Cletus Anes Ukwubile - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Cletus Anes Ukwubile

International journal of medicinal plants and natural products, 2018

The plant Melastomastrum capitatum belongs to the family Melastomataceae which is a taxon of dico... more The plant Melastomastrum capitatum belongs to the family Melastomataceae which is a taxon of dicotyledonous flowering plants commonly found in the tropics. Melastomataceae are annual or perennial herbs, shrubs or small trees with simple opposite leaves with a characteristic variation pattern. The main veins which are usually 5-9 are palmate at the base and secondary veins between them are scalariform ,parallel and regularly spaced (Burkill, 1997). Melastomastrum capitatum is a shrubby herb that grows up to 1•25 m high, and it is found in dry situations and stream-banks in Nigeria especially in Mambila Plateau Taraba State (Hutchison and Dalziel, 1958), Guinea, Mali, Uganda and Angola. In Nigeria, it is locally called ""Belkon"" by the Fulani tribe (In Mambila Plateau Nigeria) who use the leaf to treat cancers traditionally. A large part of the plant has sweet to sour taste. The leaf-sap diluted into a little water is used in Ivory Coast as a

Turkish Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objectives: Solanum scabrum Mill. commonly "African nightshade" or "huckleberry" is a plant, whos... more Objectives: Solanum scabrum Mill. commonly "African nightshade" or "huckleberry" is a plant, whose leaves are used by tribes in Nigeria and Cameroon for making the popular "Kombi" and "Njama Njama" soups, respectively. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of the leaf crude methanol extract from S. scabrum. Materials and Methods: Fractions of the plant were tested for anti-inflammatory potential and in vitro anticancer activity on MCF-7 and HMVII cell lines by carrageenan-induced oedema in mice, and cytotoxicity assays such as 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide, transwell migration and invasion assays, and apoptosis study by flow cytometry, respectively. Results: Bioguided isolation yielded a white crystalline compound 3-nitro dibenzofuran (C 12 H 7 NO 3 , m/z; 213.19 g/mol, m.p.; 181.49 °C). 1 H-NMR showed seven signals at δ (ppm) 2.8-4.3 consisting of two doublets and five singlets, while 13 C-NMR revealed twelve carbons, which are majorly methyl carbons at δ (ppm) between 120 and 195. All tested samples demonstrated dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenaninduced mice. The isolated compound, i.e. solanine, and chitosan-loaded drugs showed significant inhibitory activity on the cell lines with inhibitory concentration 50 (IC 50) values of 8.52, 0.82, and 22.1 µg/mL, respectively on MCF-7 cell line and 4.54, 0.08, and 12.1 µg/mL, respectively, on HMVII cell line, while doxorubicin (adriamycin) positive control, had IC 50 values of 0.02 and 0.06 µg/mL, respectively, on MCF-7 and HMVII cancer cells. Selectivity index of solanine was the lowest in the study, hence, it lacks the ability to differentiate between cancerous and normal cell Vero E6 cell lines. Chitosan-loaded drugs quicken early apoptosis and sustained late apoptosis in cells with much improved selective indices. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study further affirmed the use of chitosan nanoparticles as carriers for anticancer drugs.

International Journal of Plant Based Pharmaceuticals

Ruellia simplex is a medicinal plant whose leaf is used to treat pains, inflammation, and diabete... more Ruellia simplex is a medicinal plant whose leaf is used to treat pains, inflammation, and diabetes in Nigeria. The current study was undertaken to determine the antinociceptive (analgesics), anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities of a novel fatty acid isolated from the leaf extract of R. simplex. Isolation of a novel fatty acid from the most active fraction was carried out on silica gel column chromatography while, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities of the isolated compound were evaluated by acetic acid, carrageenan, and alloxan-induced animal models respectively. The chemical structure of the new compound was elucidated by FT-IR, NMR, GC-MS, and LC-MS. The isolated fatty acid showed inhibition of pains by decreasing abdominal writhing in mice in dose dependent fashion as well as reduced paw volume in the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats at IC50 = 12.5 ± 1.08 μg/ml and 10.21 ± 1.02 μg/ml, respectively, whereas the antidiabetic activity showed a dose dependent reduction in blood sugar levels with IC50 = 6.02 ± 0.01 μg/ml. The compound showed the following features: R-COOH functional group at 3327 wavelength cm-1 by FTIR; EI-MS [M] +* at m/z 467, peak area 62.231% and RT 14.086 min by GC-MS; singly charged fragments at m/z 116.1 and m/z 465.1, RT 1.31 min by LC-MS and eight proton signals consisting of singlets and multiplets (1 H), thirty carbon atoms (13 C) NMR data. From the study, the novel fatty acid from R. simplex extract was potentially active for the treatment of pains, inflammation, and diabetes.

Malaria is described as a disease that is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium.... more Malaria is described as a disease that is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. The parasites are transmitted to humans through the bites of an infected vector the female Anopheles mosquitoes. There are about 100 million estimated cases of malaria resulting in more than 300,000 deaths annually in Nigeria. This figure is high when compared to deaths from infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS. Maternal mortality from malaria fever alone is estimated at 11%. Despite preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites by use of insecticide-treated nets (ITN), and chemotherapy such as the use of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT), very little results were achieved, as the parasite seems to have developed resistance to these measures. This study was aimed at surveying medicinal plants used in folk medicine by the Ogurugu community Southeast Nigeria for the treatment of malaria. Traditional medicine practitioners, native herbalists, traditional healers, and product marketers were ...

International journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research, 2021

Background: Chitosan nanoparticle (chitosan-NPs) is a polymer obtained from the exoskeletons of c... more Background: Chitosan nanoparticle (chitosan-NPs) is a polymer obtained from the exoskeletons of crustaceans, and has been applied recently as a carrier for many drug agents. Multi-drug resistance has been the major set-back in the treatment of microbial infections globally. Methods: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) isolated from Melastomastrum capitatum leaves was encapsulated in chitosan-NPs and its antimicrobial activity was evaluated on selected multi-drug resistant pathogens. The isolated phthalate was characterized by FTIR, NMR and GC-MS. Chitosan-NPs encapsulated phthalate was prepared by ionic gelation of glutaraldehyde cross-linker. Antimicrobial activity of nano encapsulated drugs was carried by agar well diffusion at 0.5 µg/mL concentration. In vivo activity of nano encapsulated drugs were determined in thirty Swiss albino rats weighing 100-150g. Chitosan-NPs encapsulated treatment groups were administered at 0.5 µg/mL (i.p.) as compared with ciprofloxacin positive control group at...

The plant Melastomastrum capitatum belongs to the family Melastomataceae which is a taxon of dico... more The plant Melastomastrum capitatum belongs to the family Melastomataceae which is a taxon of dicotyledonous flowering plants commonly found in the tropics. Melastomataceae are annual or perennial herbs, shrubs or small trees with simple opposite leaves with a characteristic variation pattern. The main veins which are usually 5-9 are palmate at the base and secondary veins between them are scalariform ,parallel and regularly spaced (Burkill, 1997).

Journal of Scientific Research in Medical and Biological Sciences, 2020

Purpose: Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 is a viral infection that has been tagged as the grea... more Purpose: Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 is a viral infection that has been tagged as the greatest pandemic since the existence of humans by the WHO, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people globally; with the USA one of the highest. The full biology of the virus is yet to be known. This study reviews sixteen natural antiviral plants used in Taraba State to manage viral infections locally. Subjects and Methods: Sixteen medicinal plants popularly used as antiviral agents in Taraba State, Nigeria were surveyed based on a field-trip experience with herbal medicine practitioners in the three zones of the state. Plants that were in both zones were counted as the same. The plants that are majorly used for various viral infections are Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Camellia sinensis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Cirus lemon, Azardirachta indica, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Curcuma longa, Haematostaphis barteri, Olea europaea, Melastomastrum capitatum, Astragalus canadensis, Carissa edulis, ...

Open Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2013

Introduction: A study on the current status of parasitic intestinal helminthes and the efficacy o... more Introduction: A study on the current status of parasitic intestinal helminthes and the efficacy of anthelmintic drug was carried out among primary school pupils at Community Primary School Ogurugu, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State. Objectives: The research was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of human intestinal helminthes among primary school pupils, and also to determine the prevalence in relation to age and sex, and to check the efficacy of anthelmintic drug (Levamisole) on the worms, in Ogurugu Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 242 faecal samples were collected randomly from the school children and analyzed using standard parasitological procedures. Results: Data obtained showed an overall prevalence of 143 (59.1%) out of 242 samples and that the efficacy of anthelmintic drug Ergamisole ® (Levamisole R12564; Unicure Pvt.ltd India) 50 mg in reducing the worm burden was 99 (82.5%) in 120 samples treated. Age related prevalence and efficacy of anthelmintic varied across the sample groups. There was no significant difference in sex related infections in the sample group (P > 0.5). The efficacy of the drug reduces with the increase in age. Also the efficacy of Levamisole drug in reducing the worm burden were hookworm 59 (89.5%), Ascaris 24 (85.7%), Trichuris 26 (78.6%) while Taenia and Strongyloides showed drug resistance. This indicates that a single dose of the medication is not enough for total elimination of these endo parasites. Conclusion: The study revealed that poor hygienic practices as well as unsanitary conditions were responsible for high prevalence recorded in the area, and advocated health education through primary health care and mass deworming of primary school children as control measures.

International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research

Background: Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel. (Apocynaceae) leaf is used to treat various diseases such ... more Background: Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel. (Apocynaceae) leaf is used to treat various diseases such as ascariasis, cancer, hypertension, other cardiovascular diseases, and various diseases in traditional medicine in Nigeria. This study evaluated the anthelminthic, antiproliferative and antihypertensive potentials of R. vomitoria leaf methanol extract in Wistar rats. In addition, the phytochemical, acute toxicity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also evaluated. Results: Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various metabolites with flavonoids and alkaloids the most predominant, with different amount of total phenolic and flavonoid contents per gallic acid and rutin equivalent respectively. NMR and GC-MS studies on the R. vomitoria showed the presence of methyl stearate ester a fatty acid ester. In vitro antioxidant activity by inhibition of DPPH and H2O2 scavenging radicals showed an IC50 value of 1.614 mg/mL and 0.101 mg/mL Acute toxicity investigation showed that extract is well tolerated at doses up to 5,000 mg/kg body weight RVE after two weeks. Anthelminthic and antiproliferative effects of the RVE showed dose-dependent activities in time of paralysis/death of earthworms and growth of guinea corn radicles respectively. The blood pressure reduced significantly in normotensive and RVE-treated hypertensive rats in dosedependent fashion. There was significant dilation of the aortic blood vessel at high concentration of RVE with reduced heart rate and complete blockage of adrenaline and CaCl2 stimulatory effects. Conclusions: This study provided the justification that R. vomitoria leaf extract possessed anthelminthic, antiproliferative and antihypertensive potentials, hence, its use as an ethnomedicinal prescription for these conditions in traditional medicine. It further provides an avenue for new drug discovery.

Submitted 03 Dec 2016; Accepted 28 Dec 2016; Published 14 Jan 2017 Helminths infections are chron... more Submitted 03 Dec 2016; Accepted 28 Dec 2016; Published 14 Jan 2017 Helminths infections are chronic illness in human being and cattle. The use of alternate drugs has been a remedial measure against the resistant strains of helminth parasites, as well as means of reducing the cost of controlling diseases caused by helminthes. Pseudocedrela kotschyi is a medicinally valuable plant and possesses various pharmacological properties. P. kotschyi has been traditionally used as an anthelminthic agent. To justify the ethnomedicinal claims, the anthelminthic property of P. kotschyi was evaluated using Lumbricus terrestris as an experimental model because of similar anatomical features with intestinal helminthes. Piperazine citrate was used as the standard reference drug. Among the various concentrations tested (10-50 mg/mL), 50 mg/mL aqueous extract showed efficient paralysis effect (13.1 min), and also showed significant anthelminthic activity with 25.4 min death time . Standard drug at 10mg...

Submitted 18 Nov 2016; Accepted 27 Dec 2016; Published 5 Jan 2017 Physalis angulata is a medicina... more Submitted 18 Nov 2016; Accepted 27 Dec 2016; Published 5 Jan 2017 Physalis angulata is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of malaria, ulcer, pains and other diverse ailments. The present study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic leaf extract of the plant. Acetic acid-induced abdominal contraction or writhing analgesic models in Swiss albino mice (13-23g) were used for studying analgesic activity of the leaf extract. 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract were administered intraperitoneally. Analgesic activities of the extract were compared with standard reference drug ibuprofen (100 mg/kg) and negative control. The plant extract showed a significant dose dependent analgesic effect, with 72.7% inhibition at 400 mg/kg compared to that of the 100 mg/kg standard drug ibuprofen which showed 21.2% inhibition (P< 0.05). The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract against carrageenan-induced paw edema was also dose-dependent with 62.71%...

The study aims to investigate the hypoglycaemic effects of methanolic leaf extracts of Bauhinia r... more The study aims to investigate the hypoglycaemic effects of methanolic leaf extracts of Bauhinia rufescens (MLEBR) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 150mg/kg body weight (b.w.) for diabetes induction in the rats. The oral administration of 200, 300, and 400mg/kg b.w. of extract (once a day, for four weeks) significantly lowered (P<0.01) blood glucose levels in all treated diabetic rats. Furthermore, extract significantly (P<0.01) attenuated the elevated serum concentrations of urea and creatinine levels when compared to the untreated diabetic rats. The results show that chronic oral administration of MLEBR at doses 200, 300 and 400mg/kg b.w. may be a safe alternative antihyperglycaemic and nephro-protective agent due to its beneficial effect of improving blood glucose level and kidney health. INTRODUCTION Diabetes is a chronic disorder in metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It is characterized by defects in ...

International journal of medicinal plants and natural products, 2018

The plant Melastomastrum capitatum belongs to the family Melastomataceae which is a taxon of dico... more The plant Melastomastrum capitatum belongs to the family Melastomataceae which is a taxon of dicotyledonous flowering plants commonly found in the tropics. Melastomataceae are annual or perennial herbs, shrubs or small trees with simple opposite leaves with a characteristic variation pattern. The main veins which are usually 5-9 are palmate at the base and secondary veins between them are scalariform ,parallel and regularly spaced (Burkill, 1997). Melastomastrum capitatum is a shrubby herb that grows up to 1•25 m high, and it is found in dry situations and stream-banks in Nigeria especially in Mambila Plateau Taraba State (Hutchison and Dalziel, 1958), Guinea, Mali, Uganda and Angola. In Nigeria, it is locally called ""Belkon"" by the Fulani tribe (In Mambila Plateau Nigeria) who use the leaf to treat cancers traditionally. A large part of the plant has sweet to sour taste. The leaf-sap diluted into a little water is used in Ivory Coast as a

Turkish Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objectives: Solanum scabrum Mill. commonly "African nightshade" or "huckleberry" is a plant, whos... more Objectives: Solanum scabrum Mill. commonly "African nightshade" or "huckleberry" is a plant, whose leaves are used by tribes in Nigeria and Cameroon for making the popular "Kombi" and "Njama Njama" soups, respectively. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of the leaf crude methanol extract from S. scabrum. Materials and Methods: Fractions of the plant were tested for anti-inflammatory potential and in vitro anticancer activity on MCF-7 and HMVII cell lines by carrageenan-induced oedema in mice, and cytotoxicity assays such as 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide, transwell migration and invasion assays, and apoptosis study by flow cytometry, respectively. Results: Bioguided isolation yielded a white crystalline compound 3-nitro dibenzofuran (C 12 H 7 NO 3 , m/z; 213.19 g/mol, m.p.; 181.49 °C). 1 H-NMR showed seven signals at δ (ppm) 2.8-4.3 consisting of two doublets and five singlets, while 13 C-NMR revealed twelve carbons, which are majorly methyl carbons at δ (ppm) between 120 and 195. All tested samples demonstrated dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenaninduced mice. The isolated compound, i.e. solanine, and chitosan-loaded drugs showed significant inhibitory activity on the cell lines with inhibitory concentration 50 (IC 50) values of 8.52, 0.82, and 22.1 µg/mL, respectively on MCF-7 cell line and 4.54, 0.08, and 12.1 µg/mL, respectively, on HMVII cell line, while doxorubicin (adriamycin) positive control, had IC 50 values of 0.02 and 0.06 µg/mL, respectively, on MCF-7 and HMVII cancer cells. Selectivity index of solanine was the lowest in the study, hence, it lacks the ability to differentiate between cancerous and normal cell Vero E6 cell lines. Chitosan-loaded drugs quicken early apoptosis and sustained late apoptosis in cells with much improved selective indices. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study further affirmed the use of chitosan nanoparticles as carriers for anticancer drugs.

International Journal of Plant Based Pharmaceuticals

Ruellia simplex is a medicinal plant whose leaf is used to treat pains, inflammation, and diabete... more Ruellia simplex is a medicinal plant whose leaf is used to treat pains, inflammation, and diabetes in Nigeria. The current study was undertaken to determine the antinociceptive (analgesics), anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities of a novel fatty acid isolated from the leaf extract of R. simplex. Isolation of a novel fatty acid from the most active fraction was carried out on silica gel column chromatography while, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities of the isolated compound were evaluated by acetic acid, carrageenan, and alloxan-induced animal models respectively. The chemical structure of the new compound was elucidated by FT-IR, NMR, GC-MS, and LC-MS. The isolated fatty acid showed inhibition of pains by decreasing abdominal writhing in mice in dose dependent fashion as well as reduced paw volume in the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats at IC50 = 12.5 ± 1.08 μg/ml and 10.21 ± 1.02 μg/ml, respectively, whereas the antidiabetic activity showed a dose dependent reduction in blood sugar levels with IC50 = 6.02 ± 0.01 μg/ml. The compound showed the following features: R-COOH functional group at 3327 wavelength cm-1 by FTIR; EI-MS [M] +* at m/z 467, peak area 62.231% and RT 14.086 min by GC-MS; singly charged fragments at m/z 116.1 and m/z 465.1, RT 1.31 min by LC-MS and eight proton signals consisting of singlets and multiplets (1 H), thirty carbon atoms (13 C) NMR data. From the study, the novel fatty acid from R. simplex extract was potentially active for the treatment of pains, inflammation, and diabetes.

Malaria is described as a disease that is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium.... more Malaria is described as a disease that is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium. The parasites are transmitted to humans through the bites of an infected vector the female Anopheles mosquitoes. There are about 100 million estimated cases of malaria resulting in more than 300,000 deaths annually in Nigeria. This figure is high when compared to deaths from infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS. Maternal mortality from malaria fever alone is estimated at 11%. Despite preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites by use of insecticide-treated nets (ITN), and chemotherapy such as the use of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT), very little results were achieved, as the parasite seems to have developed resistance to these measures. This study was aimed at surveying medicinal plants used in folk medicine by the Ogurugu community Southeast Nigeria for the treatment of malaria. Traditional medicine practitioners, native herbalists, traditional healers, and product marketers were ...

International journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research, 2021

Background: Chitosan nanoparticle (chitosan-NPs) is a polymer obtained from the exoskeletons of c... more Background: Chitosan nanoparticle (chitosan-NPs) is a polymer obtained from the exoskeletons of crustaceans, and has been applied recently as a carrier for many drug agents. Multi-drug resistance has been the major set-back in the treatment of microbial infections globally. Methods: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) isolated from Melastomastrum capitatum leaves was encapsulated in chitosan-NPs and its antimicrobial activity was evaluated on selected multi-drug resistant pathogens. The isolated phthalate was characterized by FTIR, NMR and GC-MS. Chitosan-NPs encapsulated phthalate was prepared by ionic gelation of glutaraldehyde cross-linker. Antimicrobial activity of nano encapsulated drugs was carried by agar well diffusion at 0.5 µg/mL concentration. In vivo activity of nano encapsulated drugs were determined in thirty Swiss albino rats weighing 100-150g. Chitosan-NPs encapsulated treatment groups were administered at 0.5 µg/mL (i.p.) as compared with ciprofloxacin positive control group at...

The plant Melastomastrum capitatum belongs to the family Melastomataceae which is a taxon of dico... more The plant Melastomastrum capitatum belongs to the family Melastomataceae which is a taxon of dicotyledonous flowering plants commonly found in the tropics. Melastomataceae are annual or perennial herbs, shrubs or small trees with simple opposite leaves with a characteristic variation pattern. The main veins which are usually 5-9 are palmate at the base and secondary veins between them are scalariform ,parallel and regularly spaced (Burkill, 1997).

Journal of Scientific Research in Medical and Biological Sciences, 2020

Purpose: Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 is a viral infection that has been tagged as the grea... more Purpose: Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 is a viral infection that has been tagged as the greatest pandemic since the existence of humans by the WHO, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people globally; with the USA one of the highest. The full biology of the virus is yet to be known. This study reviews sixteen natural antiviral plants used in Taraba State to manage viral infections locally. Subjects and Methods: Sixteen medicinal plants popularly used as antiviral agents in Taraba State, Nigeria were surveyed based on a field-trip experience with herbal medicine practitioners in the three zones of the state. Plants that were in both zones were counted as the same. The plants that are majorly used for various viral infections are Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Camellia sinensis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Cirus lemon, Azardirachta indica, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Curcuma longa, Haematostaphis barteri, Olea europaea, Melastomastrum capitatum, Astragalus canadensis, Carissa edulis, ...

Open Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2013

Introduction: A study on the current status of parasitic intestinal helminthes and the efficacy o... more Introduction: A study on the current status of parasitic intestinal helminthes and the efficacy of anthelmintic drug was carried out among primary school pupils at Community Primary School Ogurugu, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State. Objectives: The research was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of human intestinal helminthes among primary school pupils, and also to determine the prevalence in relation to age and sex, and to check the efficacy of anthelmintic drug (Levamisole) on the worms, in Ogurugu Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 242 faecal samples were collected randomly from the school children and analyzed using standard parasitological procedures. Results: Data obtained showed an overall prevalence of 143 (59.1%) out of 242 samples and that the efficacy of anthelmintic drug Ergamisole ® (Levamisole R12564; Unicure Pvt.ltd India) 50 mg in reducing the worm burden was 99 (82.5%) in 120 samples treated. Age related prevalence and efficacy of anthelmintic varied across the sample groups. There was no significant difference in sex related infections in the sample group (P > 0.5). The efficacy of the drug reduces with the increase in age. Also the efficacy of Levamisole drug in reducing the worm burden were hookworm 59 (89.5%), Ascaris 24 (85.7%), Trichuris 26 (78.6%) while Taenia and Strongyloides showed drug resistance. This indicates that a single dose of the medication is not enough for total elimination of these endo parasites. Conclusion: The study revealed that poor hygienic practices as well as unsanitary conditions were responsible for high prevalence recorded in the area, and advocated health education through primary health care and mass deworming of primary school children as control measures.

International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research

Background: Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel. (Apocynaceae) leaf is used to treat various diseases such ... more Background: Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel. (Apocynaceae) leaf is used to treat various diseases such as ascariasis, cancer, hypertension, other cardiovascular diseases, and various diseases in traditional medicine in Nigeria. This study evaluated the anthelminthic, antiproliferative and antihypertensive potentials of R. vomitoria leaf methanol extract in Wistar rats. In addition, the phytochemical, acute toxicity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also evaluated. Results: Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various metabolites with flavonoids and alkaloids the most predominant, with different amount of total phenolic and flavonoid contents per gallic acid and rutin equivalent respectively. NMR and GC-MS studies on the R. vomitoria showed the presence of methyl stearate ester a fatty acid ester. In vitro antioxidant activity by inhibition of DPPH and H2O2 scavenging radicals showed an IC50 value of 1.614 mg/mL and 0.101 mg/mL Acute toxicity investigation showed that extract is well tolerated at doses up to 5,000 mg/kg body weight RVE after two weeks. Anthelminthic and antiproliferative effects of the RVE showed dose-dependent activities in time of paralysis/death of earthworms and growth of guinea corn radicles respectively. The blood pressure reduced significantly in normotensive and RVE-treated hypertensive rats in dosedependent fashion. There was significant dilation of the aortic blood vessel at high concentration of RVE with reduced heart rate and complete blockage of adrenaline and CaCl2 stimulatory effects. Conclusions: This study provided the justification that R. vomitoria leaf extract possessed anthelminthic, antiproliferative and antihypertensive potentials, hence, its use as an ethnomedicinal prescription for these conditions in traditional medicine. It further provides an avenue for new drug discovery.

Submitted 03 Dec 2016; Accepted 28 Dec 2016; Published 14 Jan 2017 Helminths infections are chron... more Submitted 03 Dec 2016; Accepted 28 Dec 2016; Published 14 Jan 2017 Helminths infections are chronic illness in human being and cattle. The use of alternate drugs has been a remedial measure against the resistant strains of helminth parasites, as well as means of reducing the cost of controlling diseases caused by helminthes. Pseudocedrela kotschyi is a medicinally valuable plant and possesses various pharmacological properties. P. kotschyi has been traditionally used as an anthelminthic agent. To justify the ethnomedicinal claims, the anthelminthic property of P. kotschyi was evaluated using Lumbricus terrestris as an experimental model because of similar anatomical features with intestinal helminthes. Piperazine citrate was used as the standard reference drug. Among the various concentrations tested (10-50 mg/mL), 50 mg/mL aqueous extract showed efficient paralysis effect (13.1 min), and also showed significant anthelminthic activity with 25.4 min death time . Standard drug at 10mg...

Submitted 18 Nov 2016; Accepted 27 Dec 2016; Published 5 Jan 2017 Physalis angulata is a medicina... more Submitted 18 Nov 2016; Accepted 27 Dec 2016; Published 5 Jan 2017 Physalis angulata is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of malaria, ulcer, pains and other diverse ailments. The present study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic leaf extract of the plant. Acetic acid-induced abdominal contraction or writhing analgesic models in Swiss albino mice (13-23g) were used for studying analgesic activity of the leaf extract. 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract were administered intraperitoneally. Analgesic activities of the extract were compared with standard reference drug ibuprofen (100 mg/kg) and negative control. The plant extract showed a significant dose dependent analgesic effect, with 72.7% inhibition at 400 mg/kg compared to that of the 100 mg/kg standard drug ibuprofen which showed 21.2% inhibition (P< 0.05). The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract against carrageenan-induced paw edema was also dose-dependent with 62.71%...

The study aims to investigate the hypoglycaemic effects of methanolic leaf extracts of Bauhinia r... more The study aims to investigate the hypoglycaemic effects of methanolic leaf extracts of Bauhinia rufescens (MLEBR) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 150mg/kg body weight (b.w.) for diabetes induction in the rats. The oral administration of 200, 300, and 400mg/kg b.w. of extract (once a day, for four weeks) significantly lowered (P<0.01) blood glucose levels in all treated diabetic rats. Furthermore, extract significantly (P<0.01) attenuated the elevated serum concentrations of urea and creatinine levels when compared to the untreated diabetic rats. The results show that chronic oral administration of MLEBR at doses 200, 300 and 400mg/kg b.w. may be a safe alternative antihyperglycaemic and nephro-protective agent due to its beneficial effect of improving blood glucose level and kidney health. INTRODUCTION Diabetes is a chronic disorder in metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It is characterized by defects in ...