Preliminary cytotoxicity studies on some Nigerian medicinal plants used as traditional anticancer remedies

Crinum jagus, Icacina trichantha and Solanum erianthum are used in ethno-medicine for the treatment of cancer. This study screened different parts of these plants (leaves and bulb of C. jagus; leaves and tuber of I. trichantha; and leaves and stem of S. erianthum) for cytotoxicity. Dried samples of these plant parts were extracted  successively with hexane, ethylacetate and methanol using the maceration method and concentrated to dryness using a rotary evaporator. Cytotoxicity studies on the extracts were carried out using the brine shrimp assay at concentrations of 10 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL (in triplicates). The response of the nauplii to different concentrations of the extracts was observed after 24 h. The LC50 value was used as a measure of the toxicity of the extracts. The LCc50 values for the different extracts of the leaves and bulb of Crinum jagus ranged between 0.251 μg/ml and 10.280 μg/ml. Values ranging between 9.992 μg/mL and 192.602 μg/mL were obtained for the leaves and tuber of Icacina trichantha. The leaves and stem of Solanum erianthum gave LC50 values between 2.395 μg/mL and 84.924 μg/mL. The plant parts under study had very low LC50 values and therefore show promise as potential sources of novel anticancer agents

Investigation of Bulb Extracts of Crinum jagus for Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities

This study investigates the bulb extracts of Crinum jagus for antimicrobial activities. The bulb samples were dried, ground and subjected to successive extraction using hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. The extracts were screened for activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebisidlae pneumonae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum and Rhizopus stolonifer at concentrations between 6.25 and 200 mg/ml. Antimicrobial assays werecarried out using agar diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined. The percentage yields obtained for the hexane, ethylacetate and methanol extracts of the bulbs are 0.28 %, 0.44% and 24.68 % respectively. Results showed that the methanolic extract had better antibacterial and antifungal activities than the other extracts. The methanol extract showed the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus with a zone of inhibition of 28 mm at 200 mg/ml. Also, the methanol extract showed the highest antifungal activities against C. albicans, A. niger and P. notatum with a zone of inhibition of 20 mm at 200 mg/ml. The hexane and ethylacetate extracts had no activity against the microorganisms at 6.25 mg/ml.The methanol extract had the lowest Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 2.50 mg/ml against S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and S. typhi. The methanol extract could be a source of potent antimicrobial compounds. Keywords: Antibacterial, Antifungal, Crinum jagus, Agar diffusion, MI

Investigation of Bulb Extracts of Crinum jagus for Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities

This study investigates the bulb extracts of Crinum jagus for antimicrobial activities. The bulb samples were dried, ground and subjected to successive extraction using hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. The extracts were screened for activity against Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , Bacillus subtilis , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Salmonella typhi , Klebisidlae pneumonae, Candida albicans , Aspergillus niger , Penicillium notatum and Rhizopus stolonifer at concentrations between 6.25 and 200 mg/ml. Antimicrobial assays werecarried out using agar diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined. The percentage yields obtained for the hexane, ethylacetate and methanol extracts of the bulbs are 0.28 %, 0.44% and 24.68 % respectively. Results showed that the methanolic extract had better antibacterial and antifungal activities than the other extracts. The methanol extract showed the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus with a zone of inhibition of 28 mm at 200 mg/ml. Also, the methanol extract showed the highest antifungal activities against C. albicans, A. niger and P. notatum with a zone of inhibition of 20 mm at 200 mg/ml. The hexane and ethylacetate extracts had no activity against the microorganisms at 6.25 mg/ml.The methanol extract had the lowest Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 2.50 mg/ml against S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and S. typhi. The methanol extract could be a source of potent antimicrobial compounds

Effects of catechin, quercetin and taxifolin on redox parameters and metabolites linked with renal health in rotenone-toxified rats

Summary: Nephrotoxicity, with the attendant risk of progression to kidney failure, is a growing problem in many parts of the world. Current orthodox treatment options for nephrotoxicity and kidney failure are limited and there is need for alternative or complementary approaches. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of three structurally related flavonoids, catechin, quercetin and taxifolin on renal redox and metabolite biochemical disturbances in rotenone intoxicated animals. Male Wistar rats were administered 1.5 mg/kg rotenone (s.c.) for ten days followed by post-treatment with catechin (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg), quercetin (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) and taxifolin (0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg) (s.c.), for 3 days. Renal redox indices and levels of renal-related metabolites (creatinine, urea and uric acid) were assessed after sacrifice of animals. Catechin, quercetin and taxifolin significantly attenuated rotenone-induced effects on oxidative stress markers and metabolites linked to renal health. Quercetin was clearly more effective than catechin. The activity demonstrated by taxifolin, despite being administered at the lowest doses, was compelling. The results highlight the potential of these phytochemicals in the management of renal dysfunction. The findings additionally suggest a correlation between the structure of the flavonoids and their activity but also indicate that additional structural considerations beyond conventionally acknowledged ones may be involved.Keywords: Flavonoids, nephrotoxicity, oxidative stress, structure-activity relationshi

Evaluation of Extracts of Leaves of Crinum jagus for Antimicrobial Properties

Plants have been used in ethno-medicine for ages in the treatment of various diseases. In the current study, the leaves of C. jagus are investigated  for antimicrobial activities. The leaves were dried and extracted successively with hexane, ethylacetate and methanol. The concentrated extracts  were screened for activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebisidlae pneumonae, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum and Rhizopus stolonifer at concentrations between 6.25 and 200 mg/ml using the agar diffusion method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was also determined. The percentage yields obtained were 0.92 %, 1.20 %  and 25.2 % for the hexane, ethylacetate and methanol extracts respectively. The zones of inhibition of the organisms by the extracts generally increased with the concentrations. The methanol extract showed the best activity of the three extracts tested. The methanol extract had values ranging between 20 mm and 26 mm against the bacteria at 200 mg/ml. This extract also showed values between 18 mm and 20 mm against the  fungi at 200 mg/ml. The lowest MICs values (of 2.5 mg/ml) were obtained against S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis and S. typhi. The polar constituents in  the leaves of the plant are likely responsible for the antimicrobial properties observed. None of the extracts showed activity comparable to those of the standard drugs, however the methanol extract showed some potential as a source of antimicrobial compounds. Keywords: Crinum jagus, antimicrobial, Agar diffusion, MI

Salubrious effect of Parinari curatellifolia seed extract in doxorubicin intoxicated rats

The seed of Parinari curatellifolia Ex Benth (Chrysobalanaceae) is widely used in Southwestern Nigeria for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension, important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Parinari curatellifolia seed extract (PCE) on the antioxidant status, lipid profile and cardiac health in doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity. Phenolic profile of the extract was determined by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups that were pretreated with ramipril (10 mg/kg) or PCE (50-, 100-, 150- and 200 mg/kg) orally for two weeks. On the 13th day, single dose of (15 mg/kg i.p) DOX was administered to all the groups except control. Antioxidant parameters (superoxide dismutase {SOD}, glutathione peroxidase {GPx}, glutathione transferase {GT}, reduced glutathione {GSH}, thiobarbituric reacting substance {TBARS}), cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK-MB) were evaluated in cardiac tissue homogenate or plasma. Catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, isoquercitrin, rutin, kaempferol and quercitrin were confirmed present in PCE. DOX intoxication in experimental rats resulted in significant increase (P<0.05) in plasma activities of LDH and CK-MB, concentrations of all lipid types, except HDL which was significantly (P<0.05) reduced, as well as the tissue level of TBARS as compared with control. In addition, activities of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GT and GPx) were reduced (P<0.05) in the DOX intoxicated group. However, pretreatment with PCE significantly ameliorated the alterations caused by doxorubicin. PCE protected against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats possibly through positive modulation of the cardiac antioxidant defense system and amelioration of dyslipidemia by the constituent flavonols.Keywords: Parinari curatellifolia, cardiotoxicity, Doxorubicin, antioxidant, phenolic compounds, dyslipidemi

Antidiabetic potential of methanolic and flavonoid-rich leaf extracts of Synsepalum dulcificum in type 2 diabetic rats

Background: Synsepalum dulcificum is a plant indigenous to West Africa. The fruit is used to modify taste of foods to sweetness. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the antidiabetic potentials of both methanolic and flavonoid-rich leaf extracts of S. dulcificum (MSD and FSD respectively) in type 2 diabetic Wistar albino rats. Materials and methods: Sixty three rats were randomly distributed into nine groups of seven animals each with group 1 serving as the normal control. Groups 2 to 7 were given 10% fructose in their drinking water for 14 days, after which 40 mg/kg of streptozotocin was administered. Group 2 animals served as the diabetic control, while groups 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were treated with 30 mg/kg MSD, 60 mg/kg MSD, 30 mg/kg FSD, 60 mg/kg FSD and 5 mg/kg glibenclamide respectively. Groups 8 and 9, contained healthy animals, and were treated with only 60 MSD, and 60 mg/kg FSD respectively. Biochemical parameters such as liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile, as well as lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes were assessed in addition to histopathology. Results: It was observed that daily oral administration of MSD and FSD for 21 days significantly (p < 0.05) improved the observed pathological changes as a result of type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: It could be deduced from results obtained in this study that methanolic and flavonoid-rich leaf extracts of S.dulcificum have antidiabetic potential in type 2 diabetic rats

Antioxidants in aqueous extract of Myristica fragrans (Houtt.) suppress mitosis and cyclophosphamide-induced chromosomal aberrations in Allium cepa L. cells

In this study, freeze-dried water extract from the leaves of Myristica fragrans (Houtt.) was tested for mutagenic and antimutagenic potentials using the Allium cepa assay. Freeze-dried water extract alone and its combination with cyclophosphamide (CP) (50 mg/kg) were separately dissolved in tap water at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg. Onions (A. cepa) were suspended in the solutions and controls for 48 h in the dark. Root tips were prepared for microscopic evaluation. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals’ scavenging power of the extract was tested using butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as standards. Water extract of Myristica fragrans scavenged free radicals better than BHA, but worse than BHT. The extract alone, as well as in combination with CP suppressed cell division, and induced chromosomal aberrations that were insignificantly different from the negative control (P≤0.05). However, cytotoxic and mutagenic actions of CP were considerably suppressed. The observed effects on cell division and chromosomes of A. cepa may be principally connected to the antioxidant properties of the extract. The obtained results suggest mitodepressive and antimutagenic potentials of water extract of the leaves of M. fragrans as desirable properties of a promising anticancer agent