Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major worldwide health burden that requires research into cost-effective treatment alternatives. It has been claimed that herbal medicines, have improved glucose metabolism in diabetics. It has been showed that several plant extracts are useful in preserving glucose homeostasis. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical and antidiabetic activities of Bombax buonopozense methanol leaf extracts. Standard methods were used for the identification of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, phenolics, cardiacglycosides and steroids. The enzyme inhibitory activities of the extracts of B. buonopozense was evaluated on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The crude leaf extract of B. buonopozense exhibited a more effective inhibition on α-glucosidase with IC50 (Half maximal inhibitory concentration) values 888.20±35.06 μg/mL when compared to control (ascorbic acid) with values 1076±2.77 μg/mL. Fractions of ethyl acetate showed lower inhibitory property of alpha glucosidase with IC50 value 18.44±2.63 μg/mL compared to the control (ascorbic acid with IC50 value 16325±1318 μg/mL). This study showed the scientific basis for the traditional therapeutic usage of B. buonopozense by proven its antidiabetic activity in vitro. This is the first time that B. buonopozense’s antidiabetic efficacy and possible mechanisms have been documented.
This study seeks to use the leaf architecture as a taxonomic tool for members of the genus Basella Linn. in Nigeria, namely, B. rubra Linn., B. alba Linn., B. cordifolia Lamk. and a form, B. alba round because the taxonomy of the genus Basella Linn. is not clear and there is no information on the leaf architecture of the genus. For studies of the venation pattern of the leaves, sizeable portions were taken from the standard median portion of mature leaves. Cleared leaves were stored in 50% alcohol for anatomical studies. Leaves were stained in Safranin O for 3 minutes and counterstained in Alcian blue and then were rinsed in water to remove excess stain. Stained cleared leaves were treated in serial grades of alcohol for differentiation and dehydration. Stained materials were mounted in dilute glycerol for microscopic examination. Photomicrographs were taken with the aid of 3013 ACCU-SCOPE Trinocular Microscope with Digital Camera. The areolar area was calculated from the length and breadth of the areoles measured using a micrometer inserted into the microscope eyepiece. Basella species have common generic features. Areoles are closed in B. rubra but others have veinlet endings. The area of areole is diagnostic because in B. rubra the area is 305,370±1808.91 μm2; B. alba is 501,796.75±3217.38 μm2, B. cordifolia’s area of areole is 396,394.75±2670.67 μm2 while that of B. alba round is 540,058.75±3702.28 μm2. The arrangement of druses in the areoles is also diagnostic.
The vegetative anatomy of five domesticated species of the genus Cucurbita L. found in South Western Nigeria was studied. The aim was to establish some useful diagnostic features that may be employed in combination with other characters as intra or inter-specific or generic tools for their delimitation. The study revealed exciting features that are helpful in the identification of each species. The genus can be divided into three groups based on the shape of the midrib. Those with a U-shape are C. pepo, C. argyrosperma and C. ficifolia. C. maximum has a round/flat shape while C. moschata has V shape. Those with a U-shape can further be classed into those with a wide and narrow neck. C. argyrosperma has narrow neck with two vascular bundles, four layers of palisade tissues and 6 layers of abaxial epidermis. C. pepo has a wide neck with three bicollateral bundles and two layers of palisade tissues while C. ficifolia has two bundles and three layers of palisade tissues. Overlaps and similarities in the number of vascular bundles, and layers of tissues showed generic affinity among the members.
Pterocarpus species are well known for their nutritional and medicinal values, in order to examine the similarities or differences in the chemical profile of some common Pterocarpus species, four species of the genus namely; Pterocarpus erinaceus, P. mildbraedii, P. osun and P. santalinoides were analyzed using HPLC combined with Principal component analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). This study aims to investigate the chemical fingerprints of the species and compare them in order to highlight the similarities in their chemical constituents. The ethanol extract of each sample was taken and filtered through a 0.45 μm millipore membrane filter and then transferred into the HPLC vial before injecting it into the HPLC machine. PCA and HCA were performed on the relative retention times and percentage peak composition. The species were chemically similar with nine (9) peaks in common, the most prominent peaks in all samples appeared at 3.26 min which corresponds to gallic acid (a known compound). Cluster analysis revealed some similar chemical variables with Gallic acid being the major compound in the Pterocarpus species and could be used as a marker compound for taxonomic purposes.
A comparative study of leaf epidermal features of selected species of the family Sapindaceae in Nigeria was undertaken with a view to obtain additional characters for the elucidation of taxonomic relationships, delimiting species and identification of the taxa. The epidermises were separated from the mesophyll by soaking in concentrated Nitric acid. Bubble appearance on the surfaces of the leaves indicated their readiness for separation. They were then rinsed in water thrice before the layers were separated with the aid of forceps and Camel hair brush, stained with Safranin O. It was then mounted in 25% glycerol on clean glass slides, covered with cover slips. The micro morphological characters of leaf were more or less uniform in all taxa in the family. The adaxial cuticle was striated in most species. The polygonal epidermal cells with straight anticlinal walls on the adaxial surface of Cardiosermum halicacabum separated it from the other species with irregular shaped epidermal cells. Undulated anticlinal walls were observed on both surfaces. The leaves were hypostomatic in most species except in C. halicacabum where amphistomaty was observed. Stomata types included anomocytic, tetracytic and staurocytic but the anomocytic stomata were the most predominant.
