Catherine C. Ikewuchi

Effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana 'Godseffiana' Muell Arg (Euphorbiaceae) on the hematology, plasma biochemistry and ocular indices of oxidative stress in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana are used in Southern Nigeria for the management of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. In this study, the effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana on the hematology, plasma biochemistry and ocular indices of oxidative stress was investigated in alloxan induced diabetic rats. METHODOLOGY Diabetes mellitus was induced by injection of alloxan (80 mg/kg body weight), via the tail vein. The extract was administered orally at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg (both to normal and diabetic rats), and metformin at 50mg/kg. RESULTS On gas chromatographic analysis of the extract, twenty nine known flavonoids were detected, consisting mainly of 29.77% apigenin, 14.97% quercetin, 11.12% naringenin, 10.62% kaempferol, 9.05% (-)-epicatechin and 4.04% (+)-catechin. Tannic acid and β-sitosterol were also detected. Compared to test control, the treatment lowered (significantly, P < 0.05) plasma glucose, triglyceride, conjugated bilirubin levels, atherogenic index of plasma, plasma alanine transaminase activity, total protein and total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase activity and unconjugated bilirubin, plasma urea, blood urea nitrogen and ocular malondialdehyde contents, lymphocyte and monocyte counts, and not significantly, plasma very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, but increased (significantly, P < 0.05) plasma calcium contents, total white cell and platelet counts, mean cell volume and ocular ascorbic acid content, and (though not significantly) plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol level, red cell and neutrophil counts. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that the extract was hypoglycemic, positively affected the hemopoietic system and integrity and function (dose dependently) of the liver and kidney of the diabetic rats; improved the lipid profile and had no deleterious effect on red cell morphology. It also protected against oxidative stress in ocular tissues. This study also revealed the presence of pharmacologically active compounds in the leaf extract. All of these highlights the cardioprotective potential of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana and support its use in traditional health practices for the management of diabetes mellitus.

Protective effect of aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica Gérôme and Labroy on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The ability of an aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica to protect against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury was investigated in Wistar albino rats. The carbon tetrachloride was prepared 1:5 (v:v) in olive oil, and administered subcutaneously at 1 mL/kg body weight. The extract was administered to both normal and carbon tetrachloride treated rats at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. On gas chromatographic analysis of the extract, twenty nine known flavonoids were detected, consisting mainly of 31.94 % apigenin, 20.66 % quercetin, 11.28 % kaempferol, 5.99 % naringenin, 5.83 % (-)-epicatechin, 3.69 % biochanin, 3.58 % (+)-catechin, 2.72 % diadzein, 2.20 % ellagic acid, 2.04 % butein. Compared to test control, the treatment dose dependently produced significantly (P<0.05) lower alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase activities. The plasma total bilirubin and total protein levels of the test animals were lower though not significantly. The hepatic histopathological studies showed that carbon tetrachloride caused fatty degeneration of hepatocytes, which was inhibited by pre-treatment with the extract; thus, confirming the results of the biochemical studies. The results of this study indicated that treatment with the plant extracts protects the liver against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity. This supports the use of Sansevieria liberica in traditional health care for managing liver problems.

Hepatoprotective effect of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana 'Godseffiana' Muell Arg (Euphorbiaceae) against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats

The potential of aqueous extract of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana, to protect against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage was investigated in Wistar albino rats. The carbon tetrachloride was prepared 1:5 (v:v) in olive oil, and administered subcutaneously at 1 mL/kg body weight. The extract was administered to both normal and carbon tetrachloride treated rats at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. On fractionation and gas chromatographic analysis of the crude aqueous extract, thirty nine known alkaloids were detected, consisting mainly of akuamidine (69.027 %), voacangine (26.226 %), echitamine (1.974 %), echitamidine (0.599 %), lupanine (0.521 %) and augustamine (0.278 %). Compared to test control, the treatment dose dependently produced significantly lower (P<0.05) alkaline phosphatase, aspartate and alanine transaminase activities. Histopathological studies on the liver sections showed that pre-treatment with the extract protected against carbon tetrachloride induced fatty degeneration of hepatocytes, thus, confirming the results of the biochemical studies. The above results imply that treatment with the plant extract protects the liver against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity, therefore, justifying the use of Acalypha wilkesiana in African traditional health care for the management of liver problems.

Moderation of hematological and plasma biochemical indices of sub-chronic salt-loaded rats by aqueous extract of the sclerotia of Pleurotus tuberregium (Fr) Sing's: implications for the reduction of cardiovascular risk.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The sclerotia of Pleurotus tuberregium are used in Southern Nigeria for the management of diabetes and hypertension, yet there is scarcity of information in the literature regarding the evaluation of the biochemical basis of its antihypertensive property, as well as the biochemical impact of its administration to the hypertensive. Thus, in this study, the ability of an aqueous extract of the sclerotia of Pleurotus tuberregium to moderate biochemical and hematological indices was investigated in normal and sub-chronic salt-loaded rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS The normal and treatment control groups received a diet consisting 100% of the commercial feed, while the test control, reference and test treatment groups received an 8% salt-loaded diet. The extract was orally administered daily at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight; while the moduretics was administered at 1 mg/kg. The normal and test control groups received appropriate volumes of water by the same route. RESULTS On gas chromatographic analysis of the crude aqueous extract, 29 known flavonoids (mainly 47.71% kaempferol and 37.36% quercetin), four saponins (mainly 72.93% avenacin B1 and 26.80% avenacin A1), six hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (mainly 57.57% p-coumaric and 42.10% caffeic acid), ten carotenoids (mainly 58.44% carotene and 28.16% lycopene) and seven phytosterols (mainly 98.16% sitosterol) were detected. Also detected were nine benzoic acid derivatives (mainly 44.19% ferulic acid and 25.92% rosmarinic acid), six lignans (mainly 70.88% galgravin and 22.69% retusin), three allicins (mainly 71.92% diallyl thiosulphinate and 23.68% methyl allyl thiosulphinate), seven glycosides (mainly 84.86% arbutin and 12.01% ouabain), 31 alkaloids (mainly 48.82% lupanine, 32.26% augustamine) and 24 terpenes (mainly 60.66% limonene and 6.52% geranyl acetate). Compared to test control, the treatment significantly, dose-dependently lowered (P < 0.05) the mean cell volume, atherogenic indices (cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient and atherogenic index of plasma), plasma alanine and aspartate transaminase activities, mean cell hemoglobin, sodium, bicarbonate, urea, blood urea nitrogen, triglyceride, total-, non-high density lipoprotein-, low density lipoprotein- and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, and neutrophils, monocytes and platelets counts of the treated animals. However, it significantly, dose-dependently increased (P < 0.05) the hemoglobin concentration, mean cell hemoglobin, red cells and lymphocytes counts, plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol, calcium, potassium, chloride, creatinine, albumin and total protein concentrations of the treated animals. CONCLUSIONS All these results support the use of the plant in traditional health care, for the management of hypertension, and highlight the cardio-protective potential of the sclerotia, whilst suggesting that its antihypertensive activity may be mediated through alteration of plasma levels of sodium and potassium, or increases in muscle tone brought about by changes in plasma calcium levels.

Investigation of the profile of phenolic compounds in the leaves and stems of Pandiaka heudelotii using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector

Abstract The profile of phenolic compounds in the leaves and stems of Pandiaka heudelotii was investigated using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector. The leaves and stems had high flavonoids and benzoic acid derivatives content, and moderate levels of lignans and hydroxycinnamates. Twenty‐eight known flavonoids were detected, which consisted mainly of kaempferol (41.93% in leaves and 47.97% in stems), (+)‐catechin (17.12% in leaves and 16.11% in stems), quercetin (13.83% in leaves and 9.39% in stems), luteolin (7.34% in leaves and 7.71% in stems), and artemetin (6.53% in leaves and 4.83% in stems). Of the six known hydroxycinnamates detected, chlorogenic acid (80.79% in leaves and 87.56% in stems) and caffeic acid (18.98% in leaves and 12.30% in stems) were the most abundant, while arctigenin (77.81% in leaves and 83.40% in stems) and retusin (13.82% in leaves and 10.59% in stems) were the most abundant of the nine known lignans detected. Twelve known benzoic acid derivatives were detected, consisting mainly of ellagic acid (65.44% in leaves and 72.89% in stems), p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (25.10% in leaves and 18.95% in stems), and vanillic acid (8.80% in leaves and 7.30% in stems). The rich phytochemical profile of the leaves and stems is an indication of their ability to serve as sources of nutraceuticals.

Bioactive phytochemicals in an aqueous extract of the leaves of Talinum triangulare

Abstract An aqueous leaf extract of Talinum triangulare was screened for the presence of bioactive molecules, using gas chromatography coupled with pulse and flame ionization detectors. It had high carotenoids; moderate benzoic acid derivatives, hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids; and low terpenes, alkaloids, phytosterols, allicins, glycosides, saponins, and lignans contents. Ten known carotenoids (mainly 50.42% carotene and 33.30% lycopene), nine benzoic acid derivatives (mainly 84.63% ferulic acid and 11.92% vanillic acid), and six hydroxycinnamates (55.44% p‐coumaric acid and 44.46% caffeic acid) were detected. Also detected were eight lignans (88.02% retusin) and thirty flavonoids (50.35% quercetin and 39.36% kaempferol). The medicinal properties of the major components of these phytochemical families that were detected in the aqueous extract of the leaves were discussed herein and proposed to be explored for their potential health benefits. The great number of potentially active biomolecules and their multifunctional properties make Talinum triangulare a ready source of health‐promoting substances.

Restoration of plasma markers of liver and kidney functions/integrity in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits by aqueous extract of Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotia

The effect of aqueous extract of the sclerotia of Pleurotus tuberregium on the plasma electrolytes, and markers of liver and kidney functions/integrity of normal and alloxan-induced rabbits was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced by injection of alloxan (120mg/kg body weight), via the marginal ear vein. The extract was administered orally at 100, 200 and 300mg/kg (both to normal and diabetic rabbits), and metformin at 50mg/kg. Gas chromatographic-flame ionization detector analysis of the extract revealed the presence of twelve known phenolic acids, consisting mainly of caffeic acid (80.24%), chlorogenic acid (11.08%), piperic acid (6.11%), sinapinic acid (2.14%) and ferulic acid (0.34%). Compared to test control, the treatment significantly (p<0.05) lowered plasma activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, and alanine and aspartate transaminases. Also lowered were plasma unconjugated/conjugated bilirubin ratio and concentrations of urea, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, sodium, and total and unconjugated bilirubin. It however, significantly (p<0.05) raised plasma potassium and calcium levels. Therefore, the modulation of plasma sodium and potassium is an indication of the diuretic potential of the extract. In addition, the extract had no deleterious effect on the liver and kidney of the treated animals, at least at the doses administered in this study.