Diabetes affects the homeostasis of the circulatory system. Crassocephalum crepidioides Benth S. Moore (Asteraceae) is an edible plant locally used in the treatment of wounds, stomach ulcer, and skin-related conditions in Africa and some other parts of the world. This study investigated the effects of C. crepidioides leaf methanol extract and fractions on blood coagulation profile of diabetic Wistar rats. The effect of 100 mg/kg body weight of the methanol extract and partitioned fractions of C. crepidioides on blood coagulation profile of STZ-induced diabetic rats were initially evaluated, while graded concentrations (50–200 mg/kg body weight) of the aqueous and hexane fractions were further tested in diabetic rats against standard drugs aspirin (anticoagulant) and metformin (antidiabetic). Rats were allocated into groups (n = 6) and administration was done orally, once daily for 2 weeks. The methanol extract and fractions of C. crepidioides at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg significantly prolonged the bleeding (58–200%), clotting (65–133%), prothrombin (176–441%), and activated partial thromboplastin (209–518%) times in diabetic rats compared to the control rats (LD50 ≥ 5000 mg/kg). Highest prolongation effects were recorded in the diabetic group treated with 100 mg/kg body weight of the hexane fraction. Plasma calcium concentration and platelet counts of C. crepidioides treated diabetic rats were significantly (P<0.05) reduced compared to diabetic control rats, while the red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly increased. This study showed that C. crepidioides possess anticoagulant and antianemic activities. The leaves can thus be a potential source of novel anticoagulant and nutraceutical for management of the thrombotic disorder in diabetes and other diseased states.

Background Blood coagulation is a rapid and efficient process that produces clot formation which requires regulation. A derangement of blood coagulation is a feature of many disease conditions. This study investigated the in vitro effects of Crassocephalum crepidioides Benth S. Moore leaf methanol (crude) extract and its partitioned solvent fractions on blood coagulation of Healthy human volunteers. Methods The secondary metabolites from dried and ground C. crepidioides leaves were extracted with 70% methanol, and the concentrated crude extract was subsequently subjected to solvent partitioning with Hexane, Ethyl acetate, and Butanol. Varying concentrations (5–20 mg/mL) of the extract and fractions were tested in vitro on blood coagulation profile; clotting time (CT), prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of apparently healthy human volunteers, while phytochemical characterization of the Hexane fraction was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results C. crepidioides leaf methanol extract and fractions significantly ( P <0.05) prolonged the clotting time, prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times in the blood obtained from the volunteers. The highest prolongation effect was recorded with the Hexane fraction at concentration of 10mg/mL. GC-MS analysis of the Hexane fraction indicated the presence of phytochemicals such as unsaturated fatty acids and esters, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and coumarin-related compounds known to exhibit antiaggregant, antiplatelet and antimicrobial activities. Conclusion These results showed that C. crepidioides possesses bioactive components with anticoagulant properties which may be exploited in the treatment of blood coagulation disorders.

Aim: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder that leads to other microvascular and macrovascular complications. Diabetes affects fertility and blood clotting, and also cause impaired lipid profile thus leading to increased atherogenic risks and coronary diseases. This research investigates the effects of Carica papaya leaf methanol extract on fertility indices and lipid profile of male diabetic rats. Methodology: Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each. Diabetes was induced in the rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated orally with 100 and 200 mg/kg C. papaya methanol extract for 14 days. At the end of administration, the plasma glucose concentration and lipid profile were assayed by spectrophotometric methods; seminal analysis was carried out for evaluation of morphology, motility and sperm count under the microscope. The bleeding and clotting times of the rats were also determined. Results: C. papaya leaf methanol extract caused significant (p = 0.05) reduction in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL-C, LDL-C, bleeding and clotting times of diabetic treated rats, while the HDL-C of treated groups were significantly (p = 0.05) elevated compared to the diabetic control. Percentage normal cells were lower in diabetic control rats (41.4±4.4%) and C. papaya treated groups (50.0±8.5% for 100 mg/kg; 47.5±9.1% for 200 mg/kg) compared with the normal control group (69.5±5.6%). Similar results were recorded for sperm count. The qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of steroids, anthraquinone, tannin, and other bioactive compounds. Conclusion: findings from this study indicated that C. papaya leaf methanol extract could possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. Thus, could be considered as a potential source of bio pharmacological agent for management and control of DM and its complications. Prolonged administration of C. papaya leaves may negatively affect male fertility.

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