Restoration of plasma markers of liver and kidney functions/integrity in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits by aqueous extract of Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotia.

The effect of aqueous extract of the sclerotia of Pleurotus tuberregium on the plasma electrolytes, and markers of liver and kidney functions/integrity of normal and alloxan-induced rabbits was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced by injection of alloxan (120mg/kg body weight), via the marginal ear vein. The extract was administered orally at 100, 200 and 300mg/kg (both to normal and diabetic rabbits), and metformin at 50mg/kg. Gas chromatographic-flame ionization detector analysis of the extract revealed the presence of twelve known phenolic acids, consisting mainly of caffeic acid (80.24%), chlorogenic acid (11.08%), piperic acid (6.11%), sinapinic acid (2.14%) and ferulic acid (0.34%). Compared to test control, the treatment significantly (p<0.05) lowered plasma activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, and alanine and aspartate transaminases. Also lowered were plasma unconjugated/conjugated bilirubin ratio and concentrations of urea, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, sodium, and total and unconjugated bilirubin. It however, significantly (p<0.05) raised plasma potassium and calcium levels. Therefore, the modulation of plasma sodium and potassium is an indication of the diuretic potential of the extract. In addition, the extract had no deleterious effect on the liver and kidney of the treated animals, at least at the doses administered in this study.

Positive moderation of the hematology, plasma biochemistry and ocular indices of oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, by an aqueous extract of the leaves of Sansevieria liberica Gerome and Labroy

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the ability of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Sansevieria liberica (S. liberica) to alter the hematology, plasma biochemistry and ocular indices of oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.@*METHOD@#Diabetes mellitus was induced by injection of alloxan (80 mg/kg body weight), via the tail vein. The extract was administered orally at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight (both to normal and diabetic rats), and metformin at 50 mg/kg body weight.@*RESULTS@#Compared to test control, the treatment dose dependently, significantly lowered (P<0.05) ocular malondialdehyde content, atherogenic indices, red cell, total white cell and lymphocyte counts, mean cell hemoglobin concentration; and plasma levels of glucose, triglyceride, total-, very low density lipoprotein-, low density lipoprotein- and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterols, total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin, sodium, urea, blood urea nitrogen, as well as plasma activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate transaminases. However, the treatment significantly increased (P<0.05) hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean cell hemoglobin, and mean cell volume, neutrophil and monocyte counts, and plasma levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, potassium, chloride, calcium, bicarbonate and total protein, ocular ascorbic acid content and ocular activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase. This study showed the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, immune-modulating, ocular-, hepato-renal and cardio-protective potentials of the extract.@*CONCLUSIONS@#All these, support the use of the leaves of S. liberica in African traditional health care practices for the management of diabetes mellitus.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Sansevieria senegambica Baker on plasma lipid profile and atherogenic indices of rats fed egg yolk supplemented diet.

The effects of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Sansevieria senegambica on daily weight gain, lipid profile and atherogenic indices of rats fed egg yolk supplemented diet was studied. The control group was given normal feed while the other three groups received 50 g egg yolk/kg feed. The extract was orally administered daily at 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight; while the test control and control groups received appropriate volumes of water by the same route. On gas chromatographic analysis of the aqueous crude extract, the phytosterol and tannins fractions contained 100 % of ß-sitosterol and tannic acid respectively. The mean daily weight gain of the test control group was higher though not significantly, than those of the other groups. The plasma total cholesterol levels, cardiac risk ratio and atherogenic coefficient of the test control group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the test groups, but not significantly higher than that of the control group. The plasma low density lipoprotein and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of the test control group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the control and test groups. The plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol of the test control group was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of the control group, but not significantly lower than those of the test groups. There were no significant differences in the plasma triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and the atherogenic index of plasma of all the groups. These results indicate a dose-dependent hypocholesterolemic effect of the extract, thus suggesting a likely protective role of the extract against the development of cardiovascular diseases. It also revealed the presence of pharmacologically active agents in the leaves.

Protective effect of aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica Gérôme and Labroy on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The ability of an aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica to protect against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury was investigated in Wistar albino rats. The carbon tetrachloride was prepared 1:5 (v:v) in olive oil, and administered subcutaneously at 1 mL/kg body weight. The extract was administered to both normal and carbon tetrachloride treated rats at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. On gas chromatographic analysis of the extract, twenty nine known flavonoids were detected, consisting mainly of 31.94 % apigenin, 20.66 % quercetin, 11.28 % kaempferol, 5.99 % naringenin, 5.83 % (-)-epicatechin, 3.69 % biochanin, 3.58 % (+)-catechin, 2.72 % diadzein, 2.20 % ellagic acid, 2.04 % butein. Compared to test control, the treatment dose dependently produced significantly (P<0.05) lower alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase activities. The plasma total bilirubin and total protein levels of the test animals were lower though not significantly. The hepatic histopathological studies showed that carbon tetrachloride caused fatty degeneration of hepatocytes, which was inhibited by pre-treatment with the extract; thus, confirming the results of the biochemical studies. The results of this study indicated that treatment with the plant extracts protects the liver against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity. This supports the use of Sansevieria liberica in traditional health care for managing liver problems.