Background: Zingiber officinale is a rhizome commonly consumed as a delicacy, medicine or spice. It is considered as a safe spice with several medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-vitro antioxidants, antimicrobial and safety of Nigerian Z. Officinale. Methods: Methanol extract of Nigerian Z. Officinale (MEZO) was evaluated for phytochemical composition, total flavonoids and phenol contents using standard procedures. Antibacterial study was carried out via the agar well diffusion method. Antioxidant activities were carried out using 2, 2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP) assay. Twenty five (25) wister rats were randomly grouped into five (A-E) of five animals each. Animals in Groups AD were orally administered 75,150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt of the extract on daily basis for 4 weeks while those in Group A (control) received distilled water. Results: Total phenolic and flavonoids contents of the extract were 15.24 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g and 19.84 ± 0. 32 mg/g CE respectively. The extract promoted an inhibition of free radicals with IC 50 values of 47.05 ± 2. 03 μg/mL and 89.15 ± 0.29 μg/mL in DPPH and FRAP assay. At extract concentration of 100 μg/mL, K. pneumoniae showed the highest susceptibility of 29.04 ± 0.35 mm, followed by P. aeuruginisa (26.03 ± 0.41 mm), while S. aureus (15.08 ± 0.20 mm) was least susceptible. The serum concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), sodium, albumin, total proteins and the computed organs/body weight ratios compared favorably (p > 0.05) with control at all extract doses tested. The bilirubin, urea and creatinine levels significantly (p < 0.05) increase while chloride decreases in rats dosed 600 mg/kg bwt. However, potassium level increases significantly (p < 0.05) in rats dose 300 mg/kg of the extract when compare with the control. Conclusion: This study revealed the strong antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of methanol extract of Nigerian Zingiber officinale. It was also found to be relatively safe for consumption and thus could serve as a source of candidate for the development of new antioxidants and antimicrobial drugs.

Background The present study evaluated the phytochemical profiles, anti-oxidants, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-arthritic and wound healing effect of methanol and ethyl-acetate extracts of Azanza garckeana. Results Methanol extract had higher phenol, flavonoids and alkaloids concentrations, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities than ethyl-acetate extract. Ethyl-acetate and methanol extracts had IC50 of 119.40 μg/mL and 133.49 μg/mL respectively against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) radicals. The extracts were more active against Klebsiella pneumonia while the least activity was recoded against Bacillus subtilis with methanol been most potent than ethyl-acetate. The IC50 value of methanol extract in inhibition of protein denaturation were 310.44 μg/mL and 315.27 μg/mL while IC50 value of 354.74 μg/mL and 349.57 μg/mL were recorded for membrane stabilization effect in bovine serum albumin (BSA) and egg albumin (EGA) assays respectively. There was dose dependent in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities with highest percentage paw oedema inhibitions of 51.68% and analgesia of 46.36% at 600 mg/kg bw of the methanol extract. The extract caused dosed independent increase percentage wound closure with percentage wound contraction range between 65.24 ± 2.46 and 69.68 ± .2.54 compare to untreated wound (15.35 ± 0.35 to 50.35 ± 2.35%). Conclusion This study lends pharmacological support to folkloric usage of Azanza garckeana in the treatment and management of several human disease.

Background: Xylopia aethiopica is highly reputed for its numerous medicinal properties. In the present study, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicity profile of methanol seed extract of Nigerian X. aethiopica in rat were evaluated. Methods: Phytochemical compositions were evaluated using standard procedures. The antibacterial study was carried out using agar well diffusion method, while antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and FRAP assay. Twenty-five rats (5 each) were given 0, 75, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt of the extract orally for 28 days. Results: The extract had total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of 15.98±0.03mg GAE/g and 2.29±0.02 mg/g CE respectively. The extract had IC50 values of 52.45±3.05 µg/mL and 73.45±3.89 μg/mL in DPPH and FRAP assay respectively. The E. coli showed the highest susceptibility (20.27±0.90mm) while P. aeuruginisa showed the least (15.08±0.20mm). The MIC ranged from 25-50 µg/mL while MBC ranged between 50µg/mL and 100 µg/mL. In comparison with the control rats, the levels of serum creatinine, bicarbonate total proteins, albumin, and ALP were significantly higher in rat dosed 600 mg/kg bwt while urea decreases in rat dose 300 and 600 mg/kg. However, serum concentration of ALT, AST, bilirubin, Na+, K+ and Cl- compared favorably (P>0.05) with control at all doses. Conclusion: The study revealed the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Nigerian X. aethiopica, the extract at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg/b.wt did not provoke toxic effects to the animals’ liver and kidney; however, caution should be exercised when using as a prolonged oral remedy at high doses.

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Phyllanthus amarus is a commonly known weed used for the traditional treatment of several aliment. In the present study, phytochemical screening and toxicological profile of methanol and aqueous extracts of P. amarus were investigated. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis were carried out using standard procedures. Subacute toxicity was carried out by oral administration of the aqueous extract at 300 and 600ml/kg for 14days. Biochemical parameters including aspartate amino tranferases (AST), alanine amino transfereas, (ALT), alkaline phosphates (ALP) albumin, total protein and albumin were investigated. The results obtained showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannin, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides and steroids in both extracts. Quantitatively, alkaloids (0.56±0.01 and 0.56±0.00 mg/g) were the most abundant phytochemical while phenol (0.09±0.01 and 0.07±0.01 mg/g) was the least abundant in both extracts. The concentrations of total proteins were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in rats dosed with 600 mg/kg bw of the extract when compared with the control rats. However, serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP and albumins were not significantly (p>0.05) altered when compared with the control values. Methanol and aqueous extracts of P. amarus contains important phytochemicals with therapeutic reputations. The extract was also found not to have adverse/toxic effect on liver integrity at doses of up-to 600 mg/kg bw in rats.

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Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing on a global trend. The aim of the present study is to identify the most effective antioxidants and hypoglycemic fraction of Azanza garckeana. Methods: The fractions (nhexane or ethyl-acetate or aqueous) of A. garckeana were administered to the alloxan-induced diabetic rats at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg for 15 days. Antioxidants activities were evaluated at concentrations of 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL using the DPPH scavenging assay. Results: Results revealed that both the hexane, ethyl-acetate, and aqueous fractions exhibited hypoglycemic and antioxidants activities in a dose-dependent manner. The n-hexane fraction demonstrated highest percentage DPPH scavenging effect of 26.34±3.43, 38.44±4.35, 59.34±3.45, and 74.83±5.35 at 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL respectively. The ethyl-acetate fraction demonstrated 19.33±2.98, 28.94±3.24, 47.34±2.90, and 57.82±4.54 respectively while the aqueous fraction exhibited the least activities of 12.45±23.45, 18.64±2.94, 27.94±3.89, and 39.43±3.89 at concentrations of 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL respectively. In addition, the n-hexane fraction demonstrated the most significant hypoglycemic effect with the highest glucose reduction of 58.97 ±3.45 %, 63.86±5.35 %, and 66.51±4.35 %, ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated glucose reduction of 7.55±0.54%, 21.77±2.35 %, and 29.56±3.46 % while the aqueous fraction demonstrated the least hypoglycemic effect of 9.89±2.67 %, 18.09±3.45 %, and 18.87±3.24 at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bw respectively. Conclusion: The n-hexane fraction of Azanza garckeana extract could serve as a reservoir of bioactive agents that could be useful for the development of a new anti-diabetic agent