ABSTRACT
Background: Ocimum gratissimum is an ethnopharmacological plant with numerous healing potentials. But there is paucity in scientific literature on its impact on the blood cells. Aim and Objective: The present study was intended to evaluate the dose and time-dependent effect of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum on some haematological in albino Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty four rats were randomly assigned to four equal groups. Group 1 was control, groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 450 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg and 1800 mg/kg respectively of the extract daily for 30 days. All rats had free access to water and rat chow. Results: The result showed a significantly lower RBC count in groups 3 and 4 when compared with control (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). PCV was significantly lower in group 4 than control (p<0.05). Platelet count was significantly lower in group 4 than control (p<0.05) and group 2 (p<0.05). A significant increase in WBC count was observed in groups 2 and 3 when compared with control (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). A significant reduction in neutrophil count was observed in groups 2, 3 and 4 compared with control (p<0.05; p< 0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). There were significant increases in lymphocyte counts in groups 2, 3 and 4 when compared with control (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively). There were no significant changes in MCV, MCH and MCHC in the groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum causes reduction in RBC count, PCV, platelet count and neutrophil count but causes increases in total WBC count and lymphocyte count.
ABSTRACT
Background: India is considered as the diabetic capital of the world. The study of plants having antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities may give a new approach in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Objective: The study was intended to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of aqueous extract of leaves of Carica papaya Linn. (AECPL) in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in albino rats by administration of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.). Rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 animals each. First group served as non-diabetic control, second group as diabetic control, third group as standard and was treated with 0.1 mg/kg/day of glibenclamide. Group 4, 5, and 6 received 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight of AECPL. Blood samples were analyzed for blood glucose on day 0, 1, 7, 14, 21 and lipid profi le on day 21. Results: The AECPL showed signifi cant reduction (P<0.01) in blood glucose level and serum lipid profi le levels with 400 mg/kg body weight in alloxan-induced diabetic rats as compared with the control. Conclusion: It is concluded that AECPL is effective in controlling blood glucose levels and in improving lipid profi le in diabetic rats.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the protective effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Aloe barbadensis (AEAB) on gentamicin and Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic Wistar rats. Methods: In each model of nephrotoxicity, thirty adult male Wistar rats were evenly divided into 5 groups. Groups I and II served as untreated and model controls, respectively while groups III-V were the treatment groups which were pretreated with 100-200 mg/kg bodyweight per day of AEAB 1 h before each dose of the nephrotoxicants. On the 8th day(in case of gentamicin) and on 6th day(in case of Cisplatin), blood samples for serum urea, total protein and creatinine as well as some ions like sodium, potassium, chloride and uric acid while the rat kidneys for histology were obtained under inhaled diethyl ether anesthesia. Results: In the gentamicin nephrotoxic rats, 100-200 mg/kg bodyweight per day significantly attenuated elevations in the serum creatinine, total protein and blood urea nitrogen levels in dose related fashion and no treatment related effect on uric acid and ions, and attenuated the gentamicin-induced tubulonephrosis. Similar effects were also recorded in the Cisplatin model of acute renal injury. Conclusions:The nephroprotective effect of AEAB could be due to the inherent antioxidant and free-radical-scavenging principle(s) contained in the extract.In the near future, AEAB could constitute a lead to discovery of a novel drug for the treatment of drug-induced nephrotoxicity.