P. M. Udia

Analgesic and Acute Anti-inflammatory Activities of Aqueous Root Extract of Salacia lehmbachii

Aim: Salacia lehmbachii is used in South Eastern Nigeria folk medicine to treat abdominal pain, inflammatory disorders and malaria symptom without scientific documentation. The aim of this study was therefore, to assess possible analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous root extract of Salacia lehmbachii (ARESL) in albino rats. Place and Duration of Study: The study was done in World Bank Step B Anti-Malaria Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University Original Research Article British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 4(18): 2172-2181, 2014 2173 of Calabar, Calabar-Nigeria, between November 2013 and January 2014. Methodology: Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of ARESL were assessed in Wistar rats at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. To assess analgesic activity, acetic acidinduced writhing and formalin tests were used. To assess anti-inflammatory property, carrageenan and dextran-induced hind paw edema were used. Differences between group means were compared statistically by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey test as post hoc. Results: In acetic acid-induced writhing test, the extract, at a dose of 400 mg/kg, showed a maximum inhibition (P=.05) of 71.66% of writhing while the standard drug Aspirin inhibited 81.05% of writhing compared to untreated control group. In formalin test, ARESL showed a maximum inhibition (P =.05) of 71.77% at a dose of 400 mg/kg while standard drug Pethidine showed 76.11%. For carrageenan-induced paw edema test, ARESL at a dose of 400 mg/kg showed maximum 85.90% inhibition (P =.05) of inflammatory activity while dextran-induced showed 87.9%. Conclusion: ARESL possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities which corroborate the aqueous extract being used in folk medicine.

Effects of Consuming A Kola Nut (Cola Nitida) Diet on Mean Arterial Pressure in Rats

AbstractConsumption Of A Diet Comprising Kola Nuts and Normal Rat Feed For Seven Days Elevated The Mean Arterial Pressure (Map) Of Rats. Consumption Of A Diet Comprising Caffeine (Equivalent To The Amount Contained In Kola Nuts Given Previously) and Rat Feed For Seven Days Also Elevated The Map Of Rats. Finally, The Consumption Of Diet Comprising Only Kola Nuts For Seven Days Also Elevated The Map In Rats. There Was No Significant Difference Between The Elevated Map Obtained From Consumption Of Kola Nuts/Rat Feed, Caffeine/Rat Feed Or Kola Nuts Only. Chronic Consumption Of Kola Nuts Is Capable Of Elevating Mean Arterial Pressure In Rats. Caffeine May Be One Of The Active Principles In Kola Nuts Responsible For Elevating Map In Rats.

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

Abstract 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 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.