Morphological changes in the pancreas and glucose reduction of the aqueous extract of Costus afer leaf on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Protective Effect of Costus afer Aqueous Leaf Extract (CALE) on Low-Dose Heavy Metal Mixture-Induced Alterations in Serum Lipid Profile and Hematological Parameters of Male Wistar Albino Rats

The present work investigated the protective effects of Costus afer Ker Gawl. aqueous leaf extract (CALE) on lipid profile and hematological changes induced by exposure to low-dose heavy metal mixture in male albino rats. The experimental animals were divided into six weight matched groups. The normal (group 1) and toxic (group 2) controls received deionized water and metal mixture (20 mg/kg PbCl₂, 1.61 mg/kg CdCl₂, and 0.40 mg/kg HgCl₂), respectively. Test rats in groups 3, 4, and 5 were treated with metal mixture and CALE (750, 1500, and 2250 mg/kg, respectively), and group 6 received metal mixture and ZnCl₂. All treatments were administered through oral gavage for 12 weeks. LDHMM caused a marked increase (p < 0.05) in cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), percentage body weight gain, and feed and fluid intake. Also, a significant decrease in RBC, Hb, and PCV, a significant increase in WBC, and no significant increase in platelet PLT were observed in the metal mixture-treated group. But in CALE treated groups, their levels were found to attain almost normal values as found in normal control which is also similar to the zinc-treated group. Costus afer may hold a promise in improving lipid profile and hemodynamic picture in cardiovascular diseases.

Low-dose heavy metal mixture (lead, cadmium and mercury)-induced testicular injury and protective effect of zinc and Costus afer in wistar albino rats

The study evaluated the protective effect of Costus afer on low-dose heavy metal mixture (LDHMM)-mediated effects in the testis of albino rats. The weight-matched animals were divided into six groups: normal control, metal mixture of (PbCl₂  + CdCl₂ + HgCl₂ ), combination of metal mixture + Costus afer at 750 mg/kg, combination of metal mixture + Costus afer at 1,500 mg/kg, combination of metal mixture + Costus afer at 2,250 mg/kg and combination of metal mixture + (ZnCl₂ ). LDHMM reduced (p < .05) the antioxidant biomarkers (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; and glutathione, GSH) and increased (p < .05) the lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde, MDA) and lead, cadmium and mercury concentrations in the testis. Treatment with LDHMM increased (p < .05) abnormal sperm morphology and plasma prolactin (PRL) level and decreased epididymal sperm count, viability, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and testosterone. LDHMM exposure caused deleterious changes in the testis. Treatment of rats with Costus afer (750, 1,500 and 2,250 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced (p < .05) the LDHMM-mediated toxicity. Treatment with Costus afer also reversed the testicular weight and LDHMM decrease in antioxidant biomarkers. Costus afer may be a defensive modulator of LDHMM-mediated testicular lesions.

Early ultra- and microstructural alterations in rat pancreas in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus

An adequate experimental model is important to understand pathophysiological processes ongoing in the pancreas with diabetes mellitus. Our study was aimed to describe early ultra- and microstructural changes in the rat pancreas in 12-48 h after alloxan administration in a dose of 180 mg/kg. A histopathological examination of the endocrine pancreas revealed the loss of borders between endocrine cells, granular dystrophy and degranulation, sings of necrosis in central cells of the Langerhans islets and apoptosis of their peripheral ones manifested as DNA fragmentation and an increased expression of apoptosis markers. There was a gradual increase of a Langerhans islet area, a decreased percentage of insulin+ cells and an increased one of glucagon+ cells, as well as the presence of proliferating islet cells were found. Structural changes of the exocrine pancreas included fatty degeneration, signs of exocrine cell mitochondrial damage, increased acini, which are located mainly around the Langerhans islets, as well as perivascular edema and leukocytic infiltration. Described ultra- and microstructural alterations suggest a significant contribution of apoptosis to death of endocrine cells exposed to alloxan. Coexisting damage of the exocrine pancreas with its stroma involvement is for the first time described.

Costus afer: A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Data in support of Its Medicinal Relevance

Costus afer (C. afer) is a plant commonly known as ginger lily, spiral ginger, or bush cane. It is reportedly used in traditional medicine practice (TMP) to treat and manage many ailments including diabetes mellitus, stomach ache, arthritis, inflammation, and gout. These purported ethnomedicinal uses have triggered many research studies on the plant to amass scientific evidence. However, these research reports are scattered, and thus, this systematic review seeks to provide a comprehensive update on it covering its traditional uses, phytochemical and nutritional constituents, pharmacological activities, and toxicological effects. An online search was done using search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect from the period 1970 to 2019. The online search included the use of keywords, "Costus afer Ker-Gawl" or "Costus afer." The search revealed that the stem and leaves of the plant contain substantial amounts of micronutrients and macronutrients. The leaves, stem, rhizomes, and roots of C. afer contain several steroidal sapogenins, aferosides, dioscin, and paryphyllin C and flavonoid glycoside kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside. Experimental studies on various parts of the plant showed bioactivities such as antihyperglycemic, hepatocellular protection, cardioprotection, nephroprotection, testicular protection, CNS depressant, analgesic, antiarthritis, antibacterial, and antioxidant. Based on these evident data, it is concluded that the plant could be used as an alternative and complementary therapy for many oxidative stress-related diseases, provided further scientific studies on the toxicological and pharmacological aspects are carried out.

Phytomedicines Used for Diabetes Mellitus in Ghana: A Systematic Search and Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence

BACKGROUND

Available data indicate that diabetes mellitus leads to elevated cost of healthcare. This imposes a huge economic burden on households, societies, and nations. As a result many Ghanaians, especially rural folks, resort to the use of phytomedicine, which is relatively less expensive. This paper aims at obtaining information on plants used in Ghana to treat diabetes mellitus, gather and present evidence-based data available to support their uses and their mechanisms of action, and identify areas for future research.

METHOD

A catalogue of published textbooks, monographs, theses, and peer-reviewed articles of plants used in Ghanaian traditional medicine between 1987 and July 2018 for managing diabetes mellitus was obtained and used.

RESULTS

The review identified 76 plant species belonging to 45 families that are used to manage diabetes mellitus. Leaves were the part of the plants frequently used for most preparation (63.8%) and were mostly used as decoctions. Majority of the plants belonged to the Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Apocynaceae families. Pharmacological data were available on 23 species that have undergone in vitro studies. Forty species have been studied using in vivo animal models. Only twelve plants and their bioactive compounds were found with data on both preclinical and clinical studies. The records further indicate that medicinal plants showing antidiabetic effects did so via biochemical mechanisms such as restitution of pancreatic β-cell function, improvement in insulin sensitivity by receptors, stimulating rate of insulin secretion, inhibition of liver gluconeogenesis, enhanced glucose absorption, and inhibition of G-6-Pase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase activities.

CONCLUSION

This review contains information on medicinal plants used to manage diabetes mellitus, including their pharmacological properties and mechanisms of action as well as models used to investigate them. It also provides gaps that can form the basis for further investigations and development into useful medications for effective treatment of diabetes mellitus.