Antimalarial properties of SAABMAL (®): an ethnomedicinal polyherbal formulation for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria infection in the tropics.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Malaria is a serious problem in the countries of the developing world. As the malaria parasite has become resistant to most of the antimalaria drugs available currently, there is a need to search for newer drugs. This study reports the pharmaceutical quality and in vivo antimalarial activities of a polyherbal formulation (SAABMAL ® ) used as malarial remedy in Nigeria. METHODS: The antiplasmodial activity of SAABMAL ® was determined by using the 4-day suppressive test in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. The formulation was tried on three different experimental animal models for in vivo antimalarial activities, which are prophylactic, suppressive and curative in mice. Chloroquine and pyrimethamine were used as standard drugs for comparison. RESULTS: The suppressive study showed that, SAABMAL ® (200 and 400 mg/kg/bw) significantly (p <0.01) produced a suppression (29.39 - 100%) of parasitaemia in a dose-dependent manner, while the curative study showed that SAABMAL ® at 400 mg significantly (p <0.01) reduced (95.80%) parasitaemia compared with controls. The mean survival time of SAABMAL ®-treated groups (100 and 200 mg/kg) was higher than that of the chloroquine-treated group. Histopathologically, no changes were found in the spleen of both untreated and treated groups. SAABMAL ® capsules were of good mechanical properties with low weight variation and high degree of content mass uniformity. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study showed the efficacy of SAABMAL ® , a herbal antimalarial formulation against chloroquine sensitive malaria and its potential use in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria infection. Further studies need to be done in humans to test its efficacy and safety for its potential use as an antimalarial drug.

Microencapsulation enhances the anti-ulcerogenic properties of Entada africana leaf extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The antiulcer potentials of most plants still remain largely unexplored, despite their prospects evidenced by their use as ethnomedicine. Entada africana (Mimosaceae) has been widely used in Africa for the treatment of skin infections, wounds, tonic for stomach troubles and against diphtheria-like throat complaints. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-ulcer properties of Entada africana (EA) ethanol leaf extract and to obtain a novel multiparticulate pharmaceutical formulation (ACE) with it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethanol or Indomethacin was administered to rats after oral administration of EA (200, 400 and 800 mg extract/kg b.w), ACE (400 and 800 mg/kg bw), cimetidine (100mg/kg bw), misoprostol (40 µg/kg bw) or distilled water/saline (vehicle). Anti ulcer property was evaluated by examining and scoring stomach lesions. RESULTS: The extract exhibited significant (P<0.01) cytoprotective effect against ethanol and indomethacin induced gastro ulceration. The microcapsules showed enhanced cytoprotective effect against ethanol and indomethacin induced gastro ulceration. Histopathologically, the effects of EA and ACE on mucus epithelia were mild with reduced neutrophil, eosinophil and lymphocytic infiltration in stomach tissues of rats ulcerated with ethanol. CONCLUSIONS: Our current findings show that EA and its multiparticulate formulation may be a useful preparation in peptic ulcer disease.

Studies on the possible mechanisms of antidiabetic activity of extract of aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri.

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVES: The effects of methanol extract of aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae), an antidiabetic herb, on glucose absorption and storage in diabetes were studied to elucidate the mechanisms of blood glucose lowering and glycemic control in diabetes. METHODS: The effect of chronic oral administration of the extract on glycemic control was evaluated in alloxan diabetic rats using blood glucose lowering and post-prandial glucose suppression activities as well as effects on hemoglobin glycation and body weight. Effects on glucose mobilization and storage were assessed using the weight and glycogen content of liver isolated from treated diabetic rats, while in vitro inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme activities were used as indices of effect on glucose absorption. RESULTS: Results showed that the extract lowered blood glucose, suppressed postprandial rise in blood glucose following a glucose meal, reduced hemoglobin glycation and increased absolute and relative weights as well as glycogen content of liver in diabetic rats. Treatment with the extract also ameliorated the decrease in body weights caused by the diabetic disease. In vitro, the extract inhibited α-amylase (IC50: 2.15 ± 0.1 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50: 0.2 ± 0.02 mg/mL) activities. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that aerial parts of P. niruri may owe their blood glucose lowering properties to inhibition of glucose absorption and enhancement of glucose storage.

Microbiological and mucociliary properties of the ethanol extract of Hymenocardia acida on selected respiratory clinical isolates.

The antimicrobial property of the ethanol leaf extract of Hymenocardia acida (H. acida) on some opportunistic respiratory pathogens was evaluated in this study. We also assessed the activity of the extract on tracheal mucociliary activity using murine tracheal mucus exudation and mucociliary motility in pigeons as experimental models. Phytochemical screening of the extract was done; and acute toxicity of the extract in mice was carried out using Lorke's method for estimation of its median lethal dose. Results show the presence of carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, resins, and balsams in the extract and the absence of anthraquinones, terpenes, and sterols. Results of the acute toxicity test showed that the extract was slightly toxic, with an estimated median lethal dose of 1,767.77 mg/kg body weight. At 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight of H. acida, tracheal mucus exudation was increased by 14.29, 19.24, and 33.82%, respectively. The effect on mucociliary velocity was dose-dependent as 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract led to increased ciliary activity by 7.69, 61.5, and 81.6%, respectively. The effects of the extract (200 mg/kg body weight) on mucus exudation and clearance were significant (p < .05) and higher than the effect of ammonium chloride. Although the extract did not inhibit the growth of C. albicans and K. pneumoniae, it exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. These findings show the mucociliary activity and antimicrobial properties of H. acida ethanol extract, and justify its use in the treatment of airway disorders.