PHARMACOGNOSOSTIC STUDIES ON THE LEAVES OF MORINGA OLEIFERA

Moringa oleifera Lam. (Syn.M. pterygosperma Gaertn.) is a small graceful tree used for food and medicinal purposes in many countries. It is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases including fertility control and as an arbortifacient. M. oleifera Lam. has been reported to exhibit antitumour, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and anti-convulsant activities. Macro- and micromorphology, and some pharmacognositic constant for the leaves and powder of M. oleifera, which could be used to prepare a monograph for the identification of the plant, were determined. Key Words: Moringa oleifera Lam, Horseradis tree, Moringaceae, Macro/micro morphology, Pharmacognostic constants. Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.5 2001: 45-4

Assessing the potency of Pedilanthus tithymaloides latex against Plasmodium berghei berghei infected mice

The latex of Pedilanthus tithymaloides is used in traditional medicine for treating malaria attack. This usage was investigated by testing for in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the latex against Plasmodium berghei berghei in mice. Curative effect against established infection and suppressive activity against earlier infection of the parasite was evaluated. Results show that the latex exhibited potent activity against the parasite by exhibiting both curative and suppressive activity (36 – 79%) against the parasite. The results demonstrated the scientific basis for the traditional usage, and the potential of the plant in malaria chemotherapy. Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Plant tincture, Malaria. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences Vol. 2 (2) 2008: pp. 216-21