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The medicinal properties of plants have been investigated in the recent scientific world because of their potent antioxidant activities, mild side effects and economic viability. This study  evaluated the antioxidant property and  antidiabetic effect of ethanol seed extract of G. kola (bitter kola) on alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. The in-vitro antioxidant assay was done using standard methods. Thirty (36) albino rats were used for the in-vivo study and fasted for 16-18hours and thereafter induced diabetes with 150mg/ kg b.w. of alloxan monohydrate via intraperitoneal injection. The animals were divided into six groups of six (6) rats each. Group A was the normal control, group B was the positive control (treated with 5mg/kg b.w of glabeclamide), Group C was the negative control (untreated) and groups D through F were administered 500mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 125mg/kg of the extract respectively. The results showed 49.70% reduction in blood glucose level of the 500mg/kg extract treated group compared to the positive control (45.03 %) on the day 7. The antioxidant results showed a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent increase in its ability to scavenge free radicals. The results of this study suggested the use of G. kola seed for the treatment of free radical mediated diseases and management of diabetes.

Gongronema latifolium is highly medicinal in nature. The fundamental ingredients used for medicinal purposes are stored in the various parts of the plant such as the fruits, seeds, leaves, root and stem. This present study is aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxicity effect of methanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium on albino rats. This study was divided into five groups normal control groups: received commercial rat feed and water, group 2: received 1000 mg/kg b.w. of leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium, group 3: received 500 mg/kg b.w of leaf extract of G. latifolium, group 4; received 250 mg/kg of leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium, and group 5: received 125mg/kg of leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium. The result shows a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total and conjugate bilirubin when compared to the normal control not giving the extract. Administration graded dosage of 1000mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weight significantly (p<0.05) increased the liver damage marker enzymes when compared with groups that received low dosage of 250mg/kg and 125mg/kg body weight and the normal control groups. The histopathological study revealed severe portal inflammation without steatosis and moderate portal inflammation in groups that received 1000mg/kg and 500mg/kg. Therefore, these results suggested that methanol leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium possess hepatotoxic properties and strict caution must be observed when using the plant extract as a natural remedy of any disease.

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