The haematinic activity of the methanol leaf extract of Brillantasia nitens Lindau (Acanthaceae) in rats

Ethnopharmacological information indicates that the leaves of Brillantasia nitens are used in the treatment of anaemia in the south eastern states of Nigeria. In this study, the methanol extract of theleaves of B. nitens was tested for haematinic activity in rats using phenylhydrazine (PHZ- 10 mg/kg. po)- induced anaemia. The red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), white blood cellcount (WBC) and haemotocrit (PCV) were analyzed as indices of anaemia. The phytochemical and mineral contents, as well as the acute toxicity (LD50) of the extract were determined. Oral administrationof B. nitens extract (400 - 3200 mg/kg/day) to rats previously treated with PHZ increased the Hb, RBC, WBC and PVC within one week. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides,saponin, terpernoids, carbohydrates and resins. The extract also contained substantial amounts of vitamins B6, C and E, as well as folic acid and iron. The LD50 value of the extract was greater than 5000mg/kg. These results lend credence to the traditional use of B. nitens leaves in the treatment of anaemia

Evaluation of antidiabetic potentials of Phyllanthus niruri in alloxan diabetic rats

The antidiabetic potentials of methanol extract (ME) of aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri L (Euphorbiaceae) was evaluated in normal and alloxan diabetic rats. The results showed that ME significantly (P<0.05) reduced fasting blood sugar in a dose-related manner and suppressed thepostprandial rise in blood glucose after a heavy glucose meal in normoglycaemic rats. Chronic oral administration of ME caused a significant (P<0.05) dose-related reduction in blood glucose levels as well as total cholesterol and triglycerides levels in diabetic and normoglycaemic rats. Sub-chronic toxicity study showed that ME-treated rats had significant (P<0.05) reductions in haemoglobin (Hb) levels, red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts followed by a gradual rise which did not,however, attain basal levels; however, there was a progressive rise in the WBC of ME-treated diabetic rats. Also ME-treated and control rats had increases in weight throughout the study. Histological studies showed that ME-treated diabetic rats had the tissue architecture of their pancreas restored as against the control groups where there was evidence of necrosis. The acute toxicity and lethality test of ME in mice gave an oral LD50 of 471.2 mg/kg. Results suggest that extract of aerial parts of P. niruri has great potentials as anti-diabetic remedy

Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight et Arn (Mimosaceae) hydro-alcoholic extract action on the contractility of tracheal smooth muscle isolated from guinea-pig

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Dichrostachys cinerea </it>(L.) Wight et Arn. (Mimosaceae) is largely used in ethno-medically across Africa, and mainly employed for the treatment of asthma in Ivory Coast and Gabon. The paper analyses the relaxation induced by the methanolic extract of <it>D. cinerea </it>(Edici) in the guinea-pig trachea preparations (GPTPs). Purpose: This study aimed to bring out the scientific basis to the use of this plant leading to the validation of this phytomedicine.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The aorta obtained from guinea-pigs was immediately placed in a Mac Ewen solution. Experiments were performed in preparations suspended between two L-shaped stainless steel hooks in a 10 ml organ bath containing Mac Ewen solution. The isometric contractile force of the aorta strips of guinea-pig were recorded by using a strain gauge. The different drugs were directly administered into the organ bath and the magnitude of GPTPs was evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of Dichrostachys <it>cinerea </it>(Edici) using chemical methods revealed the presence of flavenoids, tannins, sterols, triterpenes and polyphenols. Pharmacological studies performed in GPTPs show that of <it>Dichrostachys cinerea </it>(0.1 mg/ml - 2 mg/ml) evoked a broncho-constriction in GPTPs. Whereas, at concentration up to 2 mg/ml, Edici induced a significant dose-dependent relaxation in the GPTPs. KCl-, ACh- or histamine-evoked contractions of isolated trachea was significantly inhibited by increasing concentrations of Edici (3.5-10 mg/ml). Edici (10 mg/ml) as well as promethazine (0.25 mg/ml) significantly inhibited contractions induced by increasing concentrations of histamine (1×10^-7-1×10^-4mg/ml). In the presence of atropine at a concentration of 10^-6mg/ml, contractile response curve (CRC) evoked by ACh (1×10^-5-1×10^-2mg/ml) was significantly abolished in concentration-dependent manner. Edici did not significantly reduced ACh evoked contraction (10^-5-10^-2mg/ml).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These observations suggest that Edici could act through two mechanisms: firstly by activation of β-adrenergic or histaminergic receptors; and secondly muscarinic receptors may not be greatly involved, that justifying the use of the extract in traditional Medicine in Africa.</p

Yellow fever vectors’ surveillance in three satellite communities of Enugu Municipality, Nigeria

Outbreaks of yellow fever have continued to occur in various parts of Nigeria. Between 1985 and 2000, sporadic outbreaks have plagued some parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Cross River, Lagos and Benue States of Nigeria. In addition to favourable environmental factors encouraging the development and spread of the viraemia, there is preponderance of Aedes mosquito vector populations, animal reservoir hosts and high number of non-immune human populations, which do not easily render themselves to vector and environmental management strategies. Regular vector surveillance to detect warning signs posed by vector activities and regular immunization of non-immune human populations have remained a reliable method of abating yellow fever outbreaks. In consequence, yellow fever vectors surveillance has been undertaken in three satellite villages (Obe, Nkalagu and Uwani-Uboji) of Enugu Municipality. Four immunized volunteers were used to collect adultvectors, while locally adapted CDC (Centre for Disease Control) ovitraps were used to collect their eggs. Also, house inspection to detect the breeding index of vector populations in and around the houses was undertaken. Results of house inspections in the three communities showed that out of sixty (60) houses visited, 385 containers were found with water, 221 (57.6%) water containers had Aedes larvae with Uwani-Uboji and Obe communities having 83.5% and 53.8% of their water containers withAedes larvae. For the ovitraps, Nkalagu had an average of 22 eggs per trap. There were high numbers of Aedes africanus adults in the human bait collections at Obe and Uwani-Uboji communities. Aedes albopictus was amongst other mosquito species collected

Wound healing properties of stem bark extract of Tabebuia rosea

The wound healing properties of the methanol stem bark extract of Tabebuia rosea (Bignoniaceae) were evaluated in rats using the excision wound model. Extraction of the powdered plant material by continuous extraction in a soxhlet afforded 5.73% w/w of the Tabebuia methanol extract (TME). Phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity LD50  tests were also performed. The results showed that TME and formulation of the extract in petroleum jelly (PE) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the wound diameter as well as epithelialisation time of the excised wound. The extract (TME) and the formulations (PE) produced 100% healing on the 14th day post excision which is comparable to the healing exhibited by a standard agent, Cicatrin powder. Phytochemical analysis of the extract indicated the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, proteins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids. The  acute toxicity test indicated an LD50 of 2154 mg/kg.Keywords: Tabebuia rosea, wound healing, excision, ratsJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 7 No.4 (2010

ANTI-DIARRHOEAL AND ANTISPASMODIC EFFECTS OF LEAF EXTRACT OF PTEROCARPUS SANTALINOIDES

Diarrhoea is one of the popular gastrointestinal disorders with high mortality especially in children. Certain medicinal plants are being used in traditional medicine practice to treat and control diarrhoea. One of such plants is the leaves of Pterocarpus santalinoides. The need to scientifically ascertain this folkloric claim and the possible identification of the active constituents therein motivated this study. The methanol leaf extract of P. santalinoides was prepared and screened for activity using castor-oil induced diarrhoea, gastrointestinal motility tests (charcoal transit test) and inhibition of contraction induced by histamine (H) and acetylcholine (Ach) on isolated rabbit jejunum. The results indicated that the extract at 200 mg/kg dose exhibited a significant inhibition (P &lt; 0.05) of castor-oil induced diarrhoea when compared with a standard antidiarrhoeal agent, diphenoxylate hydrochloride (5 mg/kg). The extract also at 200 mg/kg dose level showed a significant inhibition (P&lt;0.05) on gastrointestinal motility when compared with the vehicle (3 % Tween 80). The extract also exhibited a dose dependent inhibition on the contraction induced by acetylcholine and histamine on rabbit jejunum as well as the abolition of spontaneous pendular movements of the smooth muscles of the rabbit jejunum. The acute toxicity study exhibited an LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, resins, terpenoids, steroids, saponins. The extract exhibited both antidiarrhoeal and antispasmodic effects which could be through inhibition of histaminergic and cholinergic mechanisms via their respective receptors abundant in the GIT. The antidiarrhoeal effect of this plant can be explored for therapeutic advantages as an alternative for treatment of diarrhoea and further research is expected to confirm the active phytochemical constituent(s) responsible for the activity. Keywords: P. santalinoides, antidiarrhoeal, antispasmodic and rabbit jejunumNigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 8 No 1 pp. 138 - 144 (September 2010

Medicinal Plants Used in Wound Care: A Study of Prosopis africana (Fabaceae) Stem Bark

The effects of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Prosopis africana (Guill., Perrott. and Rich.) Taubert (Fabaceae) on bleeding/clotting and coagulation time, excision and dead space wounds were studied in rats. Also, the extract was subjected to antibacterial, and acute toxicity and lethality (LD50) tests. The extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced bleeding/clotting and coagulation time in rats. It also reduced epithelialization period of excision wounds in rats and inhibited the growth of laboratory strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae to varying extents. Acute toxicity and lethality (LD50) test on the extract established an LD50 of 774 mg/kg (i.p) in mice while phytochemical analysis gave positive reactions for alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids and carbohydrates. The results of this study demonstrate the beneficial effects of the stem bark of P. africana in wound care