ABSTRACT
Aim: To establish the in vivo effects of the methanolic extract of Afzelia africana seed on CCl4- induced organ damage on some biochemical parameters. Methods: The rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each. In the single administration experiment, rats were intraperitoneally pre-treated with the extract (10mg/kg) for two days before CCl4 intoxication at 0.6ml/kg. In the repeated intoxication experiment, rats were administered the extract (5mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection for 10 consecutive days, and CCl4 (0.6ml/kg) 72 hourly intervals for 10 days. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin (conjugated and total) were analyzed for hepatoprotective effect, while urea and creatinine were used to evaluate kidney function. Results: Data obtained showed significant reduction (P=.05) in the activities of ALT and AST, as well as in levels of bilirubin, urea and creatinine in the Afzelia africana extracttreated rats compared to the CCl4 control. Conclusion: These results indicate that the seeds of A. africana contain constituents that could protect the kidney and liver and ameliorate them from both acute and chronic injuries.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Dioclea reflexa Hook F seed on male rats following single (acute) or repeated (chronic) carbon tetrachloride intoxication. Methods: Male albino rats were divided into groups of six each consisting of plant extract only, plant extract + carbon tetrachloride, solvent only, solvent + carbon tetrachloride, vitamin E only, vitamin E + carbon tetrachloride and untreated control. The rats in the acute experiment received the extract (5mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection for two days, and 1 hour after administration of CCl4 (0.6ml/kg body weight) on the third day, while those in the chronic experimental model received 2.5mg/kg for 10 consecutive days with 72 hourly administration of CCl4 at 0.3ml/kg. Results: In the acute model, the level of total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in D. reflexa seed extract pre-treated rats compared to the CCl4 control, while in the chronic model, the level of packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin were significantly (P<0.05) boosted in extract treated group compared to the CCl4 control group with concomitant reduction in the levels of bilirubin. Conclusion: These results indicate that the seed of D. reflexa possess capacity to boost haematological parameters and protect the kidney against acute and chronic toxicological challenges.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the ameliorative role of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taub (T. tetraptera) leaf in hyperglycemia with associated conditions like oxidative stress, kidney damage and disorders in lipid metabolism. Methods:Five groups of five rats each intraperitoneally received the following treatment schedules for 7 d: untreated normal control, untreated alloxan-diabetic control, diabetic treated with glibenclamide, normal rats treated with extract (50 mg/kg) and diabetic rats treated with the extract. Evaluations were made for fasting blood sugar, body weight changes, malondialdehyde, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, lipid profile, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, urea and creatinine in all the rats. Results:Whereas the untreated diabetic rats showed a significant decrease (P Conclusions:Methanolic extract of T. tetraptera leaves possesses a potent capacity for treatment of diabetes and the accompanying complications, including oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia.