Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of an Aqueous ripe Fruit Extract of Borassus aethiopum (M.) FWTA.

The palmyra palm, sometimes called the African fan palm, Borassus aethiopum, is an important food source in Ghana and other African countries. The present study was aimed at investigating the possible antioxidant properties of the aqueous fruit extract of this plant. The total phenolic content was assessed by the Folin-Ciocalteau assay, the antioxidant capacity assayed by the phosphomolydbenum method whereas the antioxidant activity was measured by the ability of the extract to scavenge DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) radicals. Also, the ability of the extract to inhibit lipid peroxidation was established using the linoleic acid autoxidation assay. The results indicate that the extract (0.1-10 mg/ml) contains phenolic compounds which may be responsible for the antioxidant properties since the coefficient of correlation between the total phenolic content and the total antioxidant capacity was high (r2 =0.9912). The n-propyl gallate (0.001-0.03 mg/ml), a reference antioxidant and the extract exhibited concentration-dependent free radical scavenging activity. The extract also inhibited concentration dependently the lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid. These findings suggest that the fruit extract of Borassus aethiopum contains antioxidant principles and its use as health supplement in alleviating oxidative stress can be exploited.Key words: Borassus aethiopum, Folin-Ciocalteau, phosphomolydbenum, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, n-propyl gallate

Hypoglycemic Effects Of Whole And Fractionated Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Seed Oils On Alloxan-Induced Diabetes In New Zealand White Rabbits

Diabetes is a common condition that can contribute to illness, disability and early death world-wide. In an attempt to find remedy to this disease, the hypoglycemic effects of whole and frac-tionated neem seed oil on alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits were investigated. Oil from the neem seed was soxlet-extracted and some physicochemical properties determined. The whole neem seed oil had an acid value of 4.56�0.11, saponification value of 191.25�0.84, a pH of 4.85�0.15, a refractive index of 1.4653 at 29oC, a density of 0.9048 at 29oC. On fractionation of the whole neem seed oil, the acidic, basic and neutral portion obtained had pH values of 4.35�0.10, 8.50 �0.24, 7.75�0.01,respectively. IRspectrophotometric analysis suggests the presence of �OH, -C=O, -CH3. Rf values obtained from TLC analysis indicates a close relation in chemical compo-nents between the whole oil and acidic fraction. On administration of these oils to alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits (2.5 ml/kg p.o.), the whole oil and the acidic portion of oil had very sig-nificant (P<0.001) hypoglycaemic effect, the basic portionhad a significant effect (P<0.01) whereas the neutral portion had no significant effect (P>0.05) after five days of treatment. The data suggests that the whole neem seed oil and the acidic portion of the neem seed oil could be of benefit in controlling the blood sugar in subjects presenting with diabetes mellitus

Possible mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity and safety profile of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Pistia stratiotes Linn (Araceae)

Pistia stratiotes is used extensively in inflammatory disorders in several countries including Ghana. The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory property and possible mechanism of action of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Pistia stratiotes and to ascertain its safety for use. In separate experiments, acute inflammation was induced in the right hind paws of rats using carrageenan, histamine, serotonin, prostaglandin E, and bradykinin. Paw thickness (an indication of inflammation) were measured plethysmographically. Animals were grouped and treated with diclofenac, chlorpheniramine, and granisetron (reference anti-inflammatory agents), or aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Pistia stratiotes at doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg orally. Control groups received distilled water. Paw thicknesses was measured at 30 or 60 min intervals for 2.5 to 4 h for the various procedures. The extracts at all doses signifi-cantly reduced (P. 0.05-0.001) paw thickness in all the models of inflammation except the 300 mg/kg doses in carrageenan and serotonin-induced inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts were comparable to the reference drugs. Acute and delayed toxicity test revealed that the aqueous extract causes hemolysis of red blood cells (reduced count and presence of uro-bilinogen in urine) and possible acute kidney function impairment (proteinuria and microalbu-minuria). The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. stratiotes have anti-inflammatory activity in acute inflammation induced with carrageenan, through the inhibition of histamine, serotonin, prostaglandin, and bradykinin. Hematological profile as well as liver and kidneys function should be monitored when used orally for the treatment of inflammatory disorders