RESUMEN
This study was designed to examine the effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of Nauclea latifolia and Emilia sonchifolia on anxiety, fear and locomotion in mice infected with plasmodium berghei berghei. Thirty male Swiss albino mice weighing between 26-30g divided into five groups with six mice in each group. Group 1 served as the Control group and was treated with 0.2ml of normal saline, Group 2 served as the parasitized non-treated, Group 3, was parasitized and treated with Coartem®, Group 4 was parasitized then treated with Emilia sonchifolia, Group 5 was parasitized and treated with Nauclea latifolia and Group 6 was parasitized and treated with a combination of Nauclea latifolia and Emilia sonchifolia respectively. The mice were passaged with the parasite intraperitoneally and then administered extract orally using an orogavage cannula for a duration of 5 days. Behavioural tests were performed pretreatment (day 6 after parasite passage) and posttreatment (day 11). The results obtained showed that grooming frequency and stretch attend frequency were significantly (p<0.001) lower in groups 3-5 compared with the Control group. The combined extract treatment in group 5 was significantly (p<0.001) reduced compared with the parasitized non treated group. Line crossing duration was significantly (p<0.001) lower in groups 2 and 4 but significantly higher in groups 3 and 5 compared with the control group. This preliminary study consolidates the view of herbal practitioners that the extract is effective in reducing anxiety and fear and enhances increases locomotion in plasmodium berghei infected mice.
RESUMEN
Aims: Diabetic dyslipidemia is a recognized risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Plant medicinal agents such as Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus) have shown potential as alternative therapies for reducing cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of C. citratus leaf extract on the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in diabetic dyslipidemic rats (n=35). Materials and Methods: A C. citratus extract was prepared by ethanol extraction of leaf material. Rats were divided into seven groups (n=5) as follows: (a) Normal diet control, (b) Hyperlipidemic diet (HLD) control, (c) HLD + 65mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) control (d) HLD + STZ + 250mg/kg C. citratus extract (CCE), (e) HLD + STZ + 500mg/kg CCE, (f) HLD + STZ + 1000mg/kg CCE, and (g) HLD + STZ + 5mg/kg atorvastatin + 600μg/g glibenclamide. Animals were treated with HLD for 14 days and then injected intraperitoneally with 65mg/kg STZ. Confirmed diabetic dyslipidemic animals were treated intragastrically with CCE at doses of 250, 500, and 1000mg/kg, with 5mg/kg atorvastatin, and with 600μg/g glibenclamide for 30 days. Results: The extract, which tested positive for tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, etc. lowered fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and dose- dependently decreased the serum levels of T-chol, LDL, VLDL, and b-HMG-CoA reductase, while simultaneously increasing HDL levels. The AIP was lowered in a dosedependent manner by 33, 43.7, and 52.4% in groups treated with 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of CCE respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that the C. citratus extract had an ameliorative effect on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and atherogenic index of plasma.