Effect of ethanol seed extract of Buccholzia coriacea (wonderful kola) on the lipid profile of albino rats

This study investigates the effect of ethanol extract of Buccholzia coriacea seeds on the serum lipid profile of albino rats within a period of two weeks of treatments. Twelve (12) Wistar albino rats weighing between 85 to 130 g purchased and randomly divided into three groups were used for this study. The control group received normal saline while the two other groups received graded doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively. Measurement of the serum lipid profile in rats administered with extract indicated a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the mean values of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol but there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels of the rats administered with the same extract. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the total cholesterol concentration and triacylglycerol concentrations of rats administered with the same extract compared to the control. This study suggests that ethanol extract of B. coriacea seeds have active ingredients that are capable of improving the lipid profile and thus, might be useful in the management of cardiovascular diseases caused by hyperlipidemia.Keywords: Buccholzia coriacea, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, total cholesterolAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(32), pp. 5075-507

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the ethanol extract of the seeds of buchholzia coriacea in experimental animals

The effects of the ethanol extract from Buchholzia coriacea seed on inflammatory response using fresh egg albumin- induced paw edema in rats were examined. Antinociceptive activity of the extract using writhing test with acetic acid-induced pain in mice and the antipyretic activity in yeast- induced fever in rats were also examined. Oral administration of the extract (at the dose of 400mg/kg and in a dose dependent manner) significantly (p< 0.05) decreased the paw oedema induced by fresh egg albumin in rats. The extract (at 400mg/kg) also significantly (p< 0.05) inhibited yeast-induced pyrexia in rats when compared to the control. The extract was also found to possess significant (p< 0.05) dose dependent antinociceptive response in mice at 800 mg /kg. The results support the use of Buchholzia extract for the treatment of inflammatory disorders

Acute toxicity, lipid peroxidation and ameliorative properties of Alstonia boonei ethanol leaf extract on the kidney markers of alloxan induced diabetic rats

The lethal toxicity and lipid peroxidation studies of Alstonia boonei on alloxan induced diabetic rats were analysed. The effect of ethanol leaf extract of A. boonei on the kidney markers of diabetic rat was also determined. The acute toxicity of the ethanol extract of A. boonei was found to be more than 5000 mg/kg body weight of the extract after 24 h of constant observation. The malondialdehyde concentration of the rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weights of the extract significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.05) when compared with the untreated diabetic rats. There was no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05) when malondialdehyde  concentrations of rat treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weights of the extracts were compared with the standard control. But the creatinine concentration decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) when 200 and 400 mg/kg body weights of the extract of the treated diabetic animals were compared with the diabetic control.Keywords: Alstonia boonei, diabetic rats, malondialdehyde, creatinine and ureaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(5), pp. 678-682, 29 January, 201

Anti-ulcer and gastric anti-secretory activities of seed extract of Buchholzia coriacea in Wistar Albino rats

Ethanol extract of Buchholzia coriacea seed was evaluated for anti-ulcer as well as anti-secretory activity in rats because of its use in Nigerian folk medicine as an anti-ulcer agent. Standard pharmacological methods were used to carry out phytochemical analysis of the plant. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the ethanol extract of B. coriacea revealed the presence of alkaloids (101.88 ± 0.11 mg/100 g), flavonoids (46.88 ± 2.21 mg/100 g), tannins (0.16 ± 0.02 mg/100 g), oxalate (0.15 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) and terpenes (23.0 ± 0.30 µg/100 g). The extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, significantly (P&lt;0.05) and dose-dependently suppressed the ulcerogenic effect induced by indomethacin in rat gastric mucosa relative to the controls. Similarly, the extract significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased histamine-mediated gastric acid secretion and also blocked histamine-induced contractile responses in isolated guinea-pig ileum in a similar fashion as the standard anti-histamine drug, chlorpheniramine. The extract had comparable ulcer protective potency with cimetidine, which is a standard drug used in the management of ulcer. The mechanism of the extract’s efficacy to protect the animals against indomethacin-induced ulcer may be diverse in nature (due to the presence of a number of bioactive constituents) but suppression of mediator effect of histamine is likely to play a predominant role in the observed activity.Keywords: Buchholzia coriacea, anti-ulcer, cimetidine, anti-secretory and indomethacinAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(27) 2755-276

An Assessment of the Phytochemical and Nutrient Composition of the Pulverized Root of Cissus Quadrangularis

The phytochemical and nutrient composition of the pulverized dried root of Cissus quadrangularis (an edible Nigerian vegetable) were determined. Phytochemical tests on the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides with the absence of cyanogenic glycosides. Proximate analysis showed II 0.01% moisture content, 3.33 0.58% fat, 7.50 0.17% crude protein, 68.89 1.16% carbohydrate, 3.33 0.10% ash, 5.97 0.1% fibre, and 335.50 3.43 kcal/100g energy content. The root powder also constituted a rich source of mineral elements (mg/100g dry matter): Potassium 67.5, calcium 39.5, zinc 3.0, sodium 22.5, Iron 7.5, lead 3.5, cadmium 0.25, copper 0.5, magnesium 1.15, chromium 0, cobalt 0. Analysis of the toxicants also revealed that the oxalate, tannin, phytate, saponin contents were 135, 0.3, 20, 0.16 mg/100g dry matter, while hydrocyanic acid was not detected. The results are discussed in terms of the nutritive value as well as the public health implication of having this vegetable as part of the diet. Key words: Cissus quadrangularis, nutritional evaluation. Bio-Research Vol.1(1) 2003: 63-6

Concentrations of iodine and some environmental goitrogens in two selected water bodies - Adada and Akoru in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

This study was designed to investigate the distribution of iodine and goitrogens in two selected rivers: Adada and Akoru in Enugu Sate, Nigeria. Iodine concentrations were found to be 0.109±0.001 and 0.108±0.001 ppm, respectively in both water bodies. The evaluated environmental goitrogens were as follows in Adada and Akoru Rivers: Calcium 109.333±16.0 and 74.667±7.67 ppm; sulphate 33.400±7.40 and 65.000±2.60 ppm; chloride 183.000±13.20 and 257.7±14.30 ppm; potassium 0.733±0.02 and 0.733±0.02 ppm; nitrate 6.000±1.00 and 6.000±1.00 ppm; copper 3.455±0.46 and 2.792±1.35 ppm; phosphate 3.067±1.30 and 0.267±0.07 ppm; manganese 0.692±0.20 and 0.513±0.08 ppm; iron 0.476±0.05 and 0.181±0.01 ppm; magnesium 0.085±0.02 and 0.085±0.02 ppm, respectively. High values of these goitrogens in both rivers could be attributed to the high salt level of the two water bodies. Considering the iodine and goitrogen ratio in both Adada and Akoru rivers, the two water bodies would be a good source of iodine for the population and fresh water bodies that are dependent on them.Keywords: Adada River, Akoru River, iodine, goitrogens, hardness, acidity, pH.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(44) 4215-421