ETHANOL EXTRACT

Cyanide poisoning poses a significant threat to cardiovascular health, leading to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Ocimum gratissimum (OG), commonly known as scent leaf, is a medicinal plant with potential cardioprotective properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the ethanol extract of OG on CVD risk factors in cyanide-induced rabbits. Fifteen rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: group one(drug), group two(ethanol extract), group three(ethanol extract), group four(cyanide), group five(control). Cyanide-induced rabbits were orally administered OG extract and drug (Sylimarin) for 21 days. Blood samples and organs(heart) were collected for biochemical analysis of CVD risk factors, including total protein profile, cholesterol levels, arterogenic coefficient, cardiac risk ratio, vitamin, and nitric oxides concentration. Certain experimental groups displayed promising changes, such as elevated HDL- C levels, improved endothelial function, and enhanced cardiac muscle function, others exhibited adverse alterations in lipid profile and endothelial function. These findings underscore the complex nature of herbal remedies and emphasize the importance of empirical validation to ensure their safety and efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases.

Preterm labor and miscarriages are reproductive complications that often require various pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions such as bed rest, hormonal therapy and tocolytic agents. Various cultures have also exploited the use of herbs and some medicinal plants to manage these gynaecological problems. Phyllanthus amarus is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine in the treatment of hypertension and also for its female health benefits. While Phyllanthus amarus has been reported to be used in ethno-medicine as an abortifacient agent, it has also been reported to have toxic in female reproductive health. This work investigated the effect of the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Phyllanthus amarus on uterine smooth muscle reactivity, and on pregnancy outcome in female Wistar rats. The ethanol extract of Phyllantus amarus was prepared and tested using both in vivo and in vitro models. In the in vivo study, the female wistar rats were administered graded doses of the extract (6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) orally for 14 days and each groups were mated with two male wistar rats on the first day of administration. For the in-vitro study, isolated uterine tissues were used to evaluate the effect of the extract on spontaneous contraction of the uterus as well as oxytocin, and KCl-induced pre-contracted uterus. The extract produced a dose- dependent relaxation of uterine smooth muscle. The extract also had a positive outcome on conception in some treated groups, This study suggests that Phyllanthus amarus possesses utero-relaxant, and positive pregnancy oucomes in female wistar rats.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia–induced oxidative stress and electrolyte disturbances that exacerbate tissue injury and long-term complications. Traditional use of Tetracera alnifolia in Nigerian ethnomedicine suggests it may possess antidiabetic and antioxidant properties worthy of scientific evaluation. Adult Wistar rats were rendered diabetic via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) and, after confirmation of hyperglycemia, randomly assigned to six groups (n=6): three groups received daily oral doses of T. alnifolia ethanol extract (200, 500, or 800 mg/kg) for 35 days; one group received glibenclamide (5 mg/kg); one remained untreated diabetic control; and one served as healthy control. Fasting blood glucose was measured on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. At study end, livers and pancreases were harvested for assessment of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities, respectively, and serum was analyzed for potassium levels. T. alnifolia extract induced a dose–dependent decline in fasting blood glucose, with the 800 mg/kg dose achieving values comparable to glibenclamide by day 35. Hepatic GPx activity, suppressed by diabetes (2.86 ± 0.38 U/g), was restored to 34.26 ± 0.62 U/g at 800 mg/kg (Table 4.1), exceeding the glibenclamide response (20.65 ± 0.01 U/g). Pancreatic GR activity rose from 2.42 ± 0.22 U/g in diabetic controls to 8.41 ± 0.26 U/g and 10.28 ± 1.28 U/g in the 800 mg/kg and glibenclamide groups, respectively (Table 4.2). Serum potassium, diminished by diabetes, was normalized across all extract doses. The ethanol extract of T. alnifolia exerts potent hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and electrolyte‐ stabilizing effects in STZ‐induced diabetic rats, validating its traditional antidiabetic use. These findings support further molecular and histopathological studies to clarify its mechanisms and therapeutic potential