Augustine Dick Essien

In vivo Antiplasmodial Activity of Byrsocarpus coccineus Leaf Extract in Mice Infected with Plasmodium Berghei

Objective: To investigate the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Methods : Curative effect against established infection and suppressive activity against early infection were screened. Results: The extract (100,200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) has significant (p<0.05) dose dependent activity against the parasites in the curative and suppressive tests. The extract also prolonged the survival time of the infected mice. The oral LD 50 values were greater than 5000 mg/kg in mice. Conclusion: The result shows that the extract possesses considerable antiplasmodial activity which can be exploited in malaria therapy. Keywords: Byrsocarpus coccineus, Medicinal plant, Antiplasmodial activity, Pasmodium berghei , Mice.

Embryotoxic and Teratogenic Potentials of Salacia lehmbachii in Rats

Use of herbal remedies in pregnancy may be deleterious to both mother and fetus. Against this background, aqueous and ethanol root bark extracts of Salacia lehmbachii, widely used herbal remedies for treatment of malaria in some localities were evaluated for embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in albino rats. One hundred and five pregnant rats weighing 170-180g were assigned 7 groups (n=15), labeled Control, 1-6. Control rats had 2 mL of distilled water. Groups 1, 2 and 3 received 250, 500 and 750mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract respectively while groups 4, 5 and 6 had similar doses of ethanol extract. Administration was orally on days 1 to 6 of gestation for implantation studies and days 7 to 15 for teratogenicity. The rats were observed daily for lethality, abnormal behaviour and vaginal bleeding. Their weights, food and water intakes were recorded. Cesarean sections were performed on day 20 of gestation to remove their uterine horns and implantations, resorptions, live and dead fetuses recorded. The weight and crown rump lengths of live fetuses were obtained and the placentas weighed and examined along with the litters for anomalies. There were no signs of maternal toxicity, miscarriages and dead fetus. Number of live fetuses in treated rats were similar to control just like litter weights, crown rump lengths and placental weight. There were no external anomalies on the fetuses and placenta. The extracts at the doses used in the study are relatively safe for pregnant rats and developing fetuses.

Studies on gastrointestinal properties of ethanolic leaf extract of Salacia lehmbachii in Wistar rats

Salacia lehmbachii Loes, is used traditionally in Nigeria for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-ulcer and anti-diarrhoeal activities of the ethanolic leaf extract of S. lehmbachii. The ethanolic leaf extract was evaluated for castor oil-induced diarrhoeal, intestinal transit as well as intestinal fluid accumulation in rats, while indomethacin, water immersion stress-induced and histamine were used for anti-ulcer tests. The extract at the doses used significantly (P<0.05) decreased castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats as judged by a decrease in the number of wet faeces in the extract treated rats. Moreso, the leaf extract inhibited the propulsive movement of intestinal contents. S. lehmbachii also showed a dose-related inhibitory activity on castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation in rats. The leaf extract of S. lehmbachii significantly (P<0.05) reduced the ulcer index in all assays used. The results of the current study support the folkloric usage of S. lehmbachii leaf extract in the management of gastrointestinal disorders in Nigerian herbal traditional medicine. Key words: Salacia lehmbachii, leaves, herbal medicine, antidiarrhoea, antiulcer, rats.

Antiplasmodial activity of the ethanolic root bark extract of Icacina senegalensis in mice infected by Plasmodium berghei.

Abstract Background: The root of Icacina senegalensis is used for the treatment of malaria and related conditions in southeastern Nigeria. Methods: To establish its efficacy, the ethanolic root bark extract was investigated as antiplasmodial agent against Plasmodium berghei in mice. A 4-day suppressive test and the curative effect against established infection models of antiplasmodial studies were used. Results: The root bark extract of I. senegalensis (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) exhibited a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent activity against the parasite based on suppressive and curative study. The antimalarial effect of I. senegalensis is compared with that of chloroquine (10 mg/kg), the standard drug. The ethanolic root bark extract also prolonged the survival time of infected mice. Conclusions: The results showed that the root bark extract possesses a potential antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited for the possible development of new antimalarial agent.

Antimicrobial and toxicological evaluation of ethanol leaf extract of Salacia lehmbachii

Abstract The leaves of Salacia lehmbachii are used ethnomedically across Africa for the treatment of different diseases its antimicrobial activity as well as toxicological profile were evaluated. Antimicrobial activity against clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococus aureus, Shigella species, Eschericha coli and Proteus mirabilis were compared with Gentamycin. Toxicological investigation was determined by administering 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the ethanol leaf extract to male Wistar rats for 21 days with distilled water as control. Hematological and biochemical parameters as well as the vital organs were examined. The ethanol extract inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, S. aureus, Shigella species, E. coli and P. mirabilis to varying extents. The LD50 in rats was greater than 5000 mg/kg. Toxicological evaluation of the extract did not produce any significant effect on hematological and biochemical parameters and vital organs in rats. S. lehmbachii ethanol leaf extract did not demonstrate antimicrobial activity against selected microorganisms. Neither did it show any non-toxic effect on the parameters investigated in rats. Thus the extract can be considered safe when administered orally.