In vivo antimalarial activity of methanol leaf extract of Bombax buonopozense in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei

Bombax buonopozense is used in ethnomedical practice for the treatment of fever. The methanol leaf extract of this plant was evaluated for in vivo antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine sensitive plasmodium berghei in mice. The antiplasmodial effect during early and established infections was investigated. The extract (200-600 mg/kg, p.o) exhibited significant (P<0.05) antimalarial activity both in four-day early and in an established infection tests. The LD50 of the extract was established to be greater than 5000 mg/kg, p.o in mice. The result suggests that B. buonopozense leaf extract possesses significant (P< 0.05) antiplasmodial activity thus confirming its traditional use in malarial therapy.Keywords: Bombax buonopozense; Herbal medicine; Plasmodium berghei berghei; Mic

Studies on anti-ulcer, analgesic and antipyretic properties of the ethanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium in rodents

The ethanol extract of Gongronema latifolium leaves were evaluated for anti-ulcer, analgesic and anti pyretic activities in rats and mice. Ethanol-induced gastric ulceration, acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced nociception were used. Yeast-induced hyperpyrexia was used to investigate the antipyretic activity. The extract produced a significant ulcer protective activity in rats. The extract also decreased pain induced both by acetic acid in mice and early phase of formalin test in rats. A significant reduction in hyperpyrexia was also produced by the extract in rats. This present studyprovides a strong evidence of anti-ulcer, analgesic and antipyretic activities of G. latifolium

Anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the methanolic extract of Bombax buonopozense leaves in rats and mice

Methanolic extract of Bombax buonopozense was evaluated for possible anti-nociceptive, antiinflammatory and anti-pyretic activities in mice and rats. Acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test in mice and formalin test in rats were used to investigate the antinociceptive effect of the extract. Studies were carried out on yeast-induced pyrexia and egg albumin-induced anti-inflammatory activity in rats. The extract produced a significant decrease in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and inhibition of late phase of the formalin pain test in rats. The methanolic extract of B. buonopozense leaf also produced a potent antipyretic effect and significant inhibition of egg  albumin-induced antiinflammatory activity in rats. The result suggests that B. buonopozense contains biologically active substances with potential values for the treatment of fever, painful and inflammatory conditions.Keywords: Bombax buonopozense; analgesic, inflammation, pyrexia

Non-invasive and non-chemical method of stimulating the brain and inducing hypermotility in normal Wistar rats

The effect of diffuse transcranial electrical stimulation (DTES) on motility was investigated in healthy male and female Wistar rats. Diffuse transcranial electrical stimulation (5V, frequency 100Hz, pulse width 1ms), was delivered with the aid of ear clip electrodes, while locomotor activity was measured with the aid of motility counter for 10 seconds before, during and after stimulation. Diffuse transcranial electrical stimulation was found to induce reproducible hypermotility in the rats. Locomotor activity in normal rats, measured for 10 seconds, averaged 10.1±4.1 before stimulation. The activity significantly (p0.05) vary from the values obtained before and after electrical stimulation. These results suggest that diffuse transcranial electrical stimulation produces reproducible hyper-motility which is inhibited by diazepam in normal conscious rats. DTES may serve as a simple method of stimulating the CNS and increasing its levels of catecholamines. The inhibition by diazepam further shows that brain catecholamines are raised during stimulation. Keywords: Hypermotility, Noradrenergic pathway, Diazepam, GABA Receptors Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 4 (1) 2007: pp. 14-1

Somatic And Behavioral Changes Associated With Difuse Transcranial Electrical Stimulation In Anaesthetized And Unanaesthetized Normal Wistar Rats

Aims: The effects of diffuse transcranial electrical stimulation on somatic and behavioral changes in anaesthetized and unanaesthetized normal male and female Wister rats was studied. Method: Diffuse transcranial electrical stimulation (0-25v, frequency 90Hz,pulse width 1ms) was administered via two electrodes clipped to the ear lobes of the rat. Results: DTES causes apparent-irritability, apprehension, micturation, and piloerection and increase activity in unanaesthetised wistar rats at voltage below 10v. Tonic-clonic seizures were observed at voltages above 10v. In anaesthetized normal wistar rats, DTES has no effects on the rats at voltages below 20v. At voltages 20v and above, tonic- clonic seizures were observed. Conclusion: These results suggest that higher voltages are needed to induce seizures in anaesthetized rats than unanaesthetized wistar rats. Some of the response to diffuse transcranial electrical stimulation can be abolished or attenuated by administering anaesthetic. Key words: DTES, Hypermotility, Anaesthesia, Urethane, Wistar rats. Highland Medical Research Journal Vol.2(1) 2004: 33-3

HAEMATOLOGICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF CASSIA OCCIDENTALIS LEAF EXTRACT IN RATS

The aqueous leave extract of Cassia occidentalis produced significant decreases in the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HB), and total red blood cell count (RBC) (