Antitrypanosomal effects of methanolic extracts of Nuclea diderrichii (Merr.) and Spathodea campanulata stem bark

An in vivo study was carried out to determine the antitrypanosomal effects of methanolic extracts of the stem barks of Nauclea diderrichii (Merr) and Spathodea campanulata using Trypanosoma brucei brucei- infected mice. The antitrypanosomal effects of these plant parts were determined using rapid “matching” method. The effect of the extracts in vivo was determined based on the changes in the level of parasitaemia, PCV and weights of the mice. The stem bark extract of Spathodea campanulata showed moderate but significant reduction in parasitaemia level, 8 days post infection. Also, the extract of Nauclea diderrichii (Merr) showed very mild reduction in the parasitaemia level, 12 days post infection which relapsed on the 12th day. The PCV and the weight of the mice decreased upon infection with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The oral toxicity of the extract was also determined. The phytochemical analysis of revealed mainly the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes and glycosides.Keywords: In vivo, Nauclea diderrichii (Merr), Spathodea campanulata, Trypanosoma brucei bruceiJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 5 (2010

STUDIES ON TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS (FLUTED PUMPKIN) AND THE CHARACTERIZATION OF FIXED OILS FROM THE SEEDS

The macroscopical and microscopical characters of the leaf, stem and root of Telfaria occidentalis are reported. ash value, extractive value, moisture content and some numerical constants of the leaf were determined. Phytgochemical analysis of the various parts of the plants was also done. The fixed oil from the seed was extracted and some of its properties determined. Key Words: Telfairia occidentalis, Cucurbitaceae, macroscopy, microscopy, characterization, fixed oil Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.4 2000: 37-4

Antidiabetic properties of ethanolic fruit extract of Solanium aethiopicum L

The blood sugar lowering effect of the ethanolic fruit extract of Solanium aethiopicum L. (Solanaceae) was investigated on normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic rabbits. The hypoglycaemic effect of Solanium aethiopicum L. was evaluated in alloxan-induced hypoglycaemia in rabbits at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight. The evaluation was also done in normoglycaemic rabbits. The hypoglycaemic efficacy of the extract was compared to that of a standard drug, tolbutamide. The LD50 was determined using mice. At a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight of the extracts, the fasting blood sugar (FBS) of normal rabbits was reduced by 49.1 % compared to that of tolbutamide 200 mg/kg body weight that caused a greater reduction of FBS by 73.3%. In alloxanized rabbits, blood sugar level was reduced by 37.0% and 54.2% by the extract and tolbutamide respectively. The LD50 of the extract in mice was calculated to be 2154.1±69.7 mg/kg. S. aethiopicum was found to be less potent when compared to tolbutamide in terms of their ability to reduce the blood sugar levels. Key words: Antidiabetic, ethanolic fruit extract, Solanium aethiopicum, hyperglycaemic, hypoglycaemic. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences Vol.2(2) 2004: 251-25

Trypanocidal activity of the aqueous leave extract of Holarrhena Africana (Apocynaceae)

This study evaluated the trypanocidal activity of aqueous extracts of leaves of young Holarrhena africana. The trypanocidal activity was evaluated by treatment of mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei at the peak of infection. The aqueous extract was administered intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days with varied doses (100, 200,400 mg/kg weight). Treatment with the extract led to significant reduction in the level of parasitaemia in infected mice though relapse of parasitaemia occurred later. Parasite clearance by the extract was observed to be dose-dependent, the maximal effects being attained at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight. There were also significant improvements in the packed cell volume and reduction in the severity of clinical sign / symptom of trypanosomiasis in the treated groups during and after administration ofextracts. A determination of the LD50 in acute toxicity studies showed that the extract was relatively safe at very high doses