ABSTRACT
Aims: Appropriate ratios for combining some African ethnomedicinal plants with proven anti-plasmodial activity were determined with the aim of obtaining herbal remedies with higher efficacies. Place and Duration of the Study: Study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacognosy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria. Study Design: Infusions of dried powders of three Nigerian ethnomedicinal plants, Eugenia uniflora leaf, Gongronema latifolium root and stem and Artocarpus altilis stem bark, were separately evaluated and in varied combination ratios for their anti-plasmodial activities Methodology: The infusions were separately prepared, concentrated in vacuo, freeze-dried and evaluated at 400mg/kg against Plasmodium berghei berghei parasites, using the Peter’s four-day chemosuppressive mice model. Normal saline and chloroquine (10mg/kg) were negative and positive controls, respectively. 2- and 3-combinations of the infusions were similarly tested. Results: Of the 2-plant combination ratios, 1:1, 1:3, 2:3 of EG and GA elicited percentage chemo suppressions which were comparable (P=.28; P=.07) to those of the single drugs. Only the EG ratios gave activities that were comparable (P=.28) to the positive control in addition to double survival times and high survivor values by EG 2:3 and GA 1:3. However, those of the EA group, gave relatively low values, barely above 20% with only the ratios 2:3 and 3:2 giving values which were significantly (P=.00) higher than negative control with double survival times. The 3-plant combination ratios, EGA 2:1:2 and 3:3:2 gave suppressions that were significantly (P=.00) higher than the negative control with others but comparable (P=.33) activities to those of the individual drugs. The other ratios with low suppression values were relatively inactive. But three ratios, EGA 3:1:2, 2:1:1, 1:1:1 elicited survival times doubled (204, 242 and 202 %) that of the negative control without commensurate high antiplasmodial activities. Conclusion: Ethnomedicinal antimalarial plants should not be combined without a data of previous scientific evaluations.
ABSTRACT
The research was undertaken to investigate the comparative phytochemical and in-vitro antibacterial activity of the single and combined strengths of the leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum Linn and Gongronema latifolium Benth. on some enteric bacterial isolates. The sensitivity test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were carried out using a modified agar-well diffusion method. The enteric bacterial isolates tested included Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella Typhi and Enterobacter aerogenes. Standard methods were applied to obtain the ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts. The ethanol extracts of O. gratissimum and G. latifolium produced highly significant inhibitory activity against all the enteric bacterial isolates tested. Comparatively, the ethanol plant extracts were more potent than the commercially available drug, Ciprofloxacin and the aqueous plant extracts. The isolates were sensitive at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.25 mg/ml for the ethanol extract but varied from 2.5 mg/ml - 5.0mg/ml in the aqueous extract. It was also observed that the synergistic antibacterial effect of the medicinal plant extracts was greater than the singular antibacterial effect of the individual plant extracts in both the ethanol and aqueous extracts. The potency of the individual extracts and the combined effect may be due to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, tannins and saponins in the leaves of the plants. This study partly validates the use of the plant extracts in the treatment of disease caused by the enteric bacterial isolates by multiple traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria, however, strict adherence to dosage is recommended. The leaf extract is a potential source of the new drug if the components are purified and enhanced for treating infections caused by these enteric pathogens.
ABSTRACT
Aim:The study evaluated the effects of the combined extracts of Vernonia amygdalina(VA) and Gongronema latifolium(GL) on pancreatic GLUT 2 expression and caspase 3 activity in streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/Kg)-induced diabetic rats.Study Design:Fifteen Albino rats were used for the study and were placed in 3 groups of 5 rats each: A -normal control, B –Diabetic control and C–experimental group.Place and Duration of Study:The study was carried out in the department of Anatomy, University of Calabar.Duration:6 months.Methodology:Half of the diabetic rats were treated with VA+GL (400mg/kg, ratio 1:1, DE group) for 28 days, while the other half was untreated and served as diabetic control (DC). Normal control (NC) rats were untreated. After 28 days, the rats were sacrificed and their blood glucose, serum GLUT 2 and caspase 3 activity were measured. Histochemical evaluation of the pancreas was also carried out.Results:Blood glucose concentrations for the 3 groups were 60.31±7.28, 257.00±4.43, and 116.60±10.11 mg/dl for NC, DC and DE respectively. This represented a 4-fold increase in the DC compared with NC and a significant amelioration in the extract-treated DE group compared with DC group. Serum GLUT 2 concentrations were 70 ng/ml in NC, dropped to 8 ng/ml (p<0.05) in the DC and recovered to 20ng/ml in DE (p<0.05). Serum caspase was 3.2 ng/ml for NC, increased to 8.5 ng/ml in DC (p<0.05) and reduced to 1.8ng/ml in DE (p<0.05). The histology of the pancreas showed distorted, degenerated and shrunken β-cells mass in DC compared with NC and DE groups. The DE group showed clear signs of regeneration of the islet cells which was corroborated by positive Feulgen’s reactioncompared with the DC group. Conclusion:The data suggests that the combined VA+GL extract has the potential to effectively reverse pancreatic damage in diabetes
ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the proximate, vitamin and mineral composition of the leaves of four selected tropical vegetable plants namely: Ocimum gratissimum, Piper guineense, Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina. Methodology: Fresh leaves of each vegetable were washed and air dried at room temperature for two weeks. The dried leaves were pulverized using a mechanical grinder. Measured amounts were subjected to quantitative proximate, vitamin and mineral analysis. Results: For all four plants, carbohydrates was the major macronutrient constituents (range 49.61-64.09% dry wt.) followed by fats (15.06-29.43%), Protein (7.28-12.53%), ash (1.81-14.82%) and fiber (2.92-7.53%) in that order. G. latifolium had the highest carbohydrate (64.09±0.09% dry weight) and protein (12.53±0.10%) composition while V. amygdalina had the highest fat (29.43±0.03%) composition. Results of Ash analysis of the four leaves showed P. guineense to have the highest total mineral content (14.82±0.12% dry wt.) followed by V. amygdalina (10.75±0.01%), O. gratissimum (4.60±0.04%) and G. latifolium (1.81±0.01%) in that order. O. gratissimum and P. guineense had the highest composition of fiber (7.53±0.02% and 7.22±0.02% respectively) closely followed by G. latifolium (6.03±0.02%) and V. amygdalina (2.92±0.02%). Vitamin analysis revealed that leaves of the four vegetable plants contained high levels of vitamin C (range 18.1-43.4 mg/100 g) and appreciable quantities of vitamins A (0.3-1.2 mg/100 g) and E (0.67-0.9 mg/100 g). V. amygdalina leaf contained the highest concentration of vitamin C (43.4±0.01 mg/100 g) and A (1.2±0.9 mg/100 g) while O. gratissimum had the highest vitamin E content (0.9 mg/100 g). The mineral assay indicated that the leaves of the plants contain high levels of Magnesium (Mg)(3.6-24.8 mg/100 g), Phosphorus (P) (2.8-34.3 mg/100 g), Calcium (Ca) (12.1-19.0 mg/100 g) and copper (Cu) (5.8-18.5 mg/100 g) relative to their Zinc (Zn) (1.1-2.1 mg/100 g), Potassium (K) (2.1-6.9 mg/100 g) and Sodium (Na) (4.3-8.1 mg/100 g) contents. Conclusion: In conclusion, these plants were shown to be rich in carbohydrates, proteins and fats, vitamins and minerals justifying their use in diets. That the plants were particularly rich in vitamins and mineral with antioxidant properties could explain the therapeutic uses of the various preparations of these leafy vegetables, in traditional medicine, for the treatment and management of diseases that have their etiology and pathophysiology in free radical generation and oxidative stress.
ABSTRACT
Background: The study evaluates the beneficial effects or otherwise of Gongronema latifolium (utazi) consumption on plasma lipid profile and blood glucose in healthy subjects. Methods: The study was conducted on twenty (20) apparently healthy subjects (10 males and 10 females), within the age range of 20-55years who were randomly recruited from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) staff and medical students in Nnewi Campus. Twenty experimental subjects (10 males and 10 females) were fed with 5g/day of fresh Gongronema latifolium leaves for six weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline and every week for six weeks and the biochemical parameters analyzed using standard laboratory methods. Results: There were significant reductions in the levels of plasma glucose (3.85 ± 0.14 vs. 4.92 ± 0.31 mmol/l), cholesterol (3.60 ± 0.43 vs. 4.56 ± 0.67 mmol/l), triglycerides (0.73 ± 0.19 vs. 0.96 ± 0.20 mmol/l), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) (1.97 ± 0.48 vs. 2.70 ± 0.67 mmol/l) and LDL-C/High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (1.32 ± 0.44 vs. 2.11 ± 0.72 mmol/l) of the subjects that were fed with Gongronema latifolium leaves for six weeks compared with their baseline values; all P <0.05. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that Gongronema latifolium has hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect on healthy subjects and might be beneficial for the management of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.
ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at determining some biomarkers of oxidative stress and liver damage in diabetic rats consuming diets containing Gongronema latifolium leaves so as to evaluate the involvement of the diets in the management of oxidative stress and liver damage common among diabetics. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups (1 to 5) with10 rats per group. Group 1 (normal control) consumed control diet; Group 2 (diabetic control) consumed control diet, Group 3 and 4 (diabetic treated) consumed Gongronema latifolium at 5% and 7.5%, respectively. Group 5 (diabetic treated) consumed control diet and was treated with Insulin. Feed and water were given ad- libitum for 28 days. Results showed that diabetic rats in groups 3 and 4 consuming Gongronema latifolium had significant (P<0.05) reduction in MDA concentration and in the level of ALT, AST, and ALP in the serum and liver tissue homogenate and a significant increase it the activities of GPx, SOD and Catalase relative to the diabetic control. The results were superior to those on Insulin. It was concluded that consumption of diets containing Gongronema latifolium leaves has protective effect on oxidative stress and liver damage associated with diabetes mellitus.
ABSTRACT
Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) has potent sedative effect, which may result in severe unpleasant consequences if not controlled. This necessitated this study on the effect of Gongronema latifolium (GL) on RV-induced behaviour, biochemical activities, and histomorphology of the cerebral cortex. Eighteen male Wistar rats of average weight 266 g were grouped into three (13). Group 1 was the control administered 0.5 mL of Tween®20, while groups 2 and 3 were administered 150 mg/kg of RV, and a combination of 150 mg/kg of RV and 200 mg/kg of GL (RV+GL), respectively for seven days. Twelve hours after treatments, open field neurobehavioral test was carried-out and the animals euthanized. Their sera were analyzed, and their cerebral cortices routinely processed by H&E method. There was lower (p<0.05) ambulatory, rearing and freezing activities in the RV group, while there was no difference in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels in all the groups. Cerebral cortical neurohistology of RV and RV+GL groups showed most neurons appearing hypertrophied with pyknotic nuclei in some, and less cellular population compared with the control group. RV produces sedative behaviour, and cerebral cortical neurohistological changes, which GL combination may help modulate.
Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) tiene un efecto sedante potente, el que puede provocar graves consecuencias si no es controlado. Se estudió el efecto de Gongronema latifolium (GL) sobre el comportamiento inducido por RV, como también en las actividades bioquímicas, e histomorfología de la corteza cerebral. Dieciocho ratas macho Wistar con un peso promedio de 266 g, fueron separadas en tres Grupos (13). El Grupo 1 (control) recibió 0,5 mL de Tween® 20, mientras que a los Grupos 2 y 3 se les administró, durante siete días, 150 mg/kg de RV y una combinación de 150 mg/kg de RV y 200 mg/kg de GL (RV + GL), respectivamente. Doce horas después de los tratamientos y pruebas neuroconductuales de campo abierto, los animales fueron sacrificados. Se analizaron los sueros y cortezas cerebrales, los cuales fueron procesados y teñidos on HE. Se observó menor actividad ambulatoria y de congelación (p<0,05) en el grupo RV, mientras que no hubo diferencia en la actividad aspartato aminotransferasa sérica y de fosfatasa alcalina, así como tampoco en los niveles de colesterol y triglicéridos séricos en todos los grupos. La neurohistología cortical cerebral de los grupos RV y RV + GL mostró que la mayoría de las neuronas aparecen hipertrofiadas con núcleos picnóticos, y una menor cantidad celular en comparación con el grupo control. La RV produce un comportamiento sedante, y cambios neurohistológicos a nivel de la corteza cerebral lo que podría ser modulado al combinarse con GL.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Apocynaceae , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Cerebral Cortex/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Rats, Wistar , RauwolfiaABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
Rural dwellers in Nigeria often resort to herbal remedy and dietary control in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). This work was undertaken to provide the rationale for the use of the leaves of Gogronema latifolium as a traditional antidiabetic agent. Methanol extract (ME) of the leaves of G. latifolium was prepared by soxhlet extraction while the aqueous extract (AE) was prepared by cold maceration. The methanol extract was separated into fractions by column chromatography to yield methanol fraction (MF), n-hexane fraction (HF) and chloroform fraction (CF).The extract and the fractions were evaluated for antidiabetic effect in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. The blood sugar levels were assayed as indices of diabetes. The phytochemical analyses of the extracts and fractions as well as the LD50 of the ME were determined. The results indicated that intraperitoneal injection of AE, ME, CF, HF, and MF, (200-800 mg/kg/day) exhibited a significant (P<0.05) anti-diabetic effect by ameliorating alloxan-induced increase in blood sugar. Antidiabetic potency of the extracts and fractions was in the order; MF> ME> AE>HF>CF. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts and fractions indicated high concentration of proteins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and steroids while tannins, reducing sugar and acidic compounds were absent. The LD50 of the methanol extract was calculated to be 900mg/kg. The results of this study lead credence to the use of G. latifolium in the management of diabetes mellitus.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium (G. latifolium) against acute acetaminophen induced hepatic toxicity in Wistar rats. Methods:Thirty six Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups with 6 rats in each group. Animals in group 1 and 2 were administered with 600 mg/kg b.w. of acetaminophen only and acetaminophen plus 100 mg/kg b.w. of caffeine by oral gavages, respectively. Experimental groups 3 and 4 were treated as in group 1 but in addition received 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w., respectively of the leaf extract of G. latifolium by oral gavages. The experimental groups 5 and 6 were treated as in group 2 and in addition received 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. of leaf extract of G. latifolium, respectively. The treatment lasted for 14 days. Results: The results obtained showed that the serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminease (AST), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels had a greater increase in group 2 than in group 1 but dropped marginally in groups 3 and 4. However, in groups 5 and 6, AST, ALT and ALP were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Similarly, serum protein levels were significantly increased in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 when compared with group 1 and 2. Conclusions: It can be concluded that extract of G. latifolium offers protection against acetaminophen and caffeinated acetaminophen toxicity in Wistar rats.