperglycaemic properties of aqueous extract of herbal cocktail

The antioxidant and antihyperglycamic effects of herbal cocktail namely: Vernonia amygdalina, Gongronema latifolium, Allium sativium, Ocimum gratissmun and Aloe barbadensis were studied on alloxan-induced diabetic rat. Twenty (20) albino Wistar rats were equally divided into five groups. Groups 1 and 2 served as normal and untreated Diabetic controls. Test groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated with 10mg/kg glibenclamide, 200mg and 400mg/kg of extract for 28 days. The result showed a dose dependant significant increase (P<0.05) in serum concentrations of vitamin C, glutathione and catalase activity in test groups when compared to untreated diabetic control. Similarly, the extract significantly reduced (P<0.05) glucose concentration of diabetic rats at both concentrations when compared to untreated diabetic Rats. The results confirmed the already established use of these plants in traditional medicine and equally established their useful synergistic effect in reducing blood sugar and in relieving oxidant stress.Key words: Antioxidant, catalase, glutathione, alloxan, antihyperglycaemi