Sub-chronic toxicity evaluation of Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) schott, leaf extract in albino rats

This study evaluated the acute and sub-chronic toxicities of ethanol leaf extract of Dryopteris filix-mas. Acute toxicity and phytochemical tests on ethanol leaf extract were determined. In sub-chronic toxicity test, animals were treated with 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of extract every day for 90 days. Blood samples were collected via retro-orbital puncture for baseline studies and at 31, 61 and 91st days for determination of hematological, kidney and liver function parameters. Liver and kidneys were harvested for histopathology analyses on 91st day. Also, a 28 day recovery study was carried out to determine reversibility in toxicological effects. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, reducing sugar and cardiac glycosides. Acute toxicity test did not show toxicity or death at 5000 mg/kg. There was significant (p<0.005) reduction in white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, significant (p<0.05) increase in some liver and kidney biomarkers as well as alterations in liver and kidney histo-architecture on 91st days in animals that were treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg extract. However, toxicities observed on 91st day were reversible in recovery studies. The leaf extract of Dryopteris filix-mas may be hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic when used for long periods

Six months chronic toxicity of Dryopteris filix –mas (L.) Schott ethanol leaf extract on Wistar rats

Background & Aim: Dryopteris filix-mas (D. filix-mas) is used among the Southern Nigerian populace in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, treatment of wounds, worm infestations, among other diseases. We evaluated the 6 months chronic exposure effects of its ethanol leaf extract in Wistar rat. Experimental: A total of 48 rats were randomized into four groups of 12 each as follows; group A (control) and the test groups B-D received 31.25, 62.5 and 125 mg/kg of the leaf extract, respectively. Blood samples were collected via retro-orbital puncture for baseline determination of haematological and biochemical parameters. Thereafter, rats were dosed orally (p.o) for 180 days (6 months) and blood samples were collected for the determination of haematological, biochemical parameters on the 181st day. Liver and kidneys were harvested for histopathology analyses. A 28 - day recovery study was also conducted to determine reversibility in toxicological effects. Results: There was no significant alteration (P>0.05) in heamatological, lipid profile and electrolyte parameters as well as body weight gain and relative organ weights of animals that were exposed to the extract when compared with control group. However, there was significant (P<0.005) reductions in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as elevation in urea and creatinine levels of extract treated groups. Histological sections did not reveal toxicity of liver architecture on day 181st, except dose dependent kidney toxicity, which was reversed following the recovery study. Recommended applications/industries: The leaf extract of Dryopteris filix-mas may be nephrotoxic following 6 months exposure

Ficus Sycomorus L (Moraceae): A review on its Phytopharmacology and toxicity profile

Ficus Sycomorus (F. sycomorus), belonging to the family of moraceae, is an evergreen tree found in Nigeria and other parts of the world. It has several medicinal and culinary uses. This present review evaluated its traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, pharmacological and toxicological effects. From this evaluation, bioactivity guided isolation and purification of its promising extracts is recommended to facilitate the discovery and development of its lead molecules as alternative therapie

Antioxidant Activities of the Leaf Extract and Fractions of Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott could be Attributed to The Abundance of Polyphenol Compounds

Dryopteris filix mas (D filix-mas) is wildly used in ethnomedicine for the management of rheumatoid arthritis, wounds and other diseases. We investigated the anti-oxidant activities of its leaf extract, and chromatographic fractions. The ethanol leaf extract was partitioned into four fractions; n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water. Ferric reducing anti-oxidant power (FRAP), 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging in vitro assays were carried out on the extract and fractions at 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 µg/mL. The most active fraction (ethyl acetate fraction) was further purified using chromatographic techniques to isolate its major compound whose structure was elucidated using ID nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry. The ethyl acetate fraction produced the highest free radical scavenging activity among the other fractions. The fraction (VLC-E7) from which the bioactive compound, quercetin-3-O-αL-rhamnopyranoside, was isolated had the best FRAP and DPPH scavenging activities with EC50 and IC50 values of 88.81 ± 3.41 and 26.87 ± 0.24 respectively more than the ethyl acetate fraction. This study revealed that the polyphenol flavonoid, quercetin-3-O-αL-rhamnopyranoside could be responsible for antioxidant activity of ethno-medicinal property of D filix-mas leaf

Osteoprotective Effect of Phytoestrogen Rich Fraction of Ochna schweinfurthiana Stembark Extract on Ovariectomized Animal Model of Menopause

Osteoporosis is one of the major disease conditions associated with estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women. This study evaluated the osteoprotective effect of phytoestrogen rich fraction (PERF) of O. schweinfurthiana back extract on ovariectomized animal model of menopause. The methanol plant extract was partitioned into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water fraction using liquid-liquid fractionation. The phytoestrogens in the fractions were quantified using genistein as standard. Ovariectomy induced osteoporosis was achieved by surgical removal of the ovaries. Body weight changes, relative uterine weight, serum estradiol, bone turnover markers (Alkaline phosphatase - ALP and Acid Phosphatase – ACP), bone mineral content and density as well as lipid peroxidation assays were used to establish ability of ovariectomy to induce osteoporosis and dose response effect of the PERF. Water fraction showed the highest content of phytoestrogen which was more than 10 fold higher than the content of other fractions. Ovariectomy induced weight gain was significantly (P&lt;0.05) lowered by PERF compared to vehicle control. Significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in serum estradiol following treatment with PERF produced corresponding uterotrophic effect with median effective dose (ED50) of 197 mg/kg. osteoprotective effect of PERF was evident from the significant (P&lt;0.05) increases in both bone mineral content and density which corresponded with reduction in bone turnover markers. Ovariectomy induced oxidative stress was reduced by PERF with ED50 of 716 mg/kg. O. schweinfurthiana exhibited osteoprotective effect that may have been mediated by downstream signaling effects through estrogen receptor. Keywords: Osteoporosis; Menopause; Phytoestrogen; bone turnover DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-10-04 Publication date:July 31st 202

Evaluation of Wound Healing Properties of Dryopteris filix-mas Leaf and Root Extracts on Albino Rats: Wound Healing Potentials of Dryopteris filix-mas on Albino Rats

Dryopteris filix-mas (D. filix-mas), belonging to the family of Dryopteridacea is a swampy fern that is popularly used by the Southern Nigerian dwellers in the treatment of wounds, hemorrhages, boil and other diseases. In order to authenticate its folkloric benefits in wounds, this study evaluated its wound healing activity using excision model. A total of fifty (50) Wistar rats were randomized into ten groups of five animals each. After creation of surface wounds, group 1 received paraffin base (control). Group 2 received Povidon iodine (standard). Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 received 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10% (w/w) of an ethanol leaf extract of D. filix-mas formulated with paraffin base respectively. Groups 7, 8, 9, 10 were treated with 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10% (w/w) of ethanol root extract D. filix-mas formulated with paraffin base respectively. Treatments were topically applied to wounds once daily and healing rate was monitored every 3 days for 21 days. Wound swaps were taken on day 10th and day 20th for bacteria load determination. In-vitro antimicrobial activities of the leaf and root extract were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli using agar-well diffusion method. Higher concentrations (5 and 10%) of the leaf and root extracts exhibited better wound healing activities more than lower concentrations. The leaf extract produced a better healing rate (wound contraction), antimicrobial activity and body weight regaining activities more than the root extract. This study validates the traditional use of D filix-mas in the treatment of wounds

Wound-healing Activity of the Aqueous Leaf Extract and Fractions of Ficus exasperata (Moraceae) and its Safety Evaluation on Albino Rats

Ficus exasperata have been reported to have wide applications in the treatment of many human diseases. However, its traditional use in the treatment of wounds has not been validated by any scientific study. Also, its safety in the management of chronic disease conditions requires attention. We evaluated the wound-healing activity of the aqueous extract and fractions of F. exasperata, as well as its safety after subchronic oral administration. Similar percentage of wound contraction was observed with 5% w/w extract ointment application and administration of cicatrin powder (standard) on the 4th day, while better contraction than the standard was recorded with higher concentrations of the extract ointment. Of all the fractions tested, significant (P<0.05) contraction was only noticed in chloroform fraction, though lower than that of the aqueous extract. The extract also showed concentration-dependent inhibition of all the tested microbial isolates. Extract administered up to 5000 mg/kg (single dose administration) did not cause any mortality after 24 h. Mortality was, however, recorded at 4000 mg/kg within the first 20 days of subchronic administration of the extract. Significant (P<0.05) increases in alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), and in particular, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were observed at different doses and time periods. Pathological and histological changes were noticed in the liver and kidney on the 91st day of the study with 4000 mg/kg of the extract. Except for the significant (P<0.05) reduction in WBC on the 91st day, no other significant (P<0.05) changes were observed in other hematological parameters. The aqueous extract demonstrated better wound-healing activity than its fractions; however, the extract may not be safe at higher doses for subchronic oral administration, as may be the case in the management of chronic disease conditions

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant potentials of Alchornea floribunda leaf extract, fractions and isolated bioactive compounds

Objective: Alchornea floribunda leaves are widely used in ethnomedicine for the management of immuno-inflammatory disorders. We investigated the in vivo and in vitro antioxidant activity of the leaf extract, fractions and isolated compounds of A. floribunda.Materials and Methods: The ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol leaf extract was subjected to several chromatographic separations to isolate compounds 1-4. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. Oxidative stress was induced with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Further analysis on the isolated phenolic compounds were done using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity tests.Results: The ethyl acetate fraction at 200 mg/kg produced significant (