Sub-Acute toxicological evaluation of the aqueous stem bark extract of Brachystegia eurycoma (harms

Brachystegia eurycoma is a mainstay in the treatment of malaria, diabetes, hypertension, microbial infections and inflammatory conditions in folkloric medicine in Eastern Nigeria. Thus, the present study investigated the in vivo sub-acute toxicity of its aqueous stem bark extract. Toxicological evaluation was done using organ weight index, haematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters, following daily oral administration of 100, 400 and 800 mg/kg of the extract to albino Wistar rats for 14 days. The extract at all doses caused no significant changes in the organ weight index of selected organs except for 100 mg/kg which caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the weight of lungs compared to control. There was significant elevation of white blood cells and lymphocytes observed at all doses of extract tested. However, B. eurycoma caused mild periportal infiltrates of chronic inflammatory cells and Kupffer cell activation in the liver, lymphoid  aggregate activation in the lungs as well as activation of lymphoid follicle and sinus histiocyte in the spleen, thus indicating activation of the immune system. Overall, the results suggest that aqueous extract of B. eurycoma stem bark is not toxic in rats, although it has a tendency to activate the immune system.Keywords: B. eurycoma, immunity, spleen, toxicity

Harnessing the medicinal properties of Cussonia barteri Seem. (Araliaceae) in drug development. A review

Cussonia barteri Seem (Araliaceae) is a deciduous tree growing in savannah of Africa. Ethnomedicinally, it is used in Africa as an analgesic, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, anti-anaemic, anti-diarhoea, anti-poison, ani-pyschotic and anti-epileptic agent. This review provides a brief summary on the phytochemical screenings, ethnomedicinal and pharmacological applications of various parts of C. barteri. Leaves, stem bark and seed of C. barteri have been shown to be rich in saponins, flavonoids, phenols, sugars and alkaloids. Some of these constituents have been isolated and elucidated from C. barteri. Several compounds isolated from plant include triterpenes, saponins, polyenyne and quinic esters. Phytochemical constituents are also partly responsible for biological activities of C. barteri. Extracts and components isolated from the plant have demonstrated neuropharmacological, anti-larvicidal, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Overall, the insights provided by this review reinforce the potential of C. barteri for drug development and create the need for further scientific probe of constituents of the plant with the aim of developing novel drug candidates