In vivo antimalarial activity of methanol leaf extract of Bombax buonopozense in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei

Bombax buonopozense is used in ethnomedical practice for the treatment of fever. The methanol leaf extract of this plant was evaluated for in vivo antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine sensitive plasmodium berghei in mice. The antiplasmodial effect during early and established infections was investigated. The extract (200-600 mg/kg, p.o) exhibited significant (P<0.05) antimalarial activity both in four-day early and in an established infection tests. The LD50 of the extract was established to be greater than 5000 mg/kg, p.o in mice. The result suggests that B. buonopozense leaf extract possesses significant (P< 0.05) antiplasmodial activity thus confirming its traditional use in malarial therapy.Keywords: Bombax buonopozense; Herbal medicine; Plasmodium berghei berghei; Mic

Anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the methanolic extract of Bombax buonopozense leaves in rats and mice

Methanolic extract of Bombax buonopozense was evaluated for possible anti-nociceptive, antiinflammatory and anti-pyretic activities in mice and rats. Acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test in mice and formalin test in rats were used to investigate the antinociceptive effect of the extract. Studies were carried out on yeast-induced pyrexia and egg albumin-induced anti-inflammatory activity in rats. The extract produced a significant decrease in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and inhibition of late phase of the formalin pain test in rats. The methanolic extract of B. buonopozense leaf also produced a potent antipyretic effect and significant inhibition of egg  albumin-induced antiinflammatory activity in rats. The result suggests that B. buonopozense contains biologically active substances with potential values for the treatment of fever, painful and inflammatory conditions.Keywords: Bombax buonopozense; analgesic, inflammation, pyrexia

Studies on anti-ulcer, analgesic and antipyretic properties of the ethanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium in rodents

The ethanol extract of Gongronema latifolium leaves were evaluated for anti-ulcer, analgesic and anti pyretic activities in rats and mice. Ethanol-induced gastric ulceration, acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced nociception were used. Yeast-induced hyperpyrexia was used to investigate the antipyretic activity. The extract produced a significant ulcer protective activity in rats. The extract also decreased pain induced both by acetic acid in mice and early phase of formalin test in rats. A significant reduction in hyperpyrexia was also produced by the extract in rats. This present studyprovides a strong evidence of anti-ulcer, analgesic and antipyretic activities of G. latifolium

Acute toxicity, brine shrimp cytotoxicity and relaxant activity of fruits of callistemon citrinus curtis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Callistemon citrinus </it>Curtis belongs to family Myrtaceae that has a great medicinal importance. In our previous work, fruits of <it>Callistemon citrinus </it>were reported to have relaxant (antispasmodic) activity. The current work describes the screening of fractions of the crude methanol extract for tracing spasmolytic constituents so that it shall help us for isolation of bioactive compounds. Acute toxicity and brine shrimp cytotoxicity of crude methanol extract are also performed to standardize it.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The crude methanol extract was obtained by maceration with distilled water (500 ml) three times and fractionated successively with <it>n-</it>hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and <it>n-</it>butanol (300 ml of each solvent). Phytochemical analysis for crude methanol extract was performed. Acute toxicity studies were performed in mice. Brine shrimp cytotoxicity studies were performed to determine its cytotoxicity and standardize it. In other series of experiments, rabbits' jejunum preparations were used in screening for possible relaxant activities of various fractions. They were applied in concentrations of 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/ml on spontaneous rabbits' jejunum preparations. In similar fashion, fractions were also tested on KCl (80 mM) -induced contractions. Calcium chloride curves were constructed in K-rich Tyrode's solution. The effects of various fractions were tested on calcium chloride curves at concentrations 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/ml. Curves of verapamil used as reference drug at concentration 0.1 μM and 0.3 μM were also constructed. The curves were compared with their respective controls for possible right shift.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Methanol extract tested strongly positive for saponins and tannins. However, it tested mild positive for presence of proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates and phenolic compounds. LD₅₀value for crude methanol extract is 476.25 ± 10.3 (470-481, n = 4) mg/ml. Similarly, EC₅₀value for brine shrimp cytotoxicity is 65.5 ± 7.28 (60.8- 69.4, n = 4) mg/ml. All the fractions relaxed the spontaneous and KCl-induced contractions. EC₅₀values (mg/ml) for effects of ethyl acetate fraction on spontaneous and KCl induced contractions are 2.62 ± 0.78 (2.15-3.0, n = 4) and 3.72 ± 0.86 (3.38-4.28, n = 4) respectively. Respective EC₅₀values (mg/ml) for <it>n-</it>butanol fraction are 3.59 ± 0.2(3.07-3.9, n = 4) for spontaneous, and 5.57 ± 0.2 (5.07-6.11, n = 4) for KCl- induced contractions. EC₅₀value for control calcium chloride curve (without extract) is -2.73 ± 0.19 (-2.6 - -2.81, n = 4) while EC₅₀for curves treated with 5.0 mg/ml of chloroform is -2.22 ± 0.02 (-2.16 - -2.3, n = 4). EC₅₀value for ethyl acetate treated (1.0 mg/ml) tissues is -1.95 ± 0.10 (-1.88 - -2.0, n = 4) <it>vs</it>. control EC₅₀= -2.71 ± 0.08 (-2.66 - -2.76, n = 4). All the fractions, except <it>n-</it>hexane, showed a right shift like that of verapamil (EC₅₀= -1.72 ± 0.15 (-1.62 - -1.8, n = 4) vs. Control EC₅₀= -2.41 ± 0.06 (-2.38 - - 2.44, n = 4), a standard drug that blocks voltage operated calcium channels.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Relaxant constituents were more concentrated in ethylacetate fraction followed by chloroform, <it>n -</it>butanol and aqueous fractions that warrant for its isolation. The crude methanol extract is safe at concentration 250 mg/ml or below and results of brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay imply the plant specie may be a source of cytotoxic agents.</p

Some haematological parametersin adult Nigerians with diabetes mellitus

No Abstract.Journal of Health and Visual Sciences Vol. 8 (2) 2006: pp. 5-6

Visual acuity pattern of adults in Elele, Rivers state, Nigeria

No Abstract.Journal of Health and Visual Sciences Vol. 9 (2) 2007: pp. 59-6

Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties of aqueous root extract of Icacina senegalensis in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Objective: To evaluate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity of aqueous root extract of Icacina senegalensis (I. senegalensis) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Method: Blood glucose levels of alloxan-induced diabetic rats were monitored after the administration of I. senegalensis extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) to diabetic rats for 14 d. Different biochemical parameters, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein were also examined. Results: Treatment of alloxan diabetic rats with the extract showed significant (P<0.05) activity. The activity of the extract was comparable to that of the standard drug, glinbeclamide. Conclusions: The results suggest that the root extract of I. senegalensis possesses antidiabetic and hypolipidemic properties, which might be a potential source for isolation of new orally active agent in the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications