The effects of crude leaf extract of Carica papaya (Linn) on aspartate aminostransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes, neutrophils, thrombocytes and on body weight of normal albino rats were investigated. Albino rats weighing between 74 g and 90.5 g, of both sexes were used for the study. 2 ml of 0.11 g/ml aqueous extract was administered daily to each of the experimented rats for the 7 and 14 days study periods respectively, using stomach canula and the parameters analysed using standard methods. Observations indicated that extract of C. papaya (Pawpaw) leaves did not induce any significant changes in the levels of AST and ALT. The results also showed that the C. papaya leaves extract influenced the immunological pathways. There was an increase in the levels of white blood cells, thrombocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils of the test rats, and a significant weight gain in the animals at the end of the study period. Based on the findings in this work, the C. papaya leaves extract tested could hardly advance any adverse effects on the liver and also have immunological effect on the animal body.

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The present study was designed to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil from the fiddleheads of Pteridium aquilinum L. Kuhn, so as to enable more effective utilization of such bioactive ingredients. Gas chromatography analysis of the essential oil distillate revealed the presence of 40 compounds that consisted mainly of alkanes (86.60%), monoterpenes (3.20%) and sesquiterpenes (2.40%). The most representative alkanes were tetratriacontane (12.40%), hexatriacontane (8.10%) and heptacosane (8.10%). Predominant monoterpenes were γ-terpinene (0 .44%) and 1, 8-cineole (0.40%), and sesquiterpenes were sesquisabinene (0.39%) and β-panasinsene (0.36%). This study when compared with the works of other authors suggested that the essential oil from the fiddleheads of P. aquilinum could play a significant role in perfumery, cosmetic, medicinal, pharmaceutical, and biodiesel industries.

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The root bark of Salacia nitida L.benth (celastraceae) is used as remedy for malaria and typhoid fever in Southern part of Nigeria. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of treatment with ethanolic extract from root bark of S. nitida on lipid peroxidation, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in Plasmodium berghei-malaria infected mice. Thirty malaria-infected and six uninfected mice were used for the study. 280, 430, and 580 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 of ethanolic extract and 4 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 of artesunate were administered orally to infected mice in groups B, C, D, and E, while 4 ml kg-1 body weight day-1 of physiological saline was given to infected untreated mice in group A and the uninfected untreated mice in group F. Treatments were done for five days. Levels of malondialdehyde were measured as means of assessing lipid peroxidation in the experimental animals. Weights of experimental animals, liver, and spleen, and the length of spleen from experimental animals were also measured. Animal’s liver and spleen-body weight ratios were determined. Results from the study showed significant decrease (P < 0.05) in levels of malondialdehyde, and significant increase (P < 0.05) in body weights. Also, significant decreases (P < 0.05) were seen in the weights of liver and spleen, lengths of spleen, and organ-body weight ratios of malaria-infected treated mice. Therefore, this study confirmed that ethanolic extract from root bark of S. nitida is effective in the treatment of malaria, as it is seen in its ability to attenuate lipid peroxidation and hepatosplenomegaly in mice, thus corroborating its traditional use for the treatment of malaria.

The root bark of Salacia nitida L.benth (celastraceae) is used as remedy for malaria and typhoid fever in Southern part of Nigeria. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of treatment with ethanolic extract from root bark of S. nitida on lipid peroxidation, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in Plasmodium berghei-malaria infected mice. Thirty malaria-infected and six uninfected mice were used for the study. 280, 430, and 580 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 of ethanolic extract and 4 mg kg-1 body weight day-1 of artesunate were administered orally to infected mice in groups B, C, D, and E, while 4 ml kg-1 body weight day-1 of physiological saline was given to infected untreated mice in group A and the uninfected untreated mice in group F. Treatments were done for five days. Levels of malondialdehyde were measured as means of assessing lipid peroxidation in the experimental animals. Weights of experimental animals, liver, and spleen, and the length of spleen from experimental animals were also measured. Animal’s liver and spleen-body weight ratios were determined. Results from the study showed significant decrease (P < 0.05) in levels of malondialdehyde, and significant increase (P < 0.05) in body weights. Also, significant decreases (P < 0.05) were seen in the weights of liver and spleen, lengths of spleen, and organ-body weight ratios of malaria-infected treated mice. Therefore, this study confirmed that ethanolic extract from root bark of S. nitida is effective in the treatment of malaria, as it is seen in its ability to attenuate lipid peroxidation and hepatosplenomegaly in mice, thus corroborating its traditional use for the treatment of malaria.