Musanga Cecropioides Research Articles

Musanga cecropioides (Urticaceae) stem-bark mitigates sodium valproate –induced pantoxicity derangement in albino rats

Sodium valproate (SVPA) is indicated for the management of partial and generalized epilepsy with major limitation of pan-toxicity. Musanga cecropioides stem-bark (MCS) is used in ethnomedicine for multiple health benefits. The aim of the study was to test the ameliorative effect of MCS extract on SVPA-induced damage in rodent. The rats were administered with SVPA (500 mg/kg b.w. followed by MCS (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b.w.) and reference drug, vinpocetine (25 mg/kg b.w.) orally and sub-acutely. The protective effects of MCS extract on their weights, hematological, biochemical, lipid, kidney and electrolytes profiles parameters were examined. Following rats sacrifice, the liver, kidney and lungs were subjected to histopathological analysis. The study indicated that SVPA significantly up-regulated the liver function enzymes (P< 0.001), lipid profile (P< 0.01-0.001), kidney function (P< 0.05–0.01) and electrolytes (P< 0.01–0.001) biomarkers and elicited gross alterations of measured indices. However, this effects were dose dependently reversed by MCS extract with higher hepatoprotective percentages, for liver enzymes (77-261%), lipid profiles (74–133%), electrolytes (59-169%) and kidney function (82–154%) compare to vinpocetine values of 63–103%, 80- 127%, 70–161% and 27-78%, respectively. No significant alteration in hematology and relative organ weights. The effect on histopathology corroborated biochemical study. Vinpocetine exhibit no therapeutic effect on the histopathological alteration of liver and kidney but only on the lungs. The presence of potential active ingredients in MCS extract confirms it as an alternative adjunctive therapy in abrogating SVPA – induced pan-toxicity derangement in rats.

Hepatoprotective effect of hydromethanolic leaf extract of Musanga cecropioides (Urticaceae) on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury and oxidative stress.

ObjectiveNatural antioxidant products are gaining popularity as treatments for various pathological liver injuries. Musanga cecropioides (Urticaceae) leaf extract is used in ethnomedicine for the management of jaundice and other hepatic ailments in Ibibio, Nigeria. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of M. cecropioides hydromethanolic leaf (MCHL) extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.MethodsLiver damage was induced by administering CCl4 dissolved in liquid paraffin (2 mL/kg bw 1:1 intraperitoneally) after pretreatment with MCHL extract for 7 days. Thereafter, acute hepatotoxicity was evaluated in 36 Wistar rats divided into six groups (A–F) of six animals each. Group A served as the negative control; B received CCl4 1 mL/kg only; C–E received 70.7, 141.4, and 282.8 mg/kg MCHL extract, respectively; and F received silymarin 100 mg/kg daily for 7 days by oral gavage. After 48 h, the rats were sacrificed, and samples obtained from them were assayed for histological and biochemical biomarkers of hepatotoxicity.ResultsThe MCHL extracts significantly (p < 0.001–0.05) reduced the increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), conjugated bilirubin (CBIL), and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels induced by CCl4 intoxication. There was no significant alteration in haematological indices or weight following administration of the MCHL extracts. Histopathological examinations revealed mitotic bodies in the 141.4 mg/kg MCHL extract-treated rats, an indication of tissue repair processes.ConclusionThe MCHL extract has a dose-specific hepatoprotective effect; hence, the utilisation of this extract for the management of hepatitis requires caution.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT WOOD SPECIES IN MAJOR SAWMILLS IN ABEOKUTA OGUN STATE NIGERIA

This study involved the economic analysis of different wood species in major sawmills in Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. Two stage design sampling techniques were employed for this study. Descriptive statistics and Cost and Returns were used in the data analysis. Result showed that 62.5% engaged in the business were males, 81.7% were in age group between 31-50years, 48.3% had no formal education, and 88.3% entered into the business through apprenticeship and are mostly full-time. The result also revealed that 95.83% of the saw millers or plank sellers obtain their timber from the private forest and they mostly buy per species i.e. per tree. Moreover, among the timber species that were common in the saw mills include, Albizia coriaria (ayinre) has the highest percentage frequency of 66.7%, Anogeissus leiocarpus (orin dudu) has 44.2%, Cleistopholis sp. (okedo) 32.5% and Musanga cecropioides (aga) 1.7% with the least percentage frequency. Average girth sizes of timber species in sawmill, ranged from 3.00cm- 5.60cm and the average number of plank ranged from 6-29. The business could be seen as profitable, as the cost analysis revealed the average profit for each sawmill per month in Abeokuta North, Odeda and Abeokuta South Local Governments’ Areas to have these profits (₦982,893.75, ₦790,083.524 and ₦790,083.524) respectively. It was recommended that government policy should be reviewed against illegal felling and over-exploitation of timber by imposing/enacting stiffer penalty or law to illegal feller. Government policy should also encourage individual plantation establishment to ensure continuity of forest products for posterity.&#x0D;

Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Dynamics in Tropical Rainforests of Ebom, Southwestern Cameroon: Effects of LoggingDisturbed

The impact of logging on litter decomposition and nutrient release was poorly understood in tropical rainforests. Litter decomposition in situ and nutrient dynamics of selected four tree species, Bubinga (Guibourtia tessmannii (Harms) J. Leonard), Ngon (klainedoxa gobonensis Pierre ex Engl.), Asseng (Musanga cecropioides (Dunal) A. Rich) and Akui (Xylopia aethiopiaca R. Brown ex Tedlie) were compared in undisturbed and logging sites of Ebom tropical rainforest, Southwest Cameroon. After 14 weeks of field experiment, dry mass remaining varied from 43.82% in G. tessmannii to 79.82% in M. cecropioïdes of initial dry mass in undisturbed site, and from 13.36% in G. tessmannii to 81.84% in M. cecropioïdes in the logging site. Decomposition rate constants (k % per week) ranged from 0.02 in M. cecropioides to 0.14 % per. week in G. tessmannii in undisturbed forest and from 0.04 % per week in X. aethiopiaca to 1.7 % per week in G. tessmannii in logging forest. In undisturbed forest, litter of G. tessmannii was rich in initial Nitrogen (N), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K) and Phosphorous (P) contents, and poor in initial Calcium (Ca) content. Conversely, litter of M. cecropioides was rich in initial N and Ca contents, and poor in Mg, K and P while that of K. gabonensis was poor in initial N content. Apart from Sodium (Na), all the other nutrients were released from decomposing litter 14 weeks after incubation in undisturbed site with mean released rate between 84.82% for K and 5.41% for P. In both sites, litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics of G. tessmannii were fastest while that of M. cecropioides was lowest and those of the other species intermediate. Initial nutrient content of all species was generally higher in logging site than in undisturbed one, except Ca content in litter of M. cecropioides. Litter decomposition and nutrient releases were similar in logging and undisturbed sites, excepted for G. tessmanni where litter decomposition and nutrient release were higher in logging than undisturbed site. The high turnover of litter and nutrients in logging site suggest that logging activities have little impact on litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics.

Uterine contraction induced by Ghanaian plants used to induce abortion

Ethnomedicinal observations from the time of the Atlantic slave trade show women in Ghana historically used plants as emmenagogues (menstruation stimulants) and to induce abortion. This study investigates the effect of four of these plants on uterine contraction. The historically used plants were collected in Ghana. Cumulative doses of ethanolic plant extracts were added to isolated rat uteri (Sprague Dawley), and the force and frequency of contractions recorded. Acetylcholine was used as positive control. Musanga cecropioides significantly increased the force of contraction to 70% of the maximum response obtained with acetylcholine. Erythrina senegalensis, Ficus sur and Physalis angulata did not show activity. M. cecropioides can thus be used to induce contractions, which coincides well with the historical and extant use of M. cecropioides as emmenagogue/birth stimulant/abortifacient. For the three plants which did not increase uterine contraction, the historical use appears to be discontinued, probably as a consequence of the lack of activity of these plants.

ANTI-HYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF WATER-ETHANOL EXTRACT OF MUSANGA CECROPIOIDES STEM BARK

The study investigated the effect of Musanga cecropioides (MC) water-ethanol stem bark extract on blood glucose level in both hyperglycemic loaded glucose rats and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, and evaluated its antioxidant capacity. The Wistar rats were induced diabetes after fasting. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was conducted on normoglycemic rats, and anti-hyperglycemic test on diabetic rats; five groups with five rats each were constituted. Group 1: negative control was treated with vehicle; Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4 were treated with increasing water-ethanol extract (200, 300 and 400 mg/kg b.w); Group 5 was the positive control, treated with glibenclamide. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was also evaluated by measuring the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power, Total Phenolic Content, Total Flavonoid Content, and radical scavenging activity of water-ethanol stem bark extract. In OGTT the water-ethanol extract of MC, at the dose of 300 mg/kg, significantly lowered the Area under Curve (AUC) induced by glucose. In STZ diabetic rats, the extract significantly lowered the AUC of blood glucose, at all doses. Glibenclamide was more efficient in both OGTT and anti-hyperglycemic test. The MC extract presented relevant antioxidant activity with IC50 = 6.23 mg/mL. Both the Total Phenolic Content and the Total Flavonoid Content increased in a dose-dependent manner. The correlation of DPPH % free radical scavenged and Total Flavonoid Content was positive and statistically significant. MC water-ethanol extract possesses a good antioxidant potential, and could be helpful to lower hyperglycemic state associated with diabetes.

Morphometric Study of &lt;i&gt;Musanga cecropioides&lt;/i&gt; R. Brown and &lt;i&gt;Myrianthus arboreus&lt;/i&gt; Palisot de Beauvois (Family Cecropiaceae)

Morphometric or Numerical taxonomic analysis of 56 quantitative and qualitative characters, obtained from Musanga cecropioides R. Brown and five species of Myrianthus, M. arboreus Palisot de Beauvois, M. holstii Engler, M. libericus Rendle, M. preusii Engler and M. serratus (Trecul) Bentham was carried out by calculating similarity and distance indices followed by cluster analysis and construction of a dendrogram for visual appreciation of the taxonomic relationship among these species. The dendrogram showed close similarity among the Myrianthus species, with Musanga cecropioides clearly distinct from the Myrianthus species. This confirms the monotypic status of Musanga, with only one species, Musanga cecropioides .

Musanga cecropioides leaf extract exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities in animal models

Extract obtained from the leaves of Musanga cecropioides R. Br. ex Tedlie, Urticaceae, a tree growing in Africa, is used traditionally in the treatment of edema and rheumatism. The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties of ethanol extract were studied using the carrageenan, histamine, serotonin and xylene-induced edema tests as well as the formalin, mouse writhing and tail clip tests. Significant dose dependent inhibition was observed in the carrageenan model with peak inhibition at 150mg/kg (71.43%, 90min, p<0.001). In the histamine and serotonin models, the extract caused significant inhibition of 83.33% (p<0.05) and 45% (p<0.01) at 120min respectively. For the xylene model, the extract showed maximum inhibition (59.25%) at 200mg/kg. Also, M. cecropioides produced significant anti-nociceptive activity in the mouse writhing (55.12%, p<0.01), formalin (81.88%, p<0.01) and tail clip (11.78%, p<0.001) tests at 200mg/kg respectively. The results obtained in this study demonstrated that the ethanolic leaf extract of M. cecropioides possesses anti-inflammatory effect possibly mediated via histaminergic and serotonergic inhibition and anti-nociceptive effect mediated via peripheral mechanism with mild central involvement.

Feeding ecology of bonobos living in forest-savannah mosaics: Diet seasonal variation and importance of fallback foods.

Primates along with many other animal taxa are forced to cope with large shifts in basic ecological conditions because of rapid anthropogenically induced changes of their habitats. One of the coping strategies for primates is to adjust their diet to these changes, and several studies have demonstrated the importance of fallback resources for this. Bonobos, like chimpanzees, might be particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation because of their high dependence on fruit availability. Little is known, however, about bonobo feeding ecology in fragmented habitats and their use of fallback resources. In this study, we investigate diet seasonal variation and the exploitation of preferred and fallback foods in a bonobo population living in forest‐savannah mosaics. Results show that bonobos have adapted to this fragmented habitat by feeding on only a few fruit species, including an important number of non‐tree species (liana, herb and savannah shrub), in comparison to populations living in dense forests. These non‐tree plants have been defined as fallback and non‐preferred foods, which are most probably consumed to maintain high frugivory. Interestingly, we identified that preferred foods are all typical of mature forests while fallback resources are mainly found in forest edges or disturbed areas. This finding indicates that bonobos prefer to use mature forests when feeding, as they do for nesting, but extend their range use to forest areas in close proximity to humans when the availability of preferred fruits is low. Finally, we show that bonobo diet relies heavily on two abundant fallback fruits: Musanga cecropioides and Marantochloa leucantha. Other studies have demonstrated that the selection of abundant fallback resources enables primates to subsist at high densities and to maintain cohesive groups, as observed at this study site. Our findings suggest that bonobos living in forest‐savannah mosaics can be considered as staple fallback food consumers. Am. J. Primatol. 77:948–962, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Paracetamol-induced liver damage: Ameliorative effects of the crude aqueous extract of Musanga cecropioides

Objective: The protective role of the aqueous stem bark extract of Musanga cecropioides against paracetamol-induced liver damage was investigated in Wistar rats using silymarin as a reference drug. Materials and Methods: The animals were randomly assigned into five groups of six rats each (A, B, C, D, and E). Rats in group A served as controls and received an equivalent volume of distilled water used to dissolve the extract. To effect liver damage, animals in groups B-E were administered paracetamol at 500 mg/kg body weight orogastrically for 14 days using a metal cannula. Animals in groups C, D, and E were simultaneously pretreated with silymarin at 25 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg, of the extract, per kg body weight, respectively. The effects of M. cecropioides and silymarin were examined on hepatic marker enzymes; aspartate amino-transferases (AST), alanine amino-transferases (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total protein (TP). Antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as changes in liver histology, were also evaluated. The animals were sacrificed via cervical dislocation and blood was collected via cardiac puncture into plain bottles. Furthermore, liver tissues were excised and processed for routine hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: M. cecropioides and silymarin produced significant (P < 0.05) hepatoprotective activity by decreasing the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and lipid peroxidation marker, MDA significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of TP, SOD, and CAT except for the group administered 250 mg/kg of M. cecropiodes. Liver histology revealed the presence of vacuolations and mild chronic infiltrates of inflammatory cells in the livers of paracetamol treated animals. Pretreatment with silymarin and M. cecropioides extract produced a remarkable reduction in the severity of vacuolations. Conclusion: Crude aqueous extract of M. cecropioides protected against paracetamol-induced liver damage perhaps, by its antioxidative effect on hepatocytes, hence eliminating the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites of paracetamol.

Pearl Millet and Other Plant Remains from the Early Iron Age Site of Boso-Njafo (Inner Congo Basin, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

This article is devoted to an analysis of plant remains from the Early Iron Age site of Boso-Njafo on the Lulonga River (Democratic Republic of the Congo). They were excavated in the context of archaeological research in 1985 but—due to unfavorable circumstances—could not be analyzed at that time. The site belongs to the Imbonga group, the earliest ceramic style group to date in the Inner Congo Basin. The archaeological context of the botanical remains is dated to the first millennium cal bc. The most salient fact concerning the plant remains is the evidence of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). A correlation between cultivation of this crop, that is primarily adapted to semi-arid environments, with the climatic changes taking place in the second and first millennium cal bc is discussed. However, regional palaeoecological proxy data for the Inner Congo Basin are still missing. Further plant species present in Boso-Njafo include trees with edible fruits like Musanga cecropioides, Raphia, and Elaeis guineensis, Afromomum sp., and some grasses and herbs exploitable as leafy vegetables. They indicate a forest environment including swamps and secondary Guineo-Congolian forests as well as disturbed ruderal vegetation.

Antibacterial activities of plants from Central Africa used traditionally by the Bakola pygmies for treating respiratory and tuberculosis-related symptoms

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe antibacterial activities of 18 plants from 10 different families were investigated for their antimicrobial efficacy, based on the traditional uses of these species by Bakola pygmies living in Central Africa, especially along the Ngoyang area in Cameroon for the treatment of respiratory and tuberculosis-related symptoms. The aim of the study is to test the antimicrobial efficacy of these plants against some pathogens associated with respiratory disease and to determine if there is any validation for the traditional use against Mycobacterium species. Materials and methodsMedium polar extracts were prepared in MeOH/DCM (1:1, v/v) from the plant parts of each species used traditionally and were assayed against pathogens associated with respiratory tract ailments [Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13883) and Morexella cattarhalis (ATCC 14468)] using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. Two additional faster growing Mycobacterium strains [Mycobacterium smegmatis (ATCC 23246) and Mycobacterium aurum (NCTC 10437)] were included in the assay as predictive test organisms for the more pathogenic strain Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ResultsSome plant species, such as Alchornea floribunda, Musanga cecropioides (both leaves and stem bark), Tetracera potatoria and Xylopia aethiopica (stem bark), were effective in inhibiting Morexella cattarhalis, having MIC values between 65 and 250μg/mL. Some noteworthy antimycobacterial inhibition (MIC≤200μg/mL and as low as MIC 6.5µg/mL) for 54% of the extracts were observed. ConclusionWhile moderate activity was shown for pathogens causing respiratory tract infections, these plant species seems to be selectively targeting Mycobacteria spp. suggesting that the traditional use for treating tuberculosis related symptoms may be indeed be accurate.

Silvicultural disturbance has little impact on tree species diversity in a Central African moist forest

Timber production is an important economic sector in most forested countries of Central Africa, where about 14 million hectares of lowland moist forests are now planned for management. This production is expected to be sustainable, but the actual impact of logging on biodiversity is still questioned.To answer this question, we used a unique long-term controlled experiment implemented more than 20years ago in an old-growth semi-deciduous moist forest of the Central African Republic (CAR). We tested whether (i) anthropogenic disturbances associated with silvicultural operations had an effect on the composition and diversity of tree communities, and (ii) there is a relationship between diversity and disturbance intensity in those forests.For this, we botanically identified all trees⩾10cm DBH in 28 1-ha plots where no treatment (controls), logging and logging+thinning operations were implemented 24years ago and created a strong gradient of disturbance. We investigated the relationships between five diversity indices and a disturbance index calculated for each 1-ha plot, for all species and separately for three regeneration guilds.We found a strong positive monotonic relationship between the intensity of disturbance and the percentage of pioneer species in the tree communities, which proved to be equally detrimental, in terms of relative abundance, to the non-pioneer light-demanding and the shade-bearing species.Overall, disturbance appeared to have a weak monotonous negative effect on diversity, irrespective to the index considered. The diversity of shade-bearers slightly decreased along the disturbance gradient without significant decrease in species density; disturbance had no effect on non-pioneer light demanders, but a clear significant negative effect on the diversity of pioneers, with a significant decrease in species density. This negative effect was associated with the massive recruitment of the early-successional, fast-growing Musanga cecropioides R. Br. (Urticaceae), which rapidly preempted space and resources in the most disturbed plots. Despite this effect, disturbance did not significantly affect the local heterogeneity in species distribution.These results suggest that the semi-deciduous moist forests of CAR are locally resilient to small-scale disturbances associated with silvicultural operations. This may be a consequence of the past anthropogenic and/or climatic disturbances, which have been stronger and more long-lasting than elsewhere within the tropical forest biome, and would have removed the most vulnerable species. Because logging intensity in these forests is usually low, we do not expect any direct major impact on tree species diversity, at least after the first felling cycle.

Climate-induced vegetation dynamics and the Bantu Expansion: Evidence from Bantu names for pioneer trees (Elaeis guineensis, Canarium schweinfurthii, and Musanga cecropioides)

The present article examines whether Late Holocene climate-induced vegetation changes in the Central African forest block may have facilitated the Bantu Expansion. This is done through a body of evidence that is not commonly used for the reconstruction of vegetation dynamics, i.e. language data. The article focuses on common Bantu vocabulary for three pioneer species abundantly present in the Central African pollen record between ca. 2500 and 2000 BP: Musanga cecropioides, Elaeis guineensis, and Canarium schweinfurthii. The geographical distribution patterns of the vernacular names for these pioneer trees add weight to the hypothesis according to which the rainforest contraction that emerged in the first millennium BC had an impact on the way Bantu languages dispersed.

Preliminary assessment of tree species diversity in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Southern Nigeria

Appraisal of flora species which form an integral part of animal ecology, in wildlife based protected areas is necessary before any meaningful conservation work can commence. This informed the study on the preliminary assessment of tree species diversity in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS) and its adjoining communal forest, a biodiversity hotspot in Nigeria. The Point Centre Quarter Method (PCQM) was employed for the study while the Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (H) and student t test were used to analyse data generated. The study revealed a total of 102 tree species in 35 families and 74 tree species in 31 families for the protected (sanctuary) and communal forests respectively. Afzelia bipidensis (RD = 5.00) and Ceiba pentandra (RD = 7.50) were the abundant species in the protected and communal forests respectively. Forty-nine (49) and twenty-seven (27) tree species were recorded as threatened in the protected and communal forests respectively. The Shannon-Weiner Diversity Indices obtained for the sanctuary (H1 = 4.3459) and communal forest (H2 = 4.0250) are not significantly different (p > 0.05). The dominance of Ceiba pentandra and presence of Harungana madagascariensis, and Musanga cecropioides in the communal forest indicated a characteristic of a secondary forest occasioned by anthropogenic impacts.

Antinociceptive effect of the ethanol extract of the stem bark of &lt;em&gt;Musanga cecropioides&lt;/em&gt; in mice

Musanga cecropioides R. Apud Tedlie (Cecropiaceae), also known as umbrella tree is one of the medicinal plants used in Nigeria for pain and inflammation. The stem bark was extracted with absolute ethanol and screened for analgesic activities. The screening for analgesic properties was done using: acetic acid induced writhing; formalin induced pain, tail immersion and hot plate methods all in mice. Mice were divided into five groups of five each. The first group in all models served as control and received normal saline (0.9 % NaCl), the next three groups received either 50 or 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract. The 5th group was given a reference drug either pentazocine (10 mg/kg) or aspirin (100 mg/kg). The extract at 50,100 and 200 mg/kg showed a dose dependent significant reduction of the number of writhes (p&lt;0.05, p&lt;0.05 and p&lt;0.0001 respectively) compared with the control. The extract also showed a non-dose dependent significant reduction of the paw licking time in the formalin-induced pain test with more prominence in the second phase. A significant increase in the mean reaction time of mice in the tail immersion and hot plate tests (p&lt;0.0001) was also produced by the extract in comparison with the control. This effect however was not dose dependent. The results suggest that the plant has significant peripheral and central analgesic effects, which may not be dependent on dose. Inhibition of the synthesis of prostaglandins may account for its peripheral analgesic effect, while its action on central receptors may account for its central analgesic activities.

Pharmacological screening of Nigerian species of Musanga cecropioides R. Br ex Teddlie (Moraceae) in rodents as anti-hypertensive

A study was carried out to screen Musanga cecropioides R. Br ex Teddlie (Moraceae) for anti-hypertensive and analgesic properties using smooth and skeletal muscles in rodents in an attempt to evaluate the efficacy of medicinal plants and further search for novel structure. M. cecropioides locally known as “umbrella tree”, Aga (Yoruba), Agar Umbrella (English), Parasolier (French) has been screened for anti-hypertensive and analgesic properties. The aqueous extract of M. cecropioides used in this investigation was prepared using the smooth and skeletal muscles in rodents. Aqueous extract of M. cecropioides was found to contain ingredients that were active as analgesic, anti-hypertensive and spaspogenic. Key words: Musanga cecropioides (Moraceae), analgesic, anti-hypertensive.

Influence of Soil Physico-chemical Properties on the Distribution of Woody Tree/Shrub Species in South-Southern Nigeria

KEYWORDS Soil Properties. Species Distribution. Species Density . Tree/Shrub Species. Dominance. Relative Frequency ABSTRACT Variations in soil physical and chemical properties influence the speciation and distribution pattern of flora in a given environment. Plants species like animals and humans alike are attracted to locations where conditions are favourable to them. The differences in the distribution and abundance of plant species in any environment are therefore indications of the variation in biophysical components of the environment such as soil, water , topography among others. The present study examined the influence of soil properties on the distribution of woody tree/shrub species. Quadrat method was employed to collect soil and vegetation data from fifteen randomly selected plots of 20 m x 20 m. Vegetation result showed that Elaeis guineensis, Anthocleista vogelii, Alstonia boneii, Baphia nitida, Dialium guineensis, Pycnanthus angolensis, Havea brasillensis, Pentacleithra macrophylla, Musanga cecropioides and Anthonata mycrophylla were the most dominant tree/ shrub species in the area. The result of step-wise multiple regression analysis (P<0.05) identified the combination of Silt + CEC + BS, Av. P + silt, CEC + OC and silt + CEC as well as individual soil properties of Av. P, TN, silt and CEC as soil variables that influenced the distributional pattern of tree/shrub species in the area. It was concluded that the spatial distribution and densities of tree/shrub species in area was due to the variation in the levels of essential soil nutrients within their range of tolerance.

Screening of Some Plants Used in the Cameroonian Folk Medicine for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases

The present study was designated to evaluated the antimicrobial activities of methanol, ethanol, hexane, ethyl acetate, aqueous, mixture methanol/water and ethanol/water extracts of Pentadiplandra brazzeana, Erythrina sigmoidea, Petersianthus macrocarpus, Clerodendrum umbellatum , Sida acuta , Eleusine indica , Bridelia micrantha and Musanga cecropioides which are plants used as traditional folk medicine in Cameroon for the treatment of different infections and disorders as gastrointestinal disorders. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts against 17 laboratory strains belong to 15 bacterial species and 2 yeasts implicated in gastrointestinal disorders were evaluated based on the inhibition zone using the disc diffusion assay, minimal inhibition concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration values. 89.6% of the extracts tested have an inhibitory effect at 1.25 mg against at least one of the microorganism tested with the diameter of inhibition zone values ranging from 8 to 27 mm. 62.5% of the broader spectrum of antimicrobial activity of plant material was obtained with methanol extract. The most susceptible bacterium was Shigella flexneri and Enterobacter cloacae the most resistant. Ethanol/Water extract of Pentadiplandra brazzeana presented a good activity against Proteus vulgaris with MIC and MBC of 78 and 250 µg/ml respectively. The weak activity was obtained with Methanol extract of Musanga cecropioides against Klebsiella pneumonia. The results might explain the ethnobotanical use of the studied species for the treatment of gastrointestinal infections.

Litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics of ten selected tree species in tropical rainforest of Ebom, southwest Cameroon

Litter decomposition processes in tropical rainforests are still poorly understood. Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics of ten contrasting tree species, Entandraphragma utile, Guibourtia tessmannii, Klainedoxa gabonensis, Musanga cecropioides, Panda oleosa, Plagiostyles africana, Pterocarpus soyauxii, Strombosia scheffleri, Vitex grandifolia and Xylopia aethiopica were studied in the tropical rainforest of Ebom, Southwest Cameroon. After 23 weeks of field incubation in litterbags, mass loss of litter samples varied from 24.08% in E. utile to 92.35% in V. grandifolia. Decomposition rate constants (k) ranged from 0.014 in M. cecropioides to 0.165 week-1 in V. grandifolia. The nutrient content in original litter samples also varied widely among species and showed low levels of Na, P and Mg, and high levels of N, Ca and K. Averagenutrient releases was 89.04%, 60.80%, 46.19%, 40.99% and 24.17% of mean initial content for K, Ca, Mg, N and P, respectively. For nutrient-related litter chemistry, correlations with the mass losses at the end of litter incubation were significant (P