Background and Objective: Diabetes is a multifaceted disorder causing insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance leading to complications such as oxidative stress.This study evaluates the therapeutic effects of methanolic leaf extract of Ricinus communis L. (MERC) on streptozotocin (STZ)induced diabetic male Wistar rats, comparing its efficacy with metformin.Materials and Methods: A total of 35 rats were split up into 5 groups: G1 rats were given dimethyl sulphuroxide (DMSO); G2 rats were given STZ-induced diabetes; G3 rats were given metformin; G4 rats were given MERC treatment; and G5 rats were given MERC alone for 21 days.Following the experiment, blood samples were taken for measurements of blood glucose, insulin and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c).Oxidative stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and lipid peroxidation's index malonaldehyde (MDA) were assayed.Results: Along with decreased antioxidant enzyme levels, G2 demonstrated significant increases (p<0.05) in FBG, HbA1c, oxidative stress markers.Compared to G2, G5 displayed improvements in oxidative stress markers and insulin levels.Comparing G4 to G3, the latter showed higher (p<0.05)levels of antioxidant enzymes and decreased levels of FBG.Conclusion: Methanolic extract of Ricinus communis L. significantly improved blood glucose and antioxidant status in diabetic male Wistar rats, comparable to metformin and sometimes even better than metformin.This suggests potential as a natural alternative or complementary diabetes treatment, warranting further research and clinical trials in humans.
Background and Objective: The leaves of Terminalia avicennioides are used in Western Niger against gastric disorders and skin infections.The objective of the study is to perform phytochemical screening of the leaves of Terminalia avicennioides extracts and test their antimicrobial activity with special interest in the bacteria most involved in diarrheal infections Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus and reference.Materials and Methods: The methanol and aqueous extracts of this plant were prepared with the leaf powder.Aqueous extract was prepared by decoction and the methanolic extract was prepared by maceration.The major families of secondary metabolites were searched in the crude extracts following standard characterization methods.The extract was evaluated for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids and glycosides.The evaluation of the antibacterial activity of the extracts was carried out using the disk diffusion method.The MICs and MBCs were used to investigate the antimicrobial activity.Results: Phytochemical research revealed the presence of phenols, tannins, flavonoids and steroids.Leaves extract showed high levels of phenolic compounds which are derivatives of gallic acid and a significant level of flavonoid and tannins: Moderate antibacterial activity against clinical strains Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella flexneri and showed no effects on Escherichia coli.Better antimicrobial activity was observed with an ethyl acetate fraction of the methanolic extract.Conclusion: Phytochemical studies on Terminalia avicennioides's leaves revealed a variety of phenolic compounds which have many biological activities.Thus, it can explain the traditional basis for using this plant in the treatment of various diseases such as anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, cicatrizing and antidiarrheal.
Background and Objective: Hepatic disorders are conditions that affect the structure or function of the human liver.Causes include microbes and their toxins, ionizing radiations and abuse of drugs.Medicinal plant products have been an alternative for the management of these diseases due to the expensive, unavailability and harmful side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.The aim of this study was to determine whether plant species used in preparing herbal medicinal products for treatment of liver diseases have reported hepatoprotective activity.Materials and Methods: A field survey was conducted using information from television, radio and market vans to identify the medicines and purchase them from the herbal shops.The plant species and parts used in manufacturing were extracted from the product insert and the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Council logbook.The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) instrument was adopted in conducting the review.A search was conducted on Google Scholar, PubMed and Elsevier databases on hepatoprotection activity of the plant species.Results: In all, 175 articles met the criteria for the quantitative synthesis and were used for the review.For the plants, 56 species were used by 20 manufacturing companies in producing 25 herbal medicinal products.Khaya senegalensis was the most predominant plant species (9/25, 36.0%products).In terms of parts, leaves (40/56,71.4% of plant species) were the most prevalent part used.On databases, 41/56 (73.2%) plant species had hepatoprotective activity while 15 (26.8%) had no data for hepatoprotective activity.Crataegus oxyacantha was the plant species with the most parts reported parts (7 different parts).Moringa oleifera was most extracted (7 different solvents) and most tested against hepatotoxicity induced with 20 different toxicants.Conclusion: There is sufficient scientific data on the hepatotoxicity activity of plant species used for herbal formulations against liver disorders.Practitioners and Researchers should focus on isolation and testing of the active phytochemicals.
Background and Objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, claiming the lives of an estimated 17.9 million people per year.Synthetic medicines are prone to toxicity and long-term side effects.Herbal medicine, on the other hand, is typically directed towards assisting the body's natural healing process and can decrease toxicity and increase therapeutic benefits.The objective of study is to quantitatively analyze the bioactive compounds of Solanum album and Solanum nigrum and in silico analysis to identify the protection pathway of cardiac tissues against cirrhosis-related cardiac hypertrophy using selected herbal compounds.Materials and Methods: Crude extracts were prepared with methanol, ethanol, hexane and chloroform solvents by extraction technique (Maceration method).Phytochemical analysis was carried out with a confirmatory test through TLC for terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and tannins.Plant extracts of Solanum album and Solanum nigrum are characterized by UV-Vis Spectrophotometer (UV) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).In silico molecular docking with RCSB Protein Data Bank is used to get the three-dimensional structures of AGTR1 (PDB101) and PLC (PDB101).Ligand selection is done with the help of Pub Chem Target and ligand optimization is done by Drug Discovery Studio version 21.1.0software and PYMOL 4.6.0used for molecular docking analysis.Results: In vitro studies revealed that methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Solanum nigrum and Solanum album are rich sources of active secondary metabolites.Percentage inhibition against standard (ascorbic acid) showed that herbal extracts have excellent radical scavenging activity.The FTIR spectra of Solanum nigrum and Solanum album extracts showed peaks at 3323 and 3685 cmG 1 due to stretching of OH group.The IC 50 value of 81.746 µg/mL for Solanum nigrum and 74.048 µg/mL for Solanum album is reported.In silico studies highlights that Quercetin has binding energies of -8.4 kcal/mol compared to Angiotensin II (-7.5 kcal/mol) and Phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (-7.3 kcal/mol) with strong molecular binding action mechanism as compared to the conventional drugs.Conclusion: The plant extracts and their components have shown excellent antioxidant activities, in silico results of the study need in vivo pharmacological experiments for further verification to significantly improve the efficiency of compounds under study.
Background and Objective: The use of extract has successfully replaced the use of synthetic feed additives which tends to create an enabling environment for mutation and resistance development by negative microbes in poultry birds.The main objective of the study is to determine the effect of phytobiotic (Costus afer) extract on the growth performance and cost-benefit analysis of broiler birds.Materials and Methods: As 120 day-old broiler chicks were used for the experiment.The chicks were brooded for a week and thereafter distributed to four pens which were replicated thrice with ten birds per pen.Costus afer extract was given at 0, 5, 10 and 15 mL/L of drinking water in treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.The experiment lasted for 49 days.Results: Dietary effect on parameters obtained showed that results for growth performance were significantly (p<0.05)affected across the treatment group.Birds in treatment 4 (15 mL) had superior (p<0.05)values of 3620.00,3349.85 and 1.19 g for final body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio.While cost-benefit analysis table showed a higher value in treatment 4 for net profit and cost-benefit ratio with 3626.00 and 0.80, while the lowest values for net profit and cost-benefit ratio were obtained in treatment 1 with 1285.60 and 2.36, respectively.Conclusion: It is concluded that Costus afer extracts can be administered in broiler birds to the tune of 15 mL/L of drinking water without declining effects on the performance of the birds and eventually leading to a better profit.
Background and Objective: Maximizing the nutrients and bioactive components of different plant materials in a combined form is now becoming increasingly popular in dealing with the adverse effects of synthetic feed promotant and additives in farm animals, especially poultry birds.The objective is to assess the effect of the combination of lemongrass and black plum leaf meal on haematological and serum biochemical indices of broiler finishers.Materials and Methods: A total number of 120, four weeks old broiler birds were used for the research work.The experiment was conducted at the poultry unit of Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.Four experimental diets were compounded with treatment 1 containing 0% lemon grass leaf meal and black plum leaf meal, which served as the control.Treatments 2, 3 and 4 contained lemon grass leaf meal and black plum leaf meal at the levels and ratios of 1:3, 2:2 and 3:1, respectively.Results: Packed cell volume was superior in treatment 4 (34.66%) while the lowest value of 28.86% was observed in treatment 1. Haemoglobin had a higher value of 12.05 g/dL in treatment 2 which differs from the value of 9.82 g/dL obtained in treatment 1. Results for white blood cells in treatment 2 with 257.47×10 3 /L were superior when compared to 235.34×10 3 /L observed in treatment 1.Total protein had a superior value of 3.45 g/dL in treatment 2 which did not differ from those in treatments 3 and 4 with 3.41 and 3.44 g/dL, respectively.Data for cholesterol had a descending order with the highest in treatment 1 (169.37 mg/dL) which differs from the lowest value of 153.35 mg/dL in treatment 4. Conclusion: Thus, the combination of lemongrass and black plum leaf meal is viable in broiler finisher birds in the ratio of 1:3, 2:2 and 3:1 without any negative effect on the health of the birds.
Background and Objective: Anaemia is a major public health problem which affects people of all ages, especially pregnant women and children.It is effectively treated by blood transfusion but a less expensive and easy approach for remedying anaemia is by the administration of oral supplements, for example, the use of plant extract with active secondary metabolites possessing anti-anaemic properties most especially in cases of iron deficiency anaemia.This study was aimed at investigating the ameliorative effect of methanol extract of Phyllanthus niruri on anaemic male Wister albino rats.Materials and Methods: Samples of fresh Phyllanthus niruri whole plant (roots, stems, leaves and seeds) were collected from Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.The plant samples were shade dried for 10 days.The dried samples were ground to powder with the aid of a mortar and pestle.The coarse materials were then sieved.Extraction of P. niruri was done by cold maceration with 100% methanol.Twenty male Wister rats were grouped into four groups (n = 5) and acclimatized for 7 days.Anaemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of phenylhydrazine at 40 mg/kg/b.wt., on days 0 and 1. Packed cell volume (PCV) was determined to ensure induction of anaemia.Group 1 received no treatment, group 2 received ferrous sulphate at 75 mg/kg/b.wt.and groups 3 and 4 received 100 mg/kg/b.wt.and 200 mg/kg/b.wt., of methanolic extract of Phyllanthus niruri, respectively.Results: A significant (p<0.05)decrease in weight in groups 1 and 2 animals was observed.Animals whose PCV decreased by 29% were considered anaemic.The PCV levels on days 1 and 2 showed no significant (p>0.05)difference between groups, while a statistically significant (p<0.05)difference in PCV levels was observed on day 19.There was a significant (p<0.05)increase in PCV, platelet and eosinophil in groups 3 and 4. Other haematological parameters were not significantly different (p>0.05) between groups.Conclusion: The results suggested that the methanolic extract of P. niruri plant is relatively safe and possesses a significant anti-anaemic property.Therefore, it may be a potential lead in the discovery of drugs for the treatment of heamolytic anaemia.
Background and Objective: Hemp is one of the most popular plants commonly used by people since time immemorial due to its wide applications.It is a species of Apocynum cannabinum, of the family Apocynaceae reported to be effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting and also strongly linked with cancer chemotherapy.The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical constituents of the methanolic crude extract of hemp and its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and cytotoxicity activity from its polar and non-polar solvent extracts.Materials and Methods: Phytochemical screening of Hemp was carried out using GC-MS.Evaporation was done with a retovap.Antibacterial cultures were inoculated with Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA) using the disc diffusion method, lethality test was then carried out using Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina).After which carrageenan pedal inflammation was induced in rats.Results: Phytochemical screening of methanol crude extract of Hemp dogbane leaves revealed a total number of 100 chemical constituents among which are (E)-beta-famesene, caryophyllene, eucalyptol, caryophyllene oxide and tetrahydrocannabinol.The anti-inflammatory property of the crude extract of hexane, dichloromethane, chloroform and methanol extracts on carrageenan-induced paw reduced the incidence of paw oedema by 77.57, 69.66, 76.12 and 81.72%, respectively.The anti-bacterial screening showed a significant inhibition value, with higher inhibition obtained with methanol crude extract of 27.31±0.14µg mLG 1 on Escherichia coli at 500 µg mLG 1 and the lower inhibition was observed at 50 µg mLG 1 on Salmonella typhi 8.70±0.00µg mLG 1 , while the value of the mortality rate of larvae was 77.57, 69.66, 76.12 and 81.72%, respectively for the solvent crude extract.Conclusion: Hemp leaf extract showed high antibacterial, anti-inflammation and cytotoxic activities and thus added scientific information on the medicinal use of hemp.
Background and Objective: Dialium guineense wild fruit pulp is highly appreciated by all socio-economic strata of Togo, but unfortunately, a significant portion of consumers complain of constipation after taking this pulp.This study aims to evaluate the constipating effects of the fruit pulp of Dialium guineense.Material and Methods: The effects of Dialium guineense fruit pulp (250, 500 and 1000 mg kgG 1 ) on the frequency of defecation, the quantity and the water content of the daily stools emitted by Wistar rats were studied.The effects of this pulp (1, 2, 4 mg mLG 1 ) on the motility of isolated rabbit ileum were also studied. Results:The fruit pulp of D. guineense at 250, 500 and 1000 mg kgG 1 have induced a significant decrease in the daily fecal number, fecal weight and water content.D. guineense pulp has also induced a significant (p<0.001)reduction in fecal number, fecal weight and water content after 7 days of administration.The fruit pulp of D. guineense at 1, 2 and 4 mg mLG 1 have induced a significant spasmolytic effect on the rabbit intestine at 8.88, 18.36 and 51.52%, respectively.Conclusion: The fruit pulp of Dialium guineense at different concentrations has constipating and spasmolytic properties and thus confirm the traditional claim of the constipating effect of the fruit pulp of Dialium guineense.
Background and Objective: Luffa cylindrica is a plant used in the traditional medicine of Nigeria to treat different ailment conditions.Chemical constituents present in plants that are used in traditional medicine were reported to possess pharmacological activities.The present study investigated the pharmacological activities of the phytochemical and microelement constituents of successive extracts of L. cylindrica leaf.Materials and Methods: Different extracts of dried-powder leaves of L. cylindrica were prepared by successive extraction using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and distilled water.The extracts were screened for the presence of tannins, alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, saponins and phlobatannins using standard methods.Microelements in the dried-powder leaf were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results: Tannins, alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and saponins were present in varying amounts in the different successive extracts.The dried powder leaf contained considerable amount of potassium (9.80±0.97mg/100 g), sodium (0.32±0.12 mg/100 g), phosphorus (6.17±0.41mg/100 g), calcium (0.42±0.97 mg/100 g), magnesium (0.12±0.0 mg/100 g), zinc (7.67±0.02mg/100 g), chromium (0.70±0.01 mg/100 g), vitamins C (6.92±0.03mg/100 g) and E (0.11±0.01 mg/100 g).Conclusion: The selective solubility of phytochemicals in the different solvents is responsible for conferring a wide range of therapeutic and pharmacological activities attributed to L. cylindrica thus suggesting the relevance of solvents as a decisive factor for confirming the presence of bioactive principles in plants which could serve as a benchmark in drug discovery.The mineral and vitamin constituents detected in the leaves of L. cylindrica suggested that the plant can serve as a source of dietary supplement for boosting the immune system.
Muntingia calabura is a blooming evergreen plant.This plant has a unique traditional significance in different parts of the world.Based on traditional value pre-clinical research being conducted around the world, including identified phytochemicals responsible for various pharmacological activities.This review focuses on the taxonomical classification, worldwide geographical distribution, isolated constituents, traditional importance, therapeutic activity as well as the toxicity of the plant extract on animals.All the data included in this article was gathered from different online search engines.As a result of the survey signified that this plant has several traditional utilization-like headaches, tranquilizer, antispasmodic, including colds, gastric ulcers, antibacterial, insomnia and so on.Modern scientific studies have revealed that M. calabura has significant pharmacological properties, such as gastroprotective, anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, anti-bacterial and anti-diabetic, which are attributed to various phytochemicals found in various parts of the plant which are identified by using various techniques.This review focuses on ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemicals, toxicity and pharmacological properties, as well as continuing pre-clinical trials.Moreover, the review's findings will be valuable in building a full plant profile, which will support the investigator in subsequent research and fill in the gaps in clinical investigations.
Background and Objective: Medicinal plants are vital sources of easily accessible remedies used in the countryside healthcare system.This study aimed at determining the medicinal plants used in the treatment of prostate cancer in Unubi Nnewi South L.G.A and documentation of the various plant species used for curing diseases.Materials and Methods: Ethno study on the indigenous plants used for the treatment of prostate cancer in Unubi, Nnewi South Local Government Area was carried out through oral interviews and the use of questionnaire for data collection.Plant samples with their leaves, fruits, flowers, stems, barks and roots were collected and used for the interview.The common and vernacular names of the described species were also of interest and standard literature were then consulted for their proper identification.Results: The highest number of questionnaires 60 was retrieved from Amakobam village and the least 40 was obtained from Etitinabo village.The respondents showed that they got access to information on the plants species used for the treatment of prostate cancer through apprenticeship (93.3%) and some were informed through folklore (68.3%) while newspapers and the internet were the least sources of information about plant species relevant in the treatment of prostate cancer.The result showed that the most notable mode of preparation of herbal medicine for the treatment of prostate cancer was extractions and decoctions 89.2 and 75.8%, respectively.For the treatment of prostate cancer in the study area, the most frequently used plant is Talinum triangulare (85%) and Telfaria occidentalis (74%).Dennettia tripetala (40.8%),Cassia occidentalis (61%) and Spondias mombin (53%) were moderately used or rarely used.Conclusion: These plants are effective when administered properly and taken daily.Since plant species comes with many benefits like medicinal purpose, it is therefore, encouraged to consume them as food or medicine.
Background and Objective: Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae) popularly called the baobab tree is widely distributed in hot savannah regions of Sub-Saharan Africa.It is widely used as food and as a medicinal plant in the treatment of many human and poultry diseases.This work was designed to evaluate the safety/toxicity of A. digitata leaf methanol extract on broiler chickens.Materials and Methods: The chickens were purchased from a commercial hatchery and brooded for three weeks under standard conditions before the commencement of the experiment.The acute and sub-chronic toxicity screening was carried out using the OECD method.A total of fifteen chickens were used for the sub-chronic toxicity evaluation and the chickens were randomly divided into 5 groups of three chickens each.Group 1 served as normal control, while Groups 2 to 5 received 250, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg kgG 1 b.wt., of the extract, respectively.Results: The results revealed that the LD 50 of A. digitata leaf methanol extract on broiler chickens is greater than 5000 mg kgG 1 b.wt.No mortality or any signs of toxicity was recorded throughout the experiment.The extract significantly reduced the body weight of the chickens, especially in the groups treated with higher doses of the extract, but not significantly in those treated with lower doses.Initially, the average weight of the group that received highest dose of 1,500 mg kgG 1 b.wt., was 500 g, after the 4 weeks administration of the extract, the chicken gained weight of an averagely of 2,000 g as against the average weight of the normal control of 3,000 g.The biochemical parameters of the hepatic and renal functions (except for uric acid), as well as hematological indices analyzed in treated groups after the 28 days administration of the extract, did not present significant changes in their levels when compared to the normal control.At higher doses, especially 1,500 mg kgG 1 b.wt., of the extract, the level of the uric acid was 8.78±0.32mg dLG 1 compared to 6.01±0.32mg dLG 1 of the control group. Conclusion:The A. digitata leaf methanol extract may be concluded as practically safe and can be used especially for the treatment of poultry diseases.
Background and Objective: Medicinal plants used to combat diseases, they are of great importance for primary healthcare due to of their lesser costs, high safety margin and large biological activities.This study for Saliva officinalis L. aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles from an aqueous extract of aerial parts as a reducing agent and evaluate its antibacterial potential.Materials and Methods: About 1 mL of 0.01 mM of silver nitrate was added to 5 mL of the prepared aqueous extract.The green synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-vis Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, antibacterial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion method against two Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and one Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and was compared with the antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract.Results: Formation of silver nano particles by reduction of silver ions into silver element was indicated by the change of colour of the reaction mixture from pale yellow to dark brown colour.The UV-vis Spectroscopy absorption peak is obtained in the visible range at 410 nm confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles.Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of ingredients in Salvia extract which are responsible for the capping and reduction of the silver.The disk diffusion method results showed potent antibacterial activity against the three bacteria species, showing higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and medium activity against Klebsiella pneumonia.Conclusion: Aqueous silver nanoparticle extracts are found to be more effective against all bacteria studied than the normal aqueous extract so it can improve the activity of the plant extract and it can be further investigated for biomedical applications.
Background and Objective: Benign breast diseases such as hyperplasia, sclerosing adenosis, intraductal papillomas and radial scar are non-cancerous tumours on the breast.Although, benign diseases are not life-threatening, some are linked with a higher risk of developing mammary cancer.Hence, a plant-based approach is necessary since some of these herbal plants have been shown to have a positive effect in acting as antioxidants and might thus reduce the burden of mammary cancer to some extent.Biochemical effect of aqueous extract of selected medicinal plants on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced benign breast disease in Wistar-rats was investigated.Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were used for this study, they were sixty-three in number, all females and weighted 120-250 g.They were assembled into nine different groups of seven animals each.Group I (control) was given normal feed.The other 8 groups were given 20 mg kgG 1 DMBA orally to induce benign breast disease, group 2 (was not treated), group 3 (was given 6.6 mg kgG 1 of tamoxifen) and groups 4-9 were given various concentrations of the three different plants at 500 and 1000 mg kgG 1 .Results: Treatment with the various concentrate revealed a significant reduction (p#0.05) of cancer antigen 15-3, prolactin, estrogen and malondialdehyde, levels when compared to the DMBA group.The glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase, levels of the treated groups was significantly higher (p#0.05)than the DMBA group.Histological changes on the breast tissue caused by DMBA-induced damage was decreased by the different plant's.Conclusion: The present investigation reveals that the plants have properties that can lessen benign breast disease and conceivably breast cancer disease.
