Diabetes is one of the commonest global diseases affecting both sexes and phytomedicine is currently among the foremost replacements for orthodox drug; Polyalthia longifiola is among the locally used herbal remedies for various ailments. The onus of this research was to investigate the phytochemical constituents and potential of P. longifiola aqueous leaf extract against alterations in liver and kidney functions in rats injected with alloxan. Phytochemical evaluation of the aqueous plant leaf extract indicated that terpenes, non-reducing sugar, flavonoid, resin, phenol, gums and mucilage were present. The contents of total flavonoids and phenol in the plant leaf are 55.56 µg catechin equivalent/ g and 1.62 g/ 100g DW, respectively. The plant extract administered reduced the glucose concentration of the diabeticinduced animals in a dose dependent manner. This reducing potential of glucose by the plant is as a consequence of the availability of these phytochemicals in the extract of the plant. Alterations in liver function biomarkers (serum ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, TB and DB) caused by the hyperglycemic state of the test animals were reversed as the extract was given to the diabetic rats. Kidney function makers such as creatinine, urea and uric acid were also reduced upon administration of hypoglycemic drug and aqueous plant extract and improved as time progressed. Thus P. longifiola (mast tree) aqueous leaf extract has ameliorative effects on liver and kidney functions of rats induced with diabetes and could be used in management of type 2 diabetes even at a concentration of 100 mg/kg bwt.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of two preservation techniques (refrigeration and freezing) on the chlorophyll content, phytochemicals, and antioxidant capacity of two different varieties of pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves over a period of two weeks. The biochemical parameters assessed include chlorophyll content, total soluble protein, reducing sugar, total phenolics, total flavonoids and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The results of the study show that in both broad and slender leaves pumpkin varieties investigated, refrigeration and freezing for two weeks led to a significant decrease (p<0.05) in their chlorophyll contents. Total chlorophyll a and b content in the preserved broad leaf pumpkin variety (BLP) decreased by an average of 49.12%, whereas the average percentage decrease in total chlorophyll a and b observed in the preserved slender leaf variety (SLP) was 79.01% compared to their respective fresh leaves controls. Refrigeration and freezing for two weeks also resulted in a significant decrease (p<0.05) in total soluble protein and reducing sugar contents of both broad leaf (BLP) and slender leaf (SLP) varieties of pumpkin. However, the preservative methods did not significantly (p>0.05) affect the level of phenolics in the broad leaf pumpkin variety, although it was significantly decreased in the slender leaf pumpkin variety preserved by refrigeration. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in flavonoid contents among the refrigerated, frozen and fresh leaves of the broad pumpkin leaf variety (BLP). However, the preserved slender pumpkin leaves variety (SLP) again suffered a significant decrease. Though the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of broad leaf pumpkin variety (BLP) preserved by refrigeration (4°C) and freezing (-20°C) were slightly decreased by 20.9% and 16.1%, respectively, compared to their fresh broad leaf control, the decrease was not significant (p>0.05). On the contrary, the FRAP of the preserved slender leaf pumpkin variety (SLP) was significantly decreased (p<0.05) relative to their fresh slender leaf control. It could be inferred from the findings of this research that the broad leaf pumpkin variety (BLP) can be preserved by freezing (temperature-20°C) for a period of two weeks without any significant (p>0.05) loss of its valuable phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity compared to the slender leaf pumpkin variety.

Azadirachta indica (neem tree), Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf), Eucalyptus camaldulensis (red gum), and Bambusa vulgaris (bamboo) are locally employed for the management of malaria infection. This study examined the synergistic action of these four co-administered aqueous leaf extracts on malaria infected mice. There was a noticeable reduction in the parasitemia levels from 62 to 8% when the administration of the extracts given. The electrolytes (sodium, calcium, phosphorus and chloride) levels in the serum returned close to normal in the treated animals. There was a marked difference in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma glutamyl-transferase (GGT) activities in serum of the treated mice in comparison with the control groups (P<0.05). Total and direct bilirubin levels also increased in animals treated with the extract the activity of antioxidants enzymes such as glutathione transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the treated animals increased relative to the control groups (P<0.05). Glutathione (GSH) levels increased upon the intake of the extract by the groups treated extract. The levels of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) reduced in animals treated with the extract. Urea, creatinine and uric acid in the serum were brought towards normalization after the intake of the various extracts. These observations are indication of antimalarial and protective roles of the four co-administered extracts on parasitized mice.

ABSTRACT:The exploration of natural products for the treatment of malarial has been the main focus of scientists in the past decades. In this research, the phytochemical constituents, antimalarial effect, and chemopreventive capacity of aqueous leaf extract of Bambusa vulgaris in malaria parasitized mice was investigated. A total of 30 male mice, grouped into six (n=5), was used. The results obtained showed that B. vulgaris is rich in flavonoid (262.08 µg CE/g) and phenol (0.91 g AAE/ 100 g). There was significant reduction on the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Gamma glutarmyl-transferase (GGT) upon treatment as compared with the control groups (P<0.05). Concentration of total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB) and serum electrolytes (sodium, calcium, phosphorus and chloride) decreased in treated groups; serum urea, creatinine and uric acid also reduced significantly as against the control groups (P<0.05). The hepatoprotection and renal function restoration observed upon the administration of the plant extract indicate to a far reaching end that B. vulgaris leaf extract would be a promising natural antimalarial product devoid of side effects upon use, especially when administered within the dose range of 100 -200 mg/Kg body weight investigated in this study.