Therapeutic potential of concurrent administration of Hippocratea africana and Eremomastax speciosa in the treatment of Plasmodium berghei infected mice

Context: Despite the commonness of polyherbal therapy among the locals in the treatment of malaria in Nigeria, there are no adequate data on the therapeutic potentials and safety profile of these herbal combinations. The use of these plants in combination in the treatment of suspected and confirmed malaria infection is very common among the Niger Delta dwellers in Nigeria. Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic potential of co-administration of Hippocratea Africana, a medicinal plant with well documented antimalarial properties, and Eremomastax speciosa, a tropical plant with well reported antianaemic potential and haematoprotective properties. Materials and Methods: Thirty albino mice, whose weights ranged between 32 - 37g, were divided into five groups having six mice in each. Clinical features, weight changes and parasite clearance were evaluated to determine therapeutic potential of treatments. An inoculum which consisted of 5 x 107 Plasmodium berghei infested erythrocytes per ml of blood from a donor mouse with 64% parasitaemia was injected into each mouse by intraperitoneal route. The mice were kept at room temperature of 28.0 ± 20C for 7 days for the parasite to develop. A non-parasitized mice group served as normal control. After parasitaemia was confirmed using standard procedure, 200mg/kg and 300mg/Kg body weights of Hippocratea Africana root bark and Eremomastax speciosa leaf extracts respectively, were administered by oral routes to the respective groups of mice for 6 days. A parasitized group was treated with fixed doses of 3mg/kg body weight of Artemether and 18mg/kg body weight of Lumefantrine. Another parasitized group was left untreated. Results: Mice treated concurrently with the extracts of H. africana and E. speciosa showed a significant improvement in clinical signs in comparison to the untreated group. The mean body weights of mice administered both extracts was significantly (P < 0.05) increased when compared to the parasitized untreated mice and those treated with extracts separately. The mice treated concurrently with the two extracts also showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in percentage parasitaemia and significant (P < 0.05) increase in percentage parasite clearance comparable to that of Artemether-lumefantrine. The parasitized untreated group recorded 50% mortality, while the group treated concurrently with the two extracts did not record any mortality.

Anticonvulsant Activity of Carissa carandas Linn. Root Extract in Experimental Mice

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate anticonvulsant effect of the ethanolic extract of the roots of Carissa carandas (ERCC) on electrically and chemically induced seizures. Methods: The ethanolic extract of the roots of C. carandas (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p.) was studied for its anticonvulsant effect on maximal electroshock-induced seizures and pentylenetetrazole-, picrotoxin-, bicuculline- and N-methyl-dl-aspartic acid-induced seizures in mice. The latency of tonic convulsions and the number of animals protected from tonic convulsions were noted. Results: ERCC (100-400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the duration of seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES). However, only 200 and 400mg/kg of the extract conferred protection (25 and 50%, respectively) on the mice. The same doses also protected animals from pentylenetetrazole-induced tonic seizures and significantly delayed the onset of tonic seizures produced by picrotoxin and N-methyl-dl-aspartic acid. The extract had no effect on bicuculline-induced seizures. Conclusion: The data suggest that the ethanolic root extract of C. carandas may produce its anticonvulsant effects via non-specific mechanisms since it reduced the duration of seizures produced by maximal electroshock as well as delayed the latency of seizures produced by pentylenetetrazole and picrotoxin

Antipyretic and Analgesic Effects of the Aqueous Extract of the Fruit Pulp of Hunteria umbellata K Schum (Apocynaceae)

Purpose: The aqueous fruit pulp extract of Hunteria umbellata K. Schum is used traditionally for the treatment of various fevers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extract for antipyretic and analgesic activity; and determine its probable mechanism of action. Methods: Pyrexia was induced in rabbits by intravenous injection of 105 CFU of E. coli/kg. Rectal temperature was monitored at 30; 60; and 90 min post-administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract. The analgesic effect of the extract was evaluated using acetic acid-induced mouse writhing test. The extract was tested for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus; Klebsiella pnuemoniae; Escherichia coli; and Psuedomonas aeruginosa using agar diffusion method. Phytochemical screening of the plant extract was also carried out. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of simple sugars; saponins; flavonoids; alkaloids and steroidal compounds. The extract (250; 500 mg/kg) and aspirin produced comparable antipyretic effects up to 60 min. The extract did not inhibit the growth of the microorganisms but significantly reduced the number of writhes in mice at 250 and 500 mg/kg with results comparable to ASA. Conclusion: The extract possesses antipyretic and analgesic activities which validate its use in the treatment of pains and fevers

In vitro anti-leishmanial and anti-tumour activities of a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound isolated from the fruits of Dregea volubilis Benth Asclepiadaceae

Purpose: Dregea volubilis Benth, commonly known as Jukti in Bengal, is used in the treatment of boils and abscesses from ancient times. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the active compounds and as well as their anti-leishmanial and anti-tumour activities. Methods: Dried and crushed fruits of Dregea volubilis were extracted by petroleum ether (40 - 60°C); the best solvent system had first been verified by analytical Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). The extract was subjected to TLC and column chromatography (CC) to isolate the pure compounds. Spectra data were obtained by Infra Red pectroscopy, Mass Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance - Proton Magnetic Resonance (PMR), Carbon Magnetic Resonance (CMR) and Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer (DEPT) - for structure elucidation of the isolated compound(s). One of the compounds isolated was screened for anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani and anti-tumour activity on K562 leukemic cell line. Results: A pentacyclic triterpenoid compound was isolated and designated as taraxerone, and then characterized as d-friedoolean-14-en, 3 one together with ß-sitosterol and a long chain lipid fraction.. This compound showed in vitro anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani(strain AG 83) and anti-tumour activity on K562 leukemic cell line. Conclusion: A pentacyclic triterpenoid compound designated as taraxerone and characterized as Dfriedoolean-14-en, 3 one together was successfully isolated. The structure was determined on the basis of spectral analysis (IR, MASS, NMR (PMR, CMR and DEPT) and the compound demonstrated in vitro anti-leishmanial and anti-tumour activities

Antitumour Activity of Methanolic Extract of Plumeria alba L. Leaves against Dalton Lymphoma Ascites in Mice

Purpose: To evaluate Plumeria alba leaves for antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and Dalton lymphoma ascites (DLA) bearing Swiss albino mice. Method: The antitumour activity of the methanolic extract of Plumeria alba leaves (MPA) was evaluated against EAC and DLA using in-vitro cytotoxic and mean survival time; a decrease in the tumour volume and viable cell count in the DLA tumour hosts. The animal was observed for improvement in the haematological parameters (e.g.; heamoglobin content; red and white blood cells count; and differential cell count) following MPA treatment of the tumour bearing mice. Results: MPA was found to be cytotoxic in the in-vitro model. Intraperitoneal administration of MPA increased the survival time; dead cell count haematological parameters and solid tumour mass was also significantly reduced. Conclusion: MPA possesses significant antitumour activity