Context: The resistance of Plasmodium species to many available antimalarials calls for a continuous search for newer antimalarial agents. One possible source of new antimalarials is from natural sources such as Fagara zanthoxyloides Lam (Rutaceae), a medicinal plant used traditionally for treating malaria in South-Eastern Nigeria, Uganda and Asia.Objectives: To investigate the application of methanol extracts of F. zanthoxyloides in combating malaria infection and its associated disorders.Materials and methods: Methanol extracts of F. zanthoxyloides leaves (MEFZ) were evaluated for in vivo antimalarial activity. MEFZ at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg/d were administered orally for 4 consecutive days (days 0–4) to P. berghei-infected mice. The possible ameliorative effects of MEFZ on malaria-associated organ malfunctions were also assessed.Results: At 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.w., respectively, MEFZ produced 82.37% and 68.39%, 84.84%, and 90.75%, 95.95% and 92.67% chemosuppression and inhibition of P. berghei, respectively, comparable to 98.67% and 97.29% by combisunate, a standard antimalarial. The IC50 of MEFZ was estimated to be 235.23 mg/kg b.w. Similarly, treatment of parasitized mice with MEFZ significantly restored the malaria-modified haematological and biochemical status of the parasitized-MEFZ-treated mice compared with parasitized-untreated mice. MEFZ was tolerable up to 5000 mg/kg b.w dose; hence, the LD50 is above 5000 mg/kg b.w.Discussion and conclusions: The results of this curative assay demonstrated that MEFZ has antimalarial effects and normalized haematological and biochemical aberrations generated by malaria. The isolation of the antimalarial principles in MEFZ is warranted; they could be lead molecules for the development of new antimalarials.

Background Malaria has continued to be a threat to man and his wellbeing, especially Africans and Asians. New antimalarial drugs are urgently needed to mitigate malaria treatment failure due to resistant Plasmodium species. Medicinal plants used by indigenous Nigerians for treating fever and malaria such as Sida acuta Burm.f. (Malvaceae) could be a promising source of lead compounds for developing new generations of antimalarial drugs. The effects of ethanol extract of S. acuta leaves (EESAL) on malaria parasitemia, haematological and biochemical status of P. berghei-infected mice were investigated, using the 4-day curative test. Methodology EESAL was prepared by maceration method. The phyto-constituents and acute toxicity profile of the extract were evaluated using standard protocols. In addition, malaria parasitemia and chemo-suppression, and indicators of haematological and biochemical status of P. berghei-infected mice treated with EESAL were assessed. Results At 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg/d b.w., p.o doses for 4 consecutive days, EESAL significantly (p < 0.05) decreased parasitaemia and suppressed malaria parasite by 89.64%, 95.95% and 97.38%, respectively comparable to negative control. The reduction in percentage malaria parasitemia by EESAL is comparable to Artemether (140 mg/kg/d b.w., p.o) used as standard antimalarial drug in this study. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts of negative control are significantly (p < 0.05) higher than normal control. However, parasitized-EESAL-treated mice have significantly (p < 0.05) higher PCV value, Hb concentration and RBC and WBC counts than negative control. Similarly, treatment of parasitized mice with EESAL restored some indicators of the antioxidant, lipid peroxidation, lipid profile and liver status altered by malaria. In addition, EESAL was tolerable up to 5000 mg/kg b.w., p.o. Conclusion These results indicate that the EESAL possesses antimalarial activity and normalizes alterations in haematological and biochemical status of malaria-infected mice.

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Ethanol extract of Buchholzia coriacea seed was evaluated for anti-ulcer as well as anti-secretory activity in rats because of its use in Nigerian folk medicine as an anti-ulcer agent. Standard pharmacological methods were used to carry out phytochemical analysis of the plant. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the ethanol extract of B. coriacea revealed the presence of alkaloids (101.88 ± 0.11 mg/100 g), flavonoids (46.88 ± 2.21 mg/100 g), tannins (0.16 ± 0.02 mg/100 g), oxalate (0.15 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) and terpenes (23.0 ± 0.30 µg/100 g). The extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, significantly (P<0.05) and dose-dependently suppressed the ulcerogenic effect induced by indomethacin in rat gastric mucosa relative to the controls. Similarly, the extract significantly (P<0.05) decreased histamine-mediated gastric acid secretion and also blocked histamine-induced contractile responses in isolated guinea-pig ileum in a similar fashion as the standard anti-histamine drug, chlorpheniramine. The extract had comparable ulcer protective potency with cimetidine, which is a standard drug used in the management of ulcer. The mechanism of the extract's efficacy to protect the animals against indomethacin-induced ulcer may be diverse in nature (due to the presence of a number of bioactive constituents) but suppression of mediator effect of histamine is likely to play a predominant role in the observed activity.

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Background Most medicinal plants presently employed in traditional medicine are used without scientific evidence, thereby suggesting a need to explore efficient and reliable investigations of their potential. We, therefore, conducted the present study to ascertain the efficacy of flavonoid-rich extract of Peltophorum pterocarpum sterm-bark in the treatment and management of inflammatory disorders as employed in folk medicine. Materials and methods Flavonoid-rich extract of Peltophorum pterocarpum sterm-bark and a total of fifty-five (55) Wistar rats were used for this study. Eighteen (18) mice were used for toxicity testing, and the phytochemical analysis was done using the Trease and Evans method, while the acute toxicity was done using Lorke’s method. In vivo anti-inflammatory study was done using the egg albumin-induced paw oedema method, while the in vitro anti-inflammatory studies were performed for the extract using phospholipase A2 inhibition and calcium chloride-induced platelet aggregation assays. Results The phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract of Peltophorum pterocarpum sterm-bark contains tannins, terpenoids, steroids, phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, and saponins ranging from 0.307 ± 0.02 to 1279.567 ± 149.868. The acute toxicity test of the extract showed no toxicity up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. In the systemic oedema of the rat paw, scalar doses of the extract significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed the development of paw oedema induced by egg albumin, particularly with the Indomethacin (1.77 ± 0.41) when compared with the control (5.50 ± 0.26). However, varying doses of the extract significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited phospholipase A2 activity and CaCl2-Induced platelet aggregation in a concentration, dose, and time-dependent manner, in comparison to prednisolone. Conclusion These results indicate that the extract exhibited anti-inflammatory potential, and the mechanism of this activity has a promising ability to inhibit phospholipase A2 activity and platelet aggregation in rats inflicted with paw oedema.

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