Toxicity studies on the methanol leaf extract of Ziziphus mucronata willd

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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

Pharmacognostic evaluation of the leaves and stem-bark of Commiphora africana (A. Rich) Engl. (Burseraceae)

The study establishes some important pharmacognostic profile of Commiphora africana leaf and stem-bark with the hope of assisting in its proper identification as well as standardization for quality and sample purity. Evaluation of the fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of the leaves and stem bark were carried out to determine the macromorphological, micromorphological, chemomicroscopic and some physicochemical parameters. Macroscopical studies indicated presence of leaf with trifoliate arrangement, crenate margin with ovate shape, acute apex, cuneate base, petiolate with pinnate venation. The microscopy revealed the dorsiventral nature of the leaf and was observed to be hypostomatic with anomocytic type of stomata, with numerous unicellular covering and glandular trichomes on the abaxial surface. Chemomicroscopic characters present include; lignin, starch, cellulose, tannin, suberin and calcium oxalate crystals. The physicochemical parameters evaluated include moisture contents (8.1%), total ash value (9.3%), water soluble ash (5.5%), acid insoluble ash (3.2%), ethanol extractive values (22.3%) and water extractive values (19.0%). For quantitative leaf microscopy, on the average, stomatal number (38.0) and index (25.0), palisade ratio (11.7), vein termination numbers (5.7) and vein islets (1.3). The microscopy of stem bark revealed some prominent features like the cork, prism types and microcrystal of calcium oxalate crystals, fibres, phloem parenchyma cells, secretion canal and medullary ray. The physicochemical parameters evaluated include moisture contents (8.6%), total ash value (11.3%), water soluble ash (7.0%), acid insoluble ash (2.7%), ethanol extractive values (12.3%) and water extractive values (9.3%). Keywords: Commiphora africana, Macroscopic, Microscopic, Physicochemical parameter

Pharmacognostic Evaluation on the Leaves of Ludwigia Abyssinica Rich (Onagaraceae)

Ludwigia abyssinica belongs to the family Onagaraceae, it is native to South America, well distributed in Africa and traditionally used in the treatment of generalized back pain, various skin infections, gastrointestinal and wound disorders. The objective of the study is to establishes some important pharmacognostic profile of L. abyssinica leaves with the hope of assisting in its proper identification as well as standardization for quality and purity. Evaluation of the fresh and powdered sample of the leaves was carried out to determine the micromorphological, chemomicroscopic and some physicochemical parameters of the plant. The microscopy revealed the presence of anomocytic type of stomata in both adaxial and abaxial epidermis with irregular epidermal cells and deeply wavy anticlinal walls on the upper epidermis and with sinous anticlinal walls and polygonal shaped epidermal cells on the lower epidermis. Chemomicroscopic characters present include; cellulose cell wall, lignified cell wall, tannins, starch, calcium oxalate and cutin. The physicochemical parameters evaluated include: moisture content (7.00%), total ash (7.80%), water soluble (4.67%), acid insoluble (2.33%), ethanol extractive value (17.00%), and water extractive value (19.70%). Quantitative leaf microscopy, had shown that on the average stomata number (8.00), stomatal index (12.12%) on upper epidermal layer while on the lower epidermal layer the stomatal number and index were  (20.00) and (16.80%) respectively, palisade ratio (13.00), vein islet number (12.00), and vein termination number (11.00). The results of this investigation may be useful for the compilation of a suitable monograph on L.abyssinica

Anticonvulsant studies on a traditional antiepileptic mixture used by the Hausa people of north-western Nigeria

Background and objectives: The use of herbal drugs in the treatment of many neurological disorders is gaining popularity in developing countries due to their fewer unwanted side effects, affordability and cultural acceptability. A mixture of three plants roots Calotropis procera (Asclepediaceae), Combretum micranthum (Combretaceae) and Ficus abutilifolia (Moraceae) has been reported in Hausa traditional treatment of epilepsy. We have reported the evaluation of the acute toxicity and anticonvulsant activity of the ethanol extract of this mixture. Methods: The intra-peritoneal medial lethal dose (LD50) of the aqueous ethanol extract of the mixture as well as its anticonvulsive activity against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), 4-amino pyridine (4-AMP) and maximum electric shock (MES) were evaluated. Results: The mixture at the doses of 25 to 100 mg/kg could not afford a significant protection to mice against PTZ and 4-AMP; however, it significantly delayed the mean onset and reduced the mean recovery time of the animals at the tested doses in 4-AMP test (

GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract of Ficus sycomorus root Linn. (Moraceae

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