Histological changes and antidiabetic activities of Icacina trichantha tuber extract in beta-cells of alloxan induced diabetic rats

Objective:To investigate the antidiabetic,hypolipidaemic activities and histopathological changes ofIcacina trichantha(I.trichantha)tuber extract in alloxan induced diabetic rats.Methods:In the present study,80%methanol extract of I.trichanthatuber was tested on alloxan induced diabetic rats.They were randomly grouped into control(distilled water and glibenclamide)and experimental(200,400 and 600 mg/kg body weight).Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 160 mg/kg body weight of alloxan.Blood glucose levels weremeasured using blood glucose test strips with AccuCheck Advantage II glucometer at 1,3,6,and 24 h on the first day and 1 h after treatment on Day 7,14 and 21.Blood samples were collected and centrifuged to separate serum for estimation of lipid profile and other biochemical parameters.Histopathological changes in diabetic rats pancreas were also studied after extract treatment.Results:Daily oral administration ofI.trichanthatuber extract(200,400,and 600 mg/kg bodyweight)and glibenclamide(2 mg/kg)showed beneficial effects on blood glucose level(P<0.01)as well as improving liver,kidney functions and hyperlipidaemia due to diabetes.The extract had a favourable effect on the histopathological changes of the pancreas in alloxan induced diabetes.Conclusions:I.trichanthatuber extracts posses antidiabetic activities as well as improve liver and renal profile and total lipids levels.I.trichanthatuber extracts also have favourable effects to inhibit the histopathological changes of the pancreas in alloxan induced diabetes.

A combination of the leaves and tuber of Icacina senegalensis A.Juss(Icacinaceae)improves the antimalarial activity of the plant in mice

Objective:To investigate the possibility of increased antimalarial activity of Icacina senegalensis A.Juss(Icacinaceae)upon a combination of its leaves and tubers against Plasmodium berghei malaria in mice.Methods:Chloroquine sensitive ANKA clones of Plasmodium berghei were used to develop experimental models based on intraperitoneal injection of 10^(7)parasitized erythrocytes in phosphate buffer saline(pH 7.2)and subsequent development of parasitemia.The models were employed to investigate prophylactic and curative anti-malarial activities of tuber and tuberleaf methanol extracts of the plant at selected dosages(25,50 and 100 mg/kg body weight).Chloroquine with a curative dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight was used as positive control in both studies.Results:Tuber and tuber-leaf extracts produced a dose-dependent chemosuppression of the parasites,with higher activity and mean survival time exhibited by the combined extract.Conclusions:Anti-plasmodia activity has been discovered in methanol extract of Icacina senegalensis tuber extract.The observed optimization of the antimalarial actions of the plant upon a combination of its leaf and tuber opens a new area of medicinal plant research.

Nutritional Contribution of Some Senegalese Forest Fruits Running across Soudano-Sahelian Zone

As a good food supply for the local people in various Senegalese regions, the forest fruits are becoming very important. They are using between foods or main condiment for dishes in many part of Africa. These fruits represent non negligible sources of vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals. Instead of more commercialized species such as Adansonia digitata L., Detarium senegalensis J.F.Gmel., Saba senegalensis (A.DC.) Pichon, Tamarindus indica L., this article focused on nutritional values of other fruits with little interest or neglected. These species were Ficus gnaphalocarpa, L., Cordyla pinnata (Lepr. ex A.Rich.) Milne-Redh. and Icacina senegalensis, harvested in soudano-sahelian zone;while Sarcocephalus latifolius (Sm.) E.A. Bruce belongs to Sudanese zone. The fruit pulps were isolated and freeze dried before analysis. The results showed that acidity, vitamin C and total minerals were significantly different from one fruit to another. S. latifolius with the highest acidity content (402.43 mg/100 g) and best vitamin C content if 1488 mg/100 g were found. Also as results, S. latifolius provided high protein content nearby the 20%. The caloric contributing (kcal/100 g) were 102.5, 177 and 132 respectively for F. gnaphalocarpa, C. pinnata, and S. latifolius. The ash contents were the same for all species (4.5%), indicating the richness in mineral elements. Furthermore, all species in this study were good sources of iron, copper and zinc. However, small amounts of sodium were noticed in all samples. Analysis of total sugars and their profile showed that I. senegalensis and C. pinnata were more appreciated. These results predicted the useful incomes for forest fruits in human being. Lot of medicinal virtues has been recognized from these fruits. The increase in value and the preservation of the biodiversity are necessary particularly for C. pinnata which presents a serious threat because of the strong income for wood production.