Chemical constituents of the ethyl acetate extracts of the stem bark and fruits of Dichrostachys cinerea and the roots of Parkia bicolor

The antibacterial activities of ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts of the stem bark of Dichrostachys cinerea and the roots of Parkia bicolor have been evaluated. Ethyl acetate extracts have been investigated, studies that led to a series of known compounds, amongst which many are reported here for the very first time from both the species.  KEY WORDS: Dichrostachys cinerea, Parkia bicolor, Chemical constituents, Antibacterial activity Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2004, 18(1), 111-115

Effect of Different Levels of Supplementation with <em>Leucaena leucocephala</em> on Weight Gains of the West African Dwarf Goat

The nutritional value and the effect of three levels of supplementation with Leucaena leucocephala on the weight gains and digestibility efficiency of total crude proteins (TCP) were assessed in West African Dwarf goats at the University of Dschang in West Cameroon. Twenty-four goats, about two years of age and with a mean weight of 9.9 ± 2.1 kg, were divided into four groups of six animals. The goats in the supplemented groups received 390 g (group 2), 780 g (group 3) and 1170 g (group 4) of fresh leaves of L. leucocephala corresponding to 7.1, 14.2 and 21.3 g TCP per animal per day, respectively, whereas those of the control group (group 1) did not receive any supplement. Animals were weighed every other week to assess weight gains. L. leucocephala, and Trypsacum laxum samples were fed to the animals in the metabolic cage and feces from the same animals were used to determine TCP digestibility efficiency. Results showed that L. leucocephala had high nutrient contents. The average weights of goats in groups 2 and 3 were statistically similar (P > 0.05) and significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of goats in groups 1 and 4. The mean daily weight gains of goats in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 18, 46.7, 48.6 and 10.5 g, respectively. The apparent digestibility coefficient of the dry matter was 68.8 ± 2.2, 70.7 ± 1.6 and 72.2 ± 1.1%, and that of TCP was 79.2 ± 1.3, 72.7 ± 2.4 and 72.1 ± 3.1% for the animals that received 390, 780 and 1170 g per day of fresh leaves of L. leucocephala, respectively. Finally, 390 g of fresh leaves (i.e. 157.6 g of dry matter) of L. leucocephala seemed to be the optimum quantity to include in the diet of West African Dwarf goats without the risk of side effects

Synthesis and antitrypanosomal evaluation of derivatives of N-benzyl-1,2-dihydroquinolin-6-ols : effect of core substitutions and salt formation

Analogs of the trypanocidal lead compound 1-benzyl-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinolin-6-yl acetate were prepared to extend the structure-activity relationship in this series of molecules, improve the in vivo antitrypanosomal activity of the lead, and determine whether ester prodrugs are needed to overcome the instability of the dihydroquinolin-6-ols. Two of the most active compounds identified in this study were 1-benzyl-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinolin-6-ol hydrochloride and 1-(2-methoxy)benzyl-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinolin-6-ol hydrochloride. These stable solids possessed low nanomolar IC(50) values against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense STIB900 in vitro and provided cures in an early treatment acute mouse model of African trypanosomiasis when given ip at 50mg/kg/day for four consecutive day