Nigerian Journal of Life Sciences (ISSN: 2276-7029)

Evaluation of the Gastro-protective Potentials of Methanol Leaf Extract of Nymphaea lotus on Induced-Gastric Ulceration in Wistar Rats

2023-06-13T00:00:08-04:00

Nymphaea lotus is a plant used traditionally for the treatment of many ailments including gastric ulcer without any scientific validation of its pharmacological action and safety. This study was undertaken to evaluate the possible gastro-protective potential of methanol extract of N. lotus leaves on gastric ulcers induced by different ulcerogens. Thirty rats (160-180 g) were divided into five groups: Group 1 was the normal control, group 2 was negative control, group 3 was administered 25 mg/kg Omeprazole (standard drug), groups 4, 5 and 6 were administered 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg methanol extract of N. lotus leaves, respectively. After two weeks of oral administration, gastric ulcer was induced in all the rats except group 1 using various ulcerogens such as 95% ethanol, indomethacin and hypothermic stress to access the gastro-protective potential of the extract. Phytochemical and anti-microbial analyses of the freshly prepared extract were carried out followed by histological studies of the gastric tissues. Nymphaea lotus leaves extract significantly (p<0.05) prevented peptic ulcers in a dose-dependent manner. The extract at 600 mg/kg showed a protective effect comparable to that of Omeprazole. Microorganisms (Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus niger and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) tested in this study were inhibited by the methanol extract. The above findings indicate that methanol extract of Nymphaea lotus leaves has gastro-protective activities.

Application of Myco-Fabricated Silver Nanoparticle in the Adsorption of Malachite Green and Trypan Blue from Aqueous Solution

2023-06-13T16:27:51-04:00

The study was undertaken to assess the application of myco-fabricated silver nanoparticles in the adsorption of Malachite green and Trypan blue from an aqueous solution. The cell biomass suspensions of fungal endophytes isolated from the leaves of Mannihot esculenta and Carica papaya were used in the silver nanoparticles. The method involved in nanoparticles characterization, decolourization and adsorption treatment efficacy used UV-spectroscopy FT-IR, XRD and SEM, spectrophotometric analysis and phytotoxicity testing. The result revealed that the endophyte strains PDA 1 and PDA 2 were identified as Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus. There was colour change from colourless to dark brown revealing the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles due to the formation of clumps after 24 hr. The peaks observed in FT-IR spectra reflect the role of metabolites (functional groups) which act as capping and reducing agents. The UV-Vis spectral result showed the maximum peak of PDA 1 to be 620 nm at 0.933 absorbance while that of PDA 2 were 300 nm and 450 nm at 0.684 absorbance revealing the surface plasmon resonance. The XRD peaks of the nanoparticles were clearly distinguishable and broad indicating an ultra-fine nature. The microscopic characterization of PDA 1 and PDA 2 showed the presence of flake type, a smooth and irregularly shaped granulated compact powder with bright facets. The results of the decolourization profile showed that the adsorption efficiencies of both dyes were significantly concentration and time-dependent (P < 0.05). These findings suggest the potential of these nanoparticles in the environmental remediation of harmful dyes

Comparative Study on the Phytometabolites, in vitro Antiplasmodial Activity and Cytotoxicity of Stem Bark Extracts of Annickia affinis (Exell) Versteegh & Sosef and Annickia chlorantha (Oliv.) Setten & PJ. Mass

2023-06-13T16:38:31-04:00

The similar-looking Annickia affinis and Annickia chlorantha are two closely related species of the genus Annickia that are difficult to tell apart. Literature to date has jointly referred to both as Enantia chlorantha. Amongst the many pharmacologic benefits ascribed to E. chlorantha, is its usefulness in the management of malaria. Given the closeness of both species, there is the likelihood of swapping one for another in the market of herbal drugs. This study thus set out to compare the phytometabolites, antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of both species. E. chlorantha is known to be dominated by protoberberine alkaloids which are thought to confer it with its antiplasmodial property. Indeed, TLC metabolite fingerprinting of methanol and water stem bark extracts of both species revealed the presence of protoberberine alkaloids. However, these alkaloids were more abundant in A. affinis as compared to A. chlorantha. This was corroborated by the stark >2.82 fold difference in antiplasmodial IC₅₀ of the respective methanol extracts being <0.78 µg/ml for A. affinis versus 2.2 µg/ml for A.chlorantha. Interestingly the selectivity indices for A. affinis (22.7) and A. chlorantha (24.3) determined using human hepatoma cell line were only marginally different. In conclusion, our study suggests that although both plants may be useful for managing malaria, consumers may get better and faster antimalarial relief with A. affinis.

Antiepileptic and antioxidant evaluation of methanol extract of Moringa oleifera Lam Seed

2023-06-13T16:55:47-04:00

The present study was to investigate the antiepileptic and in vivo antioxidant effects of methanol seed extract of Moringa oleifera Lam (MSEMO). Mice of both sexes, weighing 25-35 g, were randomly divided into five groups of five each. The groups represented by control (distilled water), 0.5 mg/kg phenobarbitone, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg MSEMO. Treatment was administered to the groups prior to inducement with epilepsy using graded doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of MSEMO as well as 0.5 mg/kg of phenobarbitone. Epilepsy was induced by passing a current of 50 Amps for 2 sec using an electro-convulsiometer with the aid of two electrodes clipped to the earlobes of the mice and careful observation was carried out to check for the inhibitory effect of the extract. At the end of the three weeks experimental period, the brains of the mice were taken, homogenized and the effects of the extract were tested on nitrite, malondialdehyde (MDA) and endogenous antioxidants. The extract significantly, (P< 0.05), showed the most potent protective effect against epilepsy at 200 and 400 mg/kg concentrations. Reduction in catalase level was complimented by 100 and 200 mg/kg of MSEMO. Similarly, that of glutathione peroxidase was complimented by 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of MSEMO. Superoxide dismutase showed the most potency among the endogenous antioxidants used in the study, with no significant difference, P> 0.05, in relation to the control (2.39±0.02). The study showed that MSEMO will be efficacious as an antiepileptic drug