S.I. OJEABURU

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia causes damage to important tissues and organs (heart, liver, blood vessels, kidneys and nerves). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract of Chrysophyllum albidum stem bark and its fractions on some biochemical status in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Crude ethanol extract prepared from pulverised stem bark of the plant was fractionated using analytical grade solvents (n-hexane, ethylacetate, and methanol). Adult male rats (Wistar strain, n = 56) weighing between 150 and 200 g were randomly assigned to eight groups (7 rats/group): control, diabetic, metformin, extract, and hydroethanol, n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions. With the exception of control group, DM was induced in the rats via intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg body weight). This was followed by treatment (daily) with either metformin, ethanol extract or fractions of C. albidum stem bark for 14 days. At the expiration of the treatment period, plasma/tissue samples obtained from the rats were used for biochemical analyses. Blood glucose concentration and body weight were monitored on weekly basis. Indices of liver and kidney function; oxidative status in selected tissues (plasma, liver, kidney, pancreas), lipid peroxidation index and haematological parameters were measured. The results obtained showed that induction of DM with STZ significantly increased fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, organ weights (liver, kidney), malondialdehyde (MDA), indices of liver and kidney function, lipid profile, and some haematological parameters (white blood cell, lymphocyte, granulocyte, mid-cell), but it decreased the activities/levels of hepatic/renal/pancreatic antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], body weight, pancreas weight, plasma total protein, albumin, and electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃⁻), high-density lipoprotein holesterol (HDL-C), platelet count, and red blood cell indices when compared to control (p < 0.05). However, treatment with C. albidum stem bark extract/fractions markedly reduced FBG level, organ weights (liver, kidney), and MDA, but it enhanced the activities of the antioxidant enzymes and pancreas weight (p < 0.05). Similarly, extract/fractions treatment improved lipid profile and haematological parameters, while restoring indices of liver and kidney function. The results were comparable to those of metformin (standard drug). Histopathological examination of pancreatic and liver tissues of diabetic untreated rats showed cell reduction of the islet of Langerhans and pancreatic acini, congestion of the central vein, as well as loss of normal hepatocytic architecture, indicating severe pancreatic and liver damage. However, treatment with C. albidum extract/fractions revealed improvement in liver/pancreas histology. Histopathological examination of pancreatic and liver tissues further supported the biochemical findings. The results obtained in this study have shown that ethanol extract of C. albidum stem bark and its fractions can markedly reduce typical derangements associated with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus (that is, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and oxidative stress.

Justicia carnea is a medicinal plant with varied pharmacological effects. The present study evaluated the antioxidant properties of methanol extract of the leaves of Justicia carnea in Wistar rats. Mature Wistar albino rats (n = 36) were assigned to six groups of 6 rats each: group 1 (normal control), group 2 (diabetic control), group 3 (diabetic rats treated with standard anti-diabetic drug,
metformin), group 4 (diabetic rats + 100mg/kg bwt of methanol extract of Justicia carnea), group 5 (diabetic rats + 200mg/kg bwt extract) and group 6 (diabetic rats + 500mg/kg extract). The plant leaves were extracted with absolute methanol. Diabetes mellitus was induced in the rats via intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg body weight STZ. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), body
weight, acute toxicity and oxidative stress markers were measured. Acute toxicity study showed that at the highest dose of 5000 mg/kg bwt, methanol extract of J. carnea did not produce any mortality in the rats. Graded doses of methanol extract of J. carnea leaves significantly reduced the blood glucose concentration of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (p < 0.05). The greatest
weight increase was observed in the control group when compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). The plant extract significantly increased the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), but it reduced the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly when compared with the diabetic control group (p < 0.05). This study has provided
evidence to support the claim that methanol extract of J. carnea is effective in ameliorating oxidative stress induced by STZ in diabetic Wistar rats.

In tropical Africa, Detarium microcarpium serves as both vital industrial source and medicinal herb. An overview of D. microcarpium verified pharmacological qualities, including its effect on certain organ enzyme activity, acute and subacute toxicity, was the goal of this research. The leave of Detarium microcarpium are fit for several commercial and industrial uses, as was
discovered after a comprehensive literature review. Traditionally, D. microcarpium has been used to cure or alleviate the symptoms different illnesses and conditions in humans. In herbal therapy, this species is used to treat a wide range of conditions, from chest discomfort to cough to infertility to liver issues to menstrual pain to STDs. Antibacterial, antifungal, antihyperglycemic, antimalarial, antioxidant, and iron absorption are only some of the many pharmacological actions associated with D. microcarpium, as shown by pharmacological research. The fact that plants are natural does not guarantee their health benefit and safety. Some of these natural plants have been reported to cause renal and hepatic toxicity by deactivating and reducing the activity of both hepatic and renal enzymes. It is therefore expedient that these popularly known herbal medicines are widely studied with regards to their pharmacological and toxicological aspects in order to understand their safe doses and adverse effects. The chemical, nutritional, and toxicological qualities of Detarium microcarpium are interesting enough to warrant in-depth scientific examination. Animal experiments, randomized clinical trials, and subacute toxicity tests on specific organs are all necessary parts of a detailed research of Detarium microcarpium and its derivatives.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect the Justicia carnea methanol extract on Streptozotocin induced diabetes in albino wistar rats. The analysis were carried out using standard biochemical methods. The oral acute toxicity test (LD50) of the Justicia carnea methanol leaf in rat extract was determined using Lorke’s method, and diabetes was induced in the rats by a single intraperitoneal dose of 50 mg/kg. b.w of Streptozotocin. Six (6) experimental groups of rats (n=6) were used for the study. Three groups (group 4,5,6) of diabetic rats received oral daily doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg Methanol leaf extract of Justicia carnea respectively while metformin(5 mg/ml); a standard diabetic drug was administered to group 3. Group 2 was induced with diabetes but left untreated (diabetic control), while group 1 was used as normal control which
was not induced with diabetes .The treatment lasted for 21days, and from the results of the acute toxicity study showed, the extract had an LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. From the result of the anti-diabetic study, a Significant (p < 0.05) increase was observed in blood glucose level of the untreated group (group 2) when compared with the normal control whereas groups treated with 100, 200 and 500mg/kg BW of Justicia carnea and 50mg/kg BW of metformin (group 3, 4, 5 and 6) showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose levels when compared with the untreated group (group 2). Therefore, it can be concluded from the results that the leaf extracts of Justicia carnea can be used in the management of diabetes