Godwin Christian Akuodor

In vivo antiplasmodial activities of aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark against Plasmodium berghei berghei in mice

Context: Bridelia ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae) is an indigenous medicinal plant in Nigeria. It is usually a gnarled shrub which sometimes reaches the size of a tree in suitable condition. Decoctions of parts of this plant have been employed in ethno medicine in many parts of Africa for treatment of many ailments including malaria fever. Objective: In vivo antiplasmodial activity of aqueous stem bark extract of BF was investigated against Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Materials and methods: The aqueous stem bark extract of BF (100–400 mg/kg) was administered orally to P. berghei-infected mice in both early and established models of antiplasmodial studies. Results: The extract exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antiplasmodial activity in early and established infection tests with a considerable mean survival time comparable to that of chloroquine, 10 mg/kg. The oral LD50 obtained was greater than 5000 mg/kg in mice. Discussion and conclusions: The findings show that aqueous stem bark extract of Bridelia ferruginea possesses considerable antiplasmodial activity which can be developed in malaria therapy.

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.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of methanolic leaf extract of Maerua crassifolia

The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the methanol leaf extract of Maerua crassifolia, an important medicinal plant used in Nigeria. The antibacterial properties of the methanol extract were studied against clinically important bacteria viz; Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp., Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli by disc diffusion method. The free radical scavenging potential of the extract was assessed by measuring its capability for scavenging 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The methanol leaf extract of Maerua crassifolia at the concentration of 12.5-150 µg/ml, showed significant activity against all the tested organisms. The observed antioxidant activity of the leaf extract suggests that the extract is a potential source of natural antioxidant and could be useful in the treatment of diseases.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of leaf extract of Berlina grandiflora Hutch. and Dalz.

Antimicrobial properties of Berlina grandiflora Hutch. and Dalz. leaf extract were investigated against both clinical and laboratory isolates. Susceptibility of these isolates to the extract was determined using disc diffusion method. The antimicrobial screening had wide range of activity on Escherichia coli, Stapylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. The diameter of zone of inhibition by the extract was 7, 8.7 and 9 mm respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were 32.81, 19.38 and 11.72 µg/ml for E. coli, S. aureus and Streptococcus spp. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that B. grandiflora has antimicrobial activity against certain microorganisms.

Antidiarrheal and antimicrobial activities of the ethanol extract from the Icacina senegalensis root bark

Abstract Background: The Icacina senegalensis root bark is traditionally used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Nigeria. To date, no scientific study has substantiated or refuted this claim. Methods: The antidiarrheal and antimicrobial activities of the ethanol root bark extract were investigated in rats and against some selected diarrhea-causing microorganisms. Results: The extract significantly decreased the frequency of castor oil-induced diarrhea, and inhibited the masses and volumes of intestinal fluid accumulation in the castor oil-induced enteropooling method. The distance travelled by the charcoal meal was also decreased by the extract gastrointestinal transit method. The extract also strongly inhibited the growth of some selected microorganisms. Conclusions: The ethanol extract of the I. senegalensis root bark showed antidiarrheal activity, thus justifying its long folkloric use in diarrhea treatment. The extract also demonstrated antimicrobial activity against selected diarrheal causing organisms.

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.

Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of ethanolic root bark extract of Icacina senegalensis in rodents -

To investigate the ethanolic root bark extract of Icacina senegalensis for antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities in rats and mice. Acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and tail immersion tests were used to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the extract. Egg albumin and carrageenan-induced paw oedema were used to study the anti-inflammatory activity, whereas the anti-pyretic studies were evaluated on yeast and amphetamine-induced pyrexia. The root bark extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (P

Phytochemical and Anti-diarrhoeal Properties of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Maerua crassifolia Forssk

Maerua crassifolia Forssk. Leaf is used in African traditional medicine for management of gastrointestinal disorders. The anti-diarrhoeal activity of the methanol extract of Maerua crassifolia leaf was investigated in rats. The phytochemical screening was also carried out. The methanol extract of Maerua crassifolia leaf dose dependently decreased intestinal propulsion of charcoal meal in rats. Maerua crassifolia also exerted significant anti-enteropooling effect in rats. A profound anti-diarrhoea activity was observed when the extract was tested in diarrhoeic rats. The frequency of defecation as well as the wetness of the faecal droppings was significantly reduced. Furthermore, the leaf extract produced 100% inhibition of castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, resins and cardiac glycosides. The oral LD 50 obtained was greater than 5000 mg/kg in rats. The study showed that the methanol extract of Maerua crassifolia leaf possesses anti