Patrick Nwabueze Okechukwu

Effect of standardized extract of Cosinium fenestratum stem bark on liver and kidney function parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of standardized dichloromethane (DCM) extract of Cosinium fenestratum (C. fenestratum) stem bark on liver and kidney function parameters in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods Standardization of the extract was performed through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using berberine (BE) as marker compound. The standardized C. fenestratum stem bark extract (SCFE) was administered orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg to STZ-induced diabetic rats for 15 d. Results The quantity of BE in the extract was 2.09% w/w. Blood glucose levels, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatinine were significantly (P Conclusion The observations of the present study show that extract of C. fenestratum stem bark has hepato-renal protective effect in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

The properties of red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) and its effect on mammary carcinogenesis

The edible red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) is one of the algae species which was found to be rich in nutrients and nutraceutical. Hence, K. alvarezii may have the ability to suppress cancer through its antiproliferative properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential compounds of K. alvarezii, cytotoxicity properties of K. alvarezii extract on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), investigated toxicity effect of high dosage K. alvarezii extract in rats and determined the effect of K. alvarezii on 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) mammary carcinogenesis in rats. The method of LCMS/MS and MTT assay were used. For animal study, sub-chronic toxicity method was used, the rats were supplemented with 2000mg/kg body weight daily of K. alvarezii crude extracts by oral gavage. For the anticancer effect of K. alvarezii crude extracts, this study consisted of three groups of the experimental, untreated and normal group of rats. The experimental and untreated groups of rats were induced with mammary tumour with DMBA. The experimental group of rats was given with K. alvarezii crude extracts orally. The results were being used to compare with the untreated group of rats and normal group of rats. All the rats were fed with standard diet and water ad libitum. Mortality, behavior changes and tumour sizes were observed specifically. The differences between the three groups of rats were evaluated by using the ANOVA test. By using LCMS/MS method, six unknown compounds were analysed. K. alvarezii crude extract reduced the cell viability of MCF-7 from 84.91% to 0.81% and the IC50 value is 4.1±0.69mg/mL. For sub-chronic and heavy metal toxicity studies, no significant difference was found in haematological and biochemical values of the control group and experimental group. The growth rate of tumours in the untreated group of rats was found significantly higher than the experimental group of rats. Besides that, the white blood cells level in untreated group was found significantly higher than the experimental group and the normal group. In conclusion, K. alvarezii extract might able to slow down the growth rate of the tumour cells, therefore, identification of an active compound of inhibition growth rate of the tumour cells can be positively carried out in the future.

In vivo antioxidant potentials of rambutan, mangosteen, and langsat peel extracts and effects on liver enzymes in experimental rats

Antioxidative potentials of peel extracts of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), and langsat (Lansium domesticum) in experimental rats were investigated. Antioxidant activities were evaluated using liver enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. Rats were treated with fruit peel extracts for 14 and 30 days. Blood was collected on the final day of treatment and the liver was harvested for antioxidant assays. A significant decrease (p<0.05) in blood enzyme marker levels, compared with a control group, were observed. Oral administration of peel extracts for 14 and 30 days resulted in a significant increase (p<0.05) in superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, catalase, and lipid peroxidation levels, compared with a control group. Rambutan peel extracts exhibited a higher antioxidant potency than mangosteen and langsat. These fruit peels can be developed into functional foods with antioxidative properties.

Analysis of Coscinium fenestratum Colebr stem extract and effect of the extract on mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and force of contraction in rats

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of Coscinium fenestratum (CF) crude extract on hypertension in animal models. Methods : Dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA), and butanol (BuOH) extracts were obtained by fractionation from the crude methanol extract. The dried extracts were then administered to Sprague- Dawley (250 – 300 mg) rats (n = 20) and frogs (n = 20) of either sex. CF effect on mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), heart rate (HR) and force of contraction (FOC) were assessed with the aid of Biopac Lab Pro Software. Atenolol (5 ug/ml) and acetylcholine (5 ug/ml) were used as controls. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis and phytochemical studies were carried out on the extract. Results : The methanol extract (M - E) reduced MABP by 45.60 %, HR by 48.50 %, FOC .by 58.40 %; Fraction - E of the methanol extract reduced MABP by 60.60 %, HR by 58.60 %, FOC by 65.80 %; compared to atenolol which lowered MABP by 52.80 %, HR by 50.60 %, and FOC by 58.80 %; acetylcholine which reduced MABP by 30.50 % HR by 33.60 %, and FOC by 10.50 % in the presence and absence of norepinephrine. Preliminary phytochemical analysis by HPLC indicate the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycoside, alkaloids, columbamine, berberine and naringin. Conclusion : The results show that Coscinium fenestratum extract lowers MABP, HR and FOC in rats. These effects may be due to the bioactive components present in the extract. Keywords : Coscinium fenestratum , Hypertension, Norepinephrine, Acetylcholine, Atenolol

Gastroprotective and ulcer healing effects of camel milk and urine in HCl/EtOH, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin), and water-restraint stress-induced ulcer in rats

Background: Camel milk has been reportedly used to treat dropsy, jaundice, tuberculosis, and diabetes while camel urine is used to treat diarrhea and cancer. However, there is no scientific evidence on the antiulcer activity of camel milk and urine. Thus, the present is designed to investigate the gastroprotective and ulcer healing effect of camel milk and urine on experimentally induced gastric ulcer models in rats. Materials and Methods: The gastroprotective effect was investigated in HCl/EtOH, water-restraint stress (WRS) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin)-induced ulcer models while ulcer healing activity was investigated in indomethacin-induced ulcer model. Cimetidine (100 mg/kg) was used as a standard antiulcer drug. Results: Acute toxicity study done up to a dosage of 10 ml/kg of camel milk and urine showed no signs of toxicity and mortality among the rats, indicating the present dosage of 5 ml/kg is safe to be administered to the rats. In the HCl/EtOH model, oral administration of cimetidine (100 mg/kg), camel urine (5 ml/kg), and camel milk (5 ml/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited gastric lesions by 83.7, 60.5 and 100%, respectively. In the WRS-induced model, cimetidine, and camel urine showed an ulcer inhibition of 100% while camel milk showed an inhibition of 50%. Similarly, in the indomethacin-induced ulcer model, cimetidine, camel milk, and urine showed an ulcer inhibition of 100, 33.3, and 66.7%, respectively. In addition, camel milk and urine also showed a significant (P < 0.05) ulcer healing effect of 100% in indomethacin-induced ulcer model, with no ulcers observed as compared to that of cimetidine, which offers a healing effect of 60.5%. Conclusion: The antiulcer activity of camel milk and urine may be attributed to its cytoprotective mechanism and antioxidant properties. Abbreviations used: NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, UI: Ulcer index, ANOVA: One-way analysis of variance, WRS: Water-restraint stress, ROS: Reactive oxygen species

Anti-Inflammatory, Antinociceptive and Antipyretic Investigation of Catechin – Like Compound from Partial Purification of DichloromethaneCrude Extracts from leaves of Labisia Pumila

Labisia pumila, LP (Myrsinaceae), is a popular herb among the women in Malaysia known locally as ‘‘Kacip Fatimah. It has been claimed by the traditional medicinal practitioner as a pain reliever, treat inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatism and fever. This study was aimed to investigate the partially purified crude extracts of Labisia pumila (DELP) for its antiinflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic effects. Acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and carrageenan-induced paw oedema was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity whereas hot plate test and formalin test was used for the antinocicpetive activity. Antipyretic activity was determined by yeast induced pyrexia method. Partial purification of DELP extract resulted in 5 different fractions (A-E). All the fractions of DELP showed significant anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic activity in the entire test used. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, steroids, saponin, alkaloids and tannins. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of catechin, The present study confirmed that the extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic activity, supporting its folk use and is in consonances with our earlier report.