The toxicological assessment of ethanolic whole-plant extract of Eleucine indica in Wistar albino rats

Introduction: Eleucine indica is a medicinal plant used by the Ibibios of Nigeria in the treatment of malaria but its safety with chronic use has not been determined. This study was to evaluate the toxicological effects of the extract in adult albino Wistar rats.Methods: The rats of both sexes were randomized into 5 groups of 6 animals per group and orally administered with extract (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg) for groups 2–4, respectively. Group 1 received distilled water (10 mL/kg) orally and served as negative control while group 5 was administered with 100 mg/kg of silymarin orally. Drugs were administered on alternate days for 28 days at 09.00 am. Toxic manifestations and mortality were monitored daily and weight changes of animals were recorded every week. On day 29, after an overnight fast, the animals were weighed, anaesthetized with light chloroform. An autopsy was performed during which any macroscopic abnormalities were noted. The brain, heart, liver, spleen, kidney and lungs were weighed immediately after removal. Samples of these organs were fixed in 10 formalin and kept in that solution for further histopathological examination. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey Kramer multiple comparison post-test.Results: The results showed that organ weights were not affected but animal weights increased significantly (P < 0.01-0.001). Relative organ weights were not affected. The extract caused, at low doses, slight inflammation of the liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys and brain. With high dose of the extract, the spleen and lungs showed moderate inflammation. The lungs also showed moderate interstitial fibrosis.Conclusion: Based on these results, the plant has a potential to damage the lungs when used on the long term. Its use as herbal remedy should be for short periods at a time

Self-Medication: potential risks and hazards among pregnant women in Uyo, Nigeria

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that self-medications among pregnant women are common in many developing countries. Despite the adverse impact on pregnancy, there are few programs available for their control. The objective of this study was to assess the level of self-medication amongst Nigerian pregnant women in order to determine possible harmful effects on fetus. Methods: Five hundred and eighteen 518 pregnant women, aged between 18 and 40 years, drawn from three General hospitals in Akwa Ibom State were assessed for self-medication and substance abuse using an instrument, adapted from a modified form of 117-item self-report questionnaire based on the WHO guidelines for students’ substance use survey. Results: Of the 518 pregnant women assessed, 375 (72.4%) indulged in one form of self-medication or the other; 143 (27.6%) used only drugs prescribed from the antenatal clinic. A total of 157 (41.9%) pregnant women self-medicate fever/pain relievers; 47 (9.1%) mixture of herbs and other drugs; 15 (4.0%) sedatives; 13 (3.5%) alcohol; while 5 (1.3%) used kolanuts. Reasons for using these substances range from protection from witches and witchcrafts, preventing pregnancy from coming out, for blood; poor sleep, fever and vomiting and infections. There was a significant difference in the rate of using analgesics (X2=9.43, p=0.001); and antibiotic (X2=4.43, p=0.001) among pregnant women who were highly educated compared to those with little or no education. However, the level of education has no impact in the usage of native herbs. Conclusion: This study shows that self-medication is common among pregnant women in our environment. There is need for adequate education of pregnant women during antenatal clinics on the potential danger of self-medication so as to prevent child and maternal morbidity and mortality.Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 13:1

In-Vivo Alpha-Amylase and Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities of Solanum anomalum Leaf Extract and Fractions

Solanum anomalum Thonn. ex Schumach. (family Solanaceae), an edible shrub whose fruits and leaves are used medicinally to treat diseases including diabetes was evaluated for effect on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes in vivo. The leaf extract (70-210 mg/kg) and fractions (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, 140 mg/kg) of S. anomalum were evaluated in vivo for inhibitory effect on alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes using starch, sucrose and maltose as substrates. Acarbose was used as reference drug. The leaf extract especially middle dose (140 mg/kg) and fractions (ethyl acetate and hexane) caused significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels of treated with the various substrates used. Ethyl acetate fraction exerted the highest inhibitory effect when starch and maltose were used as substrates followed by n-hexane and methanol. n-Hexane was the most active fraction followed by ethyl acetate when sucrose was used as substrate. The results suggest that the leaf extract and fractions of S. anomalum have the potentials to inhibit alpha amylase and glucosidase in rats

Solanum anomalum Leaf Extract and Fractions Attenuate Oxidative Stress and Liver Injuries in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

The leaf of Solanum anomalum used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of various ailments such as diabetes was evaluated for antioxidative stress and hepatoprotective potentials against hepatic injuries in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Antioxidative stress and hepatoprotective activities of leaf extract and fractions (70-210 mg/kg) were assessed by determining oxidative stress markers levels, liver function indices and histopathological study of livers of treated rats. The leaf extract and fractions caused significant (p<0.05 – 0.001) increases in the levels of oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH) in the livers of the treated diabetic rats. The extract/fractions treatment caused reduction in liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP), total and direct bilirubin. Histology of the livers revealed absence or significant reductions in pathological features in the treated diabetic rats compared to untreated diabetic rats.  The results show that the leaf extract and fractions of S. anomalum has antioxidative stress and hepatoprotective potentials which may be due to the antioxidant activities of their phytochemical constituents

Antioxidative Stress and Hepatoprotective Activities of Leaf Extract and Fractions of Setaria megaphylla in Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice

Setaria megaphylla (Steud) Dur & Schinz (Poaceae), a perennial grass used traditionally in the treatment of various diseases such as malaria was, investigated for antioxidative stress activity in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.  The leaf extract (200-600 mg/kg) and fractions (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol; 400 mg/kg) of S. megaphylla were investigated for antioxidative stress and hepatoprotective activities in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice using a modified suppressive test model. Antioxidative stress and hepatoprotective potentials were assessed by determining oxidative stress markers levels, liver function indices and histopathology of liver. The extract/fractions progressively reduced parasitaemia induced by chloroquine-sensitive P. berghei infection with the methanol fraction exerting the highest activity. The leaf extract and fractions caused significant (p<0.05 – 0.001) increases in the levels of oxidative stress markers enzymes and molecules (SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH) and also reduced MDA level significantly (p<0.05) in the livers of the treated-infected mice. The extract/fractions treatment caused reduction in liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP), total and conjugated bilirubin. Histology of livers revealed absence or significant reductions in pathological features in the treated infected mice compared to untreated infected mice. The leaf of S. megaphylla may possess antioxidative stress and hepatoprotective effects which may in part be mediated through the chemical constituents of the plant

Effect of Methanol Leaf Extract of Nauclea latifolia on Albino Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei

Background: In Nigeria the leaf decoction of Nauclea latifolia is taken to treat malaria and sexually transmitted diseases. This study intends to generate a scientific data in support of the traditional use of the leaves in malaria treatment. Objective: To investigate the antiplasmodial effect of the methanol extract of the leaves of Nauclea latifolia on chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei berghei in  experimentally infected albino mice. Materials and Methods: The fresh leaves of Nauclea latifolia were collected, dried under shade, ground into powder and macerated in methanol for 72 hrs. The dried extract was stored at -4 °C for use. Thirty (30) mice were divided into five groups (A,B,C,D,E). Group A received 10 ml/kg/day of distilled water (negative control). Groups B, C and D received 370, 740 and 1110 mg/kg/day of the extract respectively. Group E received 1.2 mg/kg/day of artesunate (positive control). This experiment was repeated for suppressive, prophylactic and curative tests. Results: The extract produced considerable antiplasmodial activity in all the three tests evaluated compared to the standard drug (artesunate). The extract reduced parasitaemia significantly (p&lt;0.05) in a dose dependent manner. Bioactive constituents of the plant could be responsible for the antiplasmodial activity Conclusion: The result of the study supports the need for continued search for components of traditional medicine as potential antimalarial agents. Keywords: Malaria, Nauclea latifolia, mice, Plasmodium berghei berghe