We estimated the content of specific phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant properties of the powder, aqueous, and ethanolic extracts of ripe Dennettia tripetala fruits. We also tested the biochemical and histological effects of these fruit extracts on healthy rats. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were prepared from the powder of ripe D. tripetala fruits, and standard phytochemical methods were used to evaluate its phytochemical content and antioxidant properties. Eighteen rats were randomized into three groups, one of which served as control, while the second and third groups received the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of D. tripetala fruits, respectively, at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg bw daily for 28 days. Our results show that the powder as well as the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of ripe D. tripetala fruits contains phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and alkaloids. The plant powder as well as both extracts scavenged DPPH and hydrogen peroxide as well as reduced ferric ions. The extracts of D. tripetala fruits did not alter liver marker enzymes or serum protein profile of the rats. The extracts also did not alter the serum concentration of urea and creatinine and the antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation levels in the liver but altered that of the kidney. The extracts altered the serum and liver lipid profile but not to any significant extents. Also, the extracts caused minimal congestion to the centrioles of the liver but were not in any other way toxic to the liver, kidney, or heart of the rats. Our results point to the fact that the fruits of D. tripetala possess phytochemicals with medicinal properties and are well tolerated by rats.

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Background: Dennettia tripetala is a medicinal plant with in vitro antioxidant activities. It is capable of protecting the liver and kidney of rats from damage when administered prior to a single exposure of carbon tetrachloride. The aim of this study was to document the possible ameliorative effect of the aqueous extract of Dennettia tripetala fruits on rats subjected to multiple exposures of carbon tetrachloride. Methods: Carbon tetrachloride was administered orally to male albino rats of Wistar strain four times over a 2 week period. The aqueous extract of Dennettia tripetala fruits was administered daily for 7 days starting on the 8th day after carbon tetrachloride administration had commenced. Results: Carbon tetrachloride caused increases in serum ALT, AST and ALP, serum total cholesterol, serum LDLcholesterol, liver total cholesterol and triglyceride, serum total protein, globulin, urea, creatinine as well as liver and kidney malondialdehyde levels. Carbon tetrachloride also caused significant reductions in serum HDL-cholesterol, serum triglyceride, serum albumin:globulin ratio as well as liver and kidney SOD and catalase activities. The plant extract was able to restore the biochemical parameters to levels comparable to those of the control group in all instances. Further evidence in support of these results was derived from histopathological analysis. Conclusion: Taken together, the results of this study show that the aqueous extract of Dennettia tripetala fruits is able to ameliorate liver and kidney damage caused by multiple exposures to carbon tetrachloride probably via an antioxidant-dependent mechanism.

Background The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus is assuming worrisome proportions even among children and young adults. This study is aimed at predicting the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in a young adult Nigerian population using the validated FINDRISC tool. Results Data on 134 young adults [67 (50.0%) male and 67 (50.0%) female] analyzed in this study revealed a body mass index value of 24.86 ± 3.38 kg/m2 (male) and 25.42 ± 5.39 kg/m2 (female) with 43.2% of participants being overweight or obese. A waist circumference of 85.94 ± 9.69 cm (male) and 83.92 ± 15.24 cm (female) was recorded with 35.8% of participants having central obesity. A fasting blood glucose level of 82.04 ± 14.52 mg/dL (male) and 84.89 ± 18.30 mg/dL (female) was recorded with 32.8% of participants being hyperglycemic. The Finnish Diabetes Risk Scoring (FINDRISC) data [4.86 ± 3.24 (male) and 7.31 ± 3.38 (female)] showed that 1.5% have a high risk (FINDRISC 15–20) while 12.0% have a moderate to high risk (FINDRISC ≥ 12) of developing diabetes. Conclusion The FINDRISC tool is an effective diagnostic tool for assessing diabetes risk. In future studies, there may be need to also develop a more specific indigenous risk assessment tool particularly for a young adult Nigerian population.