ANTI-NOCICEPTIVE AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF A NIGERIAN POLYHERBAL TONIC TEA (PHT) EXTRACT IN RODENTS

The study investigated the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of a Nigerian Polyherbal Health Tonic tea aqueous extract (PHT) in rodents of both sexes. 100 - 500 mg kg–1 of the aqueous extract was administered via the intra-peritoneal (i.p.) and oral (p.o.) routes to 5 groups of mice using tail immersion, tail clip, formalin and acetic acid –induced writhing tests of experimental nociceptive models. Each of the models showed that PHT possesses a significant (

Assessing the Risk of Birth Defects Associated with Exposure to Fixed-Dose Combined Antituberculous Agents during Pregnancy in Rats

Due to the risks of disease progression and transmission to the newborn, treatment of tuberculosis is often pursued during pregnancy and fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents have been found to be beneficial. Unfortunately, there is paucity of data on the safety of the fixed-dose combined antituberculous drugs during pregnancy. This study intends to assess the teratogenic effect of fixed-dose combined antituberculous drugs on the organogenesis stage of fetal development and also investigate the possible roles of vitamin C in modulating the teratogenic effects of these agents on the fetus using animal model. Pregnant rats were divided into 3 groups with 12 animals per group: group 1 received distilled water (10 mL/kg) orally; group 2 received 51.4 mg/kg/day of fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents orally; group 3 received 51.4 mg/kg/day of fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents plus vitamin C (10 mg/kg/day) orally. Six rats in each group were randomly selected and sacrificed on day 20 by cervical dislocation prior to day 21 of gestation, and the foetuses were harvested through abdominal incision for physical examination. Blood samples were collected from the 1st filial rats of the remaining six animals for biochemical and hematological examination. The liver, kidney, heart, and brain of all the sacrificed animals were used for histopathological examination. There were significant (P ≤ 0.05) low birth weights of the foetuses of the animals that were treated with fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents. The haematological parameters also revealed a reduction in the platelets counts and neutrophiles at the first filial generation. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) elevations in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the foetuses of the animals treated with fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents were also observed. However, the combination of vitamin C with fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the level of AST. Fixed-dose combined antituberculous agents have teratogenic potential as shown in low birth weight and mild liver damage in the first filial of the treated animals. As much as it is imminent to treat TB patients in pregnancy, there is need to always exercise caution and clinically weigh the risk-benefit ratio

Anti-Nociceptive And Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of A Nigerian Polyherbal Tonic Tea (Pht) Extract In Rodents

The study investigated the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of a Nigerian Polyherbal Health Tonic tea aqueous extract (PHT) in rodents of both sexes. 100 - 500 mg kg–1 of the aqueous extract was administered via the intra-peritoneal (i.p.) and oral (p.o.) routes to 5 groups of mice using tail immersion, tail clip, formalin and acetic acid –induced writhing tests of experimental nociceptive models. Each of the models showed that PHT possesses a significant (p<0.05) anti-nociceptive effects which were peripherally and centrally mediated as both the early and late phases of pain significantly (p<0.05) were inhibited. However, the peripherally mediated analgesic effect of PHT, although similar to that of aspirin but was found to be more potent than aspirin. In assessing its anti-inflammatory potentials, 300 - 1340 mg kg–1 PHT was also administered via oral and intraperitoneal routes, which, significantly (p<0.05) reduced the volume of carrageenan-induced oedema. Although, PHT administered via i.p. route was more effective than the oral but there was barely any difference between the percentage inhibition of oedema volume at both 600 and 1340 mg kg-1 given orally. PHT anti-inflammatory effect was elucidated to be significantly (p<0.05) mediated via histaminergic, serotonergic, bradykinin and prostaglandin inhibition. PHT was also shown to be more protective than acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the castor oil-induced diarrhea model, which suggests the involvement of other mechanisms. Thus, lending supports to its folkloric use in pain and swelling management

Antidiabetic Effects of the Ethanolic Root Extract of Uvaria chamae P. Beauv (Annonaceae) in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats: A Potential Alternative Treatment for Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus has been a menace to mankind from time immemorial. However, a natural product such as U. chamae P. Beauv (Annonaceae) offers alternative treatment for diabetes mellitus. The study aimed at evaluating antidiabetic activity of the ethanolic root extract of U. chamae in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague Dawley rats after overnight fast with 150 mg/kg alloxan intraperitoneally. After 72 h, those with plasma glucose levels >200 mg/dl were classified as diabetic. Five diabetic rats in each group were treated daily for 14 days orally with 100, 250, and 400 mg/kg of the extract, glibenclamide (71 µg/kg) and pioglitazone (429 µg/kg), respectively, while another group was untreated. Control received 0.5 ml of Acacia senegal. Effects of extract on glucose, other biochemical, and hematological parameters were evaluated. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of extract and its fractions were also evaluated. Percentage inhibition and IC50 values were determined. Diabetic control was achieved on the 7th day of the study with 100, 250, and 400 mg/kg of the extract showing glucose reduction of 72.14%, 78.75%, and 87.71%, respectively. The HDL-cholesterol levels of diabetic rats treated with extracts were significantly increased. Extract and its fractions caused α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition. Histologically, pancreas of diabetic rats treated with extract showed regenerated islet cells which were not seen in rats treated with glibenclamide and pioglitazone. This study showed that U. chamae has antidiabetic activity which may be through α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition and regeneration of pancreatic beta cells. Also, it may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by increasing HDL-cholesterol levels

Preliminary phytochemical screening and evaluation of hypoglycemic properties of the root extract of Uveria chamae

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the hypoglycaemic properties and preliminary phytochemical screening of Uveria chamae. The hypoglycaemic properties of Uveria chamae was assessed on normoglycaemic rat that received single dose of the extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight and blood glucose levels estimated at 2, 4, and 6 hours (single dose study). The hypoglycaemic property of the extract was also evaluated in normoglycemic rats by oral glucose tolerance test. Phytochemical screening of the extract for the presence of secondary metabolites was performed with standard methods. The extract showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels at 2h and 6h compared to control.  The oral glucose tolerance test  result also showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in blood glucose levels . The study showed that the extract, Uveria chamae has hypoglycaemic properties which may be accounted for by the presence of the phytochemicals

Sub-chronic toxicity study of the aqueous extract of fresh nuts of Plukenetia conophora in rats

Background: Nuts of consumed of Plukenetia conophora as food and used traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the sub-chronic toxicity of the aqueous extract of Plukenetia conophora in laboratory rats.Method: 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg of extracts of Plukenetia conophora were administered orally for 90 days. At the end of administration, blood samples was collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. Vital organs were harvested for histopathological assessment.Results: There was no mortality recorded on oral administration of PC up to 2 g/kg. For the biochemical assay, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) reduced at all doses. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity was also reduced at 500 and 750 mg/kg respectively compared to control. Cholesterol (CHOL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased at all treatment doses compared to controls. On hematological assessment, red blood cell count (RBC) was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased at all treatment doses. Platelet (PLT) and white blood cell (WBC) counts was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased at 250 and 750 mg/kg respectively compared to the controls. Histological evaluation of vital organs showed interstitial inflammation in the lungs while other organs assessed appeared normal.Conclusion: This investigation showed that the extract could be hepatoprotective and possibly serve as an immuno-stimulant. However, it could increase the risk factor for cardiovascular morbidities on sub-chronic exposure.Keywords: Plukenetia , Sub-chronic toxicity, Hematological, Biochemical, Histologica