title: Antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities of ethanolic extract of Pergularia daemia leaves: a possible substitute in diabetic management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The leaves of Pergularia daemia Forsk (family Asclepidaceae) provide alternative plant-based treatments for the management of diabetes mellitus and diarrhoea in both humans and indigenous poultry species like the Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris). However, no scientific investigations to validate its usefulness in Ghana have been established. This study therefore sought to investigate the anti-hyperglycaemic activity of the 70 % ethanolic extract of P. daemia using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats. Additionally, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the extract were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The total phenolic content, total flavonoids content, radical scavenging activity and reducing power assays were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu method, aluminium chloride colorimetric assay, Fe3+ reduction assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that P. daemia extract caused anti-hyperglycaemic activity in the STZ-induced rats at doses of 30, 60 and 90 mg/kg body weight with significant reduction in blood glucose levels. The phytosterols, saponins, phenols, alkaloids, tannins and triterpenes found in the extract may be responsible for the observed anti-hyperglycaemia and antioxidant activities. The extract also showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings justify the folkloric use of P. daemia as an anti-diabetic and antibacterial agents for susceptible species.
authors.forename: Joseph Adusei
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sarkodie
authors.forename: Sylvia Afriyie
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Squire
authors.forename: Emelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oppong Bekoe
authors.forename: Charles Yaw
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Fosu Domozoro
authors.forename: Irene Awo
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Kretchy
authors.forename: Mariesta Kurukulasuriya Jayaroshini
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ahiagbe
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frimpong-Manso
authors.forename: Nana Akua
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Oboba Kwakyi
authors.forename: Dominic Adotei
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Edoh
authors.forename: Maxwel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakyiama
authors.forename: Vida Korkor
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Lamptey
authors.forename: Seigfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Affedzi-Obresi
authors.forename: John Lee
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Debrah
authors.forename: Benoit Banga
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: N'guessa
authors.forename: Julius Isaac
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Asiedu-Gyekye
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kwadwo Nyarko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029062:Apocynaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005869:Ghana; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010851:Picrates / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005419:Flavonoids; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010636:Phenols; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl