In vitro assessment of antioxidant activity of Newbouldia laevis

Poverty, drug resistance and other factors including increasing difficulty in the control of mosquitoes (the vector of the causative organism of malaria), have led to a growing interest in phytochemical research. The antioxidant activity of Newbouldia laevis stem bark was investigated. Air dried stem bark of N. laevis was powdered and extracted with 95 % v/v methanol by maceration, and the extract concentrated at 40oC using rotary evaporator. The total phenolic composition of methanolic extract of air dried stem bark was estimated using spectrophotometric method. Antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated on the basis of its ability to prevent the oxidation of _-carotene and the strength of its ferric reducing capacity also determined. Phenolic composition was calculated to be approximately 35%. Plant extract showed concentration - dependent antioxidant activity and ferric reducing power. Plant extract achieved a maximum antioxidant activity of 4% within 40 min. The total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and reducing power of the extract had direct relationship

In vitro Assessment of the Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Psidium Guajava

Observable significant revisit of ancient approach to prophylaxis and anaphylaxis (herbaltherapy), though with modern dimensions of study envelopes our world of research today. Reports on the medicinal use of parts of Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), including leaves and stem barks have been reported in, and beyond Africa. Air dried leaves of P. guajava were powdered and extracted with 95%v/v methanol by maceration, and the extract concentrated at 40oC using Rotary evaporator. The weight of the extracted plant material was recorded for yield calculations. In vitro assessment of the ability of the extract to scavenge the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and the synthetic radical 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was determined with reference to the synthetic antioxidant Buthylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Plant extract showed concentration- dependent scavenging activity on all reactive species used. Scavenging activity of plant extract on hydrogen peroxide and superoxide was more than that of BHA on same. However, BHA showed greater DPPH scavenging activity than plant extract

Comparative in vitro assessment of the antiplasmodial activity of quinine – zinc complex and quinine sulphate

Incessant malaria endemicity in the tropics and subtropical regions and the recent work done on the synthesis of metal drug complexes of antimalarial drugs and the evaluation of their antimalarial activities in vitro, has led to the development of this study. Quinine-Zinc complex (QZ) was synthesized using a modification of Singla and Wadhwa method. Melting point determination, TLC analysis, infra red, ultra violet, atomic absorption spectroscopy and mole ratio determination were all carried out on the complex synthesized. Direct measurement of the antimalarial activity of the potential new drug (QZ) against parasite growth in vitro was used to comparatively ascertain the antimalarial activity of QZ relative to Quinine sulphate (QS). Measurement of antimalarial activity was carried out based on the inhibition of parasite growth with respect to inhibition of schizont formation in freshly collected infected blood samples from patients. The results showed that QZ complex was formed and its antimalarial activity was three times that of QS alone. This study suggests that the quinine-zinc complex could have a better therapeutic activity than quinine

Assessment of the Scavenging Activity of Crude Methanolic Stem Bark Extract of Newbouldia Laevis on Selected Free Radicals

From ancient times, the therapeutic application of medicinal plants, also known as alternative medicine has been popular. Today, biological research has shown that this practice of phytotherapy will remain with man for sometime. Some medicinal applications of parts of Newbouldia laevis are known. Air dried leaves of N. laevis (Bignoniaceae) were powdered and extracted with 95%v/v methanol by maceration, and the extract concentrated at 40oC using Rotary evaporator. The weight of the extracted plant material was noted for the purpose of calculating yield. In vitro assessment of the ability of the extract to scavenge the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion and the synthetic radical 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was determined. Buthylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a synthetic antioxidant was used as a positive control. Plant extract showed concentration- dependent scavenging activity on all reactive species used. Scavenging activity of plant extract on hydrogen peroxide and superoxide was more than that of BHA on same. However, BHA was more effective at scavenging DPPH radical than plant extract

Antiplasmodial flavonoid from young twigs and leaves of Caesalpinia bonduc (Linn) Roxb

Young twigs and leaves of Caesalpinia bonduc (Linn) Roxb is used in the Southwestern part of Nigeria, as an antimalarial medicinal decoction together with other medicinal plant. In order to discover new antimalaria drug or drug lead and also to verify the traditional use of C. bonduc in this area, the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of crude extract, solvent fractions and compounds isolated from C. bonduc were investigated. In vitro antiplasmodial evaluation was carried out using chloroquine sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum FCR-3 and selective toxicity determination was investigated using sensitivity study on Mouse mammary tumor FM3A cells as a host model. Ethyl acetate and petroleum ether soluble solvent fractions of C. bonduc showed antiplasmodial activity with EC50 values of 16 and 18 μg/mL and selectivity index (SI) of 0.69 and 0.29 respectively. Bioassay guided fractionation of C. bonduc led to the isolation of seven flavonoids, 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-3,11- dehydrohomoisoflavanone (1), 4,4'-dihydroxy-2'-methoxy-chalcone (2), 7,3'-dihydroxy-3,11-dehydrohomoisoflavanone (3), Luteolin (4), quercetin-3-methyl ether (5), Kaempferol-3-O-b-D-xylopyranoside (6)and Kaempferol-3-O-a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1®2)-B-D-xylopyranoside (7). Structures of compounds 1 to 7 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compound 2 exhibited moderate antiplasmodial activity with EC50 and SI values of 33 μM and 0.33 respectively while compounds 1, 3 to 7 showed insignificant antiplasmodial activity. The investigation revealed that the moderate antiplasmodial activity exhibited by the solvent fractions of C. bonduc might be mediated by 4,4'-dihydroxy-2'-methoxy-chalcone

Morinda Lucida: Antioxidant and Reducing Activities of Crude Methanolic Stem Bark Extract

The antioxidant activity of Morinda lucida (Benth.) stem bark was investigated. Air dried stem bark of Morinda lucida was powdered and extracted with 95 % v/v methanol and the extract concentrated at 40oC using rotary evaporator. The total phenolic composition of methanolic extract of air - dried stem bark was estimated using spectrophotometric method. Phenolic composition was calculated to be approximately 80 %. Antioxidant activity of the extract was determined using its ability to prevent the oxidation of â-carotene. Ferric reducing ability of extract was also determined. Antioxidant and ferric reducing activities exhibited by plant extract were concentration dependent. Plant extract achieved a maximum antioxidant activity of 6% within 40minutes. The total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and reducing power of the extract had direct relationship

Antiplasmodial activity of quinine-zinc complex and chloroquine: A comparative in vitro assessment

The evolving and complicating drug resistance exhibited by strains of Plasmodium falciparum to existing antimalarials like chloroquine and quinine (which are relatively more affordable than recent drugs) and advances in metal-drug complex research instigated this work. The antiplasmodial activity of the Quinine-Zinc complex (QZ) synthesized by a modification of the method of Singla and Wadhwa was assessed relative to that of Chloroquine diphosphate (C) in vitro. Measurement of antiplasmodial activity was carried out based on the inhibition of parasite growth measured by the inhibition of schizont formation in freshly collected infected blood samples from malaria patients. A comparative analysis of the antiplasmodial activity of QZ against C showed that its antiplasmodial activity was significantly better than that of C (p < 0.05). The result of this study suggests that the QZ could have a better therapeutic activity against malaria than C

THE EFFECT OF ABO BLOOD GROUP CLASSIFCATIONS ON BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS OF HEALTHY ADULTS

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of ABO blood groups on liver function and lipid profile. A total of seventy (n=70) adult of both sexes were recruited into the study. All participants were assumed healthy provided they have not been on medication for a period of two weeks prior to their recruitment. Biochemical markers assessed includes liver function tests such as; albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Lipid profile such as cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Blood group O has the highest frequency of 42 %, while AB has the lowest frequency of 12.9 %. A significant positive correlation was seen between weight and BMI also a negative correlation was seen between total cholesterol and BMI. There was no significant difference in the levels of ALT and triglyceride. In the blood group A, results of the liver function test reveals that the activity of AST and albumin decreased significantly for the liver function test among the blood groups (p< 0.05). The level of blood total cholesterol increased significantly (p< 0.05) in blood group B; but decreased significantly in blood group A and AB (p< 0.05) among the blood groups for the lipid profile assay. These assays show significant differences within the ABO blood groups; this may be an indicator of health status with respect to ABO blood group based on the knowledge of what we know of polymorphisms, that individuals belonging to the different blood groups are not equally viable

Assessment of the Ameliorative Effect of Ruzu Herbal Bitters on the Biochemical and Antioxidant Abnormalities Induced by High Fat Diet in Wistar Rats

Background and Objective: Ruzu herbal bitters (RHB) is a poly-herbal preparation that is widely taken in Nigeria and it is used as an anti-obesity medicinal concoction. The concoction is an aqueous composition of different plant parts of Curculigo pilosa , Uvaria chamae and Citrullus colocynthis and so far, there has been no published scientific verification on the health enhancing claims of RHB’s intake. This study is aimed at evaluating the anti-obesity and the biochemical and antioxidant effects of RHB’s consumption, using an albino Wistar high-fat dietary model rats. Materials and Methods: A total of thirty-six (n = 36) rats were divided into six groups of six animals each. Group 1: The negative control animals (NEC), received the high-fat diet, group 2: The normal control animals (NC), was fed on standard rat chow and distilled water, groups 3-6 were placed on the high-fat diet and then dosed orally with the following: Pioglitazone (PIO) (30 mg kgG1 b.wt.,), RHB (0.3 mL kgG1), vitamin E (Vit. E) (10 IU kgG1) and a combination of PIO and Vit. E, respectively for 8 weeks. The animals were then sacrificed and antioxidant and biochemical tests on blood and other tissue samples were carried out by standard methods. Statistical analysis of the results was carried out by one-way analysis of variance with the SPSS. Results: The group 4 RHB administered animals had a significant reduction (p<0.05) in total body weight, in comparison with group 1 animals. As well as a significant (p<0.05) reduction the plasma activities of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and concentrations of LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, total and indirect bilirubin when compared with group 1. A significant (p<0.05) increase in the concentrations of plasma HDL-cholesterol and reduced glutathione in the brain, spleen and liver of rats were also observed in group 4 while a significant (p<0.05) increase was observed in the activity of peroxidase in the liver and brain of rats in the RHB group in comparison with group 1. Conclusion: These findings validate the anti-obesity and antioxidant claims of RHB and these activities were attributed to its plant’s constituents

Evaluation of Biochemical Toxicity and Antioxidant Properties of Pioglitazone on Albino Wistar Rats

Pioglitazone is one of the thiazolidinedione anti-diabetic drugs which have been used for the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. This study aims at investigating the biochemical effects and safety of pioglitazone (PIO) at various concentrations in female Wistar rats. A total of 28 rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven animals each. Groups 1-4 were given 0.5 mL kgG1 b.wt., dayG1 of distilled water as normal control; 15, 30 and 45 mg kgG1 b.wt., dayG1 of PIO, respectively as treatment groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively for 28 days. Using standard biochemical kits and reported chemical procedures, plasma biochemical parameter and organ lipid peroxidation effects were determined in all the groups. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in plasma total protein concentration of group 3 and 4 in comparison with control. There was also significant (p<0.05) reduction in total and LDL cholesterols in PIO-treated groups and concentration of TBARS was reduced in the liver and heart of PIO-treated groups in comparison with normal control. There was no significant alteration in the concentrations and activities of liver and kidney function markers of PIO treated groups in comparison with normal control groups. Pioglitazone at highest concentration of 45 mg kgG1 b.wt., for the duration of 28 days did not elicit any measurable biochemical toxicity on non-diabetic rat mode