Journal of Medicinal Herbs
Volume:12 Issue: 2, Summer 2021

Telfairia occidentalis, Moringa oleifera and Cnidoscolus aconitifolius are nutritious vegetables used individually, or in different combinations as blood boosters in managing sickle cell anemia in South-Western Nigeria. In this study, we evaluated the antisickling properties of the polyherbal combination, as well as the mode(s) of action, using molecular biology techniques.

T. occidentalis, M. oleifera and C. aconitifolius leaves were extracted separately in ethanol after identification by a taxonomist. The extracts were combined in different ratios (TMC, T2MC, TM2C, TMC2) and evaluated at 4 mg/mL concentration for antisickling properties. Ciklavit® , an antisickling nutraceutical, was utilized as the positive control. We evaluated the combination (T2MC) for the rate of inhibition of polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS), erythrocyte membrane stabilization, and rehydration of dense sickle red cells in vitro. The regulation of the Gardos channel, erythropoietin (EPO), mitogenesis, and antioxidant genes was assessed in vivo by harvesting and analyzing the bone marrows, kidneys, livers of Wistar rats administered with T2MC orally at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Folic acid was employed as the positive control.

The T2MC treated samples showed significantly higher (p<0.05) antisickling activities (95.4 ± 0.15% inhibition and 95.6 ± 0.28% reversal), and cell membrane stabilization (76.8 ± 0.05%) than the positive controls. Additionally, T2MC reduced the density of sickle red cells by 18.2 ± 0.86%, and showed inhibition of polymerization of HBS comparable to positive controls. Finally, T2MC down-regulated the expression of the Gardos-channel and the erythropoietin genes suggesting that T2MC works by inhibiting the activation of Ca2+activated K + channel, thereby preventing cell dehydration.

T2MC is a potent antisickling nutraceutical and could be used in the management of sickle cell disease.

Combined ethanol extract of A. vogelii and A. boonei stem (CEAA) barks is commonly used to treat prostate disorders whereas its effects on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has not been scientifically validated. This study investigated the effects of CEAA on prostate weight, prostate index and serum androgenic and estrogenic hormonal levels of BPH induced rats.

The study had 6 groups containing 5 male Wistar albino rats each. Group 1 was the normal control rats without BPH induction while group 2 was the BPH induced rats without any treatment (BPH) control. Groups 3 – 5 were BPH induced rats treated with 5 mg/kg finasteride/day, 200 and 400 mg/kg CEAA/day, respectively. BPH was induced in groups 2 – 5 by the subcutaneous administration of testosterone propionate injection in olive oil for 28 consecutive days.

The BPH control indicated significantly (p <0.05) increases in prostate weight, prostate index, serum testosterone (TT), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol (E2) concentrations relative to the normal control. Treatment with CEAA caused dose-dependent significant (p <0.05) decreases in the prostate weight, prostate index, TT, DHT and E2 similar to finasteride-treated BPH induced rats when compared with BPH control rats. The CEAA had high inhibitory effects on the prostate weight (55.71 -82.86 %) and prostate index (65.33 – 86.52 %) of the BPH induced rats greater than 71.52 % and 81.63 % inhibition of prostate weight and prostate index by finasteride, respectively.

The findings of this study indicated that combined ethanol extract of A. vogelii and A. boonei stem barks has anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia activities as it down-regulated the serum concentrations of TT, DHT and E2 implicated in BPH development and progression

The use of plants as medicine is an ancient practice common to all societies especially the African society and this practice continues to exist in developing nations. Combretum hypopilinum is harvested from the wild for local use of its gum, medicinal uses and timber, it is one of the eight most widely used plants for management of epilepsy in northern Nigeria. This study aimed at examining the anticonvulsant properties of methanol leaf extract of Combretum hypopilinum (MECH) in acute animal models as well as the possible mechanism involved in its anticonvulsant activities.

The LD50 of the extract was calculated using OECD 423 starting with the limited dose of 5000mg/kg while the anticonvulsant activity of the extract was examined using maximal electroshock (MES), pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), strychnine and picrotoxin induced seizure models. For investigating the possible mechanism of the extract in PTZ model, flumazenil, naloxone, L-Argenin and sildenafil were administered to interact with the extract.

The LD50 of the extract was found to be greater than 2000mg/kg but less than 5000 mg/kg (oral). In maximal electroshock test, the extract protects only 30% of chicks against tonic hind limb extension (THLE) at the dose of 600 mg/kg. However, it significantly (p <0.05) and dose dependently decreased the mean recovery time of the convulsed chicks. In PTZ model, the extract at the dose of 600mg/kg, protected mice by 66.66% and significantly (p <0.005) delayed the mean onset of seizure. The extract significantly (p <0.005) delayed the mean onset of seizure and increased the mean latency of mortality for unprotected mice in both strychnine and picrotoxin models. Flumazenil, naloxone, L-argenine and sildenafil reversed the anticonvulsant activity of MECH.

The study suggested that MECH possessed bioactive component(s) responsible for its anticonvulsant effect, therefore, justify its use for the management of epilepsy amongst herbalists in Northern part of Nigeria.

Intraditional medicine system, Nepeta species are widely used to reduce chicken pox, tuberculosis, malaria, pneumonia, influenza, measles, stomach disorders, eye complaints, respiratory disorders, asthma, colds, coughs etc. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition and biological activities of the essential oils from three species of genus Nepeta viz: Nepeta hindostana (Roth) Haines (NHO), Nepeta graciliflora Benth (NGO) and Nepeta cataria L (NCO).

The essential oils were analysed by the combination of GC and GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was tested by using reducing power assay, metal chelating of Fe2 +assay, and DPPH radical scavenging assay. In-vitro antinflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation assay and anti-diabetic activity was determined by using α-amylase assay.

The major components present in NCO, NHO and NGO were cis-nepetalactone (69.78%), β-farnesene (43.41%) and sesquisabinene (28.75%), respectively. NCO showed the highest percentage inhibition of DPPH radical (IC50=5.89 µl/ml) followed by NHO (IC50=8.63 µl/ml) and then NGO (IC50=13.81 µl/ml). In terms of reducing power assay and metal chelating of Fe2+  assay, the highest antioxidant activity was also shown by NCO. Among the tested essential oil, NCO showed highest in-vitro anti-inflammatory potential (IC50 18.463±0.14 µg/ml) followed by NGO and NHO with IC50 22.035±0.11 µg/ml and 26.17±0.14 µg/ml, respectively. NHO showed maximum antidiabetic activity with IC50 8.92±0.10 µg/ml of α-amylase.

On the basis of present research work it is marked that the essential oil of Nepeta hindostana (Roth) Haines, Nepeta graciliflora Benth. and Nepeta cataria L. is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic agent indicating their potentiality in the field of food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry

Ethanol metabolism by the liver differentially impairs hepatic functions. This study investigated the attenuating potential of Abrus precatorius seeds on liver damage in HCl/EtOH induced rats and evaluated the prophylactic potential of ethylacetate extract of A. precatorius on the hepatic function of acidified ethanol induced rats.

Rats were pre-treated with ethylacetate extract of A. precatorius seeds and standard drugs for eight consecutive days and 0.15M HCl/EtOH (60%) (1:1) was administered once on the 8th day. Biochemical assay, mRNA expression and liver histo-pathological studies were performed using standard procedures.

HCl/EtOH induction significantly (p <0.05) raised hepatic alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase activities that were ameliorated by pre-treatment with 100 and 200mg/kg b.w of A. precatorius seeds extract. The significant (p <0.05) up-regulation of CYP2D3, CYP3A4 and GGT mRNA expression in the liver tissues of HCl/EtOH induced rats were successfully down-regulated upon pre-treatment with the extract. The micro-morphological alteration characterized by severe congestion of central venules and sinusoids, fibrosis at the portal veins and presence of inflammatory cells observed in HCl/EtOH induced rats was reversed by pre-treatment with A. precatorius seeds.

Acidified ethanol used for ulcerative induction could result in liver injury in rats; pre-treatment with A. precatorius seeds extract could exert hepato-protective efficacy.

Bombax glabrum is used in traditional medicine for the relief of general pain and digestive problems. The aim of this study was to establish the antibacterial activity, to characterize and identify the bioactive compounds in the leaves of the plant.

The powdered leave samples were sequentially extracted with n-hexane and chloroform using a soxhlet apparatus. Phytochemical screening was done using standard analytical procedures and the antibacterial activity of both extracts was tested against Bacillus subtills, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia using modified agar disc diffusion method. The chloroform extract was subjected to column chromatography separation in combination with TLC. Contact autobiography was carried out on two active spot(s) while purified fractions of these spots were analyzed using GC-MS.

Phytochemical screening shows the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and sterols. The plant has inhibitory activity against S. aureus and E. coli; while the GC-MS of two active spots of the chloroform extract (with Rf of 0.60 and 0.82) yielded 12 and 17 compounds for band C3 and C5, respectively, which were active against S. aureus only. Most abundant compounds are bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (34.54) and 2-pentadecanone, 6,10,14-trimethyl (41.81 %), respectively.

The presence of bioactive compounds could account for the plant’s inhibitory action against S. aureus and E. coli which may justify its use in managing infections

Diabetic foot ulceration is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus that results in considerable ill health, financial burden and mortality. Many people in Nigeria utilize medicinal plants to treat diabetic foot ulcer and related complications, nonetheless, the utilization of such plants has not been acknowledged. This study was done to validate and document the medicinal plants used in the remedy of diabetic foot ulcer in Kano State, Nigeria.

The target group of the study were herbalists and diabetic foot ulcer patients. The ethnobotanical information was obtained from willing respondents through an oral interview and a semi-structured questionnaire.

A total of 300 respondents were consulted in this study, and they exposed the utilization of 36 medicinal plants against diabetic foot ulcer. The frequently used plant families were Fabaceae and Rhamnaceae. Stem bark and leaves were the commonly reported plant parts used. The methods of preparation are usually by decoction or pounding the plant parts into powder; and the preparations are administered via topical (51%), oral (27%) and topical/oral (19%) routes. Moringa oleifera, Anisopus manni and Cadaba farinosa were the first three frequently cited species, while Ficus glumosa, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Guiera senegalensis were among the most preferred medicinal plants. Approximately 92% have been reported to be pharmacologically active, while 36% have similar ethno-medical claims in certain regions of the world.

This study revealed the ethno-medicinal practices against diabetic foot ulcer in Kano State. Scientific validation of the efficacy and safety of these plants would assist towards development of better drugs and integrating some of the species into orthodox medicine.

Medicinal plants are traditionally used worldwide for primary healthcare. Documentation of such traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge is essential because it might be lost after loss of knowledgeable people. This study was conducted to document the traditional uses of locally available medicinal plants in Bardiya district of Nepal during March and April 2021.

Questionnaire survey method was used to collect the information about uses, local name and parts used of the medicinal plant species found in the study area. Secondary data were collected through online portals like Google Scholar and Researchgate. Data was pooled and analyzed in Excel software. The data were presented in table, graphs and pie-chart.

A total of 63 species of medicinal plants from 59 genera and 39 families were found to be used to treat 51 types of diseases. Fabaceae family represented the maximum number of plant species used (n=8). Herbs were used most frequently (n=29) among the different habit of plants. Similarly, leaf was used most frequently (n=26) to cure diseases.

The finding of the present study would be the baseline for further exploration of medicinal plants in the study area.