Phytochemical Constituents, Free Radical Scavenging Properties and Antidiabetic Potentials of Methanol Extract of the Stem (bark) of Alstonia boonei on Alloxan- Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Phytochemical Constituents, Free Radical Scavenging Properties and Antidiabetic Potentials of Methanol Extract of the Stem (bark) of Alstonia boonei on Alloxan- Induced Diabetic Albino Rats.

Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate the phytochemical constituents of  the methanol extract of the stem (bark) of Alstonia boonei (MEAB), in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract and its possible antidiabetic and antioxidant potential using alloxan- induced diabetic rats as model.

The qualitative analysis of the  extract showed a wide range of phytochemicals, which could be physiologically  potent  in  ameliorating several diseases.

Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract contains relatively high concentration on tannin (7.375±0.005mg/100g), flavonoid (6.176±0.003 mg/100g) and phenols (5.867±0.003 mg/100g).

The quantitative result of antioxidant vitamins shows that vitamin C was highest (24.91±0.005mg/100g) compared to vitamin A (1.314±0.002µg/g) and vitamin E (0.886±0.002mg/100g).

The methanol extract of Alstonia boonei scavenged 1, 1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH.) in  a concentration dependent manner  with  a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.7066, indicating antioxidant activity with effective concentration that inhibits 50 percent of the radicals (EC50) of 12.33 ± 0.2µg/ml compared to ascorbic acid standard EC50 of 98 ± 0.02µg/ml.

The superoxide radical scavenging activity was concentration-dependent with an EC50 of 7.03±0.42µg/ml compared  with ascorbic  acid  and  rutin standards with EC50  of 812.97±0.97µg/ml and 3.47  ± 0.6µg/ml respectively.

The extract  also  showed  hydroxyl  radical   scavenging activity with an EC50 of 42.75±0.02µg/ml compared to α- tocophenol standard with EC50 of 232.31 ± 6.97µg/ml.

The nitric  oxide radical scavenging activity shows  that  the extract scavenged nitric oxide radical in a concentration dependent manner with 500µg/ml being more effective than 500µg/ml of ascorbic acid standard.

There was a significant increase (P > 0.05) in the serum glucose level in group  2  (diabetic untreated) compared to group 1 (normal control). Significant decrease (P < 0.05) in glucose serum concentration was recorded in  all  groups treated with the extract  and  the standard drug compared to group 2 (diabetic untreated) .

There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in urea, creatinine, sodium ion and chloride ion concentrations of group 2 (diabetic untreated) compared to group 1 (normal  control).

Significant decrease (P < 0.05) in urea, creatinine,  sodium  ion and  chloride ion concentrations  was recorded in all groups treated with the methanol extract and the  standard drug(group 3 to 6) compared to group 2 (diabetic untreated).

There was no significant increase (P > 0.05) in potassium ion concentration of group 2 when compared with group 1.

There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the serum concentration of Aspartate aminotransferase, (AST), Alanine aminotransferase, (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase, (ALP) of group 2 (diabetic untreated) when compared with group 1 and significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in all groups treated with the extract and  standard  drugs when compared to group 2.

Serum superoxide and catalase activities were significantly (P < 0.5) reduced in group 2 (diabetic untreated) when compared to the normal control. Serum superoxide and catalase activities increased significantly (P < 0.05) in all groups treated with the extract and standard  drugs  when  compared  to group 2 (diabetic untreated).

There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of group 2 (diabetic untreated) and a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in all groups treated with the extract and the standard drug compare to group 2.

These results suggest that methanol extract  of the  stem (bark) of Alstonia boonei (MEAB), possesses and antidiadetic and antioxidant potentials.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
List of Tables xii
List of Figures xiii
List of Plates xv
List of Abbreviations xvi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Alstonia boonei 2
1.1.1 Morphology of Alstonia boonei 2
1.1.2 Classification of Alstonia boonei 2
1.1.3 Uses of Alstonia boonei 6
1.2 Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) 6
1.2.1 Superoxide Radical 7
1.2.2 Hydroxyl Radical 8
1.2.3 Nitric Oxide 8
1.3 Diabetes: Definition and Types 9
1.3.1 Complications of Diabetes 9
1.3.2 Oxidative Stress and Diabetic Complications 10
1.4 Phytochemicals 14
1.5 Aim and Objectives 15
1.5.1 Aim of the Study 15
1.5.2 Specific Objective of the Study 15

CHAPTER TWO: MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Materials 16
2.1.1 Plant Material 16
2.1.2 Equipment 16
2.1.3 Chemicals/ Reagents 16
2.1.4 Animals 17
2.2 Methods 17
2.2.1 Experimental Design 17
2.2.2 Collection of Plant Material 17
2.2.3 Preparation of Plant Material 18
2.2.4 Induction of Diabetes 18
2.2.5 Determination of Median Lethal Dose (LD50) 18
2.2.6 Determination of Hypoglycemic Potentials of the Extract 18
2.2.7 Serum Glucose Concentration 19
2.2.8 Blood Collection 19
2.2.9 Qualitative Phytochemical Screening 19
2.2.9.1 Test for Carbohydrate 20
2.2.9.2 Test for Reducing Sugar 20
2.2.9.3 Test for Terpenoids 20
2.2.9.4 Test for Saponin 20
2.2.9.5 Test for Flavonoids 20
2.2.9.6 Test for Alkaloids 20
2.2.9.7 Test for Glycosides 21
2.2.9.8 Test for Tannins 21
2.2.9.9 Test for Steroids 21
2.2.9.10 Test for Hydrogen Cyanide 21
2.2.9.11 Test for Phenols 22
2.2.10 Quantitative Determination of Phytochemical Constituents 22
2.2.10.1 Determination of Carbohydrate Content 22
2.2.10.2 Determination of Hydrogen Cyanide Content 22
2.2.10.3 Determination of Saponin Content 22
2.2.10.4 Determination of Alkaloid Content 22
2.2.10.5 Determination of Tannin Content 23
2.2.10.6 Determination of Glycoside Content 23
2.2.10.7 Determination of Phenol Content 23
2.2.10.8 Determination of Flavonoid Content 23
2.2.10.9 Determination of Steroid Content 23
2.2.11 Quantitative Determination of Anti-Oxidant Vitamins 24
2.2.11.1 Determination of Vitamin C 24
2.2.11.2 Determination of Vitamin A 24
2.2.11.3 Determination of Vitamin E 24
2.2.12 Determination of Free Radical Scavenging Activity 25
2.2.12.1 Quantitative DPPH Radical-Scavenging Assay 25
2.2.12.2 Hydroxyl Radical (.OH) Scavenging Assay 25
2.2.12.3 Superoxide (O2 .-) Scavenging Assay 26
2.2.12.4 Nitric Oxide Radical (NO.) Scavenging Assay 26
2.2.13 Biochemical Parameters 27
2.2.13.1 Determination of Urea Concentration 27
2.2.13.2 Determination of Creatinine Concentration 27
2.2.13.3 Determination of Sodium Ion (Na+) Concentration 28
2.2.13.4 Determination of Potassium Ion (K+) Concentration 29
2.2.13.5 Determination of Chloride Ion (Cl-) Concentration 30
2.2.13.6 Assay for Serum Alanine Aminotransferases (ALT) Activity 31
2.2.13.7 Assay for Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Activity 32
2.2.13.8 Assay for Serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Activity 34
2.2.13.9 Determination of Lipid Peroxidation (Malondialdehyde) level 35
2.2.13.10 Assay for Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity 36
2.2.13.11Assay for Catalase activity 37
2.2.14 Histopathology 38
2.3 Statistical Analysis 38

CHAPTER THREE: RESULTS

3.1 The Acute Toxicity Test of the Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 39
3.2 Qualitative Phytochemical Composition of Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 41
3.3 Quantitative Phytochemical Composition of the Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 43
3.4 Quantitative Antioxidant Vitamins Composition of the Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 45
3.5 Quantitative DPPH. Radical Scavenging Activity of the Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 47
3.6 Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity of the Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 49
3.7 Superoxide Radical Scavenging Activity of the Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 51
3.8 Nitric Oxide Radical Scavenging Activity of the Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 53
3.9 Mean Fasting Blood Glucose Concentration of Diabetic Rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 55
3.10 Mean Serum Urea Concentration of Diabetic Rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 57
3.11 Effect of Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei on the Serum Creatinine Concentration of Diabetic Rats 59
3.12 Mean Serum Sodium ion Concentration of Diabetic Rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 61
3.13 The Mean Serum Potassium ion Concentration of Diabetic Rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 63
3.14 The Mean Serum Chloride ion Concentration of Diabetic Rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei
65
3.15 The Mean Serum Alanine Aminotranferase Activity of Diabetic rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 67
3.16 The Mean Serum Aspartate Aminotranferase Activity of Diabetic Rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 69
3.17 The Mean Serum Alkaline Phosphatase Activity of Diabetic Rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 71
3.18 The Mean Serum Malondialdehyde Concentration of Diabetic Rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 73
3.19 The Mean Serum Superoxide Dismutase Activity of Diabetic Rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 75
3.20 The Mean Serum Catalase Activity of Diabetic Rats Treated with Methanol Extract of Alstonia boonei 77
3.21 Histological Photomicrograph of the Pancreas from the Experimental Rats 79
3.22 Histological Photomicrograph of the Kidney from the Experimental Rats 81

CHAPTER FOUR: DISCUSSION

4.1 Discussion 83
4.2 Conclusion 87
4.3 Suggestions for Further Study 87
REFERENCES 88
APPENDICES 99

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes is one of the most challenging health problems in the twenty first century (Rahman et al., 2009). Diabetes currently afflicts 171  million  people worldwide (Boden and Taggart, 2009).

Normal non-diabetic patients maintain plasma glucose <100 mgdl in the fasting and <135 postprandial period (rossetti  et al., 2008).

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both (American Diabetes Association, 2009a).

Diabetes mellitus is  classified  as  type  1, type 2, with other specific examples and gestational diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2008).

Type 1 diabetes is known as insulin dependent diabetes or Juvenile-onset diabetes and type 2 diabetes is known  as  non-insulin  dependent  or adult onset diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2009b).

A slowly progressive form of type 1 diabetes was acknowledged as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) by the World Health Organization (WHO) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) (Van Deutekom  et  al.,  2008).

Classification schemes define  type 1 diabetes as a state of absolute insulin deficiency and type 2 as a state of insulin resistance combined with inadequate insulin secretion (Greenbaum et al., 2009).

Type  1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where auto reactive immune cells attack insulin producing β-cells, destroying insulin reserve leading to hyperglycemia (Eldor et al., 2009).

The rate of loss of β-cell function is affected by factors like age at diagnosis, degree of metabolic control, immune status, genetics and marked inter-individual variation (Palmer, 2009).

REFERENCES

Abbiw, D. (1990). Useful Plants of Ghana: West African Uses of Wild and Cultivated Plants. Kew, London: Intermediate  Technology  Publications,  Royal  Botanical Garden. Pp 126-128.

Adotey, K. J. Adukpo, G. E.,  Boahen, Y. O.  and  Armah, F. A .  (2012). A review of the       ethnobotany and pharmacological importance of alstonia boonei de wild (apocynaceae). ISRN Pharmacology, Published online 2012 July 30. doi: 10.5402/2012/587160.

Aebi, H.E. (1983). Catalase. In: Methods of Enzymatic  Analysis.  3rd  Edn.  (Bergmeyer, H.U. Edn.) Weinheim Deefield Beach, F. L. pp 273-285.

Agardh, C. D., Cilioabc, C. M., Lethagenab, A., Lynchab, K., Leslied, R.D ., Palmere, M.,  Harrisf, R. A., Robertsong,  J.  A.  and  Lernmarkab,  A.  (2009).  Clinical   evidence for the  safety   of   GAD65   immunomodulation   in   adult-onset  autoimmune diabetes, Journal         of Diabetes and its Complications, 19: 238-246.

Akinloye, O.A., Oshilaja, R.T., Okelanfa O.A., Akinloye, D.I  and  Idowu,  M.O. (2013). Hypoglyceamic activity of Alstonia boonei stem bark extract in mice, Agriculture and         Biological Journal of Northern America, 4(1): 1-5.

Al-Musa, H. and AL-Hashem, F. (2014). Hypoglycemic, hepato-renal and antioxidant potential    effects    of    chamomile    recutita    flowers  ethanolic   extract  in streptozotocin diabetic rats. American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 9: 1- 12.

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