Hibiscus sabdariffa is a yearly shrub that is widely grown in some Asian and African countries including Nigeria where it is commonly prepared as a hot or cold beverage and also used as medicine. It is applied in folklore remedies in the treatment of some ailments. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of the aqueous calyx extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on some biochemical parameters of diabetic male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into four (4) groups of five (5) rats each. Group one (1) which served as non diabetic (negative) control received distilled water only. Group 2 served as diabetic control and received distilled water after alloxan-induced diabetes. Group three (3) and group four (4) were diabetic rats that received 250mg/kg bw and 500mg/kg bw of the aqueous calyx extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa respectively, for a period of four (4) weeks. The Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21.0) was used for the analysis. Differences between group means was tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and compared using the post hoc test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results obtained showed that the higher dose of the extract caused a significant decrease in blood glucose level in 4 weeks of the study. The changes observed in the plasma concentrations of electrolytes indicated that the extract significantly improved diabetes induced decrease in Cl- level while changes in Na+, K+ and HCO3- were not statistically significant. It also significantly improved lipid profile and reduced oxidative stress in diabetic male Wistar rats. This study revealed that, the calyx extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa demonstrated anti-hyperglycemic effects in diabetic Wistar rats.

This study was carried out on an adult population in Semi urban communities of Rivers State, Nigeria. The aim of the study is to determine if any relationship exist between blood glucose level and basal metabolic index. The subjects were randomly selected among the population and those who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and used for the study. They were apparently healthy subjects with no known history of a metabolic or any other form of chronic diseases. The sample size included a total of 168 subjects [108 males and 60 females] aged between 18 to 55 years. Clinical history and clinical examination methods were employed for sample/data collection. The height (m) and weight (kg) were measured using a stadiometer. The basal metabolic index (BMI) was calculated using the formula: (weight (kg) / height (m2). Random blood glucose (mg/dl) was obtained using a glucometer. The Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21.0) was used for the analysis. The significance of differences between and among group means was tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple group means were compared using the post hoc test. To determine the link between variables, Pearson correlation analysis was used. Statistical significance was defined as a P- value of less than 0.05. In females, there was non-significant very low positive correlation between the blood glucose and the BMI. In addition, the mean level of glucose in blood for the different BMI categories did not show any significant difference when compared to normal BMI. In males, the mean blood glucose levels for all groups including overweight and obesed were not statistically significant when compared to the normal BMI. A Pearson correlation between blood glucose level and BMI indicated a non-significant markedly low positive correlation. In conclusion, it was discovered that there was a positive correlation between BMI and blood glucose levels in adult males and females in this study.

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the effects of ethanolic stem bark extract of Persea americana on some reproductive parameters of female Wistar rats. In this study, female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three (3) groups of 5 rats each. The control group (Group 1) was given distilled water. Group 2 received 200mg/kg of the extract and group 3 received 400mg/kg of the extract daily for a period of 21 days following acclimatization. The female rats were cohabited with males in the ratio 2:1 (M:F) for 10 days. Blood samples were collected and some tissues harvested at sacrifice. The statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to compare groups followed by post-hoc testing to determine whether there were significant differences between the control and treatment groups. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant and result presented as Mean±SEM. The result showed that the extract of Persea americana caused stimulatory effect on anterior pituitary synthesis of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and may have also caused changes in the gonads leading to decreased gonadal hormone synthesis (estrogen and progesterone). The percentage fertility of the female Wistar rats was significantly reduced suggesting that the stem bark extract of Persea americana possess antifertility effects.

Background: Labor induction methods are continuously evolving to ensure safer and more effective outcomes for both mother and neonate. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of combined use of misoprostol with intracervical catheter for labor induction. Methods: This single-blinded, parallel-group randomized control trial conducted at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh, included 200 women with term gestation and Bishop score ≤6. Participants were divided into two groups: the intervention group (group B) received misoprostol juice and Foley’s catheter, while the control group (group A) received misoprostol in the posterior fornix. Results: In Group A, 58% had vaginal deliveries, while in Group B, 65% had vaginal deliveries. Group B experienced a longer mean length of labor in the 1st stage (13.25±1.095) compared to Group A (12.98±1.982, p=0.008). The 3rd stage was shorter for Group B (10.00±0.000) than Group A (12.02±2.469, p<0.001). The most common induction reason was labor pain with an unfavorable cervix (31 in Group A and 33 in Group B). Group B had a higher percentage of inductions at less than 12 hours and a lower percentage at more than 24 hours. Neonatal outcomes were generally better for Group B. The Cox regression hazard model showed a lower likelihood of positive outcomes in Group B (hazard ratio 0.337, 95% CI 0.243-0.469, p=0.000), indicating a statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusions: The combined use of misoprostol with Foley’s catheter for labor induction is safe and effective, resulting in shorter labor duration and higher rates of vaginal delivery compared to misoprostol alone.

Medicinal plants are considered more accessible, affordable and also associated with minimal side effects compared to orthodox medicines in most developing countries. These factors in addition to multiple cultural and long term historical relevance have contributed to its increasing popularity around the world. This study was carried out to assess the antioxidative and serum lipid effects of leaf extract of Rhizophora mangle on male Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups of five (5) rats each. Group one (1) served as control and received distilled water. Group two (2) and group three (3) were treated with 200mg/kg bw and 400mg/kg bw of the ethanolic extract of Rhizophora mangle respectively. Group four (4) was treated with 600mg/kg of the extract. Extract administration lasted for 30 days. The results obtained showed that the extract did not cause significant changes in superoxide dismutase, catalase, gluthathione reductase enzyme activities but decreased gluthathione peroxidase enzyme activity. The level of malondialdehyde was not altered. The lipid parameters including low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were not significantly affected. This study showed that, extracts of Rhizophora mangle did not alter the level of lipid peroxidation and may not confer any benefits against development of lipid induced-cardiovascular disorders.