Complications of Diabetes mellitus caused by persistent hyperglycemia is a challenge in management of the disease as synthetic drugs used are often expensive, specific and associated with side effects. This study was aimed to determine the anti-diabetic potential of mesocarp extract of Hyphaene thebaica fruit in streptozotocin-induced Diabetic rats. The hypoglycemic effects of methanol, aqueous and ethylacetate extract of Hyphaene thebaica fruit oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were determined followed by the effects of the ethylacetate extract on body weight, blood glucose, liver and kidney. Glucose was fed to rats the 30 minutes after pretreatment with extract, followed by measurement of blood glucose levels at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 minutes to assess the effect of the extracts on blood glucose levels of the glucose loaded animals. The rats were also divided into six groups and treated ethylacetate extract daily by intragastric tube for four weeks. The result revealed the ethylacetate extract was more hypoglycemic in OGTT than the other extracts. There was a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in body weight of rats administered ethylacetate extract at 400 mg and 200 mg/kg body weight with significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose, AST, GGT, creatinine, and urea levels. Conclusively, H. thebaica can be used in the management of diabetes evident to its hypoglycemic effects and significant improvement in weight and hepato-renal function.

Oxidative stress is characterized by an imbalance in the generation of free radicals and their subsequent elimination by endogenous antioxidants. It is a characteristic of several diseases, especially during the progression stage, which can lead to fatal effects. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical components and antioxidant capability of Tamarindus indica and assess its capability as a candidate for managing diseases associated with oxidative stress. The gravimetric method detected and quantified phytochemicals, while the reducing power assay determined the antioxidant potential. Saponins, steroids, and flavonoids were detected in 6.83 ±0.44, 4.30 ±0.60, and 10.17% ±0.60, respectively, without alkaloids, glycosides, and terpenoids. The antioxidant test showed a concentration-dependent increase in absorbance of both the extract and standard (Ascorbic acid). However, Ascorbic acid had higher absorbance. At 100% concentration, the sample had an absorbance of 0.388 ±0.022, which was lower than the absorbance of Ascorbic acid (0.411 ±0.009) at 40% concentration. It can be concluded that Tamarind leaves could be utilized to manage diseases associated with oxidative stress, evidenced by their antioxidant potential credited to the phytochemical content of the leaves. However, there is a need for further studies to ascertain the exact compounds and their modes of action.

The nature and application of medicinal plants in managing complications of various ailments are attributed partly to the presence of different phytochemicals. Oxidative stress due to increased levels of reactive oxygen species is a challenge in the management of such ailments, which might lead to death. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of Hyphaene thebaica fruit. The phytochemicals in methanol, aqueous, and ethyl acetate extract were qualitatively determined, followed by quantitation of the ethyl acetate extract as it contains phytochemicals absent in the other extracts. The in vitro antioxidant potential of the ethyl acetate extract of H. thebaica fruit was also determined. The result revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, and flavonoids in all the extracts. However, steroids were not detected in the aqueous extract, and glycoside was detected only in the ethyl acetate extract. Flavonoids (5.80±0.20%) were higher than all the other phytochemicals in the ethyl acetate extract, followed by saponins which were present up to 2.50±0.11%, then terpenoids. Glycosides were present in higher amounts compared to steroids. However, alkaloids (0.08±0.05%) were in smaller amounts compared to the other phytochemicals quantified. The antioxidant activity showed a concentration-dependent increase in absorbance of the extract as displayed by the standard (ascorbic acid). The extract had an IC50 of 52.21 µg/mL, significantly (p <0.05) higher than that of the standard (14.10 µg/mL). Due to its phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity, H. thebaica can be used as a medicinal plant.