Leaf Extract Of Bryophyllum Pinnatum Research Articles

Neuropsychopharmacological profile of the methanolic fraction of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract.

Neuropharmacological studies were conducted in experimental animals (rats and mice) with the methanolic fraction of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract. The fraction produced alteration of behaviour pattern, caused dose-dependent potentiation of pentobarbitone sleeping time and had significant analgesic activity. Significant reduction of exploratory behaviour and loss of residual curiosity were among the effects observed with the fraction. The observations suggest that the methanolic fraction of Bryophyllum pinnatum possesses a potent CNS depressant action.

Neuropharmacological effects of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum in mice

Effects of aqueous leaf extracts of bryophyllum pinnatum (AEBP) on someneuropharmacological activities were studied in mice. The extract indosages (50,100 and 200 mg/kg) was found to produce a profounddecrease in exploratory activity in a dose-dependent manner. It alsoshowed a marked sedative effect as evidenced by a significant reduction ingross behaviour and potentiation of pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time.It delayed onset in strychnine-and picrotoxin-induced convulsion (seizures)respectively with the protective effect being significantly higher inpicrotoxin- than strychnine-induced convulsion. It also decreases the rateof picrotoxin-induced mortality in mice with LD50 of 641mg/kg. Thetotality of these effects showed that the extract possesses depressantaction on the central nervous systemKeywords: Bryophyllum pinnatum, Neuropharmacology, exploration, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant.

English

The effects of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on the blood pressure of anaesthetized cats, as well as on the liver and kidney status of the rabbit were investigated in this study. The results revealed that, the extract produced a small fall in the blood pressure of the anaesthetized cat and also reduced the effect of adrenaline-induced elevation of blood pressure. In rabbits, biochemical analysis of serum was carried out; urea and creatinine were used as tests of its effect on the renal function while alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) served as enzyme indices of the liver function. In addition, the tissues of the liver and kidney were microscopically examined. The treated rabbits showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in their serum creatinine accompanied by significant increase in their serum urea (P < 0.05). No significant changes of these biochemical parameters were seen in the serum of control animals. While a significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed in the activity of the ALP of the treated animals, a non-significant increase (P > 0.05) was recorded in the AST and ALT aminotransferases of both the treated and control animals. The increase recorded in the treated group was much higher (8.64 and 13.63%) as compared to the control group (0.69 and 7.05%). The histopathological examination of the kidney and liver of treated animals showed shrunken glomeruli with increased urinary space, mild necrosis of the tubules and hyaline droplets, while the liver tissue revealed necrosis of the liver cells, lymphocytic infiltration and peri-cuffing of the bile duct. The control animals, however, showed normal histological structure. In addition after 4 weeks of treatment, body weight in the control group was significantly higher than those in the treated group. It was concluded that the pharmacological basis for the use of B. pinnatum among the Igbos of Nigeria to lower blood pressure was established by this study. However, the facts that the reduction in blood pressure produced is slight and the B. pinnatum leaf extract is potentially organotoxic negate its use as a blood pressure lowering agent.   Key words: Byophyllum pinnatum, blood pressure, biochemical analysis, histopathology, rabbit.

Neurosedative and muscle relaxant activities of aqueous extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum

The saline leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum was investigated on neuropharmacological activities to ascertain claims of local use. When tested in mice, it produced a dose-dependent prolongation of onset and duration of pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis, reduction of exploratory activities in the head-dip and evasion tests. Moreover, a dose-dependent muscle in-coordination was observed in the inclined screen, traction and climbing tests. It delayed onset to convulsion in both strychnine- and picrotoxin-induced seizures in addition to minimal protection against picrotoxin seizures.

Studies on the anti-ulcer activity of a Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract in experimental animals

A methanolic fraction from an extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves was found to possess significant anti-ulcer activity in nine different experimental animals models. Premedication tests in rats revealed that the extract possessed significant protective action against the gastric lesions induced by aspirin, indomethacin, serotonin, reserpine, stress and ethanol. Significant protection with extract treatment was observed to occur for aspirin-induced ulcer in pylorus-ligated rats and for histamine-induced duodenal lesions in guinea pigs. Significant enhancement of the healing process was also found to occur in acetic acid-induced chronic gastric lesions in rats.