Phytochemical and microscopical evaluation of Desmodium velutinum (P. Beauv.) DC (Papilionaceae) used for pain management in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Microscopical examination was conducted using powdered samples, transverse and longitudinal sections of the leaves of Desmodiumvelutinum. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were carried out on the leaves using standard methods.The leaf powder of D.velutinum was cleared using chloral hydrate and little quantity of it was mounted on a clean slide using dilute glycerol and observed under the compound microscope for the presence of cell inclusions such as cellulose, starch, oil, tannins, and calcium oxalate crystals. Thin layer chromatography was conducted using prepared silica gel plates.The methanol extract was spotted at about 1cm from the bottom end of the plate using a capillary tube. The plates were developed in the glass tank while closed. Thereafter, the plates were removed, the solvent front marked and dried in an oven at 1050C for about 3mins. Each chamber contained plates, some for ultraviolet examination and others sprayed with different reagents, observed, and sometimes heated before observation.The microscopic examination of the leaf powder of Desmodium velutinum(Papilionaceae) and thin section revealed various anatomical features of the plant. The epidermal cells were cuboidal in form. Anomocytic type of stomata which range from 10-12ìm long and 6-8ìm wide were observed only on the lower epidermis. Calcium oxalate crystals were observed in between veins in fresh leaf and numerous unicellular covering trichomes were observed all over the epidermis. The thin layer chromatography(TLC) of the leaf powder of the plant revealed the presence of tannins, steroids, flavonoids and terpenes but absence of alkaloid

Ferulic acid ester from the stem bark of Acacia ataxacantha

From the chloroform extract of the stem bark of Acacia ataxacantha, a ferrulic acid derivative identified as n-tetradecanyl-3-methoxy-4-hydroxy –trans-cinnamate (tetradecanyl ferulate) compound 2 was isolated for the first time from this plant alongside the triterpene lupenol. The structure of compound 2 was confirmed using NMR and MS and is reported here for the first time. Primary activity of the isolated compound against a panel of disease related protein kinases reveal the compound to be in-active.Keywords: Acacia ataxacantha, tetradecanyl ferrulate, protein kinaseAfr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 22 (May, 2019); 214- 21

A survey of plants used in treatment of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Background: Hypertension and Diabetes mellitus have emerged as the leading non-communicable disease worldwide, thus, the increasing need to continuously explore more and better ways of treating these diseases.Objectives: To carry out a survey of plants used in the treatment of hypertension and Diabetes mellitus in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.Materials and methods: Interview was conducted among respondents using semi-structured questionnaires and asking open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.Result: A total of 30 respondents comprising of 60.0% male and 40.0% female with the highest distribution of age range at above 50 years old (50.0%) was reported. Forty (40) medicinal plant species belonging to thirty-one (31) plant families were cited with the Apocynaceae family having the highest number of medicinal plants, followed by Asteraceae. For hypertension, 32 plant species were reported of which the most cited were Allium sativum (4) and Ficus asperifolia (2) while for Diabetes mellitus, 20 plant species were mentioned, of which the most cited were Hunteria umbellata (10) and Vernonia amygdalina (9). Of particular interest in this study were the plants that appeared for both hypertension and Diabetes treatment.Conclusion: This survey has helped to increase available medicinal plants knowledge and documentation in the management of hypertension and Diabetes. However, further work on the pharmacological activity of these plants as well as formulation in proper dosage form is recommended.Keywords: Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Traditional medicine practitioners, Kwara stat

Phytochemical screening and antiproliferative effects of methanol extract of stem bark of Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst (Ebenaceae) against guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor) seeds radicles length

The plant Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst (Ebenaceae) is commonly known as Kanya in Northern Nigeria which has been used widely in treating various ailments such as fever, whooping cough, wounds. Malaria, Pneumonia, Syphilis, Leprosy, Dermatomycoses, Diarrhea without scientific validation. Preliminary Phytochemical screening. Thin layer chromatographic profile (TLC) of methanol crude extract and antiproliferative studies were carried out in this research. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrate, glycoside, anthraquinone, steroid, triterpenes, saponin, tannins, flavonoids and alkaloid. TLC profile of the crude extract gave four sports with good Rf values. Antiproliferative evaluation were carried out using Guinea corn (Sorghum bicolour) seeds spread in a 9 cm wide petridish laid with cotton wool and Whatman filter paper which was treated with 1-30 mg/ml of methanol extract in 24-96 hr period of incubation. At 24 hrs of incubation, the methanol extracts had 24.771 ± 0.526 mm length of growth for the controls whereas the seeds treated with 10, 20, and 30 mg/ml of the extract produced a length total of 2.772 ± 0.494 mm, 2.150 ± 0.490 mm and 2.257 ± 0.489 mm respectively, while at the end of 96 hours of incubation period, the radicles length of the control seeds measured 93.77 ± 9.730 mm while those treated with 10, 20, and 30 mg/ml were observed to be 37 ± 3.297 mm, 17.023 ± 2.802 mm and 16.086 ± 1.976 mm. This reduction in the growth implied 60.54, 81.87 and 82.83% respectively compared to the controls. This study has scientifically justified the traditional uses of Diospyros mespiliformis stem bark extracts asantiproliferative agent against radicles of a Guinea corn (Sorghum bicolour) which may relate to its use as anticancer agent.Keywords: Antiproliferative effects, Diospyros mespiliformis, Phytochemica

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of water extract from Ipomoea asarifolia Desr (Convolvulaceae)

Ipomoea asarifolia (IA) (Desr) (family: Convolvulacea) is an herb, with a hairless succulent perennial stem, trailing on the ground usually several meters long. The various parts of this plant are used locally in the alleviation of inflammation and painful conditions. This study was done to evaluate the antiinflammatory and analgesic activities of the water extract of the plant in experimental animal models (anti-inflammatory action by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, the analgesic activity by acetic acid-induced writhing response method. The water extract of I. asarifolia in doses of 37.5, 75 and 150 mg/kg showed 64.7, 70.5 and 73.6% inhibition of paw edema, respectively, at the end of 3 h and in acetic-induced writhing, the percentage protection was 45, 58.1, and 60.7%, respectively. These showed dosedependent action in all the experimental models. The present study indicates that I. asarifolia has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.Keywords: Ipomoea asarifolia, anti-inflammatory activity, rat paw oedema, antinociceptive activity, pain model

Ethnomedical survey of some of the plants used for pain management in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

This research is to evaluate the traditional pain management or treatment using plants in Lokoja. An ethnomedical survey on medicinal plants/recipes used in pain management was conducted between March and August, 2013 in Lokoja, Nigeria. Information on indigenous medicinal plant wealth of the people was obtained  using a scientifically structured questionnaire with key people who are recognized in alternative/traditional  medicine. Pain is called ‘oyizi’, ‘uwo’ and ‘irora’, in Ebira, Igala and Okun languages/dialects respectively. The  Ebira, Igala and Okun are the dominant tribes living in Lokoja where the survey was conducted. The  investigation yielded a total of 23 medicinal plant species represented by 23 genera from 17 families cited by 52  informants. Testing using Chi-square statistical test at 5% level of significance, there was significant  difference between the actual interviews conducted and collection rate depending on the differences in the sites where the interviews were conducted. The vernacular names of the plants were recorded in Ebira, Igala and Okun (the major local languages in Lokoja). From the ethnomedical survey result, Asteraceae is most  represented (17%), most of the plants are wild (65%) and shrub has the largest representation (39%). The  mode of administration (mostly oral or topical) and dosageregimen were also reported. The findings in this research have provided useful information for the monograph of the plants surveyed.Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Management, Pain, Plants, Surve

Phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatographic profile of Nauclea diderrichii leaf extracts

The present study investigates the phytochemicals and thin layer chromatographic profile ofNauclea diderrichii (Rubiaceae) leaf extracts. Phytochemical in the hexane, ethyl acetate andmethanol extracts were determined using standard chemical tests. Thin layer chromatographictechniques were carried out using various solvent systems of varying polarity on these extracts.Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins,phenolic compounds, tannins, phytosterols, carbohydrates, flavonoids and terpenoids. Furtherscreening using thin layer chromatographic technique on the N. diderrichii leaf extracts alsorevealed different phytochemical compounds with different Rf values. The results obtained inpresent study indicated that Nauclea diderrichii leaf is a rich source of phytochemicals. This could justifies the use of plant species in traditional medicine for treatment of various diseases.Keywords: Nauclea diderrichii, Rubiaceae Leaf extracts, Phytochemicals, Retention factor, TLC

Phytochemical and Antibacterial Evaluation of Parinari curatetellifolia Planch Ex Benth (Chrysobalanaceae)

Parinari curatellifolia Planch ex Benth (Chrysobalanaceae) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of pneumonia, wound infections, dressing of fractures and dislocation. P.curatellifolia stem bark extracts in methanol, ethylacetate and n-butanol were evaluated for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis using cup plate method. The extracts were used at 50mg/ml concentration. The extracts were also screened for the presence of some secondary metabolites. The result of the antibacterial screening produced zones of inhibition ranging from 12-21mm for the methanolic extract while the ethylacetate and n-butanol fractions showed inhibition zones of 16-24mm respectively. The aqueous extract showed inhibition zones ranging from 12-20mm. Ampicillin (0.01mg/ml) used aspositive control, showed zones of inhibition ranging from 14-34mm. Ethylacetate fraction was the most active of the extracts on the test bacterial species. Water was used as negative control. The extracts inmost cases compared favorably with the ampicillin. The activity of the extracts was more on the gram positive bacteria than on the gram negative ones. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of theethylacetate fraction for B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa were 1.56mg/ml each, for E.coli and S. aureus were 3.13 mg/ml and 0.78mg/ml respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of the ethylacetate fraction for B.subtilis and S. aureus were 6.25mg/ml each, for P. aeruginosa and E.coliwere 12.50mg/ml each. The phytochemical screening revealed the  presence of anthraquinones, tannins, saponins, flavonoids,  cardiacglycosides, terpenoids, and carbohydrates. The antibacterial activity of the extracts may be attributable to the presence of these compounds in the extracts. The findings of this work lend support to the ethnomedical use of the plant.Key Words: Antibacterial; Phytochemistry; MIC; MBC; Parinari curatellifoli

Development of Quality Standards of Prosopis africana (Guill. & Perr.) Taub. Stem Bark

Prosopis africana (Guill. & Perr.) Taub. (Mimosoidae) is the only known species of its genus found in Africa. Almost all parts of the tree are used in medicine. Remedies for skin diseases, caries, fevers and eye washes are obtained from the bark. They are used as diuretic and for the treatment of gonorrhoea, tooth and stomach-ache, dysentery and bronchitis. It is therefore considered worthwhile to establish quality standard for the stem bark. Pharmacognostic standardization was carried out on the pulverized stem bark and its anatomical section, to determine the macro and micro morphological characters, quantitative and qualitative profiles. The results of this study produced vital data that could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of a monograph of the plant stem bark. Keywords: Prosopis africana, anatomical indices, physicochemical, morphological characters, microscopical,  macroscopica

Phytochemical and anti-inflammatory studies of ethanol extract of Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (combretaceae) stem bark in rats and mice

Background: Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae) is a flowering plant used traditionally for the treatment of various disease conditions including hepatitis, dysentery, piles, edema, fever, gastritis, as aphrodisiac, applied to sprains and as a cleanser for washing sores. The aim of the work was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative  phytochemical properties and anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract of T. macroptera stem bark.Material and Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening and quantification was carried out on the extract using standard phytochemical methods. The ethanol stem bark extract was screened using the carrageenan induced rat paw edema model, and xylene induced edema model in mice at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses orally. Lorke’s method was used to study the acute oral toxicity effect.Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and alkaloids. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract were 164.8±10.37 (GAE/g of dried extract mg/g) and 193.6±6.37 (QE mg/g) respectively. The result showed that the extract produced a significant (p<0.05) dose independent inhibition with the maximum inhibition (89.93%) observed at 30 minutes at 50 mg/kg in thecarrageenan induced edema and (49.5%) at 400 mg/kg in xylene induced models. No toxic effect was observed at 4.0g/kg of the extract in rats.Conclusion: The study showed that the ethanol stem bark extract is a good source of various phytochemicals that could be responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory activity of the plant.Keywords: Terminalia macroptera, Anti-inflammatory, Phytochemical, Carrageena