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The use of snuff in Nigeria especially in the North has increased alarmingly. It is no longer considered a health risk nor is it seen as morally questionable. This research was designed to investigate the effect of snuff on antioxidant activities and cognitive function on human participants. A total of 200 volunteers were divided into 4 groups based on their periods of exposure to snuff; the Control. Group 1 (1-3 years), Group 2 (3-5 years) and Group 3 (5 years and above). All these groups consist of 50 participants each. The groups were all tested for BPand Glucose levels using standard procedure before and after they were administered snuff. Blood samples were then collected. Assessments of SOD, GPx, CAT, MDA, AChE and C-reactive protein were carried out using standard methods. The result revealed a significant decrease in SOD, GPx and CAT activities and a decrease in MDA level among snuff users compared to the control. An increase in AChE activity and in C-reactive protein level were also recorded. These findings suggest that nicotine in snuff may induce oxidative stress and inflammation, and rapid degradation of acetylcholine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sida linifolia L. is a weed ubiquitously found in Africa with several folkloric applications. Traditional healers in the Southeastern part of Nigeria employ the alcoholic concoction of S. linifolia leaves as antidepressants, anti-malaria, antihypertensive, anti-abortifacients, and for managing painful whitlow; however, these claims lack scientific validation. The present study was aimed to explore the phytochemical profile of the plant, S. linifolia with special emphasis to its antioxidant and inhibitory actions on enzymes linked to inflammation, diabetes, and neurological disorders. Phytochemical profiling and in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibition assays were employed to assess the pharmacological profile of S. linifolia ethanolic leaf fraction (SLELF). Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of SLELF revealed appreciable amounts of total phenolics (91.64 ± 7.61 mg GAE/g), total tannins (62.44 ± 3.86 mg TAE/g), and total flavonoids (27.35 ± 1.48 mg QE/g) present in SLELF. Results of HPLC analysis of SLELF revealed rich composition in bioactive compounds such as ellagic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, 3,4-dimethoxy benzoic acid, gallic acid, 4-methoxy cinnamic acid, sinapic acid, vanillic acid, and chlorogenic acid. Enzymatic antioxidants (catalase and superoxide dismutase), non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione (GSH), Vit A, C, and E), elemental minerals (Cu, Mn, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Ca), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were present in SLELF in appreciable levels. At various concentrations (0.2–1.0 mg/ml), SLELF exhibited potent and concentration-dependent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and exerted moderate inhibitory actions on enzymes associated with inflammation (cyclooxogenase-2 (COX-2) and lipoxygenases (LOXs), diabetes (α-amylase, α-glucosidase), and neurological disorders (butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T), compared to respective standards (ascorbic acid, acarbose, indomethacin, galanthamine, and vigabatrin). Perhaps, the observed potent pharmacological activities of SLELF could be anchored to its phytoconstituents. Furthermore, the slightly higher ranges of IC50 values (0.57–0.87 mg/ml) of SLELF compared to standards (0.44–0.68 mg/ml) suggest moderation in enzyme inhibition that may preclude adverse side effects. Conclusion: This study lends credence to the folklore claims of S. linifolia leaves and revealed its potential as possible source of bioactive compounds for medicinal and pharmaceutical exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction There are claims by traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria and valuable scientific reports that the leaves of Tephrosia vogelii (TV) hook are used for the treatment of various diseases; however, there is paucity of information on it used in the management of cardiovascular complications despite the rich presence of phytochemicals. This study aimed at investigating effects of solvents extracts of TV leaves and stem on lipid profile of poloxamer 407-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Materials and Methods Varying doses of the solvent extracts (water, ethanol, and acetic acid) of plant material were administered to experimental animals (Albino Wistar rats) induced with hyperlipidemia using poloxamer 407 (P-407). Results The results of the phytochemical screening of leaves and stem revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phlobatannins, and flavonoids in powdered sample of leaves and stem of TV. Aqueous extract of the leaves had the highest yield (18.21 ± 1.12%), while acetic acid extract of stem had the lowest yield (7.21 ± 1.21%). The cholesterol and triacylglycerol level of rats induced with P-407 was significantly (p ≤0.05) higher than normal rats. This study showed that aqueous extract at 50mg/kg body weight significantly (p≤0.05) lower cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and triacylglycerol levels. Indices of cardiovascular function atherogenic coefficient, atherogenic index, coronary risk index, and cardioprotective index were positively modulated by the treatment. Conclusion The study indicated that the aqueous leaves extract of TV possesses antihyperlipidemic effects and may explains why it has been found to be useful in the management of cardiovascular diseases by traditional medicine practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The local use of medicinal plants in the management of reproductive abnormalities is a common practice in Africa. One prominent plant used in Nigeria for such purpose is Secamone afzelii. Aim and Objectives: To investigate the effects of Ethanol Extract of Secamone afzelii (EESA) on reproductive dysfunction induced by Aluminum Chloride (AlCl) in 3 male rats. Material and Methods: Thirty matured male Wistar rats equally divided into six groups were used for this study. Group I served as control, group II received AlCl (35 mg/kg bw), groups III and IV 3 received 35 mg/kg bw and 100 and 200 mg/kg EESA respectively. Groups V and VI received 100 and 200 mg/kg EEESA respectively. Doses were given once daily via oral route for 14 consecutive days. Results: The results revealed that, AlCl caused significant 3 decrease in final body weight, sex organs relative weight, sperm concentration, motility and viability, serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone concentration and Glutathione (GSH) activity, accompanied with significant increase in sperm abnormalities. AlCl also induced apparent 3 alteration in the histoarchitecture of the testis and epididymis. Treatment with EESA modulated the harmful effects of AlCl. This was proved by 3 improvement in the gross anatomical, hormonal and antioxidant activity of treated rats. There was a noticeable improvement in the histopathology of testicular and epididymal tissues. EESA significantly increased serum testosterone in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: EESA is a possible ameliorative agent in AlCl -induced reproductive toxicity and 3 oxidative stress in male rat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaves of Asystasia gangetica (Creeping fox-glove) are used to treat gastric ulcers, rheumatism, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and inflammation by herbal medicine practitioners in southern Nigeria. The aim of the present study is to investigate the antiulcer potentials of the hydro-methanol leaf extract of A. gangetica. The dried leaves (480 g) of A. gangetica were extracted in 50% methanol. Apparently healthy Wistar rats (150-180 g) of either sex were used for this study. Oral LD50 was evaluated. The protective effect of the extract was evaluated on each of indomethacin-, ethanol-, and stress-induced ulcer models. For each model, overnight-fasted rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=5) comprising 200 and 400 mg/kg dried extract, 20 mg/kg omeprazole, and 10 ml/kg distilled water. Treatments were done per os one hour before induction of ulcers. The animals were afterwards sacrificed under diethylether anesthesia and stomach of each, excised for macroscopic examination and calculation of ulcer index. The oral LD50 was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. The extract-treated groups at all doses had a significantly lower (p<0.01) ulcer indices compared to the distilled water-treated group. In the ethanol and indomethacin models 400 mg/kg of the extract gave results that were not significantly different from those of 20 mg/kg omeprazole. In the stress-induced ulcer model, 400 mg/kg caused a significantly lower (p<0.01) ulcer index compared to 20 mg/kg omeprazole. Leaf extract of A. gangetica appears to be safe in acute doses and possesses antiulcer properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy remains an unmet medical need affecting more than 50 million people worldwide with about 125,000 mortality annually and more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Nymphaea lotus (also known as water lilly) is an aquatic plant used traditionally to treat convulsive episodes in Southwestern Nigeria. This study was undertaken to evaluate anticonvulsant activity of aqueous Nymphaea lotus extract (ANL) and ethanol Nymphaea lotus extract (ENL) on chemical-induced seizures in mice as well as possible mechanisms of action. Vehicle (10 mL/kg, p.o.), ANL (50–200 mg/kg, p.o.), ENL (50–200 mg/kg) or diazepam (5 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 1 h prior to chemo-convulsant (picrotoxin (PCT), pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), strychnine or N-methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA)) administration. Most effective doses of the extracts were administered to mice after the establishment of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) induced by kainic acid. Thereafter, memory assessment in Y-maze, depressive-like behaviour in tail suspension test (TST) and anxiety model in elevated plus maze test (EPM). The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were assayed for oxidative stress parameters. The pretreatment of mice with ANL or ENL significantly prolonged onset of seizures and reduced the duration of picrotoxin-, pentylenetetrazol-, and strychnine-induced seizures or NMDA-induced turning behaviour. Kainic acid induced spontaneous recurrent seizures and oxidative stress were ameliorated by N. lotus extracts. Moreover, N. lotus-induced anticonvulsant action was reversed by the pretreatment of mice with flumazenil (benzodiazepine receptor antagonist) or L -arginine (nitric oxide precursor). In addition, kainic acid induced neurodegeneration was reduced by N. lotus extract. Findings from this study showed anticonvulsant activity of Nymphaea lotus in neurotoxins-induced seizures through enhancement of inhibitory GABAergic/ antioxidant signalling and inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission • Neurotoxicants-induced seizures were ameliorated by Nymphaea lotus. • Nymphaea lotus enhances GABAergic, glycinergic but reduces glutamatergic signalling. • Kainic acid-induced temporal lobe seizures was ameliorated by Nymphaea lotus. • Nymphaea lotus prevents kainic acid-induced anxiety, depression and amnesia. • Nymphaea lotus attenuates kainic acid-induced oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Based on ethnobotanical data obtained from Nigerien and Senegalese traditional healers, two Euphorbiaceae plants, Sebastiania chamaelea and Chrozophora senegalensis, traditionally used to treat malaria, were selected for further investigations. Materials and methods: Plant extracts were prepared with different solvents and tested both in vitro on several strains of Plasmodium falciparum, and in vivo to evaluate their antiplasmodial properties and isolate their active principles. Results: With IC50 values around 6.5µg/ml and no significant cytotoxicity (>50µg/ml), the whole plant aqueous extract from S. chamaelea showed the best in vitro results. In vitro potentiation assays showed strong synergistic activity of S. chamaelea extract with the antiplasmodial drug chloroquine on the chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum strain W2-Indochina. In other respects, the aqueous crude extract of C. senegalensis leaves showed the most significant antiplasmodial activity in vitro (IC50 values less than 2µg/ml). We also demonstrated the prophylactic activity of C. senegalensis in vivo in a murine malaria model. Bioassay-guided fractionation of aqueous extracts of these plants enabled the isolation and identification of ellagic acid (EA, 1) as the main compound responsible for their antiplasmodial activity. Together with EA, other derivatives belonging to different chemical groups were isolated but showed moderate antimalarial activity: gallic acid (2), brevifolin carboxylic acid (3), protocatechuic acid (4), corillagin (5), rutin (6) and 3,4,8,9,10-pentahydroxy-dibenzo(b,d)pyran-6-one (7). The structures were determined by the usual spectroscopic methods and by comparison with published data. Furthermore, we report here the quantification of compound 1 (EA) by RP-HPLC in the dried extracts of these plants, reported for the first time in both these species, and possessing the highest in vitro antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values from 180 to 330nm. Conclusions: These in vitro and in vivo results support the traditional use in Africa of crude extracts of both S. chamaelea and C. senegalensis as an antimalarial treatment and prove the significant antiplasmodial property of EA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]