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Six known compounds; β-sitosterol, ursolic acid, methyl chlorogenate, ethyl chlorogenate, rutin and mannitol were isolated from the leaf extracts of Pavetta crassipes (Rubiaceae), a Nigerian medicinal plant used in the indigenous treatment of tuberculosis. Separation and isolation of the compounds were achieved by chromatographic techniques and the structures of isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods. The isolated compounds were screened for antimycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv employing the green fluorescence protein reporter microplate assay and the broth microdilution method. Ursolic acid, methyl chlorogenate and ethyl chlorogenate were found moderately active in the broth microdilution assay with MICs of 200, 100 and 50 µg/ml, respectively while methyl chlorogenate and ethyl chlorogenate were active in the protein reporter microplate assay with MICs of 200 and 100 µg ml-1, respectively. The presence of antimycobacterial terpenoids and quinate esters in leaves of Pavetta crassipes provides scientific evidence for the ethnomedicinal use of the plant as a traditional anti-tuberculosis remedy.

Herein we describe an unprecedented formation of a cyclopropane ring through the conversion of a methyl group that was not functionalized for the purpose. In a one-step reaction, 7-deacetoxy-7α-hydroxygedunin (4) afforded two new gedunin derivatives, namely 7-deacetoxy-13,14,18-cyclopropyl-7α,15β, 17ξ-trihydroxy-gedu-16-oic acid (7) and 7-deacetoxy-9,11-en-7α,15β-dihydroxygedunin (8) along with the known 7-deacetoxy-7,9-diene-15β-hydroxygedunin (5).

Ethnopharmacological significance Nigerian herbalists possess indigenous ethnomedicinal recipes for the management of tuberculosis and related ailments. A collaborative preliminary modern scientific evaluation of the efficacy of some Nigerian ethnomedicines used by traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) in the management of tuberculosis and related ailments has been carried out. Materials and methods Ethnomedicinal recipes (ETMs) were collected from TMPs from locations in various ecological zones of Nigeria under a collaborative understanding. The aqueous methanolic extracts of the ETMs were screened against Mycobacterium bovis , BCG and Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H 37 Rv using the broth microdilution method. Results Extracts of ETMs screened against BCG showed 69% activity against the organism. The activities varied from weak, ≤2500 µg/mL to highly active, 33 µg/mL 64% of the extracts were active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis The activities of the extracts against Mycobacterium tuberculosis varied from weak, ≤ 2500 µg/mL to highly active, 128 µg/mL. There was 77% agreement in results obtained using BCG or Mycobacterium tuberculosis as test organisms. Conclusion The results show clear evidence for the efficacy of the majority of indigenous Nigerian herbal recipes in the ethnomedicinal management of tuberculosis and related ailments. BCG may be effectively used, to a great extent, as the organism for screening for potential anti- Mycobacterium tuberculosis agents. A set of prioritization criteria for the selection of plants for initial further studies for the purpose of antituberculosis drug discovery research is proposed.

Terminalia avicennioides is used to treat tuberculosis in the folk medicine of the Nupes of North Central Nigeria. Activity guided fractionation of the extract resulted in the isolation of triterpenoid friedelin. The structure of the isolated compound was elucidated with the aid of spectral comparison of IR, UV, one and two dimensional NMR experiments values. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time friedelin is reported from this plant. The in vitro antimycobacterial activity of the isolated compound (friedelin) was performed against Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) with MIC value at 4.9 μg/mL.

Terminalia avicennioides Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae) has been traditionally used as traditional medicine for centuries in Nupeland, North Central Nigeria for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis and cough. This study evaluates the in vitro antimycobacterial activities of the isolated compounds in order to support the therapeutic use of T. avicennioides for treating these infectious diseases. Chemical investigation by bioassay-guided fractionation led to the iso- lation of three triterpenoids namely, arjunolic acid (1), α-amyrin (2) and 2, 3, 23-trihydroxylolean-12-ene (3). Among them, arjunolic acid manifested the most potent antimycobacterial activity against a strain of Mycobacterium bovis (BCG). Structure elucidation of the isolated compounds were based primarily on the analysis of 1-D and 2-D NMR spectral data including HMQC, HMBC, COSY and NOESY correlations, as well as comparison with reported authentic data of arjunolic acid, α-amyrin and 2, 3, 23-trihydroxylolean-12-ene. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time these compounds (1-3) are reported from this plant. The present result further confirms the value of ethnopharmacological investigations into tradi- tional herbs for leads for potential drug development.

The studies focused on the toxicity of ethyl acetate extract of Tridax procumbens (Compositeae) reported to have various pharmacological effects, antimicrobial activities against gram-positive and gram- negative bacteria and to stimulate wound healing. The acute toxicity was carried out using the method of Lorkes. In the subchronic study, rats received intraperitoneally T. procumbens at doses of 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. Serum biochemical parameters, haematological analysis and histopathology of liver and kidneys were assessed after the last administration. After acute administration, signs of toxicity observed include salivation, rubbing at site of application, nose and mouth on the floor of the cage and restlessness. The LD 50 of the extract was 2100 mg/kg body weight, and all the survived animals gained body weight and organ / body weight ratio as compared to the untreated control (P 0.05). The ethyl acetate extract treated rats increased the Packed Cell Volume (PCV), erythrocyte and leucocyte count (P>0.05) compared to untreated control. The results of histopathological studies showed that ethyl acetate extract had endothelial toxicity at high dose level destroying the blood vessels leading to haemorrhage as indicated by haemosiderin deposition throughout the entire kidney and liver parenchyma. It was concluded that the extract at higher doses had some specific toxic effect which was corroborated by the result of histopathology where there was haemosiderin deposition.

The antioxidant and drug metabolizing potentials of Hibiscus anthocyanin extract in CCl(4)- induced oxidative damage of rat liver was investigated. Hibiscus anthocyanin extract effectively scavenge α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide ion, and hydrogen peroxide. It produced a 92% scavenging effect of DPPH radical at a concentration of 2.0 mg/mL. Hibiscus anthocyanin extract produced a 69 and 90% scavenging effect on superoxide ion and hydrogen peroxide, respectively, at 1.0 mg/mL, which compared favorably with the synthetic antioxidant (butylated hydroanisole and α-tocopherol). A reducing power of this anthocyanin was examined using K(3)Fe(CN)(6). Hibiscus anthocyanin extract has reducing power that is approximately 2-fold that of the synthetic antioxidant, butylated hydroanisole. Hibiscus anthocyanin extract produced a significantly increase and completely attenuated the CCl(4)-mediated decrease in antioxidant enzymes (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase). However, the level of nonenzymic antioxidant molecules (i.e., vitamins C and E) were significant preserved by Hibiscus anthocyanin extract. There was an induction of phase II drug-detoxifying enzymes: glutathione S-transferase, NAD(H):quinone oxidoreductase, and uridyl diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase by 65, 45, and 57%, respectively. In view of these properties, Hibiscus sabdariffa anthocyanin extract can act as a prophylactic by intervening as a free radical scavenger both in vitro and in vivo as well as inducing the phase II drug detoxification enzymes.

We evaluated the sub-chronic toxicity of the aqueous herbal extract prepared from Cassytha filiformis and administered daily for 28 days at dose levels (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg bw) in male wistar albino rats. The LD50 of the aqueous extract was determined.The effects on body weights, organ weights, and certain haematological and plasma biochemical parameters were measured as indices of organ toxicity.The aqueous extract did not affect plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT); however, a significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level occurred in all the treated groups. It also did not affect the electrolytes (Na , Cl and K ), total and direct bilirubin, creatinine, and glucose level. The aqueous extract elicited hypercholesterolaemic effects, but it did not affect the Hb, WBC, RBC, PVC, platelets, MCH, MCHC, MCV levels and differential counts (lympocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils). It also reduced the body weight gain and absolute weight of the kidneys. The relative weights of the heart and lungs in some animal groups were equally reduced. The acute toxicological evaluation of the plant extract revealed an oral LD50 value greater than 500 mg/kg bw.This study suggests that aqueous extract of C. filiformis administered at normal therapeutic doses is not likely to produce severe toxic effects on some organs or haematological and biochemical indices in rats.

The calyx of green Hibiscus sabdariffa is used in Nigeria to prepare soup, stew and sauces as distinct from the red variety which is used to produce a popular local drink known as sobo due to their health benefits. This work therefore aims to identify some of the chemical constituents of the green variety which has been scarcely investigated. Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester and 1,1, 2-ethanetricarboxylic acid-1-hydroxy-1,1-dimethyl ester were isolated from the methanol extract of the calyx of the green Hibiscus sabdariffa using chromatographic methods, including Flash column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography. They were characterized using spectroscopic analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectral (GC-MS) analysis. This is the first report of the presence of hexadecanoic acid methyl ester and 1,1, 2-ethanetricarboxylic acid-1-hydroxy-1,1-dimethyl ester in the calyx of the green variety of this plant. These compounds are probably associated with the antimicrobial and other bioactivities previously reported for the plant.

Behavioral effects of methyl angolensate were investigated in mice and rats. Spontaneous motor activity, pento- barbital sleeping time, amphetamine-stereotyped behaviour, exploratory activity and apomorphine - induced climbing studies in mice were evaluated. The results revealed that methyl angolensate reduced spontaneous motor activity in mice, prolonged the duration of pentobarbital sleeping time in rats and attenuated amphetamine-induced stereotype behaviour in rats. Methyl angolensate also decreased exploratory activity in mice and reduced the rate of apomorphine-induced climbing in mice at the doses tested. It is suggested that methyl angolensate possesses some biologically active principles that are sedative in nature.

Most inflammatory agents activate nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), resulting in induction of genes coding for cytokines, chemokines, and enzymes involved in amplification and perpetuation of inflammation. Hypoestoxide (a bicyclo [9,3,1] pentadecane) is a diterpene from Hypoestes rosea, a tropical shrub in the family Acanthacea, several members of which are used in folk medicine in Nigeria. Here, we demonstrate that hypoestoxide (HE) abrogates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Moreover, HE inhibits the production of nitric oxide (NO) by IL-1beta- or IL-17-stimulated normal human chondrocytes. In vivo, oral administration of HE to mice significantly ameliorated hind paw edema induced by antibodies to type II collagen plus LPS. Furthermore, topical administration of HE to mice also significantly inhibited phorbol ester-induced ear inflammation. The anti-inflammatory activity of HE may be due in part to its ability to inhibit NF-kappaB activation through direct inhibition of IkappaB kinase (IKK) activity. Thus, HE could be useful in treating various inflammatory diseases and may represent a prototype of a novel class of IKK inhibitors.

Background: Niprisan is a new drug extracted from indigenous herbs that has been developed by the Nigerian National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development for the prophylactic management of patients with sickle cell disease. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of niprisan in the management of patients with sickle cell disease. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Patients who met the criteria for homozygous sickle cell disease and had 3 painful or vaso-occlusive crises per year were randomized to 1 of 2 study groups. Group A took niprisan 12 mg/kg body weight for 6 months before crossing over to placebo for another 6 months; group B took placebo for 6 months before crossing over to niprisan for another 6 months. There was a 1-month washout period before the crossover. The main outcome measures were the incidence of crises; the occurrence of painful episodes; certain clinical, hematologic, and biochemical measures; and patients' daily self-assessment of health. Results: Eighty-four patients met the inclusion criteria, but complete data were available for only 69 patients at the end of 12 months, 33 in group A and 36 in group B. Loss to follow-up was related to social and logistic factors rather than study drug. One oral dose of 12 mg/kg niprisan daily significantly reduced the frequency of sickle cell crises, bone pain, and hospital admission ( P Conclusion: Niprisan was efficacious in the prophylactic management of patients with sickle cell disease, although additional confirmatory studies in larger sample sizes are needed.

The study was undertaken to determine the safety and efficacy of NIPRISAN, a phytomedicine, developed for the management of patients with Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD). The study design is a placebo-controlled double blind cross-over trial. Eighty-two (82) patients with SCD were recruited and randomised into two groups. An initial 4 month pre-trial study was undertaken to determine the similarity of the groups. The main study was conducted over a twelve-month period with crossover at six months. Safety of the drug was assessed clinically and biochemically. NIPRISAN significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the frequency of SCD crisis associated with severe pains. Acute toxicity to the liver assessed by the activities of liver enzymes, indicate that NIPRISAN is safe. Renal function assessed by the serum levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen remained normal. Both the clinical and laboratory results of the present phase IIB (pivot) clinical study suggest that NIPRISAN is a safe and efficacious phytomedicine for the management of patients with Sickle Cell Disorder.

Summary Effects of 3, 5 - dimethoxy - 4 - hydroxybenzoic acid and 2, 3, 4 - trihydroxyacetophenone were studied on haemoglobin S (Hb S) polymerisation, analgesia and inflammation using Hb S solution, rats and mice. UV spectrophotometric procedure was used to monitor the polymerization of the Hb S. Acetic acid induced writhing in mice and egg albumin induced rat paw edema procedures were used to evaluate analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the compounds respectively. The results indicate that both drugs inhibit the process of polymerization significantly, possibly by direct action on the Hb S molecules. The drugs inhibited acetic acid induced pain and decreased egg albumin induced oedema. It is concluded that 3, 5 - dimethoxy - 4 - hydroxybenzoic acid and 2, 3, 4 - trihydroxyacetophenone may have some value in the management of sickle cell disease.

The methanol extract of Cassia nigricans. Vahl. (Caesalpinaceae) was investigated for its antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum.. The in vitro. activity against P. falciparum. strain K1 was assessed using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay method. The main antiplasmodial principle, 1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione, has been isolated from C. nigricans. (whole plant) for the first time. This was found to have in vitro. activity against P. falciparum.. This finding supports the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of malaria.

Preliminary investigations were carried out on leaf extracts of Mitracarpus scaber with the goal of establishing its acclaimed potency as an antiinflammatory and antimicrobial agent. Petroleum-ether and methanol extracts were studied. In rats, the extracts progressively reduced fresh egg albuminin-induced edema of the hind paw. There was a dose-related and sustained inhibition of increase in paw circumference caused by subplantar injection of the phlogistic agent. The petroleum ether extract showed a more pronounced effect. In vitro, the extracts caused marked inhibition against some strains of laboratory microorganisms, the order of sensitivity being Pseudomonas aeruginosa> Kleb-sialla pneumoniao>Staphylococcus aureus> Escherichia coli. The extracts also inhibited the growth of Candida albicans. These results help to explain the rationale for the folkloric use of the plant in treating inflammatory disorders and microbial infections.

An ethnobotanical survey revealed that the dried fallen leaves of Terminalia catappa Linn. are used locally in various parts of Nigeria for the management of sickle cell anaemia. This research investigated if Terminalia catappa leaf interferes with the basic mechanism of erythrocyte sickling. Powdered dried fallen leaves of Terminalia catappa was extracted with 90% methanol by maceration. Bioactivity of the extract was studied by investigating its effect on inhibition of erythrocyte sickling (membrane effect). Bioactivity guided fractionation showed that the highest antisickling activity in the erythrocyte sickling model resided in its triterpenoids components (fraction F3, K = 0.0037 min-1). This fraction drastically reduced the rate of erythrocyte sickling and is very significantly more active than the control (P 2a, 3â, 24 – trihydroxy – 12, 20 (30) – ursandien – 28 – oic acid. This work therefore shows that there is a scientific basis for the application of this extract in the management of sickle cell anaemia in traditional medicine.

This study examines the anthelmintic activity of a methanol, hexane and ethylacetate extracts of Berlina grandiflora and purified betulinic acid, the major triterpenoid found in the extract. Caenorhabditis elegans, a free living soil nematode was used as in vitro model in the study. A suspension of worms was treated with the extracts. After seven days of incubation activity was assessed in terms of number of worms exhibiting motiliy. The results showed that methanol, hexane and ethylacetate fractions at 500 ppm showed anthelmintic activities in the order ethylacetate > methanol > hexane from the alcoholic crude extract. The isolated betulinic acid from the ethylacetate fraction at 100 and 500 ppm showed strong anthelmintic activities comparable to piperazine. These results confirm the traditional use of Berlina grandiflora as an anthelmintic and indicate that betulinic acid is the active component.

Despite the myriad uses of Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae) leaves in folklore medicine of Nigeria, the basis is yet to be substantiated by scientific investigations. To investigate the antioxidant (in vitro and in vivo) and drug detoxification potential of aqueous extract of A. senegalensis leaves in CCl₄-induced hepatocellular damage. In vitro antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of A. senegalensis leaves was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), H₂O₂, superoxide ion, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) and ferric ion models while in vivo antioxidant and drug detoxification activities of the extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight were done by assaying the levels of enzymic and non-enzymic indices in CCl₄-induced hepatocellular damage. The extract at 1 mg/mL scavenged DPPH, H₂O₂, superoxide ion, and ABTS radicals, whereas ferric ion was significantly (P0.05) reduced. The levels of alkaline and acid phosphatases, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, reduced glutathione, vitamins C and E, glutathione S-transferase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced):Quinone oxidoreductase, uridyl diphosphoglucuronyl transferase, malondialdehyde, and lipid hydroperoxide that decreased in CCl₄ treated animals were significantly attenuated by the extract in a manner similar to the animals treated with the reference drug. The ability of the aqueous extract of A. senegalensis leaves to scavenge free radicals in vitro and reversal of CCl₄-induced hepatocellular damage in rats suggest antioxidant and drug detoxification activities. Overall, this study has justified the rationale behind some of the medicinal uses of the plant in folklore medicine of Nigeria.

Ten Nigerian medicinal plants Abrus precatorius, Annona senegalensis, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Crateva adansonii, Detarium microcarpum, Faba spp, Neocarya macrophylla, Ocimum gratissimum, Securidacalongpenduculata and Terminalia avicennioides used by traditional medicine practitioners for the management of infectious and chronic diseases such as tuberculosis and whooping cough were investigated for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against attenuated strains of Mycobacterium bovis (BCG). Hexane and methanol extracts of the plant materials were obtained by maceration. The antimycobacterial activity was determined by the broth microdilution method. The hexane extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Terminalia avicennioides showed stronginhibitory activity at 312μg/ml. Eight of the ten plant extracts showed moderate inhibitory activity in either hexane or methanol extract at 1250μg/ml. While the hexane and methanol extracts of Detarium microcarpum and Neocarya macrophylla did not exhibit any significant activity. These observed activities could be associated with secondarymetabolites in these plants. This study demonstrates the efficacy of Nigerian medicinal plants as potential agents in the management of the tuberculosis disease.Key words: Antimycobacterial activity, Nigeria, Medicinal plants, Secondary metabolites, Tuberculosis

The effect of aqueous extract of Securidaca longepedunculata root on redox homeostasis in male rat liver and kidney was investigated. Rats were grouped into four: A, B, C and D, where A (the control) received orally 1 mL of distilled water; B, C and D (test groups) received orally 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively, for 28 days. Extract administration significantly reduced (p < .05) alkaline phosphatase activity in the liver and kidney with corresponding increases in the serum. Acid phosphatase activity increased significantly (p < .05) in the liver and kidney, while there was no significant change (p > .05) in the serum acid phosphatase activity. There was also significant decrease (p < .05) in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in the liver and kidney. Liver and kidney levels of GSH, vitamins C and E were also significantly reduced (p < .05). Serum malonidialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide increased significantly (p < .05) in all the extract-treated groups. The available data from this study revealed that aqueous extract of S. longepedunculata root exerted its toxicity in the animals by depleting the antioxidant systems. This may consequently expose the cells and cellular macromolecules to oxidative damage by reactive oxygen species generated either from the metabolism of the extract or other in vivo means.

This study investigates the in vitro antioxidant potentials and attenuation of acetaminophen-induced redox imbalance by Pterocarpus osun Craib (Fabaceae) leaf in Wistar rat liver. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract (0.2-1.0 mg/mL) was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide, superoxide ion, 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS), and ferric ion. The extract (150 and 300 mg/kg body weight) significantly (P

The search for new trypanocides has not been keenly pursued due to high cost of design and development with no promise of financial returns. Momordica balsamina fruit pulp extract was screened for antitrypanosomal activity in experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rabbits. The extract was administered prior to parasite inoculation, 24 hours post parasite inoculation and on establishment of infection. The treatment was by oral administration of the extract at 500mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. Parasitaemia was monitored daily while body weight and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined before commencement of studies and subsequently at weekly intervals for 28 days. The result showed a significant (P Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rabbits treated at 24 hours post parasite inoculation. Packed cell volume also increased significantly (P Keywords : Momordica balsamina , Chemotherapy, Antitrypanosomal, Trypanosomiasis, Trypanosoma brucei brucei African Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 42-51

The Gwandara people of Sabo Wuse in Niger State, Nigeria are the original inhabitants of Wuse in Abuja Municipal Area Council. They were resettled at this present location of Sabo Wuse from Wuse in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja when the seat of government moved from Lagos to Abuja 30 years ago. Sabo Wuse still remains relatively a remote settlement and their lifestyle unchanged. They still depend to a large extent on their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants to treat ailments. Ethnobotanical survey was conducted to identify and document methods traditionally utilized for treatment of mental illness and to expand the quality and quantity of information for research and development especially in the area of new drug discovery and development. About sixty seven (67) Traditional Medicine Practitioners were interviewed orally with use of questionnaire. From our survey, various methods were found to be used by the traditional medicine practitioners to treat mental illness and associated disorders. These include music, incantations and medicinal plants in various formulations – decoction, powder, infusion – which are administered in various ways like fumigation, inhalation, bathing, steaming and drinking. Eighteen plant species belonging to twelve different families were documented to be included in these therapies. In conclusion, there is an array of plants used locally to treat mental illness and it is recommended that such surveys should be funded and leads for drugs to treat mental illness obtained from such, at the same time documenting our indigenous knowledge. Keywords: mental illness, indigenous knowledge, ethno- medicinal plants. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 4 (2) 2007: pp. 211-218

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used locally for treating tuberculosis (TB) and other respiratory diseases was conducted from November 2004 to March 2005 in Niger State-Nigeria. The survey was aimed at identifying plants used in traditional medicine for treating TB and other pulmonary ailments in Niger State. Tuberculosis, cough, asthma, hemoptysis and bronchitis were the major ailments treated in this survey. The interviews were conducted among the traditional medical practitioners and herbal traders in both urban and rural areas of the state. It was observed that the use of traditional medicine for treating respiratory diseases was predominantly widespread in Niger State among all the ethnic groups and intertwines with orthodox medication. A total of 95 medicinal plants belonging to 48 families used in 86 herbal recipes were surveyed. In many recipes, admixtures of plants were used. A total of 12 different kinds of respiratory ailments were encountered in this study. The index of performance (Ip) was calculated for each plant species. The plants with high Ip are often confirmed to possess biologically active chemical substances in the literature. A good number of plants identified in this survey for treating tuberculosis with (Ip>O) have been reported to possess significant anti-tubercular activity. Therefore, further screening of those plants with high performance indices as sources of \'lead\' for antitubercular agents is highly recommended. Keywords : Medicinal plants; Herbal recipes; Respiratory diseases; Tuberculosis; Index performance (Ip); Antitubercular activity JOPAT Vol. 12 2007: pp. 1-21

Ethnobotanical survey revealed that the dried fruits of Acacia nilotica Linn Willd of the family mimosaceae are used locally in various parts of Nigeria for the treatment of boil, cough and chest infections. This prompted the phytochemical and antitubercular screening of its fruit extracts. Preliminary Antitubercular activity of its aqueous methanolic extract was carried out by the use of BCG as test organism. It showed antitubercular activity with MIC of 1250μg/ml. Gradient column chromatographic separation of the whole extract yielded six fractions (FR1-FR6). These fractions were evaluated for antitubercular activities. Fractions FR2, FR3 & FR4 showed significant antitubercular activities with MIC of 78μg/ml. Phytochemical spray with ferric chloride solution showed that the active fractions (FR2- FR4) are mainly polyphenolics (tannins). The antitubercular activity of this extract is being reported for the first time. Further studies to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds are ongoing. Keywords : Acacia nilotica , Tuberculosis, mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bioguided column fractionation. JOPAT Vol. 12 2007: pp. 76-79

Effects of complexing agents on the sensitivity of ethanol production using Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated using trans-1,2-diamino-cyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (CDTA) and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DPTA). Addition of 600 ppm CDTA during inoculation produces a maximum stimulation; ethanol production at this concentration was 1.5% (v/v) more than the control cultures (approximately 6%). 1000 ppm CDTA produces maximum effect during propagation which was 2.3% more than the control cultures. When DPTA was introduced during inoculation, 800 ppm DPTA produces a maximum effect, which was 2.9% more than the control cultures. 200 ppm DPTA produces a maximum stimulatory effect of 1.0% more than the control cultures. No significant effect was observed when DPTA was added during fermentation but 700 ppm CDTA increased ethanol production by 1.3% more than the control cultures.

Hypoestoxide (HE) is a diterpene isolated from Hypoestes rosea (Acanthaceae), a plant indigenous to Nigeria. Previous studies demonstrated that HE exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities in well established animal models but weak in vitro activities in both the anti-inflammation and anti-cancer in vitro screening systems. We now report a similar observation in the in vitro and in vivo screening systems for antimalarial activity. The results indicate that while HE exhibits a relatively weak in vitro activity (IC(50) = 10 microM versus 0.11 microM for chloroquine) against different strains of cultured P. falciparum parasites, the dose of HE required to reduce parasitemia by 90% in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice, is much lower than standard antimalaria drugs (SD(90) = 250 microg/kg versus 5mg/kg for chloroquine). Furthermore, lower doses of HE were much more effective than higher doses in inhibiting parasite development. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Chemotherapy of African trypanosomiasis still remains far from being satisfactory. There is the urgent need for therapeutic agents that are effective, affordable and accessible to the rural poor in Africa who bear most of the disease burden. Root preparations of Annona senegalensis Pers. is claimed by traditional medicine practitioners to be effective in the treatment of sleeping sickness. Validation of this claim, evaluation of the therapeutic effects of other parts of the plant, and standardization of the preparations are necessary in order to fully exploit the chemotherapeutic potentials of this plant. We have evaluated the chemotherapeutic effects of extracts of the leaves, whole root, root and stem bark of the plant in experimental trypanosomiasis. Crude and partially purified aqueous extracts of the leaves, at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight per day completely cured experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in mice. Sub-inoculation of blood and cerebrospinal fluid drawn from the cured mice into healthy mice failed to produce any infection within 60 days of post-inoculation. Pre-treatment of healthy mice with the crude extract before infection did not prevent establishment of infection. Administration of 5000 mg/kg body weight of the crude extract did not lead to fatality in mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannin, phlobatanin, and saponin.

From the leaves of Entandrophragma angolense, three triterpenoidal compounds were isolated and structurally elucidated by mass and NMR spectroscopy. They belong to the tirucallane group but two of them possess the rare seco-ring-A feature. The phytochemical data are discussed from a chemotaxonomic and biogenetic points of view.

Methanolic extracts of leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Terminalia catappa were studied for in vitro microbial activities by agar dilution method. The phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts of the medicinal plants revealed the presence of saponin, saponin glycosides, steroid, cardiac glycoside, tannins, volatile oils, phenols and balsam (gum). The methanolic extracts of the two plants inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 103207 and Clinical strain respectively) but had no inhibitory effects on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. Candida albicans was inhibited by the crude extracts of E. camaldulensis only. Accelerated gradient chromatography (AGC) gave fractions of the extract of T. catappa that were more active on Candida albicans and Escherichia coli than the crude extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts ranged from 1.25�g/ml to 5�g/ml. The results obtained suggest that T. catappa and E. camaldulensis can be used in treating diseases caused by the test organisms.

The crude methanol extract of the stem wood of Quassia amara L. inhibited both the basal and LH-stimulated testosterone secretion of rat Leydig cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Fractionation of the extract by chromatography gave quassin (1) and 2-methoxycanthin-6-one (2); compound 1 proved to be the bioactive agent.

Synthesized crenatine, a B-carboline alkaloid previously isolated from Quassia undulata (Guill & Perr) D. Dietr (Simaroubaceae) is shown to possess antibacterial but no antifungal activity. The activity was tested in in vitro against seven Gram-positive, ten Gram-negative bacteria and a yeast at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. The compound was found to be more effective against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria

This study examines the antimicrobial activity of the hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Lippia multiflora and carvacrol isolated from the hexane extract. The result shows the hexane extract to be the most active, while the methanol extract exhibited no antimicrobial activity. The isolated carvacrol from the hexane fraction showed tremendous antimicrobial activity. These results confirm the traditional uses of Lippia multiflora in the treatment of disease conditions due to microbes.

Lup-20(29)-en-3b-ol [lupeol] was isolated from the hexane fraction of the stem bark of Berlina grandiflora. The compound showed significant antifungal activity against Cladosporium cucumerinium. Key Words: Berlina grandiflora, antifungal activity, lupeol and Cladosporium cucumerinium [Nig. J. Nat. Prod. and Med. Vol.6 2002: 48-49]

Ethnobotany and ethnomedicine are as old as man's history. The combination of ethnobotany and ethnomedicine is a popular research field in Nigeria that, unfortunately, has not led to the production of many market products. The plant Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam). Zepernich & Timter (Rutaceae) is used in ethnomedicine for a number of ailments. The extracts of the plant contain a wide variety of secondary metabolites associated with a number of biological activities. The active principles in its extracts responsible for its antisickling effect have been identified, and the synthetic conversion of one of its metabolites yielded the antisickling acid, DBA. With assistance from various organizations, NIPRISANR, a herbal drug of ethnomedicine source that is used for sickle cell anemia disorder, is in its third clinical-trial development phase at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development. Abuja, Nigeria.

The composition of the volatile oil from aerial parts of Mitracarpus scaber Zucc. (Rubiaceae) was investigated in detail by means of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) techniques. Of the twenty-six compounds identified, eleven were free fatty acids constituting the major components. Hexadecanoic acid was the most abundant component (51.2%). The other major acids were pentadecanoic, (Z)-octadec-9-enoic, tetradecanoic, (ZZ)-octadeca-9, 12-dienoic, (Z)-hexadec-9-enoic, octadecanoic, and dodecanoic acids. Minor constituents included six fatty acid esters, two aldehydes and six oxygenated monoterpenoids.

An extract of Diodia scandens obtained by petroleum ether extraction of the leaves was screened for pharmacological actions. The extract evinced a marked antiinflammatory effect in rats, causing a dose-related and sustained inhibition of the increase in rat paw circumference caused by subplantar injection of a phlogistic agent. In addition, the extract increased the threshold of pain stimulus in mice. The extract significantly protected rats from aspirin, indomethacin and reserpine induced ulcers. These results revealed that the plant, Diodia scandens has potential medicinal value.

Entandrophragma angolense is a medicinal plant used in folk medicine against several diseases including peptic ulcer. Methyl angolensate was isolated from E. angolense by recrystallization from methanol. The needle-like crystals were characterized and tested on isolated rabbit jejunum, guinea pig ileum and the rat fundus strip. The compound was also evaluated on the gastrointestinal transit in mice. The results showed that the compound exerted significant concentration dependent inhibition of smooth muscle and reduced the propulsive action of the gastrointestinal tract in mice. The relaxation observed did not attenuate acetylcholine and histamine induced contractions, but was found to inhibit contractions induced by serotonin. It is therefore suggested that methyl angolensate may exert its activity on gastrointestinal smooth muscle via serotonergic mechanisms.

A new colorimetric method has been developed for the determination of chemically available cysteine and half-cystine in maize and legume seeds. The method is based on the reduction of cystine with aqueous NaBH(4)/urea/EDTA solution and the reaction of cysteine with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) in 0.2 M sodium acetate/HCl buffer (pH 2.0) to form a greenish product showing maximum absorbance at 410 nm. The method is simple, accurate, and highly specific for cysteine, in the presence of other naturally occurring amino acids. The method was applied to the determination of cysteine and of cysteine plus half-cystine in some seed meals. There was a good correlation between the results obtained using this method and those obtained using Ellman's reagent [5, 5-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)]. There was also a good correlation between the results obtained using this method and cysteic acid values calculated from amino acid analysis of the samples.

The production of citric acid from imumu Cyperus esculentus and maize Zea mays was carried out using Aspergillus niger . Hydrolysis of the substrates at 97°C produced a higher concentration of reducing sugars than at 40°C. The concentrations of citric acid were higher in unagitated and defatted cultures compared to agitated and undefatted cultures respectively.

3b, 19a-dihydroxyurs-12-ene-28oic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorgenic were isolated from the fruits and 3b, 19a-hydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid from the roots of Kigelia pinnata. Key Words: Kigelia pinnata, Bignoniaceae, Triterpenoids, Phenolic acids Nig. J. Nat. Prod. And Med. Vol.1 1997: 40-41