Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Gastrointestinal Study on the Leaf Extract of Stachytarpheta angustifolia Mill Vahl (Verbenaceae) in Rabbit Jejunum

angustifolia (Verbenaceae) is mostly prescribed by the folkloric healers for various gastrointestinal disorders. This study was carried out to ascertain the gastrointestinal effect of the ethanol leaf extract and other various fractions (CHCl3, EtOAc, n- BuOH and residual aqueous) on rabbit Jejunum. The ethanol, n-butanol and residual aqueous of the extract exhibited dose concentration at (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/ml) dependent contraction of the rabbit Jejunum which was blocked by atropine suggesting that the observed pharmacological actions was mediated through the muscarinic receptors. In contrast, chloroform and ethylacetate fraction of the leaf extract exhibit dose concentration dependent relaxation of the rabbit jejunum. Intreperitoneal LD50 of the extract in mice was found to be 295.8 mg/kg. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaf extract revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycoside, sterols and terpenoids. The result indicated that, the plant extract possesses some pharmacological activity, hence justifying its use traditionally in alleviating gastrointestinal disorder.

THE EFFECT OF ACTINOMYCIN D ON CANCER IN CHILDHOOD

Actinomycin D has a slight but definite effect in producing regression of tumors in patients with cancer. Wilms' tumor and lymphomas have shown better response than other tumors. Although the effect of the combination of actinomycin D and x-ray therapy is difficult to evaluate, these agents appear to be additive in producing temporary regression of the tumor in some patients. The usual single course of actinomycin D intravenously is 75 µ.g/kg of body weight divided into four or five daily doses. The oral dose of actinomycin D is 3 to 10 mg daily. About 5% of actinomycin D given orally is absorbed as evidenced by production of systemic toxicity. However, severe local gastrointestinal effect usually prevents adequate oral administration of the drug. The toxic effects of actinomycin D are local on the gastrointestinal tract with ulceration of the mouth, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, occasional abdominal pain and diarrhea; exacerbation of skin reaction in previously irradiated areas; alopecia; decrease in leukocyte and platelet counts. The toxicity after intravenous administration of actinomycin D usually develops within the first 2 weeks and disappears within the next 2 weeks. The duration of improvement after a single course of actinomycin D intravenously was usually from 1 to 10 weeks. Two children, one with Wilms' tumor and one with embryonal carcinoma, had no recurrence for 24 and 7 months, respectively. Both received maintenance doses of actinomycin D orally.