Ameliorating effects of ethanol extract of root bark of Salacia nitida on blood electrolyte and renal perturbations in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

Abstract Malaria, a disease of public health concern is a known cause of kidney failure, and dependence on herbal medicines for its treatment is increasing due to the high cost of drugs. So this study is designed to evaluate the ameliorating effect of ethanol extract from Salacia nitida root bark on electrolyte and renal perturbations in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Thirty malariainfected mice divided into five groups of six mice each and another group of six uninfected mice were used for the study. 280, 430, and 580 mg/kg of extract were given to infected mice in groups B, C, and D, 4 mg/kg of artesunate given to group E mice, and 4 ml/kg of physiological saline given to group A and uninfected group F mice for five days. Serum Na+, K+, HCO3, Cl-, TB, urea, creatinine, BUN concentrations, and BUN/creatinine ratio were determined using standard methods. Results showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in Na+, K+, and HCO3 and decreases in Cl-, TB, urea, creatinine, BUN, and BUN/creatinine ratio in the infected treated mice in groups B - E. This study showed that ethanol extract of S. nitida root bark is efficient in the treatment of renal disorders and blood electrolyte perturbations

Ameliorative potentials of aqueous extracts of leaf and stem of Ipomoea involucrata on selected biochemicals in experimental diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by derangements in carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolisms, due to deficiency in insulin secretion and action. This research evaluates the ameliorative potentials of aqueous extracts of leaves and stem of Ipomoea involucorata on selected biochemicals in experimental diabetic rats.Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg body weight of alloxan and the animals were orally administered with gilanil (4 mg/kg) for positive control, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg bw aqueous extract of leaves (groups 4-6) and stem (groups 7-9) of Ipomoea involucrata once daily for 21 days. Biochemical parameters were analysed using standard methods.Results: The median lethal dose was established at 648 mg/kg (leaves) and 547 mg/kg (stem). The negative group (untreated) showed significant increase in glucose concentration compared to the other groups. After 2 to 3 weeks there was significant (p<0.05) decrease in glucose concentration of the extract and glibenclamide (positive group) treated groups when compared with the negative group. Diabetes control rats showed significant (p<0.05) high serum lipid profile (except for high density lipoprotein), liver enzymes/ indices and renal indices when compared with non-diabetic control rats. However, these alternations were reversed with the positive group and the groups treated with aqueous extracts of both samples. The differences observed in the electrolytes were not significant in all groups.Conclusions: The results suggest that aqueous extract of leaves and stem of I. involucrata is considerably safe and a potential therapy for management of complications associated with diabetes mellitus.