Ethnobotanical assessment of plants used to aid parturition in Abuja, Nigeria

Medicinal plants used to aid parturition in many parts of Nigeria are poorly described, though herbal remedies used to aid parturition in human and animal have long been recognized as one of the oldest form of remedies. The aim of this study was to identify native medicinal plants, their uses, methods of preparation and evaluation of their side effects in Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Data were collected from traditional medical  practitioners, herbalists and herb sellers in twelve towns and villages in three local councils of FCT, 41 medicinal plants belonging to twenty one families were identified. The most frequently used families were  Asclepiadaceae and Asdepiadaceae. This survey showed that Leptodenia lancifolia and Calotropis procera were among the frequently used plants to manage cases of dystocia, retained placenta and aid parturition in animals. This survey signifies the ethno medicinal value of many plant species found in Federal Capital Territory. Keywords: Ethnobotanical, Federal Capital Territory, Medicinal plants, Parturition, Surve

The vasorelaxant effect of viscum album leaf extract is nediated by calcium-dependent mechanisms

Viscum album leaf extract has a folk reputation as an antihypertensive agent in Nigeria. Evidence suggests that it has a relaxant effect on smooth muscle. The present study was designed to investigate the role of calcium in the vasorelaxant effect of this extract. Concentration response studies to noradrenaline, KCl and CaCl2 were carried out in rat aortic rings with and without the extract in physiological salt solution (n=6 each). Also the role of intracellular calcium mobilisation was studied by measuring the phasic response to noradrenaline in Ca2+-free EGTA physiological salt solution (n=6). The contractile responses to noradrenaline or KCl were attenuated (

Attenuation of salt-induced hypertension by aqueous calyx extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa

The aqueous calyx extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa (HS) has a folk reputation as an antihypertensive agent. On account of its antioxidant properties and probably high K+ concentration, we hypothesized that HS may attenuate the development of salt-induced hypertension. Sprague-Dawley rats (n=8 each) were treated for 12 weeks as follows: control (normal diet + water), salt-loaded (8% salt diet + water), HS (normal diet + 6mg/ml HS), salt+HS (8% salt diet + 6mg/ml HS) and furosemide (normal diet+ 0.25mg/Kg furosemide). Their blood pressure and heart rates were measured and responses to noradrenalin and acetylcholine (0.01mg/kg respectively) were estimated. The cationic concentration of 6mg/ml HS was determined. The Na+ and K+ concentrations of 6mg/ml HS were 3.6 and 840mmol/l respectively. The mean arterial pressure (MAP±SEM; mmHg) of salt loaded rats (184.6±29.8) was significantly higher than control (113.2±3.0; P<0.05), HS (90.0±7.4; P<0.001) salt+HS (119.4±8.9; P<0.05) and furosemide (94.9±11.5; P<0.01). The MAP of salt+HS and control rats did not differ significantly and the effect of HS was comparable to furosemide. The pressor response to noradrenalin or vasodilator response to acetylcholine remained similar in all groups. These results suggest that HS attenuated the development of salt-induced hypertension and this attenuation may be associated with its high K+ content or high potassium: sodium ratio and not with altered pressor/depressor response to noradrenalin or acetylcholine. Also the effects of HS and furosemide on blood pressure are comparable