ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS SEED EXTRACT OF (MORINGA OLEIFERA) IN NORMAL AND ALLOXAN -INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

¹Rafiu, A. A. and ²Luka, C.D.

¹Department of Quality, Nasco Foods limited, Jos

²Department of Biochemistry, University of Jos, Plateau, Nigeria

E-mail: carrll42@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to investigate the anti-diabetic activity of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera seed in both normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats (150mg/kg) were administered orally with Moringa oleifera seed aqueous extract (200 mg/kg) for twenty eight days after which the blood glucose, lipid profile, haematological parameters, protein and albumin in the serum were measured and compared with the control. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of blood glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride, eosinophil and a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the level of PCV, Hb, WBC, PLT, NEUT, protein, albumin and body weight. Oral administration of aqueous extract of M. oleifera at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight for 28 days to diabetic rats resulted in significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triglyceride and significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight, high density lipoprotein, protein and albumin. These results suggested that the aqueous seed extract of M. oleifera possesses anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-hyperlipideamic activity and also improved the aberrations in the blood parameters of alloxan-induced diabetic rat.

COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES ON EXTRACTS OF FRESH AND DRIED LEAVES OF Carica papaya ON SELECTED CLINICAL BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL ISOLATES

Afuape A.O., Ajayi, J.O., and Adewunmi A.R.

Science Laboratory Technology Department, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere Abeokuta.

E-mail: afuapeolajumoke@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The importance of herbs in the management of human ailments cannot be over emphasized. It is clear that the plant kingdom harbours an inexhaustible source of active ingredient invaluable in the management of many infectious and communicable diseases. The frequency and diversity of life-threatening infection caused by pathogenic micro-organisms has increased steadily worldwide and it is becoming an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immune-compromised patients especially in developing countries. The efficacy of treatments with Carica papaya is dependent on the quantity of the different chemical substances present in the preparation. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of both fresh and dried leaves of Carica papaya against bacteria and fungus of medical importance was carried out. The aqueous and ethanol extract of both dried and fresh leaves were tested at 25, 50 and 100mg/ml concentration on both bacteria and fungi isolate using the disc diffusion method. Result showed significant broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungus. The aqueous extract was more effective than the ethanol extract for the bacterial activity while for the fungal activity, the ethanol extract was more effective than the aqueous extract.  The fresh leaf extract was potent against some of the bacteria which standard antibiotic were not able to inhibit.  Carica papaya leaves showed a better antifungal activity than the antibacterial activity.  Demonstration of antimicrobial activity against the test isolates is an indication that there’s possibility of sourcing alternative antibiotic substances in this plant for the development of newer antimicrobial agents.

PHYTOCHEMISTRY, ACUTE TOXICITY AND INVITRO ANTITRYPANOSOMAL STUDIES ON AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF GOSSYPIUM HERBACEUM (LINN) LEAF

¹Biu, A.A., ²Buratai, L. B., ³Lawal, J.R., ³Yakaka, W. ¹Zango, M.K., ⁴Mustapha, F.B. and ²Ali, B.J.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

² Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

³Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

⁴Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri

E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The phytochemical components, median lethal dose (LD₅₀) in albino rats and In vitro efficacy of aqueous extract of Gossypium herbaceum leaf onTrypanosoma brucei was investigated in this study. Tannins had a high score in the extract, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and reducing sugars indicated moderate scores, while glycosides and phlabotannins showed low scores. The calculated medium lethal dose (LD₅₀) in albino rats was 500mg/kg body weight, with early clinical signs of sluggishness, awkward posture, loss of appetite, starry hair coat and terminal death within 24 hours. All clinical signs were dose dependent. In vitro efficacy of Gossypium herbaceum leaf aqueous extract had a positive correlation with the extract dose, but negatively correlated with the time of exposure, showing a 100% inhibition of trypanosomes at the concentration of 5.0mg/kg. In conclusion Gossypium herbaceum leaf aqueous extract could be described to have bioactive components, moderately toxic and could inhibit trypanosomes In vitro.