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

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