2 research outputs found
Phytochemistry And Some Haematological Changes Following Oral Administration Of Ethanolic Root Extract Of Gonglonema latifolium In Rats
Gonglonema latifolium is a climbing perennial plant that belongs to
the family of asclepidaceae. The medicinal uses of the leaves and stem
bark extract of Gonglonema latifolium has been reported in many
scientific literatures to include anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-ulcerative
etc. There is paucity in scientific reports on the medicinal properties
of the root extract. This study was therefore designed to elucidate the
phytochemical constituents and effect of ethanolic root extract of
Gonglonema latifolium on some hematological parameters. Eighteen (18)
albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups of 6 rats each.
Group 1 (control) was fed on normal rat chow + drinking water, the test
groups (group 2 and 3) in addition received extract treatment (p.o) at
a dose of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg respectively. The feeding regimens
lasted for 14 days. Results show that the extract contains polyphenols,
glycosides, reducing sugars and alkaloids. The mean RBC count for
control was 4.44 ± 0.15 x 106 cells/mm3, this did not differ
significantly from the test groups. The total WBC counts were 3.79
± 0.15 x 103 cells/mm3 , 3.37 ± 0.19 x 103 cells/mm3 and 5.54
± 0.39 x 103 cells/mm3 for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. WBC
was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the high dose (group 3)
compared with control. Mean PCV (%) were 33.60 ± 0.81, 37.20
± 0.80 and 34.80 ± 1.35 for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively.
The PCV was significantly (P<0.05) higher in low dose extract
recipients (group 2) than in control. Hb content, MCV and MCH did not
differ significantly among the groups, but MCHC was significantly lower
in the test groups compared with control group. Neutrophils were
significantly (P<0.001) reduced in the test groups, while the
eosinophils and monocytes count were significantly increased in the
test groups than in controls. In conclusion, the extract has little or
no effect on RBC count, PCV, MCV and MCH. But low doses of the extract
significantly increased the Hb count while high doses significantly
increased WBC count, probably due to increase in eosinophil and
monocyte counts. MCHC was dose-dependently reduced. The extract was
also observed to contain polyphenols, alkaloids, glycosides and
reducing sugars
Comparative Effects of Rothmannia Hispida Leaves Extract and Protamine-Zinc Insulin on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder resulting from a defect
in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both, manifesting in
hyperglycaemia, polyuria, glucosuria etc. Various regimens have been
used to alleviate the symptoms of this disorder; notable in orthodox
medicine is insulin. Rothmannia Hispida herb extract is also used to
manage DM by traditional healers. This study was therefore designed to
establish the relative potency of insulin and R. hispida leaves extract
in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. 20 male albino Wistar rats were
randomly assigned into 4 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 (control)
received normal rat chow + drinking water. Groups 2 - 4 in additional
to control diet received alloxan treatment (150mg/kg i.p once). Seven
days after, groups 3 (diabetic extract treated, DET) and 4 (diabetic
insulin treated, DIT)) were further treated with R. hispida extract
(100mg/kg, once daily) and protamine-zinc insulin (1unit) respectively.
Their body weight, food intake, urine volume, urine and blood glucose
levels were monitored daily. Results showed that after 7 days alloxan
treatment, rats in groups 2 – 4 had significantly higher blood
glucose, urine output, food intake, urine and blood glucose levels
compared with controls. At day 14, the blood glucose level of DET (4.40
± 0.52mmol/L) and DIT (4.10 ± 0.48mmol/L) were significantly
(P<0.001) lower compared with diabetic untreated - DUT (22.00 ±
0.00mmol/L). Terminal urine glucose was absent in control, DET and DIT
but was recorded in DUT (42.60 ± 6.14mmol/L). Terminal urine
output was also significantly (P<0.001) lower in DET (8.60 ±
1.17ml) and DIT (8.80 ± 0.80ml) compared with diabetic untreated
group (44.00 ± 1.48ml). The DUT and DIT were also observed to have
negative growth rates (-4.86g/day and -0.29g/day respectively), whereas
the controls and DET had positive growth rates (5.70g/day and 0.14g/day
respectively). Terminal blood glucose levels and urine output were not
significantly different between DET and DIT groups. We therefore
conclude that both insulin and Rothmannia hispida leaves extract
reverses symptoms (hyperglycaemia, polyuria, glucosuria) in diabetic
rats, while the extract was more effective in restoring body weight
than insulin. Therefore, 100mg/kg body weight of the Rothmannia hispida
leaves extract is equally potent as 1 unit of protamine-zinc insulin as
an anti-diabetic agent