THIS text-book of pharmacognosy has already found wide recognition among teachers and students of pharmacy. Its subject matter has grown from a laboratory manual intended for use in practical classes, and now comprises the requirements for the Chemist and Druggist Qualifying Examination of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. A Textbook of Pharmacognosy By T. C. Denston. Fourth edition. Pp. xviii + 594. (London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., 1945.) 27s. 6d. net.

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A Textbook of Pharmacognosy

BackgroundSome observations and reports show that people with high consumption of Solanum aethiopicum (African garden egg) have relief in arthritic pains and swelling. We aimed at assessing the effect of methanol extract of Solanum aethiopicum in experimentally induced inflammation using leukocyte mobilization and vascular permeability tests in rats and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization as studies.MethodsTwenty five (25) adult Wistar rats of either sex (120 g – 200 g) divided into five groups of five rats each were used for each of the animal models. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered varied doses of the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), while groups 1 (vehicle control) and 5 (treatment control) received normal saline and indomethacin (50 mg/kg) respectively. Vascular permeability was induced by the intra-peritoneal injection of 1 ml of acetic acid and monitored using 0.5 ml intravenous injection of 1% Evans blue solution. Leukocyte mobilization was induced by the intra-peritoneal injection of 0.5 ml of 3% agar suspension in normal saline. Heat and hypotonicity induced heamolysis of HRBC membrane was used to assess membrane stabilization.ResultsThe methanol extracts of garden egg significantly and dose dependently reduced (p≤0.05) the acetic acid induced vascular permeability and agar induced leukocyte mobilization in rats. The percentage inhibitions of induced vascular permeability were 21 ± 3.39, 25 ±1.92 and 60 ± 3.81 for the 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract while the inhibitions of the agar induced leucocyte migration were 23 ± 2.17, 26 ± 1.58 and 32 ± 1.58 for the 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract respectively. The extract also, at doses of 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 μg/ml significantly inhibited heat induced lysis of the human red cell membrane with values of 66.46 ± 2.89, 65.14 ± 4.58, 46.53 ± 2.52, 61.88 ± 4.51and 86.67 ± 3.06 respectively.ConclusionsThese results show that methanol extract of Solanum aethiopicum has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce inflammatory injury and tissue damage.

Membrane stabilization as a mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract of garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum) | University of Nigeria, Nsukka Open Education Resources (OER)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a plant used in traditional medicine against different diseases because of its various properties (antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, etc....

Antimicrobial Activity of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) and Its Application in Food Products

Objective To evaluate the antimicrobial and toxicological effects of aqueous garlic (Allium sativum) bulbs extract in wister rat using biochemical and hematological parameters. Methods A total of 20 wister rats were assigned into four (A–D) groups of five animals each. Group A served as the control and was administered 1 mL of distilled water. Groups B–C were given 300, 600 and 1 200 mg/kg body weight of garlic (Allium sativum) bulbs extract for 5 weeks. Results Garlic bulbs extract produced significant inhibitory activities against all bacteria tested at concentrations of 120 and 160 mg/mL. However, at concentration of 80 mg/mL, the extract had no inhibitory activities against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi. The minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration ranged between 80–120 mg/mL and 120–160 mg/mL respectively. Toxicological study revealed that the extract did not cause any significant (P > 0.05) alteration to serum aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase activities, total bilirubins, Na, K, creatinine, red blood cell, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, granulocyte and organs-body weight ratio. However, serum alanine transaminase activities, total proteins, direct bilirubins, Cl− concentrations and body weight gain were significantly (P  Conclusions The extract caused selective changes in some biochemical parameters of organ function; however, since only mild alteration was observed at a dose of 300 mg/kg, the garlic bulb may be considered to be relatively safe and could be explored as an oral remedy at this dose.

Antimicrobial evaluation, acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of Allium sativum

Free radicals are highly reactive molecules generated during oxidation reactions which in turn initiate chain reactions resulting to cellular damage. There is substantial evidence implicating free radicals especially reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the etiology of more than one hundred degenerative disorders in humans including, arthritis, atherosclerosis, ischemia and reperfusion injury of many tissues, gastritis, diabetics, central nervous system injury, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and cancer. Scientific evidence postulates that bioactive compounds especially from natural products are capable of providing protection against free radicals. Consequently, few decades have witnessed a surfeit of research geared towards validating the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of the natural products. In this review, African natural products whose antioxidants activities were scientifically validated either in their crude extracts and/or derived products have been discussed. A total 1076 plants species representing 287 family, 132 isolated compounds and 7 insect/mollusk secreation were found. The plant species from the following families; Fababceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Moraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Combretaceae and Malvaceae have received more scientific attention than others. Analysis of the reports revealed that Combretum apiculatum, Telfaria occidentalis, Acalypha racemosa, Garcinia lucida were the most active plant extracts from African flora. The most active ROS-detoxifying phytochemicals were moracin T, U, S and R (84–87), oleanolic acid (54), 5,7,4′–trihydroxy–3,8,3′,5′–tetramethoxyflavone (89), 5,7,3′–trihydroxy-3,8,4′,5′–trimethoxyflavone (88), luteolin (3′,4′,5,7–tetrahydroxy flavone) (117) and genistein (4′,5,7–trihydroxyisoflavone) (116). The significant antioxidant potential demonstrated by some crude extracts and their constituent compounds render them good candidates for the development of new drugs. Although, the study of the mechanisms of actions as well as clinical validation of some of these isolated compounds is lacking. It is hoped that pertinent scientist and stakeholders will look further into some of these compounds for detailed authentification and subsequent commercialization.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186%2Fs40816-016-0037-0.pdf

African natural products with potential antioxidants and hepatoprotectives properties: a review

Zingiber officinale is a rhizome commonly consumed as a delicacy, medicine or spice. It is considered as a safe spice with several medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-vitro antioxidants, antimicrobial and safety of Nigerian Z. Officinale. Methanol extract of Nigerian Z. Officinale (MEZO) was evaluated for phytochemical composition, total flavonoids and phenol contents using standard procedures. Antibacterial study was carried out via the agar well diffusion method. Antioxidant activities were carried out using 2, 2′- diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP) assay. Twenty five (25) wister rats were randomly grouped into five (A-E) of five animals each. Animals in Groups A-D were orally administered 75,150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt of the extract on daily basis for 4 weeks while those in Group A (control) received distilled water. Total phenolic and flavonoids contents of the extract were 15.24 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g and 19.84 ± 0.32 mg/g CE respectively. The extract promoted an inhibition of free radicals with IC50 values of 47.05 ± 2.03 μg/mL and 89.15 ± 0.29 μg/mL in DPPH and FRAP assay. At extract concentration of 100 μg/mL, K. pneumoniae showed the highest susceptibility of 29.04 ± 0.35 mm, followed by P. aeuruginisa (26.03 ± 0.41 mm), while S. aureus (15.08 ± 0.20 mm) was least susceptible. The serum concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), sodium, albumin, total proteins and the computed organs/body weight ratios compared favorably (p > 0.05) with control at all extract doses tested. The bilirubin, urea and creatinine levels significantly (p < 0.05) increase while chloride decreases in rats dosed 600 mg/kg bwt. However, potassium level increases significantly (p < 0.05) in rats dose 300 mg/kg of the extract when compare with the control. This study revealed the strong antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of methanol extract of Nigerian Zingiber officinale. It was also found to be relatively safe for consumption and thus could serve as a source of candidate for the development of new antioxidants and antimicrobial drugs.

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In-vitro antioxidants, antimicrobial and toxicological evaluation of Nigerian Zingiber officinale

Background: Xylopia aethiopica is highly reputed for its numerous medicinal properties. In the present study, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicity profile of methanol seed extract of Nigerian X. aethiopica in rat were evaluated. Methods: Phytochemical compositions were evaluated using standard procedures. The antibacterial study was carried out using agar well diffusion method, while antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP assay. Twenty-five rats (5 each) were given 0, 75, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt of the extract orally for 28 days. Results: The extract had total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of 15.98p0.03mg GAE/g and 2.29p0.02 mg/g CE respectively. The extract had IC50 values of 52.45p3.05 mg/mL and 73.45p3.89 mg/mL in DPPH and FRAP assay respectively. The E. coli showed the highest susceptibility (20.27p0.90mm) while P.naeuruginisa showed the least (15.08p0.20mm). The MIC ranged from 25-50 mg/mL while MBC ranged between 50mg/mL and 100 mg/mL. In comparison with the control rats, the levels of serum creatinine, bicarbonate total proteins, albumin, and ALP were significantly higher in rat dosed 600 mg/kg bwt while urea decreases in rat dose 300 and 600 mg/kg. However, serum concentration of ALT, AST, bilirubin, Na+, K+ and Cl- compared favorably (P>0.05) with control at all doses. Conclusion: The study revealed the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Nigerian X. aethiopica, the extract at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg/b.wt did not provoke toxic effects to the animalsr liver and kidney; however, caution should be exercised when using as a prolonged oral remedy at high doses.

https://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-668-en.pdf

Free Radical Scavenging, Antimicrobial Activities and Effect of Sub-Acute Exposure to Nigerian Xylopia aethiopica Seed Extract on Liver and Kidney Functional Indices of Albino Rat

Hematological Status and Organs/Body-weight Parameters in Wister Rats during Chronic Administration of Cassia occidentalis

The present study evaluated the phytochemical profiles, anti-oxidants, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-arthritic and wound healing effect of methanol and ethyl-acetate extracts of Azanza garckeana. Methanol extract had higher phenol, flavonoids and alkaloids concentrations, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities than ethyl-acetate extract. Ethyl-acetate and methanol extracts had IC50 of 119.40 μg/mL and 133.49 μg/mL respectively against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) radicals. The extracts were more active against Klebsiella pneumonia while the least activity was recoded against Bacillus subtilis with methanol been most potent than ethyl-acetate. The IC50 value of methanol extract in inhibition of protein denaturation were 310.44 μg/mL and 315.27 μg/mL while IC50 value of 354.74 μg/mL and 349.57 μg/mL were recorded for membrane stabilization effect in bovine serum albumin (BSA) and egg albumin (EGA) assays respectively. There was dose dependent in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities with highest percentage paw oedema inhibitions of 51.68% and analgesia of 46.36% at 600 mg/kg bw of the methanol extract. The extract caused dosed independent increase percentage wound closure with percentage wound contraction range between 65.24 ± 2.46 and 69.68 ± .2.54 compare to untreated wound (15.35 ± 0.35 to 50.35 ± 2.35%). This study lends pharmacological support to folkloric usage of Azanza garckeana in the treatment and management of several human disease.

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Pharmacological activities of Azanza garckeana (Goron Tula) grown in Nigeria

http://www.biosciencejournals.com/archives/2015/vol3issue7/19.1.pdf

Abubakar Awwal Yusuf

Papers

In-vitro antioxidants, antimicrobial and toxicological evaluation of Nigerian Zingiber officinale

Free Radical Scavenging, Antimicrobial Activities and Effect of Sub-Acute Exposure to Nigerian Xylopia aethiopica Seed Extract on Liver and Kidney Functional Indices of Albino Rat

Hematological Status and Organs/Body-weight Parameters in Wister Rats during Chronic Administration of Cassia occidentalis

Pharmacological activities of Azanza garckeana (Goron Tula) grown in Nigeria

Hepato-curative Effects of Methanol Extract from Nigerian Bee Propolis in Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Intoxicated Rats