ISSN 2169-303X
Research Article
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Preliminary studies on anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Securinega virosa (Euphorbiaceae) in experimental animal models
M. G. Magaji1*, J. A. Anuka1, I. Abdu-Aguye1, A. H. Yaro2, I. M. Hussaini3
1Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmacology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
3Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), University of Virginia, 415 Lane Road, MR5 Bldg, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, USA.
Accepted 22 February, 2019
Abstract
Securinega virosa is a commonly used medicinal plant in West Africa sub-region for the management of painful and inflammatory conditions. In the present study, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol root bark extract of S. virosa (SV) were investigated. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema while analgesic activity was tested by acetic acid-induced writhing response and hot plate tests in Swiss albino mice, and formalin-induced pain in Wistar rats. The methanolic root bark extract of SV (6.25 - 25 mg kg-1 body weight, i.p.) significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions and attenuated the neurogenic pain (phase 2) induced by formalin. The extract also significantly (P < 0.01) prolonged the reaction latency to pain thermally-induced in mice by the hot plate. The extract at the doses (6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg kg-1) tested afforded 12, 52 and 52% inhibition of paw oedema respectively at the end of third hour. The intraperitoneal and oral LD50 values in mice were found to be 774.6 and greater than 5000 mg kg-1 respectively, while the preliminary phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloid, tannins, saponins and flavonoids. The relatively high oral median lethal dose (> 5000 mg kg-1) suggests that the extract is relatively non toxic when taken orally. The present study indicates that SV has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and lend pharmacological support to suggested folkloric uses of the plant in the management of painful and inflammatory conditions.
Key words: Securinega virosa; Analgesia; writhing; Anti-inflammation; Carrageenan.
J. A. Anuka, M. G. Magaji*, I. M. Hussaini, I. Abdu-Aguye, A. H. Yaro
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Research Article
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The beneficial effects of garlic oil and garlic cake on coconut oil fed rats
K. T. Augusti1*, C. Ashakumari2, George Daniel2, S. Jaya2, Sinu K. Mathew2, Sreerekha2 and P. K. Joseph2
1Department of Biochemistry, School of Health Sciences, Thalassery Campus of Kannur University, Palayad(PO) – 670661, Kerala, India.
2Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medical Education (M. G. University Centre) Ktm 8, Kerala, India.
Accepted 12 January, 2019
Abstract
The feeding of coconut oil (CNO) at a level of 20% in terms of energy to normal rats for a month increased significantly blood sugar and lipids and protein content and lipid peroxidation in tissues (viz. Heart, liver and kidney) and enhanced the activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase in serum. Oral administration of garlic oil (100 mg/kg body wt) or cake (5% by weight in the diet) to CNO fed groups as above ameliorated the deranged parameters significantly. The results suggest that garlic oil and cake contain certain active principles that counteract the deleterious effects of CNO. Garlic oil is a better therapeutic agent than its oil free cake. This may be due to the high quantity of biologically active organosulphur compounds present in the former than that in the latter. However the cake can be used by those who do not like the odor of the oil.
Key words: Garlic oil, garlic cake, coconut oil, blood sugar, cholesterol, TAG, enzymes.
S. Jaya, K. T. Augusti*, C. Ashakumari, Sreerekha and P. K. Joseph, George Daniel, Sinu K. Mathew
Page: 1 - 5
Research Article
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Anti-inflammatory bio-activities in water extract of Centaurea ainetensis
Rabih S. Talhouk1,3*, Wassim El-Jouni1,3,4, Riad Baalbaki2,3,5, Hala Gali-Muhtasib1,3, Joanna Kogan3 and Salma N. Talhouk2,3
1Departments of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107-2020, P. O. Box 11-0236 Lebanon.
2Crop Production and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, 3IBSAR Center, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
4Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
5Plant Pest Diagnostics, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, California, USA
Accepted 21 January, 2019
Abstract
Of a selected 29 plants endemic to Lebanon and claimed to have anti-inflammatory effects, according to Lebanese folk literature, Centaurea ainetensis was chosen to further characterize its claimed anti-inflammatory activity using in-vitro and in-vivo assays. Water extract from C. ainetensis, at non-cytotoxic concentrations, inhibited in a dose dependant manner interleukin-6 (IL-6) and gelatinases A and B produced by endotoxin (ET)-treated CID -9 cells grown in conditions that favor differentiation, on EHS-drip, at 9, 24 and 48 h post ET treatment. The inhibition was detected in doses as low as 3% (of a 1:8 decoction) and reached maximal levels of inhibition at 8% similar to control non ET-treated cells. C. ainetensis extract at these concentrations did not affect CID-9 cell’s expression of -casein, a milk protein expressed by functionally differentiated mammary cells in culture. In vivo studies showed that C. ainetensis extract reversed ET-induced paw edema and thermal hyperalgesia in rats as demonstrated by hot plate and heat hyperalgesia pain tests.
Key words: Inflammation, IL-6, gelatinases, mammary cells, Centaurea ainetensis.
Joanna Kogan and Salma N. Talhouk, Rabih S. Talhouk*, Hala Gali-Muhtasib, Wassim El-Jouni, Riad Baalbaki
Page: 1 - 10
Research Article
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-004, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Central nervous system stimulant effect of the ethanolic extract of Kigelia africana
Owolabi O. J*, Amaechina F. C. and Eledan A. B.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria.
Accepted 29 February, 2019
Abstract
CNS stimulant effect of the ethanolic stem bark extract of Kigelia africana was studied in mice using the barbiturate induced sleeping time and the Rota rod bar to check the extract’s effect on muscle coordination. The results showed that the extract at all doses tested reduced the duration of sleeping time when compared to the control group that received distilled water. This difference in sleeping time was significant (p<0.0001 at all doses tested) and this was also found to be dose dependent. Its effect was also compared with caffeine (a known stimulant) and the extract gave a shorter duration of sleeping time compared to caffeine, (p<0.05 at 400 mg/kg dose) indicating better stimulant properties. In comparison with diazepam the extract at all doses tested, also gave a shorter duration of sleep (p<0.0001). On the Rota rod, the extract had no sedative effect as the animals maintained their balance on the rod through the entire period of the experiment.
Key words: Kigelia africana, barbiturate induced sleeping time, motor coordination.
Owolabi O. J*, Amaechina F. C. and Eledan A. B.
Page: 1 - 4
Short Communication
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-003, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Antihepatotoxic effect of Picrorhiza kurroa on mitochondrial defense system in antitubercular drugs (isoniazid and rifampicin)-induced hepatitis in rats
R. Jeyakumar1, R. Rajesh1, B. Meena1, D. Rajaprabhu1, B. Ganesan1,2, S. Buddhan1 and R. Anandan2,*
1Vinayaka Missions University, Ariyanoor, Salem-636308, India.
2Biochemistry and Nutrition Division, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin-682029, India.
Accepted 03 January, 2019
Abstract
Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms with a central role involved in the pathogenesis of antitubercular drugs (isoniazid and rifampicin)-induced hepatitis. In the present study the antihepatotoxic effect of the ethanol extract of Picrorhiza kurroa rhizomes and roots (PK) on liver mitochondrial antioxidant defense system in antitubercular drugs (isoniazid and rifampicin)-induced hepatitis in rats has been investigated. In liver mitochondria of antitubercular drugs administered rats, a significant elevation in the level of lipid peroxidation with concomitant decline in the level of reduced glutathione and the activities of antioxidant enzymes was observed. Co-administration of PK (50 mg/kg/day for 45 days) significantly prevented these antitubercular drugs-induced alterations and maintained the rats at near normal status. The results of the present investigation indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanol extract of P. kurroa rhizomes and roots (PK) might be ascribable to its membrane-stabilizing action and/or antioxidant property.
Key words: Picrorhiza kurroa, antihepatotoxic activity, antitubercular drugs, mitochondria, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant system.
R. Jeyakumar, S. Buddhan and R. Anandan*, R. Rajesh, D. Rajaprabhu, B. Ganesan, B. Meena
Page: 1 - 3
Research Article
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Wound healing and antibacterial activities of the extract of Dissotis theifolia (Melastomataceae) stem formulated in a simple ointment base
D. C. Odimegwu1, E. C. Ibezim2, C. O. Esimone2, C. S. Nworu3* and F.B.C. Okoye4
1Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
3Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
4Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Accepted 17 January, 2019
Abstract
In this study, we investigated a herbal ointment containing Dissotis theifolia extract for wound healing and antibacterial activities against clinical wound isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ointment batches containing different concentrations of the D. theifolia extract was applied topically to both infected and uninfected wounds inflicted on rats and the rate of wound closure assessed by wound area measurement. In vitro, the D. theifolia extract inhibited the different clinical wound isolates of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa with MICs ranging from 3.0 mg/ml for 3 of the 5 clinical strains of S. aureus to 8.0 mg/ml for all the 3 clinical strains of P. aeruginosa tested. In the study of uninfected wounds, incorporation of D. theifolia extract (60, 90, and 120 mg/g) into the applied ointment enhanced the rate of wound closure and reduced the epithelialization period from 14.98 ± 0.46 days for the control group treated with blank ointment to 8.8 ± 0.2 days for the group treated with 120 mg/g of D. theifolia ointment. Similarly, the rate of wound healing of excision wounds infected with clinical isolates of S. aureus were higher for the groups treated with D. theifolia ointment. In this study, the epithelialization period was equally reduced in a dose-related manner from 16.8 ± 0.3 for the blank ointment control to 9.0 ± 0.32 for the 120 mg /g D. theifolia ointment treated group. Phytochemical studies show that crude D. theifolia stem contains saponins, tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, alkaloids and steroids.
Key words: Dissotis theifolia, herbal ointment, wound, wound healing, wound infections.
D. C. Odimegwu, C. O. Esimone, E. C. Ibezim, C. S. Nworu* and F.B.C. Okoye
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