Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidaemic Effect of Extract of Lantana camara Linn. Leaf on Alloxan Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with high prevalence worldwide and is a major medical concern. This study investigated the effect of extract and fractions of Lantana camara Linn. leaf on alloxan diabetes in rats. Phytochemical screening was carried out using standard qualitative procedures. The antidiabetic activity was evaluated using adult male albino rats induced with diabetes using 150mg/kg alloxan monohydrate. Daily oral administration of the extract and its fraction was via oral route for 28days.  Estimation of glucose and lipid profile of rats was done using specific laboratory kits. Weekly monitoring of fasting glucose level was done using microprocessor digital blood glucose meter and accompanying strips. Column and planar chromatography was adopted for isolation of bioactive compounds in the fractions. Detection spray tests were employed for identification of isolated compounds. Carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols, sterols, saponins, tannins and triterpenoids were present in the extract and fractions. The seventy percent ethanol extract, aqueous and n-butanol fractions of L. camara Linn .leaf exhibited significant (p<0.05) hypoglycaemic activity. Hypolipidaemic effect was also observed. Triterpenes were isolated from the aqueous and n-butanol fractions. The study provided evidence of antidiabetic action of extract and fractions of L. camara Linn. leaf . Triterpenes are possibly responsible for the hypoglycaemic activity. Triterpenes and sterols come with great hope for discovery of new drugs for treatment of diseases such as diabetes. Keywords: hypoglycaemia, hypolipidaemia, triterpenes

An overview of anti-diabetic plants used in Gabon: Pharmacology and Toxicology

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Ethnopharmacological relevance: The management of diabetes mellitus management in African communities, especially in Gabon, is not well established as more than 60% of population rely on traditional treatments as primary healthcare. The aim of this review was to collect and present the scientific evidence for the use of medicinal plants that are in currect by Gabonese traditional healers to manage diabetes or hyperglycaemia based here on the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of plants with anti-diabetic activity. There are presented in order to promote their therapeutic value, ensure a safer use by population and provide some bases for further study on high potential plants reviewed. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical studies were sourced using databases such as Online Wiley library, Pubmed, Google Scholar, PROTA, books and unpublished data including Ph.D. and Master thesis, African and Asian journals. Keywords including ‘Diabetes’ ‘Gabon’ ‘Toxicity’ ‘Constituents’ ‘hyperglycaemia’ were used. Results: A total of 69 plants currently used in Gabon with potential anti-diabetic activity have been identified in the literature, all of which have been used in in vivo or in vitro studies. Most of the plants have been studied in human or animal models for their ability to reduce blood glucose, stimulate insulin secretion or inhibit carbohydrates enzymes. Active substances have been identified in 12 out of 69 plants outlined in this review, these include Allium cepa and Tabernanthe iboga. Only eight plants have their active substances tested for anti-diabetic activity and are suitables for further investigation. Toxicological data is scarce and is dose-related to the functional parameters of major organs such as kidney and liver. Conclusion: An in-depth understanding on the pharmacology and toxicology of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is lacking yet there is a great scope for new treatments. With further research, the use of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is important to ensure the safety of the diabetic patients in Gabon.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Chemical Constituents of Essential Oil of Lantana camara Linn. Leaves

Abstract: The determination of the chemical profile of essential oil of the leaves of Lantana camara Linn. was undertaken in this study. Essential oil was extracted from the dried leaf sample using hydro distillation method. Gas Chromatograph coupled with Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) was used for chemical analysis of the extracted essential oil. Eighteen constituents were identified, representing 100% composition of the oil. The constituents were mainly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The major constituents were found to be caryophllene oxide (21.75%), (-) -spathulenol (14.95%), D-nerolidol (10.39%) and (-) -β-caryophyllene (9.90%). The yield of essential oil obtained was 0.19%. Some of the identified constituents of the essential oil have proven pharmacological activities, uses in food, drink and cosmetic industries. The essential oil of L. camara leaves is worth exploiting for use by relevant industries

Characterization and physico-chemical analysis of essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus leaves

The genus Cymbopogon is important from the point of view of their essential oils. Essential oils from these species are widely used in flavours, fragrances, cosmetics, soaps, detergents and perfumery owing to their typical lemon-like aroma. Essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus was extracted by hydrodistillation and characterized using Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR).The oil was also subjected to physico-chemical analysis, the physical and chemical properties evaluated were Boiling point (74oC), Specific gravity (0.8960), Refractive index (1.4838) and pH (6.00) at 25oC. Saponification value(109.76) and Acid value (0.55) mg KOH/g oil. Iodine value (100g of I2/g oil) 105, Ester value (189.21), Residue on evaporation (10%) at 100oC.The chemical composition of the essential oil analyzed by GC-MS showed citral (31.1%), β-Myrcene (14.2%), citronellal  (9.8%), limonene  oxide (7.7%), eraniol (7.3%) and linalool (6.2%) as the major compounds. The FTIR spectra revealed the presence of n-alkane, conjugated alkene, primary amide, amine, aldehyde, primary and secondary alcohols. The results obtained from the physico-chemical parameters, and functional groups identified by FTIR as well as the compounds identified by GC-MS revealed that the oil has medicinal and nutritive values as well as industrial applications in the pharmaceutical, perfumery and cosmetic industries .Keywords: Characterization, Citral, Cymbopogon citratus, Essential oil, FTIR, GC-M

Effect of Roasting on the Caffeine Content of Three Varieties of Kola Nut Consumed In Kaduna, Nigeria

The effects of roasting on the caffeine content of Cola nitida, C. acuminata and Gircina cola (bitter cola) were investigated. All the varieties studied had about 75% reduction in caffeine level after roasting. These findings confirm that the three varieties of kola nut contain different levels of caffeine, which were affected by heat treatment. Therefore, to reduce the amount of caffeine in kola nuts, roasting method will suffice for those watching their level of caffeine intake. Keywords; Kola nut, cola, caffeine, roastin