Effect on some haematological indices of human whole blood when aqueous leaf extract of Euphorbia heterophylla was used as storage anticoagulant

Properties of red blood cells, especially cell size and red cell indices related to size, change with time in stored blood samples. Laboratory anticoagulants have certain drawbacks. For example, heparin has no preservative property on whole blood while K3EDTA (EDTA) is toxic and damages platelets. The search for novel anticoagulants with better hematological profile is therefore necessary. The anticoagulant properties of aqueous leaf extract of Euphorbia heterophylla (aka ito in Igbo) were compared with those of K3EDTA. Specifically, the effect of this extract and K3EDTA on packed cell volume (PCV) and red cell indices related to size, when they were used as anticoagulants, were compared. 0.5 ml of serial dilutions of this extract were placed in specimen bottles containing 2 ml fresh human whole blood and stored for 15 days at 4°C. For control, 2 ml fresh human whole blood was added to specimen bottles containing 1.5 mg/ml EDTA and stored for 15 days at 4°C. Thereafter, the test and control samples were analyzed for PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC using haematology autoanalyser (Erma Inc, PCE - 210). All concentrations of the extract used, except 65 mg/ml, and the K3EDTA were able to keep the blood samples in fluid state throughout the 15 days period of storage. At the level of significance, p < 0.05, this extract had comparable preservative effect on MCV and MCH (p = 0.79; 0.20), but less preservative effect on PCV and MCHC when compared with EDTA (p = 0.013; 0.049). The aqueous leaf extract of Euphorbia heterophylla has preservative properties on haematological indices of stored human whole blood compare to that of K3EDTA. The fact that it does not chelate calcium as its mechanism of anticoagulation gives it an advantage over K3EDTA when used for biochemical tests. It should therefore, be explored as alternative laboratory anticoagulant in view of this advantage.Keywords: Euphorbia heterophylla, anticoagulants, storage of blood, red cell indices, K3EDTA.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(31), pp. 4952-495

The influence of temperature variation on responses of the mouse rectal smooth muscle to electrical stimulation

No Abstract

Evaluation of haemopoietic properties of aqueous extract of mucuna pruriens leaf in albino rats

The leaf of Mucuna pruriens has been used in folk-medicine in the treatment of various diseases in the tropical countries. This preliminary studywas to investigate the Heamatological properties of the aqueous extract of Mucuna pruriens leaf in adult albino rats. The leaves of Mucunapruriens were harvested, dried and pulverized. 65g of the powered leaves was soaked in 1 litre of water for 24 hours. The phytochemicalanalysis was carried out using standard method. Acute toxicity test (LD50) of the extract was determined in albino mice intraperitonally usingLocke Dietrich method. Different concentrations of the extract were prepared and administered orally to grouped animals and ferrous sulphatewas used as a positive control and the haematological effects in the animals measured. The extract produced a significant (

Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activities of aqueous extracts of ocimum Gratissimum leaves in rats.

Antidiarrhoeal activities of Aqueous extract of Occimum. Gratissimum leaves in rats were evaluated. These studies were carried out to determine the folkoric medicinal values of the plant leaves. Extraction of crude extract was done using standard method. LD50 was determined using the Locke Dietrich Method. Antidiarrhoeal activities of the extract were carried out using albino rats. It was observed that the aqueous extract of O. gratissimum showed no protective effects against castor oil induced diarrhea when compared with the standard drug, diphenoxylate. The extract showed some antibacterial activities in vitro. Therefore the extract possesses antidiarrhoeal property as accorded to it by ethnomedicine and that justifies the folkore use of the Ocimum gratissimum in the treatment of diarrhea

Dose-response study and efficacy of dapiprazole in reversal of troicamide-induced mydriasis

No Abstract.Journal of Health and Visual Sciences Vol. 8 (2) 2006: pp. 50-5

Some Pharmacological Studies Of Aqueous Extract Of Leaves Of Euphorbia Heterophylla

This work was set out to identify the pharmacological basis for the laxative effect of leaves of Euphorbia heterophylla as well as identify its other pharmacological properties: Material/ Methods: Effect of aqueous extract of the leaves was tested on isolated guinea pig ileum and isolated pregnant rat uterus using organ bath and kymograph. Its anticoagulant properties were tested on whole blood. Results: The extract produced statistically significant contractions of isolated guinea pig ileum similar to that produced by histamine and acetylcholine. It also produced statistically significant contraction of pregnant rat uterus comparable to that produced by oxytocin. The contractile responses on the intestine and uterus were blocked by atropine and salbutamol respectively. The extract also exhibited marked anticoagulant activity in vitro. Conclusion: It is suggested that the laxative effect of this extract is as a result of increased peristaltic movements of the intestine. It is also believed that this extract acted as a muscarinic agent in this experiment since its action was blocked by atropine. While it is tempting to conclude that oxytocic effect of the extract is as a result of binding to oxytocin receptors, this cannot be substantiated because salbutamol, which blocked this effect, is a non-specific relaxant of the pregnant uterus. The saponins richly contained in the extract may be responsible for the observed anticoagulant effect Keywords: Euphorbia heterophylla, Laxative Anticoagulant, Abortifacient.Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol. 10 (2) 2006: pp. 1-

Toxicity of cholecalciferol overdosage in white albino mice

Background: Irrational prescription and use of vitamins is rife in our society today. Being fat-soluble, vitamin D (cholecalciferol) easily accumulates in the body when the recommended daily allowance is exceeded.  There is need to determine the effect of this vitamin overdosage in animals and possibly extrapolate the findings to human beings. Aim: To determine subacute and chronic toxicity of cholecalciferol overdosage in white albino mice. Methods: Increasing doses of cholecalciferol were given to three groups of white albino mice per ora after acute toxicity test. A fourth group was given normal saline as control. Exposure period was 22 days and 12 weeks for subacute and chronic toxicity tests respectively. Thereafter, serum levels of alkaline phosphate, total calcium and inorganic phosphate as well as histological sections of the liver, kidney and stomach were examined. Data were analyzed and p values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Acute toxicity test gave LD50 of 9,747 iu/kg. There was statistically significant increase in all parameters examined in all groups of mice when compared with controls (p = 0.0001 for all groups).  Histological sections of organs showed severe degeneration of liver architecture, inflammation of glomerular and tubular regions of the kidney as well as ulceration of the stomach mucosa and submucosa. Conclusion: High doses of vitamin D were toxic to white albino mice.  Further studies are needed to determine the effect on liver and kidney functions by measuring serum transaminases and urea/creatinine respectively. Keywords: Cholecalciferol overdosage, Toxicity tests, Alkaline phosphatase, Histological section

Invivo study of pattern of plasmodium falciparum sensitivity to chloroquine in children within Nnewi Anambra state, Nigeria

No Abstract

Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activities of aqueous extracts of ocimum Gratissimum leaves in rats.

Antidiarrhoeal activities of Aqueous extract of Occimum. Gratissimum leaves in rats were evaluated. These studies were carried out to determine the folkoric medicinal values of the plant leaves. Extraction of crude extract was done using standard method. LD50 was determined using the Locke Dietrich Method. Antidiarrhoeal activities of the extract were carried out using albino rats. It was observed that the aqueous extract of O. gratissimum showed no protective effects against castor oil induced diarrhea when compared with the standard drug, diphenoxylate. The extract showed some antibacterial activities in vitro. Therefore the extract possesses antidiarrhoeal property as accorded to it by ethnomedicine and that justifies the folkore use of the Ocimum gratissimum in the treatment of diarrhea

Evaluation of the anti microbial properties of themethanol extract of Mitracarpus scarber leave

The antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract of Mitracarpus scarber, a species used in folk medicine by West Africa native people wasinvestigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coil, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogenes, Nesseria gonorrhea, Candidaalbican, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The extract possesses both antibacterial and antimycotic activities. The extract showed a statistically significant (