Ailments In Traditional Medicine Research Articles

A review on the synthesis and application of naphthoquinone-based drugs

Naphthoquinones are secondary plant metabolites that are used to treat a variety of human ailments in traditional medicine. In light of this, the synthesis of derivatives of naphthoquinone has been investigated to include substances with potential biological processes. It has been claimed that adding chemical groups such as amines, amino acids, furan, pyran, pyrazole, triazole, and indole increases the pharmacological effects of naphthoquinones. Drugs based on 1,4 naphthoquinone ring-containing moieties have attracted a lot of interest lately because of their wide range of biological activity and possible therapeutic uses. This article offers a thorough overview of 1,4 naphthoquinone ring containing derivatives synthesizing methods and therapeutic uses. The creation of naphthoquinone scaffolds was accomplished using a variety of synthesis techniques, including both traditional chemical synthesis and contemporary green chemistry techniques. In addition, the pharmacological characteristics and therapeutic potential of medications based on 1,4 naphthoquinone ring-containing moieties are investigated in a number of disease states, including cancer, infectious illnesses, cardiovascular disorders, and neurological diseases.

The discovery of the natural compound Boeravinone-C as a potential antiobesity drug candidate targeting pancreatic lipase using chemo-informatics-based approaches.

Obesity is a metabolic disorder distinguished by excess fat deposition in fatty tissues. Pancreatic lipase is one of the promising drug targets for treating obesity due to its critical role in the hydrolysis of triglycerides into mono-glycerides and free fatty acids. Due to unsatisfactory results and severe side effects of the current drugs available for treating obesity, there is an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic options. Boerhaavia diffusa is one of the widely known species of flowering plant commonly known as Punamava. Extracts from Punamava plants have been widely used in treating countless ailments in traditional medicine. Recently, multiple reports demonstrated the potential antiobesity activity of B. diffusa plant extracts. In this scenario, we have evaluated numerous reported B. diffusa against pancreatic lipase drug targets to identify which reported phytochemicals to have the most promising potential to act as an inhibitor for pancreatic lipase using computational approaches. All the twenty-four phytochemicals from Boerhaavia diffusa were identified as significantly strong binders with a range of binding energies between -6.0 to -8.0 Kcal/mol inside the pancreatic lipase active binding site. On the other hand, we calculated 2D Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) molecular descriptor properties adhered to Lipinski's rule of five. Between twenty-four phytochemicals evaluated, Boeravinone-C, with a range binding energy of -8.0 Kcal/mol, was discovered as the best lead-like molecule, compared to marketed Orlistat, which has shown -5.6 Kcal/mol of binding energy. Conclusively, Boeravinone-C from B. diffusa extract showed promising inhibitory potential against pancreatic lipase worth further evaluation.

Antidiabetic activity of methanol extract and fractions of Costus speciosus leaves in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Costus speciosus is a common plant used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and various other ailments in traditional medicine in Sri Lanka. The present study was conducted to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the leaves of C. speciosus in both normal and alloxan induced male Wistar diabetic rat models. Methods: A methanolic extract of the leaves was produced and used for the preliminary phytochemicals screening. Methanol extract was further partitioned with different solvents (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) according to their polarity. Male Wistar rats weighing 150-220 g were randomly divided during the test. In vivo antidiabetic activity of partitioned fractions of C. speciosus leaves was performed in normal rats and alloxan induced NIDDM rats. Standard t-test was used to determine statistical significance. Results: A glucose tolerance test with normal rats indicated that peak levels of blood glucose were reached in 90 minutes after the glucose load. It is noteworthy that the test group recorded a significantly (p < 0.05) lower blood glucose level at 90 minutes, indicating that the 80 % methanol extract exerted an overall hypoglycemic effect with normal rats at 90 minutes, despite being challenged with glucose load. The same dose showed an improvement in the glucose tolerance of alloxan-induced diabetic rats, reducing the blood glucose at 90 minutes by 60 % compared with control. These effects were found to be comparable with the effect of the synthetic drug glipizide at a dose of 20 mg/kg. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, long term administration of the 80% methanolic extract of C. speciosus leaves daily for 6 weeks resulted in a significant lowering of fasting and postprandial serum glucose when compared to diabetic control rats. Conclusion: Diabetic rats group treated with C. speciosus extract displayed significantly (p<0.05) decreased blood glucose level compared to the control group.
 Keywords: Alloxan, Costus speciosus, diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, anti-hyperglycemia

Phytochemical profiling of Piper crocatum and its antifungal mechanism action as Lanosterol 14alpha demethylase CYP51 inhibitor: a review.

Mycoses or fungal infections are a general health problem that often occurs in healthy and immunocompromised people in the community. The development of resistant strains in Fungi and the incidence of azole antibiotic resistance in the Asia Pacific which reached 83% become a critical problem nowadays. To control fungal infections, substances and extracts isolated from natural resources, especially in the form of plants as the main sources of drug molecules today, are needed. Especially from Piperaceae, which have long been used in India, China, and Korea to treat human ailments in traditional medicine. The purpose of this review is to describe the antifungal mechanism action from Piper crocatum and its phytochemical profiling against lanosterol 14a demethylase CYP51. The methods used to search databases from Google Scholar to find the appropriate databases using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Flow Diagram as a clinical information retrieval method. From 1.150.000 results searched by database, there is 73 final results article to review. The review shows that P. crocatum contains flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, saponins, polyphenols, eugenol, alkaloids, quinones, chavibetol acetate, glycosides, triterpenoids or steroids, hydroxychavikol, phenolics, glucosides, isoprenoids, and non-protein amino acids. Its antifungal mechanisms in fungal cells occur due to ergosterol, especially lanosterol 14a demethylase (CYP51) inhibition, which is one of the main target sites for antifungal activity because it functions to maintain the integrity and function of cell membranes in Candida. P. crocatum has an antifungal activity through its phytochemical profiling against fungal by inhibiting the lanosterol 14a demethylase, make damaging cell membranes, fungal growth inhibition, and fungal cell lysis.

Phytochemical profiling of Piper crocatum and its antifungal mechanism action as Lanosterol 14alpha demethylase CYP51 inhibitor: a review.

Mycoses or fungal infections are general health problem that often occurs in healthy and immunocompromised people in the community. The development of resistant strains in Fungi and the incidence of azole antibiotic resistance in the Asia Pacific which reached 83% become a critical problem nowadays. To control fungal infections, substances and extracts isolated from natural resources, especially in the form of plants as the main sources of drug molecules today, are needed. Especially from Piperaceae, which have long been used in India, China, and Korea to treat human ailments in traditional medicine. The purpose of this review is to describe the antifungal mechanism action from Piper crocatum and its phytochemical profiling against lanosterol 14a demethylase CYP51. The methods used to search databases from Google Scholar to find the appropriate databases using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Flow Diagram as a clinical information retrieval method. From 1.150.000 results searched by database, there is 73 final results article to review. The review shows that P. crocatum contains flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, saponins, polyphenols, eugenol, alkaloids, quinones, chavibetol acetate, glycosides, triterpenoids or steroids, hydroxychavikol, phenolics, glucosides, isoprenoids, and non-protein amino acids. Its antifungal mechanisms in fungal cells occur due to ergosterol especially lanosterol 14a demethylase (CYP51) inhibition, which is one of the main target sites for antifungal activity because it functions to maintain the integrity and function of cell membranes in Candida. P. crocatum has an antifungal activity through its phytochemical profiling against fungal by inhibiting the lanosterol 14a demethylase, make damaging cell membranes, fungal growth inhibition, and fungal cell lysis.

Antimicrobial evaluation and molecular docking studies of the combined ethanolic extract of Mollugo cerviana and Mukia maderspatana.

Medicinal plants are considered to be the source of richness in Traditional Medicine. The chosen plants Mollugocerviana (L.) and Mukiamaderas patina. (L.) are commonly used to treat various ailments in traditional medicine. In the present study these two Plants were extracted with Ethanol and were subjected to Phytochemical Analysis to confirm the presence of different Phytochemicals. After phytochemical analysis the antimicrobial efficiency of the Plant extracts were checked against different microbial pathogens. The results confirm that the combined extract of both the plants shows potent activity against selected pathogenic strains. The results clearly indicate that the activity is in a dose dependent manner which is defined as higher the concentration higher the activity. GC-MS analysis of the extracts showed the presence of Ergost-7-en-3-ol. This ligand was docked with TyRs protein of S.aureusi to understand the interactions and predict the affinity and the activity of the potent bioactive molecules. It shows promising interaction with respect to binding poses of interacted complex. From the current study it is proved that the chosen plants are highly loaded with nutrients and can be used as a drug target in future. Further studies are required to confirm the efficiency of the plant extracts.

Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential of Selected Species of Gentiana from Nepal Himalaya

Various species of Gentiana find their use to treat various digestive and topical ailments in traditional medicine in Nepal. The present work reports the results of preliminary phytochemical analysis and biological activities of extracts of four different species of Gentiana (G. depressa, G.ornata, G. urnula, and G. capitata) from Nepal Himalaya. Furthermore, the study also reports a semi-quantitative estimation of major bioactive compounds in those extracts. The total flavonoid content was found to be highest (19.09±0.97mgQE/g) in methanol extracts of G. capitata and lowest (4.22±0.66 mgQE/g) in aqueous extracts of G. urnula. The highest amount (79.2±19.19 mgGAE/g) of total phenolic content was observed in methanolic extracts of G. depressa, while the lowest amount (37.11±2.18 mgGAE/g) was observed in aqueous extract of G. urnula. The methanol extract of G. depressa showed the best antioxidant activity among the Gentiana species tested. Extracts of all the species tested showed weak antibacterial activity even at the highest concentration of the extract. Semi-quantitative estimation showed that swertiamarin was in higher quantities than amarogentin and mangiferin. The highest concentration of swertiamarin and mangiferin (0.109±0.013 mg/g and 0.018±0.001 mg/g, respectively) was identified in G. ornata, while the highest concentration of amarogentin (0.075±0.005 mg/g) was observed in G. capitata. These results justify the folklore use of these species in traditional medicinal practices in Nepal.

Phytochemical profiling of Piper crocatum and its antifungal activity as Lanosterol 14 alpha demethylase CYP51 inhibitor: a review

Mycoses or fungal infections are a general health problem that often occurs in healthy and immunocompromised people in the community. The development of resistant strains in Fungi and the incidence of azole antibiotic resistance in the Asia Pacific which reached 83% become a critical problem nowadays. To control fungal infections, substances and extracts isolated from natural resources, especially in the form of plants as the main sources of drug molecules today, are needed. Especially from Piperaceae, which have long been used in India, China, and Korea to treat human ailments in traditional medicine. The purpose of this review was to describe antifungal activity from Piper crocatum and its phytochemical profiling against lanosterol 14 alpha demethylase CYP51. The methods used search databases from Google Scholar to find the appropriate databases using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram as a clinical information retrieval method. From 1,150,000 results search by database, there were 73 selected articles to review. The review shows that P. crocatum contains flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, saponins, polyphenols, eugenol, alkaloids, quinones, chavibetol acetate, glycosides, triterpenoids or steroids, hydroxychavikol, phenolics, glucosides, isoprenoids, and non-protein amino acids. Its antifungal mechanisms in fungal cells occur due to ergosterol especially lanosterol 14 alpha demethylase CYP51 inhibition as a result of 5,6 desaturase (ERG3) downregulation. P. crocatum has an antifungal activity by its phytochemical profiling that act against fungi by inhibiting the fungal cytochrome P 450 pathway, make damaging cell membranes, fungal growth inhibition, morphological changes, and fungal cell lysis.

In-vitro and in-vivo supportive research on medicinal properties of Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive review

Cannabis sativa is an herbaceous plant which is mainly used as a remedy for neurological, digestive and immunological ailments in traditional medicine. Even though Cannabis is the most illicit plant around the world, its medicinal properties are beneficial in number of ways. Numerous beneficial effects of C. sativa have been demonstrated in multiple in-vitro and in-vivo studies from different parts of the world. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the literature and provide a summary on potential medicinal benefits of C. sativa. This systematic review was conducted by using the data bases; Science direct and PubMed for studies published from 1st of January 2015 to 31st of October 2020. In order to obtain further data, a manual search was also carried out from the reference lists of included articles. After removing the duplicate articles 77 total number of articles included in this present review. The beneficial health effects of C. sativa were anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. In addition, it revealed that C. sativa lower blood glucose, serum cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Apart from that, the use of Cannabis in other diseases such as irritable bowel disease, renal diseases, neurofibromatosis, and leucorrhea was also identified. The wide range of medicinal effects may be due to main active ingredients of Tetrahydro cannabinol, Cannabidiol, Cannabinol and Tetrahydro cannabivarin. Available in-vitro and invivo evidence suggested that C. sativa has many favorable health effects and further randomized controlled clinical trials will be needed to determine these effects thoroughly.

Acute and Subacute Toxicity of an Aqueous and Ethanolic Extract of Harungana madagascariensis LAM (Hypericaceae) Stem Bark in Wistar Rats

Harungana madagascariensis is widely used for treatment of various ailments in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate potential toxic effect of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of H. madagascariensis stem bark in rats. OECD Guidelines 423 and 407 were used for acute and sub-acute toxicity study. The acute toxicity study of both extracts revealed no lethal effects and behavioural signs of toxicity at the tested doses indicating that LD50 is greater than 5000 mg/kg. In the sub-acute toxicity study, both extracts induced significant reduction of the body weight (p < 0.05). The EEHm treatments at the dose of 1000 mg/kg increased significantly the relative heart weight in female rats. The EAHm treatment at the dose of 300 mg/kg, caused significant increase of AST level in male rats (p < 0.05). Administration of EAHm at all doses increase significantly WBC counts (p < 0.05) and the levels of platelets at dose of 1000 mg/kg in the male rats (p < 0.05). However, it induced an decrease in HDL-C in female and an increase in HDL-C in male (p < 0.05). EAHm increased significantly the levels of creatinine at 1000 mg/kg dose, and electrolytes level at doses 600 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg in the male rats compare to untreated group (p < 0.05). The EEHm treatments cause significant decrease in urea level of female rats at all doses (p < 0.05) and significant increase of Na+ level at the dose of 300 mg/kg. The EEHm decreased K+ level at the dose of 1000 mg/kg in female rats (p < 0.05). In male rats, it has favorized the increasing of K+ level at the dose of 1000 mg/kg and Cl- levels at all doses (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). Results indicate that oral doses of aqueous extract of Harungana madagascariensis is relatively safe in rats in acute use. But in long term use, it could causes consequences on heart weight, lipid profile and electrolyte homeostasis.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity profile of crude extract and fractions of Gymnema sylvestre

BackgroundGymnema sylvestre is a reputable medicinal plant commonly explore for the management of diabetes and other ailments in traditional medicine. In the present study, we investigated the phytochemical compositions and effect of crude extract, hexane, and ethyl-acetate fractions of Gymnema sylvestre on biochemical and hematological parameters of Wistar rats.MethodsAlbino rats were distributed randomly into a control group and nine treatment groups orally administered crude extract and fractions of Gymnema sylvestre (100, 300, and 600 mg/kg BW) for 21 days. Liver and kidney function indices, as well as hematological parameters, were monitored.ResultsOur results revealed that the crude methanol extract contains flavonoids (8.56 ± 0.50 mg/g), alkaloids (13.84 ± 0.67 mg/g), total phenol (1.98 ± 0.50 mg/g), saponins (23.85 ± 0.35 mg/g) and tannins (16.00 ± 0.34 mg/g). The crude methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane fractions of Gymnema sylvestre had LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg BW in acute oral toxicity test. The extract and fractions at 300 and 600 mg/kg BW cause loss of body weight of the rats, significantly altered (p < 0.05) the levels of biochemical indices including the aspartate transaminases, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphates, bilirubin, proteins, urea, creatinine, and white blood cells (WBC) counts when compared with the non-treated control. However, the extract and fractions at 100 mg/kg BW did not cause any significant (p > 0.05) alterations to the levels of biochemical and hematological parameters when compared with the non-treated control.ConclusionGymnema sylvestre at sub-acute doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg BW could compromise the functional integrity of the rats’ liver and kidney. The study, therefore, suggested the use of Gymnema sylvestre for oral remedy at a dose of 100 mg/kg or below.

Three Selected Edible Crops of the Genus Momordica as Potential Sources of Phytochemicals: Biochemical, Nutritional, and Medicinal Values.

Momordica species (Family Cucurbitaceae) are cultivated throughout the world for their edible fruits, leaves, shoots and seeds. Among the species of the genus Momordica, there are three selected species that are used as vegetable, and for medicinal purposes, Momordica charantia L (Bitter melon), Momordica foetida Schumach (Bitter cucumber) and Momordica balsamina L (African pumpkin). The fruits and leaves of these Momordica species are rich in primary and secondary metabolites such as proteins, fibers, minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc), β-carotene, foliate, ascorbic acid, among others. The extracts from Momordica species are used for the treatment of a variety of diseases and ailments in traditional medicine. Momordica species extracts are reputed to possess anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anthelmintic bioactivity, abortifacient, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and play chemo-preventive functions. In this review we summarize the biochemical, nutritional, and medicinal values of three Momordica species (M. charantia, M. foetida and M. balsamina) as promising and innovative sources of natural bioactive compounds for future pharmaceutical usage.

Protective effect of Phyllanthus niruri leaf extracts on Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells subjected to oxidative stress

Phyllanthus niruri has been widely used to treat a number of ailments in traditional medicine. The pharmacological and preventive potential of Phyllanthus niruri, such as in urolithiasis, hyperglycemia, hypertension, pain and mild cases of malaria, are well known. The present investigation was designed to study the protective effects of aqueous, methanol and chloroform extract of Phyllanthus niruri against oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Cytotoxicity of leaf extracts and H2O2 was identified by (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), sulforhodamine B assay (SRB) and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays. All the three extracts showed protection against H2O2 induced toxicity and reduced the loss of cell viability proving the cytoprotective effect of the extracts against H2O2 induced toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. The aqueous extract rendered maximum protection when compared to that of methanolic and chloroform extract.

Antihypertensive and pleiotropic effects of Phyllanthus emblica extract as an add-on therapy in patients with essential hypertension-A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Essential hypertension is an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that is compounded by concomitant risk factors like diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. Phyllanthus emblica is a rich source of antioxidants, tannins, and vitamin C and is used in treating various ailments in traditional medicine. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus emblica on essential hypertension and other protective actions. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 150 patients with essential hypertension. Participants were randomly assigned to receive Phyllanthus emblica capsule (500 mg) or placebo twice daily, added to their routine medications for 12 weeks. Blood pressure was assessed at baseline, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after beginning treatment or placebo. Other investigations like lipid parameters, oxidant and antioxidant enzyme levels, hs-CRP levels, HbA1C, LFT, RFT, uric acid, and endothelial function were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Both Phyllanthus emblica and placebo groups were comparable at baseline. Phyllanthus emblica had a good safety profile in patients with essential hypertension. However, the treatment with Phyllanthus emblica failed to produce any additional reduction in systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure levels and did not exhibit improvement in oxidant status, antioxidant capacity, lipid profile, HbA1C, arterial stiffness parameters, or hs-CRP levels.

Sub-acute Toxicity Potentials of Albizia chevalieri Extracts on the Histology of the Liver, Kidney and Pancreas using Animal Model

Medicinal plants are used in the treatment of many kinds of ailments in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the sub-acute toxicity as well as the histological effect of Albizia chevalieri on liver, kidney, pancrease. The sub-acute toxicity study was conducted for 28 days to examine the toxicity of the extracts and the histology of the rat’s liver, kidney and pancreas. For this study, fresh set of healthy adult of rats of both sexes were used and grouped in to 4 groups of 5 rats each for methanolic extracts and they were labeled accordingly, group 1 received oral dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight, group 2 received 2500 mg/kg body weight, group 3 received 3000 mg/kg body weight and group 4 received 5000 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively, for 28 days using oral gavages’. Clinical observation was carried out for 28 days and their weight were measured weekly for four weeks. On the 28th day the final weight of the rats were measured and then they were anesthetized under diethyl ether the rats were sacrificed and the tissues were preserved in formal saline for histological examinations. The sub-acute toxicity study of the rats showed no significant change on behavior. The methanol extracts of Albizia chevalieri does not produce adverse effects in rats after the sub-acute treatment. Chronic and sub-chronic toxicity evaluations need to be done before marketing Albizia chevalieri.

Antimicrobial and iNOS inhibitory activities of the endophytic fungi isolated from the mangrove plant Acanthus ilicifolius var. xiamenensis

BackgroundAcanthus ilicifolius var. xiamenensis (Acanthaceae) is an old world mangrove species and has long been used as a folk remedy for treating various ailments in traditional medicine. The nature source of A. ilicifolius var. xiamenensis is now in short supply because of the urban development and habitat destruction. To better utilize this resource, biodiversity and bioactivity of endophytic fungi isolated from A. ilicifolius var. xiamenensis were investigated.ResultsA total of 168 fungal isolates were cultured from leaves and stems of the mangrove plant collected in January (winter) and July (summer) 2014 at Kinmen County, Taiwan. Spent culture extract of 28 isolates were found to have bioactivities against one of the following pathogenic microorganisms: the bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and the fungi Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. These positive extracts were mostly active against the Gram-positive bacteria and C. albicans. Corynespora cassiicola NTOU4889 and Xylaria sp. NTOU4900 inhibited growth of all 3 test bacteria whereas Phellinus noxius NTOU4917 inhibited both test fungi. A further anti-inflammatory study of culture extracts of these 28 isolates revealed that extracts with a high iNOS inhibition caused a low viability of cells, and those with a low iNOS inhibition had a high cell viability. Three extracts showed low cytotoxicity (i.e. > 100% cell viability) and high iNOS inhibition (< 15% of NO production) of cells and they were Phoma sp. 2 NTOU4338, Nodulisporium sp. NTOU4868 and Guignardia sp. NTOU4871.ConclusionThese results indicate that the endophytic fungi associated with A. ilicifolius var. xiamenensis can be a potential source of novel natural active substance.

Zanthoxylum armatum DC extracts from fruit, bark and leaf induce hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects in mice- in vivo and in vitro study

BackgroundZanthoxylum armatum DC is an important medicinal plant of south East Asia, and has been used to treat various ailments in traditional medicine including diabetes. This study investigated the in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic and biochemical effects of extracts of Z. armatum in mice.MethodThe extracts of fruit, bark and leaf from Z. armatum were tested for α-glucosidase inhibition activity. Albino mice of either sex weighing (26–30 g) assigned into groups. Diabetes was induced by IP injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg). The extracts (500 mg/kg) and standard (Glibenclamide 10 mg/kg) were administered to mice for 15 days. Serum biochemical parameters were monitored for the period of study.ResultsThe leaves and bark extracts showed maximum α-glucosidase inhibition (96.61 ± 2.13 and 93.58 ± 2.31% respectively). The extracts treated and the standard treated groups showed significant decrease in the fasting blood glucose levels compared to diabetic control. The effect was more pronounced in mice treated with leaves extract. In the in vivo studies body weights of diabetic mice treated with Z. armatum extracts and the standard did not reduced to extent as observed in diabetic control and this difference was significant (p < 0.05). There was a significance (p < 0.001) improvement in blood hemoglobin, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, and triglycerides of the extracts treated diabetic mice. The extracts showed hypolipidemic effect by reducing the LDL level. The extracts produced no prominent changes in proteins levels.ConclusionIt can be concluded that Z. armatum extracts showed excellent antidiabetic potential in vivo and in vitro and could be considered for further appraisal in clinical assessment and drug development.

Central Nervous System Depressant Effect of Senna occidentalis Linn. (Fabaceae) Leaf Extract in Mice

Senna occidentalis has been used in traditional medicine in Nigeria for managing various ailments in traditional medicine. This study was aimed at evaluating the central nervous system depressant effect of ethanol leaf extract of Senna occidentalis in mice. Thirty mice of either sex were taken and divided into five groups of six animals each. First group was considered as negative control in diazepam-induced sleeping time (normal saline + diazepam), second, third, fourth and fifth as test groups (with 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg doses of the extract + diazepam). All the drugs were administered intraperitoneal (i.p). The extract showed significant decrease in the onset of sleep at doses of 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg (p<0.05; One-way ANOVA). The number of head dips have significantly decreased at p<0.05 for all the graded doses of the extract. Beam walking test for motor deficits, showed significant increase in the number of foot slips at the same graded doses at p<0.05 with no significant difference in the time taken to complete the task. The study showed that leaf ethanol extract of Senna occidentalis possess CNS depressant effect, and serve as a good sedative as such, can save patients from many doses of anesthetic medication usually administered during surgery in conventional medicine when used.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of solvent fractions of Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less leaf extract.

Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less is used in folk medicine as a remedy for various diseases. The present study reports antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of solvent fractions of Vernonia cinerea. The antioxidant properties of solvent fractions of V. cinerea were evaluated by determining radicals scavenging activity, total flavonoid and phenolic contents measured with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) test, the aluminum chloride and the Folin-ciocalteau methods, respectively. Antimicrobial activities were tested against human pathogenic microorganisms using agar diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of each active extract were determined. The ethyl acetate fraction having the IC50 value of 6.50 µg/mL demonstrated comparable DPPH radical-scavenging activity with standard antioxidants, gallic acid and quercetin included in the study. All fractions displayed moderate antimicrobial potential against the tested pathogens with the zone of inhibition that ranged from 9.0 to 13.5 mm. The MIC (1.56 mg/mL) and MBC (3.13 mg/mL) indicated highest susceptibility of Candida albicans in all fractions. The results of this study showed that the solvent fractions of V. cinerea possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, hence justifying the folkloric use of the plant for the treatment of various ailments in traditional medicine.

English

Bombax buonopozense is used in traditional medicine in Nigeria for the treatment of pains and feverish conditions. This study was orally carried out to establish the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties of an aqueous stem bark extract of Bombax buonopozense in experimental animals. The analgesic activity was measured using the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and water tail imgmersion tests. The anti-inflammatory activity was assayed using the xylene and carrageenan-induced oedema tests, while the antipyretic activity was measured using the brewer&rsquo;s yeast and 2, 4 dinitrophenol-induced pyrexia. The stem bark extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) at all doses used, was found to have significant (P&lt;0.05) analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities. Data shows that aqueous stem bark extract of B. buonopozense possesses constituents with therapeutic potential against pains and feverish conditions, thus supporting the use of the stem bark of this plant for similar ailments in traditional medicine. Key words: Bombax buonopozense, stem bark, aqueous extract, pain, inflammation, fever.