RESUMEN
Aim: This study aims to evaluate the toxic effect of Tinospora bakis roots on body weight, hematology, biochemistry and histopathology on rats. Methodology: Twenty four male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, each of 6. For sub chronic toxicity, the aqueous extract was administered orally at a dose of 50, 500 and 2000 mg/ kg -for four weeks- to group 2, 3 and 4, respectively whereas Group 1 was kept as a control. Clinical signs and mortality were observed daily. The weights of the animals were recorded weekly. Blood samples were collected for hematology and biochemistry analysis. Specimens of liver and kidney were kept in 10% formalin for histopathology. Results: The results revealed that all animals in the four groups survived, and no mortality was recorded. The body weights of the animals increased in group 2 and 3, decreased in group 4. The extract had no adverse effects on hematology, biochemistry and histology of rats at doses of 50 and 500 mg/ kg, but caused significant alteration at dose 2000 mg/kg. White blood cells (WBCs) were significantly (P<0.05) increased; Red blood cells (RBCs), Hemoglobin (Hb) and Packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly (P<0.05) decreased. Total protein and albumin were significantly (P< 0.05) decreased whereas Urea, creatinine, Alanin Transaminase (ALT), Asparate Transaminase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase were significantly elevated. These findings correlated with histopathological changes on liver and kidney. Conclusion: The low doses of T. bakis aqueous extract were not toxic, but the high dose cause hepato-renal toxicity.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the traditional antidiabetic uses of some indigenous Sudanese plants on streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. METHODS: Diabetic rats were treated with a 400 mg/kg dose of aqueous extracts of five plant species orally for 2 h (acute) or 14 days (chronic). In acute model blood glucose levels were monitored at specific intervals. In the chronic model blood samples were collected from overnight fasted diabetic rats on day 15 to estimate blood glucose level. And the body weight, serum lipid profile and activities of liver and kidney enzymes were measured. Histopathological observations of liver sections were also studied. RESULTS: In the case of acute treatment, aqueous extracts of Tinospora bakis (T. bakis), Nauclea latifolia (N. latifolia) and Randia nilotica (R. nilotica) at 400 mg/kg significantly lowered (P < 0.05) blood glucose levels in diabetic rats whereas, chronic treatment of diabetic rats with 400 mg/kg of T. bakis, N. latifolia, R. nilotica and Mitragyna inremis proved to have significant (P < 0.05) antihyperglycemic effect and have the capacity to correct the metabolic disturbances associated with diabetes. Histopathological studies showed that the aqueous extracts of these four plants reinforced the healing of liver. However, Striga hermonthica aqueous extract did not exert any antihyperglycemic effect to diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that T. bakis, N. latifolia, R. nilotica and Mitragyna inremis have therapeutic value in diabetes and related complications and thus supporting the traditional uses of these plants in Sudanese traditional medicine.