Pharmacognostic Screening and Anti-inflammatory Investigation of the Methanol extract of stem bark of Blighia unijugata Baker (Sapindaceae)

Introduction: Blighia unijugata is a potent medicinal plant extensively employed in traditional herbal remedies for the treatment of various diseases such as fever, fertility, inflammation, hypertension, migraine and treatment of infections due to microorganisms. Aim: This work, investigates the pharmacognostic screening and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol extract of B. unijugata stem bark. Method: Collection, drying, pulverization, and methanol extraction of the stem bark were done accordingly. The screening of phytochemical constituents and Pharmacognostic numerical data were carried out. The chromatographic analysis was carried out using TLC. The acute toxicity was determined using Lorke’s method. Methanol extract was investigated for anti-inflammatory effect in albino rats using egg-induced hind paw oedema at doses of 200, 400 and 600mg/kg body weight respectively. Result: The macroscopical investigation showed the stem bark outer layer is greyish and, the inner layer is pale reddish brown, disagreeable odour, bitter, Microscopical screening revealed the presence of starch grains, trichomes and sclerenchyma cells. Chemomicroscopic result revealed the presence of lignin, starch, calcium oxalate, cellulose, stone cells. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the powdered bark showed the presence of saponins, steroids, tannins, and resins. Numerical data: moisture content/ weight loss on drying gave value of 7.7%, percentage yield of 6.7%, alcoholic soluble extractive 5.6%, water soluble extractive 6.3%, total ash of 7.1%,  acid insoluble ash 0.57% and water soluble ash 4.56%. The chromatographic screening results were close compared with the standard drug. Toxicity test established the lethal dose of greater than 5000mg/kg. There was a significant inhibition of the edema p>0.05, the presence of various bioactive constituents may have contributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of the plant extract. Conclusion: The result of this study confirms that the barks of B. unijugata have anti-inflammatory effect and justifies the use as traditional treatment of inflammation and pain. Keywords: Blighia unijugata, Inflammation, Inflammatory agents, Anti inflammator

Pharmacognostic Screening of Elaeis guineensis ( Aracaceae) Jacq. Oil and its Effect as an Antidote on Cyanide Poisoning

Introduction: Elaeis guinenesis is a perennial monocot belonging to the family Arecaceae. It is the source of the oil commonly called African palm oil or macaw fat which in traditional medicine has many uses Aim: This study is focused on the pharmacognostic screening of oil of Elaeis guineensis, and its antidotal effect on cyanide poisoning. Method: The extracted oil was subjected to various screening technique in order to determine its quality, purity and chemical constituents. The oil was macroscopically examined; acute toxicity test of Elaeis guineensis oil was carried out on rats. The oil was subjected to heating to determine the moisture content. Phytochemical analysis was also carried out on the palm oil extract. The physicochemical analysis was carried to determine the acid value, saponification value, ester value, hydroxyl value and iodine value. The Ld50 for the pure cyanide was carried out on the rats using “Up and Down” method. The antidotal study of Elaeis guineensis oil was carried out on the rats. Result: Macroscopic evaluation showed, the oil was in fresh condition, smooth texture, bright red colour, characteristic taste, oily appearance and a characterictic smell. The Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponnins, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids. The physicochemical analysis showed that the oil has an acid value of 31.2, Saponification value of 194.8, Ester value 163.54, Peroxide value of 18.0, Hydroxyl Percentage of 2.07% and Free Fatty Acid of 3.65. The moisture content was calculated to be 0.2%. For the acute toxicity test on the oil using Lorkes method no death was recorded. The LD50 of the cyanide carried out on the rats showed that the lethal dose of cyanide is 5 mg/kg. The antidotal effect of Elaeis guineensis oil showed the absence of death on the group given oil extract alone and the groups that were poisoned and given the oil (antidote) within 4 minutes. Deaths were recorded for the groups that were administered antidotes after 8 minutes. Conclusion: Elaeis guineensis oil has counteracting effect on cyanide poisoning if administered within four minutes of cyanide ingestion. &nbsp

Lifestyle and anthropometric indices of hypertensive patients in Bichi Local Government Area Kano State

Background: Nutrition is a very crucial component in the management of hypertension. The diet of hypertensive patients needs to be critically assessed as well as the lifestyle changes that would encourage maintenance of good blood pressure control. Objective: The study evaluated the lifestyle and anthropometric indices of hypertensive patients in Bichi Local Government Area, Kano State. Method: A cross sectional study design was used. A total of 300 subjects were selected by simple random sampling by ballot without replacement. Validated questionnaire was used to collect information from the respondents while weighing scale, height meter and tape were used for anthropometric measurement. The mean, frequency, percentage and standard deviation of the data was obtained. The data was presented in tables and figures. Result: The result of the study revealed that the average body mass index of the respondents was in the overweight range (28.37±4.35) about 43% were overweight while 37% were obese. It was also discovered that 18% of the subjects’ smoke, 20% consume alcohol daily and 65% of the subjects do not engage in any form of exercise. Conclusion: The high prevalence of overweight and hypertension among patients (80%) was due to their poor dietary pattern and lifestyle. Therefore, there is need for a lifestyle and dietary modification to help them lose weight, obtain adequate diet and as well maintain a good blood pressure to prevent complications associations associated

Anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the ethanol root bark extract of Salacia lehmbachii in rats and mice

Background: The decoction of the roots of Salacia lehmbachi is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of different diseases such as malaria pains diabetes and microbial infections.Methods: Phytochemical screening and oral acute toxicity tests were carried out on the ethanol root extract of the plant. Anti-nocicetive activity using acetic acid induced writhing and tail immersion method in mice, anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan induced paw oedema in rats and xylene induced ear oedema test in mice and antipyretic activity using Brewer’s yeast and D-amphetamine induced pyrexia in rats were determined at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg doses of the root extract.Results: The ethanol root extract contain alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and cardiac glycosides. The oral acute toxicity tests was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. The root extract and the standard drug (Aspirin) significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01) decreased the number of writhes caused by acetic acid. The extract and morphine significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01) prolonged reaction time in tail immersion model. The extract produced significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01) dose dependent inhibition of oedema which was comparable to aspirin in carrageenan induced paw oedema model. The root extract also demonstrated significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01) effect in xylene induced mouse ear oedema test compared to dexamethasone. The extract significantly decreased high temperature in both Brewer’s yeast and d-amphetamine induced pyrexia.Conclusions: Findings show that S. lehmbachii may provide a good source of plant compounds with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities

Evaluation of nephrotoxicity effects of the methanol leaf extract of A. angustifolia in Wistar rats

Background: Agave angustifolia is a common traditional remedy in localities for disease treatment. This study focussed on evaluating the nephrotoxicity activity of the methanol extract of A. angustifolia leaf. Methods: Twenty-five Wistar rats of both sex were randomly shared into five groups. Group 1 received 10 mL/kg distilled water, group 2 gentamicin 80mg/kg, extract groups (3, 4 and 5) were placed on 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of A. angustifolia leaf extract  administered orally through an orogastric tube for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed using chloroform, and their kidneys were harvested, weighed and immediately fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histological analysis and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical and haematological analysis. Results: Results showed there was no marked difference in the levels of the packed cell volume (PCV) in all the concentrations of the extract as well as the controls. The gentamicin group showed a remarkable rise in the serum urea and creatinine level when compared to both the control and extract groups. Similar effects were observed in the 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of the extract. However, severe kidney injury was observed in the group treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract. Conclusions: Despite the beneficial potential of A. angustifolia, it also exhibited toxic effects on the kidney thereby causing significant damage to the kidney morphology at higher doses. The damages inflicted in these tissues are dose-dependent. Therefore A. angustifolia should be taken in low doses within shortest period of time

The use of plants in the traditional management of diabetes in Nigeria: Pharmacological and toxicological considerations

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The prevalence of diabetes is on a steady increase worldwide and it is now identified as one of the main threats to human health in the 21st century. In Nigeria, the use of herbal medicine alone or alongside prescription drugs for its management is quite common. We hereby carry out a review of medicinal plants traditionally used for diabetes management in Nigeria. Based on the available evidence on the species׳ pharmacology and safety, we highlight ways in which their therapeutic potential can be properly harnessed for possible integration into the country׳s healthcare system. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical information was obtained from a literature search of electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Pubmed and Scopus up to 2013 for publications on medicinal plants used in diabetes management, in which the place of use and/or sample collection was identified as Nigeria. ‘Diabetes’ and ‘Nigeria’ were used as keywords for the primary searches; and then ‘Plant name – accepted or synonyms’, ‘Constituents’, ‘Drug interaction’ and/or ‘Toxicity’ for the secondary searches. Results: The hypoglycemic effect of over a hundred out of the 115 plants reviewed in this paper is backed by preclinical experimental evidence, either in vivo or in vitro. One-third of the plants have been studied for their mechanism of action, while isolation of the bioactive constituent(s) has been accomplished for twenty three plants. Some plants showed specific organ toxicity, mostly nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic, with direct effects on the levels of some liver function enzymes. Twenty eight plants have been identified as in vitro modulators of P-glycoprotein and/or one or more of the cytochrome P450 enzymes, while eleven plants altered the levels of phase 2 metabolic enzymes, chiefly glutathione, with the potential to alter the pharmacokinetics of co-administered drugs. Conclusion: This review, therefore, provides a useful resource to enable a thorough assessment of the profile of plants used in diabetes management so as to ensure a more rational use. By anticipating potential toxicities or possible herb–drug interactions, significant risks which would otherwise represent a burden on the country׳s healthcare system can be avoided

Some haematological parametersin adult Nigerians with diabetes mellitus

No Abstract.Journal of Health and Visual Sciences Vol. 8 (2) 2006: pp. 5-6

Visual acuity pattern of adults in Elele, Rivers state, Nigeria

No Abstract.Journal of Health and Visual Sciences Vol. 9 (2) 2007: pp. 59-6