ABSTRACT
In this study, the antidiabetic activities of the aqueous extracts of Veronia amygdalina
(VA) and Dacryodes edulis (DE) leaves and their combined extracts (VA+DE) were
examined. Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were used in the study with 6 rats in each
group. Specifically, group 1 (normal control) rats were received only the vehicle. The
remaining groups (groups 2 to 6) were administered alloxan (150 mg/kg; i.p.) to induce
diabetes and thereafter treated as follows: Group 2 animals were left diabetic but
received only the vehicle (negative control), Group 3 were treated with metformin
(positive control) at 200 mg/kg body weight while groups 4, 5 and 6 received (p.o.)
300mg/kg of DE, VA and VA+DE, respectively for two weeks. Phenolic acids, tannins,
saponins, fixed fat and oil, and flavonoids were more visible in the VA extract while the
DE extract showed more alkaloids, proteins, phlobatannins. Administration of the
extracts and their combination or metformin to the diabetic rats resulted in significant
(p < 0.05) reductions in blood glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density
lipoprotein cholesterol and increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels
compared to the negative control. Significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum total protein
and marked reduction in liver and kidney function indices were recorded in the extracts
(VA, DE, VA+DE) and the metformin treated diabetic rats in comparison to negative
control. The results of this study revealed that V. amygdalina and D. edulis contained
some biologically active compounds that may be efficacious in the management of
diabetes mellitus.
KEYWORDS:Antidiabetic potential, phytochemical screening, Vernonia
amygdalina, Dacryodes edulis, Metformin
ABSTRACT
Monkeypox (MPX) is a viral zoonosis that mostly prevalent in tropical rainforests of
Central and West Africa and can also be found in other parts of the world. Only three
(3) cases have been documented in Nigeria before 2017, with the first occurrence being
in 1971. There have been 558 suspected cases reported from 32 states from 2017-2022.
In 22 states, 241 (43.2%) of the reported cases have been confirmed. However, between
September 2017 and April 30th, 2022, eight (8) deaths (CFR= 3.3%) were reported in
six states. MPXV is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions,
body fluids, respiratory secretions and infected materials such as bedding. Common
symptoms are fever, rash, and enlarged lymph nodes, which can lead to a variety of
medical conditions. The incubation period lasts 7–14 days on average. MPX has a
similar clinical presentation to smallpox. Since Nigeria is a resource-poor country with
inadequate infrastructure, technical skills, and training, laboratory diagnosis, along
with prevention and management of MPX infection, remains difficult in Nigeria.
Vaccines used during the smallpox eradication programme, however, still provide
protection against MPX. The MPXV potential to mutate, it is possible bioweapons
threat, and its re-emergence in Nigeria all add to the urgency of better understanding
the symptoms and prevention of MPX infection.
KEYWORDS: Monkeypox, Smallpox, Infection, Monkeypox virus, Nigeria