ABSTRACT
Aim: The study was aimed to evaluate Momordica charantia leaves extract for hepatoprotective effect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methodology: A total of twenty five male rats were randomly divided into five groups of five rats each. The extract was administered orally for fifteen days at 200 and 400 mg/g body weight. Results: The results obtained showed that, treatment with the extract significantly (P<0.05) restored liver weight to near normal. The result showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in Heamoglobin (Hb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) compared to toxin control group. Also treatment with the extract caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the activities of Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatise (ALP) and the level of total bilirubin: and a significant (P<0.05) increase in total protein level compared to control group. Similarly, the extract caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the level of reduced Glutathione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant (P<0.05) elevation in the activities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) compared to toxin control group. Conclusion: This study found that, administration of aqueous leaves extract of M. charantia ameliorated hepatotoxicity induced experimentally by CCl4.
ABSTRACT
The antiplasmodial activity of the aqueous leaf extract of Mucuna pruriens (M. pruriens) was evaluated against Plasmodium berghei NK-65 strain in mice. The plant was selected based on their traditional claims for treatment of fever and other malaria related diseases in southeastern region of Nigeria. An aqueous leaf extract (90 – 270 mg/kg) was investigated for antiplasmodial activity against Chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei infections in mice. The antiplasmodial activity during early and established infections as well as prophylactic action of the plant in blood was investigated. Chloroquine (10 mg/kg) and pyrimethamine (1.2 mg/kg) were used as positive controls. The extract (90 – 270 mg/kg) dose dependently reduced parasitaemia induced by Chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei infection in suppressive, prophylactic and curative models in mice. The extract at these doses caused 60.06 – 71.75% inhibition of parasitaemia in the suppressive test, 65.97 – 84.38% parasitaemia inhibition in prophylactic test and a mean survival time of 16 – 30 days representing 64.41– 89.71% inhibition of parasitaemia in the curative test. These reductions were statistically significant (P<0.05) comparable to that of the standard drug used (Chloroquine and Pyrimethamine). These results show that the aqueous leaf extract of M. pruriens possesses significant (P<0.05) antiplasmodial activity which confirms its use in folkloric medicine in the treatment of fever and other malaria-related disease.
ABSTRACT
Aims: We assessed the capacity and mechanism of Terminalia catappa (TC) to induce erythropoiesis in vivo in phenylhydrazine- induced anemic mice. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: This study was carried out at Department of Biochemistry and Center for Biotechnology Research and Training Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria. The duration spanned between Jan 2011 and Feb 2012. Methodology: Solvent fractions of Terminalia catappa aqueous extract was used to treat phynylhydrazine-induced anemic mice. Treatment was done for four days, erythropoietic activity of each fraction was assayed by determining the effect of these fractions on intracellular hemoglobin and reticulocyte level from the blood, arginase was also assayed. Bone marrow carbonic anhydrase was assayed to monitor bone marrow erythropoietic stimulation. Results: Terminalia catappa was able to up-regulate the synthesis of intracellular hemoglobin (0.135 ±0.004 μmol/0.1ml) significantly comparable to hydroxyurea (HU) (0.158±0.006 μmol/0.1ml), and normalize the peripheral blood reticulocyte index significantly at P<.05 0.94±0.25% close to the non anemic mice 0.97±0.25% and bone marrow carbonic anhydrase activity. TC inhibited arginase activity significantly (P<.05) comparable to hydroxyurea. Conclusion: The results demonstrate Terminalia catappa extract as an erythropoietic agent that supports normal erythroid differentiation in vivo in phenylhydrazine- induced anemic mice in a synergistic fashion.