Comparative effects of theobromine and Cocoa Bean Shell (CBS) extract on the performance, serum constituent profile and physiological parameters in rabbits

The effects of theobromine and an extract of cocoa bean shell (CBS) on performance, serum constituent and physiological parameters were compared in rabbits. Synthetic theobromine (300mg/kg) and theobromine from CBS extract (3000mg/kg) were administered through oral gavage for 10 days. Synthetic theobromine and theobromine from CBS caused significant (p 0.05) effect on Na+, K+ and total protein. Synthetic theobromine induced significant (p < 0.05) increase in the values of ALP(Alkaline phosphatase), AST(Aspatate amino transferase), urea, creatinine and glucose while CBS extract containing an equivalent amount of theobromine also caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in these parameter compared with the control but lower than the effect from the synthetic theobromine. However, 50% mortality was recorded among rabbits administered with synthetic theobromine. The results suggest that poor performance and physiological disorder ascribeable to cocoa based diet is caused by theobromine. Keywords: Synthetic theobromine, CBS extract, rabbitsGlobal Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (3) 2008: pp. 253-25

Antifungal and antibacterial activities of an alcoholic extract of Senna alata leaves

Methanolic, ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Senna alata leaves were screened for phytochemicals, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Out of the three crude extracts, the methanolic extract showed the highest activity than the ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts. The unidentified active components purified from preparative thin layer chromatography exhibited low activities against Mucor, Rhizopus and Aspergillus niger at 70&#956;g/ml while higher activity was exhibited against all the test organisms at 860&#956;g/ml. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(3) 2005: 105-10

Toxico-Pathological Effects of Saponins from Massularia acuminata Stem in Male Wistar Rats

Saponins from Massularia acuminata stem have been implicated to be responsible for some of the pharmacological effects of the plant without recourse to its toxic implications. Therefore, the toxic implications of saponins from Massularia acuminata stem in some organs of male rats were investigated. Male rats (271.00±5.30 g) grouped into A, B, C and D were orally administered distilled water, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight of saponins for 14 days. The biochemical indices of tissue damage corroborated with histological studies were evaluated in male rats using standard methods. Saponin confirmed with vanillin-perchloric acid and 6% erythrocyte in phosphate buffered saline significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased serum potassium, sodium, phosphate, urea, creatinine, total and conjugated bilirubin; alkaline and acid phosphatases (ALP and ACP) in the kidney, liver and serum, glutamte pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in the liver and kidney. The testicular body-weight ratio, ALP, serum GPT, uric acid, globulin, albumin and calcium ions were reduced (P&lt;0.05). Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activity (GOT) increased in the kidney, testes and serum whereas it decreased in the liver. The histoarchitecture of the organs were preserved during esposure period. The saponins caused only functional dysfunction of the organs but not structural and thus not completely ‘safe’ as an oral remedy