Pharmacognostic profiles, evaluation of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant activities of Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem. ex Bureau leaf and root extracts in Wistar rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Newbouldia laevis is a popular medicinal plant whose leaves and roots are used in Nigeria as ethnomedicinal prescriptions for pain, inflammation, convulsion, and epilepsy. These claims have not been scientifically verified prior to this study.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine pharmacognostic profiles of the leaves and roots and evaluate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant activities of methanol leaf and root extracts in Wistar rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The pharmacognostic profiles of the leaves and roots were determined using standard procedures to serve as fingerprints for the plant. The methanol leaf and root extracts of Newbouldia laevis were tested for acute toxicity using the OECD's up and down method at the maximum dose of 2000 mg/kg (orally) in Wistar rats. Analgesic studies were carried out in acetic acid-induced writhing in rats and tail immersion. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw-oedema and formalin-induced inflammation in rats' mode. The anticonvulsant activity was determined using strychnine-induced, pentylenetetrazol-induced, and maximal electroshock-induced rat convulsion models. For each of these studies, the extracts doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg were administered to the rats following the oral route.

RESULTS

The pharmacognostic profiles showed that the leaves possessed deep-sunken paracytic stomata (5-8-16 mm²; adaxial, 8-11-24 mm²; abaxial epidermis), vein islets (2-4-10 mm²; adaxial), vein terminations (10-14-18 mm²; adaxial), palisade ratio (8.3-12.5-16.4 mm²; adaxial, 2.5-6.8-12.2 mm²; adaxial), covering unicellular trichome (8-14; adaxial), spheroidal calcium oxalate crystals (3-5 μm), and oval-shaped striated starch grain with no hilum (0.5-4.3 μm). The transverse section of the leaf showed the presence of spongy and palisade parenchyma as well as a closed vascular bundle. The root powder showed the presence of brachy sclereid, fibers without lumen, and lignin. All physicochemical parameters fall within the acceptable limits, phytochemical contents showed mainly glycosides, alkaloids, and steroids while acute oral toxicity (LD₅₀) of the parts for 14 days did not produce any toxicity signs or mortality in the rats. The extracts produced dose-dependent (100-400 mg/kg) analgesic involving opioid receptors, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant activities in the rats which were significant (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to the standard drugs. The leaf extract possessed the most potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in the rats, while the most anticonvulsant effects were observed in rats treated with the leaf extract. Both extracts showed elevated levels of protection against strychnine-induced, pentylenetetrazol-induced, and maximal electroshock-induced seizure in rats.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed some pharmacognostic profiles of Newbouldia laevis leaves and roots that are vital for its identification from closely related species often used for adulteration in traditional medicine. The study further showed that the leaf and root extracts of the plant possessed dose-dependent analgesics, anti-inflammatory and anti-convulsant activities in rats, thus, justifying its use for the treatment of these diseases in Nigerian traditional medicine. There is a need to further study its mechanisms of action towards drug discovery.

Silymarin abrogates acrylamide-induced oxidative stress-mediated testicular toxicity via modulation of antioxidant mechanism, DNA damage, endocrine deficit and sperm quality in rats

Acrylamide (ACR) is a toxic chemical formed in foods processed at high temperature; it is a food-borne toxicant with increasing public health attention due to its carcinogenic, neurotoxic and reproductive toxicities. However, till date, it is unknown whether silymarin (SIL) could attenuate ACR testicular toxicity. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of SIL on ACR testiculotoxicity in rats. Rats were randomly divided and administered respective agents in Control group, ACR group, SIL group and ACR + SIL group for consecutive 14 days. Rat exposure to ACR resulted in significant reduction in the level of serum testosterone, whereas FSH and LH levels prominently increased compared to control. Acrylamide induced marked decreases in sperm count and sperm motility followed by a considerable increase in sperm abnormality percentage in the ACR-exposed rats in comparison to control. The testicular activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly diminished, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) level considerably increased. Additionally, ACR induced marked DNA fragmentation and histopathological lesions compared to control. Interestingly, the co-treatment of SIL with ACR attenuated the altered reproductive indices and restored antioxidant balance and DNA integrity. Overall, SIL prevents ACR-induced testicular reproductive deficits via modulation of antioxidant mechanism in rats.

Protective effects of Dialium guineense pulp on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury in albino rats

The numerous challenges and detrimental effects connected with the treatment of peptic ulcers in the world today calls for alternative attention. Ethnomedicinally, Dialium guineense pulp (DAGP) has numerous pharmacological activities. This study investigated the anti-ulcer activities of Dialium guineense pulp on gastric mucosa injury induced with aspirin in albino Wistar rats. DAGP extract was orally administered at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw (mg per kg of the body weight) per day for 3 or 7 days followed by 400 mg/kg bw oral aspirin administration. Ulcer indices were determined, followed by a biochemical estimation of antioxidant enzymes using gastric mucosal tissue from the stomach. Student's t-test was used to compare significant differences among groups of animals at P ≤ 0.05. The results showed that Dialium guineense pulp caused a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the ulcer index in aspirin induced rats. This decrease in ulcer index is dose dependent and 1000 mg/kg bw per day caused the highest decrease in 7 days. The results showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in lipid peroxidation and a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in antioxidant enzymes activities in the aspirin-induced ulcerated rats. Oral administration of DAGP increased antioxidant enzymes activities and decreased injury in the gastric mucosa in ulcer induced rats. Therefore, this study showed that DAGP exhibited anti-ulcer potential and that the gastrointestinal protection may be through the scavenging action of free radicals by its constituent antioxidants. Thus, Dialium guineense pulp has ameliorative medicinal potential for the curing of gastric disorders.

Elemental Composition and Associated Health Risk of Honey Obtained from Apiary Farms in Southeast Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the levels of lead, selenium, arsenic, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, chromium, cadmium, and nickel in honey and their potential health risks to consumers, using standard protocols. The honey samples were obtained from apiary farms at nine different locations in southeast Nigeria. They were digested at optimal conditions and analyzed using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Levels of the studied elements in the honey were found to vary relative to the sample source; however, all were below European Commission maximum permissible limits, with the exception of lead, whose level in some samples exceeded the recommended set limit. Estimated daily intakes of the elements via ingestion of the honey were all below the maximum permissible limit set by the European Food Safety Authority, with the exception of arsenic, whose values in some samples slightly exceeded the set limit. For all samples, estimated health risk values for the elements quantified were higher in children than in adults. The hazard quotient for arsenic, hence, the hazard index for the elements, indicated a significant risk (>1) for children for some of the honey samples studied. Arsenic was the major contributor to incremental lifetime cancer risk; its estimated value for children in all the honey samples exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) threshold limit (>1.0 × 10-4); hence, the total cancer risk values for the carcinogenic elements indicated an absolute unacceptable risk level for children based on EPA threshold limit.

HIGHLIGHTS

Polyphenols isolated from virgin coconut oil attenuate cadmium-induced dyslipidemia and oxidative stress due to their antioxidant properties and potential benefits on cardiovascular risk ratios in rats

OBJECTIVE

Literature has confirmed the pathogenic role of cadmium (Cd) and its exposure in the induction of dyslipidemia implicated in the development and increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The current study explored whether polyphenolics isolated from virgin coconut oil (VCO) prevent Cd-induced dyslipidemia and investigate the underlying mechanism of action, in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were pretreated with VCO polyphenols (10, 20 and 50 mg/kg body weight; orally) 2 weeks prior to concurrent Cd administration (5 mg/kg) for 5 weeks. Subsequently, serum concentrations of lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular risk ratios were determined. Hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were analyzed.

RESULTS

Sub-chronic Cd administration significantly increased the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol while markedly reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Hepatic activities of SOD and CAT as well as GSH content were suppressed by Cd, whereas MDA level was obviously increased. The co-administration of VCO polyphenol with Cd remarkably restored lipid profile and cardiovascular risk ratios and stabilized antioxidant defense systems comparable to control group.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study presenting that polyphenols isolated from VCO prevent Cd-induced lipid abnormalities and cardiovascular risk ratios by improving antioxidant defense systems.

Comparison of Serum Calcium and Magnesium Between Preeclamptic and Normotensive Pregnant Nigerian Women in Abakaliki, Nigeria

Background:

Evidence suggests the involvement of calcium and magnesium metabolism in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. However, findings from studies are heterogenous and inconsistent.

Aim:

The study aimed to compare the total serum calcium and magnesium levels in preeclamptic women with that of normotensive pregnant women.

Subjects and Methods:

A cross-sectional subjects of eighty pregnant women living in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, South-East Nigeria, were recruited into the study. The present study compared serum calcium and magnesium in forty preeclamptic (cases) and forty normotensive (control) pregnant women matched for age, parity, and socioeconomic status. Serum calcium and magnesium levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 20 statistical software. Differences between means were compared using Student's t-test with P < 0.05 considered as statistically significant.

Results:

While the mean serum calcium was comparable between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women (13.99 [3.29] vs. 14.02 [5.68] μg/dl), the preeclamptic pregnant women have significantly (P < 0.001) lower serum magnesium in comparison to their normotensive counterparts (3.22 [1.05] vs. 4.15 [0.78]).

Conclusion:

It may be concluded that serum magnesium seems to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia in this environment.