No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon) is a fruit cultivated and consumed in Africa for its essential nutrients which are very beneficial to the human body. The present study was designed to evaluate the nutritive contents, free radical scavenging activities and phytochemical components of C. lanatus fruit. The extract of the fruit was subjected to in vitro antioxidant assessment using 1,1-diphenylpicryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assays. The proximate and phytochemical analyses were conducted using standard procedures. The results of this study showed that C. lanatus fruit had very high moisture content and its crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre and ash content were all in traceable amounts. The sugar content was considerably high in comparison with other nutritive contents. Lycopene and β-carotene contents of C. lanatusfruit were estimated to be 4537.83 and 308.71 µg/100g respectively. The gross energy evaluation showed a value of 0.335 Kcal/g. The fruit extract exhibited significant (p < 0.05) DPPH (IC50 of 0.10 mg/ml) and hydrogen peroxide radicals scavenging activity (IC50 of 0.62 mg/ml) in comparison with the positive control butylated hydroxytoluene (BTH). This study therefore recommends that C. lanatus fruit could be an excellent source of antioxidants which may prevent diseases whose pathogenesis involves oxidative stress.

Launaea taraxacifolia and Amaranthus viridis used by people of Western Africa in the treatment of malaria and related symptoms were assessed for their antiplasmodial value against the chloroquine sensitive strain of Plasmodium berghei. Crude extracts (200 mg/kg) and chloroquine (5 mg/kg) were administered to different groups of Swiss mice. The percentage of parasitemia, survival time, and haematological parameters were determined. Both extracts significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited parasitemia and improved survival time in infected mice. The crude extracts prevented loss of some haematological parameters. A. viridis had a distinct effect on the packed cell volume. The extract was able to protect the liver from some of the damage. This study however showed that the methanolic extracts of A. viridis and L. taraxacifolia possess antiplasmodial activity. The results of this study can be used as a basis for further phytochemical investigations in the search for new and locally affordable antimalarial agents.

No abstract

This study focused on determining the antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of 70% acetone and ethanolic leave extracts of Hippobromus pauciflorus (L.f.) Radlk. The measured antioxidant properties included free radical scavenging activities against 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis-3ethylbenzothizoline 6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing power activities, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide scavenging properties and lipid peroxidation. The results show that the two extracts had good antioxidant potential. 70% acetone extract had higher ABTS, reducing power ability, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation scavenging ability, but lower DPPH activities when compared with the ethanolic extract. The antioxidant capacity of the two extracts as determined by ABTS, DPPH, reducing power, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging ability were lower when compared with tannic acid and BHT standard. Phytochemical analyses revealed that the level of total flavonoid, flavonol, proanthocyanidin and tannins were relatively similar. On the other hand, 70% acetone extract had higher level of total phenolics than ethanol extract. The present results indicate that the extracts of H. pauciflorus possesses antioxidant properties and could serve as free radical inhibitors or scavengers, acting possibly as primary antioxidants and could be used in the treatment and management of free radical-mediated diseases.

No abstract