Anti-nociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of the Methanol Extract of \u3cem\u3eAnnona senegalensis\u3c/em\u3e Root Bark

Objective: To investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of Annona senegalensis in mice and rats. Materials and Methods: The analgesic effects of the methanolic extract were studied using acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test and formalin test, while the anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using the egg-albumin induced hind paw oedema in rats. Results: The methanolic extract exhibited antinociceptive activity against the acetic acid writhing test, hot plate test and the late phase of formaline induced nociception and significant anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the methanolic extract might be through peripheral mechanisms and thus justifying its folkloric use in the treatement of rheumatic pain

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

Evaluation of the Anticancer Activity of Bioactive Fraction G Extracted from \u3cem\u3ePavetta crassipes\u3c/em\u3e in Malignant Brain Tumor Cell Lines

Objective: Natural products have served as sources of lead compounds that are commonly used in the treatment of human diseases including cancer. Pavetta crassipes has been widely demonstrated to have ethnopharmacological potential in the management of malaria, gastrointestinal conditions, central nervous system behavioral disorders, hypertension, and cancer. The goal of our study was to evaluate the biological and molecular effects of Fraction G, obtained from the plant Pavetta crassipes, on glioblastoma invasive growth and survival. Methodology: The antiproliferative effects of Fraction G, obtained from Pavetta crassipes, was evaluated using the trypan blue exclusion, (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol- 2yl)-2, 5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide; MTT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Flow cytometry and Western blotting analyses were carried out to examine the effects of Fraction G on cell cycle check-points and its effects on epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated signaling of AKT and MAPK pathways. Results: In this paper, we report that the Fraction G obtained from the plant Pavetta crassipes induced a reduction in glioma cell viability and proliferation as well as induced an increase in apoptosis as evidenced by cleaved PARP, increased caspase 3/7 activity, and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 check point. Furthermore, we report that Fraction G inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and MAPK following EGF treatment. Conclusion: Taken together, our results demonstrate that Fraction G has potent inhibitory effects on pathways involved in glioblastoma proliferation and survival

Ownership and Sustainability Issues of Botanical Medicines

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 70% of the world’s population, especially those who reside in the tropics, rely almost exclusively on plants as a primary source of medicines. Over the last decades an awareness has grown of the pharmacological potential of medicinal plants, and a potentially bright future for drugs developed from natural products. At the same time, the use of plants in medical practice contributes to the growing threat to species and ecosystem preservation. This paper expands the narrow view of plants as sources for pharmaceutical development to discuss botanical medicine from an economic and human development perspective. I consider strategies that can ensure that the benefits that accrue from utilization of indigenous plant knowledge become positive forces for human development. Issues of sustainability are discussed vis à vis poverty, protection of ecosystems, and the potential for future use and longterm viability of medicinal species. Issues of ownership also are presented in the context of intellectual property rights, with particular reference to the inadequacy of patent rights to protect indigenous knowledge

A COMPARATIVE RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL OF NIPRD AM1 AGAINST A CHLOROQUINE AND SULPHADOXINE/PYRIMETHAMINE COMBINATION IN SYMPTOMATIC BUT UNCOMPLICATED MALARIA

NIPRD 92/001/1-1 is a single plant preparation used in Africa to treat malaria and other ailments. The plant occurs widely in continental Africa where the various parts are used. The plant is also used extensively as a food source. The root extracts are usually preferred for the treatment of malaria. We studied the non-clinical efficacy and safety profile of NIPRD AM 1 against P. berghei in mice and found the product to be safe and effective. The results of our phytochemical studies on the plant extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins and saponins and an aqueous extract yield of 3.6% w/w. The product had an LD50 > 2000mg/kg p.o. in rats and mice and did not show any significant toxic activity within the organs or systems in the 28 day sub-acute toxicity study. However, there was a decrease in food consumption and weight loss associated with the product. NIPRD AM 1 also significantly reduced the spontaneous motor activity (SMA) in mice. A comparative randomized clinical trial of NIPRD AM 1 was carried out against symptomatic but uncomplicated Malaria in human volunteers at the two district hospitals located in Gwagwalada and Wuse, both in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. NIPRD AM1 was studied against a chloroquine and sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine (Fansidar) combination. The results indicated that NIPRD AM 1 was effective against uncomplicated malaria with its activity superior to that of CQ and SP. The parasite clearance was better than that of chloroquine and there were no threats of serious side effects affecting the organs or tissues. Acknowledgements: WHO TDR provided funding

Antinociceptive Activity of \u3cem\u3eZizyphus spina-christi\u3c/em\u3e Root Bark Extract

The antinociceptive effect of the aqueous extract of Zizyphus spina-christi root bark was investigated in mice and rats. Acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and thermal (hot plate) tests were used. The extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a dose-dependent analgesic effect in all the tests used. Its i.p. LD50 in mice was 2236.07 mg/kg

Anti-nociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of the Methanol Extract of \u3cem\u3eAnnona senegalensis\u3c/em\u3e Root Bark

Objective: To investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of Annona senegalensis in mice and rats. Materials and Methods: The analgesic effects of the methanolic extract were studied using acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test and formalin test, while the anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using the egg-albumin induced hind paw oedema in rats. Results: The methanolic extract exhibited antinociceptive activity against the acetic acid writhing test, hot plate test and the late phase of formaline induced nociception and significant anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the methanolic extract might be through peripheral mechanisms and thus justifying its folkloric use in the treatement of rheumatic pain