Hypolipidemic Properties of Ethanol Extract of Cyperus rotundus Rhizome.

This study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus rhizome on hyperlipidemia induced with carbimazole and cholesterol in male wister rats. Acute toxicity analysis with the Cyperus rotundus rhizome extract produced no letality even at higher doses. Hyperlipidemia was induced using 400 mg/kg cholesterol and 2 mg/kg carbimazole. The lipemic control group was administered cholesterol and carbimazole but not the normal control group. Cholesterol and carbimazole administration caused a significant (p = 0.05) increase in the Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), non-High Density Lipoprotein (non-HDL) Cholesterol and LDL/HDL ratio and a significant (p = .05) decrease in the levels of HDL cholesterol in the lipemic control when compared to the normal control. Treatment with ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and the standard hypolipidemic drug (simvastatin) at 5mg/kg significantly (p = 0.05) reduced total cholesterol, TG, LDL, LDL/HDL ratio, total non-HDL Cholesterol and also significantly (p=.05) increased the level of HDL cholesterol when compared to the non-treatment group (the lipemic control group). Results of the present study indicate that Cyperus rotundus rhizome contains principles that have hypolipidemic potentials and which compare effectively with standard clinically used therapeutic Hypolipidemic agent, simvastatin.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Crude Extracts of Tomato and Onion in Rats Exposed to Locally Processed Beef.

This study was carried out to examine the hepatoprotective effect of ethylacetate extract of tomatoes and methanol extract of onions on the biochemical changes induced by feed formulated with 15% roasted beef and 85% rats pellets. Doses of 500 mg/kg body weight of both extracts were administered orally. The hepatic activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino-transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were examined, also concentrations of total protein, albumin and globulin were monitored in the animals. The effects of feeding and treatment on oxidative stress parameters (CAT, SOD, GPx, Glutathione and MDA) were determined. The changes observed were discussed.

In vitro and in vivo Antitrypanosomal Effects of Methanol and Aqueous Extracts of Picralima nitida.

The methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves, fruits, seeds, stem bark and roots of Picralima nitida were studied in vitro and in vivo for activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Swiss albino mice. Phytochemicals studies were also conducted for all the plant extracts. The methanol extracts showed appreciably high in vitro and in vivo antitrypanosomal activities compared to the aqueous extracts of the plant. The methanol extract of the root exhibited the highest in vitro antitrypanosomal activity followed by the methanol extract of seed of Picralima nitida. Motility of Trypanosoma brucei brucei was stopped by the methanol extract of the root after 10 min, while the methanol extract of the seed of Picralima nitida stopped the motility of Trypanosoma brucei brucei at 15 min. The methanol extract of the root of Picralima nitida showed the highest in vivo antitrypanosomal activity at 100 mg/kg body weight. The extract cleared the parasite completely from the T. brucei brucei infected Swiss albino mice after day 3 of treatment. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) when the level of parasitemia of the animals treated with the methanol extract of the root of Picralima nitida were compared with the other treatment groups and the untreated control. The phytochemicals detected in these extracts are tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and cyanide glycosides. The in vitro and in vivo antitrypanosomal activity exhibited by these extracts might be attributed to these phytochemicals.

The Effects of Extracts of Christmas Bush (Alchornea cordefolia) on Sickle Cell Hemoglobin.

The study aims at determining the antisicking effectiveness of the extracts of the leaves of a herbal medicinal plant Alchornea cordefolia. The plant is widely distributed in the Southeastern region of Nigeria. The study is designed to involve phytochemical exploration, the nutrient and mineral compositions, the free amino acid, ascorbic acid and the amino acid constituents. Apart from these, the rates of sickle cell hemoglobin polymerization were assayed with different fractions of extracts and compared with the control to ascertain their antisickling effectiveness. Sickle cell blood samples were donated by a total of forty patients (25 males and 15 females) of ages (17-32 years) whose sickle cell status were confirmed by electrophoresis of sickle cell blood by staff of the hematology unit of the centre . The donors were co-opted into the study by the personnel of the sickle cell unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria. The determination of the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio was to assess the oxygen affinity of sickle cells or drepanocytes. The antisickling properties of leaf extracts of Christmas bush (Alchornea cordefolia) were investigated. Results from phytochemical analysis of crude aqueous extract (CAE) revealed the presence of flavonoids (4.2±0.1%), alkaloids (5.7±0.12%), saponins (4.60±0.10%), tannins (6.50±0.1%), phenol (3.0±0.10%) and oxalate (5.47±0.1%). Proximate composition showed the following results: moisture (11.05±0.0%), ash (6.8±0.1%), crude fat (6.03±0.0%), protein (6.10±0.0%), fiber (24.5±0.2%) and carbohydrates (44.50±0.2%). Assay of mineral composition, revealed a preponderance of such, which include: Potassium (150.30 mg/100g), Sodium (228.20 mg/100g), Calcium (1.60 mg/100g), Magnesium (2.40 mg/100g) and Phosphorus (1.00 mg/100g) of dry weight of sample. The determination of the antisickling effects of the extracts of Alchornea cordifolia was assessed based on the inhibition of sickle cell hemoglobin polymerization and the improvement of Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio. Fifty grams (50 g) of the powdered sample was used for the batch extraction procedures with chloroform, methanol, butanol and distilled water to obtain the fat soluble fraction (FAS), the butanol soluble(BUS) and water soluble fractions (WAS) respectively. The FAS, BUS and WAS fractions exhibited profound antisickling effectiveness by inhibiting the HbSS polymerization to varying degrees from (47.50% for the BUS to 98.12% for the WAS fractions respectively in 20 min. The WAS and FAS fractions improved the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio remarkably, except the BUS fraction . Thin layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis revealed the following amino acids - Phenylalanine, Alanine, Glutamate, Histidine, etc. The total free amino acid concentration of the fractions were as follows: the FAS (526.8 mg/100g); the WAS (79.33mg/100 g and the BUS (15.65 mg/100 g). The total vitamin C concentration was found to be 1929.18 mg/100 g of sample. Alchornea cordefolia leaf extracts, with the preponderance of micro and macronutrients, vitamins, amino acids and others, may be very beneficial for the management of sickle cell disease.

Effect of Gas Flaring on the Phytochemical and Nutritional Composition of Treculia africana and Vigna subterranean.

Aims: The effect of petroleum exploration and exploitation activities on the phytochemical and nutritional composition of African breadfruit (Treculia africana) and Bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranean) harvested from polluted and unpolluted environment were studied. Study Design: Plant samples were collected from Izombe, an environment highly polluted by gas flaring and Eziobodo, an environment not known for gas flare exposures. Both locations are within the (Niger-Delta) rain forest region of Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: The processed samples were subjected to proximate and phytochemical screening. The vitamins, micro and macro minerals contents were determined using standard biochemical methods and equipment. Results: Some of the phytochemicals and nutritional contents showed varying levels of significant difference (P<0.05) in samples from the two localities. Bambara groundnuts from polluted area was significantly lower (P<0.05) in moisture, ash, protein and carbohydrate when compared to samples from unpolluted environment. The concentrations of antinutrients such as oxalate, phytate, tannin and cyanogenic glycoside were significantly higher (P<0.05) in samples from polluted areas when compared to samples from unpolluted areas. The results showed increased accumulation of microminerals and reduced macrominerals in samples from polluted environment. Riboflavin, vitamins A, C and E were also significantly higher (P<0.05) in samples obtained from unpolluted environment. Conclusion: Data obtained revealed that T. africana and V. subterranean are highly nutritious and their nutrient composition are responsive to pollution due to gas flaring.

Management of Changes in Liver Chemistry in Male Rats Acutely Exposed to Crude Petroleum Oil.

This Study investigated the protective effect of Gongronema latifolium supplemented diet against acute hepatotoxicity induced by crude petroleum oil on male rats. Oral exposure of rats to crude petroleum significantly decreased (P<0.05) the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Significant decrease in concentrations of glutathione and increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed also, but catalase activity decreased nonsignificantly. Activities of these oxidative stress enzymes and concentrations of glutathione and MDA in rats exposed to crude petroleum and fed simultaneously with 20% G. latifolium supplemented diet were close to those obtained in control rats. Fluctuations in liver function parameters and serum lipid profile were observed. These results indicate that consumption of G. latifolium supplemented diet has protective effect against crude oil induced liver tissue damage.

Biochemical Studies on the Amelioration of Petroleum Product Intoxication with Indigenous Plants.

The effect of Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum supplemented diet on diesel petroleum induced liver damage in rats was investigated. Rats were acclimatized for two weeks and divided into three groups. Oxidative stress was induced with diesel petroleum (4 ml/kg body weight) at alternate days for seven days in group II and III rats. Group II rats were fed the supplemented diet while Group I and III fed on normal rat pellet only. After one week of feeding, the fluctuations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes - superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and concentrations of glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) indicated stress in the liver of the rats exposed to diesel. Significant increase (P<0.05) in serum concentration of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and other liver damage markers was observed in group III rats. Serum lipid profile was also studied. Feeding with the supplemented diet showed significant reduction (P<0.05) in the activities of ALT and AST and in the concentration of MDA. The activities of some antioxidant enzymes indicated nonsignificant increase (P>0.05) with treatment. The concentration of other liver marker compounds and lipid profile were positively affected by the treatment. The values obtained from treated rats showed that, while diesel can induce oxidative damage to the liver, G. latifolium and O. gratissimum in the diet, indicated protective effect against oxidative and cellular degeneration in liver tissues.

The Antioxidative Potentials of Gongronema latifolium on Diesel Petroleum Induced Hepatotoxicity.

In Nigeria, petroleum contamination of the environment occurs through accidental spillage and/or sabotage of petroleum pipelines. Human exposures to petroleum products occur frequently from occupational and domestic usage. In this study male albino rats were used to evaluate the antioxidative effects of Gongronema latifolium supplemented diet on diesel petroleum induced toxicity resulting from exposure. The activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and concentrations of total bilirubin and malondialdehyde increased (p<0.05) in the animals exposed to the petroleum product. The activities of some oxidative stress enzymes and concentrations of serum proteins decreased (p<0.05) in exposed animals. The activities of liver function enzymes and oxidative stress parameters obtained in the animals which received G. latifolium supplemented diet with diesel intoxication were comparable to the control, indicating a protective role of G. latifolium.

Aqueous Extract of Combretum dolichopentalum Leaf - a Potent Inhibitor of Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats.

The aqueous extract of Combretum dolichopentalum leaves were evaluated for its protective activity against CCl4- induced liver damage. The concentration of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w of C. dolichopentalum leaf extract were administered to different group of rats prior to CCl4 administration. Both 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced the activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase when compared to rats administered CCl4 only. Also the concentration of non-enzyme markers of hepatic dysfunction such as total bilirubin and lipid peroxidation product-malonyldialdehyde was reduced by C. dolichopentalum. But the concentration of total protein and total cholesterol was increased when compared to rats administered CCl4 only. This finding suggests that C. dolichopentalum leaves possessed rich hepatoprotective principles against CCl4 induced toxicity of the liver.

Chemoprotective Potentials of Ocimum gratissimum in Diesel Petroleum induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino Wistar Rats.

This study evaluated the effect of diesel petroleum intoxication in rats and the ability of phytochemicals and antioxidant content of Ocimum gratissimum to ameliorate such toxicity. Toxicity in rat was induced by administering 4 ml/kg body weight of diesel in the test rats except control. The intoxication and treatment with 20 % O. gratissimum supplemented diet was for 7 days. Serum liver function markers, Oxidative stress markers and lipid profile were estimated. Diesel induced hepatotoxicity was characterized by significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum protein concentration and oxidative enzymes activities. Also increase in activities of liver function enzymes and Cholesterol was observed. The group of rats which diet was supplemented with O. gratissimum showed significant (p< 0.05) improvement in the concentration of serum proteins and decrease in the activities of liver function enzymes. Similarly the activities of oxidative enzymes significantly (p<0.05) increased, compared to the untreated rats. These results indicate a chemoprotective ability of this Nigerian indigenous spice.