Showing papers by "Peter A. Akah published in 2016"
TL;DR: The LOMF showed the greatest antiplasmodial activity in all the models, suggesting that the antimalarial activity of the plant may be attributed to alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins present in the fraction.
Abstract: Context Landolphia owariensis P. Beauv. (Apocyanaceae) leaf is used in southeast Nigeria to treat malaria.Objective This study evaluated the antiplasmodial activity of L. owariensis leaf extract and fractions, also the phytoconstituents were standardized and analyzed.Methods The effects of daily, oral administrations of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of L. owariensis leaf extract (LOE), its hexane (LOHF), ethyl acetate (LOEF) and methanol (LOMF) fractions on early, established and residual infections in Plasmodium berghei-infected albino mice were evaluated in vivo. The extract and fractions were subjected to phytochemical analysis and HPLC fingerprinting, and the acute toxicity of LOE was evaluated.Results The extract and fractions elicited 29–86, 18–95 and 75–96% significant (p < 0.001) suppression of parasitemia in early, established and residual infections, respectively. The ED50 values for suppressive activity of LOE, LOHF, LOEF and LOMF were 266.56, 514.93, 392.95 and 165.70 mg/kg, respectively. The...
9 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The findings suggest that the methanol-dichloromethane extract of S. micranthus stem bark possess antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects.
Abstract: Objective: This study evaluated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of the methanol-dichloromethane (1:1) extract of Stemonocoleus micranthus Harms (Fabaceae) stem bark (SME). Methods: In vitro ferric reducing power, hydrogen peroxide and α, α-diphenyl–β–dipicryl–hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assays, were used to determine the antioxidant activity of SME (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml). Also the effects of SME (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) on liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-inducedhepaticoxidative damage were studied in rats. Results: The results showed that SME (25-400 µg/ml) significantly ( P 5 g/kg. Phytochemical analyses on the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, proteins, reducing sugars, saponins, resins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids, fats, and oils. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the methanol-dichloromethane extract of S. micranthus stem bark possess antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Keywords: Stemonocoleus micranthus, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Albino rats, Ascorbic acid
8 citations
11 Oct 2016
TL;DR: The findings showed that the extract and fractions of Rhipsalis neves-armondii (Cactaceae) possess anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects.
Abstract: Rhipsalis neves-armondii K. Schum. (Cactaceae) aerial parts preparation is used traditionally in southern Nigerian for the treatment of rheumatic disorders and cancer and so the aim of this study was to evaluate these folkloric claims. Carragenaan-induced pedal edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma were the anti-inflammatory models employed, while the antiploliferative study was performed using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide] assay method on Pancreatic tumor (PANC-1) and Henrietta Lacks’ cervical (HeLa) cell lines. The dried pulverized Rhipsalis aerial parts were extracted with methanol to obtain Rhipsalis neves-armondii extract (RNE). The RNE was fractionated using chromatographic techniques to obtain the hexane fraction (HF) and ethylacetate fraction (EF). Also acute toxicity and phytochemical studies were performed using standard procedures. Results showed that the extract and fractions significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the development of rat pedal ed...
3 citations
TL;DR: The pharmacological tests showed that topical application of Shea butter inhibited acute edema of the mouse ear and twice daily topical application inhibited the edematous response to formaldehyde arthritis whereas once daily administration was not effective.
Abstract: Background: The fatty seed extract of Vitellaria paradoxa Kernel (Sapotaceae) commonly called “Shea butter”, is a popular remedy for arthritis in west Africa. This study investigated the knowledge, prevalence and pattern of use of Shea butter in clinically diagnosed arthritic patients as well as its effects on acute (topical and systemic) and chronic inflammation in rodents. Methods: Knowledge, prevalence and pattern of use were determined using pre-tested questionnaire in clinically diagnosed patients whereas the anti-inflammatory activity was studied using xylene-induced mouse ear edema, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, formaldehyde-induced arthritis in rats and cotton pellet granuloma test in rats. Results: The results showed that of the 164 respondents, 94.1% know about Shea butter and 59.6% have used it mainly as a massage ointment once or twice daily. However, 73.7% of the users combine this remedy with analgesics to achieve relief. The pharmacological tests showed that topical application of Shea butter inhibited acute edema of the mouse ear. Systemic oral administration caused significant (p<0.05) suppression of the development of systemic acute edema of the rat paw in a non-dose related manner. Twice daily topical application of Shea butter significantly (p<0.05) inhibited the edematous response to formaldehyde arthritis whereas once daily administration was not effective. Shea butter also caused a significant (p<0.05) non-dose related inhibition of granuloma tissue formation on implanted cotton pellets. Conclusions: These findings provide a scientific rationale for the use of Shea butter in treatment of disorders of inflammation in traditional medicine.
2 citations
18 Feb 2016
TL;DR: The leaf extract of M. oleifera was found to be safe and enhance male fertility and showed increases in the numbers of sertoli and lydig cells in the extract treated groups.
Abstract: The use of leaf extract of M. oleifera in the management of chronic disease conditions like diabetes and hypertension has been documented, however; the safety of this extract on male fertility following prolonged administration seems not to have received adequate attention. We examined the effect of subchronic administration of the leaf extract on male rat reproductive system. Alloxan-induced hyperglycermia model was used in determining the antidiabetic ED50 dose. Serum testosterone, luteinizing, follicle stimulating, thyroid stimulating, prolactin and estradiol hormones were monitored. Cauda epididymal sperm count and testicular histology were analysed at the 91st day. The ED50 was 320 mg/kg. There were significant (p < 0.05) increases in testicular weight and sperm count in extract treated groups compared with control. Serum testosterone significantly (p < 0.05) increased from 4.26 ng/ml to 5.51 ng/ml in the ED50 group compared with the control that showed slight increase from 4.40 ng/ml to 4.73 ng/ml. Our findings also revealed significant (p < 0.05) elevation in serum gonadotropins and reduction in serum prolactin. Testicular photomicrograph showed increases in the numbers of sertoli and lydig cells in the extract treated groups. The leaf extract of M. oleifera was found to be safe and enhance male fertility.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of the methanol extract (LHE), hexane (LHHF), ethylacetate and LHEF fractions of Leptadenia hastata on acute and chronic inflammation were studied.
Abstract: The effects of the methanol extract (LHE), hexane (LHHF), ethylacetate (LHEF) and methanol (LHMF) fractions of leaf of Leptadenia hastata on acute and chronic inflammation were studied. Furthermore, the effects of LHE on acetic acid induced increase in vascular permeability, carrageenan induced leucocyte migration and membrane stability were evaluated. The LHE and fractions were also subjected to phytochemical analysis. The LHE, LHEF and LHMF significantly (p 5 g/kg for LHE. The LHEF elicited the greatest inhibition, suggesting that the observed anti-inflammatory effects may be attributable to the flavonoids abundant in the fraction. These findings demonstrate that the effectiveness of L. hastata leaf in the treatment of furuncles may largely derive from anti-inflammatory activities mediated through inhibition of both increase in vascular permeability and leucocyte migration, and stabilization of cell membranes.
1 citations
01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: Schum et al. as discussed by the authors used methanol to extract Rhipsalis neves-armondii extract (RNE), which was then fractionated using chromatographic techniques to obtain the hexane fraction (HF) and ethylac-entate fraction (EF).
Abstract: Rhipsalis neves-armondii K. Schum. (Cactaceae) aerial parts preparation is used traditionally in southern Nigerian for the treatment of rheumatic disorders and cancer and so the aim of this study was to evaluate these folkloric claims. Carragenaan-induced pedal edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma were the anti-inflammatory models employed, while the antiploliferative study was performed using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium- bromide) assay method on Pancreatic tumor (PANC-1) and Henrietta Lacks' cervi- cal (HeLa) cell lines. The dried pulverized Rhipsalis aerial parts were extracted with methanol to obtain Rhipsalis neves-armondii extract (RNE). The RNE was fractionated using chromatographic techniques to obtain the hexane fraction (HF) and ethylac- etate fraction (EF). Also acute toxicity and phytochemical studies were performed using standard procedures. Results showed that the extract and fractions signifi- cantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the development of rat pedal edema. The EF (400 mg/kg) exhibited the highest percentage edema inhibition of 53.33% after 3 h, compared to 36.67% of indomethacin. Also the extract and fractions significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed granuloma formation in rats, with HF showing the highest percentage