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Aim: This study was carried out to assess the antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of the extract and fractions of Annona senegalensis stem bark through in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Study Design: The study followed a completely randomized design (CRD) of groups of treatments and control samples for all the tests. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacognosy and Environmental Medicines, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, between January and September 2016. Methodology: Phytochemical constituents and in vitro antioxidant activities using different models (reducing power, DPPH free radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, Hydroxyl radical scavenging, Hydrogen peroxide scavenging, β-carotene bleaching, FRAP scavenging and superoxide radical scavenging assays) were carried out. In vivo antioxidant activity was determined from the assays of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase and total protein while hepatoprotective activity was evaluated against CCI4 induced liver damage and elevated serum marker enzymes. Results: The results showed that the extract and fractions of stem bark of A. senegalensis had appreciable amounts of total flavonoids (845.67±93.62 mg/g) and total phenols (866.67±8.41), and exhibited good antioxidant activities at higher concentrations. Doses of the extract and fractions administered at 400 mg/kg protected the CCI4–induced lipid peroxidation and significantly (P = .05) reduced the elevated serum marker enzymes - aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphate (ALP), and bilirubin level on a dose and solvent dependent fashion. At 200 and 400 mg/kg extract, the serum AST was reduced (by 40.34% and 45.66% respectively) as much as the MeOH fraction (43.88%) and control (43.44%), whereas EtOAc fractions gave significantly the best reduction (52.49%). The ethyl acetate fraction gave the best activity among all the fractions. Conclusion: The results showed that the stem bark is a potential source of natural antioxidants and hepatoprotective agents, and justifies its use in traditional herbal practice.
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Objective: To assess the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic properties of Lippia nodiflora (L. nodiflora).Methods:Acute toxicity test was done to check the toxicity of L. nodiflora methanol extract and oral glucose tolerance test was performed in normal rats. L. nodiflora methanol extract at three dose levels was administerd orally to streptozotocin (STZ) (40mg/kg bw) induced diabetic rats for 15 days. The various parameters were studied including body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, plasma insulin, lipid profile, glycogen content, glycoslylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum marker enzyme levels in normal, treated and diabetic rats. Histochemical analysis of pancreas was also carried out in normal, treated and diabetic rats. Results: The treatment group with the extract at three dose levels showed a significant increase in the liver, muscle glycogen and serum insulin level and a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin levels and serum marker enzyme levels. The total cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels were also significantly reduced and the high density lipoprotein level was significantly increased upon treatment with the L. nodiflora methanol extract. Histochemical study of pancreas also confirmed the biochemical findings. Acute toxicity studies revealed the non-toxic nature of the L. nodiflora methanol extract. Conclusions: The results of the experiments presented here suggest that methanol extract of L. nodiflora exerts significant antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic effect in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
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Hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Luffa acutangula (HAELA) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats was evaluated and probable mechanism(s) of action has been suggested. Administration of standard drug- silymarin and HAELA showed significant hepatoprotection against CCl4 and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Hepatoprotective activity of HAELA was due to the decreased levels of serum marker enzymes viz., (AST, ALT, ALP and LDH) and increased total protein including the improvement in histoarchitecture of liver cells of the treated groups as compared to the control group. HAELA also showed significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, increased activity of non-enzymatic intracellular antioxidant, glutathione and enzymatic antioxidants, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Results of this study demonstrated that endogenous antioxidants and inhibition of lipid peroxidation of membrane contribute to hepatoprotective activity of HAELA.