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

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

Pharmacognostic investigation of the leaves of Gisekia pharnacioides

Pharacognostic investigation of the fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of the leaves of Gisekia pharnacioides Linn was carried out to determine its macro- and microscopical characters and also some of its physical constants. Externally, the leaves possess a symmetrical base, an entire margin,obtuse apex and a pilose surface. Internally, its shows the presences of an anisocytic stomata, unicellular, uniseriated-covering trichomes with swollen base and an acute apex, prism and clustered crystals of calcium oxalate and fiber elements. The chemo-microscopy revealed the presences of lignin,mucilage, proteins, starch grains, fats and oils. Phytochemical studies of the powdered leaves revealed the presences of tannins, alkaloids, resins, cardiac glycosides, flavoniods and some carbohydrates. The results of the study could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of a monograph of the plan

Influence of locally sourced additives on neem plant organic fertilizer quality in Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Neem samples (Neem fruit, Neem Cake and oil) were prepared using locally sourced materials, the Neem oil was obtained during the caking, while the Neem fruit was simply air-dried. The results showed that all the Neem samples contained: Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium considerable for fertilizer production but Neem fruit has the highest percentage of Nitrogen 3.3%, Phosphorous 4.1% and potassium 3.8% while the oil has the least content of 1.1% Nitrogen, 2.0% Phosphorous and 1.1% potassium. Additives were introduced in the production to enhance the quality of the fertilizer such as limestone to neutralize the soil, poultry liter as supplement of the nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content of the fertilizer, Rock phosphate to standardize the phosphorous content of the soil and to retain the soil texture and composition.Keywords: Neem fruit, Neem cake, Neem seed, Rock phosphate, Organic fertilize

Toxicity studies on the methanol leaf extract of Ziziphus mucronata willd

No Abstract

A furostan saponin isolated from the rhizome of C. spectabilis (Costaceae) exerts cataract ameliorative effect in-vitro

Background & Aim: Extracts from plants, such as C. spectabilis (rhizome) traditionally used for the treatment of cataract may potentially contain anticataract lead compound(s). The current study aimed to isolate the constituent(s) of the extract of C. spectabilis and evaluate its anticataract effect. Experimental: The isolation of the constituent was achieved using silica gel, sephadex column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography of the n-butanol fraction of aqueous ethanol extract of the rhizome, followed by analysis using NMR spectroscopy. The anticataract effect was investigated using H2O2-induced cataract model. Lenses freshly obtained from rats were cultured in the presence or absence of hydrogen peroxide (0.5 mM), and or in the presence of H2O2 (0.5 mM) with any of the three concentrations of compound SL1 (0.5 mgmL-1, 0.25 mgmL-1, or 0.125 mgmL-1 ) over a period of 24 hrs. Lens opacity (index of cataract) was quantified by scoring and image analysis. The lens total protein, antioxidant bio-molecules (GSH, SOD) and lipid peroxidation (MDA level) were determined according to standard methods. Results: Chromatographic fractionation of the extract led to the isolation of a compound characterised as 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-α-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (25R)-furost-5-ene-3β, 22α, 26-triol-26-O- β-D-glucopyranoside based on its NMR data. The lenses treated with hydrogen peroxide (only) demonstrated significantly higher indices of opacity compared to the normal or compound treated. The groups treated with the compound (at 0.5 and 0.25 mgmL-1 concentrations) significantly (P≤ 0.001) exhibited lower score of opacity and grey image pixel intensity compared to the untreated group. Although the compound significantly (P≤0.05) prevented the depletion of lens total protein at all concentrations used, the loss of GSH, SOD and increase in MDA levels induced by H2O2 were not prevented significantly. Recommended applications/industries: The compound isolated can serve as a promising lead for the development of anticataract drug

PHARMACOGNOSOSTIC STUDIES ON THE LEAVES OF MORINGA OLEIFERA

Moringa oleifera Lam. (Syn.M. pterygosperma Gaertn.) is a small graceful tree used for food and medicinal purposes in many countries. It is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases including fertility control and as an arbortifacient. M. oleifera Lam. has been reported to exhibit antitumour, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and anti-convulsant activities. Macro- and micromorphology, and some pharmacognositic constant for the leaves and powder of M. oleifera, which could be used to prepare a monograph for the identification of the plant, were determined. Key Words: Moringa oleifera Lam, Horseradis tree, Moringaceae, Macro/micro morphology, Pharmacognostic constants. Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.5 2001: 45-4

Correlation of optical and mechanical properties of silver nanoparticles sensitized europium doped phosphate glasses

Magnesium-zinc-sulfophosphate glasses with various concentration of Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) compose of 63.5P2O5–20MgO –15ZnSO4–1.5Eu2O3 –yAgNps (y = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7,0.9 and 1.1 g in excess) were prepared via melt-quenching method. As-Quenched glasses were then characterized to establish the relationship between optical and mechanical characteristics. Densities were found to increase from 3.0720 to 4.3304 g.cm-3 with increase in AgNPs embedding levels, suggesting the network shrinkages and enhanced compactness. The Young’s, shear and bulk modulus of glasses were observed to enhance with the increase in AgNPs contents. The Poisson’s ratio value increased from (0.0978 to 0.1416) while values of both Vickers hardness (from 0.0658 to 0. 0.0682 GPa) as well as (from 0.8350 to 0.8916) were increased. This necessitate the evaluation of ultrasonic properties and mechanical properties of the synthesized glasses and further analysed by various analytical tools. The studied glass may be useful for the development of hard surface engineering

Antimicrobial studies on the stem-bark extracts of Ficus kamerunensis Warb.

Ficus kamerunensis is an epiphytic shrub or tree growing up to 20 m high. The plant is used in ethnomedicine to treat microbial infections of different kinds. Antimicrobial activity of methanol extract of the stem-bark of Ficus kamerunensis and fractions of the same (ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, n-butanol, aqueous) was studied. Agar diffusion method was used to screen the extracts while minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts were determined at 0.5 scale Mc-farland’s turbidity standard and with standard ciprofloxacin as positive control. The diameter of zone of inhibition of the extracts against test microorganisms (in mm) was highest for the ethyl acetate, followed by diethyl ether then n-butanol extracts while the least was with the methanol extract. The zones of inhibition of the extracts were in the range of 18-31 mm. The MIC and MBC for the extracts were 6.25 mg/ml and 12.5 mg/ml respectively. Antimicrobial evaluation shows that the extracts have activity against E. coli, Candida albicans, Candida stellatodea, Corynebacterium ulcerans, MRSA, Neisseria gonorrheae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus while Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Proteus mirabilis and Streptococcus pyrogens were resistant. This therefore, supports the ethnomedical usage of the plant for the treatment of infectious diseases.Keywords: Ficus kamerunensis, Antimicrobial, MIC and MBC/ MF

Inhibitory Effect of Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiacea) Seed Extracts on Some Key Enzymes Linked to Diabetes Mellitus

Enzymes linked with diabetes mellitus and Phytochemical characterization of its bioactive constituents. Crude n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were prepared successively in a soxhlet apparatus at 50ºC. Subsequently, extraction of crude enzymes from porcine pancreas and rat intestine, thin layer chromatographic analysis (TLC), and inhibitory effects of the extracts on b-amylase and b-glucosidase were determined in vitro. The results reveal that G. kola seed extracts inhibited b-amylase (IC50=  4.89 mg/ml, 3.44 mg/ml, 0.78 mg/ml) and b-glucosidase (IC50= 10.29 mg/ml, 1.68 mg/ml, 2.67 mg/ ml) corresponding to n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol gradient extracts. n-hexane extract had the highest inhibitory effect on b-amylase, while methanol extract was highest on b-glucosidase. Characterization of the bioactive constituents of the extracts using TLC analysis revealed the presence of steroids/triterpenes and phenolic compounds with phenolic compounds appearing in all extracts irrespective of the solvent polarity used for extraction. Anthraquinone and alkaloids were confirmed absent on TLC. This enzyme inhibition could be one of the possible pathways by which G. kola elicits its antidiabetic properties. Furthermore, the enzyme inhibitory properties of the extracts can be attributed to the presence of steroids/triterpenes, phenolic compounds in the seeds of G. kola.Keywords: Garcinia kola, b-amylase, b-glucosidase, TLC, Inhibitory Effec