Osahon D. Abu

In all of Africa, Dialium guineesne (Velvet tamarind, family: Fabaceae) is known for its culinary and nutritional benefits. Traditional systems of medicine are also well aware of the therapeutic benefits of D. guineesne's leaves and other plant components. Scientists and researchers have investigated the plant for its pharmacological properties and therapeutic uses, including
antibacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-oxidant, analgesic, anti-hepatotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-plasmodia, anti-vibrio, anti-diarrheal properties. The equilibrium between pro- and anti-oxidants is maintained by antioxidant enzymes such superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). These antioxidants aid in the cell's defense against oxidative stress. The current study is aimed at evaluating the renal protective properties of Dialium guineesne against streptozotocin-induced renal toxicity. A single dosage of 50 mg of freshly manufactured streptozotocin (STZ), diluted in 10 ml of normal
saline was used to induce diabetes mellitus. After administering two groups with various dosages of the plant extract, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were taken. The findings of this study demonstrated that treatment of diabetic Wistar rats with methanol fraction of ethanol stem bark extract of D. guineense significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities as well as
concentrations of GSH and NO levels (p < 0.05). The observed pharmacological activity may be the result of significant bioactive chemicals found in the extract fraction.

Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf) is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. It possesses different biological activity including antioxidant andantimicrobial activities, antibacterial and analgesic activity. The aim of this study was to
investigate the effect of Vernonia amygdalina on cardiovascular disease risk factors in rats exposed to DMH. Adult Wister rats (n= 30) were collected and randomly assigned to groups (8 rats per groups): normal control, DMH only, Silymarin control, extract only, post treatment 1, post treatment 2, Pre- treatment 1, and Pre- treatment 2. Group 1, was supplied with food and water regularly but no Vernonia amygdalina extract, silymarin antibiotic or 1,2 dimethylhydrazine was administered. Group 2, 1,2 dimethylhydrazine was administered at 3millilitres per kilograms of body, alongside with food and water to induce the heart damage. Loss of appetite, fatigue and dizziness was noted after few days of administration. Group 3, the silymarin an antibiotic at 100ml\kg by weight was administered, DMH was then administered every day for 12 days. Concentrations of lipids: total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, TAG, High and low-Density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low-Density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as Atherogenic index, Atherogenic coefficient, cardiac risk ratio and cardiac Nitric Oxide was measured in plasma