Aqueous Methanol Extracts of Cochlospermum tinctorium (A. Rich) Possess Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities

Cochlopermum tinctorium A. Rich. (Cochlospermaceae) is a commonly used medicinal plant in the West Africa sub-region for the management of various conditions including pain and inflammatory conditions. In the present study, we report the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous methanol leaf (20–80 mg/kg), root (7.5–30 mg/kg), and root bark (20–80 mg/kg) extracts of the plant. The analgesic potentials of the extracts were studied using acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate tests in mice while the anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.The extracts significantly and dose dependently inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. However, the highest protection against writhing was produced by aqueous methanol leaf extract at the dose of 80 mg/kg (96.65%) which even was greater than that of the standard agent, ketoprofen (82.30%). The extracts did not significantly increase mean latency of response in the hot plate test. However, aqueous methanol root bark extract at the dose of 20 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) increased the mean latency of pain response. While the extracts of the root and root bark extracts of the plant afforded non dose-dependent protection against carrageenan-induced edema, the aqueous methanol leaf extract significantly and dose-dependently inhibited carrageenan-induced hind paw edema at the end of the third hour.The present study suggests that the aqueous methanol leaf, root, and root bark extracts of Cochlopermum tinctorium possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities which lend some credence to the ethnomedical claim of the use of the plant in the management of pain and inflammatory conditions

Anti inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the methanol leaf extract of Acacia ataxacantha D.C.(Leguminosae) in mice and rats

Acacia ataxacantha (Leguminosae) has been reported to be used in traditional medicine for management of pain and inflammation. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti inflammatory and antipyretic activities of methanol leaf extract of Acacia ataxacantha in rats. The acute toxicity study was carried out using Lorke method (1983). The doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract) selected for the study were based on the calculated LD50. Anti- inflammatory activities were investigated using the carragenaan and albumin induced paw edema, while the antipyretic activity was evaluated using yeast induced pyrexia method. With respect to the negative control (group 1), the carragenaan induced inflammation produced a dose dependent significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction of inflammation at 200 and 400 mg/kg (3rd h) while a significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in oedema was observed at doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg (4th h). Similarly there were significant inhibitions (p ≤ 0.05) of inflammation at the 20th, 40th, 60th and 120th minutes post extract administration in albumin induced hind-paw inflammation. The data obtained from the antipyretic study showed no significant effect. These findings suggest that the extract may contain bioactive compounds that possess anti-inflammatory activities, thus supporting the ethno-medical use of the plant in the management of painful inflammation.Keywords: Acacia ataxacantha, Inflammation, Pyrexia, Carragenaan, Albumin, Yeas

Evaluation of anticonvulsant activities of ethanol leaf extract of Hymenocardia acida Tul (euphorbiaceae) in mice and chicks

No AbstractKeywords: Hymenocardia acida, MEST, PTZ, 4-AP, Strychnin

Anticonvulsant studies on a traditional antiepileptic mixture used by the Hausa people of north-western Nigeria

Background and objectives: The use of herbal drugs in the treatment of many neurological disorders is gaining popularity in developing countries due to their fewer unwanted side effects, affordability and cultural acceptability. A mixture of three plants roots Calotropis procera (Asclepediaceae), Combretum micranthum (Combretaceae) and Ficus abutilifolia (Moraceae) has been reported in Hausa traditional treatment of epilepsy. We have reported the evaluation of the acute toxicity and anticonvulsant activity of the ethanol extract of this mixture. Methods: The intra-peritoneal medial lethal dose (LD50) of the aqueous ethanol extract of the mixture as well as its anticonvulsive activity against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), 4-amino pyridine (4-AMP) and maximum electric shock (MES) were evaluated. Results: The mixture at the doses of 25 to 100 mg/kg could not afford a significant protection to mice against PTZ and 4-AMP; however, it significantly delayed the mean onset and reduced the mean recovery time of the animals at the tested doses in 4-AMP test (

Comparative Neuropharmacological Activities Methanolic Extracts of Leaves and Roots of Cissus Cornifolia in Mice

Comparative neuropharmacological efficacy of the leaf and root 70 % methanol extract of Cissus cornifolia was studied in mice. The extractive values of the leaf and root methanol extract was found to be 31.5 g with yield of 12.6 %(w/w) and 37.8 g with the yield of 15.12 %(w/w) respectively. The acute toxicity (LD50) values in mice were found in leaf and root extracts as 2154.1 and 1131.4 mg kg-1 bd. wt. (i.p.) respectively. The sedative properties on the CNS of both the leaf and root extracts were studied employing diazepam-induced sleep, motor coordination, and exploratory behavioural test in mice. Both extracts potentiated the diazepam-induced sleeping time with markedly higher duration of sleep at 600 mg kg-1 bd. wt. (213.8 ± 27.5) exhibited by leaf extract. There was generally appreciable variation in the activities expressed by the leaf extract compared to that of the root in all the other tests conducted. Thus, at 300 mg k-1 bd. wt. the leaf extract revealed 5.3 ± 0.7 while the root had 8.0 ± 0.8 as mean number of head-dips in mice. The mean duration of beam walk was found to be 6.88 ± 0.71 and 4.72 ± 0.28 expressed by the leaf and root extract respectively at the same dose of 300 mg k-1 bd. wt. in mice. This work further confirms our earlier report on sedative effects of this plant as used traditionally against mental problems

Concurrent use of orthodox and herbal antimalarials among science-based undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria

Many patients combine conventional and herbal drug for malaria treatment. The pattern and extent of such concurrent medication among medical and non-medical science based  undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria was evaluated in this study. Three hundred and eighty (380) structured questionnaires were administered based on faculties of study to retrieve data. The study indicates that 60.1% of the students utilize hospitals for treatment, while self-medication and patronage of traditional medicine practitioners account for 30.4% and 9.5%, respectively. Majority (57.3%) use orthodox antimalarials alone, 7.6% utilize herbal antimalarials alone, while 35.1% use both concurrently. Non-medical science based students recorded highest incidence of concomitant orthodox–herbal drug usage (23.4%). Evaluation of perception on effectiveness revealed that 48.1% ranked concomitant medication as “relatively effective”, 28.7% regarded it as “considerably effective", and only 23.3% considered it as “not effective”. This study report that concurrent use of orthodox and herbal antimalarials among medical and non-medical science-based undergraduate students of ABU Zaria is not uncommon and that healthcare professionals are not always informed about concomitant drugs usage when visited by clients for treatment. Further studies should evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of such concurrent use of the antimalarials and prescribers should always inquire and counsel potential parallel medications accordingly.Keywords: Conventional antimalarials; Herbal antimalarials; Concurrent medication; Malaria treatmen