Background: Annona muricata has been used in folklore in the management of diabetes. A major strategy in decreasing postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes involves the inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes-αamylase and α-glucosidase. Thus, this study evaluated the in vivo and in vitro inhibitory potentials of the different parts (fruit-pulp, leaf, stem-bark and root-bark) of Annona muricata. Methods: A total of 120 Wistar rats were treated with methanol extracts for 28 days after which blood and tissue samples were collected for α-amylase assay. In vitro inhibitory properties of methanol, ethyl acetate and dichloromethane extracts of the various parts of the plant on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities were performed using standard procedures. The mode and mechanism of interactions between the enzymes and extracts (and isolated acetogenin) were determined using various kinetic interpolations and in silico experiments. Result: The fruit-pulp and root-bark methanolic extracts better-inhibited plasma and tissue amylase in vivo. The in vitro studies revealed that the stem-bark methanolic, fruit-pulp ethyl acetate, and leaf dichloromethane extracts, better inhibited α-amylase activity compared with the standard acarbose. Also, the leaf methanol, fruit-pulp ethyl acetate, and root-bark dichloromethane extract better inhibited α-glucosidase activity. These observations were corroborated with their higher Bmax and Vmax and lower Kd values. All the extracts exhibited an "uncompetitive" type of inhibition pattern. Also, the isolated acetogenin (15-acetyl guanacone) from the fruit-pulp showed a better binding affinity compared to the standard drug, Metformin. Conclusion: Better natural remedy for diabetics can be obtained from Annona muricata with minimal or no adverse side effects.

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How to cite this article:Eluehike N, Onoagbe I. Changes in organ and body weight, serum amylase and antidiabetic effects of tannins from Spondias mombin on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

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Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia due to the body’s inability to appropriately metabolism and utilize carbohydrates (sugars), further affecting protein and lipid metabolism, as a result of inadequate insulin release due to damaged pancreatic beta-cells (type 1 diabetes) or reduced tissue insulin sensitivity and elevated blood insulin (type 2 diabetes) – endocrine disorder. The possible anti-DM properties of Spondias mombin and Nigella sativum where investigated.Materials and methods: Four (4) groups ten (10) adult Wistar rats were induced with streptozotocin (STZ) to cause a pathologic DM condition after which they were treated with metformin (positive control drug, PC), Spondias mombin methanolic extract (T1) and Nigella sativum oil (T4) for twenty-eight days. The normal control (NC) and diabetic control (DC) received distilled water and STZ. Gene expression studies and molecular docking (post-gene expression) analyses were carried out on key factors involved in DM; lipid and glucose homeostasis (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, PPAR-γ), transport proteins (GLUT 1 to 5), proteins of inflammatory reactions (interleukin-1-beta, IL-1β; tumour necrosis factor-alpha-1), enzymes involved in glycolysis (phosphofructokinase-1, PFK-1).Results: It was observed that Spondias mombin, Nigella sativum, and metformin positively influenced the gene expression and post-gene expression phases to ameliorate the DM conditions.Conclusion: Spondias mombin performed better than Nigella sativum and metformin as a potential anti-DM plant.

Oxidative stress is an underlying pathological state in cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Medicinal plants are considered to be potential remedies for attenuating oxidative stress in these pathologies because they possess antioxidants. Thus, the quantity and activity of antioxidants in Alchornia cordifolia and Corchorus olitorius methanol leave extracts were evaluated in this study using phytochemical screening, 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)free radical-scavenging ability, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and reducing power assays. Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed that the two plant extracts had alkaloids, saponins, reducing sugar, terpenoids, flavonoids and tannins. While the quantitative phytochemical test revealed a greater presence of total flavonoids and proanthocyanidins (p<0.05) in Corchorus olitorius methanol extract compared to A. cordifolia methanol extract. Contrastingly, the quantities of total tannins and phenols were higher in Alchornia cordifolia methanol extract than in Corhorus olitorius extract. The capacity of Alchornia cordifolia to mop up DPPH (IC50= 0.01μg/mL) was greater than that of ascorbic acid (IC50= 0.055μg/mL) and C. olitorius extract (IC50= 33.10μg/mL) respectively. Ferric reducing potential of C. olitorius (479.80μM Fe(II)/g and A. cordifolia methanol extracts(510 μM Fe(II)/g) were significantly lower (p<0.05) than what was obtained for ascorbic acid (1005μM Fe(II)/g). A. cordifolia methanol extract demonstrated higher reducing power than C. olitorius methanol extract at identical concentrations. Our findings indicated that Alchornia cordifolia could be used as a rich source of antioxidants to alleviate oxidative stress underlying many chronic diseases. Keywords: Alchornia cordifolia, Corchorus olitorius, phytochemicals, antioxidants

Iron, though an important nutrient but in excess can produce serious damaging effects on organs of the body. Intake of plants and or plant products with iron chelating ability, instead of synthetic iron chelators, can produce less adverse effects and may be more effective. The potential effect of Tetracarpidium conophorhum (T. conophorhum) as a chelating agent of plant origin has not been determined hence the present study. Iron overload condition was induced by oral administration of iron II chloride in the rats. Twenty five rats were randomly divided into five groups. Groups A and B were the normal and negative control (iron overload only) respectively. Groups C-E were the iron overload induced rats treated with 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg body weight of T. conophorhum extracts. Animals in groups C-E received daily oral administration of extracts for thirty days. Thereafter, we studied the effects of T. conophorhum on liver function enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, hematological parameters and lipidperoxidation. Iron overloaded rats showed significant increase (p<0.05) in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin levels and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in total protein, albumin, antioxidant enzymes. T. conophorhum extract at a high dose of 1000mg/kg body weight was able to restore the levels of these parameters to normal. These findings therefore suggest that high dose of T. conophorhum seed extract may be effective in reducing the resultant effects produced in the iron overload-induced liver damage. Keywords: T. conophorhum, iron overload, antioxidants, lipid peroxidation

Background: There is a growing trend towards the use of medicinal plant that can prevent degeneration of pancreatic cells and regenerate islet cells in diabetes treatment Objectives: The possible effects of the extracts of Spondias mombin leaves on the regeneration of pancreatic beta cells in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were determined in this study. Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (A-E) including normal and diabetic rats. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of S. mombin were administered orally to diabetic rats in groups D and E for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected for serum insulin and C-peptide assays. The pancreases were also collected for histopathological examination. Additionally, mineral and vitamin contents of the leaves were determined using standard procedures. Results: The highest vitamin content was vitamin C in the leaves, while the highest mineral content was calcium. Treatment with extracts of Spondias mombin attenuated the STZ-induced hypoinsulinemia, which was evident from the increased serum insulin and c-peptide levels in the extract treated groups. Histopathological examination of the pancreas revealed an increase in the number and size of the pancreatic beta cells in the extracts treated groups in comparison to the shrunken and diminished islet cells observed in the untreated animals. Conclusion: Extracts of S. mombin leaves are capable of regenerating pancreatic β-cells which were destroyed by streptozotocin induction.