Evaluation of Antidiabetic and the Effect of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Jatropha curcas on Some Biochemical Parameters in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Male Albino Rats.

Aims: The study evaluates the antidiabetic, and the effect of methanolic leaf extract of Jatropha curcas on some biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic male albino rats (Wistar strain). Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out for ten months in 2012 in Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Biochemistry Unit), School of Technology, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Lagos- Nigeria, and Department of Hematology and blood transfusion, APIN Clinic LUTH, University of Lagos, Nigeria. Methodology: Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the extract were carried out to determine the presence of secondary metabolites present in the extract of Jatropha curcas. The animals were weighed using weighing balance, there blood sugar levels were assayed using Accu-chek Active Glucometer and blood glucose test strips. The hematological parameters were determined using BC-3200 Auto Hematology Analyzer, lipid profiles, total protein, total bilirubin and liver biomarker enzymes were assayed using Randox kits. Results: The phytochemical constituents of J. curcas extract indicate the presence of secondary metabolites like tannins, saponins, flavonoids etc. The weight of diabetic untreated rats were significantly (P<0.05) reduced when compared to other groups. The animals treated with glibenclamide, 150 and 250mg/Kg body weight of J. curcas extract showed significant decrease (P<0.05) of blood sugar level compared to the untreated rats. The extract does possess hematopoietic activity and is not hematotoxic. J. curcas had hypolipidemic effect and can be used in the management of diabetes. The extract significantly reduced (P<0.05) total bilirubin and liver biomarker enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP). Conclusion: The results show that the methanolic leaf extract of Jatropha curcas can be used in the management of diabetes.

Acción analgésica y neurofarmacológica de las fracciones soluble y no soluble del extracto etanólico de la semilla de Jatropha curcas L. / Analgesic and neuropharmacological activities of soluble and not soluble fractions of the ehtanolic extract from Jatropha curcas L. seeds

Introducción. Estudios preclínicos evidencian efectos dosis dependiente sobre la analgesia e inflamación y neurotoxicidad de las hojas, corteza y raíz de J. curcas L. El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la actividad analgésica y neurofarmacológica de las fracciones de la semilla de J. curcas L. Métodos. Estudio experimental, preclínico y prospectivo. Se distribuyeron 48 ratones en seis grupos control: ácido acético, diclofenaco, tramadol, agua destilada, diazepam y cafeína. Cuatro grupos experimentales: fracción soluble a 500 mg/kg y fracción no soluble a 250, 500 y 750 mg/kg; se evaluó los efectos sobre la algesia, por medio de la prueba de contorsiones abdominales por ácido acético a 1,5 %, y las manifestaciones neurológicas, mediante la prueba de Irwin. Se realizaron pruebas para el análisis de las variables cuantitativas y para las variables cualitativas. Resultados. La inhibición de las contorsiones fue 62,27 %, 56,86 %, 44,12 % y 42,06 % para los grupos 5, 2, 4 y 3, respectivamente. Las manifestaciones neurológicas de los grupos experimentales mostraron presencia y significancia de las variables excitación, sacudidas de cabeza, rascarse, incoordinación motora, cola de Straub, piloerección y estereotipias. Las variables estereotipias y rascado se presentaron en las dos fracciones. Conclusión. La fracción soluble y la no soluble del extracto etanólico de J. curcas L. presentaron efecto analgésico y efectos tóxicos a nivel del sistema nervioso central.

Introduction. Preclinical studies show the dose dependent effects on the analgesia, inflammation and neurotoxicity of the leaves, bark and root. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the analgesic and neuropharmacological activity of the fractions of the seed J. curcas L. Methods. Experimental study, preclinical and prospective. 48 rats were distributed in 6 control groups: acetic acid, diclofenac, tramadol, distilled water, diazepam, caffeine. Four experimental groups: 500 mg/kg of soluble fraction and 250, 500 y 750 mg/kg of insoluble fraction; the effects on the algesia were evaluated using an exam of abdominal contortions with acetic acid on 1,5%; the neurological manifestations were measured with the Irwin test. To analyze the quantitative and qualitative variables exams were used. Results. The inhibition of the contortions were 62,27 %, 56,86 %, 44,12 % y 42,06 % for the groups 5, 2, 4 y 3, respectively. The neurological manifestations of the experimental groups showed the presence and significance of the variables: excitation, head twitches, scratching, motor incoordination, Straub tail, piloerection and stereotypies. The variables stereotypes and scratching presented themselves in the two fractions. Conclusion. The soluble and insoluble fraction of the ethanoic extract of J. Curcas L. presented analgesic and toxic effects on the central nervous system.