ABSTRACT
Background: Malaria infection remains the most devastating infectious parasitic disease responsible for the death and economic losses among half the world’s population. The development of resistance to the present antimalarial drugs by Plasmodium species has necessitated the search for effective antimalarial drugs. The stem bark of dry zone cedar (Pseudocedrela kotschyi) Meliaceae is used locally for the treatment of fever, hence the choice of the plant to prove scientifically the traditional claim. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimalarial activity of the stem bark extracts of P. kotschyi in mice. Methodology: One hundred and twenty grammes of the plant powder were successively extracted. A total of three hundred and sixty mice were used for the study, one hundred and twenty for each extract (ethanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous) and forty per each test (suppressive, curative and prophylactic). Male and female, albino mice were inoculated with drug sensitive NK 65 Plasmodium berghei berghei. In each test animals were divided into five groups, each consisted of eight animals and treated separately with one of the following: 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg extracts, chloroquine / pyrimethamine and normal saline. Blood films were prepared and examined. Results: The ethanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous crude extracts of P. kotschyi at 200 mg/kg significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the parasitaemia by 39.43%, 26.99% and 28.36% respectively in the suppressive test. Ethanol and ethyl acetate crude extracts also showed significant (p<0.05) cure rate of 29.17% and 20.28% respectively. However there was no significant (p>0.05) reduction in parasitaemia load in the prophylactic tests, indicating that the plant is probably not a potential prophylactic subject. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that P. kotschyi indeed has antiplasmodial property, which could be exploited in the search for malaria drugs in the present day scenerio.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To investigate the antiviral property of flavonoids from Cucumis metuliferus fruit pulp in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells and embryonated chicken eggs (ECE) induced with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Study Design: Extraction and administration of bioactive extract. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, University of Jos, Nigeria and Virology Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria between June, 2011 and August, 2011. Methodology: The CEF cells were first exposed to 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125, 1.563, 0.782, 0.391 and 0.195 mg/ml of the sterile flavonoids to test for cytotoxicity and the cells monitored visually daily using a light microscope for evidence of cytopathic effects at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Toxicity of flavonoids in embryonated eggs and antiviral assay for flavonoids using IBDV were then carried out. Hemagglutination test for antigenicity of the virus was also performed to confirm antiviral activity. Results: The flavonoids (100 to 0.195 mg/ml concentrations) were not cytopathic when exposed to CEF cells. After 24 and 48 hours, all the embryonated eggs died at 100 and 50 mg/ml of the flavonoids respectively, but mortalities were not recorded at other concentrations of the flavonoids. Concentrations of the flavonoids at 100, 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25 mg/ml were found to be toxic against IBDV, but viral replication was not inhibited from flavonoids concentrations of 3.125, 1.563, 0.782, 0.391 and 0.195 mg/ml. Conclusion: This investigation revealed that flavonoids from Cucumis metuliferus fruit pulp were relatively safe in chickens and possess antiviral activity against IBDV.
ABSTRACT
The effect of the extract of Cucumis metuliferus fruit on some male reproductive parameters was investigated in albino rats. The LD50 of the extract was above 5000 mg/kg body weight when administered orally. Histological studies showed that there was no remarkable change in the testes histology compare to the control. The effects on sperm cells showed a statistically significant (P0.05) increase in total sperm count with an insignificant (P0.05) increase in viability count in rats treated with 500 mg/kg dose point. On the other hand; 1000 mg/kg dose point produced significant (P0.05) decrease in total sperm count and viability count compare to control. This result suggests that C. metuliferus fruit extracts could be beneficial in increasing sperm/semen integrity