ABSTRACT
Abstract Erythrina × neillii Mabberley & Lorence, Fabaceae, is a sterile hybrid between E. herbacea L. and E. humeana Spreng. Nothing was traced about its genetic, macro and micromorphology. Therefore, it was deemed of interest to study its botanical characters, in addition to the DNA fingerprint to help in the identification of the plant. The anatomical characters of the old stem and its bark are characterized by the presence of cork cells, bast fibers and sclereids. Pericycle is sclerenchymatous forming crystal sheath. The epidermises of the leaf and young stem are characterized by the presence of anomocytic and paracytic stomata, non-glandular, unicellular and multicellular two armed hairs, and glandular club shaped hair. Calcium oxalate is present in the form of crystal sheath and prisms. Secretory cavities are distributed in the phloem and cortex. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used as one of the molecular methods to differentiate between the samples of Erythrina. The DNA of Erythrina was extracted and analyzed using seven-mer random primers. Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA were recognized. This characterization allows certification of the authenticity of Erythrina × neillii, in order to provide quality control for the plant.
ABSTRACT
The estrogenic activity of petroleum ether extract of Citrus medica L. leaves as well as the chemical constituents responsible for the biological activity was studied. The petroleum ether extract proved to retain high estrogenic activity in immature female rats. The extract was saponified and its components (saponifiable part 23% and the unsaponifiable matter 77%) were identified using GC/MS technique. The extract proved to be safe (LD50< 2g/kg.bw). Oral administration of petroleum ether extract of C. medica in ovariectomized immature female Wistar rats for 7 days in a dose of 400 mg/kg resulted in significant increase in the uterine weight (g) (1.7±0.11) when compared with ovariectomized control rats (1.3±0.07). GC/MS analysis of both saponifiable and unsaponifiable matters revealed the presence of thirty three components (28 hydrocarbons and 5 sterols) in the unsaponifiable fraction, the major hydrocarbon was n- Heneicosane (16.7%) while the major sterol was β-sitosterol (4.03%) and 15 components in the saponifiable matter it's major component was hexadecanoic acid (19.93%). As a conclusion petroleum ether extract of Citrus medica L. leaves possess a significant estrogenic activity.