Liver function status in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats Treated with Extracts of some Anti-diabetic Medicinal plants

The anti-diabetic effects of the plants Spondias mombin, Vernonia amgdalina, Annona murica and Nigella sativum have been reported in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.  This study assessed the liver function status of diabetic rats treated with these plant extracts. 42 rats were randomly divided into seven groups. Groups 1-3 served as the normal control, diabetic control and positive control groups respectively. Groups 4-7 were the Spondias mombin, Vernonia amgdalina, Annona murica and Nigella sativum extracts treated diabetic rats respectively. The liver markers assessed includes serum AST, ALT, ALP, total protein, albumin, bilirubin concentrations. The result showed that treatment with all plant extract resulted in a significant decrease in AST, ALT and ALP concentrations. However, a higher percentage decrease in ALP and ALT levels were observed in the Vernonia amgdalina treated diabetic rats when compared to other extract treated rats while Annona muricata treated rats gave the highest percentage reduction in AST concentration. Also treatment with V.amgdalina and Annona muricata gave the highest percentage reduction in total and conjugated bilirubin. Non-significant change was observed in protein and albumin levels. Histological evaluation revealed that treatment with extracts of Spondias mombin leaves, V. amgdalina leaves, Annona muricata leaves reverted the damage to the liver caused by STZ induction. V.amgdalina and Annona muricata are two plants to consider as powerful hepatoprotective agents

Subchronic toxicity study of ethanolic extract of Uvaria chamae root in rats

Purpose: To assess the safety of ethanol extract of Uvaria chamae root consumption for the treatment of diseases in traditional medicine.Methods: Uvaria chamae was extracted with ethanol, and administered orally to rats at doses ranging from 200 to 5000 mg/kg/day for 28 days while distilled water was administered to the control group, the survived animals (43 %), were then  euthanized, and blood collected for biochemical and haematological markers.  Histopathological examination of the pancreas, liver and kidney sections were also done.Results: There was a significant (p < 0.05) elevation in serum AST and a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in LDH at 500 mg and 200 mg respectively. Serum BUN was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced, while chloride and potassium ions were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated at 200 and 500 mg respectively. However, there was a  significant (p < 0.05) decrease in mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCHC) at 200 mg, and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in platelets at 500 mg/kg of extract.  Examination of haematoxylin and eosin stained sections of pancreas showed  well-formed islets; mild portal vascular congestion in liver sections; and periportal and interstitial infiltrates of lymphocytes in the liver and kidney sections of the surviving animals respectively.Conclusion: The consumption of extract at low doses may not be harmful.Keywords: Uvaria chamae, Safety, Kidney, Liver, Pancreas, Toxicit