International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 3 (1), pp. 260-268, January, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of dried Aloe vera gel powder on Choline acetyl transferase and synaptic zone after spinal cord injury in adult rats

Marjan Heshmati*¹, Mohammadreza Jalali Nadoushan², Aydin Heydari³

¹Anatomy and Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

²MostafaKhomeyni Hospital,Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

³Medical Student, Shahed University,Tehran, Iran.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 13 January, 2014

Abstract

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) cause disabilities. The design of alternative therapies like usage of herbs with pharmacological properties looks ideal. Aloe vera has been mentioned as a multi functional herb. This study was conducted to further research of this plant after SCI in rats.36 adult female rats were divided randomly into four groups, Group I:Sham + gavage distilled water. Group II: Sham +gavage Aloe vera gel powder (200mg/kg/d).Group III: Group II+SCI. Group IV: Group I+SCI. After 4 weeks, the rats were sacrificed. Morphometric study and choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) immune staining were done. Synaptic changes were analyzed in a blinded manner for qualitative ultra structural changes. The data analysed with Tukey’s test and one-way ANOVA in SPSS 21software and P≤0.05 was considered as significant level. Decreasing survived motoneurons with synaptic changes and reducing ChAT immune reactivity was seen due to SCI(P ≤0.05).Usage of Aloe vera gel powder showed a reduction in death of motoneurons (P ≤0.05) it also has increased the ChAT labeling after SCI(P≤0.001), decreased pathological synaptic changes in synaptic zone and mitochondria. Aloe vera with neuro protective effects (might be due to its antioxidant) has reduced neuronal cell death and increased expression of the ChAT and kept synaptic ultra structure after SCI.

Key words: Spinal cord injury (SCI), Aloe vera, Choline acetyl transferase (ChAT), Synaptic zone, Rat.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (9), pp. 254-260, December, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ultrastructure of the pollen grains in the family Bignoniaceae Juss. in Nigeria

G.E.Ugbabe¹*, A.E. Ayodele², S.J. Kalpana³ and J.I. Okogun¹

¹Medicinal Plant Research and Traditional Medicine (MPR & TM), Department National Institute for Pharmaceutical  Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu-Industrial Area, P.M.B 21, Garki-Abuja, Nigeria.

²Botany and Microbiology Department, University of Ibadan. Ibadan, Nigeria.

³Biotechnology Department, Sinhgad College of Engineering, Vadgaon (Budruk) Pune – 411 041 India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 03 July, 2013

Abstract

Pollen morphology of eight species belonging to the Bignoniaceae in Nigeria was described using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The species studied were Crescentia cujete Linn., Jacaranda mimosifolia D.Don., Kigelia africana (Lam) Benth., Markhamia tomentosa (Benth) K. Schum., Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seemann ex Bureau., Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv., Stereospermum acuminatissimum Cham. and Tecoma stans. Reticulate exine ornamentation were observed in all pollen grains of the species studied. The shapes of most of the pollen grains were circular except from those of J. mimosifolia and T.stans which were elliptic. The pollen grains of all species examined were tricolpate (except from those of C. cujete which were non-aperturate) isopolar with long colpi and a reticulate tectum. The pollen grains of the species studied were radially symmetrical, isopolar or apolar. The general shapes were subspheroidal to prolate. The AMB is rounded to triangular. The apertures are usually three in number, always equatorially placed. This study points to a reclassification of the Bignoniaceae.

Key words: Scanning electron microscopy, bignoniaceae, pollen grains, ultrastructure, bignoniaceae juss.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (7), pp. 247-253, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Macropropagation of an endangered medicinal plant, Strychnos henningsii (gilg), (loganiaceae) for sustainable conservation

*Mr. Ngenoh Robert Kipkemoi, ¹Dr. Njenga Peter Kariuki, ²Prof. Ngumi Victoria Wambui,

³Dr. Onguso Justus and ⁴Dr. Kahia Jane

*^{, 3}Institute of Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.

^{1, 2}Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.

⁴World Agro forestry Centre (ICRAF), Code d’ Ivoire Country Program, Abidjan.

^*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel. +254722926876

Accepted 2 August, 2013

Abstract

Strychnos henningsii (Gilg), (Logoniaceae), is an important medicinal plant that is facing threat of extinction in Kenya owing to indiscriminate and unsustainable harvesting in the wild. The wide scale use of this species resulted to its over-exploitation by the herbalists, hotels, restaurants owners and the local people. Effects of growth hormones, rooting substrates, leaf area and nodal position on stem cuttings of S. henningsii were investigated. Six hundred and sixty nodal cuttings were obtained from Kabiruini forest in Central Kenya. Uniform cuttings from two different nodal positions and with different lamina area were planted in three different media and treated with different auxins. Cuttings were assessed for percentage survival, percentage rooting, number of roots per cutting and the length of the longest root per cutting. ANOVA was carried out on the data collected and LSD at 5% probability level used to compare significantly different means. Mean percentage survival of 67.31% was recorded with whole leaf cuttings from the apical node. The highest mean value of 5.86 in the number of roots per rooted cutting was recorded with Seradix 2 powder. Leaf size had a highly significant effect on the rooting of cuttings as whole leaf rooted better than half leaves.

Key words:  Auxins, threatened, medicinal plant, S. henningsii, over-exploitation. 

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (7), pp. 242-246, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Proximate and mineral compositions of the leaves and stem bark of Cassia nigricans Vahl

Rachael Gbekele-Oluwa Ayo

Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected] Tel. +2348036371606

Accepted 19 September, 2013

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine proximate and elemental compositions of the leaves and stem bark of Cassia nigricans Vahl, used in phytomedicine. The result of the proximate composition showed that the leaves contained higher values of crude proteins, crude lipids, carbohydrates and energy than the stem bark. The stem bark was richer in crude fibre, ash and moisture than the leaves. The concentrations of potassium and sodium were greater in the leaves than in the stem bark, while those of calcium and magnesium were higher in the stem bark than in the leaves. The concentrations of the microelements in the leaves of C. nigricans in μg/g were in the order of: Fe > Mn > Cr > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd, while those of stem bark were in the order of: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cd > Cu. In conclusion, the leaves and stem bark of C. nigricans contain nutrients and mineral elements that are of high nutritional value. The leaves are richer in mineral elements than the stem bark.

Key words: Cassia nigricans, leaves, stem bark, proximate composition, minerals.    

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (7), pp. 238-241, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ethnoveterinary practices against animal trypanosomosis in Amaro district, Southern Ethiopia

Abiy Shilema¹, Kaleab Zerom^2, Abiy Mussa¹

¹College of Veterinary Medicine, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

²College of Veterinary Medicine, Samara University, P.O. Box 132, Samara, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]. Tel.: +2511911863418

Accepted 17 July, 2013

Abstract

Traditional medicine practitioners in the Amaro district of southern Ethiopia have been using various ethnoveterinary practices to control animal trypanosomosis. Thus the aim of the present study was to document these practices in the two Amaro kebeles (wards) of southern Ethiopia, Kellie and Gamule. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, field observations, preference and direct matrix ranking. A total of 18 species of medicinal plants were collected and submitted to Ethiopian National Herbarium for botanical classification. From all the plant species 7 (38.9 %) were indicated for the treatment of animal trypanosomosis, 4(22.2%) for tsetse fly repellant and 7(38.9%) for both treatments of the disease and tsetse fly repellant. The five most common plant species indicated for treatment of animal trypanosomosis were Lepidium sativum, Echinops Kebericho, Allium sativum, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal in DC and Myrica salicifolia Hochst ex A. Rich, where as Allium sativum, Aloe vera, Lepidium sativum L., Nicotiana tabacum L., Teradenia riparia, Loblia giberroa and Trifolium burchellianum were the five most common plant species indicated for tsetse fly repellant respectively. The indigenous knowledge on medicinal applications of the medicinal plants documented in this survey could be useful for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies.

Key words: Animal trypanosomosis; ethnoveterinary; Ethiopia; medicinal plants; traditional medicinal practitioners

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research ISSN: 2169-303x Vol. 2 (7), pp. 225-237, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Methanol extract of Oroxylum indicum leaves induces G₁/S cell cycle arrest in HeLa cells via p53-mediated pathway

Khaizil Emylia Zazali¹, Hasmah Abdullah² and Noor Izani Noor Jamil²

¹Bioassay Unit, Herbal Medicine Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

²School of Health Sciences, University of Science, Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected], Tel. +603-26162633, Fax No.: +603-26934114

Accepted 10 July, 2013

Abstract

Oroxylum indicum is a Malaysian edible plant with traditional claims for some medicinal properties. This research was done to investigate the methanol extract of O. indicum leaves (MEOIL) for antiproliferative activity against human cervical cancer cell line, HeLa and its mode of cell death. Results from methylene blue assay showed that MEOIL exhibited antiproliferative activity on HeLa cells with IC₅₀ of 3.87 µg/ml without affecting normal cells. Phase contrast microscopy indicated the confluency reduction in HeLa cells and changes on the cell shape. Nuclear staining with Hoechst 33258 displayed the formation of apoptotic bodies and fragmented nuclei. MEOIL was shown to induce early apoptosis event in HeLa cells as confirmed by FITC-Annexin V/propidium iodide staining by flow cytometry analysis. Protein study by flow cytometry indicated the increment of p53, slight increase of Bax and unchanged level of Bcl-2. Cell cycle analysis indicated the growth arrest of HeLa cells at G₁/S phase. In conclusion, MEOIL demonstrated an antiproliferative activity in HeLa cell by inducing G₁/S cell cycle arrest via p53-mediated pathway. 

Keywords: Oroxylum indicum, apoptosis, p53, G₁/S cell cycle, antiproliferative activity, HeLa cells.