Ocimum gratissimum alleviates derangements in serum and biliary bilirubin, cholesterol and electrolytes in streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats

Aims: The effects of oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum (OG) on biliary and serum bilirubin, cholesterol and electrolytes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Albino Wistar rats was studied. Methodology: Type 1 Diabetes mellitus was induced in the test groups (DM and DMT) by a single dose of STZ (65 mg/kg, i.p.). The phytoconstituents and median lethal dose of the plant extract was determined before administration. The extract was administered per oral to the DMT group at a dose of 1500 mg/kg body weight daily for 28 days. All the groups were fed normal rat chow and allowed water ad libitum. Biliary secretion was collected and assayed, biliary bilirubin was measured by colorimetric method, Sodium and potassium was determined using a flame photometer and Chloride was determined by end point calorimetric titration. Results: The result showed that serum cholesterol was significantly (p=.001) higher in the DM group compared to the control while the DMT group was significantly (p=.001) lower than the DM group. Serum conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin were significantly (p=.05, p=0.01) higher in the DM group compared to the control and DMT groups, with the DMT group significantly (p=.01) lower than the DM group. The serum electrolytes showed no significant change in K+. However, Cl- and HCO3 - were significantly (p=.001) reduced in the test group compared to the control. Na+ was significantly raised in the DMT group compared to the control. Conclusion: These results are indicative of the efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum to obviate the derangement in biliary and serum bilirubin, cholesterol and electrolytes caused by the STZ-induced type 1 DM in albino wistar rats. Keywords: Ocimum gratissimum; diabetes mellitus; electrolytes; cholesterol; bilirubin

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

Aqueous Leaf Extract Of Rothmannia longiflora Improves Basal Metabolic Rate And Electrolyte Parameters In Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

This study evaluated the action of aqueous leaf extract of Rothmannia longiflora on basal metabolic rate and electrolyte profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Fifteen male Wistar (135 – 140g) were assigned to 3 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 which served as control received placebo treatment; Group 2 - the diabetic (untreated) group also received placebo treatment whereas Group 3 – the extract treated diabetic group was administered the extract (15g/kg body weight) by oral administration for 14 days. Results of BMR measurement showed a significant increase (P<0.01) in BMR level of Diabetic untreated group (1.03±0.02ml/hr/g) when compared to the Control group (0.79±0.07ml/hr/g). Extract treatment significantly decreased (P<0.05) BMR in the diabetic rats. Results of analyses of serum electrolytes and glucose showed significant decreases (P<0.01) in sodium and chloride concentrations in the diabetic untreated group when compared to the control. However, sodium and chloride concentrations in the extract treated diabetic were not significantly different from those of their control values. There was no significant difference in potassium and urea concentrations in the extract-treated diabetic rats with respect to their control values. Extract treatment significantly reduced (P<0.05) serum glucose level of the extract treated group when compared to the diabetic untreated group. This suggests that oral administration of Rothmannia longiflora might be beneficial for the restoration of basal metabolic rate and the improvement of electrolyte profile in diabetes mellitus