Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of ethanolic extracts of Petersianthus macrocarpus leaf and its phytochemical analysis using different solvents. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out between March and September in 2018 in the Department of Anatomy, Madonna University, Elele. River State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Twenty five Wistar rats, weighing between 200-225g were divided into five groups of five rats.  Group A (Control) while Groups B, C, D and E were induced with diabetes using streptozotocin firstly 35mg/kg b.w; and 2 weeks later 25mg/kg b.w.  Group B (Diabetic control), Group C received 0.5mg/kg b.w of Glibenclamide. Groups D and E received daily 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w of ethanolic leaf extract of P. macrocarpus orally for two weeks. The fasting blood glucose levels were determined weekly for two weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and the pancreas was removed for histological procedures. Results: The body weights increased significantly (P<0.05) in 100 mg/kg b.w group when compared to the diabetic control rats weight at the end of the experiment. Also there was a significantly decreased (P<0.05) in blood glucose levels in P. macrocarpus (100mg/kg b.w). The histological section of the pancreas of diabetic control showed eosinophilic material in the islet, shrinkage of the islet of Langerhans while the group treated with 100 mg/kg of extract showed granulated and well prominent pancreatic islet of Langerhans. Phytochemical screening showed methanolic extract of P. macrocarpus leaf having alkaloid, saponin, tannin, phenol, flavonoid, cardiac glycoside, steroids, terpenoids, anthocyanin and anthraquinone. However, cardiac glycosides and steroids were absent in ethanolic extract. Cardiac glycoside and terpenoids were also absent in hexane and acetone extract, while phenol, cardiac glycosides, steroids and anthrocyanin were absent in the water extract. Conclusion: Ethanolic leaf extract of P. macrocarpus ameliorate streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar rats.

IntroductionThe rising number of Medical Schools and the increasing demand for cadavers, amid its scarcity, has prompted the search for alternatives in Anatomy Education. This study assessed students’ thought of the use of Anatomage as an Anatomy teaching and learning tool in medical school.MethodsA five-point scale questionnaire with a free hand comment section was completed by 50 medical students exposed to the use of Anatomage alongside the traditional cadaveric dissection for 2 academic sessions.ResultsOur results findings showed that there were preference pattern variations in the use of the Anatomage for various fields of anatomy such as Gross Anatomy (48%), Histology (46%), and Neuroanatomy (2%) respectively. Furthermore, 66% opined that Anatomage and Cadaveric dissection should be complementary in teaching and learning anatomy. However, been satisfied with Anatomage was 76% (52% completely and 24% generally agreed respectively), while Anatomage increasing their interest in Anatomy was 66% (40% completely agreed and 26% generally agreed) and 74% (40% completely agreed and 34% generally agreed) of learning outcomes been achieved using Anatomage. Also, 68% stated that the micrographs were well displayed for histology teaching. Overall, 60% of the students agreed that Anatomage should be encouraged in teaching and learning Anatomy, along with other teaching aids.DiscussionAnatomage increased students’ interest in Anatomy as its 3D-image display enabled better visualization of relevant anatomical structures. Anatomage has the potential to be a beneficial supplement to standard learning methods in the acquisition of 3D anatomy information.