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Ethanol extract of Tephrosia bracteolata leaves and its fractions ameliorates alloxan-induced diabetes and its associated complications in Wistar rat model

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International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Tephrosia bracteolata Guill. & Perr. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) is a traditional Nigerian medicinal plant used for the treatment of whitlow, toothache, wounds, and diabetes.

Aim

This study investigated the biochemical and histopathological effects of the ethanol extract of T. bracteolata leaves (EETB) and its fractions on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Methods

EETB was fractionated successively with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water to yield the respective fractions (nHF, CF, EAF, MF, and AF). The antidiabetic activities of EETB and its fractions at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (groups 4–15) were investigated in comparison to the normal control (group 1), the diabetic control (group 2), and the standard (150 mg/kg b.w. metformin, group 3) on alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats (200–220 g) for 28 days. Alterations in some biochemical parameters and histopathology of major organs were assessed.

Results

Induction of diabetes triggered significant (p < 0.05) alterations in biochemical indices of the diabetic control relative to the normal control. Following treatments, EAF recorded the most potent effect by restoring altered biochemical parameters examined as indices of diabetic complications. Histopathological examination indicated a rapid regeneration of beta cells, hepatocytes, and nephrotic cells necrotized by alloxan, with EAF producing the best histo-architecture relative to EETB and other fractions.

Conclusions

EAF indicated the most potent antidiabetic effect at the doses investigated, as it reversed complications associated with diabetes in Wistar rats, thus suggesting its potential for future development of potent antidiabetic drugs. Further studies on the characterization of the bioactive principles in EAF are underway.

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Data availability

Dr. Parker Elijah Joshua and Dr. Precious Adejoh Idakwoji are the curators of the data set, which is available on request.

Abbreviations

AF:

Aqueous fraction

ALB:

Albumin

ALT:

Alanine aminotransferase

ALP:

Alkaline phosphatase

AST:

Aspartate aminotransferase

BC:

Beta cells

CAT:

Catalase

CF:

Chloroform fraction

CV:

Central vacuole

Dbil:

Direct bilirubin

DM:

Diabetes mellitus

EAF:

Ethyl acetate fraction

EETB:

Ethanol extract of Tephrosia bracteolata leaves

FBS:

Fasting blood sugar

G:

Glomerulus

H:

Hepatocytes

IDF:

International Diabetes Foundation

IST:

Islet

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

MF:

Methanol fraction

nHF:

n-Hexane fraction

RT:

Renal tubules

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

Tbil:

Total bilirubin

TP:

Total protein

WBC:

White blood cell

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Mr. Onugwu Ernest Okonkwo of the Department of Biochemistry, Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, for assisting with animal management and facility procurement. We are also grateful to Mr. Akanni T. Gbenga of the Department of Botany, Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, and Mr. Okoyomoh Christian of the Department of Histopathology, Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, for conducting the microscopic histological assessment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, 410001, Federal Republic of Nigeria

    Precious Adejoh Idakwoji, Daniel Emmanuel Ekpo, Parker Elijah Joshua, Obioma Uzoma Njoku & Okwesilieze Fred Chiletugo Nwodo

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kogi State University, PMB 1008, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

    Precious Adejoh Idakwoji

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, University of Mkar, Mkar, Benue State, Nigeria

    Okwesilieze Fred Chiletugo Nwodo

Authors
  1. Precious Adejoh Idakwoji
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Contributions

P.A. Idakwoji, P.E. Joshua, O.U. Njoku, and O.F.C. Nwodo were responsible for the conceptualization and design of the study. P.A. Idakwoji and D.E. Ekpo conducted the experiments. P.A. Idakwoji, D.E. Ekpo, and P.E. Joshua collected the data set, performed statistical analyses, and interpreted the data. D.E. Ekpo wrote the first manuscript draft and revised it critically for intellectual content. P.E. Joshua, O.U. Njoku, and O.F.C. Nwodo supervised the work. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Parker Elijah Joshua.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed involving the use of experimental animals in this study were in accordance with the International Guidelines for Handling of Laboratory Animals [12]. The Institutional Ethics and Biosafety Committee of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, with Ethics Committee Approval No.: UNN/FBS/EC/1037.

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Idakwoji, P.A., Ekpo, D.E., Joshua, P.E. et al. Ethanol extract of Tephrosia bracteolata leaves and its fractions ameliorates alloxan-induced diabetes and its associated complications in Wistar rat model. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries 41, 456–468 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-020-00900-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-020-00900-w

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