Abstract: Many plants have been used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Jordanian system of medicine and in other ancient systems of the world. The present study is aimed to evaluate the potential mechanism of antidiabetic action of aqueous extract of Alkanna strigosa aerial part and its hypolipidemic effects in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. This study was conducted on fifty experimental animals. Adult albino rats (Sprague- Dawely strain) weighing about 220 g each were used throughout the study. Fifty rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups of 10 rats each: Group 1 - received normal saline (0.5 ml/kg), and serves as control. Group II - gavaged daily for thirty days with 1ml of the extract at doses of 400 mg/kg body wt and served as control. Group III - Untreated diabetic rats that received two doses of alloxan 150 mg/kg. Group IV – Treated diabetic rats for thirty consecutive days with 1 ml of the extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg body wt. Group V: Treated diabetic rats for thirty consecutive days with 14.2 mg/kg of metformin. Several hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed. It was found that the administration of aqueous extract of Alkanna strigosa produced significant reduction in blood glucose level in diabetic rats after thirty days of treatment. However, there was a significant (p < 0.05). Increase of insulin secretion. Also, the RBC and WBC count, PCV and neutrophil percentage decreased significantly (p < 0.05). This study indicated that the aqueous extract of Alkanna strigosa increased the RBC and WBC counts, PCV, ESR, and neutrophil percentage in diabetic rats. However, the WBC count of the extract - treated diabetic group was still lower than those of control values. Administration of the extract resulted in a significant reduction in the mean values of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, ESR, urea, uric acid, creatinine accompanied by an increase in the mean values of total protein, albumin, insulin, HDL-C, neutrophile count and PCV in diabetic rats. No significant changes in these parameters were found in the control group. Effects produced by this extract were closely similar to a standard antidiabetic drug, metformin. (p < 0.05) hypoglycemic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, protection against body weight loss of diabetic animals and might alleviate diabetes-induced disturbances of some biochemical and hematological parameters. These results suggest that the oral administration of aqueous extract of the aerial part of Alkanna strigosa possesses antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.Abstract: Many plants have been used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Jordanian system of medicine and in other ancient systems of the world. The present study is aimed to evaluate the potential mechanism of antidiabetic action of aqueous extract of Alkanna strigosa aerial part and its hypolipidemic effects in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rat...Show More
Abstract: The haematopoietic potential of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract in Plasmodium berghi-berghi infected mice treated with Hippocratea africana root bark extract was investigated. Thirty (21) adult mice weighing 27 – 33g were divided into seven (7) groups with three (3) animals in each group. Group 1 served as normal control while Groups 2 – 7 were parasitized with Plasmodium berghi-berghi and Group 2 was the test control (parasitized and untreated) group. Group 3 was administered 8mg/kg bw of artemether-lumefantrine for 3 days. Group 4 and 5 received daily, 200mg/kg bw and 300mg/kg bw of extracts of Hippocratea africana and Jatropha tanjorensis respectively for 4 days. Group 6 received 8mg/kg bw of artemether-lumefantrine for 3 days followed with 300mg/kg bw of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract for 4 days. Group 7 was treated with 200mg/kg bw of Hippocratea africana root extract for 4 days followed by 300mg/kg bw of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract for 4 days. Significant anti-plasmodial activity was observed with artemether-lumefantrine and Hippocratea africana root bark extract administration. Plasmodium berghi-berghi infection induced alterations in haematological indices such as decreased RBC count, platelet count, haemoglobin concentration and heamatocrit and increased WBC count. Administration of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract showed improved haematological indices particularly in the red blood cell counts and haemoglobin concentration. Jatropha tanjorensis has haematopoietic activity in Plasmodium berghi-berghi infected mice treated Hippocratea africana root bark extract.Abstract: The haematopoietic potential of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract in Plasmodium berghi-berghi infected mice treated with Hippocratea africana root bark extract was investigated. Thirty (21) adult mice weighing 27 – 33g were divided into seven (7) groups with three (3) animals in each group. Group 1 served as normal control while Groups 2 – 7 were p...Show More
