Prof. A.A Omonkhua

Sida acuta commonly known as wire weed possesses several therapeutic properties that can be
recognized in traditional medicine. Sida acuta has been found to contain several photochemical
(flavonoids, tannins, steroids), antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. The aim of this study was
to determine the in vitro antidiabetic activities of the aqueous extract of Sida acuta on α- mylase
and α-glucosidase enzyme. In this study, the result on the α-amylase assay shows that the standard
(acarbose) has better in vitro antidiabetic properties on α-amylase enzyme by inhibiting α-amylase
at IC50 of 29997.9µg/ml when compared to the inhibitory properties of the aqueous Sida acuta
extract which had an IC50 of 42966.9µg/ml. The result obtained from the α-glucosidase assay
showed that the IC50 of the standard (acarbose) had better in vitro antidiabetic properties on the α-
glucosidase enzyme by inhibiting α-glucosidase at an IC50 of 10120.52µg/ml when compared to
that of the extract (IC50 of 14333.29µg/ml). In conclusion the extract displayed its medicinal
properties by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme and could be used as a possible anti
diabetic therapeutic agent.

There has been a notable increase in the use of herbal medicine over the past twenty years. Moreover, there is still a tremendous lap of proper research data in the field of traditional herbal medicine. Enantiachloranthais a plant belonging to the Annonacoae family. Its common name is Africa Yellow Wood. It contains some phytochemicals which confer anti-diabetic properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-diabetic and anti- inflammatory effects ofEnantiachlorantha stem bark on STZ induced type 2 diabetes in adult wistar rats. Forty-nine (49) male Wister rats of 170-180g weight were used for this experiment. They were grouped into seven groups; Group 1 (Normal control), Group 2 (HFD+STZ), Group 3(HFD+STZ+ metformin 500mg/kg bwt), Group 4 (HFD +STZ+ 200mg/kg bwt crude hydro-ethanol extract), Group 5 (HFD + STZ+ 400mg/kg bwt crude hydro-ethanol extract), Group 6 (HFD + STZ+ 200mg/kg bwt ethyl-acetate fraction),Group 7 (HFD+STZ+ 400mg/kg bwt ethyl-acetate fraction). The results showed a marked decrease in blood glucose level in thr treated groups. Rats administered the extract crude and ethyl acetate fractions showed high expression ofNrf-2.In group 4, at 200 mg/kg body weight of thereextract crude and ethyl acetate fractions was increased activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme.This study concluded that Enantiachloranthahas positive anti-diabetic and anti- inflammatory effects.

ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is a degenerative disease that has deleterious effects on male reproductive function, possibly through an increase in oxidative stress and protection against this damage can be offered by antioxidant supplementation. This study investigated the effects of oral administration of Tetrapluera tetraptera saponins (TTS) on concentrations of lipid peroxide (as malondialdehyde; MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the testes of rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Six groups were used (7 animals each) and these animals were allocated to different groups: normal control group, diabetic group. The diabetic group was subdivided into five groups as follows: diabetic control (DC), metformin treated group, 10mg TTS treated group, 20mg TTS treated group and 40mg TTS treated group. The metformin and TTS were also administered for 12 consecutive weeks. The MDA and GSH levels in the harvested testes were determined with comparison made between groups. Although MDA concentration in the testes increased in diabetic control, the TTS administered significantly reduced the pro-oxidant levels (P<0.05) to normal levels.. However, in the testes and serum, the reduced glutathione significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the diabetic treated groups compared to the diabetic untreated group. The results indicated that increased lipid oxidation may compromise the oxidant-antioxidant balance in the experimental animals.