Physicochemical properties of Mucuna pruriens seed oil (MPSO), and the toxicological effects of a MPSO-based diet

The toxicological effects of Mucuna pruriens oil based diet were evaluated and compared with that of palm oil diet for 28 days. The physico-chemical analysis of the Mucuna pruriens oil showed that it has a moisture content of 7.85%, oil yield of 6.00%, pH of 5.65, density of 0.39, iodine value of 24.40/100g fat, acid value of 51.40mg NaOH/g, peroxide value of 0.10mEq/Kg, saponification value of 86.05mg/KOH/g, free fatty acid value of 0.40mg/dl, viscosity of 37.54 and unsaponififiable matters of 46.10. The aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly (p<0.05) increased in rats fed Mucuna pruriens oil meal compared to the palm oil group. The serum total and conjugated bilirubin, total proteins, albumin, creatinine and urea concentrations were also significantly (p<0.05) increased in the test group. Histological examination of the rat organs revealed the presence of lesions, tubular atrophy and mild oedema on organs from the test group. This is an indication that Mucuna pruriens oil is not completely safe for consumption

HYPOGLYCAEMIC AND HAEMATINIC PROPERTIES OF ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF ARTOCARPUS HETEROPHYLLUS IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS.

Background: Anaemia is known to be associated with diabetes; moreover, with the increasing cases of diabetes there is need for the use of more affordable alternative herbal medicines for the treatment of diabetes and anaemia. The aim of this work was to evaluate the hypoglycaemic and haematinic properties of Artocarpus heteropyllus on diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Ethanol leaf extract of Artocarpus heteropyllus was screened for phytochemicals and its acute toxicity was tested on mice. Induction of diabetes was done at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight (b.w) (with exception of the control group). The extract was administered to rats for a period of 7 days at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg b.w, respectively, following induction. Blood samples of rats were tested for fasting blood sugar (FBS), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin, neutrophil lymphocyte and eosinophil counts. Results: The ethanol leaf extract of A. heterophyllus showed no mortality up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg b.w. Administration of the extract to diabetic rats resulted in a decrease in the FBS of diabetic rat, and significant increases (p< 0.05) in RBC, PCV, WBC and haemoglobin levels. Conclusion: The ethanol leaf extract of A. heterophyllus increased the haematological indices of diabetic rats. Our findings support the use of this plant as an herbal alternative in the treatment of diabetes and anaemia associated diabetes

CONSTITUENTS OF THE FIXED OILS OF PIPER GUINEENSE AND XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA

The fixed oil of Piper guineese and Xylopia aethiopica are rich in b-carotene, phospholipids and plant sterols. Mycotoxins are absent. Key Words: Piper guineese, Xylopia aethiopica, fixed oils. Nig. J. Nat. Prod. And Med. Vol.1 1997: 41-4

Two new acylated flavonol glycosides from Mimosa pigra L. leaves sub-family Mimosoideae

Background: Mimosa pigra L. (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) is a large shrub native to tropical America and economically important as a medicinal plant; it is also an invasive plant and a noxious weed. Methods: M. pigra leaves were air dried, pulverised and extracted with 96% ethanol. The ethanol extract (MPEE) was partitioned with diethyl ether (DEE) and ethyl acetate (EA) in succession to yield DEE fraction (DEEF), EA fraction (EAF) and EA insoluble fraction (EAIF). Results: Sephadex LH-20 gel filtration chromatography (GFC) of the EAF and semi-preparative HPLC purification of the GFC sub-fractions afforded two new acylated flavonol glycosides [myricetin (2″-O-galloyl)-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, I; and quercetin (2″-O-galloyl)-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, II] in M. pigra. Alongside three other flavonol glycosides (myricetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, III; quercetin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, IV; and quercetin 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside, V). The structures of compounds I–V were assigned by ultraviolet/visible (UV) spectroscopy, 1D and 2D 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-electrospray-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). Conclusion: Myricetin, quercetin and their glycoside derivatives are strong antioxidants; and elicit cytotoxic effect on human cancer cell lines among other pharmacological activities. The isolation of acylated flavonoids in M. pigra provided an important insight on the evolutionary trend of the medicinal plant. While the dominance of flavonols, may account for the various ethnomedicinal uses of the herb and the mechanism and mode of its confirmed pharmacological actions