Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing property of aqueous leaf extract of Momordica charantia in rats

This study reports the anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing property of an aqueous extract of Momordica charantia (MC) leaves in rats. The carregeenin-induced rat paw oedema was utilized as the model for acute inflammation, whilst formaldedyde-induced rat paw oedema was used as the model for sub-chronic inflammatory states. The probable mode by which MC mediates its effects on inflammatory conditions was studied on rat blood cells (RBC) exposed to hypotonic solution. The results of the study revealed that the extract possesses anti-inflammatory property. MC was found to significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the oedema swellings induced by the phlogistic agents in rats in a dose-related manner. However, the extract did not exhibit membrane-stabilizing property, as it failed to significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the levels of haemolysis of RBC exposed to hypotonic solution. The acute toxicity studies of oral doses of aqueous extract of Momordica charantia leaf in mice revealed that it has a high safety profile, as the extract was well tolerated by the animals. The results of the study suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity demonstrated by Momordica charantia leaf may not be related to membrane-stabilization

Anti-Stress Potential of Aqueous Seed Extract of Aframomum Melegueta

This study presents the results of the phytochemical screening and anti-stress potential of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta (MS) in mice. The forced swimming endurance test was utilized as a model for the evaluation of the anti-stress property of MS. The phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, reducing sugars, flavoniods, phenols and glycosides in the extract of A.melegueta. In the forced swimming test, MS (50-200 mg/kg, i.p) significantly prolonged the duration of immobility in a dose-related manner. The duration of immobility (s) was increased from 236.67±18.2 in the control group to 410 ±11.57 and 579 ±28.71 in groups pretreated with 100 and 200 mg/kg of MS respectively. The inability of the extract of this plant to reduce the duration of immobility, therefore suggests a lack of anti-stress property

Neuropharmacological Activities of Ficus platyphylla stem bark in mice

Methanol Extract Ficus platyphylla stem bark in dosages (17, 40 and 75, 150mg/kg) was found to produce a profound decrease in exploratory activity in mice, the extract indicated peripheral and central analgesic effects as shown by significant inhibition of acetic acid - induced writhing, and delayed onset in leptazol induced-convulsion (seizures) in mice respectively. It also decreases the rate of leptazol induced mortality in mice. The totality of these effects showed that the extract possesses depressant action on the central nervous system