STREPTOZOTOCIN

Persistent hyperglycemia is a symptom of diabetes mellitus, a metabolic or hormonal disorder caused by problems with insulin secretion. Type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus are the two kinds of the disease. T1DM is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and it is brought on by a problem with insulin synthesis. T2DM, however, is often referred to as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus since it is linked to cells' inability to respond to insulin (insulin resistance) (NIDDM). All across the world, diabetes is becoming more common. According to estimates, 415 million adults had diabetes in 2015, and by 2040, 642 million persons were expected to have the disease (Rahelic, 2016). More than 70% of people with T2DM reside in developing nations, and this number is rising yearly. There are several pharmacological antidiabetic medicines on the market, but the rise in the prevalence of T2DM, particularly in poor nations, together with the side effects linked to these drugs, has brought attention to the need for more efficient, safer, and affordable management techniques. Over the past ten years, there has been a sharp rise in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) worldwide for the treatment of conditions including diabetes. According to reports, up to 72.8% of diabetics took herbal remedies. food supplements and other CAM treatments (Chang et al., 2007). Additionally, data shows that the majority of patients who use CAM therapies do so in addition to traditional therapy rather
than in place of it (Kiran et al., 2012). There are many medicinal plants that are thought to have antidiabetic effects and have been used to treat diabetes (Ghorbani, 2014). Due to one or more of their phytochemical qualities, many of the plants found in Nigeria are known for their medicinal properties. (Okwu, 2003). These plants frequently display a variety of biological and pharmaceutical qualities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antifungal, etc (Ekeke et al, 2003). Despite the availability of contemporary medicine formulations, many ailments are treated with extracts from plant roots and bark (Sarkar, 2015). The mainstay of medical care has always been and will continue to be natural products.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by impaired insulin secretion, insulin
action, or both, leading to chronic hyperglycaemia and associated complications. The search for plant-based alternatives with antidiabetic potential has gained attention due to the limitations and side effects of conventional therapies. This study investigated the effects of aqueous extract of Picralima nitida fruit on serum insulin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin, and animals were allocated into five groups: normal control, diabetic control, glibenclamide-treated, low-dose extract, and high-dose extract groups. Serum insulin concentration was quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that induction of diabetes led to alterations in insulin secretion, with the diabetic control group exhibiting elevated insulin levels compared to the normal control group, suggesting partial β-cell dysfunction with compensatory responses. Glibenclamide treatment produced decreased insulin levels relative to the diabetic control, likely due to the extent of β-cell destruction. The low-dose extract produced insulin levels comparable to glibenclamide, indicating mild insulin-modulating activity. Notably, the high-dose extract produced the highest insulin concentration among all groups, suggesting a dose-dependent stimulatory effect of P. nitida on pancreatic function. Obseved from the results, the extract, particularly at higher doses,may enhance insulin secretion or protect surviving β-cells. In conclusion, the aqueous fruit extract of Picralima nitida demonstrates potential insulin- modulating activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. These findings support the possible use of P. nitida as a complementary therapeutic agent for diabetes management. Further studies with larger sample sizes and pancreatic histological evaluations are recommended to better elucidate its mechanism of action.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, or elevated blood glucose levels, resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. This study focused on the severe metabolic imbalance caused by Streptozotocin (STZ) induction in male Wistar rats . Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Wistar rats by a combination of a 2-week high-carbohydrates diet, followed by double doses (60 and 40 mg/kg respectively) of intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Diabetic rats were then treated for two weeks with either distilled water (control), Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg, positive control), or picralima nitida extract at two doses (200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg). The findings revealed that all groups treated with Picralima nitida showed a decrease in α-amylase levels compared to the diabetic group that received no treatment. However, this reduction was not sufficient to bring the enzyme activity back to the levels observed in non-diabetic (control) rats. Among the doses tested, the low dose produced the most stable regulatory effect, showing results that were comparable, though slightly less effective, than glibenclamide

Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. and Thonn) Taub, is a leguminous multipurpose tree (Mimosoideae) indigenous to tropical Africa. The plant has long medicinal significance as a molluscide, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent. This study evaluated the effect of Tetrapleura tetraptera saponins on cardiac histology of Streptozotocin diabetic Wistar rats. Saponin fraction of T. tetraptera stem bark was orally administered to streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats at 10, 20 and 40mg/kg body weight (Group 4, 5 and 6). The effect of saponins on cardiac histology of the treated diabetic rats were compared with untreated control rats (Group 1), untreated diabetic control rats (Group 2) and metformin treated diabetic rats (Group 3) after 12 weeks of treatment. Treatment with graded doses of Tetrapleura tetraptera saponins and standard drug metformin resolved the lesions remarkably in the heart tissue with 20mg/kg body weight extract comparing favorably with metformin. There was an additional beneficial effect of vasodilation and increase in blood flow by the extract. The results from this study revealed that Tetrapleura tetraptera saponins ameliorated Streptozotocin induced pathology of heart tissues and may have resolved the lesions remarkably in the heart, with 20mg/kg body weight dose proving to have the best therapeutic effect.