Glucose and triglyceride lowering activity of Pterocarpus santaniloides leaf extracts against dexamethasone induced hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance in rats

The triglyceride and glucose lowering potential of the leaf extracts of Pterocarpus santalinoides was investigated in dexamethasone induced hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance in rats. Acute toxicity test was performed according to standard methods. An oral glucose tolerance test was carried out in the presence of the extracts in normal rats. Then, graded doses of aqueous and methanol extracts of P. santalinoides (AEPS and MEPS) were administered orally to rats in four groups, respectively, after a 12 h fast followed by subcutaneous administration of dexamethasone (10 mg/kg body wt). Rats in a fifth group received saline (5 ml/kg p.o) followed by dexamethasone (10 mg/kg body wt s.c) and served as positive control while a sixth group served as normal control. The period of extract and dexamethasone administration was 10 days. Acute toxicity test showed that the extract had an oral LD50 > 5000 mg/kg in rats. Graded doses of aqueous and methanol extracts of P. santalinoides to glucose loaded normal rats resulted in significant lowering of blood glucose concentration which started at 90 min post-glucose load when compared with the 60 mine (peak) sample (p < 0.001) and also when compared with the negative control value at 90 min (p < 0.001). Administration of dexamethasone to fasted rats for 10 days resulted in hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance evidenced by the significant increase in mean glucose level (194.50 ± 9.87 mg/dl) and triglyceride level (268.75 ± 21.54 mg/dl) in the positive control when compared with the normal control with mean glucose and triglyceride concentrations of 64.00 ± 3.44 mg/dl and 100.00 ± 15.54 mg, respectively (p < 0.01; p < 0.001). Graded doses of the AEPS and MEPS significantly antagonized dexamethasone induced hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance in rats when compared with the positive control (p < 0.001) and the normal control, respectively (p < 0.05). The antagonistic potency of AEPS was dose dependent while that of the MEPS was not. The leaf extracts of P. santalinoides possess triglyceride and glucose lowering properties in dexamethasone induced hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance and could be of therapeutic value in the management of metabolic syndrome.Key words: Pterocarpus santalinoides, leaf extracts, glucose tolerance, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, glucose, triglyceride, dexamethasone

The influence of temperature variation on responses of the mouse rectal smooth muscle to electrical stimulation

No Abstract

Invivo study of pattern of plasmodium falciparum sensitivity to chloroquine in children within Nnewi Anambra state, Nigeria

No Abstract

A study of the efficacy of 5- day radical treatment of primaquine in Plasmodium Falciparum cases in Nnewi, Nigeria

No Abstract

Dose-response study and efficacy of dapiprazole in reversal of troicamide-induced mydriasis

No Abstract.Journal of Health and Visual Sciences Vol. 8 (2) 2006: pp. 50-5

The Teratogenic Effect Of Ramipril In Mice

Objective: Ramipril was studied to know it teratogenic effect in mice. Methods: A total of 36 mice were used – 24 females and 12 males. After mating, 4 groups of pregnant mice were administered with remipril 2.4mg/kg, and 10.0mg/kg, except for the control group. Three days to the 21 days gestation period, the animals were sacrificed. Results: Three groups had liver litters numbering about 35 – 46 per group but the group that received the high dose (10.0mg/kg) had 35 dead litters. Twenty – one of the dead ones had complete bodies while eight had missing limbs and the other six had no heads. Histological analysis showed maternal toxicity. There were lesions and necrosis of the hepatocytes of the liver of the group that received high dose and medium dose, though the lesions were less in those that received medium dose of ramipril. There were cardiac muscle clumping and necrosis in the heart of the high dose group with slight effect on that of the medium dose group. Conclusion: Therefore, at a high dose, ramipril possessed teratogenic effect and maternal toxicity. Keywords: Rramipril, Ttertratogenic Effect, Maternal ToxicityTropical Journal of Medical Research Vol. 12 (1) 2008: pp. 22-2

Some Pharmacological Studies Of Aqueous Extract Of Leaves Of Euphorbia Heterophylla

This work was set out to identify the pharmacological basis for the laxative effect of leaves of Euphorbia heterophylla as well as identify its other pharmacological properties: Material/ Methods: Effect of aqueous extract of the leaves was tested on isolated guinea pig ileum and isolated pregnant rat uterus using organ bath and kymograph. Its anticoagulant properties were tested on whole blood. Results: The extract produced statistically significant contractions of isolated guinea pig ileum similar to that produced by histamine and acetylcholine. It also produced statistically significant contraction of pregnant rat uterus comparable to that produced by oxytocin. The contractile responses on the intestine and uterus were blocked by atropine and salbutamol respectively. The extract also exhibited marked anticoagulant activity in vitro. Conclusion: It is suggested that the laxative effect of this extract is as a result of increased peristaltic movements of the intestine. It is also believed that this extract acted as a muscarinic agent in this experiment since its action was blocked by atropine. While it is tempting to conclude that oxytocic effect of the extract is as a result of binding to oxytocin receptors, this cannot be substantiated because salbutamol, which blocked this effect, is a non-specific relaxant of the pregnant uterus. The saponins richly contained in the extract may be responsible for the observed anticoagulant effect Keywords: Euphorbia heterophylla, Laxative Anticoagulant, Abortifacient.Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol. 10 (2) 2006: pp. 1-

Effects of aqueous extract of Landophia owariensis on whole blood clotting time, in vitro

No abstrac

Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activities of aqueous extracts of ocimum Gratissimum leaves in rats.

Antidiarrhoeal activities of Aqueous extract of Occimum. Gratissimum leaves in rats were evaluated. These studies were carried out to determine the folkoric medicinal values of the plant leaves. Extraction of crude extract was done using standard method. LD50 was determined using the Locke Dietrich Method. Antidiarrhoeal activities of the extract were carried out using albino rats. It was observed that the aqueous extract of O. gratissimum showed no protective effects against castor oil induced diarrhea when compared with the standard drug, diphenoxylate. The extract showed some antibacterial activities in vitro. Therefore the extract possesses antidiarrhoeal property as accorded to it by ethnomedicine and that justifies the folkore use of the Ocimum gratissimum in the treatment of diarrhea

Mycotoxins as potential weapons of mass destruction: a review

No Abstract.Journal of Health and Visual Sciences Vol. 8 (2) 2006: pp. 90-9