The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas leaves were investigated. Anti-inflammatory effect was studied using acute rat model (carrageenan -induced rat paw oedema) in which aspirin at 150 mg·kg -1 , indomethacin at 10 mg·kg -1 (both are standard anti-inflammatory drugs) and aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas leaves at 150 mg·kg -1 were administered orally to 24 Wistar rats 1 h before induction of oedema and compared with a negative control given 10 ml·kg -1 saline. Using the same dose of the plant extract, the analgesic effect of the aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas leaves was also investigated by measuring the number of acetic acid-induced writhing in 18 mice. The mean percentage inhibition of paw volume of rats treated with indomethacin was 83.9% followed by aspirin treated group with 64.3%, and the Jatropha curcas treated group with 60.7%. The mean number of writhing was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in mice given aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas leaves (34.0) compared to the control group (55.8) but higher than that of the standard analgesic, paracetamol (23.5). This result suggests that Jatropha curcas has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties comparable with those of standard drugs and may be useful for the treatment of painful inflammatory conditions.

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine and metabolic disorder of humans and animals characterized by hyperglycemia and low blood insulin levels or insensitivity of target organs to insulin and it’s a major health problem affecting patient’s quality of life due to its many complications. Infertility is one of the major secondary complications in diabetes. Although numerous drugs have been used for intervention studies on diabetes-induced infertility worldwide, there are currently no treatments for diabetes associated infertility in humans. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Annona muricata ethanolic leaf extract (AMELE) on fertility of male diabetic rats and levels of blood glucose. Twenty male Wistar rats (150-200g) were randomly distributed into 4 groups (n=5) treated thus: CTRL (control), DNT, DT1 and DT2 (diabetic, single intraperitoneal injection, streptozotocin, 60 mg/kg). Group DT1 and DT2 received AMELE orally at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg respectively daily for fourteen days. Data were analysed using ANOVA at α0.05. The animals were sacrificed after 2 weeks via thiopental injection and testicular weights were recorded. Fasting blood glucose was determined using a digital glucometer. Sperm count, motility, viability and morphology were assessed microscopically. Testes were histologically evaluated. The results showed that oral administration of AMELE at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg to diabetic male rats for fourteen days significantly decreased blood glucose level and also ameliorated diabetes-induced decreases in sperm functions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.  

This study suggested that A. wilkesiana leaves have anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential comparable with those of standard drugs.

A 3-year-old, 25 kg male German shepherd dog was presented to the Veterinary Teaching

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