{"title":"Effects of ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of Pterocarpus mildbraedii on hematology parameters and cholesterol in albino rats","authors":"A. A. Victor, Ezekwesili C. Nonyelum","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2017.0930","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2017.0930","url":null,"abstract":"One of the commonly consumed leafy vegetables in Nigeria is Pterocarpus mildbraedii Harms (Leguminosae) leaf. It has been found that, ethanol and aqueous extracts of the plant leaves exert anti-diabetic effect on rats. This study investigated the effects of ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of this plant on some hematological parameters and serum cholesterol level in Wistar albino rats. Intraperitoneal administration of ethanol and aqueous extracts of P. mildbraedii leaves at the doses of 200 and 400 mg kg-1, on two groups of rats for 28 days showed no adverse effects on the hematological parameters considered in this study. There was a significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent increase in almost all the hematological parameters. However, the serum cholesterol level was significantly reduced in rats exposed to both doses of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of the plant leaf as compared to the rats in the control group. These effects of the extracts increased with increased doses. These results suggest non-toxic effects of the leaf extracts of P. mildbraedii on the hematological parameters, as well as an ability to help in preventing cardiovascular diseases in the diabetics. Key words: Pterocarpus mildbraedii, hematology, cholesterol, heart, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, toxicology.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"98 1","pages":"28-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90801050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Antimibacterial activity of saponins from Sanseviera trifasciata prain cv. golden hahnii roots on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus","authors":"W. Dewatisari, Subandi, Desmawati","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2016.0914","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2016.0914","url":null,"abstract":"Sansevieria-trifasciata-is commonly known as both in and out door house plant. It is also used in traditional medicine for treatment of influenza, cough and respiratory inflammation. The roots and leaves have secondary metabolites such as saponins that exbihit remedy for cough, snake bite, sprain, bruise, boil, abscess, respiratory inflammation and hair tonic. The plant sample was collected and dried. The preliminary test for saponnins was carried out and subsequently saponnin was extracted. A compound was isolated using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and the antibacterial activity was tested. The S. trifasciata-root extracts and the isolated compound demonstrated potent activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The zone of inhibition of growth produced ranges between 18.67 and 24 mm at 200 ppm concentration level respectively. It is the best eluent that separated the triterpenoid-saponins was chloroform:methanol:water (20:60:4) with 3 spots having Rf of 0.125, 0.75 and 0.812. \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Sansevieria trifasciata, roots extract, saponins, antibacterial, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"37 1","pages":"22-27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74781248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Idris Ahmad Oseni Tijani, Tijani Oseni Nurah, T. Hauwa, Pauline
{"title":"Effects of date fruit extract on paracetamol induced nephrotoxicity in wistar rats","authors":"Idris Ahmad Oseni Tijani, Tijani Oseni Nurah, T. Hauwa, Pauline","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2017.0934","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2017.0934","url":null,"abstract":"This study was aimed to investigate the protective, ameliorative and preventive effects of aqueous Date fruit extract on paracetamol induced nephrotoxicity in wistar rats. A total of 30 male albino wistar rats were used for this study. Rats were randomly divided into five groups containing 6 animals each. Treatments were given daily for fourteen days. The animals in the control group (Group I) did not receive any treatment, while those in group 2 received paracetamol (2 g/kg/day). Group 3 were pretreated with aqueous date fruit extract (400 mg/kg/day) for a week before paracetamol administration. Rats in group 4 received paracetamol (2 g/kg/day) for a week before treatment with aqueous date palm extract (400 mg/kg). Group 5 was administered paracetamol (2 g/kg/day) in concurrent with 400 mg/kg aqueous date fruit extract. Exposure of rats with a nephrotoxic dose of paracetamol disturbed the kidney function tests; blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SC) levels increased significantly (P>0.05). The protective use of aqueous date fruit extract on paracetamol-induced nephrotoxicity resulted in a significant improvement in most evaluated parameters. \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Date fruit, paracetamol, wistar rats, kidney.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"2012 1","pages":"18-21"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86387479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"GC-MS/FT-IR screening of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich Fruit","authors":"S. Okereke, U. Arunsi, C. Nosiri","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2016.0916","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2016.0916","url":null,"abstract":"The present study was aimed at identifying the functional groups and phyto-constituents present in Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A Rich fruit using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) and Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), spectroscopy. FTIR method was performed using Perkin Elmer Spectrophotometer and the characteristic peaks were detected. The phytochemical constituents were screened by GC-MS method and the compound detection employed the NIST Ver. 2.0 year 2005 library. The results of the GC-MS analysis showed different peaks determining the presence of 15 phytochemical compounds in the fruit extract of A. aetiopica. The phyto-constituents with their percentage areas include β-Ylangene(2.85%), 1,6-Cyclodecadiene, 1-methyl-5-methylene-8- (1-methylene)-, [s-(E,E)]- (1.71%); (-)-Spathulenol (1.23%);Trans-Z-α-Bisabolene epoxide (1.68%); n-Hexadecanoic acid (2.90%); Manoyl oxide (2.51%); Linoleic acid (8.14%); Oleic acid (3.13%); Cis-Z-α-Bisabolene (1.34%); Pimara-7,15-diene-3-one (8.86%); 1-Heptatricotanol (2.07%); Kaur-1b-ene (6.59%); β-Pimaric acid (36.39%); Doconexent (1.66%) and Androstan-17-one, 3-ethyl-3-hydroxyl-, (5a)- (17.48%). The result of the FTIR spectroscopic studies revealed the presence of arenes, alcohols, phenols, carboxylic acids, ethers, aromatics, aryl ketone, alkenes, saturated aldehyde and phenols. The findings of the study revealed that the GC-MS and FTIR spectral analyses of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich fruit extract composed of various bioactive compounds which have are used in ethnomedicine to treat and cure infections and diseases. \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR), Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), phytochemical, Xylopia aethiopica.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"103 1","pages":"12-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81421611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
O. Okwari, A. Obembe, S. Jeje, E. E. Honesty, E. Osim
{"title":"Effects of Xylopia aethiopica fruit extract on isolated rabbit ileum","authors":"O. Okwari, A. Obembe, S. Jeje, E. E. Honesty, E. Osim","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2014.0775","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2014.0775","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, pharmacological reactivity of rabbit ileum to crude extract of fruits of Xylopia aethiopica in the presence of other agonist and antagonist agents was evaluated. The contractility of the isolated rabbit ileum was recorded using kymograph. The effects of the crude extract of X. aethiopica on rabbit ileum were independently determined using a dose range of 10-8 to 10-4 mg/ml. However, to determine the effects of the extract on rabbit ileum in the presence of other agonist and antagonist a constant dose of 10-4 mg/ml of the extract was used. The result showed that the crude extract of X. aethiopica, nifedipine only and serotonin only produced a significant (p<0.001) dose dependent relaxation of the ileum muscle. Addition of the extract to nifedipine shifted the graph to the right. Administration of CaCl2 alone produce a dose dependent contraction of the rabbit ileum with negative correlation coefficient (p<0.001). Co-administration of CaCl2 with the extract shifted the CaCl2 response curve to the left. Addition of extract to serotonin caused a significant (p<0.01) decreased in the relaxation of the rabbit ileum. In conclusion, this study suggests that X. aethiopica has smooth muscle relaxant effects on rabbit ileum and as such may reduce gastrointestinal motility. \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Key word: Xylopia aethiopica, smooth muscle, Ileum, motility, agonist.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"33 1","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79575800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Yahaya, Shang Quinck, Tian Shangyi, P. John, K. Victoria
{"title":"Extraction, optimization and characterization of crude polysaccharides from Artemesia Mongolica","authors":"K. Yahaya, Shang Quinck, Tian Shangyi, P. John, K. Victoria","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2015.0862","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2015.0862","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, the extraction conditions of polysaccharides of Artemisia mongolia (PAM) were optimized and their molecular weight, weight distribution, composition and antioxidant activities of the polysaccharides investigated. The degree of polymerization of fructan-oligosaccharides 2-8 was separated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) with good results. Polysaccharides were extracted from the leaves of A. mongolia and the effects of the extraction parameters (extraction temperature, extraction time and water to raw material ratio) were optimized under optimal extraction combinations. Based on the study, the maximum yield of polysaccharides (17.38%) was obtained at an extraction temperature of 76.90°C, extraction time of 1.33 h and water-to-raw material ratio of 4.00 ml/mg. The yield of polysaccharides was largely dependent on the extraction parameters. Four isolated fractions of the polysaccharides were further characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography. Using TLC analysis, the degree of polymerization of fructan-oligosaccharides 2-8 was successfully separated. High A. mongolia antioxidant polysaccharide with antioxidant activity of 351.3 sc/g was obtained at optimized incubation temperature of 70.37°C, extraction time of 1.45 h and water-to-raw material ratio of 2 ml/mg. \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Artemisia Mongolia, crude polysaccharide, antioxidant activity, response surface methodology, box-Behnken design","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"42 1","pages":"47-58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85623338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of pre-harvest chitosan foliar application on growth, yield and chemical composition of Washington navel orange trees grown in two different regions","authors":"A. Ahmed, M. Nesiem, H. Allam, A. El-Wakil","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2016.0908","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2016.0908","url":null,"abstract":"The present study was carried out during 2012 and 2013 seasons to study the effect of pre-harvest foliar application of chitosan (a natural beta-1-4-linked glucosamine polymer) at two concentrations 250 and 500 ppm on vegetative tree growth, fruit yield and quality as well as leaves chemical composition of Washington navel orange trees grown under two locations. As for growth parameters (shoot length, leaves number, and leaves area), the results revealed that chitosan treatments had insignificant effect. Meanwhile, it had a significant improvement on most of the studied fruit characters and leaf chemical constituents, that is, pigments, sugars, total soluble phenols, total free amino acids, endogenous plant hormones “IAA, ABA and GA3” as well as leaf nutritional status “N, P, K, Zn, Ca, B and Si”. Generally, pre-harvest chitosan applications mostly had pronounced positive effects on improving navel orange quality, that is, fruit weight, firmness and T.S.S.%, especially at the rate 500 ppm. \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Citrus, chitosan, growth characters, fruit quality, total chlorophyll, sugar, total soluble sugar (TSS).","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"137 1","pages":"59-69"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79725868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elfrida Taiwo Abiola, J. Olalekan, Emuebie Okonji Raphael
{"title":"Protease inhibition in cowpea pod-sucking bug species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) using cereal and legume grain extracts","authors":"Elfrida Taiwo Abiola, J. Olalekan, Emuebie Okonji Raphael","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2016.0899","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2016.0899","url":null,"abstract":"Selected grain extracts were assayed against digestive proteases of Anoplocnemis curvipes, Clavigralla tomentosicollis and Mirperus jaculus with a view to identifying suitable sources of protease inhibitors against the cowpea pests. Laboratory bioassays showed that grains of a local soybean variety Kishi and a cowpea landrace NG/SA/07/0098 contain potent inhibitors although the former produced a consistently higher level of inhibition in each of the three pests. Protease activity was highest in C. tomentosicollis (1.06 μmol/mg) followed by M. jaculus (0.94 μmol/mg) and A. curvipes (0.69 μmol/mg) but inhibition was highest in M. jaculus. The optimum temperature range for the inhibitors was 40-90°C while optimum inhibitory activity occurred in weak acidic to neutral media, pH 4-7. There was total protease inhibition in the pests when soybean and cowpea extracts were combined against gut extracts in soybean-biased volumetric ratios of 0.7:0.3 and 0.8:0.2. This synergistic efficacy was superior to those of two commercial products. The inhibitors were stable for 10-50 min at 80°C but got denatured within few minutes of exposure to higher temperatures. Obtained results showed that the soybean and cowpea are suitable sources of protease inhibitors in breeding exercises for development of transgenic cowpea varieties. \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Grain extract, optimum pH, optimum temperature, protease inhibition, thermostability, transgenic cowpea.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"8 1","pages":"38-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83477787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Protective effects of extract and fraction of root- bark of Garcinia kola (Heckel) on the renal biochemical parameters of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxic rats","authors":"I. Komolafe, A. Akinlalu, M. Ogunsusi, O. Oyedapo","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2016.0890","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2016.0890","url":null,"abstract":"The study evaluated the nephroprotective potentials of methanolic extract (ME) and dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) of root-bark of Garcinia kola on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats with a view to utilize the extracts of the root of G. Kola in the amelioration of antibiotic-induced kidney damage. The study involved preparation of the extract, fractionation, phytochemical screening and evaluation of phenolics and flavonoid contents. Moreover, both the acute and sub-acute toxicities of ME and DCMF were determined in mice and albino rats with concentrations ranging from 10 to 5000 mg/kg body weight (bwt) respectively. Forty albino rats were divided into 8 groups of five animals each and induced with gentamicin (80 mg/kg bwt). The renal biochemical metabolites and enzymes were quantified and assayed respectively. The histopathological examinations of kidney were carried out. Phytochemical screening of the ME and DCMF of the root-bark of G. kola revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, saponins, alkaloids and terpenoids. The extract and DCMF did not elicit any adverse effect and a dose of 250 mg/kg bwt of ME and DCMF was selected for further studies. The administration of gentamicin (80 mg/kg bwt) caused elevated levels of plasma renal biomarkers, reduction in AciPase activities. Moreover, administration of gentamicin (80 mg/kg bwt) resulted in damage to kidney structures. The treatments (pre and post) of the rats with 250 mg/kg extract and fraction reversed alterations of biochemical parameters which were supported by low levels of tubular and glomerular injuries induced by gentamicin treatment. The study concluded that, both the extract and fraction of G. kola root-bark elicited antioxidant and appreciable nephroprotective potentials. \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Antioxidant potentials, Garcinia kola, Methanolic extract, Nephrotoxicity, Renal biomarkers.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"22 1","pages":"30-37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84852344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Oil palm fruit calyx as a resource for phospholipids extraction","authors":"I. Gold, N. Oseni, B. ImoisiO.","doi":"10.5897/AJBR2016.0884","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBR2016.0884","url":null,"abstract":"Oil palm calyx is a solid waste in the oil palm industry which is yet to find economic usage. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of recovering phospholipids from the oil palm calyx. Preliminary functional property of calyx phospholipids was determined using emulsion stability. Results indicated that oil palm calyx had 14% total lipids when extracted with methanol and 62.3% of lipids were acetone insoluble lipids (phospholipids). Methanol extracted phospholipids showed that the highest concentration of total phospholipids (1971 mg/L) with phosphatidylcholine (PC) have been the predominant phospholipid. The calyx phospholipids stabilized oil in water emulsion at 2% concentration. The study serves as a foundation on the positive usage of oil palm calyx in producing industrial phospholipids. \u0000 \u0000 Key words: Oil palm, lecithin, phospholipids, waste, palm calyx oil.","PeriodicalId":7631,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Biochemistry Research","volume":"67 1","pages":"25-29"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84638103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}