Effect of Pretreatment with Aqueous Leaf Extract of Vitex doniana on Cadmium-Induced Toxicity to Rats

Aim:To determine the effect of pretreatment with aqueous leaf extract of Vitex donianaon the cytotoxic response of the antioxidant defence systems in the liver and kidneys of rats exposed to a mild dose of cadmium. Materials and Methods:Sixteen Male Wistar strain rats (180-220 g b.wt) were divided into four groups: Group A served as the control and rats were exposed to and maintained on a normal rat diet and tap water throughout study. Group B was maintained on a normal rat diet and then exposed to a single daily oral dose of cadmium (3 mg CdCl2/kg) in drinking water for five days. GroupsC were pretreated with 200 mg/kg Vitex donianaleaf extract for fifteen days and after that received a single daily oral dose of cadmium (3 mg CdCl2/kg) in drinking water for five days. Group D was exposed to only 200 mg/kg Vitex donianaleaf extract for fifteen days. At the end of the experiment membrane lipid peroxidation, glutathione contents and activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and cadmium content were determined in the liver and kidney samples.

Hepatocurative potential of Vitex doniana root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts against CCl

Objective: To evaluate the hepatocurative effects of aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves of Vitex doniana in carbon tetrachloride (CCl

Pancreatic islet regeneration and some liver biochemical parameters of leaf extracts of Vitex doniana in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rats

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To test two water soluble extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) obtained from the leaves of Vitex doniana in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for their effects on pancreatic endocrine tissues and serum marker enzymes for a period of 21 d.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 55 rats divided into 11 groups of 5 rats each were assigned into diabetic and non-diabetic groups and followed by a daily administration of ethanolic and aqueous extracts for 21 d. Group 1 was the normal control while group 7 was treated with standard drug.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The histopathological studies of the diabetic rats indicated increase in the volume density of islets, percent of β-cells and size of islet in the groups that received the plant extracts, which suggested regeneration of β-cells along with β-cells repairs, as compared with the non-treated diabetic control which showed complete degeneration of the islet cells. There was significant reduction (P<0.05) in the serum activities of marker enzymes, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase in diabetes treated rats, whereas an insignificant increase (P>0.01) in the serum activities of marker enzymes was observed for non-diabetic treated rats. Results of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin showed that diabetic control group was significantly higher (P<0.05) in total bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin compared with treated groups while non-diabetic treated groups showed no significant increase (P>0.01) in total bilirubin and direct bilirubin compared with the normal control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This herbal therapy appears to bring about repair/regeneration of the endocrine pancreas and hepatic cells protection in the diabetic rat.</p>

Hepatocurative potential of Vitex doniana root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts against CCl4-induced liver damage in rats

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the hepatocurative effects of aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves of Vitex doniana in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage and non induced liver damage albino rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 60 albino rats (36 induced liver damage and 24 non induced liver damage) were assigned into liver damage and non liver damage groups of 6 rats in a group. The animals in the CCl4 induced liver damage groups, were induced by intraperitoneal injection with a single dose of CCl4 (1 mL/kg body weight) as a 1:1(v/v) solution in olive oil and were fasted for 36 h before the subsequent treatment with aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts of Vitex doniana and vitamin E as standard drug (100 mg/kg body weight per day) for 21 d, while the animals in the non induced groups were only treated with the daily oral administration of these extracts at the same dose. The administration of CCl4 was done once a week for a period of 3 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was significant (P<0.05) increase in concentration of all liver marker enzymes, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline aminotransferase (ALT, AST and ALP) and significant (P<0.05) decrease in albumin in the CCl4 induced liver damage control when compared to the normal control. The extracts caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the serum activities of liver marker enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) and a significant (P<0.05) increase in albumin of all the induced treated groups. Only stem bark extract and vitamin E significantly (P<0.05) increased total protein. All the extracts significantly (P<0.05) lowered serum creatinine whereas only root bark extract significantly (P<0.05) lowered serum level of urea in the rats with CCl4 induced liver damage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hepatocurative study shows that all the plant parts (root bark, stem bark and leaves) possess significant hepatocurative properties among other therapeutic values justifying their use in folklore medicine.</p>

Hepatocurative potential of Vitex doniana root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts against CCl4-induced liver damage in rats

Objective: To evaluate the hepatocurative effects of aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves ofVitex doniana in carbon tetrachloride (CCl albino rats.Methods:4) induced liver damage and non induced liver damage were assigned into liver damage and non liver damage groups of 6 rats in a group. The animals in the CCl4 induced liver damage groups, were induced by intraperitoneal injection with a single dose of CCl4 (1 mL/kg body weight) as a 1:1(v/v) solution in olive oil and were fasted for 36 h before the subsequent treatment with aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts of Vitex doniana and vitamin E as standard drug (100 mg/kg body weight per day) for 21 d, while the animals in the non induced groups were only treated with the daily oral administration of these extracts at the same dose. The administration of CCl4 was done once a week for a period of 3 weeks.Results:There was significant (P<0.05) increase in concentration of all liver marker enzymes, A total of 60 albino rats (36 induced liver damage and 24 non induced liver damage) alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline aminotransferase (ALT, AST and ALP) and significant (P<0.05) decrease in albumin in the CCl4 induced liver damage control when compared to the normal control. The extracts caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the serum activities of liver marker enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) and a significant (P<0.05) increase in albumin of all the induced treated groups. Only stem bark extract and vitamin E significantly (P<0.05) increased total protein. All the extracts significantly (P<0.05) lowered serum creatinine whereas only root bark extract significantly (P<0.05) lowered serum level of urea in the rats with CCl4 induced liver damage.Conclusion:Hepatocurative study shows that all the plant parts (root bark, stem bark and leaves) possess significant hepatocurative properties among other therapeutic values justifying their use in folklore medicine.

Pancreatic islet regeneration and some liver biochemical parameters of leaf extracts of Vitex doniana in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rats

Objective: To test two water soluble extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) obtained from the leaves ofVitex doniana in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for their effects on pancreatic endocrine tissues and serum marker enzymes for a period of 21 d. Methods: A total of 55 rats divided into 11 groups of 5 rats each were assigned into diabetic and non-diabetic groups and followed by a daily administration of ethanolic and aqueous extracts for 21 d. Group 1 was the normal control while group 7 was treated with standard drug.Results:The histopathological studies of the diabetic rats indicated increase in the volume density of islets, percent of β-cells and size of islet in the groups that received the plant extracts, which suggested regeneration of β-cells along with β-cells repairs, as compared with the non-treated diabetic control which showed complete degeneration of the islet cells. There was significant reduction (P0.01) in the serum activities of marker enzymes was observed for non-diabetic treated rats. Results of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin showed that diabetic control group was significantly higher (P0.01) in total bilirubin and direct bilirubin compared with the normal control.Conclusion:This herbal therapy appears to bring about repair/regeneration of the endocrine pancreas and hepatic cells protection in the diabetic rat.

In vivo antioxidant effect of aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts of Vitex doniana in CCl4 induced liver damage rats

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The antioxidant effects of aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves of Vitex doniana (V. doniana) were evaluated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage and non induced liver damage albino rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 60 albino rats (36 induced liver damage and 24 non induced liver damage) were assigned into liver damage and non liver damage groups of 6 rats in a group. The animals in the CCl4 induced liver damage groups, were induced by intraperitoneal injection with a single dose of CCl4 (148 mg·ml(-1)·kg(-1) body weight) as a 1:1 (v/v) solution in olive oil and were fasted for 36 h before the subsequent treatment with aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts of V. doniana and vitamin E as standard drug (100 mg/kg body weighy per day) for 21 d, while the animals in the non induced groups were only treated with the daily oral administration of these extracts at the same dose. The administration of CCl4 was done once a week for a period of three weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The liver of CCl4 induced not treated group showed that the induction with CCl4, significantly (P<0.05) increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and significantly (P<0.05) decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). However there was no significant (P>0.05) difference between TBARS, SOD and CAT in the liver of the induced treated groups and normal control group. In the kidney, TBARS showed no significant (P>0.05) difference between the normal and the induced groups, SOD was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the CCl4 group compared to standard drug and normal control groups, CAT was significantly (P<0.05) increased in root and vitamin E groups when compared to induced not treated group. The studies also showed that when the extracts were administered to normal animals, there was no significant (P>0.05) change in the liver and kidney level of TBARS, SOD and CAT compared with the normal control except in the kidney of animals treated with stem extract where TBARS was significantly (P<0.05) lowered compared to control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The result of the present study suggests that application of V. doniana plant would play an important role in increasing the antioxidant effect and reducing the oxidative damage that formed both in liver and in kidney tissues. However stem bark has potential to improve renal function in normal rats.</p>

In vivo antioxidant effect of aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts of Vitex doniana in CCl4 induced liver damage rats

Objective: The antioxidant effects of aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves of Vitex doniana (V. doniana) were evaluated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage and non induced liver damage albino rats. Methods: A total of 60 albino rats (36 induced liver damage and 24 non induced liver damage) were assigned into liver damage and non liver damage groups of 6 rats in a group. The animals in the CCl4 induced liver damage groups, were induced by intraperitoneal injection with a single dose of CCl4 (148 mg·ml-1·kg-1 body weight) as a 1:1 (v/v) solution in olive oil and were fasted for 36 h before the subsequent treatment with aqueous root bark, stem bark and leaves extracts of V. doniana and vitamin E as standard drug (100 mg/kg body weighy per showed that the induction with CCl4, significantly (P0.05) difference between TBARS, SOD and CAT in the liver of the induced treated groups and normal control group. In the kidney, TBARS showed no significant (P>0.05) difference between the normal and the induced groups, SOD was significantly CAT compared with the normal control except in the kidney of animals treated with stem extract animals, there was no significant (P>0.05) change in the liver and kidney level of TBARS, SOD and not treated group. The studies also showed that when the extracts were administered to normal was significantly (P<0.05) increased in root and vitamin E groups when compared to induced (P<0.05) reduced in the CCl4 group compared to standard drug and normal control groups, CAT where TBARS was significantly (P<0.05) lowered compared to control group. Conclusion: The result of the present study suggests that application of V. doniana plant would play an important role in increasing the antioxidant effect and reducing the oxidative damage that formed both in liver and in kidney tissues. However stem bark has potential to improve renal function in normal rats.

Anti-diabetic Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Vitex doniana Leaves and Cinchona calisaya Bark in Alloxan–Induced Diabetic Rats.

Vitex doniana Sweet and Cinchona calisaya WEED are tropical medicinal plants endued with important pharmacological properties. The effects of aqueous extracts of V. doniana leaves and C. calisaya bark on alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in Wistar albino rats were evaluated. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intraperitoneal ( i.p) injection of 150 mg/kg body wt of alloxan monohydrate. The aqueous extracts of V. doniana leaves and C. calisaya bark were administered intraperitoneally to four diabetic groups at same doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body wt. The actions of the extracts were compared with that of the standard oral hypoglycaemic agent, glibenclamide. Both extracts caused significant (p < 0.001) decreases in blood sugar levels of the rats at both doses tested. At 50 mg/kg body wt. V. doniana leaf extract produced 82.9% reduction in blood sugar level (i.e from 492.8 to 84.5 mg/dl) after four days whereas, C. calisaya caused 64.4% decrease. Unlike C. calisaya bark, V. doniana at both doses tested, was more potent than the reference drug, glibenclamide (0.3 mg/ kg body wt.). The antidiabetic activity of V. doniana did not vary with the dose, whereas the observed effect of C. calisaya decreased with increase in dose. C. calisaya exhibited higher antidiabetic activity at a lower dose of 50 mg/kg body wt. Both medicinal plants therefore possess valuable antidiabetic property. Their effects on the antioxidant status were also investigated. V. doniana and C. calisaya extracts caused increases in the activity of SOD and lipid peroxidation when compared with control, but the increases were lower than that produced by alloxan, indicating attenuation of free radical generation. Quantitative phytochemical analyses of both extracts showed the presence of saponins(0.92%), flavonoids(7.05%), alkaloids(1.8%), and cardiac glycosides(2.8%) in V. doniana, whereas saponins(2.0%), flavonoids(5.0%), alkaloids(6.0%), and cardiac glycosides(3.54%) were detected in C. calisaya.