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Background Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae) is used traditionally in west Africa to treat asthma, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, filariasis microbial infections and conjunctivitis. This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of aqueous seed extract of D. stramonium L. (ASEDS) on Wistar rats. Methods Thirty Wistar albino rats (180–200 g) were randomized into 6 groups (n = 5). Group 1 received distilled water only. Rats in groups 2–6 were pretreated with 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) Cyclophosphamide orally for 27-days to induce immunosuppression. Thereafter, they received treatment orally for 28 days as follows: Group 2 (distilled water), group 3 (5 mg/kg b.w. Levamisole), groups 4–6 (60, 90 and 120 mg/kg b.w. ASEDS, respectively). HPLC was used to determine major compounds in ASEDS. The effects of ASEDS on immune cells, immunoglobulins A, G and M levels, lipoproteins, and antioxidant status of rats were evaluated. Results ASEDS indicated high content of Acutumine, Quinine, Catechin, Chlorogenic acid, Gallic acid, Quercetin, Vanillic acid, Luteolin, Formosanin C, Saponin, Cyanidin, Tannic acid, 3-Carene, Limonene and α-terpineol. Cyclophosphamide triggered significant (p p Conclusions The results obtained from the study showed the immunomodulatory activity of ASEDS, thereby indicating its potential in immunostimulatory drug discovery.

Lasianthera africana P. Beauv. (Icacinaceae) is a good source of natural antioxidants, having the potential to protect against oxidative stress-related diseases and complications. This study invest...

Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam. (Rutaceae) is an indigenous Nigerian medicinal plant used traditionally for treating fever, malarial infection, sexual impotence, gonorrhea, malaria, dysmenorrhea, and abdominal pain. This study investigated the safety profile and antimalarial activity of methanol extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides root-bark on Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity (LD50) of MEFZRB were determined using standard methods. Thirty-six Swiss mice (28–34 g) were distributed into 6 groups (n = 6). Groups 1 and 2 served as normal and negative control respectively. Group 3 mice were parasitized and treated with 5 mg/kg body weight of Coartem® (positive control). Groups 4–6 were P. berghei infected and orally treated with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight of MEFZRB respectively for 4 days. P. berghei infection was initiated by an intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 ml parasitized red blood cells. The effect of MEFZRB on percentage parasitemia, hematological indices, antioxidant status, liver and kidney functions, and lipid profile parameters was assessed. The LD50 of MEFZRB was 4073.1 mg/kg b.w. A significant (P

Tephrosia bracteolata Guill. & Perr. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) is a traditional Nigerian medicinal plant used for the treatment of whitlow, toothache, wounds, and diabetes. This study investigated the biochemical and histopathological effects of the ethanol extract of T. bracteolata leaves (EETB) and its fractions on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. EETB was fractionated successively with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water to yield the respective fractions (nHF, CF, EAF, MF, and AF). The antidiabetic activities of EETB and its fractions at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (groups 4–15) were investigated in comparison to the normal control (group 1), the diabetic control (group 2), and the standard (150 mg/kg b.w. metformin, group 3) on alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats (200–220 g) for 28 days. Alterations in some biochemical parameters and histopathology of major organs were assessed. Induction of diabetes triggered significant (p

Context Schumanniophyton magnificum Harms (Rubiaceae) is used traditionally in Nigeria for the treatment of snake bites. Snake venom contains phospholipase A2 (PLA2) which plays a key role in causing inflammation and pain. Objective To assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the methanol extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum (MESM) leaves through the inhibition of PLA2 and investigate the compounds responsible for the effect. Materials and methods PLA2-inhibitory activity of MESM was assessed at concentrations of 0.1–0.8 mg/mL using human red blood cells as substrate. Prednisolone was used as the standard control. MESM was subsequently partitioned using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and aqueous-methanol (90:10 v/v), after which PLA2-inhibitory activity of the partitions was determined. The best partition was subjected to chromatographic techniques and the fractions obtained were assessed for PLA2 inhibition at 0.4 mg/mL. Compounds in the most active fraction were determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results MESM significantly inhibited PLA2 activity at 0.8 mg/mL (44.253%) compared to prednisolone (35.207%). n-Hexane partition (SMP1) proved more active with inhibition of 55.870% observed at 0.1 mg/mL. Fraction 1 (SMF1) showed the highest PLA2-inhibitory activity of 58.117%. FTIR studies revealed the presence of some functional groups in SMF1, and GC-MS confirmed the presence of 9 compounds which are first reported in this plant. Hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester was identified as the major compound (24.906%). Discussion and conclusions The PLA2-inhibitory activity of MESM suggests that its compounds may be explored further in monitoring anti-inflammatory genes affected by the venoms.

The aim of this research was to investigate the phytochemical composition and antimalarial effects of the methanol extract of Erythrina senegalensis leaves (MEES) and its ameliorative effects on so...

This study evaluated leucocyte mobilization and platelet aggregation effects of ciprofloxacin, lincomycin and Erythromycin in Wistar albino rats. Thirty-three female Wistar albino rats weighing 130-160 g and three male Wistar albino rats weighing 188-194 g, fed commercial growers’ mash and clean tap water were used. In leukocytes assay, thirty-three adult female Wistar rats were assigned into five treatments, eleven groups of three rats per group. First three groups were treated 10 mg kg-1, 20 mg kg-1 and 40 mg kg-1 of ciprofloxacin, next three groups same doses of lincomycin, next three groups same doses of Erythromycin, the tenth group received Indomethacin 5 mg kg-1 (reference drug), the last group 5 mg kg-1 normal saline. Assay on platelet aggregator activity involved collection of blood samples (10 ml each, 1% EDTA, centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes), test drugs dissolved in 1 mg/ml distilled water and Indomethacin (the reference drug). The three antibiotics significantly reduced leucocyte mobilization into the affected tissue. They all had their maximum inhibitory effects at the highest dose (40 mg kg-1) compared with indomethacin. Erythromycin 40 mg kg-1 showed the highest inhibitory effect on leucocyte migration. Whereas ciprofloxacin and erythromycin had stepwise increase in absorbance from time 0 secs through to time 120 secs, lincomycin showed a sharp decrease in the absorbance at around 30 seconds followed by a continuous increase up to 120 seconds. The testing drugs prevented leukocyte mobilization also had stepwise increase in absorbance from time 0 secs through to time 120 secs in platelet aggregatory activity assay to some extent.

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and leukocyte mobilization activities of ciprofloxacin, lincomycin, and erythromycin were evaluated in this study. The study involved two sets of thirty-three adult female Wistar rats assigned into five treatments, grouped into eleven of three rats per group. For agar-induced paw edema, the first three groups were treated 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, and 40 mg/kg of ciprofloxacin, next three groups same doses of lincomycin, next three groups same doses of erythromycin, the tenth group received the reference drug, indomethacin 5 mg/kg while the last group 5 mg/kg normal saline. The analgesic activities group treatments were first nine groups received the three antibiotics in the same trend but at different doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg. The tenth group received acetylsalicylic acid (Asp 100 mg/kg) while the last group received normal saline (5 ml/kg). Erythromycin had minimal effect on rat paw edema with non-significant inhibition. Ciprofloxacin and lincomycin suppressed agar-induced rat paw edema both at early and later phases of edema. Remarkably, lincomycin was most effective. Whereas lincomycin suppressed the action of phospholipase A2 with increasing concentration, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin best inhibited the enzyme at their lowest concentrations. Whereas ciprofloxacin had an analgesic effect, lincomycin and erythromycin did not exhibit analgesic effects. The three antibiotics significantly reduced leucocyte mobilization into the affected tissue especially at the highest dose (40 mg kg−1). Conclusively, based on our findings, we suggest that these antibiotics can be considered for use as anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. The testing drugs prevented leukocyte mobilization.

Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam., an African traditional medicinal plant, is used for treatment of malaria and diabetes.To investigate the antidiabetic property of ethyl acetate fraction of F. zanthoxyloides root-bark (EAFFZRB) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.Extraction, isolation, preliminary phytochemical analysis, and acute toxicity study of ethanol extract and fractions of F. zanthoxyloides root-bark were achieved using standard methods. Phyto-constituents in EAFFZRB were identified using HPLC technique. Forty-eight male Wistar rats (140-185 g) were randomized into 6 groups (n = 8). Groups 1 and 2 served as normal and negative controls, respectively. Diabetes was induced in test groups (2-6) using 150 mg/kg body weight (b.w) Alloxan monohydrate. Rats in groups 4-6 received of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.w. EAFFZRB orally, respectively, for 21 days. Group 3 rats received 5 mg/kg b.w Glibenclamide. The effect of EAFFZRB on alterations in hematological, biochemical, and histological indices of study rats were assessed.Extraction of 3500 g ethanol extract yielded 15.71 g EAFFZRB. HPLC fingerprint of EAFFZRB indicated presence of luteolin, rutin, quercetin, apigenin, cinnamic acid and catechin. Diabetes triggered significant (p 0.05) alterations in b.w., hematological, biochemical and histological indices of test rats relative to normal control. Treatment with EAFFZRB (LDThe study demonstrated the antidiabetic potential of EAFFZRB, providing scientific basis for traditional use of the plant in treatment of diabetes and its complications.

Several plant phytochemicals have been reported to possess therapeutic properties. However, most of them are capable of causing oxidation of the human haemoglobin into the ferric state making them hazardous to cells and tissues. This study was aimed at investigating the non-oxidative effect of the flavonoid-rich fraction of Lasianthera africana leaves (LAFRF) on human haemoglobin. Isolation and purification of LAFRF was carried out by solvent extraction, partitioning and ion-exchange chromatography. Six test groups were setup as follows: A reaction tube containing 800 µl of oxyhaemoglobin (OxyHb) served as the normal control, while the test groups were made up of different concentrations of LAFRF (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/ml) incubated with 100 µl of OxyHb. The non-oxidative effects of the LAFRF on the human haemoglobin was assessed by UV-visible spectroscopy. The results indicated that LAFRF possess non-oxidative effects on human haemoglobin, as it did not cause any disappearance of the absorbance maxima at 576 nm and 541 nm at all concentrations investigated. Furthermore, a concentration-dependent increase in the absorbance of the treated OxyHb was recorded when compared to the untreated OxyHb, thus signifying its potential as a safe pharmacological agent for in vivo investigations.