Evaluation of the antimalarial potential of Icacina senegalensis Juss (Icacinaceae)

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate in vivo antimalarial activity of methanol leaf extract of Icacina senegalensis.MethodsThe extract was investigated for activity against early and established malaria infections using Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei at dose levels of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg. Chloroquine (10 mg/kg) was used as positive control.ResultsA dose dependent chemo-suppression of the parasites was observed at different dose levels of the extract tested with a considerable mean survival time.ConclusionsThe results support further investigation on components of traditional medicines as potential new antimalarial agents

In vivo antimalarial activity of methanol leaf extract of Bombax buonopozense in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei

Bombax buonopozense is used in ethnomedical practice for the treatment of fever. The methanol leaf extract of this plant was evaluated for in vivo antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine sensitive plasmodium berghei in mice. The antiplasmodial effect during early and established infections was investigated. The extract (200-600 mg/kg, p.o) exhibited significant (P<0.05) antimalarial activity both in four-day early and in an established infection tests. The LD50 of the extract was established to be greater than 5000 mg/kg, p.o in mice. The result suggests that B. buonopozense leaf extract possesses significant (P< 0.05) antiplasmodial activity thus confirming its traditional use in malarial therapy.Keywords: Bombax buonopozense; Herbal medicine; Plasmodium berghei berghei; Mic

Anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the methanolic extract of Bombax buonopozense leaves in rats and mice

Methanolic extract of Bombax buonopozense was evaluated for possible anti-nociceptive, antiinflammatory and anti-pyretic activities in mice and rats. Acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test in mice and formalin test in rats were used to investigate the antinociceptive effect of the extract. Studies were carried out on yeast-induced pyrexia and egg albumin-induced anti-inflammatory activity in rats. The extract produced a significant decrease in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and inhibition of late phase of the formalin pain test in rats. The methanolic extract of B. buonopozense leaf also produced a potent antipyretic effect and significant inhibition of egg  albumin-induced antiinflammatory activity in rats. The result suggests that B. buonopozense contains biologically active substances with potential values for the treatment of fever, painful and inflammatory conditions.Keywords: Bombax buonopozense; analgesic, inflammation, pyrexia

Studies on anti-ulcer, analgesic and antipyretic properties of the ethanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium in rodents

The ethanol extract of Gongronema latifolium leaves were evaluated for anti-ulcer, analgesic and anti pyretic activities in rats and mice. Ethanol-induced gastric ulceration, acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced nociception were used. Yeast-induced hyperpyrexia was used to investigate the antipyretic activity. The extract produced a significant ulcer protective activity in rats. The extract also decreased pain induced both by acetic acid in mice and early phase of formalin test in rats. A significant reduction in hyperpyrexia was also produced by the extract in rats. This present studyprovides a strong evidence of anti-ulcer, analgesic and antipyretic activities of G. latifolium

Evaluation of the protective role of antioxidants: α-tocopherol, vitamin C, and quercetin, against ibuprofen-induced renal damage in male Wistar rats

Background: Ibuprofen, commonly used in management of pains and inflammatory conditions, has been associated with renal damage. The protective role of antioxidants against Ibuprofen-induced renal damage in wistar rats were investigated in this study. Methods: The study was designed in two parts; first, to induce kidney damage and secondly, to determine protective role of antioxidants against ibuprofen-induced kidney injury. In the first phase, two groups of animals were used; one group treated with 120mg/kg ibuprofen daily for 14 days, while the other served as control and had distilled water. Serum malondialdehyde and kidney parameters were estimated after treatment and kidneys harvested for histology. In the protection study, animals were divided into five groups, with groups 1-4 having three sub-groups treated with 120mg/kg Ibuprofen and graded doses of vitamin E, vitamin C and quercetin respectively, while group five served as control. After 14days, antioxidant enzymes and kidney parameters were estimated, and the kidneys harvested for histology. Results: Showed significant (p<0.05) increase in malondialdehyde, urea, creatinine, and uric-acid levels after ibuprofen administration. Conversely, there was significant (p<0.05) reduction in kidney parameters after co-administration of antioxidants with ibuprofen, with significant increase in antioxidant enzymes. Estimated antioxidant’s percentage protection showed vitamin E gave highest protection on the kidneys against ibuprofen-induced damage amongst others. Histology revealed atrophied glomeruli with widened capsular space, desquamated tubular epithelial cells and infiltrating lymphocytes after ibuprofen administration, but showed normal histo-architecture after co-administration with antioxidants. Conclusion: Antioxidants such as α-tocopherol, vitamin C, quercetin, protected against ibuprofen-induced renal damage in Wistar rats

Antiplasmodial activity of the ethanol extract of Dacryodes edulis leaf in Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Background: Malaria treatment in Africa is increasingly becoming difficult resulting from Plasmodium falciparum resistant to available antimalarial agents. Therefore, evaluating plants used in traditional medicines can lead to alternative treatment against malaria.Methods: This study evaluated the antiplasmodial activity of ethanol extract of Dacryodes edulis in chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK65 strain in mice. The 4-day suppressive test, repository and curative effect against established rodent malaria infection models were assayed in this study. The oral acute toxicity test and phytochemical screening were also carried out on the ethanol leaf extract.Results: The ethanol leaf extract of Dacryodes edulis (D. edulis) at varying doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) exhibited dose-dependent decrease in parasitaemia at suppressive, repository and curative studies. Chloroquine 10 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) decreased parasitaemia levels in the three models of malaria infections. The antiplasmodial activity of the leaf extract is comparable with the standard drug. The extract was found to be non-toxic acutely in mice.Conclusions: The findings show that D. edulis ethanol leaf extract demonstrated high antiplasmodial activity in a dose-dependent fashion. Thus, supporting claims of the plant traditional therapeutic importance for malaria treatment, and can be developed as an alternative therapy against the disease

Evaluation of antiplasmodial effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of Salacia lehmbachii on Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Salacia lehmbachii leaves are used in Nigerian traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria and other diseases. The ethanolic extract was tested for its activities against suppressive, prophylactic and established infections in Plasmodium berghei infected albino mice at dose levels of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; while chloroquine (10 mg/kg) was used as positive control. The extract exhibited significant dose-related antiplasmodial activities on parasites with the used-dose levels, showing significant mean survival time. The results, therefore, co-relate with claims by traditional users for the treatment of malaria and other feverish conditions; and could serve as source of potential new antimalarial &nbsp;agents. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.55610

Evaluation of the antiulcer and antimicrobial activities of methanol leaf extract of Helianthus annuus

Background: Medicinal plants are widely used in treating and preventing specific diseases and are known to play an important role in health care. Helianthus annuus is one of such plants whose therapeutic applications no doubt have numerous folkloric background. This study aimed at assessing Helianthus annuus methanol leaf extract for antiulcer and antimicrobial potentials Methods: The antiulcer activity was evaluated using aspirin, ethanol and histamine methods in Wistar rats, while the antimicrobial activity was carried out on selected microorganisms. The acute toxicity test and phytochemical screening of the extract were also conducted. Results: The methanol leaf extract exhibited significant (p&lt;0.05 and p&lt;0.01) antiulcer effect in both model. The ulcer protection effect of the extract is comparable to omeprazole. The extract also significantly inhibited the growth of test organisms. The acute toxicity test produced no lethality in rats, whereas the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids. Conclusions: The findings confirm the ethnomedicinal use of H. annuus leaf as a valuable natural agent for the treatment of ulcer and microbial infections

The role of honey in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a review of literature

The use of honey in the control of hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is a current option being explored globally. Honey bees which are named in Latin as Apis, use the collected nectar from plants to produce honey after regurgitation and digestion of nectar. Carbohydrate constitutes about 80% of the components of honey. It includes monosaccharides [fructose (37.5%) and glucose (30.6%), disaccharides (sucrose (1.6%) and maltose (2.7%)] and oligosaccharides. Natural honey also contains water (17.2%), proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, acids such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and other components. Honey is rich in antioxidant content and these antioxidant compounds function as endogenous cellular antioxidant defences against free radicals in diabetes mellitus. Antioxidants have also been shown to exert a beneficial effects on blood glucose. Fructose and other bioactive constituents of honey have also been linked with amelioration of hyperglycemia. Besides the beneficial effects of honey on blood glucose, honey is widely used in the management of diabetic foot ulcers, an important complication of diabetes mellitus. The wound-healing benefits of honey are attributed to its antioxidant constituents and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Though additional studies are needed, the use of honey in the management of diabetes mellitus holds much promise

Evaluation of nephrotoxicity effects of the methanol leaf extract of A. angustifolia in Wistar rats

Background: Agave angustifolia is a common traditional remedy in localities for disease treatment. This study focussed on evaluating the nephrotoxicity activity of the methanol extract of A. angustifolia leaf. Methods: Twenty-five Wistar rats of both sex were randomly shared into five groups. Group 1 received 10 mL/kg distilled water, group 2 gentamicin 80mg/kg, extract groups (3, 4 and 5) were placed on 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of A. angustifolia leaf extract  administered orally through an orogastric tube for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed using chloroform, and their kidneys were harvested, weighed and immediately fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histological analysis and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical and haematological analysis. Results: Results showed there was no marked difference in the levels of the packed cell volume (PCV) in all the concentrations of the extract as well as the controls. The gentamicin group showed a remarkable rise in the serum urea and creatinine level when compared to both the control and extract groups. Similar effects were observed in the 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of the extract. However, severe kidney injury was observed in the group treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract. Conclusions: Despite the beneficial potential of A. angustifolia, it also exhibited toxic effects on the kidney thereby causing significant damage to the kidney morphology at higher doses. The damages inflicted in these tissues are dose-dependent. Therefore A. angustifolia should be taken in low doses within shortest period of time