Costus Afer Research Articles

Molecular geometry optimization of Acidifiers and Acidulants in bioactive phytochemicals present in Ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata and Costus afer sterm

Molecular geometry optimization of Acidifiers and Acidulants in bioactive phytochemicals present in Ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata and costus afer stem was studied. The active phytochemicals, hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester, from the ethanol leaf extract of C. odorata and 10,12-nonacosadiynoic acid from stem of C. afer were studied using ArgusLab 4.0.1 software. Minimization was performed with semi-empirical Austin Model 1 (AM1) parameterization. The minimum potential energy was calculated by using geometry convergence function in ArgusLab software. Surfaces were created to visualize the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and electrostatic potential mapped on electron density surface. The minimum potential energy was calculated for drug receptor interaction through the geometry convergence map. The geometry optimized energy for hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester and 10,12-nonacosadiynoic acid were -106.5332069610 and -157.470270 au respectively. These were the best feasible position for hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester and 10,12-nonacosadiynoic acid to act as acidifier and acidulant.

Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Costus afer Leaf Extract: Synthesis, Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Electrochemical Properties.

Synthesis of metallic and semiconductor nanoparticles through physical and chemical routes has been extensively reported. However, green synthesized metal nanoparticles are currently in the limelight due to the simplicity, cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness of their synthesis. This study explored the use of aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (CA-AgNPs). The optical and structural properties of the resulting silver nanoparticles were studied using UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infra–red spectrophotometer (FTIR). TEM images of the silver nanoparticles confirmed the existence of monodispersed spherical nanoparticles with a mean size of 20 nm. The FTIR spectra affirmed the presence of phytochemicals from the Costus afer leaf extract on the surface of the silver nanoparticles. The electrochemical characterization of a CA-AgNPs/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)-modified electrode was carried out to confirm the charge transfer properties of the nanocomposites. The comparative study showed that the CA-AgNPs/MWCNT-modified electrode demonstrated faster charge transport behaviour. The anodic current density of the electrodes in Fe(CN)6]4−/[Fe(CN)6]3− redox probe follows the order: GCE/CA-Ag/MWCNT (550 mA/cm2) > GCE/MWCNT (270 mA/cm2) > GCE (80 mA/cm2) > GCE/CA-Ag (7.93 mA/cm2). The silver nanoparticles were evaluated for their antibacterial properties against Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) pathogens. The nanoparticles exhibited better inhibition of the bacterial strains compared to the precursors (leaf extract of Costus afer and silver nitrate). Furthermore, the ability of the nanoparticles to scavenge DPPH radicals at different concentrations was studied using the DPPH radical scavenging assay and compared to that of the leaf extract and ascorbic acid. The nanoparticles were better DPPH scavengers compared to the leaf extract and their antioxidant properties compared favorably the antioxidant results of ascorbic acid. The green approach to nanoparticles synthesis carried out in this research work is simple, non-polluting, inexpensive and non-hazardous.

Cardioprotective Potential of Methanol Extract of <i>Costus Afer</i> Leaf on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Albino Rats

<em>Costus afer</em> leaf extract is one of the native heritages of folklore medicine in Nigeria, used for the treatment of various disease conditions. Therefore this study was undertaken to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of the methanol extract of <em>Costus afer</em> leaves on CCl<sub>4</sub>- induced cardiotoxicity in albino rats. Twenty-eight (28) albino rats were divided into four main groups: normal control (normal saline only), CCl<sub>4</sub> control (saline and CCl<sub>4</sub>), aspirin treated (1.2 mg/kg b.w aspirin and CCl<sub>4</sub>) and <em>Costus afer</em> extract treated (extract and CCl<sub>4</sub>) groups. <em>Costus afer</em> extract was administered in four doses; 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg b.w. p.o for 7 days. On day 7, CCl<sub>4</sub> (2.5 ml) cardiotoxicity was induced in animals of CCl<sub>4</sub> control, aspirin treated and extract pre-treatment groups. The parameters studied in this respect were cardiac biomarker enzymes; Creatine Kinase (CK), Aspartate Transaminases (AST) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), serum lipid profile; Triacylglycerol (TAG), Total Cholesterol (TC), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and artherogenic index (AR), lipid peroxidation; malondialdehyde (MDA) level and enzymatic antioxidant levels of cardiac tissue homogenate; Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Reductase (GR). CCl<sub>4</sub> intoxication produced significant (p < 0.05) increases in cardiac biomarker enzymes, serum lipid profile (TAG, TC, and LDL) along with enhanced lipid peroxidation in heart, while significant (p < 0.05) decreases in enzymatic antioxidant activities and HDL contents were also observed when compared to normal control. <em>Costus afer</em> leaf extract protected against CCl< cardiotoxic effect by restoring the cardiac functions alterations, augmenting antioxidant activities, reducing lipid peroxidation and improving lipid profile levels near normal. From the results, <em>Costus afer</em> leaves expressed cardioprotective potential and could be helpful in the management of cardiac dysfunction.

Histopathological and biochemical assessments of Costus afer stem on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

In continuation of our study of the biological activity of the aqueous extract of Costus afer stem used in tradomedicare in Nigeria, this work has investigated the biochemical, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective and protective effects of aqueous extract of C. afer stem on alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic albino Wistar rats. Thirty male albino Wistar rats (150-200 g) were weight-matched into six groups of five rats each. Groups 1 and 2 were the normal (non-induced) and toxic (alloxan-induced) controls, respectively. Groups 3-6 were induced and treated with 1, 2 and 3 g/kg of the aqueous extract of C. afer stem and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), respectively. Food and fluid intake, body weight, absolute and relative weight of organs (liver, pancreas, and kidneys) and biochemical parameters were measured. There was a significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin triglyceride, creatinine, urea and electrolyte when compared with toxic control group. The liver marker enzymes were restored in all the treated groups. The aqueous stem extract possessed hypoglycaemic effect and reversed the histopathological damage in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. This study suggests that aqueous stem extract of C. afer possesses both hypoglycaemic and organ protective properties.

Costus afer extract ameliorates paracetamol-induced tissue injury and H2O2-induced erythrocyte peroxidation

Aim/Objective: To evaluate the effect of the methanolic extract of Costus afer stem on paracetamol-induced tissue injury in rats and its ability to reduce hydrogen peroxide-induced erythrocyte damage. Methods: Twenty rats were acclimatized for two weeks and randomized into five groups. Group I were untreated controls, while each rat in groups III - V was given a single intraperitoneal-administration of paracetamol (800 mg/kg b.w.). Prior to the administration of paracetamol, rats in groups II and IV were orally given Costus afer extract at 200 mg/kg b.w while rats in group V were given 400 mg/kg b.w. extract once daily for four days. In the other experiment, hydrogen peroxide was used to induce erythrocyte damage and subsequently incubated with the extract at different concentrations. Markers for tissue and erythrocyte damage were assessed in serum, tissue homogenates and erythrocytes. Results: Paracetamol caused marked elevations (p < 0.05) in the levels of alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase, alkaline phosphatas, urea, creatinine in serum. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) in both liver and kidney were also raised over control (p < 0.05) while the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were reduced over untreated controls (p < 0.05) Pre-treatment of rats with Costus afer extract (p.o.) caused significant reduction of the markers closer to control values (p < 0.05). Apart from TBARS and catalase in liver kidney respectively, rats pre-treated with 400 mg/kg b.w. extract showed greater alterations in the levels of the markers. The extract also reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced erythrocyte damage assessed as haemolysis and lipid peroxidation which was concentration-dependent (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This indicated that Costus afer possesses the ability to protect the various tissues against injury which is implicated in some diseases. Implications are discussed.

Assessment of the in vitro anti-lipid peroxidative activity of Costus afer stem extract

Objective: Costus afer is a perennial monocot consumed as a remedy for various ailments. The present study investigates the effect of Costus afer stem extract on ferrous/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain, liver and kidney homogenates. The inherent antioxidant and free radical scavenging potentials of the extract were also assessed using various in-vitro models. Methods: Homogenates of isolated tissues were prepared and lipid peroxidation was induced using the ferrous/ascorbate system and subsequently incubated with various concentrations of the extract. The ability of the methanolic extract to scavenge hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide and its ability to reduce ferric ions were investigated. The total antioxidant potential via the phosphomolybdate method was also measured. Results: The results revealed that Costus afer stem extract reduced tissue lipid peroxidation induced by ferrous/ascorbate. The extract also possessed significant antioxidant/free radical scavenging activity via the other in vitro models. In all cases, the effects were concentration-dependent. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of Costus afer stem possessed significant antioxidant potential ascribable to important phytochemicals and could protect cells/tissues from reactive oxygen species-induced damage. Thus the plant has high pharmacological and ethnobotanical prospects.

Bioactive compounds in Costus afer Ker Gawl leaves and stem fractions protect against calcium ion-induced mitochondrial membrane permeability transition

Objective: Costus afer Ker Gawl is an African ethno-medicinal plant used as a therapeutic for the treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases. This study was designed to identify the most active fractions of C.afer leaves and stem against calcium(II) (Ca2+)-induced mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MPT). Methods: C.afer leaves and stem were extracted using 70% methanol and subsequently subjected to successive solvent partitioning method to separate it into hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fraction of C.afer leaves and stem. Rat liver mitochondrial fractions were isolated using differential centrifugation technique, and mitochondrial MPT was assessed using a spectrophotometric method. Results: Data showed that n-butanol fractions of C.afer leaves and stem exhibited a significantly high inhibition of Ca2+-induced mitochondrial MPT than other test fractions and standard spermine. Conclusion: n-butanol fractions of Costus afer leaves and stem possess bioactive compounds with chemoprotective activity against Ca2+-induced mitochondrial MPT. Furthermore, it is suggested that n-butanol fractions of C.afer leaves and stem could be harnessed for bioactive compounds that can be used in the treatment of mitochondria-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

Bioactive compounds in Costus afer Ker Gawl leaves and stem fractions protect against calcium ion-induced mitochondrial membrane permeability transition

Objective: Costus afer Ker Gawl is an African ethno-medicinal plant used as a therapeutic for the treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases. This study was designed to identify the most active fractions of C.afer leaves and stem against calcium(II) (Ca2+)-induced mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MPT). Methods: C.afer leaves and stem were extracted using 70% methanol and subsequently subjected to successive solvent partitioning method to separate it into hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fraction of C.afer leaves and stem. Rat liver mitochondrial fractions were isolated using differential centrifugation technique, and mitochondrial MPT was assessed using a spectrophotometric method. Results: Data showed that n-butanol fractions of C.afer leaves and stem exhibited a significantly high inhibition of Ca2+-induced mitochondrial MPT than other test fractions and standard spermine. Conclusion: n-butanol fractions of Costus afer leaves and stem possess bioactive compounds with chemoprotective activity against Ca2+-induced mitochondrial MPT. Furthermore, it is suggested that n-butanol fractions of C.afer leaves and stem could be harnessed for bioactive compounds that can be used in the treatment of mitochondria-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

Molecular Interactions and Docking Studies of the Phytochemical Constituents of Costus Afer against Therapeutic Targets of Type 2 Diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus continues to exist as one of the world’s commonest chronic diseases, and the incidence of diabetes is presumed to grow steadily. With the associated adverse side effects of some of the current drugs, the management of diabetes mellitus continues to pose serious challenge in the medical field. There is a need for more robust approach to the treatment and management of diabetes and plants with their anti-diabetic potentials are expected to play key roles in the discovery of new and more potent pharmaceuticals that can successfully treat diabetes. Costus afer, a reported anti-diabetic plant was investigated in the present study for its anti-diabetic properties against certain therapeutic target of diabetes. Phytochemical constituents of C. afer were obtained through GC-MS analysis. These phytochemicals were docked into the binding pocket of the therapeutic targets (glycogen phosphorylase, pancreatic alpha-amylase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV), aldose reductase). The docking scores from Autodock vina were validated and the correlation coefficient (R2) graph of the docking scores of ChemBL’s 125 compounds, docked into the human aldose reductase binding pocket against their corresponding pIC50 values gives R2=0.86, while the correlation coefficient graph of the docking scores of 50 compounds from ChemBL, docked into Dipeptidyl peptidase IV binding pocket against their corresponding pIC50 values gives R2=0.92. In the present study, the phytochemical Citronellyl isobutyrate with a binding affinity of -9.1 kcal/mol has the best inhibitory effect on the aldose reductase receptor/enzyme. The drug likeness of Citronellyl isobutyrate being the lead compound was determined through the calculation of its molecular properties. Citronellyl isobutyrate is a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of type II diabetes and its associated complications.

Evaluations of Some Biological Properties of Ethanolic Leave Extract of Costus Afer (Ker Gawl).

Evaluations of Some Biological Properties of Ethanolic Leave Extract of Costus Afer (Ker Gawl).

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Alchornea cordifolia and Costus afer Against Some Bacterial Isolates

The antibacterial activity of the fresh and concentrated extracts of Alchornea cordifolia and Costus afer against five bacterial species was demonstrated in vitro. The diameter of the zones of inhibition ranged from 6.7±1.5mm to 39.±2.5mm for the fresh juices. The concentrated leaf and stem pith extracts had an inhibition range of 6.3±0.7mm to 22.0±2.5mm. The fresh stem pith juice of Alchornea cordifolia was the most potent plant part and K. varians (39.3±2.5mm) was the most susceptible isolate with a zone of inhibition, which compared well with the gentamycin control (39.3±0.6mm). Extracts from the concentrated leaves were more potent than the juice from the fresh leaves. A combination of the fresh juices did not result in higher zones of inhibition. The extracts obtained from the concentrated leaves and stem of C. afer did not inhibit any of the bacteria tested. The pattern of response exhibited by the bacteria to the extracts was shown by ANOVA to be significantly different. However, ANOVA showed no significant difference in the activity of the concentrated extracts from the leaves of lchornea cordifolia on K. varians (P&gt;0.05). The stem pith and leaves of A. cordifolia can be exploited for use as antibacterial drugs against the bacteria tested since susceptibility to some of them compared well as to gentamycin. The traditional use of these plants for the treatment of diseases caused by the tested isolates was scientifically verified.

Effect of Costus afer on Carbohydrates Tolerance Tests and Glucose Uptake

Diabetes is commonly characterized by hyperglycemia related to different mechanisms. Many plants have been reported to possess antidiabetic actions in lowering blood sugar concentration and one of such is Costus afer. The present study hypothesis is that methanolic extract of C. afer (leaf, stem, and rhizome) control hyperglycemia by inhibiting glucose uptake. Glucose uptake inhibition was carried out by incubating glucose with plant extract of varying dosages in yeast cells. The carbohydrate tolerance tests characterized by starch and maltose tolerance tests were carried out by loading two sets of experimental animals with respective carbohydrate and varying dosages of C. afer extract. In both studies metformin was used as the reference drug. C. afer extracts significantly inhibited the uptake of glucose by yeast cells. The percentage inhibition was below 50 % for all extracts with a dose dependent effect. The methanolic leaf extract of C. afer had the highest effect followed by stem and rhizome. The inhibition potential of C. afer leaf extract was comparable to that of metformin the reference drug. Similar results were obtained in the carbohydrate tolerance test. Groups of rats treated with plant extracts had lower blood glucose level compared to the groups that treated with carbohydrates only. Metformin was significantly better than plant extracts in the lowering of blood sugar. The result obtained is a proof of concept that C. afer possess antidiabetic properties though more need to be done to effectively confirm its use as an antidiabetic agent.

Nephroprotective and antioxidant effect of aqueous leaf extract of Costus Afer Ker gawl on cyclosporin-a (Csa) induced nephrotoxicity

BackgroundOxidative stress (OS) has been linked to the pathology of a variety of chronic and degenerative diseases. Medicinal plants contain bioactive compounds which are capable of preventing and fighting these diseases. The nephroprotective and antioxidant properties of the aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer (C.afer) against cyclosporine A CsA - induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar albino rats were investigated.MethodsSix groups of five weight-matched animals each, were used for the study. The first and second groups served as normal and toxic control and were given olive oil and CsA (50 mg/kg b.w.) orally respectively while groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 ingested 375, 750 and 1125 mg/kg b.w. aqueous leaf extract and 100 mg/kg b.w. of the Silymarin respectively one hour prior to administration of CsA 50 mg/kg b.w.ResultsTreatment with C. afer extract at doses of 375, 750 and 1125 mg/kg prevented the CsA induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative impairments of the kidney, as evidenced by a significantly (p < 0.05) reduced plasma creatinine, BUN, K+ and renal malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, all the doses were able to induce a significant increment (P < 0.05) of renal levels of glutathione (GSH) and plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase(CAT), glutathione-S-tranferase (GST), serum electrolytes (Na+ and HCO3−), body and kidney weight. The nephroprotective effects of C.afer extract were confirmed by a reduced severity of renal cellular damage.ConclusionAqueous leaf extract of C.afer has a protective role against CsA- induced nephrotoxicity probably mediated through its antioxidant properties.

Hypoglycaemic Activity of the aqueous extract of Costus afer stems alone and in combination with metformin

Medicinal plants are reservoirs of natural products with anti‐diabetic potentials. In the present study we screened Costus afer for the presence of plant products and to study the effects of the aqueous stem extract of the plant on fasting blood glucose of streptozotocin induced diabetic male rats. Adult male wistar strain albino rats were given graded doses (500, 1000 and 1500mg/kg) of the aqueous stem extract of Costus afer, and a standard hypoglycaemic drug, metformin was co‐administered with 500mg/kg of the plant extract for a period of 3, 6 and 9 weeks. The statistical analysis was carried out using one way ANOVA followed by post hoc LSD multiple comparison on SPSS 19. Costus afer showed significant hypoglycaemic effect (p&lt;0.05) compared to glucose level of the normal control rats. Also, a combination of plant extract and metformin caused a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar of the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. In histological evaluation of the pancreas, the islet cells of the Langerhan of the pancreas were repopulated and preserved in all the groups treated with the plant extract and its combination with metformin against the diabetic control group whose islet cells were reduced. The results validate the use of Costus afer as a hypoglycaemic plant in native medicine. Costus afer could be a promising plant for the development of anti‐diabetic drugs.Support or Funding InformationResearch was funded by the authors.

Blood Parameters and Spleen Histology Following Chronic Consumption of Ethanolic Extract of Costus afer Stem and Juice on Albino Wistar Rats

Aim: Costus afer is a medicinal plant used as a therapy for diabetes and hypertension. This study investigated the effect of crude ethanolic extract of Costus afer (Monkey sugar cane) stem and its juice on the histology of the spleen and some blood parameters of albino wistar rats. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria for four weeks. Methodology: Twenty four (24) rats were divided into four groups of six (6) animals each. Group one (I) served as control, Group two (II) served as experimental group and received 200 mg /kg Original Research Article Akpantah et al.; BJMMR, 13(12): 1-10, 2016; Article no.BJMMR.23414 2 body weight (low dose) of the crude ethanolic extract. Group three (III) also served as experimental group, tested with 500 mg/kg body weight (high dose) of the crude ethanolic extract and Group four (IV) was tested with 5 mls /kg body weight of Costus afer stem juice. Treatment was orally using orogastric tube for twenty eight (28) days after which the animals were sacrificed within twenty four hours after the last dose. Results and Conclusion: Results showed no morphological changes. Histological sections of the spleen from experimental animals in the control group showed normal histology of the spleen with well distinct lymphatic tissue. Sections of the spleen from animals tested with 200 mg /kg ethanolic extract showed no pathological changes compared with the control group. Sections of the spleen from animals tested with 500 mg/kg body weight of the crude ethanolic stem extract were observed to have more red pulp than the white pulp. Animals tested with 5mls /kg body weight of Costus afer stem juice showed no pathological observations. Hematological observations showed decreased Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and increased Platelet count (P =.05), but had no significant effect on total white blood cell count and differential count. In conclusion, Costus afer at the administered dose had no pathological effect on the spleen histology, but increased platelet count and decreased packed cell volume.

Chemical Composition of the Stem Extract of Costus afer (Bush Cane) and Its Antimicrobial Activity

Aim: To determine the chemical composition of the stem extract of costus afer and its antimicrobial activity against some human and plant pathogens. Study Design: The study was designed to identify the phytochemicals present in Costus afer and to test the inhibitory ability of the plant extract on human and plant pathogens. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri and Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria, between May to November 2015. Methodology: The phytochemicals from the stem of Costus afer a medicinally important plant of the zingiberaceae family were extracted with ethanol and subjected to GC/MS analysis and the identification of compounds was done by comparing spectrum of the unknown component with the spectrum of the known components stored in the NIST library. The antibacterial activity was performed by filter paper disc diffusion technique. The antifungal activities of stem extract of Costus afer on mycelial growth evaluation the antifungal activities of stem extract of Costus afer along with mancozeb on mycelial growth inhibition of fungi isolated from Dioscorea rotundata (poir) (white yam) was also performed by disc diffusion technique. Results: The analysis revealed that ethanolic extract of Costus afer contains ten compounds with n- Hexadecanoic acid forming the bulk of the oil (27.35%), followed by 4–methyl-4-hepten– 3-one (24.27%), Oleic acid (18.79%), Stearic acid (10.27%), 3,5-Dihydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-one (8.46%). Other compounds present were Furfural (2.46%), 6-Methyl-3(2H)- Pyridazinone (1.75%), etc. The ethanol extract inhibited all the tested organisms S. aureus, P. mirabilis, K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa and E.coli. The results revealed that Costus afer inhibited the growth of the test organisms Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporium and Botryodiploidia theobromae except Rhizopus stolonifer. In vivo results showed that C. afer extract was effective in reducing tuber rot which suggested that use of C. afer would be helpful in treatment of mycotic infections and in the control of fungal plant disease justifying the use of this plant in the treatment of both human and plant diseases.

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression and Histopathology of Rat’s Cerebrum Following Consumption of Ethanolic Stem Extract and Juice of Costus afer

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression and Histopathology of Rat’s Cerebrum Following Consumption of Ethanolic Stem Extract and Juice of Costus afer

Asessment of the Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of &lt;i&gt;Costus after&lt;/i&gt; “Ker Gawl” on Cyclosporine a Induced Hepatotoxicity

Objective : Costus afer has long been used in traditional African setting in several instances though lack a prove of evidence for its numerous acclaimed potentials, however, this study is designed to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of aqueous leaf extract of C. afer against cyclosporine A (CsA) induced hepatotoxicity. Methods : Rats of similar weight were divided into six groups of five rats each. Groups 1 and 2 served as normal and toxic control received olive oil and 50 mg/kg CsA p.o., respectively. Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were given 375, 750, 1125 mg/kg p.o of the extract, and 100 mg/kg silymarin an hour prior to 50 mg/kg CsA, respectively, for 5 days. Physical, biochemical, and histological parameters estimated by reported methods serves as scientific evidence in the study. Results : C. afer significantly restored catalase (P < 0.005), superoxide dismutase (P < 0.005), malondialdehyde (P < 0.005), and glutathione (P < 0.05) levels dose dependently. In all cases as mentioned previously, C. afer at all dose level promoted significant (P < 0.05) restoration of serum liver parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, conjugated bilirubin, total bilirubin, total protein, and albumin. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological reports, which showed attenuation of hepatocellular necrosis. Conclusion : Aqueous leaf extract of C . afer dose dependently prevented the significant changes on the physical, biochemical, and histological changes induced by CsA in the liver. Therefore, aqueous leaf extract of C. afer can be employed as an economic agent to treat liver diseases related to CsA administration and possibly other hepatotoxic drugs.

A Comparative Study of in Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemical Constituents of Methanol Extract of Aframomum Melegueta and Costus Afer Leaves

A Comparative Study of in Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemical Constituents of Methanol Extract of Aframomum Melegueta and Costus Afer Leaves

Hematological and lipid profile evaluation of a hexane fraction of Costus afer leaves in arthritic rats

Context: Costus afer Ker Gawl. (Costaceae) is an ethnomedical plant used as therapy against inflammatory disorders.Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the hematological and lipid profile analysis of hexane fraction of C. afer leaves (CAHLF) in arthritic rats.Materials and methods: Male albino rats were randomly distributed into seven groups of six rats each. Rats were induced with arthritis using formaldehyde and Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) for 7 and 21 d, respectively. The animals were administered orally with 50, 100, and 250 mg/kg CAHLF, 10 mg/kg diclofenac and prednisolone, 0.9% NaCl (control), and 0.9% NaCl (normal). At the end of treatment periods, blood samples were withdrawn and subjected to hematological and biochemical analysis using auto-analyzer and spectrophotometric methods.Results: Hematological analysis revealed that in formaldehyde- and CFA-induced arthritic rat models, 250 mg/kg CAHLF-treated groups had significantly reduced (p < 0.05) hematocrit counts (HC) (30.98 ± 1.59% and 33.55 ± 1.10%), white blood cell counts (WBC) (5.50 ± 0.35 and 4.15 ± 0.82 × 109/L), and platelet counts (PC) (401.50 ± 48.94 and 246.33 ± 5.54 × 109/L) compared with control HC (46.90 ± 1.92 and 41.88 ± 2.19%), WBC (11.09 ± 0.26 and 7.37 ± 0.34 × 109/L), and PC (783.67 ± 59.51 and 593.83 ± 36.3 × 109/L). Furthermore, blood analysis showed that CAHLF-treated groups had reduced total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides while they had an elevated high-density lipoprotein compared with the control group.Discussion and conclusion: Findings from this study indicated that CAHLF could possess immunomodulatory and hypolipidemic properties in arthritic rats. CAHLF could be considered as a source of biopharmaceutical agents in anti-arthritis drug discovery process.