13 research outputs found
Antidiabetic phytodrug from Maerua angolensis DC: Formulation, standardization, in vitro and in vivo evaluations
No full textMaerua angolensis is a shrub or small tree widely distributed in tropical Africa. The plant materials are used for various ethnomedicinal applications across the region, including the prevention and treatment of diabetes. This study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of formulated freeze-dried aqueous extract of Maerua angolensis leaves using standard in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Infusion extract of the plant's powdered dried leaves was prepared, the resultant extract was freeze-dried and formulated (denoted FIEMa). The physicochemical, quantitative and qualitative phytochemical constituents of FIEMa were determined using analytical techniques (UV-visible and HPLC). The antidiabetic activity of the reconstituted formulation was investigated using in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro activity was assessed using Phosphomolybdenum assay and DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity for antioxidant effect, and α-amylase inhibition and α- glycosidase inhibition assays. The assays of the normoglycemic, oral glucose load tolerance, and single-dose alloxan (150 mg/kg) induced diabetes in rats were used for in vivo antidiabetic activity. The results show that FIEMa contains valuable phytochemicals. It exhibited antioxidant effect, α-amylase and α- glucosidase inhibition activities. FIEMa did not significantly reduce blood glucose levels (BGL) in normoglycemic mice but produced a significant reduction of BGL in the oral glucose tolerance test. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, significant reductions of BGL were observed in groups treated with high doses of FIEMa in the single-dose study and from the second week onwards in the repeated dose study. It also exhibited less reduction in body weight compared to the control group. The findings indicate that FIEMa has an antidiabetic activity, low risk of hypoglycemia, and body weight loss. The valuable phytochemicals plausibly mediate this effect, especially the dominant betulinic acid detected in FIEMa, most likely acting in synergy
Toxicity and Protective Effect of Phenolic-Enriched Ethylacetate Fraction of<i>Ocimum gratissimum</i>(Linn.) Leaf against Acute Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Rats
No full textSimulation of metabolism-based herb-drug interaction: towards safe and efficacious use of NIPRD-AM1
No full textObjective: To evaluate the effect of NIPRD-AM1 on CYP3A4 in order to generate clinically significant data for its safe and efficacious use. Materials and Methods: NIPRD-AM1 is a phytomedicine developed from aqueous root extracts of Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. The effect of NIPRD-AM1 on CYP3A4 was measured with and without the addition of NIPRD-AM1, by testing different concentrations of the product at 37 °C in reactive mixtures with ketoconazole (2.5 µM) as the positive control. Results: Results showed a very low IC50 value of 0.01 mg/ml similar to that of ketoconazole (0.016 mg/ml). Conclusion: Metabolic processes of NIPRD-AM1 are likely to inhibit CYP3A4, with potential implication on drugs that are CYP3A4 substrates. This is a promising approach for guidance towards the safe and efficacious use of NIPRD-AM1
Maerua angolensis DC: evaluation of the oral acute and sub-chronic toxicity profile of its freeze-dried leaves infusion extract
No full textMaerua angolensis is a shrub/small tree that grows up to about 10 m tall. The plant is widely distributed in tropical Africa and used in various ethnomedicinal applications across the region. The objective of this study is to investigate the oral safety profile of the infusion extract of Maerua angolensis (IEMa) in laboratory animals. Hippocratic screening was adopted to evaluate the acute toxicity profile using 2000 mg/kg of IEMa, p.o. in mice. The sub-chronic toxicity was performed by daily oral administration of IEMa (800 mg/kg) in Wistar rats for 28 days and clinical observations and toxicological related parameters were recorded. After the treatment period, blood was collected for hematological and biochemical analysis, and organs were removed for macroscopic analysis. The agent exhibited mild symptoms and no mortality recorded in the Hippocratic screening. In the sub-chronic test, few changes in urine output, platelets counts and alkaline phosphatase were observed, but are within the physiological ranges for this animal specie. The results shows that IEMa does not present oral toxicity thereby displaying a wide safety margin for therapeutic use
Structural Characterization of ZS – 2A: An Antiplasmodial Compound Isolated from Zizyphus spina-christi Root Bark
No full textZizyphus spina-christi (Rhamnaceae) is a popular medicinal plant that grows wildly in Asia and Tropical Africa. The plant is widely used in ethnomedical practice for the treatment of fever. As a step towards the isolation of biologically active constituents of this plant, we carried out a bioassay guided extraction of the root bark using solvents of varying polarity including, hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate and methanol. An antiplasmodial compound, designated as ZS-2A, was isolated from the chloroform extract and the chemical structure of the compound was characterized using UVvisible, IR, 13C and 1H NMR and thermo-analytical techniques. Our analysis established ZS – 2A as a betulinic acid.</jats:p
Evaluation of the toxic effects of the aqueous extract of Niprineem tea in mice and rats
No full textAzadirachta indica is an important plant in traditional complementary and alternative medicine with decoctions (tea) being a common mode of administration. Herbal teas are frequently self-administered thus the need to prepare a standardized dosage form for the administration of such decoctions. The leaf of Azadirachta indica was formulated for administration as tea; thus, this study was designed to determine the safety profile of Niprineem tea. Oral acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of the aqueous extract of Niprineem tea (NTE) were evaluated. The OECD (No 423) limit test was followed to determine the LD50 in Swiss albino mice, while OECD 407 guideline was used for the sub-chronic toxicity studies in Wistar rats. Acute administration of NTE did not cause detectable signs of toxicity in treated animals and no mortality was recorded. In the 28-day toxicity tests, there were no significant (p<0.05) changes in food and water intake, or urine and faecal output. Haematological analysis did not show deleterious effects in treated rats. Biochemical evaluation of indicators for renal and hepatic functions did not show significant changes after treatment with NTE. Likewise, histological tests did not result in structural changes in cells of the tissues of major organs. The results obtained suggest that Niprineem tea is relatively non-toxic and safe at the tested dose
Ocimum gratissimum Linn. Leaf extract inhibits free radical generation and suppressed inflammation in carrageenan-induced inflammation models in rats
No full textAbstractBackground:leaf is used in managing rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of phenolic extract obtained by sequential methanol extraction ofMethods:The methanol extract (MEOResults:HPLC fingerprint of the extract shows the presence of caffeic acid, rutin, ferulic acid, apigenin, and quercetin. Antioxidant activity of MEOConclusions:MEO</jats:sec
Evaluation of genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity of the standardized leaves infusion extract of Copaifera malmei Harms in experimental models
No full textEvaluation of the Acute and Subactue chronic Toxicities of the Methanolic Stem Bark Extract of Spathodea campanulata (P.Beauv.) Bignoniaceae
No full textstatus: Publishe
