ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in vivo antiplasmodial activities of the extract and fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol, aqueous) of the whole plant in Plasmodium berghei berghei infected mice. METHODS: Oral administrations of the extract (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) of Eleucine indica and fractions (400 mg/kg) were screened in the 4-day, repository and curative tests. Chloroquine (5 mg/kg), pyrimethamine (1.2 mg/kg) and artesunate (5 mg/kg) were used as controls. RESULTS: The extract showed significant (P< 0.05-0.001) dose-dependent, antiplasmodial activity in the 4-day, repository and curative tests and increased the survival times of the infected mice. All the fractions exhibited significant antiplasmodial activity with the highest being ethylacetate fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Eleucine indica extract and fractions possess antimalarial activity which confirms the ethnobotanical use of this plant as a malarial remedy and opens a new highway to further investigate its potentials in the on-going fight against malaria.
Subject(s)
Antimalarials/pharmacology , Eleusine , Malaria/drug therapy , Phytotherapy/methods , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plasmodium berghei/drug effects , Administration, Oral , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Antimalarials/administration & dosage , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Ethanol/administration & dosage , Ethanol/pharmacology , Lethal Dose 50 , Mice , Plant Extracts/administration & dosageABSTRACT
The effects of the methanolic extract of Cassia nigricans leaves were investigated on experimentally-induced diarrhoea and ulceration in rat. The extract dose-dependently reduced both the small intestinal propulsive movement (P<0.01-0.001), and castor oil-induced fluid accumulation (P<0.05-0.001). Its inhibitory effects on intestinal propulsive movement and fluid accumulation were significantly (P<0.05) antagonised by yohimbine. However, castor oil-induced diarrhoea was increased. The extract also reduced significantly (P<0.05-0.001) the ulcers induced by both indomethacin and ethanol. The results indicate that the observed antidiarrhoeal effect might in part be due to alpha(2)-adrenoceptor stimulation.
Subject(s)
Anti-Ulcer Agents/pharmacology , Diarrhea/prevention & control , Gastrointestinal Motility/drug effects , Plants, Medicinal , Rosales , Stomach Ulcer/prevention & control , Animals , Anti-Ulcer Agents/administration & dosage , Castor Oil , Diarrhea/chemically induced , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Ethanol , Indomethacin , Male , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Leaves , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Stomach Ulcer/diagnosisABSTRACT
The effect of methanolic extract of Asparagus pubescens root on experimentally-induced diarrhoea and ulceration was investigated in rats. The extract (500-1500 mg/kg) dose-dependently, reduced significantly the intestinal propulsive movement, castor oil-induced diarrhoea and intestinal fluid accumulation. Yohimbine an alpha(2)-adrenoceptor blocker attenuated the antidiarrhoeal effect of the extract. The extract also reduced the ulcer indices induced by indomethacin and ethanol in a dose-related manner. The results indicate that its antidiarrhoeal and antiulcerogenic effects might in part be due to its alpha(2)-adrenoceptor stimulation and its active constituents respectively.
Subject(s)
Anti-Ulcer Agents/pharmacology , Antidiarrheals/pharmacology , Liliaceae/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Gastrointestinal Motility/drug effects , Indomethacin/adverse effects , Methanol/chemistry , Plant Roots/chemistry , Stomach Ulcer/chemically inducedABSTRACT
The methanolic extract of Asparagus pubescens Bak root was investigated for its contraceptive activity in mice, rats and rabbits. The extract dose-dependently (0.5-1.5 g/kg) protected the animals from conception for 4-14 gestational periods in rabbits, rats and mice. It inhibited fetal implantation, as was confirmed by laparotomy on day 10 of pregnancy. The pups showed significant change in weight and length (P < 0.05-0.001) with 1.5 g/kg compared to the control fetal defects. In ovariectomized immature young rats and mice, there was a dose-dependent decrease in uterine wet weight (P < 0.001). The extract did not induce any uterotrophic effects or immature vaginal opening when compared to estrogen treated groups. Its contraceptive effect may in part be due to its anti-implantation and/or a direct effect on the uterus.
