Optimizing dose of aqueous extract of Mangifera indica L stem bark for treating anaemia and its effect on some disaccharidases activity in iron deficient weanling rats

Iron deficiency, the main cause of anaemia, has been linked with decreased disaccharidases activity. The highest prevalence of iron deficiency is recorded in Africa where plants, including Mangifera indica, with ethnobotanical claims of being used for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia are ‘housed’. Although some scientific findings have been reported on the anti-anaemic potential of M. indica, none is yet to give a clearer picture of this ethnobotanical claim. This work investigates the effects of aqueous extract of M. indica stem bark on iron deficiency anaemia and disaccharidases' activities in iron deficient rat. The aqueous extract formulated into three doses, 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight were administered to weanling albino rats induced with iron deficiency through diet. After four weeks of feeding the rats, the Packed Cell Volume, Haemoglobin concentration and Red Blood Cell count of the iron deficient rats were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) compared to those of healthy rats fed with iron sufficient feed. These iron status indicators were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in rats treated with the extract when compared with untreated rats. The extract also revert decreased sucrase and lactase activity in treated iron deficient rats when compared with untreated rats. The efficacy of the extract may be due to its components including iron, saponin and cardiac glycosides. This work proposed 25 mg/kg body weight as the likely non-lethal effective dose of the extract for the treatment of anaemia, though, further toxicological studies are still required to ascertain this claim

Total Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Variations in Raw and Cooked Dried Fruit of Xylopia aethiopica

Most plant products undergo one or more different thermal processes before consumption despite the claims that cooking fruits and vegetables could have detrimental effects on the beneficial properties of the plants. This work investigated the changes in antioxidant status occurring in dried fruit of Xylopia aethiopica subjected to cooking at different temperatures. The analyses were performed on both raw and boiled samples to assess the total phenolic contents (TPCs) and the antioxidant potential through reduction of ferric chloride salt and bleaching of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and pairwise comparisons by Tukey-Kramer test at p &lt; 0.05. There was a significant heat-trend difference between the phenolic contents of the samples at the selected temperatures with the highest TPC recorded at 70°C. Similarly, the ferric reducing potentials of the cooked samples were significantly different (p &lt;0.05) from the raw. However, uncooked samples had significantly (p &lt;0.05) higher percentage of DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to cooked samples. The overall effect of cooking the dried fruit of X. aethiopica was due to an elevation in total phenolics concentrations and reducing potentials of the aqueous infusions. However, boiling decreases the DPPH radical scavenging ability of the samples. Therefore, this study suggests an optimum cooking temperature of 70°C which could result in the highest retention of phenolic contents and ferric reducing potentials in the fruit of X. aethiopica and lowest appropriate temperature to conserve its intrinsic radical-scavenging activity in order to assure a higher quality food for the maintenance of human health. Moreover, losses in the phenolic contents and antioxidant potential should be considered when the procedural temperature during processing is unalterable

Dose-dependent effects of Theobroma cacao in iron deficient anemia treatment in rats

The use of herb in the treatment of diseases, including nutrient-related diseases, remains the last resort in many villages. The lack of prescription for most of these herbs may negate the undoubtful efficacy of these herbs. Hence, this study seeks to propose an optimal dose of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Theobroma cacao (TC) in the treatment of anemia and comparing the effect of this extract with that of Mangifera indica L (MI). Forty-eight weanling albino rats of both sexes (Rattus norvegicus) with a mean weight of 48.00 g ± 3.00 g were used in the study. Eight of the animals were placed on iron sufficient diet while the rest of the animals were placed on the iron deficient diet. After the four weeks, the animals were placed on iron deficient were confirmed to be iron deficient via their haematologic indexes. The iron deficient rats were then divided into nine sub groups. Each of the group of the animals was assigned different conditions for two weeks. 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight of MI were administered to three of the groups. 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight of TC were administered to three of the groups. A standard iron supplement drug was administered to one of the groups, the feed on one of the groups was changed to iron sufficient diet, and the last group was maintained on the iron deficient diet. The haematologic index, the intestinal disaccharidases of the animals were assayed after the treatments. The weight gained by the animal was also recorded. The iron sufficient diet and the aqueous extract from the two plants significantly increased the haematologic indexes assayed, packed cell volume, hemoglobin and red blood cell, in the animal after two weeks of administration. While increasing the dose of MI increased all the haematologic indexes in the animal, otherwise was the case for the aqueous extract of TC. Although given all the doses, the extract of MI seems to be more effective than TC, if the effect of the lowest dose, 25 mg/kg body weight is considered, TC is more effective as an anti anaemic substance than MI. The extract and iron sufficient diet also increased the activities of the intestinal lactase and sucrase in the animals. While the iron and phytochemicals in the extract seem to be acting in synergy in the increasing of the haematologic indexes, the iron content alone seems to be responsible their action on the intestinal disaccharidases. Just as proposed for MI, 25 mg/kg body weight of TC seems to be the optimal dose for the treatment

Effects of 1:1 Mixture of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides Root Bark Extracts on Haematological Parameters, Liver and Kidney Function Indices of Male Rats

Background: This study evaluated the effects of 1:1 mixture of aqueous root bark extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC) Guill & Perr (Combretaceae) and Terminalia avicennioides Guill & Perr (Combretaceae) in male rats. Methods: Male rats were orally administered a 1:1 mixture of both extracts (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) for seven days. Liver and kidney function indices, haematological parameters and the levels of malondialdehyde were evaluated in the animals at 7 days post-administration of the mixture of the extracts. Results: Administration of mixture of the extract significantly (p0.05) altered. Conclusions: The present study revealed that the mixture caused functional toxicity of the liver and kidney of male rats without any evidence of haematotoxicity. The consumption of the 1:1 mixture of the plant extracts at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight has some toxic implications in male rats

Effects of Aqueous Root Bark Extracts of Anogeissusleiocarpus (DC) Guill&Perrand TerminaliaavicennioidesGuill&Perr on Redox and Haematological Parameters of Diethylnitrosamine-Administered Rats

Background: This study investigated the protective effects of aqueous extracts of Anogeissusleiocarpus (DC) Guill&Perr (family: Combretaceae) and Terminaliaavicennioides Guill&Perr (family: Combretaceae) root barks, as well as their 1:1 (w/w) mixture on liver redox and haematological parameters of diethylnitrosamine-treated rats. Methods: Rats were orally administered distilled water, diethylnitrosamine (30 mg/kg body weight once a week on weeks 3 and 4), curcumin (200 mg/kg body weight), extracts and 1:1 mixture (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight) for 4 weeks. Malondialdehyde, markers of oxidative stress and hematological indices were evaluated. Results: The extracts and their mixture significantly (P<0.05) reversed the diethylnitrosamine-induced alterations in the levels of liver malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione, vitamin C and platelet counts. The other haematological parameters (red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count and neutrophil count) were not affected by diethylnitrosamine and extracts. Conclusion: The extracts possess antioxidant, hepatoprotective and haemoprotective activities that compared well with curcumin. These activities were better exhibited by the mixture than the individual extracts

Phytochemical composition, antioxidant capabilities and Immunomodulatory In vitro indices of Xylopia aethiopica fruit extracts

<p>This study determined the effect of solvent  partitioning on the phyto-constituents,  antioxidative activities and immunomodulatory potentials of  in vitro <em>Xylopia aethiopica</em> fruit  extracts  (crude  ethanolic  extract,  aqueous  and  n-hexane  partitioned  extracts).  The  phyto-constituents in the extracts were determined by colorimetric test, while   antioxidant activities were assessed by the radical  in vitro scavenging abilities, metal ion chelating potential and reducing potential of the extracts and the immunomodulatory potentials were evaluated by the carbon clearance capability, avidity of neutrophil, inhibition of cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia and zinc sulphate turbidity test. The extracts were tested at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight and levamisole was used as the standard drug. Various phyto-constituents such as and terpenoids indicated marked reactions and recorded increases  (p<0.05) in the crude ethanol extract than the partitioned extracts. Consequentially, the crude ethanol extract presented the least EC of the DPPH radical scavenging activity and metal ion chelating potential. In the same vein, the crude ethanol extract, as well as levamisole increased the adhesion of neutrophils in the blood to nylon fibre (p<0.05). The phagocytic index recorded increases (p<0.05) in the fruit extracts. Cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia was inhibited (p<0.05) by the standard drug and all the extracts of <em> X. aethiopica</em>. The results indicated that the crude ethanol extract exhibited most impressive antioxidant activity and also, improved immunoactivities than the levamisole and partitioned extracts. Therefore, the consumption of <em>X. aethiopica</em> fruit in soup/broth brewing, as well as alcoholic tincture is recommended for improved quality life.</p

Effect of Cnidoscolous aconitifolius (Miller) I.M. Johnston leaf extract on reproductive hormones of female rats

Background: The increase in the rate of infertility in women has prompted the need to search for plants with antifertility potentials. Objective: The effect of administration of aqueous extract of Cnidoscolous aconitifolius leaves for seven days on reproductive hormones of female Wistar rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: Sixty female albino rats were grouped into four (A, B, C and D) of 15 each. Group A (the control) received orally 6.5 ml kg-1 body weight of distilled water on daily basis for 7 days. Groups B, C and D were treated like the control except that they received 250, 500 and 1000 mg kg-1 body weight of the extract. Results: Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, phlobatannins and triterpenes. Administration of the extract produced significant increase (p<0.05) in the serum prolactin concentration whereas those of estradiol, progesterone, follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones were significantly reduced. Conclusion: The alterations in the female rat reproductive hormones by the extract are indications of adverse effect on the maturation and ovulation of follicles. Consequently, the extract may impair fertility and conception in female rats. Thus, the Cnidoscolous aconitifolius leaf extract may be explored as a female contraceptive