International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (12), pp. 001-005, December, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of anti-athletic fatigue activity of Schizandra chinensis aqueous extracts in mice

Shehua Cao¹*, Huanping Shang¹, Weibing Wu², Jingrong Du³ and Ramesh Putheti⁴

¹East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, 330013, P. R. China.

²Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai City, 200438, P. R. China.

³Survey of Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, 330013, P. R. China.

⁴Member, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), 236-203, Saint David Court, Maryland, USA.

Accepted 16 September, 2012

Abstract

To study the anti-athletic fatigue effects of Schizandra chinensis aqueous extracts (SCAE), Forty Kunming male mice were randomized into 5 groups (CG, LDG, MDG, IHDG and HDG) equally based on body mass after one week adoption. The control group (CG) was given distilled water and LDG, MDG, IHDG and HDG were given various doses of SCAE (15, 30, 50 and 80 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days, respectively. Swimming time, lactate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were measured in the forced swimming treated mice. Results showed that SCAE had significant anti-athletic fatigue effects on mice. It extended the swimming time, increased concentration of the Hb, prevent the increase in lactate and BUN concentrations. In addition, acute toxicity studies revealed that SCAE did not exhibit any toxic symptoms in the limited toxicity evaluation in mice.

Key words: Anti-athletic fatigue, Schizandra chinensis, mice.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (12), pp. 001-008, December, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In-vitro antimicrobial activity of Ageratum conyzoides (Linn) on clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori

R. N. Ndip^{1, 2*}, A. N. Ajonglefac¹, T. Wirna³, H. N. Luma⁴, C. Wirmum⁵ and S. M. N. Efange³

¹Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Buea, Box 63, Cameroon.

²Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South Africa.

³Department of Chemistry, University of Buea, Box 63, Cameroon.

⁴Department of Gastroenterology, Douala General Hospital, Cameroon.

⁵Medicinal Foods and Plants (MEFLOPA), Bamenda, Cameroon.

Accepted 15 October, 2012

Abstract

The present study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of fractionated extracts of Ageratum conyzoides in a bid to isolate the active constituents of the plant with anti- Helicobacter pylori activity. Helicobacter pylori was isolated from the specimens following standard microbiology procedures and isolates subjected to pure fractions of plant extracts for antimicrobial assays. Extracts of A. conyzoides was fractionated by silica gel and thin layer chromatography to obtain pure fractions (17). Fractions 23 - 30 and 31 - 36 were so close and had crystals; it was assumed that they had the same active components, so they were combined and considered as one (fractions 23 - 36). The disk diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of 15 strains of H. pylori to the fractions. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for the most active fraction was also determined by the broth dilution method. Results were analyzed by the Fisher’s exact test. All the fractions tested demonstrated antimicrobial activity with zone diameters of inhibition between 0 – 30 However, two of the 17 fractions [23 - 36(100%Hex-Hex/EA20%) and 69 - 83(Hex/EA80%)] demonstrated very potent activities. The lowest MIC and MBC recorded were 0.002 and 0.016 mg/ml respectively. However the MIC of the fractions ranged from 0.016 - 0.500 mg/ml for fractions 23 - 36 and 0.002 - 0.500 mg/ml for fractions 69 - 83. The MBC of the fractions ranged from 0.063 - 0.500 mg/ml for fractions 23 - 36; 0.016 - 1.000 mg/ml for fractions 69 - 83. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in the potency of the fractions on the different bacterial strains tested, both for the MIC and MBC but comparing the activities of the most potent fractions against the different bacterial strains, they possessed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in their activities both for the MIC and MBC. It is concluded that this plant may contain compounds with therapeutic activity, which may be found in fractions 23 - 36 (100%Hex-Hex/EA20%) and 69 - 83(Hex/EA80%).

Key words: Antimicrobial activity, medicinal plant, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, Helicobacter pylori, antimicrobial resistance.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Vol. 3 (11) pp. 001-008, November, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Histological and biochemical study of the effects of garlic oil and vitamin E in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity

Adejoke Yetunde Onaolapo ¹ and Olakunle James Onaolapo ²

¹Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

²Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University, Oshogbo , Osun State.

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

Received 22 July, 2012; Accepted 16 November, 2012

Abstract

The effects of over-the-counter garlic oil capsules and vitamin E on the liver following paracetamol (APAP) overdose was studied. This was with a view to comparing the possible hepatoprotective effects of vitamin E and garlic oil. Thirty adult Wistar rats weighing between 150 and 200 g were randomly divided into five groups of 6 rats each. Garlic oil (3 mg/kg) or vitamin E (200 mg/kg) was administered concurrently with a daily oral dose of 500 mg/kg of APAP. Serum levels of Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured on the 15^th day following which animals were sacrificed; liver sections were processed for histological study. Statistical analysis was carried out using a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a post-hoc test; results were expressed as mean ±S.E.M. The results showed  significant weight reduction and elevation of liver enzymes and extensive liver cell injury in animals in the paracetamol control (group B) with significant improvement seen in the groups that received either garlic oil or vitamin E although there was no significant difference in the effects of vitamin E over garlic oil.  The study concluded that both vitamin E and garlic oil are hepatoprotective in paracetamol induced liver injury with neither showing any advantage over the other.

Keywords: Paracetamol, Hepatotoxicity, Garlic oil, Vitamin E.        

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (11), pp. 001-008, November, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Diversity of plants used to treat respiratory diseases in Tubah, northwest region, Cameroon

D. A. Focho¹*, E. A. P. Nkeng², B. A. Fonge³, A. N. Fongod³, C. N. Muh¹, T. W. Ndam¹ and A. Afegenui¹

¹Department of Plant Biology, University of Dschang. P. O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon.

²Department of Chemistry, University of Dschang, P. O. Box 63, Dschang, Cameroon.

³Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.

Accepted 17 September, 2012

Abstract

This study was conducted in Tubah subdivision, Northwest region, Cameroon, aiming at identifying plants used to treat respiratory diseases. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview members of the population including traditional healers, herbalists, herb sellers, and other villagers. The plant parts used as well as the modes of preparation and administration were recorded. Fifty four plant species belonging to 51 genera and 33 families were collected and identified by their vernacular and scientific names. The Asteraceae was the most represented family (6 species) followed by the Malvaceae (4 species). The families Asclepiadaceae, Musaceae and Polygonaceae were represented by one species each. The plant part most frequently used to treat respiratory diseases in the study was reported as the leaf. Of the 54 plants studied, 36 have been documented as medicinal plants in Cameroon’s pharmacopoeia. However, only nine of these have been reported to be used in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

Key words: Medicinal plants, Tubah subdivision, respiratory diseases, diversity.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 3 (11), pp. 001-004, November, 2012. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro inhibitory effect of Urera baccifera (L.) Gaudich. extracts against herpes simplex

Fernanda Otaviano Martins¹, Michelle Mendes da Rocha Gomes¹, Fábio Luis Pereira Nogueira², Gabriel Rocha Martins³, Maria Teresa Villela Romanos¹, Maria Auxiliadora Coelho Kaplan⁴ and Fábio de Sousa Menezes⁵*

¹Experimental Laboratory of Cytotoxic and Antiviral Drugs, Virology Department, Microbiology Institute Professor Paulo

de Góes, Centre of Health Sciences, Block I, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

²Programme on Plant Biotechnology, Centre of Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

³Department of Food and Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Centre of Health Sciences, Block A, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

⁴Natural Products Research Centre, Centre of Health Sciences, Block H, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

⁵School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin - Dublin 2 – Ireland.

Accepted 19 July, 2012

Abstract

The inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro, at non-cytotoxic concentrations of Urera baccifera (L.) Gaudich. extracts have been evaluated. As for the antiviral activity, the maximum non toxic concentration has been established and this concentration has been used in the anti herpes assay, in vitro. Antiviral activity was determined by reduction of the virus titres. U. baccifera extracts showed the maximum percentage of inhibition against HSV-1-ACVr and the order of activity was found to be butanol fraction > ethyl acetate fraction > ethanol extract. However, the same extracts have not shown expressive percentage of viral inhibition against HSV-2-ACVr.. This is the first report showing antiviral activities for U. baccifera extracts.

Key words: Urera baccifera, antiviral activity, HSV-1, HSV-2

Keywords: Lead, coenzyme Q, antioxidants.