Research Article
Effect of Hydromethanolic Leaf Extract of Cordia Africana (Boraginaceae) “Wanza” on Blood Glucose Level and Serum Electrolytes in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice
Kibur Hunie Tesfa*
,
Amare Nigatu Zewdie,
Gashaw Dessie,
Yadelew Yimer,
Hassen Ahmed,
Chernet Desalegn Gebeyehu,
Mulugeta Kassaw
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
51-63
Received:
29 December 2025
Accepted:
9 January 2026
Published:
22 July 2026
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by hyperglycemia due to an absolute or relative deficit in insulin production or action. Many plant species have been screened for their pharmacological properties in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Cordia africana is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat various health problems. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of hydromethanolic leaf extract of Cordia africana (Wanza) on blood glucose levels, serum electrolytes, and α-amylase inhibitory activities in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The method used is an experimental study conducted on streptozotocin-induced diabetic male mice. The mice were organized into 6 groups, each having five members: normal mice (negative control), diabetics treated with distilled water (positive control), diabetics treated with glibenclamide (standard control), and the other three groups were diabetic mice treated with different doses of leaf extract. Their fasting blood sugar was measured on the 0th, 7th, and 14th days of the experiment. Serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl−, and Ca2+) had also been determined on the 14th day of the experiment. The antioxidant properties and in vitro α-Amylase inhibitory actions of the extract had also been evaluated. The acute toxicity profile of the extract was assessed in 5 randomly selected female mice. The results of the study revealed that the hydromethanolic leaf extract of Cordia africana has a significant blood glucose-lowering effect. On the 7th and 14th day, the mean blood glucose levels of diabetic mice treated with 5mg glibenclamide, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg extract significantly diminished. Deranged serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl−, and Ca2+) and reduced body weight were significantly improved at both doses of the extract, as well as in 5mg glibenclamide-treated mice. Besides, good antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activity were obtained from the in vitro lab tests. In conclusion, the results of this study exhibited that the hydromethanolic leaf extract of Cordia africana remarkably reduces blood sugar and body weight in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Likewise, it improves deranged serum electrolytes. The extract also inhibits α-amylase activities.
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by hyperglycemia due to an absolute or relative deficit in insulin production or action. Many plant species have been screened for their pharmacological properties in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Cordia africana is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat various health...
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Research Article
Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from UTI Cases in and Around South Trivandrum District, Kerala, India
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
64-71
Received:
27 July 2026
Accepted:
7 August 2026
Published:
24 August 2026
Abstract: Background and objectives: Antimicrobial resistance among bacterial strains is an emerging problem. Urinary tract infections are one of the most common bacterial infections in humans, both in the hospital and the community settings. Multidrug resistance is seen in Klebsiella which serves as the most common cause of increased morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to isolate and evaluate the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae from UTI cases in and around southern part of Trivandrum district, Kerala. Materials and Methods: This retrospective work was carried out between December 2024 and September 2025, at the Microbiology diagnostic laboratory, Dr. SM CSI Medical College and Hospital, Karakonam, Trivandrum district, Kerala. 200 cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae culture positive cases of UTI from both inpatients and outpatients were included in the study. Midstream and catheterized urine were collected with proper precautions, as per their clinical conditions. The isolates were obtained by culturing the samples in conventional media and identified as per CLSI guidelines. Antibiotic susceptibility of each of the isolate was performed in Mueller Hinton agar by disc diffusion test and interpreted as per CLSI standards. For quality control, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883 strain was utilized. The collected data was entered in MS-Excel and statistical analysis was done using SPSS 17 software and were expressed as percentages. Results: Out of the 200 Klebsiella pneumoniae culture positive cases, >70 age group predominated (26.5%). Nearly two third of the cases were male. 62% of the cases were inpatients. Among the 124 inpatients, female medical ward cases predominated (41.9%) over other wards. There were 54 MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae positive cases, of the total 200 positive cases (27%), under study. Overall, 100% of the Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to the lifesaving drugs like, Colistin and Tigecycline, followed by Meropenem (75%), Cefoperazone/sulbactam (66.5%), Amikacin (63.5%) and Piperacillin/tazobactam (62%), in that order. Conclusion: Our study revealed emergence of MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae among UTI cases, evident by the finding of 27% of the isolates being resistant to all antibiotics used, except, Colistin and Tigecycline. Another important observation was the emergence of gentamicin, being a first line drug, as a more effective drug than the higher antibiotics, against some of the resistant strains isolated (58%).
Abstract: Background and objectives: Antimicrobial resistance among bacterial strains is an emerging problem. Urinary tract infections are one of the most common bacterial infections in humans, both in the hospital and the community settings. Multidrug resistance is seen in Klebsiella which serves as the most common cause of increased morbidity and mortality...
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