Sunday E. Atawodi

In vitro trypanocidal effect of methanolic extract of some Nigerian savannah plants

Methanol extracts from twenty three plants harvested from the Savannah vegetation belt of Nigeria were analyzed in vitro for trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma congolense at concentrations of 4 mg/ml, 0.4 mg/ml and 0.04 mg/ml. Extracts of Khaya senegalensis, Piliostigma reticulatum, Securidaca longepedunculata and Terminalia avicennoides were strongly trypanocidal to both organisms while extracts of Anchomanes difformis, Cassytha spp, Lannea kerstingii, Parkia clappertioniana, Striga spp, Adansonia digitata and Prosopis africana were trypanocidal to either T. brucei brucei or T. congolense. These findings provide evidence of the effects of some plants in the traditional management of trypanosomiasis.

Azadirachta indica (neem): a plant of multiple biological and pharmacological activities

Azadirachta indica, commonly called neem or ‘dogonyaro’ in Nigeria, is a plant that has found varied use in ecological, medicinal and agricultural sectors. Biological and pharmacological activities attributed to different parts and extracts of these plants include antiplasmodial, antitrypanosomal, antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, larvicidal and fungicidal activities. Others include antiulcer, spermicidal, anthelminthic, antidiabetic, anti-implantation, immunomodulating, molluscicidal, nematicidal, immunocontraceptive, insecticidal, antifeedant and insect repellant effects. But toxicological activities such as allergic, genotoxic, cytogenetic and radiosensitizing effects have also been reported in humans and some economic animals, particularly, aquatic organisms, chicks and goats. Bioassay-guided studies and phytochemical analyses utilizing modern state-of-the-art techniques such as HPLC–MS, GC–MS, NMR and Infra Red spectroscopy have revealed that phytocompounds like azadirachtins, nimocinol, isomeldenin, azadirachtol (a tetranortriterpernoid), 2,3′-dehydrosalanol gedunin, nimbin, nimolicinol, odoratone, azadironolide, isoazadironolide, naheedin and mahmoodin are responsible for the varied biological, pharmacological and toxicological properties observed. In this paper, we review how a developing country like Nigeria can harness the numerous opportunities presented by the multi-biological and multi-pharmacological nature of A. indica to solve some of her myriad problems, including those in the agricultural, health and economic sectors.

Nigerian foodstuffs with prostate cancer chemopreventive polyphenols

Dietary polyphenols are antioxidants that can scavenge biological free radicals, and chemoprevent diseases with biological oxidation as their main etiological factor. In this paper, we review our laboratory data vis-ὰ-vis available literature on prostate cancer chemopreventive substances in Nigerian foodstuffs. Dacryodes edulis fruit, Moringa oleifera and Syzygium aromaticum contained prostate active polyphenols like ellagic acid, gallate, methylgallate, catechol, kaempferol quercetin and their derivatives. Also Canarium schweinfurthii Engl oil contained ten phenolic compounds and lignans, namely; catechol, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, tyrosol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, dihydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, phloretic acid, pinoresinol, secoisolariciresinol. In addition, tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) which contains the powerful antioxidant and anti-prostate cancer agent, lycopene; cabbage (Brassica oleracea) containing indole-3-carbinol; citrus fruits containing pectin; Soursop (Annona muricata) containing annonaceous acetogenins; soya beans (Glycine max) containing isoflavones; chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum) containing capsaicin, and green tea (Camellia sinensis) containing (-) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-) epicatechin, (-) epicatechin-3-gallate and (-) epigallocatechin -3-gallate which are widely reported to posses prostate cancer chemopreventive compounds are also grown in Nigeria and other African countries. Thus, the high incidence of prostate cancer among males of African extraction can be dramatically reduced, and the age of onset drastically increased, if the population at risk consumes the right kinds of foods in the right proportion, beginning early in life, especially as prostate cancer has a latency period of about 50 years.

Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, and Ameliorative Effects of Methanolic Extract of Leaves of Grewia mollis Juss. on Carbon Tetrachloride–Treated Albino Rats

The methanolic extract of Grewia mollis leaves was evaluated in vivo for its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. Oxidative stress was induced in rats by administering carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.6 mL/kg, whereas the crude plant extract and standard antioxidant (vitamin E) were administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively. The effect of G. mollis crude extracts and vitamin E on malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver function parameters such as protein, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were measured spectrophotometrically. The methanolic extract of G. mollis leaves and vitamin E showed a significant (P<.05) hepatoprotective potential by lowering the serum levels of bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase and decreasing MDA levels in rats pretreated or post-treated with CCl(4). Based on these results, it is concluded that G. mollis leaves contain potent antioxidant compounds that could offer protection against hepatotoxicity as well as ameliorate preexisting liver damage and oxidative stress conditions.

Polyphenol Composition and Antioxidant Potential of Hibiscus esculentus L. Fruit Cultivated in Nigeria

Consumption of certain fruits and vegetables is now widely associated with chemoprevention of degenerative diseases like cancer and cardiovacsular disorders because of their antioxidant components. Polyphenols, a heterogeneous group of compounds, are one of these constituents. Hibiscus esculentus L. (Family Malvaceae), commonly referred to as okro, okra, or ladys finger, is an important component of diet in Nigeria and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In this article, we describe the polyphenol composition and antioxidant potential of H. esculentus of Nigerian origin. Quercetin glucoside (quercetrin) and an unidentified flavonoid were detected. In vitro antioxidant assay of methanol extract of the fruits showed potent antioxidant/radical scavenging activities with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 25 and 43 microL when analyzed by the xanthine oxidase and 2-deoxyguanosine methods, respectively. These data suggest that H. esculentus, popular especially during the rainy season in Nigeria and many tropical West, Central, and Eastern African countries, is a good contributor to the antioxidant status and disease chemoprevention of people in these countries.

Evaluation of the Polyphenol Composition and Antioxidant Activity of African Variety of Dacryodes edulis (G.Don) H.J Lam Fruit

Polyphenols are abundant micronutrients in our diet that have been credited with chemoprevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the whole ripened fruit of Dacryodes edulis (G.Don) H.J Lam, a multipurpose tree growing in West and Central Africa and other countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea, for polyphenol content as well as its antioxidant/radical scavenging capacity. Analysis of the methanol extract of the fruit by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to an ultraviolet dual-array detector and mass-selective detector revealed the presence of catechol (9.27 mg/kg), gallate (10.40 mg/kg), methylgallate (0.88 mg/kg), ellagic acid (3.10 mg/kg), quercetin (0.21 mg/kg), and quercetin rhamnoside (0.76 mg/kg). The extract showed very high antioxidant potential (50% inhibitory concentration [IC(50)] = 14 microL), but a rather weak radical scavenging activity (IC(50) = 357 microL), when tested in vitro with the xanthine oxidase and 2-deoxyguanosine assay model systems, respectively. These results suggest that consumption of D. edulis could contribute to prevention of diseases that are related to oxidative stress.

Effect of methanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taub leaves on hyperglycemia and indices of diabetic complications in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative role of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taub (T. tetraptera) leaf in hyperglycemia with associated conditions like oxidative stress, kidney damage and disorders in lipid metabolism. METHODS Five groups of five rats each intraperitoneally received the following treatment schedules for 7 d: untreated normal control, untreated alloxan-diabetic control, diabetic treated with glibenclamide, normal rats treated with extract (50 mg/kg) and diabetic rats treated with the extract. Evaluations were made for fasting blood sugar, body weight changes, malondialdehyde, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, lipid profile, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, urea and creatinine in all the rats. RESULTS Whereas the untreated diabetic rats showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in packed cell volume, superoxide dismutase, catalase and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol with a concomitant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde, fasting blood sugar, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, urea and creatinine, administration of methanolic extract of T. tetraptera leaf or glibenclamide alleviated these altered parameters in the treated rats. CONCLUSIONS Methanolic extract of T. tetraptera leaves possesses a potent capacity for treatment of diabetes and the accompanying complications, including oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia.

Pharmacological and Therapeutic Activities of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth

Occurring widely in Africa and beyond is Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth, a medicinal plant with several attributes and considerable potentials. Various parts of the plant are used locally to treat cancer, ulcer, gynecological disorders, genital infections, skin diseases, diabetes, epilepsy, bacterial and fungal infections as well as being used as cosmetics. The antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of some parts of the plant have been explored for therapeutic purposes. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of a wide range of secondary metabolites. Toxicological effects of different extracts of the fruit, stem bark and leaf have been reported. In this review we provide an up-to-date information on established pharmacological and toxicological properties, as well as phytochemical constituents responsible for these activities in Kigelia africana .

Ethnobotanical Survey of some Plants Used for the Management of Hypertension in the Igala Speaking Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

The ethno medicinal applications of plant species used primarily to manage hypertension among the Igala people of Kogi State, Nigeria were surveyed. A total of ten plant species belonging to nine families were found to have varying applications against the disease. The plants include Kigelia africana (Bignoniaceae), Ficus capensis (Moraceae),

Evaluation of Spirogyra rhizobrachialis , Merismopedia elegans and Synedra spp as Potential Sources of Proteases

Aims: To isolate and characterise the proteases from Spirogyra rhizobrachialis, Merismopedia elegans and Synedra species in order to evaluate them as potential sources of protease. Study Design: Three Algae species were evaluated as potential sources of protease. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University ZariaNigeria, between March 2013 and August 2013. Methodology: A study on the potentials of Algae as source of proteases was conducted using three species of Algae, namely, Spirogyra rhizobrachialis, Merismopedia elegans and Synedra species which were identified and classified microscopically following fixation with Lugol solution. Proteases from these species were then characterised by determining their kinetic properties with respect to the rate of production of tyrosine at 660 nm using casein as substrate. The effects of Ca, Mg, Mn and Hg on the protease activity were monitored. Results: Protease from S. rhizobrachialis had the most catalytic efficiency of 0.152 and most specificity to casein with a Km value of 3.125g/L. The divalent cations; Ca , Mg were found to activate the enzyme from all three Algae species. Mn served also as an activator for the protease in all but Synedra spp. where it inhibited the protease activity. In all three Algae species, Hg was Original Research Article Atawodi et al.; ARRB, 5(2): 155-164, 2015; Article no.ARRB.2015.017 156 found to inhibit the enzyme. Conclusion: The result shows that S. rhizobrachialis is a better source of protease amongst the three strains, and hence could add to the pool of microbial sources of proteases for industrial applications and other biotechnological processes.