The Effect of Crude Methanolic Leaf Extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on Some Haematological Parameters in Wistar Rats 1

Abstract: Bryophyllum pinnatum (B. pinnatum) is a perennial herb growing widely and used in folkloric medicine. Much research work has not been carried out on its effect on hematological parameters. We therefore decided to investigate the effect of crude methanolic leaf extract of B. pinnatum on some hematological parameters in Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats aged 2 to 3 months obtained from the Animal House of College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus were acclimatized for two weeks. They were divided into five groups labeled A to E. Groups A to D were orally fed with graded doses of the crude leaf extract (100, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight respectively) once daily for 28days in lower concentrations compared to an oral LD 50 of 800 mg/kg body weight. Group E served as control without receiving the extract. On Day 29 about 2.5mL of blood sample were collected from each rat through the median canthus into 9 /L when compared with control E = 4.0±1.0×10 9 /L. The platelet count were decreased in all the treated groups but was significant only in group A = 135±13×10 9 /L when compared with control E = 225±20×10 9 /L (p<0.05). The blood film examination revealed normocytic and normochromic red blood cells. This result pattern suggests that crude methanolic leaf extract of B. pinnatum may have properties that increase the Hb, PCV and TWBC, while decreasing the platelets, hence care should be taken while consuming such extracts to avoid haematological disturbances such as thrombocytopaenia. Also, constant monitoring the hematological parameters should be ensured in subjects taking such medicinal herbs for whatever purposes

Prolonged piperazine treatment has no deleterious effects on the heamatological indices of the rat

Effects of sub-chronic treatment with piperazine citrate on the haematological indices were investigated in the rat. Piperazine did not seem to have any deleterious effect on any of the haematological parameters studied. The mean PCV values in the three groups that were treated with piperazine 30, 60 and 100mg/kg were found to be 33.20+1.02% (p=0.5439). 34.20+ 3.28% (p=0.5472) and 34+1.41% (p=0.3892) respectively. None of these was significantly different from the control mean value of 31.80+1.96%. The average total WBC per mm3 of the treated groups that received 30,60 and 100mg/kg were 2760+733.4, 2700+782.3 and 2300+547.7 respectively. Differences between these values and the average control value were also not statistically significant (p=0.7672; 0.8336 and 0.7288 respectively). For the platelet counts, the result obtained did not follow a particular pattern and the test groups again did not show ant statistically significant difference in value compared to the control group

Sourcing for a New Oytocic Agent: Comparative Activities of the Oxytocic Substance in Fresh and Dried Sheep Placenta

Background: Extracts of both fresh and dried sheep placenta have been employed in traditional obstetric practice in Nigeria to facilitate labour. The comparative oxytocin effects of an extracts of the pulverized dried sheep placenta with normal saline and a normal saline infusion of the fresh placenta were investigated on pregnant guinea-pig uterus. Method: Increasing concentrations of placental wash and placental extract were administered to uterine preparation which was mounted in a 50ml aerated organ bath. Uterine contractions were recorded on smoke paper mounted on a rotating kymograph drum. The effects were compared with those due to increasing concentrations of oxytocin as standard recorded on the same tissue. Results: Infusion from the fresh placenta was 2.89 – 5.70 times more potent than the extract of the dried placenta. Oxytocin showed a higher relative potency than either of the extracts; 2.5 x 106 times as potent the dried placental extract and 8.7 x 105 times more potent than the fresh placental infusion. Conclusion: The oxytocic substance in the placenta is to some degree affected by drying, hence its lower potency. Key Words: Sheep placenta, Extract, Infusion, Relative Oxytocic Potency. Jnl of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol.1 2000: 29-3

Pharmacodynamic Effects of Piperazine Citrate on the vascular smooth muscle of the rat

Effect of piperazine citrate on the vascular smooth muscle using rat hindquarters was investigated. Piperazine caused dose-dependent increase in flow rate of 51.69 +2.59, 89.33 + 6.23 and 200. 4 + 13.12% respectively for doses 25 and 10ìg over the control values indicating vasodilatation. Compared to the value from control animals (2.36 + 0.57%) these values were statistically significant using student’s ”t” test (

Indomethacin in preventive medicine: New role as rodenticide

No Abstract

Patterns of some haemorrhagic indices during menstruation of women in Enugu Metropolis

No Abstract

The design of the fly adhesive pad: distal tenent setae are adapted to the delivery of an adhesive secretion

Flies (Brachycera) have adhesive pads called pulvilli at the terminal tarsomere. The pulvilli are covered by tenent setae, sometimes termed tenent hairs, which serve to increase the actual area of attachment to the surface. By using transmission and scanning electron microscopy it is shown that proximal and distal tenent setae have different ultrastructures. The design of distal adhesive setae is adapted for the release of adhesive substances close to the area of contact. It is concluded that secretion injection is precisely targeted under the distal tip of a single seta