ABSTRACT
Dermal and acute toxicity evaluation of the basic alkaloidal fraction of the stem bark of Picralima nitida, which has been shown to have pronounced activity against causative organisms of dermatomycosis in man, was carried out in animals. Acute intraperitoneal toxicity tests showed a dose-dependent toxicity. There was inflammation and necrosis of liver hepatocytes accompanied by reduction in neutrophilic count and a corresponding increase in lymphocytic count. There was no sign of reddening or irritation when applied into the eye conjunctiva. Dermal tests also showed that the fraction caused no sensitization, inflammation or death in the animal models used.
Subject(s)
Alkaloids/toxicity , Apocynaceae/toxicity , Plant Bark/toxicity , Plant Extracts/toxicity , Plants, Medicinal/toxicity , Skin Irritancy Tests/methods , Alkaloids/pharmacology , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Female , Male , Mice , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Rabbits , RatsABSTRACT
There is evidence that hydroxycitric acid (HCA), an extract of dried fruit rind of South Asian trees of the genus Garcinia cambogia, can reduce food intake in experimental animals. In the present study, we investigated the effect of HCA on basal and potassium-depolarization evoked increase in radiolabeled serotonin ([3H]-5-HT) release from rat brain cortex slices in vitro. HCA (10 microM-1 mM) altered the baseline of spontaneous tritium efflux but had no significant effect on potassium-evoked release of [3H]-5-HT. When applied on its own, HCA (10 microM-1 mM) elicited a concentration-dependent increase in efflux of [3H]-5-HT reaching a maximum at 300 microM. We conclude that HCA can increase the release of radiolabeled 5-HT from the isolated rat brain cortex.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Cortex/metabolism , Citrates/pharmacology , Serotonin/metabolism , Animals , In Vitro Techniques , Osmolar Concentration , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plants, Medicinal , Potassium/pharmacology , RatsABSTRACT
The anti-inflammatory profile of the aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark was investigated using both in vivo and in vitro models. The extract exhibited strong topical anti-inflammatory effect shown as inhibition of croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice, and reduced hind-paw swelling and growth retardation in the adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats, following oral administration at 10, 20, 40 or 80 mg/kg. The extract (10-80 mg/kg, p.o.) caused an inhibition of increase in vascular permeability in both cyclophosphamide-induced haemorrhagic cystitis and acetic acid-induced vascular permeability in rats and mice, respectively. B. ferruginea produced stabilization of erythrocytes exposed to heat and stress-induced lysis. Antipyretic and analgesic properties of the extract were also observed.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Euphorbiaceae/chemistry , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Acetic Acid , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating , Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy , Cyclophosphamide , Cystitis/chemically induced , Cystitis/prevention & control , Edema/chemically induced , Edema/prevention & control , Erythrocytes/drug effects , Fever/chemically induced , Fever/prevention & control , Hemorrhage/chemically induced , Hemorrhage/prevention & control , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Male , Mice , Pain/chemically induced , Pain/prevention & control , Pain Measurement/drug effects , Plant Epidermis/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
The methanol extract of the stem bark of Alstonia boonei was investigated for anti-inflammatory property. The analgesic and antipyretic properties of the extract was also evaluated. The extract caused a significant (P<0.05) inhibition of the carrageenan-induced paw oedema, cotton pellet granuloma, and exhibited an anti-arthritic activity in rats. Vascular permeability induced by acetic acid in the peritoneum of mice was also inhibited. The extract also produced marked analgesic activity by reduction of writhings induced by acetic acid, as well as the early and late phases of paw licking in mice. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in hyperpyrexia in mice was also produced by the extract. This study has established anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the stem bark of A. boonei.
Subject(s)
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Acetic Acid , Africa , Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/isolation & purification , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/isolation & purification , Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy , Capillary Permeability/drug effects , Fever/chemically induced , Fever/prevention & control , Formaldehyde , Gossypium , Granuloma/chemically induced , Granuloma/prevention & control , Male , Mice , Pain/chemically induced , Pain/prevention & control , Plant Epidermis/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Stems/chemistry , Rats , Rats, Wistar , YeastsABSTRACT
The chloroform extract of the dried root of Hoslundia opposita has been evaluated for effects on the central nervous system (CNS). The extract significantly potentiated the phenobarbitone sleeping time in mice and produced a 60% protection against leptazol-induced convulsion. Neuropharmacological screening revealed CNS depression.
Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Depressants/pharmacology , Lamiaceae/chemistry , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Animals , Anticonvulsants/pharmacology , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Central Nervous System Depressants/isolation & purification , Chloroform , Drug Synergism , Hypnotics and Sedatives/pharmacology , Male , Mice , Nigeria , Phenobarbital/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Roots/chemistry , SolventsABSTRACT
The anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats and mice, and the cotton pellet granuloma method. The extract at doses ranging from 10 to 80 mg/kg p.o. significantly inhibited the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, with an ID50 value of 36 mg/kg. However, a low activity was produced in the mouse paw oedema. The extract also suppressed the granulomatous tissue formation of chronic inflammation. B. ferruginea therefore proved to be effective in both the acute and chronic phases of the inflammatory process.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Carrageenan/toxicity , Edema/prevention & control , Euphorbiaceae/chemistry , Granuloma/prevention & control , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animals , Edema/chemically induced , Edema/pathology , Granuloma/chemically induced , Granuloma/pathology , Male , Mice , Rats , Rats, Wistar , WaterABSTRACT
The chloroform extract of nutmeg has been evaluated for antiinflammatory, analgesic and antithrombotic activities in rodents. The extract inhibited the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, produced a reduction in writhings induced by acetic acid in mice and offered protection against thrombosis induced by ADP/adrenaline mixture in mice.
Subject(s)
Analgesics/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Antithrombins/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Animals , Male , Mice , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
The hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperglycaemic activities of a methanol extract of Morinda lucida Benth. (Rubiaceae) leaves were studied in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In normal rats, the extract demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) and dose-dependent hypoglycaemic activity within 4 h after oral administration. The plasma glucose level of 400 mg kg(-1) of the extract at 4 h was 42.5 +/- 0.4 mg/100 mL (control 67.4 +/- 1.2 mg/100 mL). After 12 h, the plasma glucose level of rats administered 50, 100, 200 or 400 mg kg(-1) extract fell to 51.9 +/- 1.2, 47.3 +/- 0.8, 43.1 +/- 0.4 and 40.0 +/- 0.5 mg/100 mL, respectively. In hyperglycaemic rats, the extract produced a significant (P < 0.05) anti-diabetic effect from day 3 after oral administration, with 400 mg kg(-1) extract-treated animals having a plasma glucose level of 248.7 +/- 5.3 mg/100 mL compared with glibenclamide (10 mg kg(-1))-treated animals with a plasma glucose level of 251.5 +/- 5.8 mg/100 mL. These results suggest that the leaves of Morinda lucida have a strong glucose lowering property when administered to streptozotocin-treated rats.