Glucose and Lipid Lowering Potentials of <i>Heliotropium indicum</i> L. Leaves in Alloxan-Induced Hyperglycaemic Rats

The antidiabetic potentials of Heliotropium indicum L. leaf aqueous (HILA) extract used for the management of diabetes by Traditional Medicinal Practitioners (TMPs) in Nigeria was assessed. Alloxan (ALX)-induced hyperglycaemic rats were orally administered with known folkloric dosage of 30 and 75 mg/kg b. wt. of HILA extract, once a day, for 14 days. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were monitored and pancreatic histology was examined. Net hepatic glycogen (GLY) concentration and lipid profiles were also determined. Prior to treatment, ALX-induced hyperglycaemia (>250 mg/dL) was established in rats. Oral administration of 30 and 75 mg/kg b. wt. HILA extract to diabetic rats for 14 days caused significant reduction in FBG to baseline values observed in non-diabetic conditions. Treatment with HILA extract also showed improvement in lipid abnormalities observed in hyperglycaemic condition, levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly reduced and HDL-cholesterol increased resulting in improved artherogenic index. Hepatic GLY concentration was significantly increased in diabetic rat treated with the extract. Histological examinations showed degenerated and sparse pancreatic islets β-cells in non-treated diabetic rat, whereas microscopy of treated rats showed mild to normal architecture with enriched β-cells. Preliminary phytochemical profiling of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids (2.54 mg/g), saponins (0.28 mg/g), phenols (0.04 mg/g) and anthraquinones (0.01 mg/g). Results from this study revealed that the aqueous leaf extract of H. indicum possesses not only antihyperglycaemic, but also antidyslipidemic activities, that may prove to be of clinical importance in the management of diabetes and associated secondary complications

Combinatorial Effects of Aqueous Root Extract of Jatropha Curcas and J. Gossypiifolia in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Combinatorial effects of aqueous root extract of Jatropha curcas (Jc) and J. gossypiifolia (Jg) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats was investigated in this research. Methods: Thirty-six wistar rats were randomized into six groups of six animals each. Group I (control) was not induced but received 0.5 ml of distilled water. Groups II, III, IV, V and VI were induced with diabetes mellitus using alloxan monohydrate and received 14.2 mg/kg body weight (b/wt) glucophage, 0.5ml of distilled water, 250 mg/kg body weight of the root extracts of J. curcas, J. gossypiifolia and the combined extract respectively for 15 d. Results: The mixture of J. curcas and J. gossypiifolia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats resulted in significant reduction in the blood glucose between 39.7% reduction by day 3 and 73.3% reduction by day 13 (P<0.05). The abnormal levels of serum and liver enzymes in the diabetic group reflected the significant alteration of liver function by alloxan monohydrate and administration of the mixture was found to restore each enzyme activity to a level that compared well with glucophage. The serum lipid levels were also restored to near normal by this mixture for all the evaluated parameters. Conclusion: The mixture of roots of J. curcas and J. gossypiifolia has a greater potential for effective antidiabetic activity compare with individual plant extracts and may be safe for consumption

Antioxidant and alpha‐amylase inhibitory potentials of Cocos nucifera husk

Concoctions containing extract from Cocos nucifera husk fiber are used in Nigeria by traditional medicine practitioners for management of diabetes and its associated complications. Preliminary antidiabetic study was designed to validate the folkloric usage of the plant extract. Dried coconut husk fiber was pulverized and extracted with methanol, followed by partitioning of the methanolic extract in ethyl acetate. Phenolic content, radical scavenging activity and antioxidant capacity as well as inhibitory effects of C. nucifera methanolic (CN‐M) extract and its ethyl acetate (CN‐E) fraction on pancreatic α‐amylase and lipid peroxidation were determined. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of CN‐E fraction were significantly higher than that of CN‐M extract, whereas there was no significant difference in their ability to scavenge free radicals. The CN‐E fraction also exhibited higher in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects on α‐amylase activity and lipid peroxidation; reducing blood glucose level within 5 days following intraperitoneal administration of the C. nucifera extract to alloxan‐induced hyperglycemic rats. The phenolic‐rich extracts from coconut husk can be further explored as nutraceutical supplement in food formulation for diabetic patients

Effect of Administration of Root Ethanolic Extract of Aristolochia Ringens on the Liver Functional Indices of Male Wistar Rats

Background: The alcoholic decoction of root ethanolic extract of Aristolochia ringens is taken orally to treat various ailments in South-west Nigeria without prior knowledge of its potential toxic effect. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the toxicity potentials of root ethanolic extract of A. ringens on functional indices and histology of the liver. Methods: Twenty male rats were randomized into four groups of five animals each. Group A (control) received 0.5 ml of distilled water, group B, C and D received 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg b. wt. of the extract respectively. The administration was done orally and lasted for fourteen days. Results: The extract significantly reduced the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) as well as reduction in the level of serum albumin and direct bilirubin (P<0.05) while the level of total bilirubin increased. The activities of these enzymes i.e. ALP, ALT and AST increased in the serum at all the doses investigated. Conclusion: Ethanolic extract from A. ringens root may not be completely safe when administered repeatedly