In vitro anticholinestarase and cholinergic effect of the aqueous extract of Trema guineensis on rabbit duodenum

Purpose: In previous studies, the aqueous extract of Trema guineensis (Ulmaceae) was shown to increase rabbit duodenal contractions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of the stimulation of the rabbit duodenum by the aqueous extract of Trema guineensis (Ulmaceae). Methods: The in vitro organ bath method was used in our experiments. The enzyme was extracted from rabbit duodenum. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was determined by Ellman\'s assay using acethylthiocholine iodide as substrate. The rate of hydrolysis of acetylcholinesterase was monitored at 412 nm using a spectrophotometer. Results: The effective concentration which induces 50% effect of Hypo+ (EC50) was obtained with 8 x 10-2 mg/ml of Hypo+. The tests carried out in the presence of atropine showed a considerable reduction in the amplitudes of intestinal contractions. Hypo+ exerted mixed competitive inhibition on acetylcholinesterase (Vmax = 8.33 μM/min and KM= 6.25 x 10-4 M). These results indicate that the crude extract of Trema guineensis contains anti-AChE and cholinomimetic substances. These two properties can explain the increase of duodenal contraction by Hypo+. Conclusion:These results support the use of Trema guineensis as a laxative due to its stimulating effects on duodenal contractility. Keywords: Trema guineensis, Myostimulation, Acetylcholinesterase, Hypo+, Duodenal contractionTropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 8 (1) 2009: pp. 11-1

Etude des paramètres sériques biochimiques : le cas des lapins (Néozelandais – cunistar) de Côte d\'ivoire.

une insuffisance des bases données. Les valeurs obtenues sur l\'ensemble des sérums des animaux ont permis d\'observer les moyennes au niveau de la glycémie (0,79 ± 0,18 g/l) et des métabolites tels que, l\'urée (0,42 ± 0,10 g/l), la créatinine (6,88 ± 1,66 mg/l), l\'acide urique (5,42 3,75 mg/l), le cholestérol total (0,55 ± 0,13 mg/l), les triglycérides (2,18 ± 1,23 g/l), les protéines totales (26,00 ± 15,16 g/l), les bilirubines totales (7,25 ± 1,07 mg/l) et les bilirubines directes 1,58 ± 0,38 mg/l. Concernant les enzymes, les déterminations des valeurs ont été faites pour la transaminase alanine - aminotransférase (45,52 ± 20,54 UI/l), la transaminase aspartate - aminotransférase (21,24 ± 9,89 UI/l), les phosphatases alcalines (432,66 ± 207,8 UI/l), la ã Glutamyl transférase (24,24 ± 15,21 UI/l), les créatine phosphokinases (954 ± 343,4 UI/l), les lactates déshydrogénases (1135 ± 335,93 UI/l) et enfin les amylases (114,72 ± 27,99 UI/l). Par ailleurs, les moyennes des ions ont été déterminées pour le calcium (94 ± 4,43 mg/l), le magnésium (15,72 ± 2,49 mg/ l), le phosphore (26,70 ± 10,51 mg/l), le fer sérique (1,33 ± 0,74 mg/l), le sodium (141,89 ± 3,96 mg/l), le potassium (3,89 ± 0,38 mg/l) et enfin le chlore (100,85 ± 3,04 mg/l). En conclusion, les valeurs obtenues en zone tropicale nécessitent une évaluation avec un échantillonnage plus grand pour des comparaisons avec des données européennesStudy of biochemical serum constituents among rabbits (Néozélandais-cunistar) in Côte d\'Ivoire is carried out as a result insufficiency of available data. Values acquired from all animals serum allowed to look at glycemia (0.79 ± 0.18 g/l) and metabolites related averages such as, urea (0.42 ± 0.10 g/l), creatinine (6.88 ± 1.66 mg/l), uric acid (5.42 ± 3.75 mg/l), total cholesterol (0.55 ± 0.13 mg/l), triglycol (2.18 ± 1.23 g/l), total proteins (26.00 ± 15.16 g/l), total bilirubins (7.25 ± 1.07 mg/l) and bilirubins direct (1.58 ± 0.38 mg/l). Concerning enzymes, averages were worked out for alanine - aminotransferase (45.52 ± 20.54 UI/l), aspartate - aminotransferase (21.24 ± 9.89 UI/l), phosphatases alkaline (432.66 ± 207.8 UI/l), ã Glutamyl transférase (24.24 ± 15.21 UI/l), créatine kinase (954 ± 343.4 UI/l), lactate deshydrogenase (1135 ± 335.93 UI/l) and the amylases (114.72 ± 27.99 UI/l). Besides as to ions, the averages were determined for calcium (94 ± 4.43 mg/l), magnesium (15.72 ± 2.49 mg/l), phosphor (26.70 ± 10.51 mg/l), iron serum (1.33 ± 0.74 mg/l), sodium (141.89 ± 3.96 mg/l), potassium (3.89 ± 0.38 mg/l) and chlorine (100.85 ± 3.04 mg/l). In short, the values obtained in tropical area require assessment with a larger sampling for comparisons with European data. Keywords: paramètr.es sériques, Néozélandais -Cunistar, lapin./serum parameters, Néozélandais - Cunistar, rabbit.Sciences & Nature Vol. 4 (1) 2007: pp. 37-4

Antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract of Thonningia sanguinea against Extended-Spectrum-b-Lactamases (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Thonningia sanguinea against two sensitive and two multi-drug resistant (ESBL) Enterobacteria strains namely Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Method: The confirmation of the ESBL producing strains was done by the double-disc synergy tests and the broth dilution method was used for the determination of the antimicrobial parameters (MIC and MBC) on these sensitive and ESBL producing strains. Results: The two sensitive strains had the same MIC and MBC values respectively 3.125 mg /ml and 12.50 mg/ml. The ESBL producing strains also had the same MIC of 6.25 mg /ml and MBC values of 25 mg/ml. The extract was bactericidal for all tested strains. Conclusion: The results suggest that the flowers of T. sanguinea can be used in association with antibiotics for alternative therapy of diseases caused by ESBL producing E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae. Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Thonningia sanguinea, ESBL producing strains; E. coli > Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 6 (3) 2007: pp. 779-78

Laxative activities of Mareya micrantha (Benth.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) leaf aqueous extract in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Mareya micrantha </it>(Benth.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a shrub that is commonly used in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa) for the treatment of constipation and as an ocytocic drug. The present study was carried out to investigate the laxative activity of <it>Mareya micrantha </it>in albino's Wistar rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Rats were divided in 5 groups of 5 animals each, first group as control, second group served as standard (sodium picosulfate) while group 3, 4 and 5 were treated with leaf aqueous extract of <it>Mareya micrantha </it>at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), <it>per os </it>respectively. The laxative activity was determined based on the weight of the faeces matter. The effects of the leaves aqueous extract of <it>Mareya micrantha </it>and castor oil were also evaluated on intestinal transit, intestinal fluid accumulation and ions secretion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phytochemicals screening of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols, sterols and polyterpenes. The aqueous extract of <it>Mareya micrantha </it>applied orally (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; <it>p.o</it>.), produced significant laxative activity and reduced loperamide induced constipation in dose dependant manner. The effect of the extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg (<it>p.o</it>.) was similar to that of reference drug sodium picosulfate (5 mg/kg, <it>p.o</it>). The same doses of the extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, <it>p.o</it>.) produced a significant increase (p < 0.01) of intestinal transit in comparison with castor oil (2 mL) (p < 0.01). Moreover, the extract induced a significant enteropooling and excretion of Cl^-, Na⁺, K⁺and Ca²⁺in the intestinal fluid (p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results showed that the aqueous extract of <it>Mareya micrantha </it>has a significant laxative activity and supports its traditional use in herbal medicine.</p

Evaluation of the toxicity of a methanolic total extract of Mitragyna ciliata a natural anti-malaric

Mitragyna ciliata (MYTA) is a Rubiaceae used in traditional medicine to treat malaria. Total methanolic extract of MYTA made was used for toxicological studies on laboratory mice and rats. The extractof MYTA was administered intraperitoneally. The doses ranged from 0 to 4000 mg/kg body weight (bw) (i.e.,0, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg bw) for acute toxicity, and from 0 to 475 mg/kg body weight (bw)(i.e., 0, 125, 250 and 475 mg/kg bw) for subacute toxicity studies. Following administration of high doses, the mice had jerky movements and died lying on their belly. The maximal tolerated dose (MTD) obtained was 500 mg/kg of bw, whereas 50% lethal dose (LD50) was 1412 mg/kg of bw. The study of the effects of MYTA on the complete blood count, blood glucose and the serum markers ((urea, uric acid, creatinine, transaminases (GOT, GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK)) ofnoble organs of rats was performed. The results obtained with the serum enzymes (GOT, GPT, ALP, CPK and LDH) showed that no significant increase of activity occurred. This indicated that the heart and liver might not have suffered damages. Besides, significant decreases were observed in the serum activities of GOT, ALP and LDH, suggesting that MYTA could have a potential hepatoprotective effect. Nevertheless, significant increases were observed in the serum concentration of urea, uric acid and creatinine at high doses. This indicates the accumulation of these metabolites in the blood, which could be due to kidney injury, leading to a decrease in renal elimination of waste

Antidiarrheal Activity of the Ethyl Acetate Extract of Morinda morindoides in Rats

Purpose: The objective of the study was to investigate the ethyl acetate extract of Morinda morindoides (Baker) Milne-Redh (Rubiaceae) (MM-EA) properties against experimental diarrheoa induced by castor oil in albino Wistar rats. Methods: The ethyl acetate extract of Morinda morindoides (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally to three groups of rats (five animals per group) in order to evaluate the activity of the extract against castor oil-induced diarrhea model in rat. Two other groups received normal saline (5mg/kg) and loperamide (5mg/kg) as positive control. The effect of the extract on intestinal transit and castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) was assessed. Results: At oral doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight, the plant extract showed pronounced and dose-dependent antidiarrheal activity. The protective role of the extract at 1000 mg/kg was comparable to that of the reference drug, loperamide (5mg/kg). The extract (1000 mg/kg) produced a decrease in intestinal transit comparable to atropine (5mg/kg), and significantly (p<0.01) inhibited castor oil-induced enteropooling. No mortality and visible signs of general weakness were observed in the rats following the extract administration of up to a dose of 6000 mg/kg. Conclusion: The results showed that the extract of M. morindoides has a significant antidiarrheal activity which supports its use in traditional herbal medicine practice

Free radical scavenging activity, flavonoid and phenolic contents of selected Ivorian plants

No Abstract.International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 3 (4) 2007: pp. 425-42