ABSTRACT
The rising problem of resistance to most commonly used antimalarials remains a major challenge in the control of malaria suggesting the need for new antimalarial agents. This work explores the antiplasmodial potential of ethanol extract of Russelia equisetiformis in chloroquine Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally infected with chloroquine-resistant P. berghei (ANKA). Experimental mice were treated for four days consecutively with graded doses of plant extracts and standard antimalarial drugs (artesunate and chloroquine) at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight used as control. The extract showed a dose-dependent activity in the chemosuppression of P. berghei parasites by 31.6, 44.7, 48.4 and 86.5% at doses of 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg, while chloroquine (10 mg/kg) and artesunate produced 59.4 and 68.4%, respectively. The extract showed a significant decrease in parasitaemia (P<0.05). The level of parasitemia and decrease in weight in all the treated groups was significantly lower (P<0.05) compared with the infected but untreated mice. The plant extract was devoid of toxicity at the highest dose tested (5000 mg/kg). The study concluded that the ethanol extract of R. equisetiformis possesses antimalarial effect, which supports the folk medicine claim of its use in the treatment of malaria.
ABSTRACT
This study examines the antinociceptive effect of the whole plant extracts of Russelia equisetiformis. The result shows the ethylacetate fraction to be the most active, while the dichloromethane fraction exhibited least activity. The major isolated compound from the ethylacetate showed a tremendous activity on acetic acid induced writhing with less activity on tail-flick response in mice. The structures of the two compounds were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data. Occurrence of these compounds in Russelia is reported here for the first time, and the results confirm the traditional uses of R. equisetiformis in the treatment of inflammation and pain.
Subject(s)
Analgesics/analysis , Pain/drug therapy , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Scrophulariaceae/chemistry , Animals , Cardiac Glycosides/analysis , Male , Mice , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Triterpenes/analysisABSTRACT
A methanolic extract of Russelia equisetiformis whole plant was studied for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in rats and mice using carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, acetic-acid-induced writhing and tail-flick test. The extract, at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, significantly (P <0.05) inhibited carrageenan-induced oedema in rats. Abdominal constriction induced by acetic acid was also inhibited by the extract, within the same dose range. The extract at the same dose also prolonged the latency period in the tail-flick response test, which was reverted by naloxone. The results suggested that the extract possesses potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Subject(s)
Analgesics/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Scrophulariaceae , Animals , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Male , Mice , Naloxone/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
An aqueous extract of the dried leaves of Gongronema latifolium was studied for its antiinflammatory activity. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, carrageen-induced leucocyte migration in rats and dye leakage induced by intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid in mice. These results demonstrate the antiinflammatory property of G. latifolium.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Apocynaceae , Edema/prevention & control , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/administration & dosage , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Capillary Permeability/drug effects , Carrageenan , Cell Migration Inhibition , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Edema/chemically induced , Female , Male , Mice , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
A methanol extract of the dried leaves of Chasmanthera dependens was investigated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The extract (100--400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced dose-related inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw oedema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats. Furthermore, an inhibition in the leakage of Evan's blue induced by acetic acid was observed in mice. At same doses, analgesic effect was also observed on writhing response induced by acetic acid as well as on the early and late phase of formalin-induced paw licking in mice.
