CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Plants have continued to be useful in traditional healthcare sector and the role of taxonomists in ethnobotanical studies cannot be overemphasized. In many African countries, especially in Nigeria, traditional medicine has been for centuries and is still the most affordable and accessible healthcare system. The local and international demand for medicinal plants is continuously growing, as well as the bio-prospecting activities searching for sources of new drugs (Schmelzer and Gurib, 2008). Overtime, related studies have been conducted on the subject area and numerous plant species have been documented to posses several medicinal values (Gills, 1992). According to Bussmann & Glenn (2011), traditional medicine is used globally and has a rapidly growing economic importance. WHO (2002) also reported that in developing countries, it is often the only accessible and affordable treatment available.
Cissampelos owariensis (P. Beauv) is a plant under the menispermaceae family, which comprises of about 450 species found in the Tropical region. It is a climber with twinning spindly hairy leaves and bears small flowers with green leaves. The English name is referred to as velvet leaf and it is known across West Africa by different names. The leaves are used widely for their healing properties; alone they are applied externally to abscess or in some form of preparation to abscess, scabies and sores (Bouquet and Debray, 1974; Watt and Breyerbrandwijk, 1962). When the leaves are crushed up, macerated or cooked, it can be taken internally for diarrhoea, to promote menstrual flow and for painful or irregular menses (Walker, 1953; Bouquet, 1969). The root is very bitter and has many medicinal uses. It aids infertility, assist in difficult pregnancy and prevent threatened miscarriage. The herbal preparation of this plant significantly increased body weight gain and decreased blood glucose when compared with patent drug (Ekeanyanwu et al., 2012). Previous phytochemical studies from the Cissampelos genus described the isolation and characterisation of isochrondrodendrine, berberine and cycleanine from the roots and leaves which are endowed with anti-malarial, anti- bacterial as well as phytotoxic agents (Southon and Buckingham, 1989). Also, the air- dried root of C. owariensis was successively extracted with n- hexane and 95% ethanol. The two extracts were chromatographed on a Florisil each to give owarienone and cissampelone respectively (Efiom et al., 2009).
1.2 Research Problem
Several changes in the physiological system are evident due to damages or repair caused by hyperglycemia. The lipid profile of a man is also prone to be affected in a hyperglycemic state (Liu, 2009). Recent studies have also revealed several factors responsible for the changes in the lipid profile (Liu, 2009). Cissampelos oweriensis extract have proved to have several medicinal properties which are beneficial to health (Ganguly et al., 2007), however its effect on male lipid profile in a hyperglycemic state remains unclear due to limitations. This study wishes to assess the effects of Cissampelos owariensis on lipid profile in alloxan induced diabetes in wistar rats.
1.3 Aim and Objective of the Study
To evaluate the effect of Cisampelos owariensis extract on lipid profile in alloxan induced diabetes in wistar rats.
- 1.4 Specific Objectives of the Study
- To investigate the effects of Cissampelos owariensis extract on high density lipoprotein (HDL) in alloxan induced diabetes in wistar rats
- To investigate the effects of Cissampelos owariensis extract on low density lipoprotein (LDL) in alloxan induced diabetes in wistar rats
- To investigate the effects of Cissampelos owariensis extract on total cholesterol (TC) in alloxan induced diabetes in wistar rats
- To investigate the effects of Cissampelos owariensis extract on very low density cholesterol (VLDL) in alloxan induced diabetes in wistar rats
1.5 Justification of the Study
Cissampelos owariensis have been reported to have a wide range of several pyhtochemical properties which are beneficial to health although the effects on lipid profile is still unclear due to the fact that only few literatures have attempted to report its effect on lipid profile.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The significance of this study lies in its attempt to identify the effect of Cissampelos owariensis on lipid profile in alloxan induced diabetes in wistar rats. A critical look into the effects will likely present a more practical perspective thereby reducing conflicts of interest and ignorance to an acceptable level. Subsequently, this research hopes to serve as a reference not only medical inclined personel but also to scholars and students who might be interested in researching the area.
1.7 Scope of Study
This research was carried out in the animal house of Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Delta state University, Abraka
This study will be conducted using animal models. Specifically, adult female wistar rats will be used to determine the different variables of the study because rat models allows researchers to investigate the etiological, physiological and biochemical effects which correlates with that of human after subjecting the animal models to standard conditions.