Gastroprotective effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Guiera senegalensis in Albino rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Guiera senegalensis (G. senegalensis) on gastric mucosal damage using different ulcer models. METHODS: Considering the above claims, the present study was undertaken to validate the gastroprotective potential of the aqueous leaf extract of this plant against ethanol, water immersion and Aspirin induced ulcer models. RESULTS: The leaf extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P<0.05) decreased the ulcer index in all assays used. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained, provide strong evidence of antiulcer activity of the leaf extract of G. senegalensis and support the traditional uses of the plant for the treatment of ulcer.

Effect of Gongronema latifolium ethanol leaf extract on gastric acid secretion and cytoprotection in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: Gongronema latifolium leaves have been used in folklore medicine to manage diabetes mellitus and alleviate dyspepsia. This study aimed to provide a pharmacological basis to the medicinal use ofGongronema latifolium as an antidiabetic and antiulcerogenic agent in diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Ethanol extract from the leaf (200 mg/kg bodyweight) of Gongronema latifolium was administered to both streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control groups orally for 14 days. Gastric acid secretion was measured and ulcer was induced using ethanol and four-hour pyloric ligation. RESULTS: The mean bodyweight was significantly lower (p < 0.01), while the mean weight of the stomach, liver and small intestine to bodyweight ratio was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the two diabetic groups compared to control. Extract significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the blood glucose level similar to the non-diabetic control. Basal and stimulated acid secretion in diabetic control rats was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased when compared to control. Extract administration increased the stimulated gastric acid secretion to a level significantly (p < 0.05) higher than control while reduction in gastric secretion by ranitidine was similar compared with control. Gongronema latifolium treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced ulcer scores in both ulcer models and increased mucus weight in the diabetic group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Gongronema latifolium antiulcerative activity is due to its prevention of chemical-induced stomach injury.

Altered morphology of liver and pancreas tissues of offsprings of albino rats by charred meat.

The effects of food processing and or cooking practices in the variations in morphological changes in tissues were investigated. The relationship between consumption of charred meat, which is believed to be rich in nitrosamine, by pregnant mothers and the adverse effects on the growth of their offsprings, alterations in morphology of tissues like liver and pancreas were studied. Meat was subjected to charcoal fire roasting without curing and was thereafter fed to pregnant rats. The results showed growth retardation of the offsprings, micromorphological changes in tissues such as liver [generalized apoptotic processes and hepatocellular necrosis] and pancreas [increased islet cells density and scattered acinar hyperplasia with solid cellular area] in the offsprings of the female albino rats that were fed on 60 and 80 percent of charred meat regimen during gestation and lactation periods when compared to control. These observations have shown that meat cured or uncured when subjected to charcoal fire roasting may cause alteration in the morphology of the foetal tissues.

Diabetogenic property of charred meat on litters of pregnant albino rats.

Intake of nitrosamine-rich food has been implicated in the pathogenesis of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus. The present study therefore examines a possible relationship between consumption of charred meat, rich in nitrosamine in pregnancy and the corresponding development of type 1 diabetes in litters. Determination of blood glucose and serum insulin levels in litters showed percent charred meat related increase in the mean blood glucose values of 64.1 +/- 1.39 mg/dl compared with the mean control value of 53.8 +/- 3.78 mg/dl and a corresponding reduction in the mean serum insulin values of 2.0 +/- 0.43 microU/ml compared with 5.8 +/- 0.29 microU/ml in the control [P < 0.05]. There were no significant changes in the mean blood glucose level and serum insulin level among the corresponding pregnant rats, hence, no evidence of diabetes mellitus. These results suggest that meat, when subjected to charcoal fire roasting may be hazardous to the foetus and a causative factor in the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus in the litters.