Aim: This study sought to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic effect of methanolic extract of Corchorus olitorius leaves in Albino rats. Methods: Fresh plants of C. olitorius were harvested from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan. The leaves were dried and extracted using soxhlet apparatus and methanol as the solvent. The methanol was evaporated in a rotary evaporator at 35°C with a yield of 2.17 g which represents a percentage yield of 8.68%. Ten adult male albino rats with body weight between 100 and 120 g were used for this study. They were randomly divided into two groups of five rats each. Animals in group 1 were administered saline solution while those in group 2 were administered C. olitorius extract. The animals were exposed to the extract and saline solution at a dose of 3 mL per 100 g body weight 12 hourly via oral route of administration. After fourteen days of administration, the animals were fasted overnight and anaesthetized using diethyl ether. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. Fasting blood sugar and lipid profile were determined using standard methods. Results: C. olitorius leaves was observed to significantly lower fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride but increased HDL-cholesterol and HDL/LDL-cholesterol ratio significantly when compared to those of the control group at p<0.05. Conclusion: The result of this study implies that C. olitorius leaves are of significant health importance as far as hyperglucosemia and hyperlipidaemia is concerned. It could also be exceedingly helpful in the control of obesity and hypertension. This pharmacological study is a useful tool for further drug development from the natural plant products.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of Azadirachta indica and Parquetina nigrescens leaves. Study Design: This study was made to fit a one way Analysis of Variance. Place and Duration of Study: This research was carried out in Premedical Science Department, Educational Advancement Centre, Ibadan and Pharmaceutical Laboratory of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria between January and June, 2018. Methodology: Both plants were harvested from the botanical garden, University of Ibadan. The qualitative and quantitative analyses as well as antioxidant potential of both plants were investigated.  Results: The result of the qualitative analysis showed that both plants contained variety of phytochemicals.  The quantitative analyses showed that these phytochemicals were present in different concentrations. The concentration of phytate and total phenolics were significantly higher in A. indica when compared with those of P. nigrescens respectively at P<0.05. It was also observed that A. indica had lower concentrations in alkaloids, saponin, flavonoids and tannin when compared with those of P. nigrescens respectively. Also tested were antioxidants (ascorbic acid, DPPH and FRAP). The concentration of ascorbic acid was significantly higher in A. indica when compared with that of P. nigrescens at P<0.05. α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging potential of A. indica and P. nigrescens was investigated respectively at different concentrations with A. indica having the higher radical scavenging potential. The scavenging potential of DPPH was found to increase with increasing concentration of the extracts. Conclusion: Result of this study showed that both plants are rich in phytochemicals and possess antioxidant potential. Hence, they might act as prophylactic and remedy for different diseases, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, obesity, etc. Parquetina nigrescens might be more potent than Azadirachta indica in acting as a remedy for different diseases.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of Ocimum gratissimum and Telfairia occidentalis leaves. Study Design: This study was made to fit a one-way Analysis of Variance. Place and Duration of Study: This research was carried out in the Department of Premedical Science, Educational Advancement Centre, Ibadan and Pharmaceutical Laboratory of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria between January and June, 2018. Methods: Both plants were purchased from Bodija market in Ibadan, Nigeria. The leaves were removed from the stem and washed with running water to remove contaminants. It was oven dried at 37˚C and milled into powder and extracted with ethanol. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of the phytochemical content as well as antioxidant potential were investigated. Results: The result showed that O. gratissimum is significantly higher in flavonoids content but lower in alkaloids when compared with those of T. occidentalis at P<0.05. No significant difference was observed in the concentrations of saponin, tannin, total phenolics and phytic acid in O. gratissimum when compared with those of T. occidentalis respectively at P<0.05. Antioxidant investigation showed that O. gratissimum is higher in ferric-ion reducing power but lower in ascorbic acid when compared with T. occidentalis respectively at P<0.05. The percentage inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate radical scavenging potential was observed to decrease with decreasing concentration for both plants but that of O. gratissimum was lower when compared with that of T. occidentalis respectively. Conclusion: This pharmacological study is a useful tool for further drug development from the natural plant products.