1.1 Introduction
Crude oil or petroleum is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons representing several classes of compounds, the most important of these being alkanes, naphthenes and aromatics (Gruse et al., 1960). These classes are not sharply divided as the aromatic compounds often contain alkane substituents and many of the ring structures are mixed aromatics and naphthenes. They also have heterocyclic compounds of oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus and trace amounts of metals especially vanadium, nickel and iron. These constituents may significantly affect the refining processes as well as the analysis procedures (Olajire, 1996).
Diabetes affects many metabolic pathways in different tissues, many of which are potential targets for drug treatment. Unfortunately, this complicates the identification of new treatments, as most in vitro screening models consider a single cell type, metabolic pathway or enzyme, thus greatly reducing the possibility of identifying an antidiabetic extract or compound. Another disadvantage of these methods is that only “acute” or immediate effects are measured, whilst effects that may only be apparent after chronic exposure to the antidiabetic compound are overlooked. In this regard, animal models are more useful but ethical and practical considerations make it impossible to screen large numbers of samples.
Diabetes is characterized by hepatic and peripheral (muscle and adipose tissue) insulin resistance. The pancreas compensates by secreting more insulin, but eventually the beta cells will fail to sustain this (Cerasi, 2000), at which stage the patient requires insulin treatment. During the stage when insulin is still produced, various other classes of drugs, in combination with lifestyle alterations, can be used to manage the disease (Matthaei et al., 2000). These drugs act through a number of different ways or targets to reduce blood glucose levels. When screening for an antidiabetic agent, it is important to include as many of these targets as possible to ensure that possible ‘hits’ are not excluded.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals the current challenges in diabetes which include:
- Optimizing the use of currently available therapies to ensure adequate glycemic, blood pressure, and lipid control and to reduce complications;
- Educating patients on diabetes self-management;
- Improving patient adherence to lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions;
- Reducing barriers to the early use of insulin; and (5) improving the delivery of health care to people with chronic conditions.
Diabetes on the health care system mandates efforts to more optimally treat those with the disease and to prevent its development in those at risk. Early and intensive intervention in patients with diabetes reduces the risk of micro-vascular and macro-vascular complications and disease progression.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the In-vitro Antidiabetes Screening of Stecuria Satigera Steam Back of Crude and Chromatography Fractions. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the In-vitro Antidiabetes Screening of Stecuria Satigera Steam
- To adapt the existing methods for the characterization of crude oils and petroleum product fractions using elution liquid chromatography
- To analyse the fractions using ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopic techniques.
- To assess the Back of Crude and Chromatography Fractions
1.4 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.5 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the In-vitro Antidiabetes Screening of Stecuria Satigera Steam Back of Crude and Chromatography Fractions.
1.6 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.7 Definition of Technical Terms
Phytochemical: This is a substance produced mainly by plants, and these substances have biological activity.
Component: it simply means one part of a whole thing.
Antibacterial: Anything that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or their ability to reproduce. Heat, chemicals such as chlorine, and antibiotic drugs all have antibacterial properties.
Effect: a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
Isolates: isolate simply means cause (a person or place) to be or remain alone or apart from others.
