Ameliorative Potentials of Methanol Fractions of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on Some Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats.

There is a paucity of information in the literature on the effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on the hematological, coagulation activities, electrolyte balance and antioxidant activities of humans or animals. To determine the ameliorative potentials of methanol fractions of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on hematological, coagulation, electrolyte, hepatic and renal antioxidant activities of streptozotocininduced diabetic rats using standard techniques. Thirty rats, distributed into five groups of six rats each were used for this study. Groups 1 and 2 (normal and diabetic controls) received 1 ml/kg normal saline. Groups 3 and 4 received methanol fractions of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (at 250 and 500 mg/kg). Group 5 was administered glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg). The diabetic control had decreased (P<0.05) white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, lymphocytes, eosinophils, thrombin time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate ions, hepatic and renal superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities; increased (P<0.05) neutrophils, fibrinogen and platelets counts, chloride ion levels compared with the normal control while their monocytes were not different (P>0.05) from that of the normal control. Basophils were not detected in all the groups that were studied. The methanol fraction at 500 mg/kg was more potent than the methanol fraction at 250 mg/kg or glibenclamide (at 2.5 mg/kg) in ameliorating the hematological parameters, serum electrolytes and oxidative stress in the hepatic and kidney tissues of the diabetic rats suggesting its potentials in the management of diabetic complications. Finally, the biological properties demonstrated by the methanol fraction could be attributed to the presence of octadecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, eicosanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid and n-hexadecanoic acid in it as previously reported.

Ngozi A ，Christopher O ，Ifeoma I ，Chinedum E ，Kalu I ，Chima O ... -  《-》

Modulation of the lipid profile and insulin levels of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats by ethanol extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves and some fractions: Effect on the oral glucose tolerance of normoglycemic rats.

No study to date has investigated the effect of different polar solvent extracts from Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves on glycemic control as used in folk medicine. Hence this study which investigated the effect of ethanol extract and fractions of C. aconitifolius leaves on body weights, relative organ weights, serum levels of glucose, lipid profiles and insulin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and on oral glucose tolerance of normoglycemic rats. The ethanol extract was partitioned using methanol, hexane and chloroform to obtain different fractions. The ethanol extract, fractions or glibenclamide demonstrated hypoglycemic/therapeutic actions as seen from the reduction of serum glucose but increase in serum insulin and body weights of the diabetic rats at the end of experimentation following their administration, unlike the diabetic control that had significant alteration of these parameters with respect to the normal control. Whereas the diabetic control had significant increase in pancreatic weights with no alteration in the heart weights, the ethanol extract, fractions or glibenclamide had no effect on these organs. The ethanol extract, methanol fractions or glibenclamide showed better hypoglycemic actions than the n-hexane or chloroform fractions at the doses used and results obtained were corroborated by histology. Furthermore, the ethanol extract, n-hexane (at 250mg/kg) and methanol fractions or glibenclamide improved glucose tolerance in glucose loaded normal rats. The methanol fraction (500mg/kg) demonstrated anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-hypertriglyceridemic and insulin modulatory properties in a manner akin to glibenclamide. Acute toxicity study revealed the non toxicity of the plant CONCLUSION: The study justifies the use of polar solvent extracts of this plant in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Achi NK ，Ohaeri OC ，Ijeh II ，Eleazu C ... -  《-》

Antidiabetic properties of ethanolic extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in rats.

Oyagbemi AA ，Odetola AA ，Azeez OI 《-》

Antioxidative and hypolipidemic efficacy of alcoholic seed extract of Swietenia macrophylla in streptozotocin diabetic rats.

Kalpana K ，Pugalendi KV 《-》

Effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana 'Godseffiana' Muell Arg (Euphorbiaceae) on the hematology, plasma biochemistry and ocular indices of oxidative stress in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

The leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana are used in Southern Nigeria for the management of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. In this study, the effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana on the hematology, plasma biochemistry and ocular indices of oxidative stress was investigated in alloxan induced diabetic rats. 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 (both to normal and diabetic rats), and metformin at 50mg/kg. On gas chromatographic analysis of the extract, twenty nine known flavonoids were detected, consisting mainly of 29.77% apigenin, 14.97% quercetin, 11.12% naringenin, 10.62% kaempferol, 9.05% (-)-epicatechin and 4.04% (+)-catechin. Tannic acid and β-sitosterol were also detected. Compared to test control, the treatment lowered (significantly, P < 0.05) plasma glucose, triglyceride, conjugated bilirubin levels, atherogenic index of plasma, plasma alanine transaminase activity, total protein and total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase activity and unconjugated bilirubin, plasma urea, blood urea nitrogen and ocular malondialdehyde contents, lymphocyte and monocyte counts, and not significantly, plasma very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, but increased (significantly, P < 0.05) plasma calcium contents, total white cell and platelet counts, mean cell volume and ocular ascorbic acid content, and (though not significantly) plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol level, red cell and neutrophil counts. This study showed that the extract was hypoglycemic, positively affected the hemopoietic system and integrity and function (dose dependently) of the liver and kidney of the diabetic rats; improved the lipid profile and had no deleterious effect on red cell morphology. It also protected against oxidative stress in ocular tissues. This study also revealed the presence of pharmacologically active compounds in the leaf extract. All of these highlights the cardioprotective potential of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana and support its use in traditional health practices for the management of diabetes mellitus.

Ikewuchi JC ，Onyeike EN ，Uwakwe AA ，Ikewuchi CC ... -  《-》