Naphthoquinolinone Derivative with Anti- Plasmodial Activity from Vitex doniana [Sweet] Stem Bark Extracts

In an effort to identify promising phytotherapeutical substances from plants, the bark of Vitex doniana was collected, air dried and pounded. The powder was extracted with ethanol. The crude ethanol (VD1) was macerated sequentially. Four fractions obtained namely petroleum ether (VD1-01), ethyl acetate (VD1-02), chloroform (VD1-03) and methanol (VD1-04). These fractions were assayed at various concentrations (250Dg/ml, 500Dg/ml and 1000Dg/ml) for anti-malaria activity against Plasmodium falciparum and were also screened for the presence of secondary metabolites. The ethanol extract (VD1) and methanol soluble fraction (VD1-04) exhibited the highest activity against the test organism with 68.0% and 78.0% elimination at 500Dg/ml after 72 hours respectively. The VD1-04 was subjected to activity guided column chromatography that lead to isolation of pure compound VD1-04-198 named as 3-ethyl-3,4,4a,5,6,6a,10a,11,12,12a-decahydro-1H-naphtho[2,3,-g]quinolin-2-one. This was active against the malaria parasite with 89.0% elimination at 500Dg/ml after 48 hours. The phytochemical analysis showed that the plant contain flavonoids, tannins, alkaloid, reducing sugar and steroids.Keywords: anti-malaria, Vitex doniana, Naphthoquinolinone, phytotherapy, extrac

Screening and Bioassay-guided Isolation of Antimicrobial Components from Laggera mollis

There are about 20 identified species in the genus Laggera and only few have been extensively investigated. The study was aimed at evaluation the antimicrobial activity of Laggera mollis and isolation of the bioactive component(s) for new potent antimicrobial agent. Four fractions each from the leaves and stem-root of the plant were sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol using soxhlet extraction scheme, while the marcs were decocted for the aqueous extracts. Phytochemical screening of four extract fractions each from the leaves and stem-root of the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavanoids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids and reducing sugar distributed across the fractions. Disc diffusion method of Antimicrobial Sensitivity Test (ATS) was adopted in testing the bioactivity of the plant extracts against seven bacteria and one fungus. Bioassay-guided isolation from the petroleum ether fraction (LM1-01) of the leaves of the Laggera mollis using column chromatography, led to the isolation of two pure compounds. The results of the antimicrobial activity of the isolated compounds indicted that LM1-1-10 was more potent against Salmonella typhi (11 mm) at 40 μg/disc followed by Streptococcus pyogens (10 mm) at 40 μg/disc and Staphylococcus aureus (10 mm) at 40 μg/disc. The spectra of the activity exhibited by the isolates signified their potency for the development of therapeutic agents against these pathogenic microorganisms.Keywords: Bioassay-guided isolation, antimicrobial activity, Laggera mollis, clinical isolates, extracts

Evaluation of Activity of Cassia Occidentalis Leaf Extracts

Air dried leaves of Cassia occidentalis were ground and percolated with 95 % ethanol. The ethanol extract (CO1) was partitioned sequentially with n – hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol (60 %). These were labeled CO1-1, CO1-2, CO1-3 and CO1-4 respectively. Each of these fractions was screened for the presence of secondary metabolites. The fractions were subjected to antiretroviral bioassay. Fraction CO1 was found to be the most active against the most active against the virus. CO1 (10 g) was further subjected to column chromatography which yielded two pure white powdery solid compounds named CO1-01A (62.15 mg) and CO1-01B (6.18 mg). Secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, reducing sugars, steroids, tannins and saponins were found to be present. CO1 fraction at a low concentration of 1.25 mg/cm3 showed an antiretroviral activity of 94.13 % compared to Nevilast-30 (an active drug) with antiretroviral activity of 96.19 %, used as positive control. 1HNMR, 13CNMR, FTIR and mass spectra of the compound CO1-01A suggest its structure to be 2, 3-dichloro-1, 4-dioxane. This study supports the traditional use of Cassia occidentalis leaves for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in different regions of the world.Keywords: Antiretroviral, Cassia occidentalis, HIV/AIDS, Phytochemical, Secondary metabolite

Chiral chromatography and its application to the pharmaceutical industry: A review

Chiral chromatographic enantioseparation has been in practice by researchers. There has been a considerable interest in the synthesis and separation of enantiomers of organic compounds especially because of their importance in the biochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Often, these compounds are purified rather than being produced by chiral-specific synthesis. We herein present a general discussion that focuses on the chromatographic enantioseparation, which we hope will be useful to chromatographic and pharmaceutical industries.Keywords: Chiral chromatography, enantioseparation, pharmaceutical industry

Activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum S. Kurz extracts on respiratory tract pathogenic bacteria

Ethanol extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (commonly known as ‘Shuka halinka’ or ‘Karan masallachi’ in Hausa) (BP1) was partitioned into n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous methanol soluble fractions and labeled BP1–01, BP1–02, BP1–03 and BP1–04 respectively. These fractions were subjected to antibacterial testing against respiratory tract pathogenic bacteria. The n-hexane soluble fraction showed activity against the selected microorganism with highest on Staphylococcus aureus (12mm), Klebsiella pneumonia (11mm) and Salmonella typhi (08mm); ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed mild activity against Escherichia coli (06mm), Staphylococcus aureus (07mm) and Salmonella typhi (07mm), at 10mg/ml. The n-hexane soluble fraction was subjected to activity guided column chromatography. This leads to isolation of three bioactive compounds: BP1-01-01, BP1-01-33 and BP1-01-65. The activity of this plant’s extracts against the test bacteria coupled with the various phytochemical compounds present in the fractions is a pointer to the plant’s potential as a source of drugs that can be used against respiratory tract pathogens. Keywords: Bryophyllum pinnatum, respiratory tract pathogens, phytochemical screening, antibacterial activit

Repellent effect of the leaf extracts of Euphorbia Balsamifera (AIT) against Anopheles gambiae

The ethanol extract of the leaves of Euphorbia balsamifera (commonly known as Gwadayi in Hausa) was sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The resulting extracts were designated EB1, EB2, EB3, and EB4 respectively. The ethanol extract designated EB. These extracts were tested for repellence against Anopheles gambiae using the human-bait technique under laboratory conditions, where five volunteers participated in the tests, one each for the extracts. The chloroform extract labelled EB1-02 was found to be the most active with 100% repellence at 25% (w/v) concentration, and 97.2% at 12.5% (w/v) concentration, while the ethyl acetate extract (EB1-03) recorded the least repellence activity of 32.4% at 25% (w/v) concentration, and 21.6% at 12.5% (w/v) concentration. It can thus be concluded that the phytochemicals present in the chloroform extract were responsible for repellent activity of E. balsamifera, and there is a need for further studies in order to ascertain the active compound in the plant.Keywords: Repellence, Anopheles gambiae, human-bait technique, Euphorbia balsamifera extracts

Phytochemical Screening and Mosquito Repellent Activity of the Stem Bark Extracts of Euphorbia Balsamifera (Ait)

The phytochemical screening of extracts from Euphorbia balsamifera was carried out, and the results revealed that the stem bark contains alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids and sterols. The ethanol extract of the stem bark of Euphorbia balsamifera (commonly known as Ayyara in Hausa) was sequentially partitioned with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were respectively labeled EB1, EB2, EB3, and EB4, with the ethanolic extract labeled EB. The extracts, 12.5% and 25% w/v, were tested for repellency against Anopheles gambiae, and the repellent activity was assessed using the human-bait technique. Five volunteers participated in the laboratory tests to ascertain the repellent activity of the extracts, and each volunteer was test with one extract, with each test repeated in triplicate. The chloroform extract labeled EB1-02 was found to be the most active, (97.2% and 100% repellency), while the extract labeled EB1-03 recorded the least activity of 32.4% and 21.6%. It can be concluded that the chloroform extract labeled EB1-02 is responsible for repellent activity of Euphorbia balsamifera.Keywords: Anopheles gambiae, Euphorbia balsamifera extracts, Human-bait technique, Phytochemicals, Repellenc

Effect of Hippocratea Obtusifolia Extracts on Lactation Inducement

The crude extract of the leaves and stalk of Hippocratea obtusifolia (commonly known as gwadayi in Hausa) was sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were subjected to bioactivity testing against lactation inducement in 24 female guinea pigs. The experimental animals with average weight of 200g were randomly grouped into six; the first five groups A, B, C, D and E were force-fed with feeds mixed with a measured portion of the extract, while the last group was force-fed with food mixed with distilled water only serving as control. The chloroform extract was found to be the only active extract, and this confirms the use of Hippocratea obtusifolia in lactation inducement.Keywords: Lactation, Hippocratea obtusifolia, force-fed, galactagogue, endogastric tub

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Leaves and Fruits Extract of Ficus sycomorus

The leaves and fruits of Ficus sycomorus were collected, air dried and grounded. Each of the samples (100g) was extracted with 400ml each of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol sequentially, using Soxhlet extraction technique. They were labeled as FS1-1 to FS1-4 for leaves extract and FS2-1 to FS2-4 for fruit extract. Each of these fractions was phytochemically screened to investigate the presence of certain class of secondary metabolites. The extracts obtained were subjected to brine shrimp larvae test and antimicrobial bioassay. Some of the fractions were found to be active against the brine shrimp larvae and the tested organisms, with FS1-1 being the most active.Keywords: Antimicrobial, Cytotoxicity, Ficus sycomorus, Phytochemicals