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Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Croton zambesicus Root Extract: In Vivo Inhibitory Effect on Alpha Amylase and Alpha Glucosidase of Rats Okokon, Jude Efiom; Edem, Utibe Anietie; OSIGWE, Chinyelu Clementina; Uwaeme, Ugonma Florence
Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry Vol 14, No 1 (2025)
Publisher : Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University & Society for Indonesian Biodiversity

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.14421/biomedich.2025.141.529-533

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a global health challenge, necessitating the need for alternative treatments. Croton zambesicus Muell Arg. (Euphorbiaceace) a medicinal plant used traditionally in the treatment of some ailments was investigated for its inhibitory potential on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes in rats. The root extract of C. zambesicus (27 - 81 mg/kg) was investigated in vivo for the inhibitory effect on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes using starch, sucrose, and maltose as substrates. Acarbose was used as a reference drug. Blood glucose levels (BGL) of rats, post administration of the substrate and extract concurrently, were monitored over 3 hours as a parameter to measure the inhibitory potential of the extract. The root extract dose-dependently caused significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels of treated rats with the various substrates used. The results suggest that the root extract of Croton zambesicus has the potentials to inhibit alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase in rats.
Evaluation of Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Activities of Eremomastax speciosa (Hochst.) Cufod. (Acanthaceae) Leaf Extract Osigwe, Chinyelu Clementina; Okokon, Jude Efiom; Uwaeme, Ugonma Florence; Ebere, Ijeoma Lilian
Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry Vol 15, No 1 (2026)
Publisher : Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University & Society for Indonesian Biodiversity

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.14421/biomedich.2026.151.105-111

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the therapeutic potentials of natural products and the mounting need to ensure their safety and efficacy. Eremomastax speciosa (Hochst.) Cufod. (Acanthaceae) is one of such medicinal plants used traditionally to treat various diseases in Nigeria. The leaf extract was investigated for genotoxic and cytotoxic effects using Allium cepa test. The effect of the Eremomastax speciosa leaf extract on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa bulb was investigated using onion bulbs exposed to varying concentrations of the extract (2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, and 10 mg/mL) for macroscopic and microscopic analysis. Tap water was used as a negative control and Methotrexate (0.1 mg/ml) was used as a positive control. There was statistically significant (p< 0.05) inhibition of root growth depending on concentration by the extract when compared with the negative control group. All the tested concentrations of extract were observed to have cytotoxic effects on cell division in A. cepa. The extract-induced chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei (MNC) formations in A. cepa root tip cells were significant (p<0.05) when compared with control group. The extract treatment further induced cell death, ghost cells, cells membrane damage, and binucleated cells. These results suggest that the leaf extract of Eremomastax speciosa possess cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on A. cepa root meristem cells.