8 research outputs found
Effects of Hedranthera barteri root extract on Gastric emptying and Intestinal Motility in Wistar rats
Hedranthera barteri leaf extracts have been reported in folk medicine to have laxative properties amongst its many other therapeutic potentials. This study was therefore carried out to investigate the effects of Methanol extract of Hedranthera barteri (MEHBR) root on gastric emptying and intestinal motility in albino rats. The methanol extract of H. barteri (MEHBR) was obtained by cold extraction and stored at 4°C. Forty-eight female rats weighing (180-200g) were randomly divided into two groups of 24 rats each based on the parameters being assessed (gastric emptying and intestinal motility). Each subgroup was divided into four groups of six rats each as follows: Group 1, the control group, was given normal saline while animals in groups 2, 3 and 4 were treated with 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of MEHBR respectively. Gastric emptying was assessed using the glass beads method and gastrointestinal motility was assessed as a measure of the percentage change in gastrointestinal transit time using the charcoal meal method. A decrease in gastric emptying rate was observed in the rats treated with MEHBR at 50mg/kg (P < 0.05) when compared to control rats while values obtained in the 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg MEHBR treated rats indicate a significant increase in gastric emptying rate. Intestinal motility increased in a dose dependent manner with the 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg exhibiting percentage gastrointestinal transit time of 47.3 ± 5.5%, 35.7 ± 5.2% and 23.3 ± 3.0% respectively. Methanol root extracts of Hedranthera barteri decreases gastric emptying rate at low dose and increases gastric emptying at high doses. H. barteri also increases gastrointestinal motility in a dose dependent manner with 200mg/kg treatment exhibiting the highest laxative effect.
Antidepressant-like potentials of Buchholzia Coriacea seed extract: involvement of monoaminergic and cholinergic systems, and neuronal density in the hippocampus of adult mice
Buchholzia coriacea, taken by elderly, has phytochemicals that have neuro-active metabolites, and the folklore documented its use in neuro-behavioral despairs. Previous study in our laboratory shows that methanol extracts of Buchholzia coriacea (MEBC) seeds possess antidepressant-like potentials in laboratory rodents. This present study was conducted to investigate the probable mechanism(s) of action by which MEBC potentiates its effects using laboratory rodents. Involvements of serotonergic, cholinergic and adrenergic systems were studied using Forced Swimming Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST) models of behavioral despair. Antagonists which including: Prazosin, an alpha-1-adrenergic receptor blocker (62.5 μg/kg, i.p.), metergoline, a 5HT2 receptor blocker (4 mg/kg, i.p.) and atropine, a -muscarinic cholinergic receptor blocker (1mg/kg i.p.) were administered before effective dose of MEBC (50mg/kg). Also, the hippocampi of the animals were studied for changes in neuronal density using Nissl Staining. Our findings showed that mobility was reversed in animals pre-treated with atropine, prazosin, and metergoline significantly (P˂0.05), showing a possible involvement of the corresponding systems. However, there was a significant reduction in immobility time (P<0.001) during FST after chronic administration of the MEBC. The hippocampus showed no significant changes (P<0.05) in neuronal density. In conclusion, MEBC probably potentiates its antidepressant-like potentials via the cholinergic, adrenergic and partly by serotonergic systems.Keywords: Buchholzia coriacea, Serotonergic system, Cholinergic system, Adrenergic syste
Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Potentials of Dichloromethane Fraction from Hedranthera barteri
The dichloromethane fraction of Hedranthera barteri (DMHBR), a common
medicinal plant, was investigated in animal models of depression and
anxiety in mice. Graded doses (25-200mg/kg p.o. bw) of DMHBR reduced
the immobility time with significant effects produced by 50mg/kg
(43.7%), 100mg/kg (45.6%) and 200mg/kg (31.5%) in the tail suspension
test (TST) and by 100mg/kg (66.3%) in forced swimming test (FST),
indicating a possible antidepressant-like activity when compared with
standard antidepressant drug, imipramine. Furthermore, a diminution in
the anxiety response was also observed against elevated plus maze and
light dark tests, which signify its anti-anxiety activity when compared
with standard anxiolytic drug, diazepam. Moreover, DMHBR has no
significant effects on both the motor coordination of the mice in the
rota rod test and the sleeping time in the pentobarbitone-induced
sleeping time test. These results show that DMHBR has significant
neuropharmacological activity as an antidepressant and anxiolytic
activity
Preliminary study on the effects of Buchholzia coriacea seed extract on male reproductive parameters in rats
The effects of methanol extract of Buchholzia coriacea seed was
studied on male reproductive system of albino rats. Administration of
200mg/kg b.w.(p.o.) of the extract for 6 weeks resulted in significant
reduction (P<0.05) in the weight of the epididymis and seminal
vesicle, but not the testes and prostate gland. Also the weight of the
visceral organs- lungs, liver, heart and kidney were unaffected. A
marked decrease (P<0.05) in sperm motility and volume was also
observed in sperm collected from the caudal epididymis of the treated
animals. Sperm count and morphology were not significantly affected
(P>0.05). Total tissue protein of the epididymis and testes of the
treated rats was significantly increased (P<0.05) and fertility was
zero in the treated rats. Histological section showed that the
epididymal ducts were mostly empty, though the epithelial lining
appeared normal. There were fewer spermatozoa and late stage spermatids
in the testes, with normal testicular epithelium. The results suggest
that the extract of Buchholzia coriacea may have antifertility effects
in male rats, the site of action most probably the epididymis
Pharmacological and toxicity studies of the crude extracts and fractions of Hedranthera barteri leaf in rats and mice
This study assessed the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory potency
of the hydro-ethanol extract and fractions from Hedranthera barteri
leaf. Column chromatography of the crude extracts, practical acute
toxicity testing and fixed dose procedures were carried out. Effects of
the extracts on nociception were assessed by tail immersion test in
rats, formalin-induced paw licking in rats and acetic acid-induced
writhing in mice. The effect of the extracts on inflammation was
assessed by carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. The hydro-ethanol
extracts of Hedranthera barteri reduced nociception and inflammation in
a dose-dependent manner. SNG 1, SNG 2 and SNG 3 were separated from the
ethanol fractions. The spectra of the compound suggest the presence of
a fatty compound, β-sitosterol, as an anti-nociceptive and
anti-inflammatory compound that may be present in the leaf of the
plant
Pharmacological and toxicity studies of the crude extracts and fractions of Hedranthera barteri leaf in rats and mice
This study assessed the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory potency
of the hydro-ethanol extract and fractions from Hedranthera barteri
leaf. Column chromatography of the crude extracts, practical acute
toxicity testing and fixed dose procedures were carried out. Effects of
the extracts on nociception were assessed by tail immersion test in
rats, formalin-induced paw licking in rats and acetic acid-induced
writhing in mice. The effect of the extracts on inflammation was
assessed by carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. The hydro-ethanol
extracts of Hedranthera barteri reduced nociception and inflammation in
a dose-dependent manner. SNG 1, SNG 2 and SNG 3 were separated from the
ethanol fractions. The spectra of the compound suggest the presence of
a fatty compound, β-sitosterol, as an anti-nociceptive and
anti-inflammatory compound that may be present in the leaf of the
plant
Anti-Histaminic Potential of the Fractions from Hedranthera Barteri [(Hook F.) Pichon] Root in Laboratory Rodents
Hedranthera barteri L. (HB) is used in the treatment of painful
conditions and oedema amongst its folkloric use. The hexane and ethyl
acetate fractions of the root of H. barteri were investigated for
anti-nociceptive and antiinflammatory properties and probable mechanism
of action. Hot plate, tail flick, formalin-induced oedema and acetic
acidinduced writhing tests were employed to investigate the
anti-nociceptive activity while the anti-inflammatory activity was
investigated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema. Anti-histaminic
potential of HB root extracts on the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs)
was explored through spectrofluorometric method. The root was screened
for its phytochemical components. The HB root contains alkaloids,
cardenolides and saponins. HXHBR exhibited higher anti-inflammatory
potentials (P<0.001). HXHBR dose-dependently (P<0.01) reduced the
histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells which is
comparable with a standard anti-histaminic drug, ketotifen. These
results showed that EAHBR and HXHBR possess anti-nociceptive and
anti-inflammatory activities, and suggested its mechanism of action
through the inhibition of histamine, an inflammatory mediator, usually
released during the early phase of allergic responses and chronic phase
of inflammatory pain. Flavonoids, alkaloids and/or saponins present in
HB root may be responsible for its anti-nociceptive and
anti-inflammatory properties