Phyllanthus Fraternus Research Articles

CARDIOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF PHYLLANTHUS FRATERNUS LEAVES EXTRACT AGAINST CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE - INDUCED MYOCARDIAL INJURY IN RATS

Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the possible protective effect of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (AEPF) leaves against cyclophosphamide (CP) induced myocardial toxicity in rats.Methods: Wistar rats were given CP single intraperitoneally injection (200 mg/kg) on day 1 of the experiment and two doses of AEPF (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) p.o. daily for 10 days. Cardiac biomarker enzymes such as creatinine kinase (CK), CK isoenzyme MB, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase were determined. Histopathological examinations of the hearts were done.Results: CP treated groups exhibited significantly increased in cardiac biomarker enzymes. Treatment with AEPF prevented the elevation of these enzymes. Potential protective effect was also seen in histopathological examination of the heart characterized by decreased myocardium cell damages in AEPF treatment group.Conclusion: The study showed the protective role of AEPF against CP-induced myocardial injury. The possible role of antioxidant activity is anticipated.

EVALUATION OF IN VITRO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY AND HPTLC ANALYSIS OF PLANT PHYLLANTHUS FRATERNUS

Objective: The present investigation evaluated in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Phyllanthus fraternus. Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase was performed along with protein denaturation.Methods: Alcoholic extract of plant was subjected to in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and HPTLC analysis.Results: The results of anti-inflammatory activity showed significant inhibition in Cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase assay, extract also showed more than 70 % inhibition in protein denaturation method. HPTLC of plant materials was also performed; spots of alkaloids were recorded.Conclusion: Different alkaloids were spotted in chromatographic analysis and study suggested that anti-inflammatory activity of Phyllanthus fraternus may be due to the presence of alkaloids.Â

Antiplasmodial Securinega alkaloids from Phyllanthus fraternus: Discovery of natural (+)-allonorsecurinine

The chemical investigation of the antimalarial plant Phyllanthus fraternus G. L. Webster (Phyllanthaceae) resulted in the discovery of the Securinega alkaloid (+)-allonorsecurinine (1), previously reported as a synthetic compound, together with the known ent-norsecurinine (2), nirurine (3), bubbialine (4), epibubbialine (5) and the lignan phyllanthin (6). The structure and absolute configuration of the new compound were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, optical rotation, and GIAO NMR shift calculation followed by CP3 analysis. The antiplasmodial activity of these compounds was evaluated against chloroquine-resistant (W2) and -sensitive (3D7) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Among them, ent-norsecurinine (2) and (+)-allonorsecurinine (1) showed the strongest activity (IC50: 1.14±0.32 and 2.57±0.53µM) respectively, against W2 but one of the weakest against 3D7.

Protective effect of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus against bromobenzene induced changes on cytosolic glutathione S-transferase isozymes in rat liver

The aim of this study was to investigate beneficial effect of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (AEPF) on bromobenzene (BB) induced changes on cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes in rat liver. Administration of BB significantly decreased the activity of GST, however, prior administration of AEPF prevented the BB induced decrease in GST activity. Further the cytosolic GSTs were purified from 3 groups of animals (control, BB and AEPF+BB administered) and resolved into three protein bands on SDS-PAGE. Densitometric analysis showed a significant decrease in BB group compared to control. Further, 2D PAGE analysis resolved these proteins into 8 bands which were identified as five isozymes of alpha, two of Mu and one of theta by MALDI-TOF MS and also observed decreased levels of isozymes in BB group. However, on prior administration of AEPF significantly prevented the BB induced decrease in GSTs and restored to normal levels.

Protective effect of Phyllanthus fraternus against cyclophosphamide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Background: Cyclophosphamide is commonly used against malignancies, such as leukemia and solid organ cancers. It can induce nephrotoxicity in cancer patients thereby complicating the initiation of chemotherapy. The study is to evaluate the effect of Phylllanthus fraternus against cyclophosphamide induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats.Methods: In this study, a total of 20 albino rats were divided into four groups of five each. Group I (normal control) received i.p. injection of normal saline. While, group II, III and IV received single dose (200 mg/kg b/w) of cyclophosphamide i.p. on day 1. Group III and IV received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus respectively p.o. daily for 10 days. All the groups were fed with standard diet and water ad libitum. Serum levels of creatinine, urea and albumin were estimated. Histopathology of renal tissues was compared among the groups.Results: The renal parameters significantly improved in groups III and IV after 10 days of treatment with the extract. The histopathology study also supported the finding.Conclusions: The aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus possesses protective effect against cyclophosphamide induced nephrotoxicity.

English

Treatments of diabetes with available agents come with one or more side effects, hence, the need for continual search of alternative treatment agents from medicinal plants. This study was designed to analyse qualitatively and quantitatively some phytochemicals in methanolic extract in Phyllanthus fraternus and evaluate their hypoglycaemic activity in both diabetic and normal rats. Sixty-six rats were used of which forty-two were diabetic. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of 60 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ). Thirty male rats of which twenty-four were diabetic were divided into five (5) groups of six rats each were used for prolonged treatment: Normal, diabetic control, standard control, and two treatments that were orally administered at a dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of crude methanolic leaf extracts of P. fraternus for 28 days. Thirty six (36) rats were used for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) which was divided into six groups of three rats each for both normal and diabetic rat. A single dose of 200 mg/kg body weight of crude and fractions (I, II and III) of methanolic leaf extracts of P. fraternus were orally administered to diabetic and normal rats before they were loaded with 2 g/kg body weight glucose. The results of phytochemical screening of the crude extract showed the presence of compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols and saponins. Fraction I contained only flavonoid, fraction II and III contained more than three phytochemicals. Oral administration of 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight of methanolic extracts to diabetic rats significantly reduced (p < 0.05) serum glucose levels in all the treatment groups. The results of OGGT showed that fraction I and metformin groups significantly (p<0.05) lowered blood glucose level 30 min after glucose load in both diabetic and normal rats when compared with their controls and other treatments groups. These results suggest P. fraternus methanolic leaf extract have phytochemicals with glucose lowering ability especially fraction I that competes favorably with metformin. Key words: Streptozotocin, diabetes, Phyllanthus fraternus, phytochemicals, oral glucose tolerance test, (OGTT).

Antiplasmodial activity of selected medicinal plants used to treat malaria in Ghana.

The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases including malaria is commonplace in Ghanaian traditional medicine, though the therapeutic claims for most plants remain unvalidated. Antiplasmodial activity of the aqueous extracts and successively obtained petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of the whole Phyllanthus fraternus plant, the leaves of Tectona grandis, Terminalia ivorensis and Bambusa vulgaris, and roots of Senna siamea were studied against Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 and chloroquine-resistant W2 strains. The aqueous extracts were assessed against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for cytotoxicity, and the organic solvent fractions against human O(+) erythrocytes for haemolytic effect. Both extracts and fractions demonstrated antiplasmodial activity to varied extents. The aqueous extract of T. ivorensis was the most active (3D7, IC50 0.64 ± 0.14; and W2, IC50 10.52 ± 3.55μg/mL), and together with P. fraternus displayed cytotoxicity (CC50 6.25 ± 0.40 and 31.11 ± 3.31μg/mL, respectively). The aqueous extracts were generally selective for 3D7 strain of P. falciparum (selectivity indexes (SIs) ≥3.48) but only that of S. siamea was selective for the W2 strain (SI > 2.1). The organic solvent fractions also displayed antiplasmodial activity with the methanol fractions of P. fraternus and T. grandis, and the fractions of B. vulgaris showing activity with IC50 below 1μg/mL against P. falciparum 3D7 strain; some fractions showed haemolytic effect but with low to high selectivity indexes (SI ≥ 4). The results while justifying the traditional use of the plant materials in the treatment of malaria, however, suggest their cautious use.

In Vitro Study on Hepatoprotective Effect of Phyllanthus fraternus Against Lead Induced Toxicity

Lead is one of the most abundant and hazardous environmental contaminants of the global concern. Environmental and occupational exposure to lead has continued to pose a serious threat to the health of living organisms due to its propensity to induce toxicity in mammalian systems. The major aim of the present in vitro study was to investigate ameliorative potential of Phyllanthus fraternus against lead induced hepatotoxicity. Current synergistic study involves exposure of goat liver homogenate to different concentrations of lead acetate and specific concentration of Phyllanthus fraternus aqueous extract for particular duration. During the study, biochemical indices like lipid peroxidation (LPO), Protein levels and enzymatic activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), acid phosphatase (ACPase) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) were measured. Results of the present study revealed that protein levels and enzymatic parameters of alkaline phosphatase as well as succinate dehydrogenase declined significantly while levels of lipid peroxidation and acid phosphatase increased significantly in lead acetate exposed goat liver homogenates as compared to control groups. The results also emphasized that effect of lead acetate was dose dependent. As the dosage of lead was increased, the intensity of damage to liver also found to be increased. Maximum alterations in all biochemical parameters were found at the dosage of 5 ppm. The results of the current study strongly suggested that lead had affected antioxidant system, protein content and activities of specific metabolic enzymes of liver homogenate. Co-administration of herbal aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (5 mg/ml) along with 5 ppm lead acetate to liver homogenate exerted an ameliorative effect and maintained the studied parameters closed to control group, which confers its protective role against lead induced hepatotoxicity.

Patronage and perceived efficacies of artemisinin-based combination therapies and herbal antimalarials in Kumasi, Ghana

Context: Herbal antimalarials are promising to be a sure way to offset malaria. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the patronage and the perceived efficacies of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and herbal antimalarials in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional survey on this subject was conducted in Kumasi, Ghana, between January and April 2014. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson's Chi-square analysis; P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 500 respondents (46.8% males; 53.2% females) interviewed, 75% were aged between 20 and 40 years. Majority (82.9%) had secondary education although 2.5% had no formal education. Respondents had a good knowledge of the symptoms of malaria; headache (93.8%), fever (99.1%), nausea and vomiting (93.8%), and general body weakness (88.4%) were most frequently mentioned. For malaria therapy, 73.6% use ACTs, while 47.6% use prepackaged or extemporaneous herbal antimalarials; 52.1% of the herbal users had used ACTs before. Commonly used herbs were Phyllanthus fraternus, Vernonia amygdalina, Khaya senegalensis, Azadirachta indica, and Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. Although 69.8% of ACT users recovered from malaria after a complete course, 27.2% recovered after course repetition(s) within 4 weeks. Nearly 82.8% of herbal users recovered fully after taking required quantities as stated by the manufacture, with 17.2% having recurrence. Side effects such as general malaise and dizziness reported by ACT and herbal antimalarial users were 15.3% and 10.1%, respectively. Although there was no significant relationship between preferred antimalarial type and age as well as working status, there was high significant (P ≤ 0.001) relationship with tertiary education. Conclusion: Although both ACTs and herbal antimalarials are highly patronized, a greater percentage of consumers find herbal antimalarials to be more efficacious.

New fatty acid and acyl glycoside from the aerial parts of Phyllanthus fraternus Webster.

Background:Phyllanthus fraternus Webster (Euphorbiaceae) is used to treat dyspepsia, indigestion, jaundice, dysentery, diabetes, influenza, kidney stones, urinary tract diseases, vaginitis, and skin eruptions in traditional systems of medicine.Materials and Methods:The methanol extract of aerial parts of P. fraternus was obtained by soxhlation method. Isolation of compounds was done by silica gel column chromatography. Analytical thin layer chromatography was used to check the homogeneity of eluted fractions. The structures of isolated compounds were established on the basis of spectral studies and chemical reactions.Results:Phytochemical investigation of a methanolic extract of the aerial parts yielded a new fatty acid characterized as cis-n-octacos-17-enoic acid (5) and a new acyl tetraglycoside formulated as n-dodecanoyl-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2′→1′′)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2′′→1′′′)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2′′′→1′′′′)-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7) along with known compounds 1-pentacosanol (1), β-sitosteryl oleate (2), β-sitosteryl linoleate (3), stigmasterol (4) and palmityl glucuronoside (6).

Micropropagation of Phyllanthus fraternus Webster (Euphorbiaceae) from field-derived shoot tip explant and assessment of its genetic fidelity

Phyllanthus fraternus Webster is an important medicinal plant of family Euphorbiaceae. According to a report from the National Medicinal Plants Board, New Delhi, this plant is considered under high-volume trade or consumption category (>100 million tones/year) and is having high demand in domestic and international market for making herbal formulations. Pharmaceutical industries need huge volume of raw materials of this valuable species. Therefore, the development of alternative plant regeneration tools for this medicinal plant is urgently needed. In vitro micropropagation techniques offer a viable tool for rapid mass multiplication and germplasm conservation of important medicinal plants for meeting the pharmaceutical needs. In the current paper, an efficient protocol for in vitro propagation of P.fraternus from field-derived mature shoot tip explants has been presented. The shoot tip explants induced multiple shoots on cytokinin-containing medium. The best response was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.5 mg/L kinetin (Kn), in which 99 % of cultures produced 21.07 ± 0.58 shoots per explants. Regenerated shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L IBA. Plantlets were successfully acclimatized and established in soil. Regenerated plants were grown normally in the field without showing any morphological variations. Genetic fidelity of acclimatized plants was assessed by using inter-simple sequence repeat analysis. The molecular analysis complemented and compared well and showed genetic stability in the plants regenerated through mature shoot tips. This protocol can be used for the huge production of raw material of the species which could be utilized by the industries for the discovery of potential new drug candidate.

Medicinal plants used to treat TB in Ghana

AimsThe current study was designed to document medicinal plant species that are traditionally used to treat tuberculosis (TB) by Ghanaian communities. MethodsThe medicinal plants used against TB or its signs and symptoms were selected using library and online published data searches. A guided questionnaire interview was also conducted with a botanist involved in plant collection at the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM) at Mampong. Data obtained were entered in Excel and summarized into means and frequencies using SPSS 12.0.1 for windows, and expressed as tables and bar graphs. ResultsA total of 15 medicinal plant species distributed between 13 genera and 13 families were documented. The following medicinal plant species were found to be used against TB in Greater Accra and Eastern parts of Ghana: Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Stem bark (Meliaceae), Hygrophila auriculata Heine, whole plant (Acanthaceae), Chenopodium ambrosioides L. leaves (Amaranthaceae), Coix lacryma-jobi L. glumes (Poaceae), Solanum torvum Sw. unripe fruits (Solanaceae), Solanum torvum Sw. leaves (Solanaceae), Bidens pilosa L. whole plant (Asteraceae), Phyllanthus fraternus G.L. Webster leaves (Phyllanthaceae), Dissotis rotundifolia (Sm.) Triana, leaves (Melastomataceae), Cymbopogon giganteus Chiov. Leaves (Poaceae), Cyperus articulatus L. roots (Cyperaceae), Allium sativum L. bulb (Amaryllidaceae), Zingiber officinale Roscoe, rhizomes (Zingiberaceae), Allium cepa L. bulbs (Amaryllidaceae), Allium cepa L. leaves (Amaryllidaceae), Aloe vera var. barbadensis aqueous extract from leaves (Xanthorrhoeaceae), Aloe vera var. barbadensis organic extract from leaves (Xanthorrhoeaceae), Cocos nucifera Linn, water (Arecaceae) and Cocos nucifera Linn. Husk (Arecaceae). ConclusionsThe collected plant species could be a source of a new class of drugs against TB. Bioactivity guided fractionation is recommended to identify lead compounds for antimycobacterial activity. The current paper documents for the first time medicinal plant species used by Ghanaian communities to treat TB. These results are a basis for selection of plants for further pharmacological, toxicological and phytochemical studies in developing new plant-based antimycobacterial drugs.

Assessment of factors on shoot proliferation potential of nodal explants of Phyllanthus fraternus and assessment of genetic fidelity of micropropagated plants using RAPD marker

Phyllanthus fraternus is an important medicinal plant, popularly known for its hepatoprotective and antiviral activities since ancient times. Various physiological factors like carbon sources, concentration of agar, pH of the media and effect of season of explants collection were optimized for high frequency regeneration of P. fraternus. The frequency of regeneration, average number and length of shoots were highly influenced by the type and concentration of carbon sources (monosaccharides and disaccharides, 1 to 4%), agar concentration (0.2 to 1%) and pH (4.5 to 6.8) of the media. Media containing 3% sucrose, 0.6% agar at pH 5.8 was best for regeneration. Seasonal variation of explants collection significantly affected the axillary shoots proliferation from explants and best proliferation was observed from explants collected during April to June. Genetic fidelity of regenerated plants was assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA markers. No polymorphism was detected in micropropagated plants and the mother plant, revealing the genetic homogeneity of the in vitro raised plantlets. This is the first report regarding establishment of genetic fidelity of micropropagated P. fraternus plants, which could be successfully applied for the mass multiplication, germplasm conservation and further genetic transformation assays to meet the ever increasing demand of this medicinally potent plant for industrial and pharmaceutical uses.

Ex situ conservation of Phyllanthus fraternus Webster and evaluation of genetic fidelity in regenerates using DNA-based molecular marker.

Germplasm storage of Phyllanthus fraternus by using synseed technology has been optimized. Synseeds were prepared from nodal segments taken from in vitro-grown plantlets. An encapsulation matrix of 3 % sodium alginate and 100 mM calcium chloride with polymerization duration up to 15 min was found most suitable for synseed formation. Maximum plantlet conversion (92.5 ± 2.5 %) was obtained on a growth regulator-free ½-strength solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Multiple shoot proliferation was optimum on a ½ MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Shoots were subjected to rooting on MS media containing 1 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and acclimatized successfully. Encapsulated nodal segments can be stored for up to 90 days with a survival frequency of 47.33 %. The clonal fidelity of synseed-derived plantlets was also assessed and compared with that of the mother plant using rapid amplified polymorphic DNA and inter-simple sequence repeat analysis. No changes in molecular profiles were observed among the synseed-derived plantlets and mother plant, which confirms the genetic stability of regenerates. This synseed production protocol could be useful for in vitro multiplication, short-term storage, and exchange of germplasm of this important antiviral and hepatoprotective plant.

Differences in population genetic structure of two ethnomedicinal herbs of the genus Phyllanthus from India: a consequence of anthropogenic intervention?

Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus fraternus are important ethnomedicinal herbs used as traditional medicines in many parts of the world. The increasing popularity of these green medicines and almost no studies on structuring of genetic diversity in these herbs, led to this investigation. Keeping this in view, our main objective was to analyze the structuring of chloroplast DNA diversity in wild populations of the two herbs from Northern India, using chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) markers. PCR–RFLP of cpDNA regions was carried out to detect intraspecific polymorphisms. The study revealed differences in cpDNA diversity in the two ethnomedicinal herbs. Lower cpDNA diversity, lesser number of haplotypes and absence of correlation between phylogeny and geographical distribution of haplotypes were observed in P. amarus. Absence of phylogeographic structure in P. amarus may be attributed partly to higher anthropogenic intervention, owing to its commercialization for export and raw drug trade. The investigation identified populations with high haplotype diversity and unique haplotypes in both the herbs, which will be useful while formulating future conservation strategies. As there are comparatively less number of studies on structure of cpDNA diversity in annuals, the present analyses also add to the available data on population genetic structure in annual plants.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effect of Phyllanthus fraternus Against a Chemotherapeutic Drug Cyclophosphamide

In the present study, hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (AEPF 200, 300, and 400mg/kg body weight (bw), orally) were investigated against cyclophosphamide (CPA 200mg/kg, bw, intraperitoneally administered) induced liver damage in mice. Histopathological studies of CPA administration cause liver injury, featuring substantial increase in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and total bilirubin. Moreover, CPA intoxication also causes strong oxidative stress, which is evident from significant increase in lipid peroxide level. These changes were coupled with a decline in superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as albumin, cholesterol level, red blood cell (RBC), and white blood cell (WBC) count. AEPF-treated mice displayed a significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation and augmentation of endogenous antioxidants. The study emphasizes the hepatoprotective effect of AEPF against CPA-induced oxidative liver injury, which may serve as a promising medicinal herb in complementary chemotherapeutic modalities.

Extract of Phyllanthus fraternus Leaves as Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in H2SO4 Solutions

Extract of Phyllanthus fraternus Leaves as Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in H2SO4 Solutions

Antibacterial and Antifungal Potentiality of Leaf Extract of &lt;i&gt;Phyllanthus &lt;/i&gt;&lt;i&gt;Fraternus&lt;/i&gt; Webster: An Ethnomedicinal Plant

<i>Phyllanthus fraternus</i> Webster is a medicinally very useful plant species used by tribal of Gujarat, India to cure certain diseases like asthama, cough, diarrohea and scabies. Methanolic and ethanolic leaf extracts of the plant leaf were evaluated against eleven clinically important bacterial strains such as <i>E. coli, B. megaterium, B. cereus, B. subtilis, C. glutamicum, S. aureus, S. typhi, S. typhi A, S. typhi B, P. aeruginosa </i>and <i>P. vulgaris</i> and one fungal strain namely <i>A. niger</i> by disc diffusion method. Result showed maximum antibacterial activities against <i>C. glutamicum</i> with zone of inhibition of 40 mm and minimum against <i>S. typhi A</i> with zone of inhibition of 15 mm in methanol extract. In ethanol extract maximum antibacterial activities were reported in<i> Bacillus cereus </i>with zone of inhibition of 21 mm and minimum against <i>Salmonella typhi A </i>(10 mm).<i> </i>The maximum antifungal activity was noted against <i>A. niger</i> (40 mm). Our preliminary phytochemical analysis of leaf extract using Methanol as solvent confirmed the presence of alkaloids, tannin, saponin, terpenoid and steroids. This indicates that antimicrobial activities may be due to presence of secondary metabolites. Hence, the plant can be used to discover bioactive natural products that may serve as leads in the development of new pharmaceuticals research activities.

Antifibromyalgic activity of standardized extracts of Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus fraternus in acidic saline induced chronic muscle pain

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Phyllanthus extracts on mechanical hyperalgesia induced by repeated intramuscular injections of acidic saline. Materials and methodsThe standardized aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus whole plant (PAAE), Standardized methanolic extract of P. amarus leaf (PAEE), the standardized hydro-methanolic extract of P. amarus leaf (PAHEE) and standardized hydroethanolic extract of P. fraternus whole plant (PFHEE) were tested in the fibromyalgic model of acid-induced chronic pain in the rats. Mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed by measuring the withdrawal thresholds to mechanical stimuli both to the ipsilateral as well as to the contralateral paws. On 22nd day, the animals were sacrificed and the gastrocnemius muscle at the site of injection was dissected for histopathological studies. ResultsPAAE, PAEE, PAHEE and PFHEE increased the mechanical withdrawal threshold (mechanical hyperalgesia) back towards the baseline responses. The percentage of maximum possible effectiveness and percentage inhibition of hyperalgesia also revealed the efficacy of Phyllanthus extracts. The multidose strategy did not cause tolerance. ConclusionThe results of the present study suggest that in the present model, muscle-mediated pain can be alleviated by standardized extracts of Phyllanthus species and suggest that these can be useful in treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia.

Larvicidal Activity of &lt;i&gt;Phyllanthus fraternus&lt;/i&gt; Powder in Suppressing &lt;i&gt;Dermestes maculatus&lt;/i&gt; Degeer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) Infestation on Smoked African Catfish (&lt;i&gt;Clarias gariepinus&lt;/i&gt;)

The efficacy of the plant powder of Phyllanthus fraternus was evaluated under tropical storage condition against larvae of the leather beetle Dermestes maculatus .The experiment was in two sets, set A which are in concentration 0g, 1.0g, 2.0g, 2.5g, 3.0g/15g of smoked fish and in B 0g, 3.5g, 4.0g, 4.5g, 5.0g powder admixed with 20g of smoked fish; while all the treatment containing 0g were without plant powder which served as control, all the treatment were in triplicates. Newly emerged (0 - 72 hours old) larvae of D. maculatus was introduced. Evaluation of the potency of the plant powder was based on the larvae mortality and the adult emergence. The weight losses in fish muscle in the treated and untreated samples were compared as index of fish damage during storage. The result showed that higher plant powder concentration were significantly (P 0.05) was observed except for 1 st WAI in set A treatment. Adult emergence was significantly (P<0.05) inhibited in treated fish in set A and weight loss due to insect infestation was greatly suppressed by the higher dosage rate of the plant powder compared to control. The phytochemical analysis of P. fraternus powder revealed the presence of Tannins, Saponins, Alkaloids and Kelakellani (glycosides), this might be responsible for the larvicidal activity of P. fraternus powder against larval of D. maculatus . This finding revealed that P. fraternus powder toxicity and efficacy is dosage dependent and suggested that the plant could be used by poor resource fish farmers, processors and marketers in protecting smoked-dried fish against D. maculatus during processing, transportation, marketing and storage.