Jo Akaninwor

Antimalarial Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Root Bark of Salacia nitida L. Benth in Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei

Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the in vivo antimalarial activity of ethanolic extract of root bark of Salacia nitida in mice infected with Plasmodium bergei. Methods: Prophylactic and curative antimalarial activity of ethanolic extract of root bark of S. nitida was studied using sixty-six healthy mice infected with chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei. 430 mg/kg body weight/day of the extract was given orally infected mice in the prophylactic test for 11 days, while 280 – 580 mg/kg body weight/day of extract was orally administered to the malaria infected mice in the curative test for 5 days, against 4 mg/kg body weight/day of artesunate drug. The antimalarial effect of the ethanolic extract of root bark of S. nitida on the parasites was determined. Results: The ethanolic extract of root bark of S. nitida at a dose of 430 mg/kg body weight/day caused 89.77% inhibition in the levels of parasitaemia in the prophylactic test and 33.78% 88.45% inhibitions of parasitaemia levels in the curative tests. Original Research Article Nwiloh et al.; JOCAMR, 3(3): 1-9, 2017; Article no.JOCAMR.32655 2 Conclusion: The results showed that the ethanolic extract of root bark of S. nitida possessed significant (p < 0.05) antimalarial activity, thus supporting its traditional use in the treatment of malaria.

Physico Chemical Properties and the Antinutrient status of a non-Alcoholic Beverage (Coke)

The physicochemical properties and the antinutrient status of the beverage, coke were evaluated to determine its suitability for consumption and toxic levels in mammal. The mean levels of nitrates, total nitrogen, chloride, ammonia, tannin, cyanogenic glycosides and caffeine in the samples were (mg/l): 0.008 ± 0.001, 150.000 ±3.446, 11.000 ± 0.686, 183.000 ± 3.019, 0.016 ±5.976, 0.020 ± 0.010 and 0.146 ± 0.002 respectively. The pH of the samples gave a mean value of 3.500, while the mean metal concentrations gave (mg/l) - 0.990 ± 0.099 (Mg); 38.030 ±0.050 (Na); 1.400 ±0.114 (Fe); 0.650 ± 0.014 (Zn); 0.080 ± 0.005 (Mn); 4.720 ± 0.016 (K) and 10.120 ± 0.094 (Ca). Toxicological test using whister albino Rats, shows that the beverage was relatively safe. Generally, the results shows that the antinutrient status of the beverage fell within the standards adopted by most countries. Similarly, the other parameters fell within natural background level although few fell above WHO specifications.