Parquetina nigrescens is a folklore plant in Africa, particularly Nigeria, where its consumption is believed to stimulate red blood cells production. On this basis, the erythropoietic potential of the plant was evaluated in Cephalosporin-induced anaemia model, using Wistar rats as experimental subjects. Thirty-two male rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 8). Group 1 animals served as control, and experimental anaemia was induced in other groups of animals via oral administration of cephalosporin (10 mg/kg BW) for a period of seven days. Animals in groups III and IV were treated orally with aqueous extract of P. nigrescens at respective dosage of 250 and 500 mg/kg BW, twice daily for a period of 10 days; while group II animals were left untreated. All animals were thereafter fasted overnight and sacrificed by cervical decapitation. Blood was collected via the retro-orbital sinus and used for biochemical analyses. The results obtained showed that cephalosporin effectively induced anaemia as evidenced by significant changes in erythropoietic indices of the untreated anaemic animals. Treatment of anaemic animals with P . nigrescens particularly at a dosage of 250 mg/kg BW significantly (P˂0.05) boosted the levels of RBC (35.8%), Hb (25.2%), PCV (39.4%), cobalt (70.9%), vitamin C (82.6%), and concomitantly decreased erythropoietin level (18%) relative to untreated anaemic animals. The observations made in this study support the local use of Parquetina nigrescens as blood tonic and therapy for anaemia. The botanical may therefore be a useful supplement for patients placed on antibiotics which are often associated with haemolysis.
Background: The emergence of parasite resistance to artemisinins typified by slower parasite clearance rates in some parts of South east Asia has necessitated the search for alternatives. Objective: This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity and the cytotoxicity profile of the n- hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Garcinia kola seeds. Methods: In vitro susceptibility of chloroquine-sensitive PF D10 strain to the extracts was evaluated using parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay while cytotoxicity was determined using 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay with Vero cells and emetine as standard drug. Chloroquine-resistant P. berghei (ANKA) infected Swiss mice allotted into 14 groups of 5 per group: corn oil (5mL/kg), 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg of each extract and chloroquine (10 mg/kg) were used to evaluate in vivo antimalarial activity in a 4-day suppressive test. Results: The n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the seeds of Garcinia kola were active in vitro against chloroquine sensitive P. falciparum D10 strain with IC50 values ≤ 26 µg/mL. The hexane and dichloromethane extracts were non- cytotoxic against Vero cells with IC50 values ≥ 27 µg/ml The hexane extract of Garcinia kola seeds reduced parasitemia by 70% at 400 mg/kg and prolonged survival in mice infected with P. berghei ANKA. Conclusion: The observed antimalarial activity justifies the use of Garcinia kola seeds in the treatment of febrile illnesses.
Background The study assessed the effects of aqueous extracts of Allium cepa, Cucumis sativa and their combined formulation (1:1) on changes in body weight, fasting blood glucose level (FBGL), pancreas morphology and serum lipid concentration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty-two male rats were randomly assigned to six groups: A, B, C, D, E, and F (n = 7). Except for the control animals (group A), diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced in other groups (B to F) via a single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared streptozotocin. Thereafter, the diabetic control animals (group B) were left untreated and other diabetic groups were treated as follows: C (Allium cepa 10 mL/kg of body weight (mL/kg BW), D (Cucumis sativa 10 mL/kg BW), E (Allium cepa and Cucumis sativa 10 mL/kg BW), and F (Metformin 12 mg/kg BW). All treatments lasted for seven days and FBGL was monitored at two days intervals. The rats were then sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for serum lipid estimation. Results Treatments of diabetic rats with Allium cepa, Cucumis sativa and their combined formulation prevented significant (P < 0.05) loss in body weight which was evident in the diabetic control counterparts. Similarly, the various treatment options curtailed the hike in blood glucose induced by streptozotocin. The hypoglycemic effect of Allium cepa was particularly notable and comparable to that of Metformin. Serum high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterols which were significantly altered in the diabetic control animals were restored to near normal following treatments with Cucumis sativa, and its combination with Allium cepa. These observations were substantiated by the outcome of the histopathological examination of the representative pancreases. Conclusion Allium cepa appears to be more effective in blood glucose homeostasis in the diabetic animals compared to Cucumis sativa and their combined formulation. Conversely, Cucumis sativa and its combination with Allium cepa had better effects on the physiological levels of serum cholesterols in the animals. Regular consumption of Allium cepa and Cucumis sativa may be helpful in controlling blood glucose and cholesterol levels in the diabetics.
To access the antimalarial activity, mechanism of action and constituents of the hexane extract of Garcinia kola (GK) seeds and its column-fractions. The in vivo antimalarial activity of the hexane extract of GK and its column-fractions against Chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium berghei (ANKA) strain, the mechanism of action and the chemical constituents of the column fractions was determined using the Peters’ 4-day suppressive test, the beta hematin assay and Gas chromatography- mass spectrometry respectively. In this study, Fractions 4,5,15 and 95 obtained from the hexane extract of Garcinia kola seeds using column chromatography produced chemosuppression values ≥ 59.6% at 200 mg/kg. These fractions inhibited the conversion of heme to heamozoin and contained arenes following Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The observed antimalarial activity justifies the use of Garcinia kola seeds in the treatment of febrile illnesses.
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