Evaluation of selected parameters of rat liver and kidney function following repeated administration of yohimbine.

The effects of administration of yohimbine, an aphrodisiac on some functional parameters of rat liver and kidney were investigated. White male albino rats weighing between 200-250g were grouped into two such that one group was orally administered with 14mg/kg body weight on daily basis for 15days while the control received an appropriate volume of sterile distilled water on daily basis for the same period. Bilirubin concentration in the test showed a significant decrease (P<0.01) when compared with the control, with an interruption of a significant increase only on day 5 of administration (P<0.01). Sodium ion concentration showed significant increase only on the first and the last days when compared with the control (P<0.01). The serum albumin content and K+ displayed significant increase throughout the experimental period (P<0.01) while serum content of urea and creatinine decreased significantly throughout the period of administration (P<0.01). The results suggest that yohimbine administration has adverse affect on the functional capacities of the liver and the kidney.Key words: Functional parameters, Kidney, Liver, Yohimbin

Phytochemical analysis and in vivo anti-malarial activities of aqueous extracts of Tithonia diversifolia and Parquetina nigrescens leaves in mice

This study was carried out to assess the acclaimed anti-malarial potentials of aqueous extracts of leaf of Tithonia diversifolia (TD) and Parquetina nigrescens (PN) in mice. The phytochemical constituents and in vivo anti-malarial activities of individual and combined of aqueous leaf extracts of Tithonia diversifolia (TD) and Parquetina nigrecsens (PN) were investigated. Fifteen albino mice were infected by intraperitoneal injection of standard inocula (5 7 106) of chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei (NK 65). The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups of 3 mice. Group I served as the control while group II received 5mg/kg body weight per oral of chloroquine diphosphate. Groups III \u2013 V were orally treated with 150mg/kg body weight extracts of TD, TD+PN and PN respectively. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids and tannins in the aqueous extracts of TD and PN. There were 100, 90, 86 and 77 percent parasite inhibition in groups treated with Chloroquine, combination of Tithonia diversifolia and Parquetina nigrescens (TD+PN), Parquetina nigrescens (PN) and Tithonia diversifolia (TN) respectively on day 5. The mean survival time (MST) for the control animals was 7 days and chloroquine 25 days, while the TD+PN, PN and TD aqueous extracts recorded 19, 18 and 11 days respectively. The results indicated that the combined aqueous (TD+PN) extracts of Tithonia diversifolia and Parquetina nigrescens produced the best antimalarial activity, which provides a justification for their use in folklore medicine and may be promising alternative anti-malarial drug

Tripanocidno i citotoksično djelovanje etanolskoga iscrpka lišća Psidium guajava određivano bojanjem alamarskim plavilom

Ethanolic extracts prepared from the leaves of Psidium guajava were evaluated for anti-trypanosoma and cytotoxicity activity in the bloodstream species of Trypanosoma brucei brucei (BS427) and HEK293 in 384-well Alamar Blue assays respectively. Cytotoxicity activity in HEK293 cells was subsequently used to estimate the selectivity index of the extracts. The activities of the plant extracts were determined to evaluate if further chemical and biological profi ling may be warranted for potential development in early drug discovery for African Sleeping Sickness. Two trypanocides, pentamidine and diminazene, were employed as reference drugs, while puromycin was also included as control for general cell growth inhibition. The results show that the extracts inhibited growth of T. b. brucei with an IC50 of 6.3 μg/mL and 48.9 μg/mL for 80% and 20% ethanolic preparations respectively, with corresponding activity of less than 50% against HEK293 at the highest screening dose of 238.10 μg/mL. The estimated selectivity index of the extracts compares favourably with pentamidine and diminazene. Meanwhile the reference compounds were found to have activities in agreement with published sensitivities at the doses screened. The lack of cytotoxicity at the doses screened and direct activity against T. b. brucei whole cells, make these extracts suitable candidates for further chemical elucidation and biological profiling.Istraženo je tripanocidno djelovanje etanolskog iscrpka lišća Psidium guajava na vrstu Trypanosoma brucei brucei (BS427) i njegova citotoksičnost na stanice HEK293 bojanjem alamarskim plavilom u 384 jažice. Citotoksični učinak na stanice HEK293 rabljen je za procjenu indeksa selektivnosti. Učinkovitost biljnih iscrpaka određivana je da bi se procijenila svrhovitost budućih kemijskih i bioloških istraživanja potencijalnoga lijeka za afričku bolest spavanja. U istraživanju su rabljena dva tripanocida, pentamidin i diminazen, te puromicin kao sredstvo koje usporava rast stanica. Rezultati su pokazali da 80% etanolskih pripravaka s IC50 od 6,3 μg/mL koči rast i razvoj tripanosoma, a samo 20% onih s IC50 od 48,9 μg/mL, s odgovarajućom aktivnosti manjom od 50% na stanice HEK293 u najvećoj dozi od 238,10 μg/mL. Indeks selektivnosti iscrpaka bio je sukladan s aktivnošću pentamidina i diminazena. Aktivnost istraživanih sastojaka bila je sukladna s razinom prije objavljene osjetljivosti. Izostanak citotoksičnosti na razini rabljenih koncentracija i izravna djelotvornost na stanice T. b. brucei daju osnovu za daljnja kemijska i biološka istraživanja predmetnih pripravaka

Bioconversion of Aspergillus niger KM treated rice and wheat bran for experimental rat feed formulation

This study investigated the nutritional value of pre-treated rice and wheat bran wastes as feed formulation in experimental rats. Aspergillus niger KM isolated from decomposing organic matter was tested for cellulase assay. The lignocellulosic agricultural residues (wheat bran and rice bran) were pretreated with ammonia and diluted sulfuric acid after which solid substrate fermentation with Aspergillus niger KM was carried out. Determination of reducing sugar was carried out and the fermented residues were included as components in feed formulation and were fed to different groups of rats for four weeks. The proximate analysis of the feed formulation showed that the NH3 pretreated feeds gave higher protein content of 21.94%, relative to the control or other groups. Growth performances of animals fed with NH3 pretreated wheat bran significantly increased from 158.25 to 201.66 g throughout the feeding periods. Evaluation of the various feeds’ effect on tissue marker enzymes revealed inconsistent alterations relative to the control. Bioconverted wheat or rice bran has nutritive value to support animal growth and could be explored in animal feed preparation

Exposure to Fluoxetine induced Gonado-toxicity in female rats: Modulating role of Hybanthus enneaspermus

Several scientific evidence supports the use of Hybanthus enneaspermus leaves in the management of female sexual inadequacies. Additionally, fluoxetine is a reproductive toxicant that induces sexual dysfunction. To determine the modulating role of aqueous extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus leaves on fluoxetine-induced gonado-toxicity, sixty healthy, sexually-responsive female rats (157.21 ± 6.89) were divided into six groups (A–F) comprising of 10 rats each. Group A (control group) were administered distilled water only, Group B-F received orally 15 mg/kg body weight (b.w) of fluoxetine prepared daily for 14 days for the induction of anti-oestrogenicity and subsequently received 0.5ml of distilled water, 20 mg/kg b.w of a reference drug (Tadalafil) and 0.5 mL equivalent to 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.w of the extract respectively, orally, once daily (08:00-08:45h) for 7 days. Fluoxetine reduced serum oestrogen concentrations by 54.79% and significantly reduced (p<0.05) ovarian and uterine total protein, glycogen, cholesterol, the activities of alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase. The reductions were by (22.91%, 25.57%, 22.82 %, 15.09 % and 43.17 %) in the ovaries and (21.25 %, 26.9%, 7.20%, 16.82% and 29.85%) in the uteri of the animals respectively. In contrast, these reductions were overturned by the extract towards the control group. The extract at 1000 mg/kg b.w ameliorated the reductions of these oestrogenic indices. Hybanthus enneaspermus attenuated the deleterious effects of fluoxetine on the ovaries and uteri, restored sexual competence and promoted oogenesis. These may further lend backing to its widespread use in handling some sterility/infertility problems in women

Antipyretic and analgesic activities of aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica root

This study was designed to investigate the scientific basis for the use of Acacia nilotica root extract for treatment of fever and pain in traditional medical practice. Anti-Pyretic study was carried out using Brewer\u2019s yeast suspension to induce pyrexia. The hot plate, tail immersion and acetic acid-induced writhing tests were the nociceptive models used for analgesic study. Anti-pyretic and analgesic activity of the extract was compared with acetaminophen that was used as control drug. Five groups comprising five animals per group were used for each study. Group 1 was administered 10 ml/kg body weight of distilled water, Group 2 was administered 150 mg/kg body weight of acetaminophen while groups 3, 4 and 5 were administered 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of extract respectively as single oral dose. The extract produced significant dose-dependent reduction in rectal temperature of rats at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. Significant analgesic activities were also observed in the hot plate, tail immersion and acetic acid induced writhing, after administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w of extract which is comparable to the control drug, acetaminophen. The results from this study showed that aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica root at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight possess significant antipyretic and analgesic activities. This provides scientific support for its traditional medical use in the treatment of fever and pain

Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Musa paradisiaca

The folkloric claim of Musa paradisiaca sap in the management of diarrhoea is yet to be substantiated or refuted with scientific data. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to screen the sap of M. paradisiaca for both its secondary metabolites and antidiarrhoeal activity at 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mL in rats. Secondary metabolites were screened using standard methods while the antidiarrhoeal activity was done by adopting the castor oil-induced diarrhoeal, castor oil-induced enteropooling, and gastrointestinal motility models. The sap contained flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and steroids while cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, triterpenes, cardenolides, and dienolides were not detected. In the castor oil-induced diarrhoeal model, the sap significantly (P<0.05) prolonged the onset time of diarrhoea, decreased the number, fresh weight, and water content of feaces, and increased the inhibition of defecations. Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the small intestine increased significantly whereas nitric oxide content decreased. The decreases in the masses and volumes of intestinal fluid by the sap were accompanied by increase in inhibition of intestinal fluid content in the enteropooling model. The sap decreased the charcoal meal transit in the gastrointestinal motility model. In all the models, the 1.00 mL of the sap produced changes that compared well with the reference drugs. Overall, the antidiarrhoeal activity of Musa paradisiaca sap attributed to the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, and/or saponins which may involve, among others, enhancing fluid and electrolyte absorption through de novo synthesis of the sodium potassium ATPase and/or reduced nitric oxide levels

Effect of repeated administration of aqueous extract of Enantia chloranta stem bark on selected enzyme activities of rat liver

The effect of repeated administration of aqueous extract of Enantia chloranta stem bark on selected enzyme activities of rat liver was investigated. The aqueous extract of the plant was administered to white albino rats daily at 24hr interval at a dosage level of 100mg/kg body weight after which the rats were sacrificed after receiving 1, 3 and 5 daily oral doses. Administration of the extract produced significant reduction (p<0.05) in the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the liver. There were no significant change in the activities of the serum enzymes (p>0.05). There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the activity of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in the liver which was not accompanied by any significant change in the serum enzyme (P>0.05). However, there was no significant change in the activity of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) in the liver and serum (P>0.05). The results suggest inhibition of ALP and LDH by the plant extract while same extract resulted in induction of synthesis of GPT. The aqueous extract of Enantia chloranta stem bark has brought about alterations in the concentration of the enzymes and this may affect the functions of these enzymes

Effect of repeated administration of aqueous extract of Enantia chloranta stem bark on selected enzyme activities of rat liver

The effect of repeated administration of aqueous extract of Enantia chloranta stem bark on selected enzyme activities of rat liver was investigated. The aqueous extract of the plant was administered to white albino rats daily at 24hr interval at a dosage level of 100mg/kg body weight after which the rats were sacrificed after receiving 1, 3 and 5 daily oral doses. Administration of the extract produced significant reduction (p0.05). There was a significant increase (p0.05). However, there was no significant change in the activity of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) in the liver and serum (P>0.05). The results suggest inhibition of ALP and LDH by the plant extract while same extract resulted in induction of synthesis of GPT. The aqueous extract of Enantia chloranta stem bark has brought about alterations in the concentration of the enzymes and this may affect the functions of these enzymes. Key words: Aqueous extract, Enantia chloranta, liver enzymes Biokemistri Vol.17(1) 2005: 13-1

Inhibitory effect of leaf extract of Newbouldia laevis on the metabolic activities of alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase

In this study, the effect of ethanol extract of the leaves of Newbouldia laevis on the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase was investigated. Inhibitory effect of N. laevis extract on α-glucosidase was tested in vitro using baker's yeast α-glucosidase and rat intestinal α-glucosidase while α-amylase inhibitory effect was assayed using rat pancreatic α-amylase. α-Glucosidase inhibitory effect of the extract was also tested in vivo in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. N. laevis extract exhibited good α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro with IC50 values of 2.2 µg/mL and 43.5 µg/mL for baker's yeast and rat intestinal α-glucosidase respectively. The extract also inhibited rat pancreatic α-amylase activity with IC50 value of 58.7 µg/mL. In both diabetic and non-diabetic rats, N. laevis extract caused a significant reduction in postprandial blood glucose level after oral sucrose load. The results of this study indicate that N. laevis extract exerts its glucose-lowering effect through inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase