ABSTRACT
Investigations were carried out to evaluate the effect of Ipomoea aquatica aqueous and dichloromethane/methanol extracts on the glucose absorption using a rat intestinal preparation in situ. Extracts orally tested at the dose of 160 mg/kg exerted a significant inhibitory effect on glucose absorption when compared with control animals. The most pronounced effect was observed with the aqueous extract. Ouabain used as reference inhibitor strongly inhibited glucose absorption. On the other hand both plant extracts inhibited the gastrointestinal motility suggesting that the inhibition of glucose absorption is not due to the acceleration of intestinal transit.
Subject(s)
Glucose/pharmacokinetics , Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology , Intestines/drug effects , Ipomoea , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animals , Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Gastrointestinal Motility/drug effects , Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage , Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use , Intestinal Absorption/drug effects , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Male , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Plant Stems , Rats , Rats, Long-EvansABSTRACT
The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of daily oral administration of root bark methylene chloride/methanol extract of Ceiba pentandra (Linn) in streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetic rats; and the effect of this treatment on the physiological and metabolic parameters that are related in diabetic animals. The diabetic rats were separated into four groups and each given the following samples by gavage; daily for 28 days: vehicle (diabetic control); Ceiba pentandra extract at the dose of 40 mg/kg; Ceiba pentandra extract at the dose of 75 mg/kg and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). All the parameters were also determined in healthy (non diabetic) rats for comparison. The methylene chloride/methanol extract of Ceiba pentandra treatment significantly reduced the intake of both food and water as well as the levels of blood glucose; serum cholesterol; triglyceride; creatinine and urea; in comparison with diabetic controls. The treatment also improves impaired glucose tolerance but no effect was observed in the level of hepatic glycogen. The effect of Ceiba pentandra (40 mg/kg) was more prominent when compared to glibenclamide in lowering blood glucose; with the added benefit of considerably reducing serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. The results of this experimental animal study indicated that Ceiba pentandra possesses antidiabetic activity; and thus is capable of ameliorating hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetic rats and is a potential source for isolation of new orally active agent(s) for anti-diabetic therapy
Subject(s)
Ceiba , Diabetes Complications , StreptozocinABSTRACT
The effects of aqueous extracts of Aframomum melegueta and Piper guineense on the sexual behaviour of male rats were studied, considering many criteria, such as penile erection, copulatory behaviour and orientation activities towards themselves (genital grooming) and female rats (ano-genital sniffing, mounting). For 8 days different groups of rats received a daily administration of distilled water (control) or a plant extract: A. melegueta at 115 mg/kg or P. guineense at 122.5 mg/kg. Both plant extracts stimulated male sexual behaviour. In fact, A. melegueta and P. guineense significantly increased penile erection index, and the frequencies of intromission and ejaculation. These plant extracts were found to enhance the orientation of males towards females by increasing mounting and ano-genital investigatory behaviour. Results of this study showed that A. melegueta and P. guineense modified the sexual behaviour of male rats by increasing sexual arousal.
Subject(s)
Aphrodisiacs/pharmacology , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Sexual Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Animals , Copulation/drug effects , Ejaculation/drug effects , Female , Grooming/drug effects , Male , Penile Erection/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
The protective effect of Anacardium occidentale aqueous extract against streptozotocin-induced diabetes was evaluated in rats. The rats were treated with 175 mg/kg of the extract per os, twice daily; beginning 2 days before streptozotocin (STZ) injection. A total of 3 days after STZ administration, there was a 48% increase in blood glucose level in pretreated rats, compared with a 208% increase in diabetic control rats treated with STZ alone. Furthermore, these pretreated animals presented no glycosuria, a normal weight gain and a non significant increase in food and fluid intake at the end of the treatment compared with the normal control. Diabetic control animals showed a positive glycosuria, body weight loss, a real polyphagia and polydypsia. These results indicate the protective role of Anacardium occidentale extract against the diabetogenic action of STZ.
