Local Anaesthetic Effect of Methanolic Leaves Extract of Lannea schimperi (Hoschst. Ex Rich) Eng.

BACKGROUND: Local anaesthetics provide relief from pain when applied locally to nerve tissue by blocking conduction of sensory nerve impulse from the receptor to the brain cortex. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at evaluating local anaesthetic activity of the methanolic leaves extract of Lannea schimperi. METHODS: Six groups of five animals were used; groups I-IV were used for intracutaneous wheal test in guinea pigs for infiltration anaesthesia, while group V and VI were used for guinea pig corneal reflex method of surface anaesthesia. RESULTS: The result indicated a significant ( 0.05) dose dependent local anaesthetic activity of the methanolic leaves extract of Lannea schimperi with faster onset and longer duration of action at 24 mg/ml than at 12 mg/ml of the extract. Additions of 5 µg of adrenaline into the 24 mg/ml preparation also prolonged the duration of local anaesthetic activity of the extract. The extract at 24 mg/ml significantly (0.05) inhibited corneal reflex, lidocaine was used as a standard drug in positive control group, while normal saline was used as negative control in all the treated groups. CONCLUSION: The patent data therefore revealed that the methanolic leaves extract Lannea schimperi possess local anaesthetic principles that may require further scientific elucidation.

Phytochemistry, Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Actvities of Methanolic Leaves Extract of Lannea schimperi (Hoschst. Ex Rich) ENG.

BACKGROUND: Pain whether acute or chronic, peripheral or central is believed to originate from inflammation and inflammatory response. The potential toxicity of antinociceptive and antiinflammatory agents such as non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) necessitates sourcing for less toxic alternative drugs. Many natural substances have been used for the management of pain and inflammation with success traditionally. METHODS: The present study sought to investigate phytochemistry, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potentials of the methanolic leaves extract of Lannea schimperi. Preliminary phytochemical test was conducted on the extract. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potentials of the extract at doses of 12 and 24 mg/kg were evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing model in mice and egg albumin induced acute inflammation model in rats' respectively. Aspirin at dose of 80 mg/kg was used as the standard drug given to the positive control group, while the drug vehicle was given to the negative control group. RESULT: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrate, glycoside, reducing sugars, triterpene, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, condensed tannins and saponins. The data obtained showed that at both doses the extract significantly (P< 0.05) decreased the acetic acid induced writhing reflex in mice when compared to the negative control group. The result also demonstrated significant (P< 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity of the extract at both doses. However, there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) between the extract treated groups and the group treated with the standard drug (positive control). CONCLUSION: The patent data revealed the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potentials of the methanolic leaves extract of Lannea schimperi which could be beneficial in alleviating painful inflammatory conditions.

Effect of oral administration of aqueous whole extract of cassytha filiformis on haematograms and plasma biochemical parameters in rats.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the sub-chronic toxicity of the aqueous herbal extract prepared from Cassytha filiformis and administered daily for 28 days at dose levels (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg bw) in male wistar albino rats. The LD50 of the aqueous extract was determined. METHODS: The effects on body weights, organ weights, and certain haematological and plasma biochemical parameters were measured as indices of organ toxicity. RESULTS: The aqueous extract did not affect plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT); however, a significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level occurred in all the treated groups. It also did not affect the electrolytes (Na , Cl and K ), total and direct bilirubin, creatinine, and glucose level. The aqueous extract elicited hypercholesterolaemic effects, but it did not affect the Hb, WBC, RBC, PVC, platelets, MCH, MCHC, MCV levels and differential counts (lympocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils). It also reduced the body weight gain and absolute weight of the kidneys. The relative weights of the heart and lungs in some animal groups were equally reduced. The acute toxicological evaluation of the plant extract revealed an oral LD50 value greater than 500 mg/kg bw. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that aqueous extract of C. filiformis administered at normal therapeutic doses is not likely to produce severe toxic effects on some organs or haematological and biochemical indices in rats.