Summary:Gonglonema latifolium is a climbing perennial plant that belongs to the family of asclepidaceae. The medicinal uses of the leaves and stem bark extract of Gonglonema latifolium has been reported in many scientific literatures to include anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-ulcerative etc. There is paucity in scientific reports on the medicinal properties of the root extract. This study was therefore designed to elucidate the phytochemical constituents and effect of ethanolic root extract of Gonglonema latifolium on some hematological parameters. Eighteen (18) albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 (control) was fed on normal rat chow + drinking water, the test groups (group 2 and 3) in addition received extract treatment (p.o) at a dose of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg respectively. The feeding regimens lasted for 14 days. Results show that the extract contains polyphenols, glycosides, reducing sugars and alkaloids. The mean RBC count for control was 4.44 ± 0.15 x10 6 cells/mm 3 , this did not differ significantly from the test groups. The total WBC counts were 3.79 ± 0.15 x10 3 cells/mm 3 , 3.37 ± 0.19 x10 3 cells/mm 3 and 5.54 ± 0.39 x10 3 cells/mm 3 for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. WBC was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the high dose (group 3) compared with control. Mean PCV (%) were 33.60 ± 0.81, 37.20 ± 0.80 and 34.80 ± 1.35 for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The PCV was significantly (P<0.05) higher in low dose extract recipients (group 2) than in control. Hb content, MCV and MCH did not differ significantly among the groups, but MCHC was significantly lower in the test groups compared with control group. Neutrophils were significantly (P<0.001) reduced in the test groups, while the eosinophils and monocytes count were significantly increased in the test groups than in controls. In conclusion, the extract has little or no effect on RBC count, PCV, MCV and MCH. But low doses of the extract significantly increased the Hb count while high doses significantly increased WBC count, probably due to increase in eosinophil and monocyte counts. MCHC was dose-dependently reduced. The extract was also observed to contain polyphenols, alkaloids, glycosides and reducing sugars.

Objectives: Gongronema latifolium leaves have been used in folklore medicine to manage diabetes mellitus and alleviate dyspepsia. This study aimed to provide a pharmacological basis to the medicinal use of Gongronema latifolium as an antidiabetic and antiulcerogenic agent in diabetes mellitus. Methods: Ethanol extract from the leaf (200 mg/kg bodyweight) of Gongronema latifolium was administered to both streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control groups orally for 14 days. Gastric acid secretion was measured and ulcer was induced using ethanol and four-hour pyloric ligation. Results: The mean bodyweight was significantly lower (p < 0.01), while the mean weight of the stomach, liver and small intestine to bodyweight ratio was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the two diabetic groups compared to control. Extract significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the blood glucose level similar to the non-diabetic control. Basal and stimulated acid secretion in diabetic control rats was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased when compared to control. Extract administration increased the stimulated gastric acid secretion to a level significantly (p < 0.05) higher than control while reduction in gastric secretion by ranitidine was similar compared with control. Gongronema latifolium treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced ulcer scores in both ulcer models and increased mucus weight in the diabetic group. Conclusion: These results suggest that Gongronema latifolium antiulcerative activity is due to its prevention of chemical-induced stomach injury.

Summary:The effect of oral administration of ethanolic extract of Dennettia tripetala fruits on haematological parameters in albino Wistar rats was investigated. Lethality studies revealed that the extract had an LD 50 value of 251.19mg/kg mice intraperitoneal. Fifteen (15) male albino wistar rats weighing between 150 -200g were used for the study and randomly assigned into three study groups of five animals each. The group 1 control received via oral route a placebo (4ml of normal saline), while test groups 2 and 3 received 85mg/kg body weight and 170mg/kg body weight of D. tripetala extract in 2.0ml and 4.0ml of the vehicle (normal saline) via oral route respectively. The administration of ethanolic extract of D. tripetala for 14 days produced a significant (P<0.05) decrease in RBC and WBC counts in group 2 versus group 1 (control) but the decrease in RBC and WBC counts in group 3 were not significant compared to group 1. There was no significant difference in PCV and haemoglobin levels in groups 2 and 3 compared to control. The differential WBC results showed a significant increase (P<0.001) in neutrophil count in group 2 versus group 1. While neutrophil count in group 3 was significantly decreased (P<0.001) compared to group 1. There was a significant decrease (P<0.01) in eosinophil count in groups 2 and 3 when compared to the control group. From the results, there was a significant decrease (P<0.001) in lymphocyte count in group 2 while a significant increase (P<0.01) in lymphocyte count was observed in group 3 when compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in basophils and monocytes counts in groups 2 and 3 compared to the control group. The study shows that D. tripetala extract, given at moderate to high doses may have hematotoxic effect, but the effect was worse with moderate doses.

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Background:Dennettia tripetala is a tropical plant with some ethno-medicinal uses; it enhances uterine contraction/involution in pregnant and post-partum women, it is also a mild laxative, with anti-bacteria, antifungal properties etc.,Aims:This study sought to elucidate the impact of D. tripetala fruit extract intake on biliary flow rate and bile composition in rats.Materials and Methods:A total of 18 albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups of 6 rats each and fed on normal rat chow + drinking water and/or 85 mg/kg, 170 mg/kg body weight of D. tripetala extract for 14 days.Results:The rate of bile secretion in the control, low dose (LD) and high dose (HD) D. tripetala extract treated rats was 4.40 ± 0.24 ml/h, 3.20 ± 0.20 ml/h and 4.60 ± 0.25 ml/h respectively. Showing a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in LD and an increase in HD. Na+ concentration increased significantly (P < 0.01) in the LD extract recipients, but was reduced in the HD. LD of the extract increased K+ significantly (P < 0.001) while HD decreased it (P < 0.05). Both low and HD of the extract reduced Cl– concentration significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 respectively). HCO3– increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the HD extract recipients. However, total cholesterol, total and conjugated bilirubin concentrations were not significantly altered by D. tripetala fruit extracts.Conclusion:In conclusion, this study showed that LD of D. tripetala may reduce bile flow rate while HD may increase it without altering the saturation of cholesterol and bilirubin.

Summary: This study evaluated the action of aqueous leaf extract of Rothmannia longiflora on basal metabolic rate and electrolyte profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Fifteen male Wistar (135 -140g) were assigned to 3 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 which served as control received placebo treatment; Group 2 -the diabetic (untreated) group also received placebo treatment whereas Group 3 -the extract treated diabetic group was administered the extract (15g/kg body weight) by oral administration for 14 days. Results of BMR measurement showed a significant increase (P<0.01) in BMR level of Diabetic untreated group (1.03±0.02ml/hr/g) when compared to the Control group (0.79±0.07ml/hr/g). Extract treatment significantly decreased (P<0.05) BMR in the diabetic rats. Results of analyses of serum electrolytes and glucose showed significant decreases (P<0.01) in sodium and chloride concentrations in the diabetic untreated group when compared to the control. However, sodium and chloride concentrations in the extract treated diabetic were not significantly different from those of their control values. There was no significant difference in potassium and urea concentrations in the extract-treated diabetic rats with respect to their control values. Extract treatment significantly reduced (P<0.05) serum glucose level of the extract treated group when compared to the diabetic untreated group. This suggests that oral administration of Rothmannia longiflora might be beneficial for the restoration of basal metabolic rate and the improvement of electrolyte profile in diabetes mellitus.

The effect of aqueous extract of Spondias mombin leaves extract on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity in alloxan induced diabetes was studied. Forty male albino Wistar rats (100-150 g body weight) were used. The rats were randomly selected into four groups containing 10 rats each. Group 1 was the control group and it was placed on normal rat chow. Group 2 was the Spondias mombin (spm) group placed on normal rat chow and given 250 mg/kg extract orally. Group 3 was the alloxan-induced diabetic (150 mg/kg) group (DM) and Group 4 was the diabetic group treated with 250 mg/kg extracts (Dm+spm). At the end of 30 days blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and used for biochemical analysis. Results obtained revealed that blood glucose level in group 3 (Dm) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than control but the administration of Spondias mombin leaves extract significantly reduced the blood glucose level (p<0.05). Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly raised in the diabetic group while High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly reduced (p<0.05). Treatment with extract decreased TC, TG, LDL but significantly increased the HDL level (p<0.05). Lipid peroxidation was increased in the diabetic group and treatment with extract significantly reduced (p<0.05) the level of lipid peroxidation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were decreased significantly in the diabetic group. Administration of extracts increased the antioxidant enzymes activities. The result suggests that aqueous extracts of Spondias mombin leaves possess hypoglycemic effects and improve lipid profile of diabetic rats. This effect may be secondary to its ability to reduce oxidative stress.