Research ArticlePreliminary phytochemical screenPreliminary phytochemical screenPreliminary phytochemical screening and evaluation of hypoglycemic ing and evaluation of hypoglycemic ing and evaluation of hypoglycemic properties of the root extract of properties of the root extract of properties of the root extract of Uvaria chamae Uvaria chamae Uvaria chamae BJP IntroductionDiabetes mellitus has been described as a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both (Walter, 1977;Albert et al., 1998;Kumar and Clark, 2005).It is a major degenerative disease in the world today afflicting many lives both in the developed and developing countries (Mbaka et al., 2012). It is usually irreversible and its late complications result in reduced life expectancy and major health loss (Kumar and Clark, 2005). Currently diabetes is controlled by diet, exercise, oral hypoglycaemic agents and insulin therapy (Mallick et al., 2007). The high level of treatment failures, unpleasant side effects and enormous cost associated with oral anti-diabetic drugs have generated an urgent need and desire for alternative treatments (Suneetha et al., 2010). The preferred choice of plant medicine by many might not be unconnected with the historical successes recorded in the use of herbal product in traditional system of medicine in managing diabetes mellitus (Mbaka et al., 2012). Besides, herbal formulations were observed to have fewer side effects and less toxic because of their rich natural source. Based on these and the support provided for its practice by the World Health Organization, several scientific investigations are being conducted with the view of identifying new active ingredient of natural source that would be more effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications (WHO, 1980). Uvaria chamae is a medicinal plant that belongs to the family, Annonaceae. It is a climbing plant commonly found in West Africa (Irvin, 1961;Okwu, 2004 AbstractThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the hypoglycaemic properties and preliminary phytochemical screening of Uvaria chamae. The hypoglycaemic properties of U. chamae was assessed on normoglycaemic rat that received single dose of the extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight and blood glucose levels estimated at 2, 4, and 6 hours (single dose study). The hypoglycaemic property of the extract was also evaluated in normoglycemic rats by oral glucose tolerance test. Phytochemical screening of the extract for the presence of secondary metabolites was performed with standard methods. The extract showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels at 2 and 6 hours compared to control. The oral glucose tolerance test result also showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in blood glucose levels. The study showed that the extract, U. chamae has hypoglycaemic properties which may be accounted for by the presence of t...

The study investigated the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of a Nigerian Polyherbal Health Tonic tea aqueous extract (PHT) in rodents of both sexes. 100 -500 mg kg -1 of the aqueous extract was administered via the intra-peritoneal (i.p.) and oral (p.o.) routes to 5 groups of mice using tail immersion, tail clip, formalin and acetic acid -induced writhing tests of experimental nociceptive models. Each of the models showed that PHT possesses a significant (p<0.05) anti-nociceptive effects which were peripherally and centrally mediated as both the early and late phases of pain significantly (p<0.05) were inhibited. However, the peripherally mediated analgesic effect of PHT, although similar to that of aspirin but was found to be more potent than aspirin. In assessing its anti-inflammatory potentials, 300 -1340 mg kg -1 PHT was also administered via oral and intraperitoneal routes, which, significantly (p<0.05) reduced the volume of carrageenan-induced oedema. Although, PHT administered via i.p. route was more effective than the oral but there was barely any difference between the percentage inhibition of oedema volume at both 600 and 1340 mg kg -1 given orally. PHT anti-inflammatory effect was elucidated to be significantly (p<0.05) mediated via histaminergic, serotonergic, bradykinin and prostaglandin inhibition. PHT was also shown to be more protective than acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the castor oil-induced diarrhea model, which suggests the involvement of other mechanisms. Thus, lending supports to its folkloric use in pain and swelling management.

Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) commonly known as ̒yellow mombin̕ is a multipurpose herb cultivated in parts of the Brazilian Northeast for its edible fruits, oil and leaves. The bark is used to carve figures and the leaves and roots used as medicine. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Spondias mombin Linn. on gastric ulcers. The effect was evaluated in ibuprofen, alcohol and pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer models. The extract was administered orally at three different doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. The antiulcer activity was accessed in rats by comparing the ulcer index in the test group with that of the control (distilled water) and standard (omeprazole, misoprostol) groups. The involvements of endogenous nitric oxide, prostaglandins and non-protein sulfhydryl groups in the cytoprotective action of Spondias mombin L. were also investigated. The extract showed a significant (p<0.05, p<0.01, p< 0.001) antisecretory and gastric cytoprotective effects in pylorus ligation, alcohol and ibuprofen-induced ulcer model respectively. Antioxidant analysis showed significant scavenging of free radical using nitric oxide, reducing power activity and DPPH assay. Spondias mombin L. showed presence of flavonoids, tannins, reducing sugar, cardiac glycosides and terpenes. The experiment suggests a possible participation of NO synthase and NP-SH pathways in the gastroprotective effect of Spondias mombin.

Saccharum officcinarum (SOC) juice has been used for treatment and management of several conditions including urinary tract infection, diabetes, constipation, tooth decay and bad breath according to folklore. This study was carried out to explore the anti-inflammatory effects of the juice of Saccharum officinarum in doses of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mL/kg using the following models in rats -carrageenan, histamine, serotonin, formalin-induced paw oedema, and cotton-pellet granuloma. Also employing the following models in mice -castor oil-induced diarrhea and xylene-induced ear oedema. Animals were pretreated with aspirin (100 mg/kg; p.o), cyproheptadine (10 mg/kg; p.o.), atropine (1 mg/ kg p.o), dexamethasone (5 mg/kg; p.o.) and celecoxib (20 mg/ kg p.o.). Oral administration of SOC juice significantly (p<0.001) reduced the right hind paw circumference induced by carrageenan, histamine, serotonin and formalin compared to control group. Furthermore, it inhibited xylene-induced ear oedema with peak effect at 20 mL/kg, as well as castor oil-induced diarrhea and cotton pellet granuloma with peak effect at 10 mL/kg. The anti-inflammatory activities of SOC were significant (p<0.05) when compared with aspirin, cyproheptadine and dexamethasone. The study revealed the potent anti-inflammatory activities of the juice of S. officinarum.