AQUEOUS

This study evaluated the comparative effects of standard pharmacotherapy (Lisinopril/Glibenclamide) and an aqueous extract combination of Cleome rutidosperma and Hunteria umbellata on metabolic and cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive/diabetic rats. The hypertensive/diabetic rats showed reduced body weight, elevated fasting blood glucose, and increased blood pressure indices confirming disease induction. Treatment with Lisinopril/Glibenclamide significantly restored body weight and normalized blood glucose and blood pressure. The plant extract also improved these parameters, with a more pronounced effect on weight gain, moderate glucose lowering, and significant reductions in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures. Cardiovascular autonomic function was improved as indicated by heart rate stabilization. Lipid profile analysis revealed that, while standard therapy unexpectedly increased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, the combined Cleome/Hunteria extract markedly improved lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and eliminating detectable VLDL levels, while significantly increasing HDL cholesterol. These results suggest that the plant extract may modulate lipid metabolism more effectively than standard drugs. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Cleome rutidosperma and Hunteria umbellata aqueous extract exert beneficial effects on anthropometric, glycemic, hemodynamic, and lipid parameters in hypertensive/diabetic rats. This suggests potential cardiometabolic protective properties via biochemical pathways involving glucose homeostasis, vascular tone regulation, and lipid metabolism. Further mechanistic and clinical investigations are warranted to confirm its therapeutic viability. This summary aligns with literature reporting reduced body weight gain in hypertensive and diabetic rat models due to metabolic derangement and catabolism. The plant extract’s enhancement of body weight may reflect improved anabolic state and nutrient utilization, while its lipid-lowering effect suggests modulation of lipoprotein metabolism enzymes.

Medicinal plants have long been integral to healthcare, forming the foundation of traditional medicine across many cultures. This study evaluated the in vivo antioxidant activity of the aqueous root extract of Anthocleista djalonensis (Loganiaceae) in the livers of adult Wistar rats. Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into four groups of six. Group I served as the control and received 2 ml of distilled water orally. Groups II, III, and IV were administered 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg of the aqueous root extract, respectively, for 28 days. After sacrifice, livers were isolated, weighed, and homogenised in cold normal saline. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. The extract had no significant effect on CAT and SOD activities compared to control (p > 0.05), but significantly reduced MDA levels (p < 0.05). Liver weight remained unchanged (p > 0.05). These results indicate that Anthocleista djalonensis root extract exhibits promising antioxidant properties, particularly through direct free radical scavenging

Aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) is known to induce oxidative stress, impairing erythropoiesis and redox homeostasis, which may contribute to anaemia and other haematological alterations. Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) is a master regulator of antioxidant defense and cytoprotective genes, making it a key biomarker in toxin-induced oxidative stress. Evaluating the modulation of this gene by herbal extracts could provide valuable insights into their therapeutic potential. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of NRF2 gene in aluminium chloride-induced anaemia bearing Wistar rats treated with aqueous leaves extract of Icacina trichantha. Sixty (60) adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups; A, B, C, D, E and F, representing control, aluminium chloride group, ferrous sulphate group, aluminium chloride + 100 mg/kg of Icacina trichantha leaf extract, aluminium chloride + 200 mg/kg of Icacina trichantha leaf extract, and aluminium chloride + 400 mg/kg of Icacina trichantha leaf extract, respectively. Blood samples were collected for haematological analysis using an ERMA haematology autoanalyzer, while NRF2 mRNA expression was quantified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data obtained were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 software. Haematological parameters revealed no statistically significant differences across most groups (p > 0.05), although mean cell volume (MCV) (fL) was significantly reduced in group F (54.64±0.96) compared to group C (58.22±0.49) (p < 0.05), and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (pg) was significantly lower in group F (18.72±0.23) compared to group C (19.66±0.07) (p <0.05). NRF2 expression was elevated in group B relative to the control, though not significantly, but was significantly higher compared to groups C, D, E, and F (p < 0.05). Treatment with Icacina trichantha extract across the different doses did not restore NRF2 expression to control levels. In conclusion, aluminium chloride administration induced NRF2 upregulation as an oxidative stress response, while treatment with Icacina trichantha aqueous leaf extract led to a significant reduction in NRF2 expression, suggesting a modulatory effect that warrants further mechanistic investigation.