In this study, the concentrations of urea were assayed in both blood and saliva of 130 haemodialysis patients; before haemodialyis(pre-haemodialysis) and after haemodialysis (post haemodialysis); and 60 healthy individuals who made up the control group. The method used for urea assay was urease method. The mean±SD concentrations of salivary urea in pre and post haemodialysis patients, as well as control group, were 17±0.6 mmol/l, 9.1±0.5 mmol/l and 4.0±0.3 mmol/l respectively. The mean±SD concentrations of blood urea in pre and post haemodialysis patients, as well as control group, were 21.6±0.5 mmol/l, 9.1±0.4 mmol/l and 4.2±0.2 mmol/l respectively. The correlation coefficient between blood and salivary urea in pre-haemodialysis patients is 78.8% while that for post haemodialysis patients is 60.6% and for the control group is 90%. The ANOVA results of salivary urea in the three groups (pre, post and control) showed a significant difference with P-value ˂0.05. The ANOVA results of blood urea in the three groups (pre, post and control) showed a significant difference with P-value ˂0.05. From the various results obtained, saliva can serve as a diagnostic biofluid for renal disease especially with the salivary urea as the biomarker. Also, the salivary renal biomarker (urea) responds to changes in concentrations after therapeutic consideration. This study is in consonance with other literature that saliva is a diagnostic fluid for kidney disease; however, there is a need to carry out more research works to continually unveil the diagnostic potential of saliva in kidney disease.
Diabetes mellitus is an epidemic, with a huge disease burden on the patients. This has led to an increase in the use of herbal remedies and combination therapies to reduce this burden. Aim: This study evaluates the biochemical and oxidative changes in type 2 diabetic rats, treated with metformin and the polyherbal drug diawell. Methodology: A total of 35 male Wistar albino rats weighing between 120-220 g were used for this study. The rats were placed on high fat diet, and diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared streptozotocin (STZ) (45 mg/kg body wt). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was determined using the glucose oxidase method. Fasting plasma insulin (FPI), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were quantitatively determined by a rat-specific sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Insulin resistance (IR) was determined using the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) method. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was determined by the ratio of TOS to TAS. Phytochemical analysis was also done on the herbal tablet. Results: Mean FPG levels were significantly lower (p˂0.05) in all groups, except the group administered diawell, which was not significantly different (p>0.05), compared to the diabetic control. Mean FPG levels were significantly higher (p˂0.05) in the metformin group, diawell group, but showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the combination group, compared to the negative control. HOMA-IR was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the diabetic control compared to the negative control and treatment groups. The metformin and diawell groups had significantly higher (p˂0.05) HOMA-IR values, whereas the combination (metformin + diawell) showed no significant difference (p>0.05) when compared to the negative control. TOS was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the diabetic control compared to the negative control and treatment groups. The metformin and diawell groups had significantly higher (p˂0.05) TOS values, whereas the combination (metformin + diawell) showed no significant difference (p>0.05) when compared to the negative control. There was significantly lower (p˂0.05) TAS levels in the diabetic and treatment groups, compared to the negative control. OSI values were significantly lower (p˂0.05) in all groups when compared to the diabetic control. Also, OSI values were significantly higher (p˂0.05) in the treatment groups compared to the negative control. Conclusion: There was depletion of antioxidant parameters and an increase in oxidative stress in the diabetic rats. Administration of metformin and the polyherbal tablet diawell individually, were not effective in correcting the pathological and biochemical changes associated with diabetes. However, the combination treatment produced a better glycaemic response and attenuated the oxidant status in the rats. Antioxidant therapy should be incorporated in diabetes management, and anti-diabetic herbals properly evaluated.
The increased prevalence of diabetes, and the huge disease burden on patients has led to an increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicine in diabetes treatment and management. Aim: This study evaluates the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of the polyherbal capsule glucoblock and glibenclamide in type 2 diabetic rats. Methodology: A total of 35 male Wistar albino rats weighing between 120-220 g were used for this study. The rats were placed on high fat diet, and diabetes induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared streptozotocin (STZ) (45 mg/kg body Wt). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was determined using the glucose oxidase method. Fasting plasma insulin (FPI), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were quantitatively determined by a rat-specific sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Insulin resistance (IR) was determined using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) method. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was determined by the ratio of TOS to TAS. Phytochemical analysis was also done on the herbal capsule. Results: Mean FPG levels were significantly lower (p˂0.05) in all groups, compared to the diabetic control. Mean FPG level was significantly higher (p˂0.05) in the combination group, but showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the glibenclamide group, and glucoblock group, compared to the negative control. HOMA-IR was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the diabetic control compared to the negative control and treatment groups. The combination group had significantly higher (p˂0.05) HOMA-IR values, whereas the individual treatment groups showed no significant difference (p>0.05) when compared to the negative control. TOS was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the diabetic control compared to the negative control and treatment groups. The treatment groups showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in TOS, compared to the negative control. There was significantly lower (p˂0.05) TAS levels in the diabetic and treatment groups, compared to the negative control. OSI values were significantly lower (p˂0.05) in all groups when compared to the diabetic control. Also, OSI values were significantly higher (p˂0.05) in the treatment groups compared to the negative control. SOD was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the diabetic control compared to the negative control and treatment groups. The treatment groups showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in SOD levels, compared to the negative control. Conclusion: Increase in total oxidant status and oxidative stress depleted antioxidant parameters. The polyherbal capsule glucoblock was effective when used alone and produced equipotent effect to the treatment with glibenclamide. However, the combination treatment did not fare better. Antioxidant therapy should be used together with antidiabetics in the management of diabetes, and care should be taken in the use herb-drug combinations.
Aim: This study evaluated the combined effect of coconut water and garlic tincture on lipid and antioxidants profile of albino rats fed with high fat diet and alcohol. Study Design: This study is a non-randomized experimental study design. Place and Duration of Study: Rivers State University Chemical Pathology Laboratory, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the study was done between 20th November, 2018-30th June 2019. Methodology: A total number of 45 Wister albino rats were used with the weight ranged from 120-200 grams. The animals were grouped into two major groups, the control Group A and the test Group B. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture into heparinized bottle for standard laboratory investigation of lipid profile, and Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and Malondialdehide (MDA). Plasma SOD and MDA were determined using ELISA methods, TAC was determined using FRAP Colorimetric method while lipid profile were determined using enzymatic method. Results: The results revealed that, alcohol induced oxidative stress group exhibited significant differences in MDA levels amongst the groups, and no significance differences in SOD and TAC levels as compared with negative control groups. There were significant differences in the Total Cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels, amongst the groups. However, these changes appear to improve with coconut water and garlic tincture treatment. Treatment with coconut water alone following 30% alcohol treatment, showed a significant decrease in MDA level, no significant increase in SOD and TAC. Similar observation was recorded for the garlic tincture treatment alone. Treatment with low dose of combined coconut water with garlic tincture following 30% alcohol treatment, shows significant decrease in MDA level, significant increase in SOD, no significant increase in TAC. Treatment with low and higher doses of combined coconut water with garlic tincture following HFD treatment showed similar results, no significant decrease in TG levels, a significant decrease in MDA, TC and LDL levels, a significant increase in TAC and HDL levels and no significant increase in SOD. However, no difference was observed at higher dose. Histological findings revealed changes in hepatocellular architecture, such as inflammatory cell aggregates, dilation of sinosidal space, fatty droplet after treatment with alcohol and high fat diet. However, upon garlic tincture and coconut water treatment, there was amelioration of these abnormalities. Conclusion: The mixture of coconut water and garlic tincture seem to exerted an antioxidant and antiatherogenic effect on alcohol-induced oxidative stress and HFD-induced dyslipidaemia in rats.
Aim: This study evaluated the anti-arthritic activity of a herbal formulation used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis in Nigeria. Design: Thirty-five (35) albino wistar rats were used. They were divided into seven groups of seven rats each, with Group A serving as negative control while Group B was the positive control. Groups B, C, D and E were induced with rheumatoid arthritis by injecting 0.1 ml of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant into the right hind paw of each rat. The rats were treated with the standard drug and herbal formulation respectively for 28 days as follows: Group C (treated with a standard drug, Celebrex), Group D (treated with the herbal drug, Jointeez), Group E (treated with a combination therapy of Jointeez and Celebrex). At the end of the 28-day treatment period, the rats were anaesthesized with chloroform and sacrificed through puncture of the jugular vein. Five millilitres (5 ml) of blood samples were put into plain bottles for the analysis of biochemical parameters. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, from September to December, 2018. Methodology: The inflammatory markers, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein, were analysed using ELISA technique. Results: The levels of TNF-α (p<0.001), IL-6 (p =0.01) and C-reactive protein (p <0.001) were significantly reduced in the treated rats compared to the positive control group. There were significant reduction in the paw diameters of the treated rats (p <0.001). The combination therapy used in this study did not offer significantly different therapeutic advantage over the monotherapies used in this study. The herbal formulation used in this study offered similar therapeutic activities as the orthodox drug used in this study. Conclusion: The herbal formulations can be used as safe therapies for the management of rheumatoid arthritis in our population. It is recommended that herbal formulations be integrated into our healthcare system in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
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