14 research outputs found
Long-term anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effects of aqueous stem bark extract of Irvingia gabonensis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Irvingia gabonensis is used traditionally to treat diabetes. The
antidiabetic effect of the seed extract has been demonstrated in human
and animal models. This study was designed to evaluate the long-term
anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effects of aqueous stem bark
extract of I. gabonensis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Twenty four Wistar rats in three groups, normal control, diabetic
control and I. gabonensis treated diabetic rats (TDR) were used for
this study. Diabetes was induced in 16 rats by intraperitoneal
injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 65mg/kg body weight. Upon
confirmation of diabetes, the treated diabetic rats were orally (by
gavage) given aqueous extract of I. gabonensis bark at 200 mg/kg body
weight daily for 24 weeks. Body weight was monitored weekly, while
fasting blood sugar (FBS) and serum lipid profile (triglycerides, total
cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol) were assessed at
specific intervals for 24 weeks. I. gabonensis significantly
(P<0.05) reduced the FBS of the treated diabetic rats to normal
control levels 2 weeks after the commencement of treatment. The
reduction of FBS was sustained till the end of the study (24 weeks).
Furthermore, at various stages of monitoring, the extract reduced the
STZ-induced elevation of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and
LDL-cholesterol, and significantly (p<0.05) increased the
STZ-induced decrease in HDL-cholesterol. Our study concludes that
aqueous stem bark extract of I. gabonensis possess significant
long-term anti-diabetic and hypolipidaemic effects. These
anti-hyperlipidaemic effects as well as the presence of phytochemicals
with recognizable anti-oxidant effects will be useful in the treatment
of diabetic complications
Editorial: African Journal of Reproductive Health at 20: Looking Back and Looking Forward
No Abstract
Women empowerment: A new agenda for socio-economic development in Saudi Arabia
French title: Autonomisation des femmes: un nouvel agenda pour le développement socioéconomique en Arabie saoudit
Long-term effects of three hypoglycaemic plants ( Irvingia gabonensis , Urena lobata and Carica papaya ) on the oxidative status of normal rabbits
Medicinal plants have been recognized to have therapeutic effects and
they may also have toxic side effects. Our previous studies have shown
that Irvingia gabonensis , Urena lobata and Carica papaya , locally
used in Nigeria to treat diabetes, possess long term hypoglycaemic and
anti-obesity effects on normal rabbits. In this study, the long term
effects of aqueous extracts of I. gabonensis bark, U. lobata root and
C. papaya leaves on the oxidative status of normal rabbits were
monitored at specific intervals in the serum for 24 weeks, and in the
tissues. Oxidative status was determined by measuring activities of
superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the concentration of
malondialdehyde (MDA). Significant (p<0.05) decreases were observed
in some weeks in the serum MDA levels; also, liver and pancreatic MDA
levels were significantly (p<0.05) lower for all treated rabbits.
SOD and catalase activities in the serum and tissue of the rabbits
treated with the medicinal plants were generally higher or statistical
similar to control. Findings in this study showed that these
hypoglycemic medicinal plants did not exert oxidative damage; in some
instances, particularly in the pancreas, they were found to be
protective against oxidative damage