Comparative in vitro and in vivo aphrodisiac activities of Khaya grandifoliola C. DC. (Meliaceae) stem bark in male rat model

Khaya grandifoliola C. DC. (Meliaceae), is a large tree exploited for timber purpose, for treating various illnesses and to enhance libido in Nigerian indigenous traditional medicine. Therefore, this study evaluates the aphrodisiac potential of K. grandifoliola stem bark in male Wistar rats. Aphrodisiac potential was determined following the oral administration of graded doses: 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of crude MeOH extract of K. grandifoliola stem bark, and 100 and 200 mg/kg each of aqueous (AQ) and dichloromethane (DCM) fractions. Sildenafil citrate and distilled water served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Sexual behavioural parameters like mount, intromission and ejaculatory frequencies and latencies were recorded on day 7. Serum testosterone concentrations and haematological parameters were also monitored. The findings from the sexual behavioural study indicated that methanol extract of K. grandifoliola was active and significantly increased mount and intromission frequencies, and intromission and mount latencies in a dose- dependent manner, but had no effect on ejaculatory frequency and ejaculatory latency. Both AQ and DCM fractions were more active than the extract but comparable to Sildenafil citrate, with the DCM fraction being comparatively more active. Testosterone concentrations were also increased dose-dependently by all tested agents, but DCM fraction was the most active and comparable to Sildenafil citrate. Improvement in some haematological indices, HB and PCV was evident with DCM fraction. From all indications, methanol extract of K. grandifoliola stem bark which increased serum testosterone and sexual behavioural indices has potential for improving sexual dysfunction in males, and the more active DCM fraction qualifies for further phytochemical investigation to isolate active compounds. These findings therefore justify the acclaimed local use of K. grandifoliola stem bark as an aphrodisiac in males.&nbsp

Analysis of the leaf oil of syzygium malaccense merr. et perry from nigeria

The hydrodistilled essential oil from fresh leaves of Syzygium malaccense Merr. et Perry. grown in Nigeria has been studied by GC and GC/MS for the first time. Identification of the substances was made by comparison of mass spectra and retention indices with literature records. The oil was largely composed of monoterpenes (61.1%) characterized mainly by (+)-α-pinene (7.3%), (−)-β-pinene (8.0%), p-cymene (13.5%), and α-terpineol (7.5%). The sesquiterpenes constituted 30.8% of the oil with (−)-β-caryophyllene (9.0%) as the major component. © 2007, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved

Constituents of the distilled essential oils of citrus reticulata and C. Paradisi from nigeria

Hydrodistilled essential oils from the fruit of Citrus paradisi Macfad. (Rutaceae), and fruit peel and leaf of Citrus reticulata L. occurring in Nigeria, were studied by GC and GC/MS on two separate columns. All oils yielded predominantly comparable amounts of monoterpene hydrocarbons (81.0–98.0%). Limonene was the main constituent in mandarin (67.0%) and grapefruit (94.2%) peel oils, while γ-terpinene (53.0%) and linalool (16.1%) were the chief constituents of mandarin leaf oil. Marked differences existed in the composition of the major and minor constituents of tangerine oils. Aliphatic aldehydes and alcohols were also detected in all oils. © 2007, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved

Anti-trichomonal and cytotoxic activities of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. var. anthelminticum herb essential oil from Nigeria

Essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. var anthelminticum (Chenopodiaceae) is known to exhibit various biological activities and, is known to be toxic. In line with the reported activity of this plant, we investigated the hydro distilled whole essential oil of C. ambrosioides growing wild in Nigeria, for its anti-trichomonal and cytotoxic activities. This was with a view to establishing its possible sub toxic level of activity. The antitrichomonal activity was investigated by incubating the culture and the various concentrations of the oil in 96-well microtitre plates at 37 oC and observing for growth. The cytotoxicity assay involved exposing fixed bovine erythrocytes to various concentrations of the oil and observing for haemagglutination. The antitrichomonal test at a concentration range of 0.003908 to 2.0 ìg/ml, revealed remarkable activity which surpassed that of Metronidazole. For cytotoxicity evaluation, Haemaglutination (HA) assay, using bovine erythrocytes, revealed that the oil displayed very low cytotoxicity (HA titre = 0.16) against the fixed blood erythrocytes. The oil has potentials of possible substitute for metronidazole and can also be considered safe for use.Keywords: Chenopodium ambrosioides var. anthelminticum, essential oil, anti-trichomonal activity, cytotoxic activity, Haemaglutination assa

Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anti-arthritic property of Jaundea pinnata (p. Beauv.) G. Schellenb. (Connaraceae) leaf methanol extract and fractions

The anti-arthritic effect of crude methanol (MeOH) extract of Jaundea pinnata (Connaraceae) leaf, as well as its dichloromethane (DCM) and aqueous (AQ) fractions, was investigated by both bovine serum albumin and fresh hen’s egg albumin in vitro models. In addition, rats dosed with the MeOH extract and its fractions, and standard anti-arthritic drug, diclofenac sodium® (50 mg/kg) up to 14 days were investigated for effects on rat paw oedema in a formaldehyde model. Further assessment of anti-arthritic activity was by assessing the alteration of haematological and biochemical parameters by tested agents. Oral administration with methanol extract and fractions up to Day 14 produced progressive reductions in rat paw oedema diameter. DCM fraction was more active than AQ fraction in reducing paw diameter, and was comparable to MeOH extract and standard drug, diclofenac sodium®. MeOH extract and DCM fraction reduced erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in a dose-dependent fashion. On haematological parameters, extract gave dosedependent increase only in packed cell volume (PCV) and was comparable to diclofenac sodium®1000 mg/kg. DCM fraction gave comparable PCV as the standard drug but AQ fraction was less effective. Extract and fractions were comparable to diclofenac sodium® in haemoglobin count, while neutrophil count was positively affected by extract and DCM fraction as the standard drug. Extract and fractions had no significant effect on white blood cell count. Effect of extract at 1000 mg/kg on liver function parameters (total protein, albumin and alanine aminotransferase) was comparable to that of standard drug. DCM fraction was a better inhibitor of protein denaturation than AQ fraction in both models. Overall, results of this study support the folkloric use of J. pinnata leaf in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Keywords: Jaundea pinnata, methanol leaf extract, dichloromethane fraction, anti-arthritic activity, rats

Anti-proliferative and cytotoxic properties of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) stem bark

An investigation was conducted into the anti-proliferative effect on guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor) root radicle and cytotoxicity on tadpoles (Raniceps ranninus) of methanol extract and solvent fractions of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) stem bark reputed in African traditional  medicine for various purposes including treatment of tumours. The methanol extract and solvent fractions at 0.25 – 5.0 mg/ml gave significant  decreases in mean radicle length of guinea corn root radicle (anti-proliferative effect) which was concentration-dependent. Only the chloroform (61.5-83.3%) and ethyl acetate (65.7-71.7%) fractions, showed promising growth inhibitory effects on root radicle at the highest concentration of 5 mg/ml. On tadpole cytotoxicity, chloroform fraction, tested at the highest concentration of 20 mg/ml, resulted in complete tadpole mortality equivalent to that of the positive control, chloramphenicol tested at 0.5 mg/ml. S. mombin (chloroform fraction > aqueous fraction > ethyl acetate fraction, LC50 5.1 – 8.5 mg/ml) showed promising antitumour potential. Data reported herein indicate that S. mombin is a potent cytotoxic and anti-proliferative plant and corroborate the folkloric use of the plant in the treatment of tumour-related diseases. Key words: Spondias mombin, anti-proliferative activity, guinea corn seeds, cytotoxicity, tadpole