Some investigations on the use of bark in phytomedicine were carried out. A comparison of the phytochemicals of re-grown stem bark (after debarking) with those of older bark of the same tree species, revealed that almost all the phytochemicals screened were present in both old and new bark; indicating that the newly-grown bark is also medicinally useful. A taxonomic key that would facilitate the identification of dry bark of 15 frequently used tree species has been constructed. Seven fungal species, Aspergillus niger, Penicillin digitatum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Neurospora crassa, Fusarium flavus, Mucor mucedo and Botryodiplodia theobrome were isolated from bark stored in the market for 1 -2 years. Some of these saprophytic organisms of stored products may also cause diseases in humans. The implications of these findings for the use of bark in phytomedicine are discussed.

No abstract

No abstract

Background:Croton lobatus contains a high amount of antioxidant phytochemicals that probably account for its wide use as food and medicine in the traditional communities of West Africa.Methods:The study evaluated the modulatory role of methanol extract of Croton lobatus leaf on alloxan-induced diabetes and associated cardiovascular complications. Male rats were randomly selected and assigned to one of six groups (A to F) of eight animals each: A (distilled water); B (corn oil); C (Alloxan); D (Alloxan + 100 mg kg-1 Croton lobatus); E: (Alloxan + 200 mg kg-1 C. lobatus); and F (Alloxan + 100 mg kg-1 glibenclamide).Results:Acute toxicity studies revealed no mortality of rats at the administration of different doses of extract up to the 5,000 mg kg-1 dose. Histology of the pancreas showed focal area of necrosis, and fatty infiltration in diabetic untreated rats, but these lesions were absent in pancreas of rats treated with C. lobatus extract.Conclusion:Methanol leaf extract of C. lobatus reduced arteriogenic risk factors, improved antioxidant status, restored the observable pathological lesions associated with experimental diabetes in rats, and thus offers a new therapeutic window as herbal therapy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and associated cardiovascular complications.

The toxic effects of known analgesics in pains and stress management are major health concern globally. This study therefore investigated the phytochemical and analgesic property of commonly used medicinal plant in southwestern Nigeria for pain management. Clerodendrum volubile (CVL) was screened for phytochemical constituents following standard procedure. Forty two Wistar Albino Mice (WAM) of both sexes (35-40 g, n=6) were grouped into seven. Thirty minutes prior to intraperitoneal injection with 2 ml of 0.1% acetic acid, animals in groups I-III received plant extracts (1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg respectively), IV-VI were treated with paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin and indomethacin while VII received saline water. Thirty minutes observation period was adhered to. Time related analgesic effect was also investigated. The results showed that the extract contained alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, anthraquinones, and flavonoids. Analgesic assay revealed methanol leaf extract of CVL demonstrated a dose dependent activity on the acetic acid-induced writhing. Writhing counts significantly reduced in mice administered with 1-100 mg/kg CVL (85.17±3.72, 57.17 ± 4.07 and 40.00 ± 2.08) compared to paracetamol, aspirin, indomethacin (76.50±7.64, 45.67± 2.73, 33.50 ± 4.23) and saline water (207.83±9.95). Percentage inhibition of abdominal constriction was dose dependent in methanol leaf extract of CVL (87.00±0.03%) relative to control (0.00%). These findings support the previously reported analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of extracts of other species related to the study plant.