The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the safety of a stem bark aqueous extract of Harungana madagascariensis Lam. (Hypericaceae) by determining its potential toxicity after acute and subacute administration in rodents. Acute toxicity tests were carried out in mice and the behavior, death and median lethal dose (LD 50 ) were estimated. Subacute toxicity (28 days) studies were conducted in rats with oral daily doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg. Parameters observed at the end of the subacute tests included changes in body and vital organ weights, mortality, hematological, biochemical, hepatic and kidney effects. Harungana madagascariensis extract did not produce any visible toxicity or mortality with oral doses up to 2000 mg/kg within 14 days of single treatment, leading to the conclusion that the LD 50 is greater than 2000 mg/kg. In the subacute toxicity tests, neither mortality nor visible signs of lethality was seen in rats. No significant change in the weight of the kidney, liver, heart, lungs spleen, pancreas and testicles was observed. Alanine transaminase (ALT) increased significantly in males at 400 and 600 mg/kg, whereas Aspartate transaminase (AST) decreased at 600 mg/kg in female rats. HDL Cholesterol was reduced at 600 mg/kg in female rats. There was a significant increase in urea concentration in female rats at 400 mg/kg. A significant decrease, both in platelet volume distribution (PVD) at 400 mg/kg in male rats and in red cell volume distribution (RDW) at 200 mg/kg were recorded in female rats respectively, but with no changes in other hematologic parameters. Histological study shows normal structure of liver, kidneys and heart of control and treated rats. Results indicate that oral doses of aqueous stem bark of Harungana madagascariensis are relatively safe in rats; however, assessment of hepatobiliary function should be done during chronic use in humans.
Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes alters the immune system, increasing the risk of susceptibility to viral infections such as hepatitis B and C infections. This study aimed to determine the frequency of hepatitis B and C and metabolic profiles in type 2 diabetics. This was a cross-sectional study conducted over six months. It was conducted at the National Obesity Center (NOC) of the Yaoundé Central Hospital (YCH), Cameroon. 100 diabetic patients, with a mean age of 58.41 ± 10.74 years were enrolled in the study. The socio-demographic characteristics of the study population and the risk factors for virus transmission were recorded using a pre-established questionnaire. HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies were revealed by a rapid diagnostic test. Liver function markers' activities were determined. Commercial kits were used to evaluate the patient's serum lipid profile, serum fasting glucose level, urea, creatinine, and albumin. With a sex ratio of 3:1, women outnumbered men. Risk factors for HCV and HBV infections evocated by the population were dental care (50%), followed by alcohol consumption (41%). HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies frequency was 3% and 8% respectively. No cases of coinfection were found. In general, hypertriglyceridemia with a mean of 1.61 ± 0.46 g/L and hyperglycemia of 1.35 ± 0.45 g/L were noted. A significant difference (p = 0.028) was found in HDL-cholesterol values between non-co-affected diabetics and HCV+ diabetics. The effect of the duration of diabetes on biochemical parameters revealed that albumin was the only significant decrease over time (p = 0.013). Based on these results, the metabolic profile of patients was altered. It is important to take note of the prevalence of hepatitis seen in type 2 diabetes mellitus since it demonstrates the potential link between both illnesses. Thus, early detection could prevent complications related to B and C
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Schumanniophyton magnificum stem bark aqueous extract in dexamethasone-induced insulin-resistant male rats. Firstly, a phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract was carried out. Thereafter, using acute and subacute studies (11 days), the effect of the extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) was evaluated on dexamethasone-induced hyperglycemic rats. Glycemia was measured before and after treatment in both studies. Histological examinations for isolated liver, kidneys, and pancreas were performed, body and the weight of some internal organs was determined. The biochemical assay in the blood samples was performed only for the subacute study. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, saponins, gallic tannins, coumarins, and anthraquinones. In both studies, Schumanniophyton magnificum stem bark aqueous extract reduced the glucose blood Area under the Curve produced by dexamethasone injection. The extract, as well as glibenclamide significantly lowered the dexamethasone-induced increase in transaminases activities and uric acid concentration. Superoxide dismutase activity increased in all extract and glibenclamide groups compared to the dexamethasone group. The extract effect on the glutathione concentration was dose-dependent (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively). The histology of organs from rats treated with dexamethasone revealed hepatic cytolysis, leukocyte infiltration, and islet hypotrophy. The extract nd glibenclamide-treated groups had fewer or no anomalies observed with dexamethasone administration. Aqueous extract of S. magnificum stem bark protects against dexamethasone-induced pancreatic and hepatorenal abnormalities, probably due to the antioxidant properties of the chemical groups present in this extract.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.