ABSTRACT
Combretum dolichopetalum Engl. & Diels (Combretaceae) is a medicinal plant used in the Kpando Traditional Area for treating wounds. However, it has received little attention by the scientific world. The study was designed to evaluate the wound healing potential and antioxidant activities of the plant to confirm its folkloric use. Excision wound model was used with Penicillin as the standard reference drug. Sensitivity test was carried out on the extract against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia using disc diffusion method. The antioxidant activity was measured by three different spectrophotometric assays. The content of total phenolics and total flavonoids were also determined. The extract significantly caused wound healing and reduced microbial load. Similarly, the methanol extract significantly inhibited the growth of S. aureus and K. pneumonia at higher doses. Almost all results from the antioxidant activity models were concentration dependent with no significant difference from the standard Ascorbic acid except at very low concentrations. Tannins and flavonoids were present whose synergistic effects may be responsible for the high antioxidant activity. Correlation analysis between the values of DPPH and TAC (r2=0.7790) indicates the viability of the two models for evaluating antioxidants from medicinal plants.
ABSTRACT
Background: Polyscias fruticosa is been used in Ghanaian folkloric medicine for the management of asthma and its related complications. Aim: This study evaluated the muco-suppressant, anti-tussive, and safety profile of an ethanolic leaf extract of Polyscias fruticosa in its use as an anti-asthmatic. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana and the School of Physical Sciences, University of Cape-Coast, Cape-Coast, Ghana; between December, 2013 and May, 2014. Methodology: Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out on the extract. Ammonium chloride-induced tracheal mucus phenol red secretion in ICR mice and the suppression of citric acid-induced cough in Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were determined after treatment of experimental animals with 100 mg/kg sodium cromoglycate, or 20 mg/kg dihydrocodeine respectively, as well as with 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg of the extract. A 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg dose of the extract was administered daily for 28 days to groups of guinea pigs to establish a safety profile in a sub-chronic toxicity study. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins and cyanogenetic glycosides, alkaloids, and sterols. The extract significantly inhibited (P ≤ .01 - 0.001) tracheal mucus phenol red secretion, and suppression of citric acid-induced cough. There were no significant changes in body weight, haematological profile, as well as liver and kidney functions in the sub-chronic toxicity study. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the ethanolic leaf extract of Polyscias fruticosa has muco-suppressant and anti-tussive properties, and is safe to use; hence a suitable adjunct/remedy for the management of asthma.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To assess the nephroprotective and curative effects of an aqueous seed extract of Parkia clappertoniana on gentamicin-induced renal damage (GIRD) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Study Design: Experimental Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Laboratory, University of Cape Coast, Ghana between September, 2012 and May 2013. Methodology: In assessing nephro protective effect, rats were pretreated (10 days) with P. clappertoniana aqueous seed extract (1-2 g kg-1; p.o) prior to induction of renal damage by treatment with gentamicin (0.08g kg-1; p.o, for 8 days. Serum biochemical markers (Creatinine, Urea, Na+ and K+) and urine parameters (leukocyte, protein, specific gravity and pH) of renal damage were determined and compared with baseline values. In a curative study, GIRD in rats was treated with Normal Saline (2 ml kg-1; p.o), Losartan (0.05 g kg-1; p.o), or extract (1-2 g kg-1; p.o) for 14 days and serum and urine parameters determined for all treatments. Histopathology and changes in kidney weights for normal and treated rats in both studies were assessed. The extract was screened for DPPH radical scavenging activity. Results: The extract significantly (P ≤ .001) reduced elevated serum creatinine and urea secondary to GIRD (P ≤ .05) and significantly (P ≤ .05) reduced elevated serum Na+ but had no effect on K+. Elevated urine proteins and leucocytes secondary to GIRD was significantly (P ≤ .05) reduced; but had no significant effect on urine pH and specific gravity. Elevated kidney weights associated with GIRD was significantly (P≤ .01) reduced. Histopathological assessment revealed healing effect by extract to GIRD. Effects of the extract were similar to Losartan. Pretreatment with extract however had no significant effect on GIRD as serum and urine parameters, as well as kidney weights were significantly (P≤ .01) elevated on induction of renal damage. Conclusion: The aqueous seed extract of Parkia clappertoniana has curative but no nephroprotective effect on gentamicin-induced renal damage in Sprague-Dawley rats.
ABSTRACT
Daniellia oliveri stem bark is used traditionally by the people of Northern Ghana to manage pain. This study therefore sought to validate the antinociceptive property of an aqueous stem bark extract of Daniellia oliveri (DOE) using murine hot plate and paw pressure pain models as well as its antioxidant property. Groups of ICR mice were pre-treated with DOE (250, 500, 1000 or 2000 mg kg-1 , p.o), morphine (3 mg kg-1 , i.p), diclofenac (3 mg kg-1 , i.p) or normal saline (2 ml/kg) respectively for 0.5 - 1 h, prior to pain induction. Pain latency period were measured at 0.5 h intervals for 1.5 h. To establish the possible mode of analgesic activity, nociceptive activity of DOE was antagonized by naloxone (2 mg kg-1), glibenclamide (8mg kg-1), and theophylline (5mg kg1). The extract was screened for antioxidant property by its effect on DPPH radical scavenging activity. DOE in both pain models produced significant (P ≤ 0.001) dose and time - dependent antinociceptive effect comparable to morphine, and diclofenac. The antinociceptive effect of DOE was significantly (P ≤ 0.001) attenuated by naloxone, glibenclamide, and theophylline. DOE caused a concentration dependent percentage increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity. The aqueous stem bark extract of Daniellia oliveri therefore has antinociceptive and antioxidant effect with antinoception possibly mediated through activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, as well as opioidergic and adenosinergic receptor pathways.