Project Materials

THE EFFECT OF MEZONEURON BENTHAMIANUM ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS ON FASTING BLOOD SUGAR IN ADULT MALE WISTAR RATS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Nowadays, ethnobotany and ethnomedical research are acknowledged as the most effective ways to find novel therapeutic plants or to refocus on those that have already been identified for their bioactive components (Farnsworth, 1966).

Compounds found in plants that are seen to be effective and often prescribed may be therapeutic candidates, and they may be appropriately recommended for additional research.

The medicinal woody climber Mezoneuron benthamianum Baill. (Caesalpinoideae) has a black stem with recurrent thorns. Another name for it is “tiger’s claw.” In traditional medicine, the leaves and roots are significant medicinal components. When young, the leaves are vivid red, and as they age, they turn dark green. There are recurring thorns on the black stem.

The root is brown and hard while the shrubs are branched and its stem is a woody climber of up to 8 meters in height. From Senegal to Nigeria, M. benthamianum is found in the waste areas of savannah forests and deciduous secondary jungles. In Yoruba territory in Nigeria, the plant is known locally as “amuranju” or “jenifiran” (Mathema et al., 2011).

Allium ascalonicum, often known as red onion or shallot, is a member of the Alliaceae family and is frequently used in Asian cooking. It was well renowned for its therapeutic qualities as a remedy for common colds.

because it contains a lot of flavonoids, such as the powerful antioxidant quercetin (Griffiths et al., 2002). This compound has been shown to increase blood testosterone and sperm quality in diabetic rats (Khaki et al., 2009), prevent nitric oxide from increasing in rats treated with streptozotocin (STZ) (Coskum et al., 2005), and protect against oxidative stress caused by spontaneous hypertension (Duarte et al., 2001).

Allium ascalonicum Linn. (Liliaceae), popularly called shallot and spring onion, is an annual herbaceous plant extensively found in Nigeria. Alubosa-elewe, Albasa, and Maigo are the native names for the plant, which is commonly used to flavour meals.

Ethnobotanical survey conducted among traditional medicine practitioners, who engage in herbalism, in Mushin region of Lagos State, Nigeria, demonstrated wide application of A. ascalonicum in the treatment of CNS associated illnesses.

Extraction, as the term is used pharmaceutically, involves the separation of medicinally active portions of plant or animal tissues from the inactive or inert components by using selective solvents in standard extraction procedures.

These plant-based products are comparatively impure liquids, semisolids, or powders that are only meant to be applied topically or taken orally.

Decoctions, infusions, fluid extracts, tinctures, pilular (semisolid) extracts, and powdered extracts are some of the preparation classes that fall under this category. In order to successfully identify biologically active chemicals from plant material, the extraction process’s solvent type is crucial.

Low toxicity, ease of evaporation at low heat, quick physiologic absorption of the extract, preservation activity, and the inability to cause the extract to complex or dissociate are all characteristics of a good solvent in plant extractions. Ethanol and water are typically utilised.

Scientists, food producers, manufacturers, and consumers have become more interested in phytochemicals and antioxidant elements found in plant material because of their potential to support human health (Milner, 1999).

Numerous epidemiological studies indicate that diets high in antioxidants and phytochemicals have a preventive effect against both disease and health.

A lower risk of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and stroke is linked to regular eating of fruits and vegetables (Wolfe & Liu, 2003). Phytochemicals are bioactive compounds found in plants that have been linked to preventing chronic degenerative diseases in humans.

When added to food, antioxidants help prevent and delay lipid oxidation, reduce rancidity, delay the production of harmful oxidation products, preserve nutritional value, and lengthen shelf life.

Polyphenols, carotenoids, and the conventional antioxidant vitamins C and E are the main phytochemical groups that may contribute to the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of plant diets.

However, phytochemicals that can improve consumers’ health are not limited to vitamins. Additional research is necessary to fully understand the potential health benefits of other phytochemicals found in plant foods.

Although these phytochemicals may only be found in trace amounts, they could have a significant impact on consumers’ health.