ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to assess the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction (AcEF1) obtained from the 96% extract of Morinda morindoides extract on cardiac tissue integrity and function in rabbits. Methodology: The rabbits were divided in five groups of 6 rabbits each. Groups 2,3,4 and 5 received intraperitoneally, twice a week during four weeks, the ethyl acetate fraction at doses going from 25 to 100 μg/kg body weight while Group 1, received 1 mL of Mac Ewen fluid. Blood sampling was carried out to evaluate aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Creatine phosphokinase (CPK), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and level of calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride in serum. The eighth week of the experiments, histopathological studies were also conducted on rabbits heart. Results: Analysis of the serum markers showed slight increases in AST, ALT, CPK activities as well as sodium, calcium and potassium concentrations (p<0.05). LDH activity, magnesium and chloride concentrations were unchanged compared to their initial values. Histopathological studies had not revealed damages in the structure of the heart. Conclusion: The ethyl acetate fraction did not exert any noxious effect on cardiac tissues and should be no toxic for cardiac tissues.
ABSTRACT
Morinda morindoides (Backer) Milne-Redhead (Rubiaceae) is used by the people of west and central Africa for the treatment of diarrhea. The dichloromethane/ethanol extract of M. morindoides (Back) (ETDE) known to be used orally, will be in direct contact with the nobles organs. This study is conduced to see if this extract has effects on the body more precisely on blood pressure. ETDE injected intravenously (10.40 mg/kg b.w to 31.19 mg/kg b.w) provoked a decrease in the arterial blood pressure (hypotension) in a dose-dependent manner (ED50 = 7.08 mg/kg b.w). ETDE at 41.58 mg/kg b.w induce a maximum and irreversible hypotension which leads to the death of the animal. The effects induced by ETDE were inhibited in the presence of atropine at a concentration of 4.46 ×10-4 mg/kg b.w. Our observations, regarding the effects of ETDE on the high blood pressure initiated by adrenaline, showed that the hypertensive effects induced by adrenalin were totally inhibited by ETDE. ETDE induced a dose-dependent hypotension and reversible and his antihypertensive effect could militate for its use in the treatment of hypertension.
ABSTRACT
The present study focused to investigate the detection and characterization of phytomolecules relaxing smooth muscle of dichloromethane-ethanolic extract of Morinda morindoides using in vitro model. Local rabbit of both sexes weighting between 1500 and 2000 g were used. The effect of the extract on contraction of isolated rabbit ileum and the response of the tissue was investigated. The extract at dose of 49×10-3; 190×10-3; 290×10-3; 390×10-3 mg/ml, attenuated significantly (p< 0,05) spontaneous contractions of the isolated rabbit ileum in a dose-dependant manner. The effective dose for 50% of activity was 193±1,5×10-3 . Tonic contractions initiated by acetylcholine were inhibited by the extract like atropine. The extract also attenuated the spontaneous contractions of the intestine in presence of propanolol. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of sterols and terpenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. This study provided the active compounds with relaxant activity of the extract would be cholinomimetic substances, and may possibly explain the use of the plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorder.