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The present study investigated possible benefits of magnesium ion (as MgCl2) in organophosphorus poisoning targeting its ability to interact with substrates and membrane enzymes. Blood samples collected from volunteered healthy adult by venepuncture into anticoagulant test tubes containing EDTA were separated into plasma and red blood cell and divided into three groups namely: normal, pesticide only (0.25‐2.0 mmol/L chlorpyrifos) and pesticide (0.25‐2.0 mmol/L chlorpyrifos) + 0.1 mol/L MgCl2. Acetylcholinesterase, Na+/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase activities were evaluated. Results showed that Chlorpyrifos significantly (P < .05) reduced the levels of cholinesterase both in plasma and on red blood cells. Red blood cells Na+/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase were also significantly (P < .05) reduced by chlorpyrifos while MgCl2 counteracted effects of chlorpyrifos with significant (P < .05) increase in the levels of cholinesterase, Na+/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase. We concluded that MgCl2 neutralized effects of chlorpyrifos by promoting normal ATPase activities and inhibiting release of acetylcholine from cell.

Background Eucalyptus globulus leaf has shown promising potential in its efficacy to manage some diseases but little is known about its safety and its use in the management of diabetes. This study was designed to identify the bioactive compounds present in Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract (EGLEX), assess its toxic effects and its oral glucose tolerance ability. Powdered Eucalyptus globulus leaf was extracted with methanol using standard extraction procedure. Preliminary phytochemistry, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of the extract, its acute and subacute toxic effects and on its glucose tolerance (in-vivo) capability were assessed using standard laboratory techniques. Results EGLEX was tested positive for the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phlobatannins and terpenoids. Nine compounds were identified by GCMS analysis of the leaf extract. EGLEX (up to 300 mg/kg bwt) showed no toxicity in all the rats dosed for the period of 14 days. The histomorphological study of the liver and kidney tissues harvested from rats dosed with 2000 mg/kg bwt showed features of histoarchitectural distortions in the two tissues. EGLEX (200 mg/kg bwt) further demonstrated effective glucose utilization as insulin and metformin. Conclusions The results obtained deduced that EGLEX is safe at a lower dose of 300 mg/kg bwt but toxic at higher dose of 2000 mg/kg bwt, and that single dose (200 mg/kg bwt) of the plant extract prevented hyperglycemia in normal rats.

Background Tetracarpidium conophorum is one of the numerous folklore medicinal plants for managing diabetes but the mode of action and bioactive compounds responsible for the antihyperglycemic property are missing in literatures. This study aimed at investigating the possible modes of its antihyperglycemic action using both in-vitro and ex-vivo methods. Powdered Tetracarpidium conophorum seed (TECOSE) was extracted with methanol using standard extraction procedure. Gas chromatography- Mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of the extract, and its effects on tissue glucose uptake, α-amylase, α-glucosidase and glucokinase enzymes were assessed using standard laboratory procedures. Results Seven heterocyclic compounds were identified by GCMS of which one is structurally related to sulphonylurea. TECOSE strongly inhibited α-glucosidase (IC50 = 1.90 mg/ml) but partially inhibited α-amylase (IC50 = 7.20 mg/ml) activities. Also, glucokinase activity and tissue glucose uptakes were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by TECOSE. Conclusions The results obtained deduced that antihyperglycemic action of TECOSE could be due to modulation of postprandial hyperglycaemia through inhibition of intestinal α-glucosidase, increasing glucokinase activity, improving peripheral glucose uptake by mimicking sulfonylurea action.