Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the pancreatic effect of a diet formulated with Buccholzia coriacea in sucrose-fed pregnant rats and their offspring. Sucrose consumption during pregnancy has been associated with adverse effects on maternal and offspring health, including pancreatic dysfunction. Buccholzia coriacea, a plant with known anti-diabetic properties, was included in the diet in an attempt to mitigate the negative impact of sucrose. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups a control group fed a normal diet and an experimental group fed a diet containing Buccholzia coriacea. After birth, the offspring were also fed the respective diets until weaning. Various parameters were assessed including maternal weight gain, blood glucose levels, pancreatic histology, and insulin levels in both mothers and offspring. The results showed that sucrose consumption led to significant increases in maternal weight gain and blood glucose levels compared to the Buccholzia coriacea group. Pancreatic histology revealed signs of damage in the sucrose-fed group, while the Buccholzia coriacea group showed preserved pancreatic architecture. Additionally, insulin levels were higher in the Buccholzia coriacea group, indicating improved pancreatic function. In the offspring, those from the Buccholzia coriacea group showed better metabolic outcomes compared to the offspring of sucrose-fed mothers. They had lower blood glucose levels and higher insulin levels, suggesting improved pancreatic function. Pancreatic histology in the offspring also showed healthier tissue in the Buccholzia coriacea group compared to the sucrose group. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that supplementation with Buccholzia coriacea in the diet of sucrose-fed pregnant rats can have beneficial effects on maternal and offspring pancreatic health. The improvements in pancreatic histology and insulin levels indicate a protective effect of Buccholzia coriacea against the negative impact of sucrose consumption. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms of these effects and to determine the potential of Buccholzia coriacea as a therapeutic agent for pancreatic dysfunction associated with high sucrose intake during pregnancy.

Thesis Overview

• NTRODUCTION
• BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Herbal medicine is the oldest form of health care known to mankind. The use of medicinal plant in the treatment of diseases has been in practice since ancient time in different parts of the world especially in Africa. Plants have always been the most vital source of drugs mainly because most plants are autotrophs, and are able to synthesize a large variety of basic biochemical and organic substances such as carbohydrates, protein, terpenes, steroids, alkaloid and glycosides (N’guessanetal.,2009)

The plant kingdom provides a tremendous reservoir of various chemical substances with potential therapeutic properties. Generally, plants which produce constituents having medical values are designated as medicinal plants (Lawrence et al.,2008). In addition, all plants that taste bitter are used as medicine (Barrett, 2009).

Diabetes mellitus is characterize by insufficient blood levels of the hormone insulin. If the blood concentration of insulin is too low, muscle and liver cells do not absorb glucose from the blood which in turn leads to increase levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia), impaired metabolism of fats and proteins, ketosis and possible diabetic coma. (willam, et.al 2009)During the past 12 years, the world health organization has been collecting information on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in adult communities worldwide. Within the age range of 30-64 years, diabetes was found to be absent or rare in some traditional communities in Melanesia, East Africa and South America. In communities of Europeanorigin, the prevalence of diabetes were in the range of 3-10% but migrant indian, Chinese and Hispanic American groups were at higher risk (15-20%). (Adetokunbo, et.al.,2003)

A 2008 study completed in U.S. found the number of America women entering pregnancy with pre-exisiting diabetes is increasing. In fact, the rate of diabetes in expectant mothers has more than doubled in the past six years. (Lawrence,et.al.,2008). This is particularly problematic as diabetes raises the risk of complications during pregnancy, as well as increasing the potential for the children of diabetic mothers to become diabetic in the future

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Malnutrition is define as the lack of sufficient nutrients, which are essential for the body’s normal functioning. Over time it affects the bodily organs and results in mild to severe medical problems. One of the malnutrition facts is that the number of hungry people is more in the developing countries. If a pregnant woman is malnourished, it is understandable that the baby in the mother’s womb is not receiving enough nutrient.

Pregnant women who have been through malnutrition, deliver babies with low birth weight. Such children are prone to retarded growth, less coordination, poor vision, learning difficulty, and many other diseases. Anemia is one of the malnutrition dises that affects several pregnant women worldwide.

• AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the effect of high sucrose fed pregnant rats in their offsprings and know their pancreatic effect. And also the effect of Buccholozia Coriacea

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Induce diabetes by administering sucrose

Administering plants for lowering blood sugar level

Measure the blood and leptin level