The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the dry leaves of Aframomum melegueta was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Twenty-six components representing 92.5 % of the oil were identified. The major constituents were sabinene (35.9 %), α-pinene (15.0 %) and β-caryophyllene (9.7 %). The in vitro antibacterial activity of the oil was assayed against twelve microorganisms using agar-disc diffusion and brothmicrodilution methods. The oil exhibited significant inhibition on the growth of Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli with zones of inhibition and MIC values ranging from (6.3-19.3) mm and (0.2-10.0) mg/ml, respectively.
Anthocleista vogelii was investigated for the acclaimed fertility enhancing properties especially in females. The phyto-chemistry of the ethanolic leave extract of Anthocleista vogelii was determined prior to it being administered orally for 14 days to Wister albino rats. Micronor (norethisterone) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was given orally to induce temporary infertility in the female rats for seven (7) days prior to other treatment. The Blood samples from experimental animal groups were collected through cardiac puncture when the rats were sacrificed after the completion of fourteen (14) days extract administration. The vitamin E analysis was performed using HPLC. The hematological parameters were performed using the Sysmex® Automated Hematology Analyzer KX-21N. Biochemical evaluation of glutamic pyruvate transaminase ALT, alkaline phosphatase ALP, glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase AST, total cholesterol and total triacylglycerol was done using randox biochemical kits. The extract was found to possess Anthraquinones, Terpenoids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Alkaloids, Phenols and Phytosterols. The hematological parameters showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in absolute middle cells (basophils, eosinophils and monocytes) count. It also showed a significant reduction in the ALP, ASP, AST, TAG and cholesterol level (p<0.05). The obtained results showed a significant increase of vitamin E concentration in the female rats in the control group compared to extract treated group. The result also suggest that Anthocleista vogelii may have a role in creating the environment required for enhancing pregnancy with the Vitamin E concentration production that support the claims on the traditional use of Anthocliesta vogelii to enhance fertility in female.
Three different batches of Thaumatococcus danielli (Benth) fruits were collected at different fruiting seasons. The proximate compositions of the pericarp and seeds were determined on a dry weight basis. Partial characterization of the lipid extract was carried out and tannin content determined. The average moisture, ash and lipid contents of the pericarp were higher (89.2+/-4.17%, 20.7+/-1.10% and 11.6+/-1.23%, respectively) than those of the seed (31.2+/-4.66%, 9.1+/-0.71% and 8.2+/-1.64%, respectively). Crude protein and total carbohydrate were, however, higher in the seed (9.5+/-4.38% and 69.4+/-11.52%, respectively) than in the pericarp (4.5+/-2.21% and 6.3+/-3.94%, respectively). The dietary fiber contents of both pericarp and seed were high. Starch content was very low in the pericarp (0.4+/-0.0%) compared to the seed (66.28+/-9.21%). Tannin content in the pericarp and seeds was 12.1+/-1.52 mg/g and 21.9+/-2.28 mg/g, respectively. The oil extracted from both pericarp and seeds was light-yellow in color and slightly solid at room temperature. Unsaturation level of T. danielli oil was low, while free fatty acids were high. The results obtained suggested that T. danielli waste could potentially be a raw material in livestock feed formulation.
Anthocleista vogelii Planch, phyto-constituents was evaluated and the plant leave extracts investigated on the claims of the traditional medicine practitioners of its usage as fertility enhancer in females. Ethanolic extract of Anthocleista vogelii were administered orally for 14 days to female albino rats placed in different groups. First, temporary infertility was induced with Micronor (norethisterone) or Nacetylcysteine (NAC) given orally to some rats, for seven (7) days prior to other treatment. The rats were sacrificed after the completion of extract administration. The absolute counts of clusters of differentiation CD4+ and CD8+ was performed on the blood samples using the Becton Dickinson’s (BD) FACS Count Automated technique. Hormonal analysis was performed on sera obtained from the experimental animals using commercial standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The extract was found to possess Anthraquinones, Terpenoids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Alkaloids, Phenols and Phytosterols . The obtained results of the test group compared with control showed a statistically significant decrease (P<0.05) in CD4+ and CD8+ counts cells and Prolactin, testosterone respectively. The results showed a significant increase of estradiol, leutinizing hormone, in the female rats in the control group compared to extract treated group. The result also suggested that Anthocleista vogelii may have a role in creating the environment required for enhancing pregnancy by decreasing ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ linked Th1 andTh2 cytokines production activation. Estradiol, luetinising hormone, concentration therefore support the claims on the traditional use of Anthocliesta vogelii that it enhance fertility in female.
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