Anti-diarrhoeal activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus

The methanolic leaf extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus was investigated for anti-diarrhoeal activity. The anti-diarrhoeal activities were investigated using the castor oil-induced diarrhoea, magnesium sulphateinduced diarrhoea, small intestinal and distal colonic propulsion, isolated rabbit jejunum and castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation. The results revealed that the methanolic leaf extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus significantly (p < 0.05) and dose-dependently inhibited castor oil-induced diarrhoea, magnesium sulphateinduced diarrhoea, and also inhibited small intestinal propulsion and distal colonic propulsion. The extract inhibited the spontaneous movement of the isolated rabbit jejunum and reduced castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation. The intraperitoneal LD50 of the extract in mice was found to be 547.7 mg/kg and preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, carbohydrates, free anthraquinones and flavonoids. The results of this study indicate the presence of biologically active substance(s) which may be beneficial in the management of diarrhoea.© 2009 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Key words: Phyllanthus muellerianus, Euphobiaceae, Herbal medicine, Anti-diarrhoea

Pharmacological justification for the ethnomedicinal use of Amblygonocarpus andongensis stem bark in pain relief

Amblygonocarpus andongensis (family: Mimosaceae) is ethnomedicinally used in Northern Nigeria for the relief of pain. The methanolic extract of the plant stem bark was evaluated for anti-nociceptive activity using acetic acid-induced writhing model and formalin test in mice. Anti-inflammatory property was tested on egg albumin-induced oedema in rats while agar dilution method was used for antimicrobial effect. The acute toxicity effect (LD50) was also determined via intraperitoneal route. The results showed the LD50 value to be 547.7 mg/kg i.p. There was a significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent reduction of acetic acid-induced pain at 50, 100, 200 mg/kg i.p. The extract at the same doses significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited pains in both early and late phases of the formalin test. However, the extract showed neither anti-inflammatory nor anti-microbial effects. The results corroborate the folkloric use of the plant

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

Toxicity studies in rats fed nature cure bitters

Graded doses of Nature Cure Bitters (NCB) were administered daily (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o) to rats for 28 days and the effects on body weight, organ weight, clinical signs, gross pathology, haematology, histology and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. The relative weights of the heart, liver and testes of treated rats were unaffected in contrast to a significant increase in the relative weights of the lungs, kidneys and spleen. The packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentrations were significantly reduced whereas total leucocyte counts and glucose levels were remarkably increased. A significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase occurred in all the groups but alanine aminotransferase and albumin levels were significantly elevated. NCB elicited hypo-cholesterolaemic effects in addition to lowering urea, uric acid, BUN and total protein concentrations. Histological findings did not reveal any treatment-related effects. The calculated therapeutic index was >37.5. These preliminary results suggest that NCB was not likely to produce severe toxicological effects on organ weights, haematological and biochemical indices when given at normal therapeutic doses. Key Words: Nature Cure Bitters, organ weight; pathology, haematology; serum biochemistry. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.4(1) 2005: 72-7

Effect of \u3cem\u3eZizyphus spina-christi\u3c/em\u3e Willd Aqueous Extract on the Central Nervous System in Mice

The effects of the aqueous extract of Zizypus spina-christi Willd root bark against exploratory behaviour, spontaneous motor activity (SMA), motor coordination (Rota-rod performance) and pentobarbital-induced hypnosis were investigated in mice. The extract induced a significant (P\u3c0.05) dose-dependent reduction in exploratory behaviour and SMA when administered orally. It also prolonged pentobarbital sleeping time but failed to inhibit motor coordination (rota-rod performance) in the experimental mice. These results suggest that the extract contained some constituents that depress the central nervous system, which may not be due to neuromuscular blockade

Pharmacological Evidence Favouring the Folkloric Use of \u3cem\u3eDiospyros mespiliformis\u3c/em\u3e Hochst in the Relief of Pain and Fever

The methanol extract of Diospyros mespiliformis was evaluated for its claimed folkloric usage in the relief of pain and fever. Antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract were evaluated in rats and mice. Studies were carried out on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats, acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, formalin test and egg albumin-induced anti-inflammatory activity in rats. The extract (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) gave a potent antipyretic effect for 100 mg/kg and significant activity (P\u3c0.05) against all the analgesic and anti-inflammatory models used. The LD50 of the extract was estimated to be 513.80±33.92 mg/kg i.p. in mice. These results provide support for the use of the plant in relieving pain and fever

Full Length Research Paper - Toxicity studies in rats fed nature cure bitters

Graded doses of Nature Cure Bitters (NCB) were administered daily (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o) to rats for 28 days and the effects on body weight, organ weight, clinical signs, gross pathology, haematology, histology and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. The relative weights of the heart, liver and testes of treated rats were unaffected in contrast to a significant increase in the relative weights of the lungs, kidneys and spleen. The packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentrations were significantly reduced whereas total leucocyte counts and glucose levels were remarkably increased. A significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase occurred in all the groups but alanine aminotransferase and albumin levels were significantly elevated. NCB elicited hypo-cholesterolaemic effects in addition to lowering urea, uric acid, BUN and total protein concentrations. Histological findings did not reveal any treatment-related effects. The calculated therapeutic index was >37.5. These preliminary results suggest that NCB was not likely to produce severe toxicological effects on organ weights, haematological and biochemical indices when given at normal therapeutic doses