ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the proximate, vitamin and mineral composition of the leaves of four selected tropical vegetable plants namely: Ocimum gratissimum, Piper guineense, Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina. Methodology: Fresh leaves of each vegetable were washed and air dried at room temperature for two weeks. The dried leaves were pulverized using a mechanical grinder. Measured amounts were subjected to quantitative proximate, vitamin and mineral analysis. Results: For all four plants, carbohydrates was the major macronutrient constituents (range 49.61-64.09% dry wt.) followed by fats (15.06-29.43%), Protein (7.28-12.53%), ash (1.81-14.82%) and fiber (2.92-7.53%) in that order. G. latifolium had the highest carbohydrate (64.09±0.09% dry weight) and protein (12.53±0.10%) composition while V. amygdalina had the highest fat (29.43±0.03%) composition. Results of Ash analysis of the four leaves showed P. guineense to have the highest total mineral content (14.82±0.12% dry wt.) followed by V. amygdalina (10.75±0.01%), O. gratissimum (4.60±0.04%) and G. latifolium (1.81±0.01%) in that order. O. gratissimum and P. guineense had the highest composition of fiber (7.53±0.02% and 7.22±0.02% respectively) closely followed by G. latifolium (6.03±0.02%) and V. amygdalina (2.92±0.02%). Vitamin analysis revealed that leaves of the four vegetable plants contained high levels of vitamin C (range 18.1-43.4 mg/100 g) and appreciable quantities of vitamins A (0.3-1.2 mg/100 g) and E (0.67-0.9 mg/100 g). V. amygdalina leaf contained the highest concentration of vitamin C (43.4±0.01 mg/100 g) and A (1.2±0.9 mg/100 g) while O. gratissimum had the highest vitamin E content (0.9 mg/100 g). The mineral assay indicated that the leaves of the plants contain high levels of Magnesium (Mg)(3.6-24.8 mg/100 g), Phosphorus (P) (2.8-34.3 mg/100 g), Calcium (Ca) (12.1-19.0 mg/100 g) and copper (Cu) (5.8-18.5 mg/100 g) relative to their Zinc (Zn) (1.1-2.1 mg/100 g), Potassium (K) (2.1-6.9 mg/100 g) and Sodium (Na) (4.3-8.1 mg/100 g) contents. Conclusion: In conclusion, these plants were shown to be rich in carbohydrates, proteins and fats, vitamins and minerals justifying their use in diets. That the plants were particularly rich in vitamins and mineral with antioxidant properties could explain the therapeutic uses of the various preparations of these leafy vegetables, in traditional medicine, for the treatment and management of diseases that have their etiology and pathophysiology in free radical generation and oxidative stress.
ABSTRACT
Aim: This study was aimed at investigating the effects of aqueous extracts of both Nigella sativa and Piper guineense on the liver enzymes; alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Also the effect of Nigella sativa and Piper guineense extracts on the histology of the liver of Wistar rat was also studied. Materials and Methods: A total of twenty five Wistar rats were used for the study. The animals were grouped into five groups, each having five animals. They were induced with sucrose and margarine to cause high sugar levels and hyperlipidemia respectively except the positive control group which was fed normal feed. The groups were: the positive control group, the negative control group which were induced without treatment, the uziza leaf group which were induced and were treated with 2 ml of aqueous extract of uziza leaf, the black seed group which were induced and were treated with 2 ml of aqueous extract of black seed, and the black seed and uziza group which were induced and were treated with 2ml of aqueous extract of black seed and 2 ml of aqueous extract of uziza leaf. Results: The result showed that the extracts decreased the ALT and AST and ALP activities in the rats in a time dependent manner with highest decrease obtained on the third week of treatment with the extracts. The ALT activity (U/L) on the third week of treatment showed for the, negative control (64.48 ± 0.22), uziza leaf (28.82 ± 0.12), black seed (32.65 ± 0.02), black seed and uziza leaf (16.04 ± 0.02) (p≤0.05). The decrease in activity for AST levels (U/L) on the third week of treatment, showed for the negative control (58.00 ± 0.02), uziza leaf (11.00 ± 0.01), black seed (12.00 ± 0.02), black seed and uziza leaf (8.00 ± 0.02). Conclusion: It can be concluded that both uziza leaf and black seed have hepatoprotective effect on the liver.
ABSTRACT
Aim:For centuries, plant and plant products have played a pivotal role in medication. This study evaluated the effect of aqueous extract of black seed (Nigella sativa) and uziza leaf (Piperguineense)on electrolytes, urea and creatinine of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods:Twenty-five Wistar rats were used for the study; the rats were arranged into five groups with five rats each. Sucrose and margarine were used to induce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia respectively on the rats with the exception of the rats in the positive control group. The rats in the negative control were induced using the sucrose and margarine but were not treated using the aqueous extracts. The rats in the uziza group were treated with 2ml of uziza aqueous leaf extract, while the rats in the black seed group were treated with 2ml of black seed aqueous extract. The rats in the black seed & uziza leaf group were treated with 2ml of the combined aqueous extract. Results:The results showed that the extracts had a decreasing effect which was time dependent on the electrolytes. The highest decrease was obtained on the third week of feeding compared to the control (P=.05).The sodium levels (mmol/L) showed for the negative control (198.23 ± 1.96), positive control (108.15 ± 1.60), uziza leaf (98.28 ± 4.17), black seed (101.67 ± 4.24), black seed & uziza (90.83 ± 2.14). The decrease for potassium levels (mEq/L) showed for the negative control (0.90 ± 0.06), positive control (0.05 ± 0.10), uziza leaf (0.07 ± 0.18), black seed (0.06 ± 0.19), black seed & Uziza (0.05 ± 0.10). Furthermore, the extracts also had a reducing effect on urea and creatinine levels with the highest reduction obtained on the third week (p=0.05). The urea levels (mmol/L) showed for the negative control (26.84 ± 0.05), positive control (15.15 ± 1.20), uziza leaf (12.83 ± 0.98), black seed (12.16 ± 2.01), black seed & uziza (11.48 ± 1.78). The extracts also decreased creatinine levels (mmol/L) with the negative control (284.58 ± 0.33), positive control (182.73 ± 3.67), uziza leaf (194.16 ± 18.30), black seed (167.34 ± 14.66), black seed & uziza (174.46 ± 10.66). Conclusion:The extracts significantly decreased the elevated electrolytes levels and therefore uzizaleaf and black seed can be used to restore kidney function.
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Aim: The study investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Piper guineense and Nigella sativa on Testosterone, Estrogen and Follicle stimulating hormone levels in male and female rats induced by diets supplemented with high dose of sucrose and margarine for four (4) week. Materials and Methods: Thirty male and female Wistar rats of average weight (100 g) were used for the study. The rats were arranged into five groups with six rats in each of the groups. The rats had access to their normal feed but sucrose and margarine were used to induce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia respectively on the rats with the exception of the rats in the positive control group. The rats in the negative control were induced using the sucrose and margarine but were not treated using the aqueous extracts. The rats in the Piper guineense group were treated with 2 ml of Piper guineense aqueous leaf extract, while the rats in the Nigella sativa group were treated with 2 ml of Nigella sativa aqueous extract. The rats in the Nigella sativa and Piper guineense group were treated with 2 ml of the combined aqueous extract. Results: The results showed that the extracts had an increasing effect which was time dependent on the hormones. The highest increase was obtained on the third week of feeding when compared to the control. The testosterone levels (mlU/ml) showed for the, positive control (2.28 ± 0.08), uziza leaf (6.45 ± 0.01), black seed (2.85 ± 0.01), black seed &uziza (8.47 ± 0.08)(p<0.05). The increase for estrogen levels (mlU/ml) showed for the positive control (99 ± 0.82), uziza leaf (98 ± 1.63), black seed (100 ± 1.63), black seed & uziza (113 ± 0.82). Furthermore, the extracts also had an increasing effect on the follicle stimulating hormone levels with the highest increase obtained on the third week (p>0.05). The FSH levels (mlU/ml)) showed for the positive control (0.23 ± 0.01), uziza leaf 0.25 ± 0.01), black seed (0.54 ± 0.02), black seed & uziza (0.58 ± 0.01)(p<0.05). Histopathological findings also suggest that treatment with the aqueous extracts of P.guineense and N .sativa after inducement salvaged the testes and ovaries when compared to the induced group after the second week of administration. Although the combined mixture N.sativa and P.guineense extract was more effective. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the aqueous extract of a combined mixture of Nigella sativa and Piper guineense might be an effective plant in indigenous medicine, which may be used to combat infertility caused by hormonal imbalance.
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Aim: The study investigated the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic potentials of methanol extracts of Piper guineense and Aframomum melegueta leaves with a view to utilizing the plants in the treatment and management of cardiovascular disorders. Methodology: Twenty-eight healthy albino rats were randomly divided into seven equal groups: Group I received normal saline (2 ml/kg bwt); Group II received a single dose of alloxan(150 mg/kg bwt) intraperitoneally; Group III received alloxan (150 mg/kg bwt) + glibenclamide (5 mg/kg bwt);Group IV received alloxan (150 mg/kg bwt) +PG (200 mg/kg bwt); Group V received alloxan (150 mg/kg bwt) + PG (400 mg/kg bwt); Group VI received alloxan (150 mg/kg bwt) + AM 200 (mg/kg bwt); Group VII received alloxan (150 mg/kg bwt) + AM (400 mg/kg bwt). The blood glucose level was determined before and after treatment with the extracts. The lipid: (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were estimated using the Randox diagnostic kits. Results: The results revealed that alloxan was able to induce hyperglycemia at 150 mg/kg bwt and post-treatment with P. guineense and A. melegueta at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/ kg bwt were able to significantly lower the blood glucose level which was quite apparent in AM treated groups. Also, the extracts at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg were able to bring a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in TC, TG and LDL concentrations when compared to the alloxan treated group with the highest reduction in AM treated groups. Conclusion: These results revealed that the methanol extract of P. guineense and A. melegueta elicited anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic potentials of the extracts with the highest effect observed in A. melegueta treated rats.
ABSTRACT
Investigations were carried out on the use of the water and ethanolic extracts of Piper guineense, Ocimum graticimum, Casia alata, and Tagetes erecta in the management of postharvest deterioration of cassava root caused by Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus stolonifer. Water and ethanolic extracts of the plant materials had significant differences (p≤0.5) in their rates of fungitoxicity on the pathogenic organisms. Water and ethanol extracts of C. alata and T. erecta respectively at 50% concentration gave the same highest radial growth inhibition of 80.20% on A. flavus in vitro followed by ethanol extracts of C. alata, O. graticimum, and P. guineense. The ethanolic extract of T. erecta at 50% concentration gave the highest inhibitory effect of 53.50% on R. stolonifer followed by ethanol extracts of C. alata, O. graticimum, and P. guineense whereas the least growth inhibition of 0.17% was recorded by aqueous extract of P. guineense on R. stolonifer. In vivo test of the plant extracts applied before and after inoculation with spore suspension (1x105 spores/ml of distilled water) of test fungi showed significant reduction in root rot incidence and severity. The lowest incidence and severity of cassava root rot of 16.5% and 1.45 respectively were recorded with T. erecta ethanol extracts applied before inoculation of A. flavus indicating that the extracts of the plant materials could be better used as protectant than eradicant in the control of post harvest fungal deterioration of cassava root. R. stolonifer showed stronger resistance to the extracts of the plant materials than A. flavus during pathogenesis in vivo.
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This study examined the biochemical changes in serum of female albino rats administered aqueous extract of Piper guineense Schumach seeds extract. The test animals (groups 2, 3 and 4) received 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg of the extract respectively for 21 days, while group 1 served as control and received a placebo of 0.9% physiological saline which is the vehicle for administration. On the 22nd day the test animals which have been fasted overnight were sacrificed with chloroform anesthesia. Blood was collected through cardiac puncture. Results show that serum protein, albumin and packed cell volume concentration significantly (p≤0.05) increased. Creatinine and urea levels decreased (p≤0.05) significantly, 95% confidence level, while cholesterol profile decreased (p≤0.05) significantly, except HDL. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione-s-transferase, increased (p≤0.05) significantly, while lipid peroxidation decreased. This study has shown that nursing mothers in South East of Nigeria who use the Piper guineense Schumach seeds may derive immense benefit from its effect on the biochemical parameters assayed in this study.