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Browsing Research Articles by Subject "Acalypha inferno"

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    Aqueous ethanolic extract of Acalypha inferno accelerates the clearance of glucose in normoglycaemic rats
    (The Pharma Innovation Journal, 2018-01) Larbie, Christopher; Oduro, Juliana; Tofah, Jesse John
    Glucose tolerance refers to the body’s ability to metabolise glucose within a stipulated time interval. Failure of the body to use glucose results in hyperglycaemia and progressively to diabetes. Acalypha inferno (family Euphorbiaceae) is an ornamental plant found widely in the tropics of Africa and known for its phytoremediating properties. The study was aimed at investigating the effects of aqueous ethanolic extract of Acalypha inferno on oral glucose tolerance in normoglycaemic rats. A 50% hydro-ethanolic extract of the leaves was prepared, and the oral glucose tolerance effect of the plant assessed for 14 days in normoglycaemic rats at doses of 100mg, 250mg and 500mg/kg body weight. Glibenclamide (10mg/kg) was used as a standard drug. The effect of treatment on body weight, OGTT at day 7 and 14, lipid profile and kidney function were assessed. On day 7, FBG level increased from 4.93±0.29mmol/l to 25.03±0.93mmol/l after 1 hour and 17.53±4.50mmol/l after 3 hours in normal group. Extract and drug treated groups prevented such increases at all doses (p<0.001). FBG levels were restored to basal levels after 8 hours. Total cholesterol increased in the 250 mg group with a significant increase in LDL levels in the 100mg, 250mg and 500mg group compared to the normal. There was no significant difference in relative kidney weight, urea and creatinine levels. The hydro-ethanolic extract of Acalypha inferno possesses glucose tolerance abilities in normoglycaemic rats.
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    AQUEOUS ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ACALYPHA INFERNO LEAVES IS SAFE IN ANIMALS
    (International Journal of Phamaceutical Sciences and Research, 2018-06) Larbie, Christopher; Nyarko, H. N.; Tofah, J. J.; Torkornoo, D.
    Acalypha inferno(AI) is a well-known ornamental plant, presently with no known documentation concerning its therapeutic use and safety profile. However, other plants of the same genus, Acalypha, have been reported to have various uses ranging from food to medicine with their related adverse effects. This study therefore focused on the acute and subchronic toxicity effects of aqueous ethanolic leaf extract of Acalypha inferno leaves (AIE) in animals. The acute toxicity study was performed using the fixed dose method. In the subchronic assessment, both male and female rats were separately administered with AIE at doses of 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg twice daily for 28 days. Change in body weight, relative organ weight, haematological parameters and biochemical parameters were recorded and analysed. In the acute toxicity study, no deleterious effect was observed up to 5000 mg/kg, hence the LD50≥5000 mg/kg. In the subchronic toxicity study, significant increase in weight was observed at all doses in male rats whilst a significant decrease was observed only at 500 mg/kg in female rats. A significant increase in weight of uterus was also observed at 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg. Decreased levels of ALT, AST, creatinine, WBC and P-LCR were observed, whereas increasing levels of FBG, platelet count and total bilirubin were observed in male rats at high doses. AIE produced no significant adverse effects and could therefore be considered safe with controlled use.