Antihyperglycaemic activity of the flavonoid-rich fraction of the extract of Tamarindus indica L. on experimentally induced hyperglycaemic wistar rats.

Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease and its prevalence is reaching epidemic proportion worldwide. Tamarindus indica is a slow growing tree that is resistant to strong winds and perennial. The stem-bark extract of the plant is used locally for the management of diabetes. The objective of this work was to investigate the potentials of the flavonoid-rich portion of Tamarindus indica at lowering elevated blood glucose level. The flavonoids-rich portion of the stem-bark extract of Tamarindus indica L. was investigated for its hypoglycemic action on experimentally induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats. The oral LD50 of the extract was found to be 1,265 mg/kg. The flavonoid-rich fraction lowered the Blood Glucose Level (BGL) in the three doses used (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) there was a significant reduction with the 400 mg/kg dose at the 8th, 16th and 24th hour and the 200 mg/kg dose at 16 and 24 hours, and the 100 mg/kg dose at 24 hours. The flavonoid-rich portion of Tamarindus indica Linn significantly lowered elevated BGL in the experimental animal models.

Evaluation of the Anxiolytic Effect of Methanolic Leaves Extract of Paullinia pinnata Lin in Mice.

This study was designed to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of methanolic leave extract of Paullinia pinnata L. in mice. The elevated plus-maze and staircase paradigm were used to assess the anxiolytic activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Paullinia pinnata and diazepam. The results of the elevated plus-maze test showed that the extract at the dose of 50 mg/kg and diazepam significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.005) increased both the number of entries and time spent in the open arm by mice. In staircase paradigm, the extract produced a significant (P<0.05-P<0.0005) dose dependent decrease in the number of steps ascended and number of rearing events compared to the control mice. Diazepam significantly (P<0.0005) reduced the number of rearing events compared to control. The result of the present preliminary study suggests that methanolic leaf extract of Paullinia pinnata may possess an anxiolytic activity.

Acute Toxicity and in-vivo Effects of Leaf Extracts of Byrsocarpus Coccineus Shum & Thonn in Pregnant Rat Uterus.

Medicinal plants are the primary source of medicines and main ingredients used by traditional medicine practitioners. Byrsocarpus coccineus Schum and Thonn is one of such plants that have been used in Africa to treat different ailments including augmentation of labour. The aim of this study is to determine the acute toxicity and to screen the in vivo uterotonic effects of the ethylacetate leaf extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus in pregnant rat uterus. Leaves of the Byrsocarpus coccineus were collected, air dried, pounded and extracted using ethanol, ethylacetate, N-butanol and water. The extracts obtained were then used for the acute toxicity study, while the ethylacetate extract was used to assess the in vivo activity in pregnant rat uterus. Ethylacetate and aqueous leaf extracts Byrsocarpus coccineus was found to be relatively non toxic, whereas N-butanol was found to be toxic in rats and mice. Ethanol leaf extract was found to be only relatively toxic in mice. Ethylacetate leaf extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus potentiated the delivery of pregnant rats on days 21 of pregnancy. The results of the abortificient effect of the ethyl acetate extract on the pregnant rats showed no significant difference between the treatment groups compared with the control (p>0.05). There was a significant increase in haemoglobin, white blood cell, platelets and aspartate aminotransferase (p<0.05). Ethylacetate leaf extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus is relatively safe and was found to potentiate the delivery of pregnant rats with no significant change in hepatic and renal functions and this supports the traditional use of this plant to induce labour at terms.

Psychopharmacological Properties of the Saponin Fraction of Ficus Platyphylla Stem Bark

The psychopharmacological effects of a saponin-rich fraction (SFG) obtained from crude methanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla stem bark were studied on spontaneous motor activity (SMA); pentobarbitalinduced sleep; motor coordination; amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and stereotyped behaviour; catalepsy; forced swim and tail suspension tests in rodents. SFG reduced SMA dose dependently; suggesting that it may contain psychoactive principles with sedative effects. The fraction shortened the onset and prolonged the duration of pentobarbital-induced sleep; which confirmed its sedative properties. The fraction diminished immobility time in forced swim and tail suspension tests; which is indicative of antidepressant properties. It attenuated amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and stereotyped behaviour; induced catalepsy and exacerbated haloperidol-induced catalepsy in rodents; but had no effect on motor coordination in the treadmill experiment at the doses tested. These effects were similar to those of classical neuroleptics and antidepressants. Our study provides scientific evidence of psychopharmacological effects of the saponin fraction of Ficus platyphylla stem bark and therefore supports further development of its psychoactive components as antipsychotics and antidepressants