International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (3), pp. 170-178, March, 2013. © International Scholars  Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties of four plant species used in traditional medicine in Lesotho

Magama S., Lieta M.I. and *Asita A.O.

Department of Biology, National University of Lesotho, P.O. Roma 180 Maseru, Lesotho, Southern Africa.

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

Accepted 21 February, 2013

Abstract

Among the top ten causes of death in Lesotho are degenerative diseases such as heart failure, anaemia, diabetes mellitus and stroke, which are generally linked to oxidative stress. The therapeutic benefit of medicinal plants in the treatment of degenerative diseases is attributed to their antioxidant properties.  In the present study, crude extracts of four plant species used in ethnomedicine in Lesotho were evaluated for their antioxidant activities using 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and total phenolics. The species were Leucosidea sericea (leaves), Berkheya setifera (corm), Trifolium burchellianum (leaves, stems and roots) and Polygala virgata (leaves and stems).  Camellia sinensis (green tea) was included as a standard as it is known to have antioxidant activity. Results showed that these plants scavenged DPPH radicals and hydrogen peroxide, reduced Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ and contained phenolics. A fair correlation between total phenolics and antioxidant activity was observed. L. sericea and B. setifera with the highest content of phenolics (149.63 and 66.0 mg GAE/g dry extract respectively) were also more potent in all the antioxidant assays. The results suggested that phenolics in these plants could be partly responsible for their beneficial therapeutic effects.

Keywords: Ethnomedicine, phenolics, plant extracts, DPPH, GAE.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (3), pp. 166-169, March, 2013. © International Scholars  Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phytochemical and preliminary toxicological studies of the aqueous leave extract of Leucas martinicensis in wistar rats

Uche A. Eze¹, Shaibu O. Bello^{1, 2}, Emmanuel U. Etuk¹, George I. Ameh³, Oguejiofor M. Ugwah¹, Chinenye J. Ugwah-Oguejiofor^2,*

¹Department of Pharmacology, College of health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria.

²Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria.

³Department of Microbiology, College of health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Acceptance 1 March, 2013

Abstract

Leucas martinicensis (Jacq.) R. Br.  Family Lamiaceae and commonly called Whitewort grows widely in the Northern part of Nigeria. It has been traditionally used to treat inflammatory conditions, rashes, diarrhoea, epilepsy and convulsions. The present study was to investigate the safety and phytochemical components of the aqueous leave extract of Leucas martinicensis. The quantitative and qualitative phytochemical studies were conducted on the leaf extract. Acute toxicity was studied using the up and down procedure at an oral Limit dose of 3000 mg/kg body weight. Female rats in sequence were used to test for acute toxic effect. Repeat dose toxicity study was carried out at an oral dose of 750 mg/kg daily for 28days. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of saponins (3.15%), glycosides (1.35%), alkaloids (3.95%) and flavonoids (3.56%). The acute toxicity result showed that the extract has LD₅₀ above 3000mg/kg and repeat dose toxicity studies of the extract revealed elevated aspartate transaminase enzyme and haemorrhage around the cardiac myocytes. Though the extract is relatively safe, its prolong use may carry risk of cardiac toxicities.

Key words: Toxicity, Leucas martinicensis, Wistar rats, Phytochemical studies.

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (3), pp. 179-186, March, 2013. © International Scholars  Journals                                              

Full Length Research Paper

Propagation of Medicinal Plant Ferula assa foetida L. Through Indirect Somatic Embryogenesis

M. Otroshy¹, S. Edrisi² and S.Enteshary²

¹Department of Tissue culture, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), P.O. Box 85135-487, Isfahan, Najaf Abad, Iran.

²Department of Plant Physiology, University of Payame Nur, Najaf Abad, Isfahan, Iran.

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

Accepted 01 March, 2013

Abstract

Ferula assa foetida L. (Asafetida) is a highly valuable medicinal plant, which is categorized as an endanger plant species. Thus, the experiments were carried out to examine the effect of explants, medium and plant growth regulators, on the in vitro indirect somatic embryogenesis of F. assa foetida. Explants of root, hypocotyl and cotyledon (leaf) were tested on MS and B5 media combined with 2, 4-D (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 or 4 mg/L), BAP (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 or 4 mg/L) and NAA (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 or 4 mg/L), each of them was combined with Kin (0, 0.2 or 0.5 mg/L). Callogenesis was observed on different media and after 3-4weeks some of them regenerated somatic embryos. The best indirect somatic embryogenesis was obtained from explants of hypocotyl and the highest value for indirect somatic embryogenesis was found in B5 medium enriched with 2,4-D (0.5 mg/L) + Kin (0.2 mg/L).

Key words: Asafetida, callogenesis, callus, hypocotyls, plant growth regulators. 

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (2), pp. 156-161, February, 2013. ernational Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy of resinous extract from Commiphora swynnertonii (Burrt) against Newcastle infection in chickens

G.G. Bakari, R.A. Max*, H.R. Mdegela, E.C.J. Phiri and M.M.A. Mtambo

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3017, Morogoro, Tanzania.

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

Accepted 15 January, 2013

Abstract

Antiviral effect of resinous extract from Commiphora swynnertonii was investigated using chickens experimentally infected with Newcastle disease (ND) virus. A total of 114 chickens, approx. 5 months old, were assigned into eight experimental groups (G1 – G8). Chickens in G1 and G2 served as negative (not infected, not treated) and positive (infected, not treated) controls. To study the prophylactic effect of the extract, chickens in G3, G4 and G5 received 250, 500 and 1,000 mg resin per kg bodyweight respectively seven days before experimental infection. Chickens in G6, G7 and G8 received 250, 500 and 1,000 mg resin per kg bodyweight respectively seven days after infection with ND virus to assess therapeutic effect of the extract. Clinical signs, bodyweight gain and mortality were monitored. Antibody titers against the virus were measured, postmortem and histopathological lesions were examined. Results revealed significant reduction (P< 0.05) in clinical signs and mortality rates following administration of the resinous extract before and after the infection. Prophylactic administration of the extract was more effective in reducing the severity of the disease compared to the therapeutic approach. Similarly, antibody titers decreased significantly (P< 0.001) in all resin-treated groups irrespective of dose given and on whether the extract was administered before or after ND was evident. These findings indicate that the resinous extract from C. swynnertonii has strong antiviral activity against ND virus in chickens and that prophylactic administration has better protective effect against the disease.

Key words: Commiphora swynnertonii, Newcastle disease virus, resinous extract, chickens.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (1), pp. 152-155, February, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

 Full Length Research Paper

Seed potentiation of a horse-gram cultivar by herbal manipulation

Chandan Kumar Pati^1* and Aloke Bhattacharjee²

¹Department of Botany, Saldiha College, Saldiha-722 173, Bankura, West Bengal, India.

²Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, UGC Centre for Advanced Study, Department of Botany, Burdwan University, Burdwan-713 104, West Bengal, India.

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

Accepted 26 November, 2012

Abstract

An investigation was carried out on seed potentiation of an ethnomedicinal pulse crop cultivar horse-gram by using some selected medicinal plant extracts. Pretreatment of horse-gram seeds with aqueous solution of  leaf extracts of Aegle marmelos and Vitex negundo slowed down the rapid loss of germination. The plant extracts also significantly arrested profuse leakage of amino acids from seeds. Concomitantly, the reduction of protein, insoluble carbohydrate, DNA and RNA levels as well as activity of catalase enzyme of seed kernels during forced ageing period was ameliorated to a significant extent in the plant extract-pretreated seeds. Conversely, ageing-induced stimulation of the activity of amylase enzyme was alleviated by the seed pretreating agents. The promising effects of the experimental plant extracts on storage potentiation of the seeds are apparent in this investigation.

Key words: Seed potentiation, Horse-gram, Aegle marmelos, Vitex negundo.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 2 (2), pp. 162-165, February, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
 

Full Length Research Paper

Manipulation of ruminal protozoa of crossbred calves by herbal rumenotoric drugs

R. D. Gautam¹*, D. P. Singh², Ram Niwas³ and Abed M Albial⁴

^{1, 2, 3 &4}Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (India)-221005.

*Correspondingauthor.E-mail:[email protected].

Accepted 12 February, 2013

Abstract                                                                                                              

An experiment was conducted to investigate the efficacy of market drug (Rumizyme) and self formulated rumenotoric drug on the rumen protozoa such as Dasytricha, Isotricha, Entodinium and Diplodinium and effects on rumen pH of crossbred calves. The trial was conducted with twenty seven crossbred calves and divided randomly into three similar groups (3 calves in each) for three different trials (1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd Trials) and each trial was conducted for 60 days excluding pre experimental period. Group T₂ and T₃ were supplemented with market drug (one bolus/day) and self formulated rumenotoric drug (40 gm/day) respectively for each animal while group T₁ (control) was fed without any drug. During each trial at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of interval the Dasytricha, Isotricha, Entodinium Diplodinium, and rumen pH were measured. Results revealed that the administration phytogenic feed additives significantly (P<0.05) increased the population of Dasytricha, Isotricha, Entodinium and Diplodinium in T₃ followed by T₂ and minimum in T₁ group in each trial at different periods. The rumen pH significantly (P<0.05) decreased in T₃ group followed by T₂ and T₁ at different time intervals (15, 30, 45 and 60 days) during each trial.

Key words: Herbal, rumenotoric, rumen protozoa, crossbred.