Pharmacological Justification for the Medicinal Use of Plumeria rubra Linn. in Cardiovascular Disorders

Plumeria rubra (L.) is a traditional folkloric medicinal herb used to treat cardiovascular disorders. The present investigation was methodically planned to investigate the pharmacological foundations for the therapeutic effectiveness of P. rubra in cardiovascular illnesses and its underlying mechanisms. Ex vivo vaso-relaxant effects of crude leaf extract of P. rubra were observed in rabbit aorta ring preparations. Hypotensive effects were measured using pressure and force transducers connected to the Power Lab data acquisition system. Furthermore, P. rubra displayed cardioprotective properties in rabbits when they were exposed to adrenaline-induced myocardial infarction. In comparison to the intoxicated group, the myocardial infarction model showed decreased troponin levels, CK-MB, LDH, ALT, ALP, AST, and CRP, as well as necrosis, apoptosis, oedema, and inflammatory cell enrollment. P. rubra has revealed good antioxidant properties and prolonged the noradrenaline intoxicated platelet adhesion. Its anticoagulant, vasorelaxant, and cardioprotective effects in both in vivo and ex vivo investigations are enabled by blocking L-type calcium channels, lowering adrenaline, induced oxidative stress, and tissue tear, justifying its therapeutic utility in cardiovascular disorders.

Evaluation of Cytotoxic Effects of Methanolic Extract and Fractions of Mirabilis jalapa (L.) Leaf

This study examined the potential cytotoxicity of Mirabilis jalapa L. methanolic crude leaf extract and its fractions against brine shrimp nauplii (Artemia salina L.) and Allium cepa L. roots. The leaf extraction was done according to standard technique and crude extract was partitioned using n-hexane, water, ethyl acetate and butanol to obtain their respective fractions. Allium cepa root growth inhibition of M. jalapa methanolic crude extract and fractions were evaluated as well as brine shrimp lethality of the fractions based on standard methods. Also, phytochemical screening of the methanolic crude leaf extract was carried out according to standard methods. The result showed that M. jalapa methanolic crude leaf extract caused a significant reduction in cell mitotic index (32.96%) compared with the control (52.13%). The butanol fraction produced the highest mitotic inhibitory activity on A. cepa cell division at 0.3 mg/ml. Moreover, the butanol fraction produced the highest percentage lethality (LC50 1.45 μg/ml) against brine shrimp nauplii. There was a strong correlation between brine shrimp lethality and mitotic cell inhibition with butanol fraction as the most potent in both models. The methanolic leaf crude extract tested positive for alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tanins and triterpenes. The methanolic crude extract of M. jalapa leaf and its fractions exhibited effective cytotoxic effect on A. cepa and brine shrimps. Butanol fraction, with the most cytotoxic activity among the tested extracts, demonstrates a promising source for novel anticancer agents.

Jasminum sambac: A Potential Candidate for Drug Development to Cure Cardiovascular Ailments

Jasminum sambac (L.) is a South Asian folkloric medicinal plant that has traditionally been used to treat cardiovascular problems. The current investigation was meticulously organized to explore the pharmacological foundation for the medicinal uses of J. sambac pertaining to cardiovascular ailments and to investigate the core mechanisms. Mechanistic investigation revealed that crude leaf extract of J. sambac produced ex-vivo vasorelaxant effects in endotheliumintact aorta ring preparation and hypotensive effect was recorded via pressure and force transducers coupled to the Power Lab Data Acquisition System. Moreover; J. sambac showed cardioprotective effects against adrenaline -induced left ventricular hypertrophy in rabbits observed hemodynamic. CK-MB, LDH, troponin, CRP, ALT, AST, ALP levels were shown to be lower in the myocardial infarction model, as were necrosis, oedema, and inflammatory cell recruitment in comparison to control. J. sambac has shown good antioxidant potential as well as prolonged the noradrenaline induced platelet adhesion. The vasorelaxant and cardioprotective effects in both in vivo and ex vivo experiments, which are enabled by activation of muscarinic receptor and/or releasing the nitric oxide and by reducing the adrenaline, induced oxidative stress, justifying its usage in cardiovascular disorders.

Anti-hyperglyceamic Effects of Psidium guajava LINN Crude Leaf Extracts and Fractions in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Mice

In Nigeria, rural inhabitants often resort to herbal remedies and dietary control for the treatment and management of various forms of diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to provide the rationale for the use of Psidium guajava leaves as a potent traditional anti-diabetic remedy. The crude leaf extracts of n-hexane, methanol, and ethyl acetate of Psidium guajava were separately prepared by cold maceration. Then, ethyl acetate crude extract of Psidium guajava leaves was fractionated by column chromatography to yield ethyl acetate bulked fractions: EF-I (1-75), EF-II (76-150), and EF-III (151-250). The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol crude leaf extracts and ethyl acetate bulked fractions (EF-I, EF-II and EF-III) were evaluated for anti-diabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The blood sugar levels of treated and untreated alloxan-induced diabetic mice were assayed as indices of anti-diabetic effect. The phytochemical constituents of both crude extracts and ethyl acetate fractions of Psidium guajava leaves and the mean lethal dose (LD50) of ethyl acetate crude leaf extract of Psidium guajava were determined. The mean lethal dose (LD50) of ethyl acetate crude leaf extract was calculated to be 1500mg/kg b.w. The results indicated that oral administration of ethyl acetate, n-hexane, methanol crude extracts, and ethyl acetate bulked fractions of Psidium guajava leaves at a dose of 100mg/kg b.w on treated groups exhibited much significant[p<0.001, p<0.01and p<0.05]anti-hyperglyceamic effect by ameliorating high blood sugar levels of alloxan-induced diabetic treated mice, while EF-II and EF-III showed non-significant[p>0.05] anti-hyperglyceamic activity for the reduction in blood sugar levels compared with the negative and positive control groups. The anti-diabetic potency of the crude leaf extracts and ethyl acetate fractions were in the order; EC>HC>MC>EF-I>EF-II>EF-III. The results of phytochemical screening of the crude extracts and ethyl acetate bulked fractions showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, and steroids while reducing sugar was absent. The results from this study gives credence to the use of Psidium guajava as an anti-diabetic agent in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Anti-hyperglyceamic Effects of Psidium guajava LINN Crude Leaf Extracts and Fractions in Alloxan- induced Diabetic Mice.

In Nigeria, rural inhabitants often resort to herbal remedies and dietary control for the treatment and management of various forms of diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to provide the rationale for the use of Psidium guajava leaves as a potent traditional antidiabetic remedy. The crude leaf extracts of n-hexane, methanol, and ethyl acetate of Psidium guajava were separately prepared by cold maceration. Then, the ethyl acetate crude extract of Psidium guajava leaves was fractionated by column chromatography to yield ethyl acetate bulked fractions: EF-I (1-75), EF-II (76-150), and EF- III (151-250). The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol crude leaf extracts and ethyl acetate bulked fractions (EF-I, EF-II, and EF-III) were evaluated for antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The blood sugar levels of treated and untreated alloxan-induced diabetic mice were assayed as indices of antidiabetic effect. The phytochemical constituents of both crude extracts and ethyl acetate fractions of Psidium guajava leaves and the mean lethal dose (LD50) of ethyl acetate crude leaf extract of Psidium guajava were determined. The mean lethal dose (LD50) of ethyl acetate crude leaf extract was calculated to be 1500mg/kg b.w. The results indicated that oral administration of ethyl acetate, n-hexane, methanol crude extract, and ethyl acetate bulked fractions of Psidium guajava leaves at a dose of 100mg/kg b.w on treated groups exhibited much significant[p<0.001, p<0.01and p<0.05]anti- hyperglyceamic effect by ameliorating high blood sugar levels of alloxan-induced diabetic treated mice, while EF-II and EF-III showed non-significant[p>0.05] anti-hyperglyceamic activity for the reduction in blood sugar levels compared with the negative and positive control groups. The anti- diabetic potency of the crude leaf extracts and ethyl acetate fractions were in the order; EC>HC>MC>EF-I>EF-II>EF-III. The results of phytochemical screening of the crude extracts and ethyl acetate bulked fractions showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, and steroids while reducing sugar was absent. The results from this study give credence to the use of Psidium guajava as an antidiabetic agent in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Anti-hyperglyceamic Effects of Psidium guajava LINN Crude Leaf Extracts and Fractions in Alloxan- induced Diabetic Mice.

In Nigeria, rural inhabitants often resort to herbal remedies and dietary control for the treatment and management of various forms of diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to provide the rationale for the use of Psidium guajava leaves as a potent traditional antidiabetic remedy. The crude leaf extracts of n-hexane, methanol, and ethyl acetate of Psidium guajava were separately prepared by cold maceration. Then, the ethyl acetate crude extract of Psidium guajava leaves was fractionated by column chromatography to yield ethyl acetate bulked fractions: EF-I (1–75), EF-II (76–150), and EF- III (151–250). The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol crude leaf extracts and ethyl acetate bulked fractions (EF-I, EF-II, and EF-III) were evaluated for antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The blood sugar levels of treated and untreated alloxan-induced diabetic mice were assayed as indices of antidiabetic effect. The phytochemical constituents of both crude extracts and ethyl acetate fractions of Psidium guajava leaves and the mean lethal dose (LD50) of ethyl acetate crude leaf extract of Psidium guajava were determined. The mean lethal dose (LD50) of ethyl acetate crude leaf extract was calculated to be 1500mg/kg b.w. The results indicated that oral administration of ethyl acetate, n-hexane, methanol crude extract, and ethyl acetate bulked fractions of Psidium guajava leaves at a dose of 100mg/kg b.w on treated groups exhibited much significant[p < 0.001, p < 0.01and p < 0.05]anti- hyperglyceamic effect by ameliorating high blood sugar levels of alloxan-induced diabetic treated mice, while EF-II and EF-III showed non-significant[p > 0.05] anti-hyperglyceamic activity for the reduction in blood sugar levels compared with the negative and positive control groups. The anti- diabetic potency of the crude leaf extracts and ethyl acetate fractions were in the order; EC > HC > MC > EF-I > EF-II > EF-III. The results of phytochemical screening of the crude extracts and ethyl acetate bulked fractions showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, and steroids while reducing sugar was absent. The results from this study give credence to the use of Psidium guajava as an antidiabetic agent in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Evidence supporting the use of Combretum nigricans as an antimalarial agent in ethnomedicine

Background: Combretum nigricans (Combretaceae) is a small, smooth bark tree used in traditional medicine for the treatment of prurigo, dysentery, fever and other symptoms of acute malaria in North-Central Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The antimalarial activity of C nigricans hydro-methanol crude leaf extract was evaluated against Plasmodium berghei in mice. The Peters’ 4-day suppressive test against early malaria infection and Rane’s curative test against established malaria were employed in assessing the antimalarial activity of the crude extract. In each test model, five groups containing five mice each were used. Group 1 mice were administered with 10 ml distilled water/kg b.w. p.o., groups 2 - 4 were administered with 200, 400, and 800 mg extract/kg b.w. p.o. respectively, while group 5 mice were administered with artesunate 10 mg/kg b.w. p.o. Result: All doses of C. nigricans extract employed for the study (200 – 800 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) gave significant (P<0.05) chemosuppressive effect against P. berghei, this effect was observed to be dose-related; while the 400 mg/kg extract dose gave the highest curative effect. Compared to control, the extract also prolonged the mean survival time at all doses, and as well prevented the characteristic decrease in body temperature elicited by P. berghei in mice. The LD50 of the extract was >5000 mg/kg b.w. p.o. in mice. Conclusion: The result from the study indicates that C. nigicans crude leaf extract is safe orally and possesses significant antimalarial activity.

Antibacterial and Anticancer Efficacy of Different Parts of Pistacia Integerrima Plant Extracts

This study explored the antibacterial efficacy of Pistacia integerrima gall, leaf and bark in different solvents. Extracts of these parts prepared in ethanol, methanol and distilled water by using rotary evaporator. To check the antibacterial potential of this plant, minimal inhibitory concentrations of each extract analysed by agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For anticancer activity, hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of P. integerrima gall, leaf and bark used against human cervical cancer (HeLa) and baby hamster kidney (BHK–21) cell lines. Results showed that maximum zone of inhibition 25mm formed with ethanolic gall extract in 200µL concentration against B. subtilis. P. vulgaris shows resistance to methanol and aqueous extracts but inhibited with ethanolic leaf extract. Among different parts of P. integerrima, n-hexane leaf fraction shown to be most effective against HeLa cell lines with IC50 of 7.45 µg/mL. In case of BHK-21, highest cell inhibition of 46.8% observed with crude leaf extract than ethyl-acetate bark extract (44.9%) of P. integerrima. It is concluded that the effective inhibitor was hexane leaf fraction against HeLa cell lines in which Heneicosane was found (39.7%) which might be responsible for anticancer activity.

Histopathological alterations in gills, kidney and liver of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings exposed to aqueous leaf extract of Desert Date (Balanites aegyptiaca)

One of the many biomarkers for determining the effects of pollutants on fish is changes in organ histopathology. Leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca have been reported to have phytochemicals with fish anaesthetic property. This study sought to determine the effect of graded acute concentrations (200.00, 250.00, 300.00.350.00 and 400.00 mg/L) of B. aegyptiaca on histopathology of gills, kidney and liver of mixed sex of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. A total of 120 O. niloticus fingerlings (mean weight 23±0.03 g and mean total length 12.50±0.39 cm) were exposed to the plant extract. Paraffin wax method and haematoxylin-eosin staining techniques of tissue processing were adopted for the examination of the gills, kidney and liver. Dose-dependent histopathological changes were observed in the three organs (gills, kidney and liver) i.e. histopathological alterations increase with increase in concentration of the plant extract. Gills showed lamellae fusion, haemorrhage, desquamation, atrophy and secondary lamellae erosion while kidney and liver indicated atrophy, necrosis, haemorrhage, hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Structural alterations were evident in the gills, kidney and liver of O. niloticus fingerlings exposed to the concentrations of aqueous crude leaf extract of B. aegyptiaca therefore it should be used with caution during fish anaesthesia. Keywords: Histopathology; Gill; Kidney; Liver; Balanites aegyptiaca; Oreochromis niloticus.

Larvicidal Efficacy and GC-MS Analysis of Hyptis suaveolens Leaf Extracts against Anopheles Species

Mosquitoes are the most important group of insects in terms of public health importance, which transmit serious human diseases. The continuous application of synthetic insecticides to control these mosquitoes causes development of resistance in vector species, and an adverse effect on environmental quality and non-target organisms including human health. Therefore, the use of active toxic agents from plant extracts as alternative mosquito control strategy cannot be over emphasized, as these are non-toxic, easily available at affordable prices, biodegradable and show target - specific activities against different species of vector mosquitoes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of the aqueous and methanol leaf extracts of H. suaveolens against the fourth instars larvae of Anopheles species. Standard WHO protocols was adopted for the larvicidal bioassay. Larvicidal activity was evaluated at concentrations of 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mg/L. The larval mortality was observed after 24 and 48hours bioassay. The results are mean of three replicates and the mortalities recorded were subjected to chi-square test and probit analysis to determine median lethal concentrations (LC50). TheGC-MS analysis ofthe methanolic leaf extract of the plantrevealed the presence of twelve compounds on the chromatogram. Among the major compounds areOleic Acid (33.33%), Octadecanoic acid (13.52%), 1,3-Cyclohexadiene-1-methanol,alpha.,2,6,6-(10.42%), 1,3-Cyclopentanediol, trans (9.60%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (9.01%) and 4-Hepten-3-one, 4-methyl (7.0%).The phytochemical screening of the aqueous and methanol leaf extracts of the plant revealed the presence of Tannins, Terpenoids, Flavonoids, Steroids, Carbohydrates, Cardiac glycoside and resins. The LC50 values estimated were 316.22mg/Lfor methanol extract and 323.59 mg/L for aqueous extract. The differences between the two extracts were however not significantly different at P>0.05. The findings also revealed that mortality was concentration dependent and both extracts showed promising larvicidal activity against Anopheles species larvae. Therefore, the crude leaf extract of the plant is recommended to be used as alternative to synthetic larvicides and further research is needed to test the activity of the plant on non-target organisms.