Effects of the Aqueous Fruit Extract of Solanum Macrocarpum Linn on Biochemical Kidney Function of Hyperlipidaemic Rats Administered Triton-X Orally for 7 Days

Studies were conducted on the effect of the aqueous fruit extract of Solanum macrocarpum Linn. in triton-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. The plant was Soxhlet-extracted with distilled water and the extract concentrated in vacuo with a yield of 15.34% w/w . The extract was stored in a specimen bottle at room temperature until required. The kidney function parameters; serum creatinine, urea and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphates) were determined. The results showed that with increase in extract dose, the changes in serum concentration of sodium, calcium and potassium ions were not significant (P>0.05). For potassium ion however, the concentration decrease was dose-dependent and was only significant (P<0.05) at 72hrs. Creatinine increased significantly (P<0.05) throughout the period of study (24hrs, 48hrs and 72hrs) when compared to the control whilst urea did not show any change (P>0.05). Then non-significant changesin phosphate and calcium ions and a reduction in K+ ion may probably not affect the acid-base balance of the physiological system. Elevated levels of creatinine observed in this study may be due to stimulation of muscle activity or impaired kidney function.Keywords: Solanum macrocarpum Linn, aqueous extract, triton-X, kidney function, hyperlipidaemic ratsNigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol 32(4)314-32

Antibacterial effects of cyanogenic glucoside isolated from the stem bark of Bauhinia rufescens Lam

The chemical contents and in vitro antibacterial effects of the n-butanol column fractions, stem bark methanol extracts of Bauhinia rufescens Lam. were evaluated in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using disc diffusion technique. The n-butanol soluble portion from the stem bark methanol extract was successively eluted to afford 10 pooled fractions by comparison of TLC chromatograms. The bioactive fraction (fraction D) was further chromatographed using the bioassay guided protocol to afford 4 sub-fractions from which a pure compound was isolated and characterized using spectral studies as: (4S, 6R)-(Z)-6-(â-Dglucopyranosyloxy)-4-hydroxy-2-cyclohexenyl-Ä1,á-acetonitrile–a cyclohexenyl cyano methylene known commonly as menisdaurin. Test bacteria were Bacillus subtilis, Corynaebacterium spp., Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae. The diameters of inhibition zone on the Gram-positive bacteria was found in the range from11.83±0.17 (n-butanol Fraction D) to 17.33±0.67 (Fraction D2-8); while on Gram-negative organism the values ranged from  11.50±0.29 (n-butanol Fraction D) to 19.67±0.33 (Fraction D2-8). The activity index (AI) showed that Fraction D2-8 (51.18%) and Compound I [menisdaurin] (127.36%) was highly sensitive to Corynaebacterium spp. and E. coli when computed with Erythromycin and Gentamicin respectively. Highest AI was exhibited by Fraction D2-8 (93.89%) against S. dysenteriae when computed with ciprofloxacin. In continuation of our chemical studies and search for bioactive compounds from medicinal plants; this work, therefore, was aimed at characterizing and testing the antibacterial efficacy of the isolated compound in order to further confirm our earlier reports on use of this part of B. rufescens in some parts of Northern Nigeria as atreatment against diarrhoea and dysentery. This is the first report of the isolation and antibacterial activity of menisdaurin from B. rufescens.© 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Antibacterial, Bauhinia rufescens, cyanogenic glucoside, isolation, menisdaurin

Phytochemical analysis of aqueous leaf extract of Olea hochstetteriBak.(Oleaceae) and its effects on haematological parameters in rats

No Abstract

Qualitative Phytochemical Screening and In Vitro Antimicrobial Effects of Methanol Stem Bark Extract of Ficus Thonningii (Moraceae)

The methanolic stem bark extract of Ficus thonningii (Moraceae) was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antimicrobial tests. The phytochemical tests was carried out using standard methods of analysis and these investigations revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extract was assayed using the agar plate disc diffusion and nutrient broth dilution techniques. Test micro organisms were: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi (Gram-negative), Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. (Gram-positive). The extracts inhibited the growth of all the test organisms at different concentrations especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus spp. which had mean inhibition zone of 33.33±7.33 mm and 32.33±2.51 mm respectively. The results showed the MIC of 10 mg ml−1 against pseudomonas and 1.25 against remaining organisms tested. The MBC against Staphylococcus aureus was 2.5 mg ml−1 and that of Streptococcus spp. was found to be 0.625mg ml−1. The extracts showed varied inhibitory activity against the organisms studied

Proximate and elemental composition of Bauhinia rufescens Lam (Leguminosae : Caesalpinioidaea)

This study is aimed at investigating the proximate contents, concentrations of some micro/macroelements and anions of the stem bark and leaves of B. rufescens with the view of validating its used as forage and medicinally by man in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and in wound healing. The stem bark and leaves of Bauhinia rufescens were collected from Gathla-Gwoza, Borno State, Nigeria. Proximate analysis was done following methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists and the results showed that the stem bark had higher dry matter (94.50%), carbohydrate (82.03%), nitrogen free extract (54.53%), crude fibre (33.00%) and ash (3%), while crude proteins (15.58%), fats (5%) and moisture content (5.7%) were estimated to be higher in the leaves of this plant. The levels of 10 elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co) were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, the anions (nitrates, phosphates and sulphates) were estimated using the Smart Spectro Spectrophotometer. Results revealed higher concentrations of macroelements and microelements in the leaves sample except for Cr concentration which was higher (0.0247 mg/g) in the stem bark than in the leaves (0.0050 mg/g). The concentrations of nitrates and phosphates were higher in the leaves; on the other hand, sulphates concentration was higher in stem bark (12.0 mg/g) than found in the leaves (10.8 mg/g). In conclusion, both the proximate, elemental and anions concentrations for these parts of B. rufescens were mostly found within the permissible region set by World Health Organization.Keywords: Anions, Bauhinia rufescens, leaves, elements, proximate, stem bar

Effects of aqueous extract of Solanum macrocarpum Linn. fruit on serum creatinine, urea and some electrolytes in rats pre-fed 1% cholesterol and groundnut oil

Studies were conducted on the effect of the aqueous fruit extract of Solanum macrocarpum Linn. in hypercholesterolaemic rats. The plant material was Soxhlet-extracted with distilled water and the extract was concentrated in vacuo with a yield of 15.34 % /w. The extract was stored in a specimen bottle at room temperature until when required. The kidney function parameters- w serum creatinine, urea and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphates) were determined. The results showed that with increase in extract dose, the creatinine level increased significantly (p0.05). The effect of the aqueous extract on the electrolytes showed that both sodium and phosphate dose-dependently increased and the increase was significant (p0.05). The change in calcium with increase in extract dose was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The increase in sodium ion could be due to the high level of Sodium in the plant or as a result of loss of body fluid. Elevated levels of creatinine observed in this study may be due to impaired kidney function

Neuropharmacological activity of the methanol root-bark extract of vitex doniana in rats and mice

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 10 () 2006: pp.47-5