ABSTRACT
Aims: To correlate obesity/atherosclerosis with body mass index, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, serum low density lipoprotein and serum high density lipoprotein of diet induced obese wistar rats. Study Design: Department of Home Science, Nutrition and Dietetics (Animal research house) and Department of veterinary science both in University of Nigeria Nsukka. The study was conducted between January to March 2012. Methodology: Four groups of twenty male Wistar rats were fed a highly palatable diet for 2 weeks to induce obesity resembling mild obesity condition in human population after one week acclimatization period. DIO rats received rat chow and flavonoids extract daily for 6 weeks. Group 1 received rat chow alone; Group 2- 0.05% of flavonoids extract and rat chow; Group 3- 0.15% of flavonoid extract and rat chow; and Group 4- 0.25% of flavonoid extract and rat chow. BMI, Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and Triglyceride were evaluated using standard assay technique. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and mean separated using LSD. Results: Feeding the rats with palatable diet showed increased in BMI (from 0.35-0.40 to 0.60-0.65), total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels along with decrease in HDL (p<0.05). Consumption of flavonoids resulted in the significant reduction in BMI, LDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride level and exhibit significant elevation in HDL cholesterol compared to the rats fed only rat chow (p<0.05). It was observed that the decrease in BMI, Triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol level of rats fed 0.25% of flavonoids were significantly different (p<0.05) from those fed 0.15% and 0.05% flavonoids. Conclusions: The results suggest that flavonoids extract from Solanum macranthum has atherogenic effect which can help to reduce obesity.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To investigate the petroleum ether extract of the unripe fruit of Solanum macrocarpum L. (Solanaceae) for its chemical components and its antimicrobial properties against Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and fungi. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria, between October 2007 and July 2009. Methodology: After authentication of the plant, extracts were prepared from the fruits of S. macrocarpum using Soxhlet apparatus. The petroleum ether extract was investigated for its chemical composition using GC-MS after it had been fractionated earlier using AGC. The extract was also evaluated for its antimicrobial activities by disc diffusion antimicrobial selectivity test using gentamicin (10μg/disc), ciprofloxacin (5μg/disc) and tetracycline (2.5x105μg/disc) as standards. Results: All the microorganisms used were resistant to the effect of the petroleum ether extract. However, a total of sixty eight (68) compounds were identified in the extract and its four (4) fractions, whilst only thirty eight (38) chemical structures of the identified compounds were shown because some of the compounds were common to all the fractions. Conclusion: The detection of 2-methoxy furan, 4-0-methyl-mannose, 2-hydroxy-ϒ- butyrolactone, 2, 3-dihydroxypropyl 9-octadecanoate, 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid and butanoic acid validates the antihyperlipidaemic property of the fruit of S. macrocarpum, so consumption of this fruit is recommended as a nutraceutical.
ABSTRACT
The effect of the aqueous fruit extract, Solanum macrocarpum Linn on some biochemical indices of liver function was studied in triton-induced hyperlipidaemic wistar rats. Thirty rats (160-200g) were used in the study and assigned to 5 groups of 6 rats each. Group I hyperlipidaemic control rats received distilled water only, whereas groups II, III, IV and V, the experimental hyperlipidaemic rats, were administered graded doses of the plant extract (25mg/kg, 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200kg/mg) per body weight intraperitoneally after which blood samples were taken from the rats 24hrs, 48hrs and 72hrs, respectively after extract administration. Serum aspartate amino transferase (AST) dose dependently and significantly decreased (P<0.05) at 48hrs and 72hrs. The values of alanine amino transferase (ALT) decreased significantly (P<0.05) at 72hrs when compared to the control. The decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was not significant (ALP) activity was not significant (P>0.05) when compared to the control. Serum protein and albumin decreased significantly (P<0.05) while bilirubin increased significantly (P<0.05) at 72hrs of study. In conclusion, Solanum macrocarpum probably has hepatoprotective effects.