ABSTRACT
Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel is used in West African Ethnomedicine for treating diarrhoea, dysentery, malaria, cough and microbial infections. The methanol and ethyl acetate root extracts of G. senegalensis have been shown to be effective against diarrhoea and also have antibacterial activity. The plant was therefore investigated for its bioactive components. The ethyl acetate root extract was investigated using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Nine components were identified, n-Hexadecanoic acid (46.6%) as the major component followed by 9-Hexadecenoic acid (20.93%), methyl ester (7.75%), 7- Octadecenoic acid- methyl ester, 1, 2-benzene dicarboxylic acid – diisoctyl ester having (6.97%) respectively; 2–pentanone - 4–hydroxy–4–methyl acid diethyl phthalate (2.32%), Decane–6–ethyl–2–methyl and nonane, 3– 7–dimethyl with (1.55%) compositions respectively.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To investigate the petroleum ether extract of the unripe fruit of Solanum macrocarpum L. (Solanaceae) for its chemical components and its antimicrobial properties against Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and fungi. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria, between October 2007 and July 2009. Methodology: After authentication of the plant, extracts were prepared from the fruits of S. macrocarpum using Soxhlet apparatus. The petroleum ether extract was investigated for its chemical composition using GC-MS after it had been fractionated earlier using AGC. The extract was also evaluated for its antimicrobial activities by disc diffusion antimicrobial selectivity test using gentamicin (10μg/disc), ciprofloxacin (5μg/disc) and tetracycline (2.5x105μg/disc) as standards. Results: All the microorganisms used were resistant to the effect of the petroleum ether extract. However, a total of sixty eight (68) compounds were identified in the extract and its four (4) fractions, whilst only thirty eight (38) chemical structures of the identified compounds were shown because some of the compounds were common to all the fractions. Conclusion: The detection of 2-methoxy furan, 4-0-methyl-mannose, 2-hydroxy-ϒ- butyrolactone, 2, 3-dihydroxypropyl 9-octadecanoate, 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid and butanoic acid validates the antihyperlipidaemic property of the fruit of S. macrocarpum, so consumption of this fruit is recommended as a nutraceutical.
ABSTRACT
The effect of the aqueous fruit extract, Solanum macrocarpum Linn on some biochemical indices of liver function was studied in triton-induced hyperlipidaemic wistar rats. Thirty rats (160-200g) were used in the study and assigned to 5 groups of 6 rats each. Group I hyperlipidaemic control rats received distilled water only, whereas groups II, III, IV and V, the experimental hyperlipidaemic rats, were administered graded doses of the plant extract (25mg/kg, 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200kg/mg) per body weight intraperitoneally after which blood samples were taken from the rats 24hrs, 48hrs and 72hrs, respectively after extract administration. Serum aspartate amino transferase (AST) dose dependently and significantly decreased (P<0.05) at 48hrs and 72hrs. The values of alanine amino transferase (ALT) decreased significantly (P<0.05) at 72hrs when compared to the control. The decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was not significant (ALP) activity was not significant (P>0.05) when compared to the control. Serum protein and albumin decreased significantly (P<0.05) while bilirubin increased significantly (P<0.05) at 72hrs of study. In conclusion, Solanum macrocarpum probably has hepatoprotective effects.
ABSTRACT
Lipids are transported in human plasma as complexes bound to proteins called lipoproteins. Elevation of plasma concentration of lipoproteins is called hyperlipoproteinaemia or hyperlipidaemia. Lipoproteins are divided into high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDH) chylomicrons and lipoprotein a [Lp(a)]. There is no therapeutic approach that will reduce chylomicron catabolism. HDL is the good lipoprotein. Hypolipidaemic drug therapy can reduce LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) thus reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. A complete lipoprotein profile of the patient is required (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides) before commencing drug therapy. The cholesterol lowering drugs include statins, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, inhibitors of intestinal sterol absorption, nicotinic acid derivatives and others like dextrothyroxine, omega H-3-marine triglycerides. The adverse effects of these drugs were also highlighted.