ABSTRACT
Aerial parts of Bridelia micrantha, a semi-deciduous tree are widely used in African traditional medical practice in the treatment of painful inflammatory conditions of the joints. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol leaf extract of Bridelia micrantha using acute, sub-acute and chronic models of inflammation in Wistar rats. In the carrageenan-induced acute inflammation model, 400 mg/kg of extract produced 71.79 % edema inhibition while 200 mg/kg of the extract produced 55.13 % inhibition relative to 56.41 % inhibition of the rat paw edema with 200 mg/kg of Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) within 5 h. In the histamineinduced rat paw edema model, the extract exhibited 72.97 % protection at 400 mg/kg compared to 83.33 % edema inhibition with phenylbutazone (100 mg/kg) after 6 h. In the sub-acute model using formaldehyde-induced paw edema, 400 mg/kg of extract showed 59.77 % (0.35±0.03) inhibition after 24 h, while 54.02 % inhibition was produced by 200 mg/kg of extract and 200 mg/kg of ASA produced 56.32 % (0.38±0.04) inhibition when compared with the negative control group (0.87±0.05). In the cotton pellet-induced granuloma test, 400 mg/kg of extract gave 52.55 % (40.57±1.3) protection, while 200 mg/kg extract gave 47.25 % protection and 200 mg/kg ASA gave 49.38 % (43.25±1.8) when compared with normal saline treated group (85.5±3.2) after 7 days. The results obtained in this study showed that Bridelia micrantha leaf extract exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activities thus authenticating its acclaimed anti-inflammatory efficacy. It was concluded that the extract of Bridelia micrantha may be a potential anti-inflammatory agent in alleviating edema associated with arthritis and musculo-skeletal pains in humans.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Testis is an important male reproductive and endocrine organ whose structure and function are altered in diabetes complicated disorders. Aim: This study evaluated the protective effect of Moringa oleifera (MO) and Ocimum gratissimum (OG) on diabetic rat testes. Methodology: Thirty six rats, weighing between 120-180g, were divided into six groups of 6 rats each. Groups 1 and 2 representing Normal (NC) and Diabetic Control (DC) received 0.5ml of dimethylsulphoxide. Group 3 received 5IU/kg b.w insulin; groups 4, 5 and 6 received 500mg/kg b.w of MO, 500mg/kg b.w of OG and 250mg/kg b.w of each extract respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and histology of the testes were analysed after 28 days treatment. Results: MO, OG and the combination extract normalized the levels of FBG. Only the Moringa extract normalized the levels of testosterone, LH and FSH compared with DC. The OG extract had no effect on the level of the three sex hormones but provided a potentiating effect on the FSH level in the MO + OG group. The results were confirmed by histological studies which showed damage on the testes for the DC and OG and reversal of damage to the testes in MO and MO + OG groups. Conclusion: The combined extracts more than Moringa extract alone, had ameliorative effects on testicular architecture and spermatogenesis in diabetes and provide a cheap alternative to treating diabetes associated testicular damage and sexual dysfunction.
ABSTRACT
Aim of the Study: To evaluate the effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium (G.L) and Nauclea latifolia (N.L) on antioxidant enzymes activity (GPx, SOD and CAT) and hormonal status (T3, T4, Insulin, c-peptide) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Material and Methods: Thirty six (36) albino Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 150-250g were divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each. Groups 1, 2 and 3 received 400mg/kg body weight (b.w) of G.L, N.L and 200mg/kg b.w each of G.L and N.L respectively while group 4 received 5 iu/kg b.w of insulin subcutaneously daily for 21 days, Groups 5 and 6 served as controls (diabetic and Normal) and received placebo. Fasting blood glucose was determined at the start of the experiment and thereafter at 72 hours interval and at the end of experimental period. The animals were sacrificed and sera preparations were used for antioxidant enzymes and hormonal assays. Results: Blood glucose in diabetic animals decreased significantly (P=.05) by 66.34%, 18.12%, 67.73% and 86.62% of initial values upon treatment with G.l, N.l, G.I plus N.I and insulin respectively. There was only a 24.44% decrease in the diabetic control. A significant decrease (P=.05) in insulin and T3 levels was observed in the diabetesinduced rats (65 and 85% respectively) compared to NC. The levels of the hormones where however significantly increased (P=.05) on treatment of the diabetic animals with G.l, N.l, G.I plus N.I and insulin. Whereas a significant decrease (P=.05) was observed in T4 level of DC rats compared to the NC, treatment with the leaf extracts and insulin did not result in any elevation of the hormone relative to DC. The C-peptide levels for all groups were much lower than the corresponding insulin levels, suggesting a type 1 diabetes in the diabetes-induced rats. A significant decrease (P=.05) in activity was observed for GPx and SOD in the DC group relative to NC. A combination of G.l and N.l gave a much higher reversal in activity (P<.01) when compared to treatments with individual leaf extracts. There was a significant increase (P=.05) in CAT activity in the DC animals relative to NC. This was potentiated in all treatment groups with the combination group showing a synergy in its potentiating effect. Conclusion: There was a reversal in the level of the hormones and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes towards normal control, and comparable to the reversals by treatment with insulin, on treatment of the diabetic animals with the leaves extracts especially in combination. The results taken together indicate a synergy that makes the combination of the two plants extracts a potent antidiabetic remedy.