Acute and sub-acute toxicological assessment of the aqueous seed extract of Persea americana Mill (Lauraceae) in rats

The aqueous seed extract of Persea americana Mill (Lauraceae) is used by herbalists in Nigeria for the management of hypertension. As part of our on-going scientific evaluation of the extract, we designed the present study to assess its acute and sub-acute toxicity profiles in rats. Experiments were conducted to determine the oral median lethal dose (LD50) and other gross toxicological manifestations on acute basis. In the sub-acute experiments, the animals were administered 2.5 g/kg (p.o) per day of the extract for 28 consecutive days. Animal weight and fluid intake were recorded during the 28 days period. Terminally, kidneys, hearts, blood/sera were obtained for weight, haematological and biochemical markers of toxicity. Results show that the LD50 could not be determined after a maximum dose of 10 g/kg. Sub-acute treatment with the extract neither affected whole body weight nor organ-tobody weight ratios but significantly increased the fluid intake (P < 0.0001). Haematological parameters and the levels of ALT, AST, albumin and creatinine were not significantly altered. However, the concentration of total proteins was significantly increased in the treated group. In conclusion, the aqueous seed extract of P. americana is safe on sub-acute basis but extremely high doses may not be advisable.Keywords: Persea americana seed, herbal medicine, safety profil

Non-specific smooth muscle relaxant and calcium antagonist activity of \"Nacu Tea\": A Viscum album preparation

No Abstract. NQJHM Vol. 6 (3) 1996: pp. 229-23

Anti-inflammatroy activity of the mehanolic extract of Acanthus montanus

Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anders (Acanthaceae) is locally used in the treatment of cough, backache, chest pain and rheumatic pains. The ethno-medical uses of this plant and the need to establish its pharmacological effects have prompted this present study. The anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract of Acanthus montanus was investigated using acute and sub-acute inflammatory models such as paw oedema, granuloma pouch and pleurisy in rats as well as xylene ear oedema in mice. Acanthus montanus was found to possess anti-inflammatory activity and was effective, orally, in suppressing various experimentally induced inflammatory reactions. Significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effects with doses of 100-400mg/kg were observed on acute inflammatory models such as carrageenan- and arachidonic acid-induced oedema, xylene-induced ear oedema in mice, carrageenan-induced granuloma pouch and pleurisy in rats. However, the extract did not inhibit egg albumin-induced oedema. On the basis of the study, it may be inferred that Acanthus montanus may be a useful anti-inflammatory agent, which inhibits cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways at the level of phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Keywords: Acanthus montanus, anti-inflammatory activity, rat paw oedema, xylene ear oedema, pleurisy, carrageenan.West African Journal of Pharmacology and Drug Research Vol. 21 (1&2) 2005: pp. 13-1

Influence of Antimony Micro-Alloy Addition on the Mechanical Properties of Carbidic Austempered Ductile Iron (CADI)

In this research work, the influence of antimony micro-alloy addition on the hardness property, impact energy and wear resistance of carbidic austempered ductile iron (CADI) was investigated. Rod-shaped samples were produced using a sand casting technique to investigate the influence of antimony micro-quantities on the microstructural modification of the high manganese content (CADI). Selected mechanical properties of the product (CADI) have been tested.&nbsp; Rod-shaped samples were produced using a sand casting technique to investigate the influence of antimony micro-quantities on the microstructural modification of the high manganese content (CADI). Selected mechanical properties of the product (CADI) have been tested. Rod-like shape samples were produced by sand casting technique used for evaluating the influence of micro - quantities of antimony on the microstructural modification of high manganese content carbidic austempered ductile iron (CADI) with respect to the selected me 7chanical properties. Six compositions of carbidic ductile iron (CDI) with varying antimony content ranging from 0.096 % to 0.480 wt. % were produced, having equivalent carbon of hyper-eutectic composition (4.43). These samples were heated to austenitic temperature of 910ºC and subjected to austempering temperature, 300ºC for period of 1-3 hours. Microstructural examination of the samples was carried out to study the matrix and reinforcing phases present. The abrasion wear resistance was evaluated in accordance with the ASTM G 65 standard. The results show that; the obtained wear resistance values ranging from 2.35E8 to 3.29 E9 with respect to unmodified CADI (taken as reference material) The results show that the wear resistance values ranging from 2.35E8 and 3.29 E9 with respect to CADI sample without antimony addition taken as reference material, Rockwell hardness values obtained ranging from 28.6 – 55 HRc and impact toughness values ranges from 46.5 – 53 J for the developed CADI. Micrographs obtain revealed that chunky graphite, blocky carbides and pearlite phases were seen in the as-cast sample without antimony addition while the samples with varying addition of antimony element showed spiky graphite, granular carbide and more pearlite phases. However, after subjecting the samples to austempering processes, the pearlite phase transformed to ausferritic structure, while the carbide and graphite structure remained unaltered. The produced CADI is found to be useful for agricultural implements production. &nbsp

Antiinflammatory Activity of Aqueous Extract of Stereospermum kunthianum (Cham, Sandrine Petit) Stem Bark in Rats

Stereospermum kunthianum, Cham, Sandrine Petit (family: Bignoniaceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis, pneumonia and coughs, gastritis, wounds, rheumatic arthritis, ulcers, dysentery, leprosy and venereal diseases in humans. The antiinflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the stem bark was investigated with experimental animal models using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema, leucocytes migration and granuloma air pouch tests in rats. The extract (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) at 3 h post-treatment caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the paw oedema in rats. The effect of the extract was most pronounced at the dose of 400 mg/kg and was higher than that of indomethacin (10 mg/kg). The extract (400 mg/kg) caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the number of recruited leucocytes and it's inhibition of peritoneal exudate formation was comparable to that of indomethacin at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The exudate formation inhibited by 400 mg/kg of the extract in the granuloma air pouch test was comparatively less to that of indomethacin at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The findings of the study indicate that the aqueous extract of Stereospermum kunthianum stem bark possesses antiinflammatory activity which is probably related to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. This is a possible rationale for its folkloric use as an antiinflammatory agent

Handling heat‐stable salts in post‐combustion CO₂ capture: A detailed survey

The generation of heat‐stable salts (HSSs) in alkanolamine solutions for CO2 capture processes, which is adapted for power plant technologies, exists irrespective of the class of amine solution used for the capture process. Their presence do not only trigger decrements in the CO2 absorption capacities of the solvents and contribute to further alkanolamine degradation, but also result in foaming and loss of solvents, which impacts system economics and threatens the environment. HSSs also promote the corrosiveness of the metallic structures of capture systems by lowering the pH and increasing the conductivity of the absorbent solutions. Overall, these effects substantially subvert the reliability and integrity of CO2 capture units. This survey affords sufficient background on the existence of HSSs by unraveling the flow process in a typical alkanolamine‐based CO2 capture unit with respect to their formation points and potential threats. Furthermore, the major HSSs removal and alkanolamine reclamation methodologies (electrodialysis, distillation, ion exchange, electromagnetic separation, and solvent extraction) were comprehensively explored. We believe that this review paper will benefit researchers across disciplines as we continue to explore new and complex solvent formulations to minimize the cost of CO2 capture while maximizing efficiency<br/

Thigh-length compression stockings and DVT after stroke

Controversy exists as to whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in patients with invasive bladder cancer, despite randomised controlled trials of more than 3000 patients. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of such treatment on survival in patients with this disease