Aim: This study was conducted to examine whether aromatherapy with essential oil of Lippia alba can reduce anxiety levels in a normal population. Methods: The oil was extracted by hydro-distillation for 3 hours using a modified Clevenger-type apparatus and then chemical composition was investigated by a combination of gas chromatography analysis (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Moreover, a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted, where 62 participants were divided into two groups, comprising a control group (CG) treated with placebo, and an experimental group (EG) treated with aromatherapy based on Lippia alba essential oil. The anxiety index was evaluated pretest by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Measures were taken two times: pretest and posttest. Results: The chemical analysis showed that carvone was the main component (62.8%). State and Trait anxiety scores showed a decrease in posttest study phase in comparison with pretest in experimental group (p

Background/Aim: The medicinal plants and their derivatives have long been recognized as important sources of antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. This study investigated phytochemicals, antioxidant content and in vitro DPPH free radical scavenging activities of methanolic and aqueous leaves extracts of Anogeissus leiocarpus, Ipomoea asarifolia, Bauhinia rufescens, Guiera. senegalensis and Moringa oleifera. Materials and Methods: The extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis to identify the bioactive constituents in each plant. Total phenolics and proanthocyanidin contents were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu and vanillin-methanol assays while antioxidant free scavenging activity was estimated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins in all the five plants investigated. The total phenolic and proanthocyanidin contents of methanolic extracts were significantly higher (p

Background: Polyscias fruticosa is used widely as food, disease remedy and as an ornamental across Afro-Asian countries. For instance, P. fruticosa is used traditionally as an anti-asthma, anti-tussive, and a muco-suppressant herbal remedy for asthmatics in Ghana. Although many studies have investigated the pharmacological basis of the ethnobotanical uses of P. fruticosa, however, its effect on the reproductive system remains completely unknown. Aim of study: This study assessed effects of Polyscias fruticosa leaf extract (PFE) on male fertility and toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Materials and methods: after crude preparation of PFE, it was subjected to qualitative phytochemical, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses. Effect of PFE was assessed on male fertility and toxicity by using healthy adult male Wistar rats. Rats were randomly assigned to: normal saline (5 ml/kg po, n = 5), Clomiphene Citrate (50 mg/kg po; n = 5) and PFE (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg po; n = 5 respectively) groups and treated for 21 days. On day 22 rats were sacrificed and male fertility parameters (left testis weight, relative testis weight, caudal epididymal weight, caudal epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology and assessment of male sex hormones and testicular histology) were assessed. Results: There were no significant changes in bodyweight, weight of left testis, weights of right and left caudal epididymides between treatments groups (PFE and clomiphene citrate) and control. Caudal epididymal sperm count increased in PFE (100 and 500 mg/kg)-treated rats relative to control. Sperm motility relatively increased in PFE-treated rats compared to control. Sperm abnormality decreased in PFE-treated rats; especially in PFE (100 mg/kg) group compared to control. Serum testosterone levels decreased inversely with serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in PFE-treated rats compared to control. There were minimal-to-no-alterations in histological sections of testis, except vacuolations at primary spermatocyte stage. Glycosides, saponins, cyanogenic glycosides, sterols and alkaloids were detected in PFE. Conclusion: PFE improved caudal epididymal sperm count and may be useful as male fertility enhancer but exhaustive safety studies on key male sex organs needs to be established.

Aims: The present study aims to investigate chemical composition and biological activities of Pinus roxburghii collected from Kavre district of Nepal. Material and Methods: Phytochemical screening, antibacterial activities and antioxidant activities were measured. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content was determined using the spectrophotometric analysis. Chemical composition was carried out using GC-MS analysis. Results: Phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of interesting metabolites like cardiac glycosides, saponin, protein, quinone, sterols, tannin and terpenoids. Highest total phenolic content and total flavonoid content was observed in bark crude methanol extract. Result further revealed that bark methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity. Furthermore, methanol and acetone extract of cone, bark and needle showed range of in-vitro antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative pathogens. Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy analysis of crude acetone extract of bark revealed the presence of 14 different compounds. The major chemical constituents identified in the bark extract are 1,8 cineole, linalool, beta-thujone, chrysantheone, camphor and terpinen-4-ol. Conclusions: This study showed that among that needle, cone and bark of Pinus roxburghii as a huge source of biological active metabolites. Furthermore, bark extract revealed the presence of diverse chemical constituent.

Plants with both male and female antifertility potential were surveyed in Bayelsa state of Nigeria. A total of 35 medicinal plant species representing 33 genera and 26 families were employed by the traditional birth attendants and elders for contraception, labour induction and abortion among the people of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Among these, only three plant species were mentioned for male contraception purpose. A few animal inclusion was also documented.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the metabolite profile of Annona squamosa bark using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Methods: The plant material of A. squamosa bark was collected and processed during the month of February. The bark material was extracted by soxhlet apparatus using methanol as a solvent. The metabolite profile of the plant extract was determined by using LC-ESI-MS/MS. Results: Caffeic and chlorogenic acids were detected from the methanolic extract of A. squamosa bark. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the presence of caffeic and chlorogenic acids in A. squamosa bark. Conclusion: The study suggested further investigations to be carried out to evaluate these compounds in vitro and in vivo to develop the pharmaceutical products.

Brachystegia eurycoma is a leguminous plant that is is popular amongst the people of the Southern part of Nigeria for its ethnomedicinal and nutritional values.. However, this legume has been grossly underutilized despite the promise that it holds for food and drug development. Hence, this review sheds light on the past and present state of research as well as the way to go regarding future research on the nutritional and medicinal values of Brachystegia eurycoma (B. eurycoma) with a view to inciting research interests that may lead to food and drug development from the plant. This review which is based on a literature search of scientific journals and books from the library and electronic sources revealed that the seeds possess most of the nutritional and medicinal value of the plant. Extracts and pure isolated compounds from the plant have been reported to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, wound healing, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and blood glucose lowering activities as well as lipid profile, liver enzyme and gastrointestinal motility modulation activities. Toxicological evaluation of extracts from this plant did not show any significant acute and sub-acute toxicity in rodents. Evaluation of the gums from the seeds of the plant shows it has promise for application as food and pharmaceutical adjutants. Taken together, the findings from this review have unveiled the need for further scientific exploration of the constituents of B. eurycoma as potential sources of new food/nutritional adjuvant and medicines.

Few of the thousands of endemic species in New Zealand have been examined as leads for drug discovery. Recently we initiated a research program with the local Maori collective to explore these natural resources. This novel approach has brought me realizations that I thought the readers of the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology might find interesting as a Letter to the Editor.

Aim : In order to promote African traditional pharmacopoeia, studies have been undertaken to evaluate the effects of aqueous extracts of Annona senegalensis (Annonaceae) (EAAs) and Hallea ledermannii (Rubiaceae) (EAHl) in white rats of Wistar strain. Methods: A phytochemical screening and a toxicological study according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines 423 were carried out. Pharmacological effects on blood glucose were evaluated. The different treatments were performed orally. Results: The aqueous extracts of EAAs and EAHl, respectively at the maximum doses of 3000 and 5000 mg / kg bw, did not cause death in rats. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids and quinonic compounds in both extracts. This study showed that in addition to the common compounds, the Annona senegalensis extract contained sterols, polyterpenes, catechic tannins and alkaloids, while that of Hallea ledermannii showed the existence of saponosides. Annona senegalensis (100 mg/kg bw) and Hallea ledermannii (200 mg/kg bw), provoked more hypoglycemia respectevely of 40 % and 35.34 % in rats. EAAS (27.78 % vs 25.41 %) showed better anti-hyperglycemic effect in pretreated rats while EAHl (40.30 % vs 29.37 %), provoked more anti-hyperglycemic activity in post-treated animals. Conclusion: The effects of EAAs and EAHI on blood glucose value, may be related to the presence of chemical compounds such as flavonoids and saponosides highlighted in phytochemical study. These compounds recall those of certain insulin-secreting agents and justify their use in traditional medicine.