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This study evaluated the anti-hyperglycemic potential of Stemonocoleus micranthus Harms. (Fabaceae) stem bark. Three models used in this study were: normoglycemic animal model, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic model for acute and prolonged administration. Five (5) groups of rats (n=5) were used for all models; group 1 served as the control (received 2 ml/kg of distilled water; p.o.), groups 2, 3, and 4 received S. micranthus extract (SME) 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively, while group 5 received glibenclamide (GLI 0.2 mg/kg) as a reference drug. In the normoglycemic study, the % reduction in blood glucose concentration (BGC) was 22.24, 29.97, 30.03 and 37.28% for SME (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and GLI, respectively. In the OGTT study, suppression in BGC was statistically significant (p

Serum proteins play important roles in the body and their increase or decrease signify a health state. Lophira lanceolata is a medicinal plant used as a remedy for many diseases. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of methanol leaf extract of Lophira lanceolata (Ochnaceae) on blood glucose and serum proteins concentration in doxorubicin diseased rats. Adult albino rats of both sexes weighing 125-330 g were divided into 9 treatment groups of 6 animals per group and were treated for 28days with 2.5 mg/kg doxorubicin, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract, 1.2 mg/kg aspirin and 1 ml/ kg Tween 80. Blood was withdrawn from each group before and after treatment and was assayed. Results obtained were analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA. The extract alone caused a significant (p < 0.05, p < 0.001) dose dependent increase in serum total proteins, albumin and globulin at all dose level when compared to the standard. A decrease in the blood sugar concentration of the group treated with combination of the extract and doxorubicin was also observed. These findings suggest that methanol extract of the leaf of Lophira lanceolata has blood sugar lowering effect and can cause increase in serum protein concentrations.

Geophagy is the consumption of earth materials across several cultures in many continents. For various reasons, consumption of kaolin is common among pregnant women in Nigeria. This earth material is known to contain heavy metals. This study was carried out to determine the effect of kaolin consumption on some heavy metal levels in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a Teaching Hospital in the south east Nigeria. A total of eighty pregnant women recruited for this study were grouped as follows; Group 1, (30 geophagic pregnant women within the first trimester). Group 2 (30 geophagic pregnant women within the second trimester) and Group 3 (20 non-geophagic pregnant women that served as control) Subjects in Groups 1 and 2 were subdivided into three based on the quantity of kaolin consumed per week, Group A (100 g/week), group B (150 g/week) and group C (200 g/week). Preliminary analysis of the heavy metal contents of kaolin was carried out. After two weeks of kaolin consumption, the serum levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury of the subjects were determined. The mean concentrations of lead (0.347 ± 0.12), arsenic (0.354 ± 0.15), cadmium (0.209 ± 0.11) and mercury (0.029 ± 0.02) in the kaolin exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations in food. The concentration of lead increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the first and second trimester pregnant women on 150 and 200 g of kaolin per week. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the concentration of arsenic and cadmium in the second trimester women who consumed 200 g of kaolin per week. These results indicate that unregulated consumption of kaolin in pregnancy increases the serum level of the heavy metals and may be a risk factor for lead toxicity with its attendant complications in the infants.

Context Landolphia owariensis P. Beauv. (Apocyanaceae) leaf is used in southeast Nigeria to treat malaria. Objective This study evaluated the antiplasmodial activity of L. owariensis leaf extract and fractions, also the phytoconstituents were standardized and analyzed. Methods The effects of daily, oral administrations of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of L. owariensis leaf extract (LOE), its hexane (LOHF), ethyl acetate (LOEF) and methanol (LOMF) fractions on early, established and residual infections in Plasmodium berghei-infected albino mice were evaluated in vivo. The extract and fractions were subjected to phytochemical analysis and HPLC fingerprinting, and the acute toxicity of LOE was evaluated. Results The extract and fractions elicited 29-86, 18-95 and 75-96% significant (p 0.001) suppression of parasitemia in early, established and residual infections, respectively. The ED50 values for suppressive activity of LOE, LOHF, LOEF and LOMF were 266.56, 514.93, 392.95 and 165.70 mg/kg, respectively. The post-day 30-survival index was 16.7-50, 16.7, 16.7-66.7 and 50-83.3% for LOE, LOHF, LOEF, and LOMF, respectively. Extract-treated mice significantly (p 0.001) gained weight and had reduced mortality compared with negative control (untreated) mice. An oral LD50 value 5000 mg/kg in mice was established for LOE. The LOMF showed the greatest antiplasmodial activity in all the models, suggesting that the antimalarial activity of the plant may be attributed to alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins present in the fraction. Conclusion Results demonstrate the antiplasmodial activity of L. owariensis leaf, and provide a pharmacological rationale for its ethnomedicinal use as an antimalarial agent.

Acanthospermum hispidum (Asteraceae) is plant widely used in South Eastern Nigeria to treat cough. This study investigated the antitussive properties of the root extract and fractions of A. hispidum. The antitussive effects of oral administration of 400 and 800 mg/kg of A. hispidum root methanol extract (ME), hexane (HF), ethyl acetate (EF) and methanol fractions (MF) were evaluated using sulphur (iv) oxide and ammonia induced cough models in mice. The extract and fractions were subjected to acute toxicity test, phytochemical analysis and HPLC finger printing. The extract and fractions of A. hispidum exhibited strong and significant antitussive effects in both cough models. The MF and EF exhibited significant (p< 0.01) antitussive effect when compared to the control. The inhibition of ammonia induced cough (86.6 %) was greater than sulphur (iv) oxide induced cough (47.2 %). An oral LD50 value >5000 mg/kg in mice was established for the extract. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins and flavonoids which may be responsible for its antitussive effects. Results revealed the antitussive property of A. hispidum and root which correlate to its ethnomedicinal use to relieve cough.

In Nigerian ethnomedicine, Stemonocoleus micranthus Harms (Fabaceae) is used in the management of heart related diseases. This study investigated the effect of sub-chronic administration of methanol-dichloromethane stem bark extract of S. micranthus (SME) on lipid profile and histology of liver and kidney of rats. Adult albino rats of both sexes were randomly divided into four groups (n=5) and received daily administration of SME (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and 2 ml/kg distilled water (control) respectively for 28 days per oral. Biochemical tests were performed pre-treatment and subsequently fortnightly as the treatment commenced. The results showed that the extract increased the serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration while low density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were reduced compared with the baseline values. However, the histopathological examination of the liver and kidney of the rats that received extract and solvent revealed normal portal area with bile ducts and hepatic artery as well as normal glomerulus and renal tubules without observable changes suggesting zero tendency of causing toxic effects. The preliminary phytochemical analysis showed that SME contained alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, reducing sugars, terpenoids, saponins, proteins and, fats oils. SME exhibited an oral LD50 >5 g/kg in mice. These findings suggest that the stem bark extract of S. micranthus contains constituents that possess hypolipidemic activity in rats.

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety profile of Annona senegalensis (A. senegalensis).MethodsDried powdered root-bark of A. senegalensis was prepared by Sohxlet extraction using methanol-methylene chloride (1:1) solution and concentrated to obtain the methanol-methylene chloride extract (MME). MME was fractionated to obtain the n-hexane (HF), ethylacetate (EF) and methanol (MF) fractions. Acute toxicity (LD50) test was performed with MME, HF, EF and MF in mice by oral route. The sub acute toxicity studies were performed in rats after 14 days of MME administration while haematological and biochemical parameters were monitored.ResultsMedium lethal (LD50) values of 1 296, 3 808, 1 265 and 2 154 mg/kg were obtained for the MME, MF, HF and EF, respectively. The sub-acute toxicity studies indicated a significant (P

Objective: Schwenckia americana L. (Solanaceae) is employed as a decoction of either the leaves, roots or the whole plant in the treatment of diarrhoea in most West African countries. Using a comparative study approach, the antidiarrheal potentials of its aerial part and root extracts were evaluated to substantiate its local use in diarrhoea management. Methods : In vivo effects of the extracts on rodent models of diarrhea, enteropooling and gastric motility induced by castor oil were investigated as well as their effects on acetylcholine and histamine-induced guinea pig ileal contractions in vitro . Phytochemical analyses of both extracts were also carried out for tentative identification of constituents and quantitative estimation of total saponin and phenolic contents using standard methods. Results : S. americana L. gave a significant ( P

BACKGROUND Earlier studies in our laboratory demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity of Buchholzia coriacea Engl. (Capparaceae) leaf extract, a herbal remedy used to treat disorders of inflammation. This study was undertaken to evaluate its anti-inflammatory mechanism(s). METHODS The effects of methanol leaf extract of B. coriacea (200 and 400 mg/kg) on vascular permeability and leukocyte migration were studied in rodents, while activity on complement system and membrane stabilization were evaluated in vitro. RESULTS The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) inhibited acetic acid-induced increase in vascular permeability in a non-dose-related manner and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the total and differential leukocyte counts, respectively, in a dose-related manner. It also significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited complement-induced hemolysis of sheep red blood cells (40-72%) and moderately inhibited heat- (6%) and hypotonic solution-(24%) induced hemolysis in vitro in a non-dose-related manner. CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory activity of B. coriacea leaf extract is mediated through inhibition of increase in vascular permeability, leukocyte migration and complement system, and enhanced membrane stabilization.

Preparation, distribution, advertisement, and usage of phythomedicinal products in Nigeria are weakly regulated raising genuine concern for public safety. In this study, twelve highly patronised commercial herbal products (S1- S12) claimed to be beneficial in the management of either diabetes mellitus, diarrhoea, or hypertension were procured from herbal vendors in Nigeria and evaluated against their claims of efficacy and safety using established whole animal and in vitro models. S1, S2, and S3 were tested for anti-hyperglycaemic activity in normoglycemic and diabetic rats and only S1 and S2 showed some reductions in blood glucose at some time points but S3 produced no reduction in blood sugar at all the time points. Three samples, S4, S5, and S6 significantly (P ≤ 0.05) inhibited the frequency of diarrhoea drops in rats at a dose of 250 mg/kg and caused minimal (P>0.05) reduction in intestinal transit of a charcoal meal in mice. Infusion of aqueous extract of samples (S7-S12) up to 1mg/kg, showed that only the mean arterial blood pressure of cannulated cat was reduced by S7 and S8 but samples S9, S10, S11, and S12 did not cause any reduction in the arterial blood pressure. At a dose of 1 mg/kg, S7 and S8 caused a BP reduction of 150 and 76.92% relative to the reduction produced by ACh (1 μg/kg). The safety of these samples was assessed by determining the acute toxicity of these preparations and checking the nature of contaminating organisms and the levels of such contamination (bio-load). Acute toxicity studies in mice showed that at doses above 5000 mg/kg, per os, all the herbal samples did not cause death or produced signs of acute intoxication in mice. The samples were found to be contaminated with a variety of microorganisms, although their bio-loads were largely within pharmacopoeia specification. S7 is the most heavily contaminated; S3, S4, and S12 are contaminated with Gram negative organisms that may be potentially pathogenic. The outcome of this preliminary investigations demonstrates the need for stricter regulation and registration of commercial herbal products. Post-marketing surveillance, pharmacovigilance, and random screening of herbal products should be entrenched in the regulatory framework to quickly dictate any possible adverse effect and ensure consistency in the quality of distributed herbal medicines.

Medicinal plants have been the basis of treatment of various diseases in African traditional medicine as well as other forms of treatment from diverse cultures of the world. About 80% of the world’s population still depends solely on traditional or herbal medicine for treatment of diseases, mostly in Africa and other developing nations. Most of the potent medicinal plants have relatively no toxic or adverse effects when used by humans, while some are very toxic to both humans and animals with the potential of damaging certain organs in the body. This calls for caution in the use of medicinal plants of which the use is presently on the increase due to easy availability, affordability, accessibility, and promising efficacy comparable to the often high cost and adverse effects of standard synthetic drug agents. This chapter highlights some safe medicinal plants with good toxicological profile in laboratory animals and/or cell culture experiment that are qualified for clinical trials in humans. Several medicinal plants were evaluated for their good toxicological profile using online research. After much screening, only those medicinal plants without serious toxic effects in animals and cell culture experiments were chosen and precisely discussed.