ABSTRACT In rural savannah areas of Nigeria, Echics ocellatus (Carpet viper) is responsible for high incidence of snakebite morbidity and mortality. The snakebites are commonly treated with plant extracts in form of traditional medicine. The antivenom activity of Paullinia pinnata Linn and Detarium microcarpum Guill and Perr, popular herbs used in the treatment of Echis ocellatus bites are of great interest and were investigated in vivo and in vitro against the venom (2mg/kg) of Echis carniat...
ABSTRACT Background: The ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora has demonstrated analgesic activity in acute and chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain in rodents. The present study evaluates the analgesic effect in hyperalgesia and allodynia associated with streptozotocin–induced diabetic neuropathy in rats and also elucidates the antioxidant activity of the extract. Method: Diabetic neuropathy was induced by intraperitoneal injection with 55 mg/kg freshly prepared streptozotocin (STZ) d...
ABSTRACT Pain is a worldwide problem and is associated with most disease conditions. The properties of herbs used to treat pain were investigated with the aim of confirming their use and finding out some pharmacological properties that may augment their analgesic activity. A total of eighteen plants (Erythrina senegalesis, Nauclea latifollia, Kizelia africana, Pseudocedrela kotchyi, Crotalaris spp., Boswellia dalzielli, Khaya senegalensis, Annona senegalensis, Xylopia aethiopica, Ficus thonn...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Cleome rutidosperma (DC.) (Family: Cleomeceae) is a low-growing herb used for the treatment of epilepsy in African traditional medicine. This study presents the anticonvulsant, sedative effects and safety profile of the hydro-ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Cleome rutidosperma (CRE) in murine experimental models. METHODS: Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract was conducted using standard colorimetric assays. The general effect of the extract, CRE (1...
ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes mellitus is an important complication of pregnancy with adverse effects on both mother and fetus. Poor control of pre-gestational diabetes during the period of organogenesis increases the risk of major congenital malformations. While insulin is effective in controlling high blood glucose levels, otherwise resistant to diet and exercise management, several factors hinder its use. Metformin has been found to be a convenient, cheap, effective and safe hypoglycaemic ...
ABSTRACT Background: Cognitive dysfunction, presenting as learning and memory impairment, is a common manifestation in many chronic diseases, including depression, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. It could also be present without any known underlying medical condition. Till date, no drug has shown convincing efficacy in improving learning and memory deficits in these conditions although some medicinal plants are demonstrating promising effects. The aim of the study was to investigate the e...
ABSTRACT Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a diabetes-induced nerve damaging effect on the kidney structure and function due to hyperglycaemia is a major microvascular complication. Hyperglycaemia causes uremia, hypercreatininemia, declined glomerular filtration rate, and decreased levels of serum protein and albumin. This condition leads to progressive decline in renal function resulting in renal insufficiency and End-Stage Renal Disease. The prevalence of DN in Africa has increased sig...
ABSTRACT Background: Sepsis is a major cause of death among neonates. In neonates, symptoms of sepsis are often non-specific and diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Thus, the role of additional diagnostic markers is important. Amikacin is used as first-line treatment of neonatal sepsis and it is usually co-administered with aminophylline in preterm neonates in Ghana. Amikacin dosing is well established, however, optimal effect requires specific dose titration and maintenance therap...
In rural savannah areas of Nigeria, Echics ocellatus (Carpet viper) is responsible for high incidence of snakebite morbidity and mortality. The snakebites are commonly treated with plant extracts in form of traditional medicine. The antivenom activity of Paullinia pinnata Linn and Detarium microcarpum Guill and Perr, popular herbs used in the treatment of Echis ocellatus bites are of great interest and were investigated in vivo and in vitro against the venom (2mg/kg) of Echis carniatus. ...
ABSTRACT The characteristics of the post-junctional -aarenoceptors in the isolated anococcygeus muscle and vas deferens were compared in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive rats (NCR). Responses to CK —adrenoceptor agonists were obtained in the absence and presence of cocaine and of antagonists, Noradrenaline I (NA) and phenylephrine (PE) produced concentration related contrac— tions of the preparations which were antagonised by phentolamine5 prazosin and yohimbine in b...
ABSTRACT Background: Cognitive dysfunction, presenting as learning and memory impairment, is a common manifestation in many chronic diseases, including depression, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. It could also be present without any known underlying medical condition. Till date, no drug has shown convincing efficacy in improving learning and memory deficits in these conditions although some medicinal plants are demonstrating promising effects. The aim of the study was to investigate the e...
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Termitomyces schimperi (TS) is an edible mushroom that is known to possess certain therapeutic properties. Anecdotal report from La Cote d’Ivoire suggests that the mushroom is traditionally used in combination with kaolin, to manage a number of cancers. There is, however, a dearth of information on its antioxidant and anticancer properties with or without kaolin. AIMS: The aims of this study were to determine the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of aqueous and ethano...
ABSTRACT Background: There is considerable evidence that many patients concurrently take conventional drugs with dietary supplements or herbal products. One such supplement, with an amalgam of extracts, is Cellgevity®. There is, however, a dearth of information on the effect of this supplement on drug metabolizing enzymes, and on the pharmacokinetics of conventional drugs. Aim: To determine the effect of Cellgevity® on the activity of rat liver CYP1A1/2, CYP3A4, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 ...
ABSTRACT Adenopus breviflorus is a perennial climber used locally as an anti-convulsant, sedative and pain-killer in West Africa. Several studies have reported gastrointestinal, reproductive and anti-microbial effects of extracts of Adenopus breviflorus, but there is dearth of information on its neurological effect. This study was therefore designed to investigate effect of Ethanol Extract of Adenopus breviflorus (EEAB) on central nervous system in mice. Three hundred gram of air-dried Adeno...
ABSTRACT The characteristics of the post-junctional -adrenoceptors in the isolated anococcygeus muscle and vas deferens were compared in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive rats (NCR), Responses to CK —adrenoceptor agonists were obtained in the absence and presence of cocaine and of antagonists, Noradrenaline I (NA) and phenylephrine (PE) produced concentration related contractions of the preparations which were antagonised by phentolamine5 prazosin and yohimbine in both ...