Chemical Composition and Biological Properties of the Petroleum Ether Extract of Solanum macrocarpum L. (Local Name: Gorongo).

Aims: To investigate the petroleum ether extract of the unripe fruit of Solanum macrocarpum L. (Solanaceae) for its chemical components and its antimicrobial properties against Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and fungi. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria, between October 2007 and July 2009. Methodology: After authentication of the plant, extracts were prepared from the fruits of S. macrocarpum using Soxhlet apparatus. The petroleum ether extract was investigated for its chemical composition using GC-MS after it had been fractionated earlier using AGC. The extract was also evaluated for its antimicrobial activities by disc diffusion antimicrobial selectivity test using gentamicin (10μg/disc), ciprofloxacin (5μg/disc) and tetracycline (2.5x105μg/disc) as standards. Results: All the microorganisms used were resistant to the effect of the petroleum ether extract. However, a total of sixty eight (68) compounds were identified in the extract and its four (4) fractions, whilst only thirty eight (38) chemical structures of the identified compounds were shown because some of the compounds were common to all the fractions. Conclusion: The detection of 2-methoxy furan, 4-0-methyl-mannose, 2-hydroxy-ϒ- butyrolactone, 2, 3-dihydroxypropyl 9-octadecanoate, 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid and butanoic acid validates the antihyperlipidaemic property of the fruit of S. macrocarpum, so consumption of this fruit is recommended as a nutraceutical.

Biochemical liver function with aqueous fruit extract of Solanum macrocarpum linn in albino rats acutely administered triton-x to induce hyperlipidaemia.

The effect of the aqueous fruit extract, Solanum macrocarpum Linn on some biochemical indices of liver function was studied in triton-induced hyperlipidaemic wistar rats. Thirty rats (160-200g) were used in the study and assigned to 5 groups of 6 rats each. Group I hyperlipidaemic control rats received distilled water only, whereas groups II, III, IV and V, the experimental hyperlipidaemic rats, were administered graded doses of the plant extract (25mg/kg, 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200kg/mg) per body weight intraperitoneally after which blood samples were taken from the rats 24hrs, 48hrs and 72hrs, respectively after extract administration. Serum aspartate amino transferase (AST) dose dependently and significantly decreased (P<0.05) at 48hrs and 72hrs. The values of alanine amino transferase (ALT) decreased significantly (P<0.05) at 72hrs when compared to the control. The decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was not significant (ALP) activity was not significant (P>0.05) when compared to the control. Serum protein and albumin decreased significantly (P<0.05) while bilirubin increased significantly (P<0.05) at 72hrs of study. In conclusion, Solanum macrocarpum probably has hepatoprotective effects.

Drug therapy for hyperlipidaemia (dyslipidaemia)- A review.

Lipids are transported in human plasma as complexes bound to proteins called lipoproteins. Elevation of plasma concentration of lipoproteins is called hyperlipoproteinaemia or hyperlipidaemia. Lipoproteins are divided into high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDH) chylomicrons and lipoprotein a [Lp(a)]. There is no therapeutic approach that will reduce chylomicron catabolism. HDL is the good lipoprotein. Hypolipidaemic drug therapy can reduce LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) thus reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. A complete lipoprotein profile of the patient is required (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides) before commencing drug therapy. The cholesterol lowering drugs include statins, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, inhibitors of intestinal sterol absorption, nicotinic acid derivatives and others like dextrothyroxine, omega H-3-marine triglycerides. The adverse effects of these drugs were also highlighted.

Effect of aqueous leaf extract of Irvingia gabonensis on gastrointestinal tract in rodents.

Effect of the aqueous leaf extract of I. gabonensis on the gastrointestinal tract was investigated on isolated rabbit jejunum, guinea pig ileum, gastrointestinal motility, castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice and castor oil-induced fluid accumulation in rats. The results showed that the extract exhibited a concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous pendular movement of isolated rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum, and attenuated both acetylcholine-induced contraction of rabbit jejunum and histamine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum. The extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) also caused a significant dose-dependent decrease of gastrointestinal motility in mice (40.12, 39.45 and 37.45%), intestinal fluid accumulation in rats (71.43, 81.63 and 83.27%), and remarkably protected mice against castor oil-induced diarrhoea [58.33, 75 and 91.67% (Di Carlo score)] respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the aqueous leaf extract of I. gabonensis revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols and phlobatanins.