ABSTRACT
Andrographis paniculata Nees, a multipurpose tropical plant is believed to have many medicinal properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate proximate and phytochemical compositions of Andrographis paniculata and its effect on plasma lipid profile, blood glucose concentration as well as body weight changes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The methods used for proximate and phytochemical analyses were the standard method of Bradsheet, 2010 as recommended by the association of official analytical chemistry (AOAC, 2010). Thirty-two healthy Wistar rats (female) (180-200 g) were used for this study. The acute toxicity test (LD50) was determined using a modified version of the method proposed by Lorke (1983). Diabetes mellitus was induced in the experimental animals with single intramuscular injection of alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 120.0 mg/kg body weight. Estimation of serum lipid profiles were done by GPO-PAP method (Randox kits based on standard method). The fasting blood glucose was determined by glucose oxidase method of Trinder (1969), using automatic glucose analyzer (Fine test Auto-codingTM Premium, Infopia, Korea). The body weight of each rat was assessed using a sensitive balance during the acclimatization period, once before commencement of treatment, once weekly during the treatment period and once on the day of sacrifice. The plant extract was revealed to be a good source of nutrients and phytochemicals, though greater phytochemical contents were found in ethanol extract as compared to aqueous extract. The percentage concentration of the ethanol extract of phytochemicals were alkaloids (2.5 ± 0.1 %), glycosides (2.54 ± 0.01 %), saponins (3.2 ± 0.01 %), tannins ( 0.32 ± 0.02 %), flavonoids (4.5 ± 0.1 %), reducing compounds (4.58 ± 0.01 %) and polyphenols ( 3.87 ± 0.01 %) respectively. Also, the concentration of the proximate parameters present were moisture (84.36 ± 0.02 %), ash (2.90 ± 0.1 %), protein (4.70 ± 0.1 %), fat (0.82 ± 0.02 %), fibre (1.84± 0.01 %) and carbohydrate (89.50 ± 0.01 %) respectively. The results of serum lipid profile (low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC)) and blood glucose concentration of rats treated with 4mg/kg glimepiride and 400-600 mg/kg/day leaf extract of the Andrographispaniculata for 7 days showed that the plant has a serum lipid lowering and blood glucose effects. The study also revealed that there was body weight gain in rats treated with both 4mg/kg glimepiride and 400-600 mg/kg/day of the Andrographispaniculata when compared with untreated diabetic rats. The findings conclude that Andrographispaniculata is a potential anti-hyperglycaemic and lipid lowering herb; this findings support the traditional use of the plant for the management of many ailments including of hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus.
Key words: Andrographispaniculata, alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus, lipid profile, rats
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE i
CERTIFICATION ii
DECLARATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv
ABSTRACT v
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES x
LIST OF FIGURES ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
- Background of the study 1
- Statement of problem 4
- Aim of the study 5
- Objectives of the study 5
- Justification /Significance of study 6
- Scope of the study 7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Botanical description of Andrographis paniculata 8
2.1.1 Botanical Classification of Andrographis paniculata 82.1.2 Distribution of Andrographis paniculata 92.1.3 Phytochemical constituents of Andrographis paniculate 92.1.4 Traditional uses of Andrographispaniculata 10
2.1.5 Pharmacological activity of Andrographispaniculata 11
2.2 Diabetes mellitus 20
2.2.1 Types of Diabetes 21
2.2.2 Factors causing diabetes 23
2.2.3 Management of diabetes mellitus 25
2.3 Lipid Profile 27
2.3.1 High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) 28
2.3.2 Total Cholesterol (TC) 28
2.3.3 Triacylglycerol (TG) 29
2.3.4 Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) 29
2.3.5 Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) 30
CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHOD
3. 3.1 Materials 31
3.1.1 Equipment used 31
3.1.2 Reagents used 31
3.1.3 Collection and identification of plant samples 32
3.2 Methods 32
3.2.1 Extraction Method 32
3.2.2 Proximate analysis of Andrographis paniculata leaves extract 32
3.2.3 Phytochemical analysis of Andrographis paniculata leaves extract 36
3.2.4 Experimental animals 41
3.3 Animal sacrifice and sample collection 41
3.3.1 Blood collection 41
3.4 Biochemical Assay 41
3.4.1 Estimation of lipid profile 41
3.4.2 Blood glucose determination 44
3.5 Determination of body weight changes 44
3.6 Statistical analysis 44
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
4.1 Phytochemical composition of ethanol and aqueous leaves extracts of
Andrographis paniculata (AP) 46
4.2 Phytochemical composition of ethanol and aqueous leaves
extracts of Andrographis paniculata 46
4.3 Proximate analysis of leaves of Andrographis paniculata 49
4.4 Acute toxicity of leaves of Andrographis paniculata 49
4.5 Blood glucose 52
4.6 Lipid profile 54
4.7 Body weight changes 56
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Discussion 58
5.2 Summary 63
5.3 Conclusion 64
5.4 Recommendation 65
- Contribution to knowledge 65
REFERENCES 66