Background: Over the years, the morbidity and mortality due to cancer have continued to increase worldwide. Plants are well utilized in Nigeria ethno-medicine for cancer treatment. However, scientific evidence, particularly at the molecular level, has been lacking, and biodiversity loss is a threat. Aim of the study: The cytotoxic activity of the leaves of six plants used in Nigeria ethno-medicine was investigated and the molecular pathway of cytotoxic action of two active extracts on four cancer cell lines (A549, RD, MCF-7, and HeLa) was also assessed. Materials and methods: Cytotoxic activities of the plant extracts were assessed on breast (MCF-7), lung (A549), cervical (HeLa), adenocarcinoma and rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells using MTT cell viability assay in a time-dependent manner. The sandwich ELISA method was used to assess the protein expressions (Bcl-2, BAX, and executioner caspase 3) involved in the apoptotic pathway in cancer cells after treatment with cytotoxic extracts. UHPLC-MS/MS approach was used to analyze the possible bioactive phytochemicals of the cytotoxic plant extract. Results: Uvaria chamae and Dicliptera paniculata extracts displayed good cytotoxicity across all cell lines in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (CC50 <30 µg/mL). Increased pro-apoptotic BAX and lowered expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 show the cytotoxic action of the two extracts followed the intrinsic apoptotic pathway compared to untreated cells. The increased expression of executioner caspase 3 indicated that the intrinsic apoptotic pathway was caspase-dependent. Conclusion: The anticancer potential of U. chamae and D. paniculata in this study validates the use of these plants in Nigerian ethno-medicine, highlighting apoptosis as a molecular pathway of their cytotoxicity.

Aim: Diabetes mellitus and its related complications lead to various systemic alterations. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the administration of extract of Peristrophe bicalyculata (PB) and quercetin on diabetic rat models. Method: Forty-eight albino rats (120–150 g) were divided into six groups of 8 animals each. The groups included normal and diabetic control (NC and DC (placebo)), Quercetin (10 mg/kg b.w.), Metformin, low (250 mg/kg b.w.) and high-dose PB (500 mg/kg b.w.), were administered for 21 days. Result: Administration of PB extracts, quercetin and metformin recorded a significant anti-diabetic activity and increase in body weight compared to DC. Results of hepato-toxicity recorded in diabetic control groups were favourably ameliorated in diabetic treated groups. Changes were observed in RBC and its parameters (HGB, MC, HCT and MCHC), and PLT in treated groups compared to DC. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of n-hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, octadecanoic acid and 9-octadecenal in the extract. Conclusion: the result from this study revealed extract PB and quercetin to possess the anti-diabetic activity and possibly indicating this drug may be an alternative to manage this disorder and its related complications.

Purpose: To research the antiplasmodial property of aqueous extract, fractions, and residue of Nauclea latifolia roots and to isolate the components responsible for the antiplasmodial activity.Methods: Roots of N. latifolia were macerated with distilled water; the extract was obtained, successively partitioned with ethyl acetate and butanol. The extract, fractions, and the residue obtained were evaluated for their in vivo antiplasmodial activity and compared with amodiaquine and artesunate. The residue (which exhibited the best therapeutic index) was subjected to column and thin layer chromatography to isolate its components. Purification led to the isolation of betulinic acid, which was characterized with the aid of spectroscopic techniques (1H, 13C NMR, and EI-MS).Results: The residue significantly inhibited parasite growth from 42.8 % (D2) to 77.6 % (D5). Therefore, residue exhibited the highest therapeutic index against Plasmodium berghei in the three in vivo antiplasmodial (prophylactic, suppressive, and curative) models and it compared favourably with amodiaquine (80.5 %) and artesunate (85.9 %). The major component of the residue was betulinic acid.Conclusion: The results validate the antiplasmodial claims of the roots of N. latifolia in folkloric medicine, and demonstrated that the isolate has a high therapeutic index in this regard. Further investigations, however, are required to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of the compound/isolate.

BACKGROUND:Food and herbal usage of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) is attaining improved global relevance and acceptance without recourse to its potential toxic effects. This study investigated the safety profile of acute, sub-acute, sub-chronic administrations and diuretic potential of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (AEHSC).METHOD:Acute oral toxicity, sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity as well as diuretic studies were carried out on HS. A total of 20 Wistar rats were used for each toxicity study and assigned into four groups of five rats. The extract was administered as a single daily dose of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (bwt) for 28 and 90 days respectively. To evaluate diuretic activity, 25 rats were divided into five groups of five rats and administered normal saline, hydrochlorothiazide 10 mg/kg, AEHSC 67.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg via the oral route. Urine sample was collected after 18 h, volume measured and concentration of electrolytes analyzed. The hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated as well as the histopathology of kidney and liver.RESULTS:The acute oral toxicity was found to be >2000 mg/kg. AEHSC did not alter concentration of WBC, MCV, MCHC, lymphocyte as well as total and direct bilirubin in the sub-acute study. However, AEHSC significantly (p < 0.05) increased total protein, albumin, globulin, Na+, Cl-, HCO3 - and platelet levels, while levels of uric acid, creatinine, K+, RBC, Hb, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C and atherogenic index were decreased significantly (p < 0.05). In the sub-chronic study, AEHSC significantly (p < 0.05) increased the levels of globulin, urea, creatinine, MCH and atherogenic index. The concentrations of uric acid, WBC, platelets and HDL-C were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. In both the sub-acute and sub-chronic studies, activities of ALP, ALT, AST, GGT and LDH in selected organs were altered without significant increase (P < 0.05) in activity of these enzymes in the serum. The AEHSC at all the doses showed remarkable diuretic activity during 18 h period comparable to hydrochlorothiazide. The extract also showed a non-dose-dependent increase in excretion of electrolytes. Histological analysis of sections of the liver and kidney for both sub-acute and sub-chronic studies showed normal histology comparable to the control group.CONCLUSION:This study revealed AEHSC has some toxic effects in rats on sub-chronic administration. In addition, the extracts produced a significant diuretic activity. Hence, prolonged oral consumption of the extract may not be recommended.

Aim: The study evaluated the effects of the combined extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Gongronema latifolium (GL) on pancreatic GLUT 2 expression and caspase 3 activity in streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/Kg)-induced diabetic rats. Study Design: Fifteen Albino rats were used for the study and were placed in 3 groups of 5 rats each: A - normal control, B – Diabetic control and C – experimental group. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the department of Anatomy, University of Calabar. Duration: 6 months. Methodology: Half of the diabetic rats were treated with VA+GL (400mg/kg, ratio 1:1, DE group) for 28 days, while the other half was untreated and served as diabetic control (DC). Normal control (NC) rats were untreated. After 28 days, the rats were sacrificed and their blood glucose, serum GLUT 2 and caspase 3 activity were measured. Histochemical evaluation of the pancreas was also carried out. Results: Blood glucose concentrations for the 3 groups were 60.31±7.28, 257.00±4.43, and 116.60±10.11 mg/dl for NC, DC and DE respectively. This represented a 4-fold increase in the DC compared with NC and a significant amelioration in the extract-treated DE group compared with DC group. Serum GLUT 2 concentrations were 70 ng/ml in NC, dropped to 8 ng/ml (p<0.05) in the DC and recovered to 20 ng/ml in DE (p<0.05). Serum caspase was 3.2 ng/ml for NC, increased to 8.5 ng/ml in DC (p<0.05) and reduced to 1.8 ng/ml in DE (p<0.05). The histology of the pancreas showed distorted, degenerated and shrunken β-cells mass in DC compared with NC and DE groups. The DE group showed clear signs of regeneration of the islet cells which was corroborated by positive Feulgen’s reaction compared with the DC group. Conclusion: The data suggests that the combined VA+GL extract has the potential to effectively reverse pancreatic damage in diabetes.

Previous studies showed that exposure to stress or nicotine induced reproductive impairment in male rats. Here, we assessed the effect of an antioxidant (vitamin E) on nicotine-, stress- and nicotine + stress-induced reproductive impairment in male rats. Forty-eight male albino Wistar rats were divided into eight groups as follows; control, stress (generator noise 90-120dB, 8hr/day), nicotine (1.5mg kg(-1) day(-1)), nicotine + stress, vitamin E (100mg kg(-1) day(-1)), stress + vitamin E, nicotine + vitamin E and stress + nicotine + vitamin E. Sperm count, viability, motility and rapid progressive forward movement decreased significantly (p<0.05), while percentage of nonmotile spermatozoa increased significantly (p<0.05) in stress, nicotine and nicotine + stress groups, compared with control. Serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone decreased significantly (p<0.05) in stress, nicotine and nicotine + stress groups, compared with control. Serum luteinising hormone decreased (p<0.05) significantly in stress and nicotine + stress groups, compared with the control. Histology of the testes showed loss of germ cells in numerous seminiferous tubules, and epididymal histology showed decreased sperm density in stress, nicotine and nicotine + stress groups compared with the control. These negative changes were more severe in the nicotine + stress group. Vitamin E ameliorated the negative changes in the above parameters. This may be attributable to its antioxidant property.

Aim: Bioactive constituents of n-hexane and methanol fractions of Vernonia calvoana (VC) leaves were evaluated using Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry. Method: The leaves were harvested, cleaned and air dried for 7 days. They were ground to yield 5kg weight powder which was macerated and extracted in 8000 mL of 80% ethanol for 48 hours, yielding 310.3g (6.2%) of crude extract after evaporation of the solvent. The paste (251.8g) was subjected to column chromatography over silica gel (mesh 60 – 120μm) and eluted with 1.5L of n-hexane and methanol respectively. The fractions were analyzed for bioactive constituents using Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (30m x 0.25mm ID x 0.25μm film thickness). Result: The results of GC-MS analysis showed the presences of twelve compounds with phytol (46.67%), 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid (33.40%), octadecanoic acid (11.25%), pentadecane carboxylic acid (10.69%), 9, 12, 15-octadecatrien-1-ol (8.12%) and ethyl palmitate (7.68%) in the n-hexane fraction, while methanol fraction was observed to have 14 compounds with oleic acid (33.40%), hexadecanoic acid (12.49%), 2-butanone (14.32%), palmitadehyde (8.36%), 11-octadecenoic acid (5.56%), Z-4-nonadecen-1-ol-acetate (5.36%) and limonene Oxide (4.37%) as well as other compounds in trace concentrations. Conclusion: it may be concluded from the results that, extracts of Vernonia calvoana contain various bioactive components that may be exploited as a good source of new drug for pharmaceutical industries.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and antioxidants activity of phytochemical constituents from ethyl acetate fraction of Vernonia calvoana (V.C) was evaluated. The fraction was subjected to GC–MS analysis using 5% diphenyl 95% dimethylpolysiloxane (30 m × 0.25 mm ID × 0.25 µm film thickness), the compounds were separated and identified by Turbo gold mass detector. The antioxidants activity was investigated employing the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) scavenging method. Eighteen different phytochemical compounds namely: Etylobenzene (22.13%), isopropylidenecyclopentadiene (8.24%), 1-ethyl-2-methylbenzene (8.64%), decane (15.24%), 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene (12.51%), 2,7-Dimethyloctane (5.79%), 4-methyltridecane (0.72%), tetrahydro-2-furanmethanol (2.44%), 3,3-Dimethylhexane (0.54%), 5-methylundecane (0.74%), 1-Nonyne (2.16%), 1-pentadecane carboxylic acid (4.70%), 2,6-Dimethyl-1,7-octadien-3-ol (4.00%), cis-9-octadecanoic acid (5.49%), n-Nonadecanoic acid (1.53%), Nonyl propyl ester (1.84%), 5,8-octadecadienoic acid (1.79%), and 9,12,15-octadatrienal (1.53%) were identified. Increase in activity was observed in both the DPPH and FRAP analysis, and were concentrations dependent and closely related to ascorbic acid. The phytochemical components using GC-MS and antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extract of V.C have been evaluated. In addition to this, further isolation and characterization of individual components would provide more insight to its use in the production of new drugs of therapeutic value. Key words: 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), gas chromatography, Vernonia calvoana, antioxidants.

Aerial parts and roots of Nauclea latifolia are reported to be effective in the treatment of malaria by ethnomedical practitioners. This effect has been variously reported by laboratory experiments for the leaves but none yet for the roots. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ethanolic extract and fractions of Nauclea latifolia roots on Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Forty (40) Plasmodium berghei infected mice were divided into 8 groups of 5 mice each and were orally treated with drugs (artesunate at 5 mg/kg body weight of mice), (amodiaquine at 30 mg/kg body weight of mice) and ethanol extract and fractions of Nauclea latifolia (150 mg/kg body weight of mice) once daily for a period of 5 days. The results showed that whole ethanolic extract, and extract fractions of ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous solvents, gave significantly (p<0.05) good results with respect to HB count and key haematological indices, which compared well with results obtained for standard drugs (Arthesunate and amodiaquine). These fractions and the standard drugs tested reversed anemic conditions usually observed in malaria patients when compared to the negative control group that showed high levels of anemia, leucocytosis and thrombocytopenia based on the assessment of their haematological parameters. Overall the dichloromethane fraction did not show favourable haematological and pharmacological effects on Plasmodium berghei infected mice. It was concluded in this study that Nauclea latifolia roots may be a future candidate for novel antimalarial drug development in Nigeria.

Malaria is a parasitic disease that is endemic in Nigeria with one of the greatest challenges being the development of resistance by Plasmodium falciparum against chloroquine and Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). Since, ethnobotanical studies have given insight on the use Nauclea latifolia (Pin cushion tree) to treat malaria, this study was aimed at validating or rejecting this claims through the extraction and fractionation of the secondary metabolites in the roots of this plant as well as evaluation of the in vivo antiplasmodial activity by comparing their effects with amodiaquine and artesunate. The extract and fractions were administered orally to albino mice by adopting the standard procedures of prophylactic, suppressive and curative antiplasmodial assay models. The following phytochemicals were relatively abundant: alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides and carbohydrates. The analysis showed that all treatment groups had significant prophylactic activities but the best three were amodiaquine, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions. However, all the treatment groups showed good chemosuppresive activity against Plasmodium berghei as follows: amodiaquine (99.2%), artesunate (98.8%), ethanol extract (96.2%) and aqueous fraction (91.3%) which showed similarity with the standard drugs. Moreover, the curative abilities of the plant roots in treating malaria infection showed that all the treatment groups significantly reduced (P butanol fraction (90.8%) > artesunate (90.3%) > aqueous fraction (33.8%) etc. Therefore, Nauclea latifolia roots may be used in prophylaxis, suppression of parasite growth as well as in the treatment of malaria.

The use of plants and plant products as medicines could be traced as far back as the beginning of human civilization (Saranraj, 2014). Plants are important source of drugs; especially in traditional medicine (Bako et al., 2005). It is a common practice in Nigeria and most parts of the world to use plant in form of crude extracts, decoction, infusion or tincture to treat common infection and chronic condition (Odeja et al., 2015). It is estimated that, plant materials are present in, or have provided models for 50% Western drugs (Robbers et al., 1996). Many commercially proven drugs used in modern medicine were initially used in crude form in traditional or folk healing practices, or for other purposes that suggested potentially useful biological activity (Robbers et al., 1996). The primary benefits of using plant derived medicines are that they are relatively safer than synthetic alternatives, offering International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 5 (2016) pp. 512-520 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

The aim of the study was to investigate the hepato-protective effect of the phytochemical fractions of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) on Streptozotocin (STZ)induced diabetic albino Wistar rats.Forty eight rats weighing between140-180g were divided into eight groups of six rats each.Groups one and two representing normal control (NC) and diabetic control (DC) received 0.5ml of dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO).Group three received 5IU/kg body weight insulin intraperitoneally and group four received 200mg/kg body weight crude VA extract orally.Group five to eight received 30%, 50% and 100% methanol and butanol VA fractions respectively at 75mg/kg b.w.The Serum liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and histology of the Liver were analyzed after 28 days treatment period.The results showed a significant (P = 0.05) increase in the serum ALT, AST, ALP concentrations in diabetic rats relative to NC.The increases were reversed towards normal in 30%, 100% methanol and butanol fraction treated groups and crude extract at varying degrees.The butanol fractions, on balance, showed a better overall ameliorative impact than the other fractions.Histological examination of the liver confirmed these results.While Section of the liver of the NC group showed a preserved architecture with abundant cytoplasm and prominent intact nuclei, that of the DC group showed swollen hepatocyte with mild inflammatory infiltrates, vacuolated nuclei with the very eosinophilic cytoplasm showing micro vesicular steatosis.The sinusoid was very dilated and congested.Treatments with the crude extract and fractions showed a restoration of the integrity of the hepatocytes to various degrees reflecting the order of their effect on the liver enzymes.These result showed that VA fractions, like the crude extracts, may be useful in the treatment of liver damage associated with STZ-induced diabetes.From the findings the butanol fraction of VA was more effective in the reversal of diabetes induced hepatotoxicity.The study represents a step towards determining the active principles of VA involved in reversal of diabetes induced hepatotoxicity and ultimately the standardization of the VA plant in diabetes therapy.

Earlier studies had shown the n-hexane fraction of Heinsia crinita to contain phytochemicals known to have antihyperglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities suggestive that its may be responsible, at least in part, for the antidiabetic action of the plant. The aim of this study was to establish if indeed the n-hexane fraction had antihyperglycemic, hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic properties. Thirty (30) albino Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 120-180g were randomly shared into five (5) groups of six animals each. Group 1 and 2 served as the normal control (NC) and diabetic control (DC) respectively and received placebo. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were diabetic treated groups and received 400mg/kg b.w Metformin, 400mg/kg b.w of crude extract (HC-C) and n-hexane fraction (HC-H) of Heinsia crinita respectively. Induction of diabetes resulted in elevated levels of blood glucose and progressive reduction of body weight. Administration of the n-hexane fraction, as with the crude extract and the standard drug Metformin, reversed the diabetes induced hyperglycemia and loss in body weight. Administration of the n-hexane fraction, as with the crude extract and standard drug Metformin, also significantly (p<0.05) lowered the elevated levels of TG, VLDL –C and LDL-C associated with diabetes (DC group) and increased the HDL-C level significantly (p<0.05) compared to DC. However the crude extract and fraction of H. crinita failed to lower the elevated TC level associated with diabetes. The n-hexane fraction, unlike the crude fraction did not lower the LDL-cholesterol level relative to DC. From the result, it can be *Corresponding Author

The effect of some traditionally extracted edible seed oils (sesame, peanut and melon oils) on some sex hormones - prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) of albino Wistar rats was studied. Sixty (30 - 50 g) weanling rats (20 males and 40 females) were purchased and housed separately until they weighed 120 to 150 g. Afterwards, the rats were cohabited in a mating ratio of 1 male : 2 females respectively, to give rise to 10 groups (n = 6), and fed rat chow (control), rat chow supplemented with 5, 10 and 20% sesame oil, 5, 10 and 20% peanut oil or 5, 10 and 20% melon oils, respectively. The animals were observed and pregnant females were separated into individual cages, allowed to litter and after weaning; the parent male and female rats were sacrificed and blood samples collected for hormonal assays. The results indicate that 5 and 10% supplemented seed oils caused significant increase (p < 0.05) in prolactin level (with a corresponding decrease in progesterone), LH, estradiol and testosterone relative to the controls. This favourable impact on endocrine environment suggests that the consumption of these seed oils, especially sesame oil, may enhance fertility. Key words: Sesame oil, peanut oil, melon oil, sex hormones.

Medicinal plant bioactive constituents are used as complements in the management of diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the effect of treatment with flavonoid-rich fraction of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) on blood glucose and pancreatic islet histopathology of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly assigned to eight treatment groups. Forty two fasted rats were rendered hyperglycemic by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (40mg/kg.bw). Methanol crude extract, 30% methanol flavonoid-rich fraction, 50% methanol saponin-rich, 100% methanol glycoside-rich and butanol fractions of VA were administered by gastric intubation to five groups of the hyperglycemic rats at 200mg/kg.bw for crude extract and 75mg/kg.bw for fractions respectively while insulin was given intramuscularly at 5 IU/kg.bw. Diabetic control and normal control groups were administered DMSO. Hyperglycemic rats treated with the crude extracts and fractions were hypoglycemic by the end of the 28 days treatment period. The 30% methanol flavonoid-rich and 100% methanol glycoside-rich fractions showed greater anti-hyperglycemic activity of all the fractions. Pancreatic islet histology of diabetic control rats showed damaged islets shrunken in cell mass compared with the non-diabetic control rats which had numerous islet cell mass and well stained nuclei. Treatment with the flavonoid-rich fraction presented total recovery of the islet cell mass, better than the treatment with insulin and methanol crude extract which showed only partial recovery. This observation indicates that the flavonoid-rich fraction of VA leaf extract reverses hyperglycemia and regenerates pancreatic islet cell mass

Objective: Investigations were carried out to evaluate the therapeutic potentials of extract of Vernonia calvoana as herbal medicines. Methods: In this study, the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potentials of extract of Vernonia calvoana was evaluated by using normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats at a dose of 400 mg/kg b.w. daily for 14 days. Fasting Blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored at 7 days intervals, and different biochemical parameters, serum glucose, serum cholesterol, serum triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein were also assessed in the experimental animals. Results: It was found that extract of Vernonia calvoana showed significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity (P<0.01). Conclusion: Extracts of Vernonia calvoana showed significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity, which provides the scientific proof for their traditional claims.