International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany

Table of Contents 2013

Research Article

International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany Vol. 1 (2), pp. 021-024, November, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The antimicrobial activity of Croton membranaceus, a species used in formulations for measles in Ghana

Marcel T. Bayor1*, Stephen Y. Gbedema1 and Kofi Annan2

1Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame

Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.

2Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.

*Corresponding author. E-mail; [email protected]. Tel.: +233 244115666.

Accepted 3 September, 2013

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of the methanolic root extract and compounds isolated from Croton membranaceus against the bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi; Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans, using the agar diffusion and broth dilution techniques was studied in order to establish its possible usefulness in the treatment of measles. The methanolic extract showed a significant (p < 0.01) antibacterial and antifungal activity against the test organisms used with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.53 - 1.43 mg/ml. Out of the six compounds tested (crotomembranafuran, gomojoside H, julocrotine, -sitosterol, -sitosterol-3-D-glucoside, and DL-threitol), gomojoside H, showed significant antibacterial activity against; S. aureus, B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa (MICs < 10 g/ml). The other compounds exhibited no significant antimicrobial activity (MICs > 200 g/ml). The activities of gomojoside H were found to be similar to the effects of gentamicin on these organisms. The results therefore indicated that this compound is a potent antibacterial and its presence appears to explain in part the antimicrobial activity exhibited by the C. membranaceus root extract and supports its usefulness in treating secondary bacterial infection in measles.

Key words: Croton membranaceus, gomojoside H, antibacterial activity, measles.

Stephen Y. Gbedema and Kofi Annan, Marcel T. Bayor*

Page: 21 - 24

Short Communication

International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-003, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Pharmacognostic profiles of bark of Careya arborea Roxb.

A. Wadkar Kiran and S. Magdum Chandrakant

Appasaheb Birnale College of Pharmacy, Sangli 416416, Maharashtra, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 0233-2320062, 9850043889.

Accepted 16 October, 2013

Abstract

In the present study, we have carried out pharmacognostic evaluation of the bark of Careya arborea Roxb. (Lecythidaceae). Initially, organoleptic evaluation was carried out followed by detail microscopical evaluation including the study of transverse section (T.S) and microscopic characteristics of powdered bark of C. arborea (Lecythidaceae). Under physical evaluation; total ash, sulphated ash, water soluble ash and acid insoluble ash were determined. Water soluble and ethanol soluble extractive values were also calculated. Loss on drying was carried out for determination of moisture content. Various chemical tests were carried out for qualitative determination of nature of phytoconstituents in the bark of C. arborea Roxb. (Lecythidaceae).

Key words: Careya arborea, lecythidaceae, microscopical characteristics, T.S., physical evaluation.

S. Magdum Ch, rakant , A. Wadkar Kiran

Page: 1 - 3

Research Article

International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany Vol. 1 (2), pp. 013-020, November, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ethanolic extracts of seeds of Parinari curatellifolia exhibit potent antioxidant properties: A possible mechanism of its antidiabetic action

Y. Ogunbolude1, M. A. Ajayi1, T. M. Ajagbawa1, A. P. Igbakin2, J. B. T. Rocha3 and I. J. Kade1*

1Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, FUTA Road, P. M. B. 704 Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. 2Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.

3Postgraduate Programme in Biochemical Toxicology, Department of Chemistry, CCNE, Federal University of Santa Maria, CEP 97105-900 Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.

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

Accepted 29 October, 2013

Abstract

The present study sought to evaluate the antioxidative property of seed of Parinari curatellifolia (P. curatellifolia) that has been previously reported to attenuate high glucose level in type 2 diabetes. The amount of antioxidant agents such as phenols, flavonoids, vitamin C and glutathione were determined in the ethanolic extracts of the seed. In addition, the possible antioxidant mechanisms of the extracts were assessed by measuring their reducing property, iron (II) chelating ability and their ability to scavenge 2, 2-diphenyl-2 -picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) radicals. In addition, the ability of the extracts to prevent deoxyribose degradation and inhibits lipid peroxidation in the brain, liver, heart and pancrease were also determined. The results show that the seed contains phenols (9.4 ± 0.89 mg gallic acid equivalent), flavonoids (1.57 ± 0.17 mg quercetin equivalent), vitamin C (46.82 mg/g of seed) and glutathione (24.22 µg/g of seed). Furthermore, P. curatellifolia significantly scavenged DPPH radicals, reduced Fe3+ and chelated Fe2+ in a dose dependent manner. Likewise, P. curatellifolia caused a marked reduction in the degradation of deoxyribose induced by Fe2+, H2O2 or both. However, the seed inhibited peroxidation of cerebral, hepatic and cardiac but not pancreatic lipids subjected to either iron or sodium nitroprusside oxidative assaults. Taken together, we conclude that since type-2 diabetes is intrinsically linked with oxidative stress, P. curatellifolia possibly exerts its antidiabetic action using a combination of mechanisms and its antioxidant potency possibly play a major role in ameliorating secondary complications resulting from oxidative damage in diabetes.

Key words: Parinari curatellifolia, diabetes, antioxidant, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation

T. M. Ajagbawa, J. B. T. Rocha and I. J. Kade*, A. P. Igbakin, Y. Ogunbolude, M. A. Ajayi

Page: 13 - 20

Table of Contents 2012

Research Article

SANOU/LAMIEN Assita, BAYALA Balé, OUEDRAOGO Rakissida Alfred, OUEDRAOGO Rakiswendé Alexis*, Tindano Basile

Page: 1 - 8