Methanolic leaf and root extracts of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre were tested in vivo for antimalarial activity in Swiss albino mice inoculated with chloroquine resistant Plasmodium berghei NK 67 strain. The two extracts exhibited a significant (p>0.05) dose dependant anti-plasmodial activities in isolation and when combined in the 4-days curative standard test with a high mean of survival time. Although, the standard drug, Arthemether -lumefartrin, showed the highest antimalaria potency (81.4%), those of the leaf (74.4%) and root extracts (54.1%) in isolation and combination (63.4%) compared favorably. The leaf extract demonstrated higher antimalarial potency than the root or combination. The two extracts also produced a significant (p>0.05) positive effect on the weight and hematology values in the treated animals. Phytochemical screening of the plant (leaf and the root extracts) reveals the presences of flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, tannins and alkaloids. The antiplasmodia activity of these plant extract might be attributed to these phytochemicals compounds. The results showed that the leaf and root of S. jollyanum possesses an anti-malarial activity which was effective against chloroquine resistance strain. This work has validated the traditional uses of S. jollyanum root extract in the treatment of malaria and also reported for the first time the anti-malarial property of the S. jollyanun leaf extract.
Methanolic stems bark extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum (SBSJ) was evaluated for hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced hepatic damage in rats. The extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was administered orally to the animals with hepatotoxicity induced by CCl 4 (30%, 1.0 ml/kg). In vitro antioxidant potential of the extract was evaluated by using superoxide (O 2 .-) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) radical scavenging assay. At a concentration of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, the extract showed a remarkable hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced liver injury in a concentration dependant manner. This was evident from significant reduction (P< 0.05) in serum marker enzymes, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin and lipid peroxidation. It was also observed that the extract of S. jollyanum stem bark conferred a significant (P < 0.05) protection against CCl 4-induced total protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) depletion in the liver. The plant extract restored the activities of the marker enzymes to near normal. In vitro antioxidant assay showed that SBSJ inhibit superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide radicals with IC 50 values of 13.11 and 30.04 µg/ml, respectively. The present study indicated that methanolic extract of S. jollyanum possessed hepatoprotective activity against CCl 4-induced liver damage and this effect may be due to its strong antioxidant property.
Thaumatococcus daniellii (Benth) is a member of a diverse family of plants known as Marantaceae. Native to the tropical forest zones of West Africa, the plant is globally famous for its low calorie, nondiabetic natural sweetener called thaumatin found in its aril. T. daniellii thrives in deep shade, and it is used locally as a taste modifier and for preparing fish traps, ornamental bags, and mats. Organs of the plant are used in folkloric medicine as a laxative and in treating ailments such as mental disorders, high blood sugar, and lung diseases. The seeds and leaf sap are potent as an antidote against snake venom and bee stings and for preventing dystocia and prolonged child labor. Proximate analysis, phytochemical screening, and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry revealed that the plant contains proteins, important macro- and microelements (calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and manganese), and abundant active principles and compounds such as squalene tannin, alkaloids, saponins, epicatechin, steroids, phlobatannins, anthraquinones, terpenoids, spartein, ribalinidine, rutin, phytic acid, and kaempferol. Biological activities include hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, insecticidal, bioremediative, and antimicrobial activities. T. daniellii could be used in the formulation of food supplements and drug development.
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