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Background: Polyscias fulva (Hiern) Harms stem bark is used in traditional folk medicine in Kenya for diabetes mellitus and obesity management. This study sought to examine the antidiabetic effects of ethanolic stem bark extract of P. fulva in streptozotocin (STZ)–induced diabetic Wistar albino rats. Methods: Diabetes in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg bwt) in experimental groups. Rats were divided into five groups (n = 5 per group): group 1, control; group 2, diabetic untreated rats; groups 3 and 4, diabetic rats on 200 and 400 mg/kg bwt/day of extract, respectively; and group 5, diabetic rats on metformin (100 mg/kg bwt/day). The rats received oral treatments daily for 21 days, and fasting blood glucose levels and body weights were determined weekly. Liver histopathological analysis and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay as well as serum analysis of lipid profile, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), and globulins were performed at the end of the treatment period. Results: Extract had significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in the diabetic rats compared with diabetic untreated rats (p < 0.05). Serum levels of ALP, ALT, and AST were significantly lowered, while TP and ALB were elevated in the extract-treated diabetic rats compared with diabetic untreated rats. The levels of liver MDA of extract-treated rats were significantly lowered compared with those of the diabetic untreated group. Extract treatment reversed liver pathological changes observed in the diabetic untreated group. Conclusion: This study has provided insights into the potential of the stem bark of P. fulva as an alternative medicine for diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upper gastrointestinal complaints are common in Kenya. Though these have remained unchanged over the last 20 years, the pattern of upper gastrointestinal disease on endoscopic examination seems to be changing. There appears to be progressive increase in oesophagitis and cancer of the stomach. Peptic ulcer disease has remained stable while Cancer of the oesophagus is still common. The paper intends to report on endoscopic findings at the Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) over the period October 1998 and May 2001. The sources of information are records made at the time of endoscopy and histology reports on biopsies taken. Seven hundred and sixty eight patients were endoscoped. The male to female ratio was 1.7:1 with mean age +/-SD of 40.8 +/-20.1 years and age range was 3 to 96 years. Majority of the patients had abnormal findings with gastritis being the most common ( 25.8%). It is concluded that gastritis is an important cause of morbidity in Kenya. Oesophagitis, mainly due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, seems to be on the increase. Gastric cancer is not as rare as previously thought and peptic ulcer disease is still common.