title: Croton membranaceus Improves Some Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes in Genetic Animal Models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for 17.3 million deaths per year globally. In Ghana, CVD accounts for 22.2% of deaths. Croton membranaceus (CM) Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), a medicinal plant in Ghana is mainly used traditionally for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and measles. However, some hypoglycaemic and hypotensive effects have recently been reported but not scientifically examined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed at establishing whether Croton membranaceus (CM) used for prostatitis had any effect on CVD markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In experiment 1, lipid profile changes were determined. Twenty four male Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) were divided into 4 groups. Low (LD), intermediate (ID) and high dose (HD) groups received 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg b.wt. CM aqueous root extracts (CMARE) for 60 days, respectively, the controls received distilled water. In experiment 2, blood glucose levels (BGL) were determined. 21 db/db mice were divided into 3 groups of 7 mice each alongside db/+ mice (7) (negative control). Groups 1 and 2 received 250 mg/kg b.wt CMARE and metformin, respectively. Group 3 (positive control) and db/+ mice (negative control) received distilled water. Mice were monitored for 15 hours. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 20.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hypotriglyceridaemic effect was observed (p=0.005). High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) showed significant increases (p=0.013) and decreases (p=0.003), respectively. A significant CRP reduction was observed for ID and HD groups (p = 0.010, p = 0.011, respectively). BGL was reduced in Metformin and Croton groups (p=0.000; p= 0.006, respectively) after 3 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, CMARE has positive effects on some CVD biomarkers and a hypoglycaemic effect.
authors.affiliation: Faculty, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana , P.O. Box KB 143, Korle bu, Accra, Ghana .
authors.forename: George Awuku
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Asare
authors.affiliation: Faculty, Department of Animal Experimentation, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana , Legon, Ghana .
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adjei
authors.affiliation: Faculty, Department of Pharmacy, Ghana Police Hospital , Cantonments, Accra, Ghana .
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Afriyie
authors.affiliation: Faculty, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana , P.O. Box KB 143, Korle bu, Accra, Ghana .
authors.forename: Akua Bempomaa
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Appiah-Danquah
authors.affiliation: Faculty, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana , P.O. Box KB 143, Korle bu, Accra, Ghana .
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Asia
authors.affiliation: Faculty, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana , P.O. Box KB 143, Korle bu, Accra, Ghana .
authors.forename: Bernice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Asiedu
authors.affiliation: Faculty, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana , P.O. Box KB 143, Korle bu, Accra, Ghana .
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santa
authors.affiliation: Faculty, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana , P.O. Box KB 143, Korle bu, Accra, Ghana .
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Doku
keywords: Blood glucose; Inflammation; Lipid profile
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