ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITIES OF THE METHANOL LEAF EXTRACTS OF HYMENOCARDIA ACIDA (TUL.) IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The effect of methanolic extract of Hymenocardia acida leaves on diabetes and associated lipidemia were investigated on experimentally-induced diabetic rats. The extract did not demonstrate any acutely toxic effect in rats within the dose range (250 mg/kg - 2000 mg/kg) employed in the study; hence it was well tolerated by the rats. In all experiments, the anti-diabetic effects were dose-dependent and comparable to that of glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) standard. At a dose of 500 mg/kg, lipid profile markers such as the serum total cholesterol (TC) levels, LDL-C, triglycerides and HDL-C were significantly lower (

In vivo and in vitro antioxidant fffects of Icacina trichantha tuber extract

The phytochemical and antioxidant properties of the methanol extract of Icacina trichantha tuber were evaluated using standard assays. The antioxidant potential was studied with both in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro procedures involved the use of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) spectrophotometrically. The in vivo models quantified the gradation in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities in rats that were fed on graded doses of the extract incorporated in feed for 12 weeks. DPPH assay revealed that the crude extract possessed a high antioxidant capacity of 67.3% compared to 80.3% with ascorbic acid at 400 μg/ml. The findings from the FRAP test buttressed the fact that the extract displayed a remarkably high and dose-dependent antioxidant effect with a maximal value of 6.7 μM at 800 μg/ml. The extract also exhibited potent in vivo antioxidant effects when the plasma MDA levels became depressed while the serum SOD, CAT and GSH values of test rats that received the medium and high dose (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg feed) of the extract were significantly (p<0.05) elevated from days 60-90 compared to values in the control and low dose (0.25 g/kg feed) of the extract. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, sterols and terpenes in the crude methanol extract of I. trichantha tuber. The results of the study demonstrated that I. trichantha tuber extract possessed high in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities. The extract could be a potential source for the isolation of novel plant-derived antioxidant agents.Key words: Antioxidant, Icacina trichantha, Free radicals, Bioassay

The antisnake venom activities of Parkia biglobosa (Mimosaceae) stem bark extract

Snake bites in rural Nigeria are commonly treated with plant extracts. We have studied the ability of one such traditionally used plant (Parkia biglobosa; [Jacq.] Benth., Mimosaceae) to reduce the effects of two snake venoms (Naja nigricollis, and Echis ocellatus) in several experimental models. A water-methanol extract of P. biglobosa stem bark significantly (

ANTI-TRYPANOSOMAL ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BUCHHOLZIA CORIACEA SEEDS

The seeds of Buchholzia coriacea Engler (Capparaceae) are folklorically used in Eastern Nigeria, to treat feverish conditions. The seeds are commonly called wonderful colas. They are chopped up and soaked overnight in the local gin. The infusion is drunk for the cure of such ailments as malaria in humans. Malaria and animal trypanosomiasis are two important protozoan diseases which are endemic in Nigeria. The crude ethanolic extract of Buchholzia coriacea seeds was evaluated for anti-trypanosomal activity in mice experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Parasitaemia was monitored using the rapid matching technique as well as the microscopic examination of the buffy coat. Packed cell volume of the bIood was monitored using the microhaematocrit tube. In the acute toxicity test no deaths were recorded. Signs of dizziness were observed at 2000 mg/kg/ip. The extract reduced the number of trypanosomes in the blood. The reduction was dose dependent. At 1000 mg/kg there was a complete clearance of the trypanosomes in the blood 13 days post-infection (PI) and after 3 days of consecutive treatment. Treatment was stopped and by the 15th day PI there was a relapse of infection. Reductions in packed cell volumes (PCV) followed infection. But as treatment was instituted, increase in PCV was observed. The increase was dose-dependent and may have resulted from the effect of treatment as there was a concurrent reduction in parasitaemia. This finding suggests that the ethanolic extract of Buchholzia coriacea seed has anti – trypanosomal activity in mice experimentally infected with T. brucei brucei

Investigation of the Antitrypanosomal Activity of Buchholzia Coriacea Seed Extract Against a Field Strain of Trypanosoma Congolense

The antitrypanosomal activity of the methanol extract of Buchholzia coriacea seed against a field strain of Trypanosoma congolense was investigated using experimentally infected mice of both sexes. Monitoring of parasitaemia was by the rapid matching technique. When parasitaemia was approximately log 7.8 (63 × 106 parasites/ml), treatment with graded doses of the extract (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) was instituted for 5 consecutive days. Diminazene diaceturate (Dimivet® SKM Pharma Pvt. Ltd.) was given at 3.5 mg/kg i.p. to the positive control mice. No significant differences in body weights were observed. The rectal temperatures of infected mice showed fluctuations. The PCV of infected mice were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of the uninfected controls. There was no significant difference between the PCV of the extract-treated and untreated animals. Parasitaemia increased steadily in the extract-treated and untreated mice groups till all the animals died. Three days post-treatment with diminazene diaceturate parasitaemia was cleared. Six days later, there was a relapse of infection. By the end of the experiment, a 50 % relapse rate was recorded in the diminazene diaceturate-treated group. The methanol extract of Buchholzia coriacea seeds did not show any antitrypanosomal activity in mice infected with Trypanosoma congolense at the doses tested

Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Sciences Evaluation of local anaesthetic efficacy of the crude extract of Sterculia tragacantha using West African Dwarf Goats

Abstract The crude extract of Sterculia tragacantha was subcutaneously infiltrated at the scrotum and left flank of West African dwarf goat prior to orchidectomy and non invasive flank procedures respectively. To assess the local anaesthetic efficacy of the extract post orchidectomy, the pain threshold, changes in vital parameters and blood glucose were monitored. Post flank infiltration, the durations of local anaesthesia, degree of analgesia and distances of tissue diffusion of the extract were monitored. Data obtained in the extract group were compared with those of lignocaine group and a control group. Mean heart rate (HR) of the extract group were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than HR obtained in the control group at 30 and 120 min while mean respiratory rate (RR) of extract group was significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than RR of control group at 30, 120 and 240 min. Post orchidectomy, glucose values of extract group were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than those in control group. The mean post operative pain scores in extract group were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than those obtained in control group. Duration of local anaesthesia at the flank due to lignocaine infiltration was significantly (P&lt;0.05) longer compared to that due to the extract. Avoidance responses to pain exhibited post flank infiltration of the extract and lignocaine were not significantly (p&gt;0.05) different. Similarly, the rate and distances of tissue diffusion of the extract and lignocaine were not significantly different (p&gt;0.05). On scrotal infiltration, S. tragacantha extract significantly attenuated post operative rise in the vital parameters and blood glucose. The extract was as efficacious as lignocaine when infiltrated on the flank. These results showed that an active component with potent local anaesthetic activity could be isolated from the extract if further purified