IDOSR JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES

1-9,

Authors: 1Agbafor, K. N., 2Nwaka, Andrew C.,3Dasofunjo, K., 3Asuk, A. A. and 3Ugwu, M. N.

Several parts of Cajanus cajan have been utilized traditionally in Eastern Nigeria in treatment and management of several ailments such as liver, heart and kidney related diseases. This present research was carried out to examine the effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of fresh leaves of Cajanus cajan on creatinine, urea and uric acid concentrations in albino rats. The research was performed with twenty- five adult male albino rats distributed into five groups (A, B, C, D and E) with five rats in each group. The animals in groups A, B, C and D were administered orally with aqueous extract of fresh leaves of Cajanus cajan using doses of 150,300, 450 and 600mg/kg respectively for seven consecutive days, while group E served as the control. There was a decrease in physical activities and rate of feed and water intake in the test groups when compared with the control. There was a significant decrease (P< 0.05) in concentrations of creatinine, urea and uric acid in the animals given the extract when compared to the control group. These effects were found to be dose dependent. The result obtained from this research suggests that aqueous extract of fresh leaves of Cajanus cajan possess the potential to lower serum concentration of creatinine, urea and uric acid. This may be responsible for the utilization of the leaves of Cajanus cajan in management and treatment of kidney related diseases.

1-24

Authors: Anionye JC1, Onyeneke EC2, Eze GI3, Edosa RO1, Agu KC1, Omorowa EF1, Oghagbon ES1.

This study evaluated the effects of Yoyo bitters on albino rats. Yoyo bitters is composed of five herbal constituents. Yoyo was administered using an oro-gastric gavage to different sets of male albino Wistar rats, after which biochemical and haematological indices and histological status of the bitters-fed rats, as well as the acute toxicity (LD50) and subchronic toxicity of the Yoyo bitters on the rats were investigated using standard laboratory procedures. During the 28 days of feeding with the Yoyo bitters there was no sedation, no changes in nature of stool, urine and eye colour, no discharge from the eyes and ears, no haematuria, no diarrhoea and no uncoordinated muscle movements. The yoyo bitters were well tolerated as they improved rather than adversely affected the appetite of the rats. The minimal and non-significant differences (P>0.05) in all the indices used to assess, the liver, kidney and cardiac function statuses of the Yoyo bitters-fed rats compared to same in the control rats, was indicative that Yoyo bitters preserved the functions of these organs. The increase in the CD4+-count and decrease in the level of the fasting blood glucose in the yoyo bitters-fed rats when compared to that of the control rats was significant (P<0.05). There was decrease in serum triacylglycerol, VLDL and LDL-cholesterol levels and an increase in HDL-cholesterol in the bitters fed rats, the decrease in serum triacylglycerol and VLDL being statistically significant (P<0.05). Yoyo bitters-fed rats had a significant decrease (P<0.05) in their serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and a significant increase (P<0.05) in their serum vitamin C and E levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, when compared with that of the control rats. The results from this study indicate that Yoyo bitters may be said to be hypolipidaemic, hypoglycaemic, immunity-boosting, choleretic, hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, as well as having antioxidant properties and protective against heart and related vascular diseases.

34-42

Authors: Anionye JC1, Onyeneke EC2, Eze GI3, Edosa RO1, Agu KC1, Omorowa EF1, Oghagbon ES1.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Alomo bitters on albino rats. The Alomo bitters was fed using an oro-gastric gavage, to different sets of male albino wistar rats, after which the biochemical and haematological indices and histopathological status of the organs of the bitters -fed rats, as well as the acute toxicity (LD 50 ) and subchronic toxicity of the Alomo bitters on the rats were investigated using standard laboratory procedures. The Alomo bitters were well tolerated and not toxic to the rat organs and blood cells, during the 28-day duration of the study. The acute toxicity (LD50) of 29 x 103 mg/kg body weight indicates it has low-lethality. The minimal and non-significant differences (P>0.05) in all the indices used to assess, the liver, kidney and cardiac function statuses of the Alomo-fed rats compared to same in the control rats, was indicative that the Alomo preserved the functions of these organs. The increase in the CD4+ -count and decrease in the level of the fasting blood glucose in the Alomo-fed rats when compared to that of the control rats was significant (P<0.05). The decrease in serum triacylglycerol and LDL-cholesterol levels and the increase in HDL-cholesterol caused by the bitters was significant (P<0.05). The Alomo-fed rats had a significant decrease (P<0.05) in their serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and a significant increase (P<0.05) in their serum vitamin C and E levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, when compared with that of the control rats.

75-91

Authors: Aja P. M., Ugwu Okechukwu P.C., Keke Kennedy, Ibere J. B and Ekpono E. U.

This study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical composition of Senna occidentalis leaves. The quantitative phytochemical analysis was carried out with spectrophotometric method.The results of the quantitative phytochemical compositions revealed the presence of tannins , phenols , flavonoids , alkaloids, glycosides , terpenoids , steroids and saponins at the concentrations of 4241.15±0.035 mg/100g, 2705.32±0.01 mg/100g, 661.77±0.004 mg/100g, 724.37±0.004 mg/100g , 116.29±0.003mg/100g,18.43±0.01mg/100g, 28.83±0.01mg/g and 14.36±0.004 mg/g respectively in Senna occidentalis leaves. The results indicate that Senna occidentalis leaves are good source of phytochemicals and this may inform the use in ethno medicine.

114-122

Authors: Offor C. E1., Aloke C2., Ominyi M.C3., Edwin N1., Ugwu Okechukwu P.C1., Nwobasi C. S4., Abara P. N5 and Njoku, J.O1.

This study was carried out to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect of ethanol leaf-extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats using a glucometer. Twenty-five Wister albino rats weighing between 100 – 200g were used. The animals were randomly assigned into five different groups of five rats each. The animals in group E served as negative control while those in group D served as the positive control. Groups A, B and C were induced with diabetes and treated with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight of the Pterocarpus santalinoides leaf-extract respectively. The treatment was done twice daily through oral intubation for twelve days. The glucose levels were determined using glucometer. The results revealed that there were dose dependent and significant (p<0.05) reductions in glucose levels of the rats treated with ethanol leaf-extract of P. santalinoides. The extract also significantly increased the body weights of the animals. This indicated that ethanol leaf-extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides could be encouraged for management of diabetes mellitus.