Showing papers in "The African Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in 2019"

Wound healing effect of aqueous extracts of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus from Northwest Ethiopia in albino mice

Abstract: Back ground: The practice of traditional medicine to treat wound and bleeding disorders in Ethiopia is based on use of numerous herbs. In Ethiopia, the traditional healers use the leaves of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus for wound healing purposes. But no scientific study is reported on the in vivo evaluation of the pharmacological effect of the two selected plants collected locally from Zegie and around Lake Tana monasteries, Northwest Ethiopia. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the wound healing effects of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus on a mouse model. Methods: 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml of Brucea antidysenterica and 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml of Croton marcostachyus leaf aqueous extract solutions were applied on the 1.5cm inflicted wound on the trunk part of the mice of different groups. The degree of wound healing as a percentage was calculated from the wound diameter for each experimental animal. Result: The aqueous extract 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus achieved a relatively higher degree of wound healing percent compared to the control group. Moreover, the 100mg/ml aqueous leaf extract of Croton marcostachyus and Brucea antidysenterica have shown higher degree of wound healing percent compared to the 50mg/ml concentrations of the two plants. Conclusion: The current study concluded that the aqueous extracts of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus possess excellent wound healing potential. Hence, the results of the current study support the traditional use of leaf extracts of Croton marcostachyus and Brucea antidysenterica as remedies for wound healing. Further studies are required to isolate the active compounds and determine safety margin of the plant extracts. Key words: Wound healing, Brucea antidysenterica , Croton marcostachyus

Antidepressant activity of ethanol leaf extract of Zea mays

Abstract: Background Zea mays L. (Poacae), also called maize or corn, is used for its nutritive value. Parts of the plant such as maize grains, leaves, cornsilks, stalk, and inflorescence are also employed in ethnomedicine Warm tea made from the husk and leaf is taken in traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria, depression and other diseases. Objective: Evaluation of antidepressant activity of the leaf extract was carried out to ascertain its ethnomedicinal uses. Method: The ethanol leaf extract of Zea mays (170 - 510 mg/kg) was investigated for antidepressive activity in open field, force swimming, and tail suspension tests using Swiss albino mice. Results: The extract was found to significantly (p<0.05-0.01) increase the frequency of line crossing, rearing and walling activities of mice in open field test. The extract also decreased significantly (p<0.05-0.001) duration of immobility time of mice in force swimming and tail suspension tests. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that leaf extract of Z. mays has antidepressant activity and this lay credence to its use in ethno-medicine for the treatment of depression. Keywords: Zea mays, antidepressant, CNS stimulant

In vivo antimalarial and in vitro antioxidant activities of hydro-methanol leaf extract of Fadogia cienkowskii Schweinf. (Rubiaceae)

Abstract: Background: Rapid parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs necessitate continuous search for new drugs Fadogia cienkowskii Schweinf (Rubiaceae) is one of the several plants utilized in South-East Nigeria for treatment of malaria fever Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate antimalarial and antioxidant potentials of leaf extract of F cienkowskii The phytochemical profile and toxic heavy metal content were also evaluated Methodology: Antimalarial activity of crude leaf extract of F cienkowskii (100 – 400 mg kg -1 ) was assessed against chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei (NK65) using suppressive and curative test models Chloroquine 10 mg kg -1 was used as positive control Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power methods The presence of heavy metals in the raw material was evaluated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric technique and modified Lorke’s method was employed to test for oral acute toxicity Results: The results showed that the test plant exhibited antimalarial activities in both models in a dose-dependent manner The comparison analysis showed that at 400 mg kg -1 , the suppressive and curative effects were 9344% and 7247% respectively All the animal groups that received test extract lived longer and weight loss was prevented compared to the negative control group The test extract exhibited antioxidant potential in DPPH scavenging and FRAP assays compare with Vitamin C All the tested heavy metals were present but within permissible range Acute toxicity study of extract revealed no immediate adverse effect(s) Conclusion: These results support the traditional use of F cienkowskii in management of malaria fever Key Words : Fadogia cienkowskii, Plasmodium berghei, antimalarial, heavy metals, antioxidant