International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Preliminary studies of blood pressure lowering effect of Nauclea latifolia in rats

Z. A. M. Nworgu¹⁺, D. N. Onwukaeme², A. J. Afolayan³, F. C Ameachina¹ and B. A. Ayinde²

¹Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

²Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin.

³Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Fort Hare.

Accepted 22 December, 2010

Abstract

Roots of Nauclea latifolia are used in Nigeria for the treatment of hypertension. Ethanolic extract of the root of N. latifolia was administered to anaesthetised rats through the jugular vein while the blood pressure was measured through the carotid artery. The extract reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure in normotensive and in one kidney one clip hypertensive rats in a dose dependant manner. 10 mg/kg of the extract reduced the mean arterial pressure from 115.7 ± 0.4 to 99.6 ± 3.8 mm Hg, while it reduced the systolic and diastolic from 125.6 ± 0.5 to 102.4 ± 4.0 and from 110.5 ± 0.3 to 95.0 ± 3.2 mm Hg respectively. The changes caused in hypertensive rats were much greater. The same dose of the extract reduced the mean arterial pressure from 157.4 ± 4.7 to 72.0 ± 3.6 mm Hg, while it reduced the systolic and diastolic blood pressures from 180.0 ± 5.7 to 90.1 ± 2.6 and from 146.2 ± 3.3 to 63.0 ± 4.9 mm Hg respectively. The extract (10 mg/kg) also reduced the heart rate of normotensive rats from 365 ±12.8 to 280 ± 6.0 beats/min, while it reduced the heart rate of hypertensive rats from 550 ± 22.5 to 120 ± 8.0 beats/min. The reduction in blood pressure and heart rate was not affected by prior treatment with atropine or promethazine.

Keywords: Blood pressure, Nauclea latifolia root, phytochemical.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

HPLC analysis of nicotinamide, pyridoxine, riboflavin and thiamin in some selected food products in Nigeria

 Chimezie Anyakora¹, Ibukun Afolami², Teddy Ehianeta¹ and Francis Onwumere³

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

³Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Accepted 13 October, 2010

Abstract

Food fortification is an important tool for improving the health of the population. Motivated by this, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has in the past few years embarked on a campaign to create this awareness. There has been varying degree of compliance to this, and so it is of utmost importance to know the food products that contribute significantly to the dietary vitamin B intake. This study investigates the amount of four Vitamin B compounds, namely nicotinamide, pyridoxine, riboflavin and thiamin, present in different packaged food items available in Lagos metropolis of Nigeria. The food items analyzed include dairy products, fruit juices and cereal products. These foods were chosen because of their widespread consumption in the area. The analysis was done using a high performance liquid chromatographic technique with a UV detector. The separation was carried out on a C18 column, using a mobile phase made up of 70% buffer (a solution of sodium salt of hexane sulphonic acid) and 30% HPLC grade methanol. The identification was based on retention time match against a standard while the quantitation was based on the peak area match against those of a standard. The calibration curves for the standards were linear with a linear regression coefficient close to unity.

Keywords: Vitamin B, HPLC, Food Fortification.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-008, December, 2010. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of rat liver mitochondrial permeability transition pore by using mitochondrial swelling assay

Manash K. Paul^{1, 2}* , Rajinder K²  and Anup K. Mukhopadhyay²

¹Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Sector-26, Chandigarh, 160019, India.

²Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector-67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab-160 062, India.

Accepted 14 September, 2010

Abstract

The mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is considered to contribute substantially to the regulation of normal mitochondrial metabolism and plays as an important mediator of cell death. MPT is regulated in a tissue specific manner. The importance of this work is highlighted by the fact that knowledge regarding liver MPT may serve as important determinants of the physiological state of the liver. Our results suggest that liver mitochondria exhibit a cyclosporin A sensitive, exogenous calcium mediated full scale MPT opening, indicative of classical MPT. Transmission electron microscopy suggests a homogeneous mitochondrial population. Complex II substrate (succinate) in comparison to complex I substrate (NADH) induces increased MPT opening. Reactive Oxygen Species induces liver mitochondrial MPT opening and is abrogated by ascorbic acid and -tocopherol. Liver MPT is sensitive to redox modulation. Reducing and oxidizing agents decrease and increase MPT opening respectively. MPT of liver mitochondria show typical pH dependence, acidic and alkaline pH induces MPT closure while, maximal MPT opening and calcium sensitivity was achieved at a pH range of ~7.2-7.4. ATP inhibited, while ADP activated MPT opening. Thus, our study demonstrates that all the major MPT functions in normal liver mitochondria could be determined by simple mitochondrial swelling assay under well-defined conditions, thereby suggesting its application in therapeutic diagnostics.

Key words: Mitochondria, mitochondrial permeability transition, swelling assay, oxidants, reductants, calcium, cyclosporin A, pH.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-007, December, 2010. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts of Senna obtusifolia (L)

Doughari, J. H*, El-mahmood, A. M. and Tyoyina, I

Department of Microbiology, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Technology, PMB 2076 Yola 64002 Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Accepted 22 July, 2010

Abstract

Antimicrobial properties of leaf extracts of Senna obtusifolia (L) were investigated against both clinical and laboratory isolates of both bacteria and fungi using the disc diffusion method. Acetone extracts (12 mm zone diameter of inhibition, MIC 200 g/mL and MBC 300 g/mL) demonstrated the highest activity, followed by dichloromethane (8 mm zone diameter of inhibition, MIC 300 g/mL and MBC 400 g/mL), methane (7 mm zone diameter of inhibition, MIC 400 g/mL and MBC 400 g/mL) and hexane (6 mm zone diameter of inhibition, MIC 800 g/mL and MBC 1000 g/mL). Water extracts demonstrated the least activity against the test bacteria and fungi (4 mm zone diameter of inhibition, MIC 800 g/mL and MBC 800 g/mL). Phytotoconstituents present included Saponins, Tannins, Alkaloids and Flavonoids. S. obtusifolia (L) can be used to source antibiotic substances for possible treatment of bacterial and fungal infections including gonorrhea, pneumonia, urinary tract and some mycotic infections.

Key words: Senna obtusifolia (L), antimicrobial property, extract antibiotic.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-006, December, 2010. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of Grewia gum on the mechanical properties of Paracetamol tablet formulations

Emeje Martins*, Isimi Christiana and Kunle Olobayo

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) Idu, P. M. B.21 Garki – Abuja, Nigeria.

Accepted 16 September, 2010

Abstract

Grewia gum has been evaluated as a binder in paracetamol tablet formulations. Compressional properties of the formulations were analyzed using density measurements and the compression equations of Heckel and Kawakita as assessment parameters. Formulations containing Grewia gum as a binder show a slower onset and lower amount of plastic deformation than those containing PVP. The Db values for formulations containing Grewia gum, increased with increased concentration up to 4% w/w. Formulations containing Grewia gum were also found to exhibit higher degree of packing than those containing PVP. Yield values for formulations containing Grewia gum was found to be at variance with the binder concentration. The values increased between 1 and 2% w/w and decreased between 2 and 4% w/w. A linear relationship was found to exist between N/C and N for formulations containing Grewia gum at all concentrations. Grewia gum was found to improve the fluidity of paracetamol granulation better than PVP. This study suggests that Grewia gum compares favorably with the standard binder PVP used hence could be a useful substitute binder in paracetamol tablet formulations.

Key words: Grewia gum, PVP, paracetamol, Heckel equation, Kawakita equation, compaction characteristics.

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-009, December, 2010. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy of hibitane^® on some nosocomial isolates of S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans

El Mahmood, A. M.* and Doughari, J. H.

Department of Microbiology, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University of Technology, PMB 2076 Yola 64002, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Accepted 23 July, 2010

Abstract

The effectiveness of the disinfectant hibitane on some microorganisms associated with nosocomial infections were assessed at various use-dilutions of 1: 10, 1: 100, 1: 200 and 1: 2000 constituted using aqueous ethanol and 10% serum solutions. The shapes of the death curves were qualitatively similar for all the organisms exhibiting an initial shoulder (lag), the duration of which depended on hibitane^® concentration used and this was closely followed by an exponential order of death. Alcoholic solutions were much more potent than aqueous solutions. Activity of the disinfectant was maintained in the presence of potable water and serum though to a lesser extent than deionized water. The order of resistance to the disinfectant was Escherichia coli (MBC 0.00008 - 0.0003) > Staphyloccocus aureus (MBC 0.00007 - 0.00026) > Candida albicans MBC 0.00006 - 0.00022).

Key words: Hibitane^®, nosocomial infections, exponential death, Escherichia coli, Staphyloccocus aureus, Candida albicans.