Research Articles

Characterization of potential hypoglycaemic agents from Tapinanthus sessilifolius Parasitic on Psidium guajava

2024-09-26T13:12:03Z

Characterization of potential hypoglycaemic agents from Tapinanthus sessilifolius Parasitic on Psidium guajava ADOGA, Godwin Tapinanthus sessilifolius (Loranthaceae) (P. Beauv) Blume. commonly known as African mistletoe is a well-known medicinal plant in Africa and Europe. A bioassay-guided isolation of the plant constituents was carried out to identify potential anti-hyperglycemic agents. The hexane extract was discovered to be active which yielded two triterpenoids; betulinic acid and lupeol, responsible for the activity and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. Other compounds from this plant identified by GC MS technique were palmitic acid, hexadecanoic acid and stearic acid

Acute toxicity, haematological and histopathological assessment of the ethanolic extract of Lantana camara leaf

2024-09-26T13:09:21Z

Acute toxicity, haematological and histopathological assessment of the ethanolic extract of Lantana camara leaf ADOGA, Godwin Lantana camara is a noxious weed. This study was conducted to investigate the acute toxicity of the ethanol macerate of Lantana camara Linn. leaf in albino rats. Assessment of haematological and histological parameters of major organs following administration of the extract was undertaken. Lorke’s method was used for the acute oral toxicity testing. Haematological parameters; whole and differential blood cell counts were determined using automated haematology analyzer. Histological examination of major organs was done using John D Bancroft manual method. The LD50 was found to be greater than 5,000 mg/kg body weight of the rats. The white blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, platelet, and differential cell counts of the albino rats were found to be within normal ranges for rats. Histological organization of the kidney and liver of treated rats at high doses showed structural changes typical of adaptive responses to pathologic stimuli. The results from this study suggest that the seventy percent ethanol macerate of L. camara Linn. leaf can be used with some degree of safety for short period of time via oral route

Effects of Catechol containing fraction and other fractions of Nauclea latifolia aqueous root-bark extract on blood glucose, lipid profile and serum liver enzymes in streptozotocin – induced diabetic Wistar albino rats

2024-09-26T12:48:25Z

Effects of Catechol containing fraction and other fractions of Nauclea latifolia aqueous root-bark extract on blood glucose, lipid profile and serum liver enzymes in streptozotocin – induced diabetic Wistar albino rats ADOGA, Godwin Background. Diabetes mellitus has been a menace to healthy human condition from antiquity. There has been continuous search for plant medicinal substances for drug development with an aim to managing this ailment with minimal drug side effects. In this research work, effects of fractions of aqueous root-bark extract of Nauclea latifolia on blood glucose, lipid profile and serum liver enzymes in diabetic rats were investigated. Thirty –five Wistar albino rats weighing 164.1 – 171.6 grammes were used for this study involving aqueous root-bark extract fractions A, B, C and D. The rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 was normal non diabetic control, group 2 was diabetic control and groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were rats treated with 250 mg/kg body weight of varying root-bark fractions while group 7 was diabetic rats treated with 5mg/kg. body weight of glibenclamide, the standard anti-diabetic drug. Fasting blood glucose levels were determined using digital glucometer (Acuu-chek, Mannheim, Germany). Lipid profile was determined using standard procedures. Serum liver enzymes were determined using assay kits. Fraction A was analyzed using gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results. Fraction A demonstrated the most effective anti-diabetic property compared to fractions B, C and D. It caused significant reduction in blood glucose levels. It also brought about significant decrease in the levels of triacylglycerol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels were also significantly reduced by it. Fraction A was found to contain catechol as the most abundant active principle. Conclusion. Previous works on catechol show that catechol moiety either exists as a free molecule or a substituent of flavonoids and that it confers on them their anti-diabetic property. Since the catechol containing fraction A caused significant reduction in glucose levels, lipid profile and serum liver enzymes, it therefore has the potential for the management of diabetes mellitus and ameliorating its complications in clinical medicine.

Influence of Aqueous Extracts of Nauclea latifolia on Serum Biomarker Enzymes of Liver Injury and Serum Electrolytes in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Wistar Albino Rats

2024-09-26T12:03:41Z

Influence of Aqueous Extracts of Nauclea latifolia on Serum Biomarker Enzymes of Liver Injury and Serum Electrolytes in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Wistar Albino Rats ADOGA, Godwin Background. The management of diabetes mellitus and its complications is increasingly becoming difficult as new type and subtypes are being discovered. There is, therefore, a continuous search for more effective drug agents for its management. In this work the aqueous extracts of leaves, stem-bark and root-bark of Nauclea latifolia were investigated for their effects on serum liver enzymes and serum electrolytes in streptozotocin- induced diabetic Wistar albino rats. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were determined using assay kits (Randox laboratories, LTD, UK). Alkaline phosphatase level was estimated using kits from Teco Diagnostic Anaheim, United States of America. The electrolytes were analysed using Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) Automated Analyser Machine (SFRI, 3000 model). Results. The results showed significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase by the Nauclea latifolia extracts. The diabetic rats treated with aqueous extracts of Nauclea latifolia had their sodium and potassium levels reduced non- significantly when compared with the diabetic control rats. Conclusion. This plant demonstrates a potential for being used in clinical medicine for the management of abnormally high levels of serum liver enzymes in diabetic patients.