Research Interests: Immune response, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Medicine, Phytotherapy, Mice, and 15 moreAnimals, Candida albicans, Blood Coagulation, Antimicrobial, Experimental Evaluation, Plant extracts, Anti Inflammatory, Epithelial cells, Edema, Eastern Mediterranean, Acanthaceae, Anti Inflammatory Activity, Acetic Acid, Acute Toxicity, and BMC
Column fractionation and purification of an n-hexane fraction led to the isolation of three lupeol-based triterpenoid esters from the leaves of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus Linn parasitic on a local kola nut tree,... more
Column fractionation and purification of an n-hexane fraction led to the isolation of three lupeol-based triterpenoid esters from the leaves of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus Linn parasitic on a local kola nut tree, Kola acuminata. These three compounds were adequately characterised using a combination of UV/visible, IR, NMR (C-NMR and H-NMR), DEPT, MS and two-dimensional correlation (H-H COSY,
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The immunomodulatory properties of kolaviron (KV), a mixture of three related biflavonoids of Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae), were investigated. The study was conducted using in vitro and in vivo immunocompetent and immunocompromised... more
The immunomodulatory properties of kolaviron (KV), a mixture of three related biflavonoids of Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae), were investigated. The study was conducted using in vitro and in vivo immunocompetent and immunocompromised animal models. KV (250 and 500 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent and significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of delayed-type hypersensitivity in rats and also caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the primary and secondary sheep erythrocytes-specific antibody titres in rats. In vitro, KV inhibited the classical complement system at concentrations greater than 100 microg/ml. The administration of KV ameliorated the cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia and increased the proportion of lymphocytes count in rats after 14 days of treatment. Administration of KV on alternate days after immunosuppression with cyclophospamide increased the rate of excision wound closure and reduced epithelialization period from 21.75 to 15.5 days. This study established t...
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... In: Derek LJ, ed., Fundamentals of Obsterics and Gynaecology, 4th ed., Vol. 2. UK, Rich and Clay, pp. 137149. ... Kamanyi A, Bopelei M, Tatchum TR (1992): Contractile effect of some extracts from leaves of Musanga ceropioides. on... more
... In: Derek LJ, ed., Fundamentals of Obsterics and Gynaecology, 4th ed., Vol. 2. UK, Rich and Clay, pp. 137149. ... Kamanyi A, Bopelei M, Tatchum TR (1992): Contractile effect of some extracts from leaves of Musanga ceropioides. on uterine smooth muscle of the rat. ...
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The herbal preparations of Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae) root bark are used in Nigerian ethnomedicine for the treatment of epilepsy and febrile seizures. The scientific evidence for this effect has been reported. The aim of this... more
The herbal preparations of Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae) root bark are used in Nigerian ethnomedicine for the treatment of epilepsy and febrile seizures. The scientific evidence for this effect has been reported. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the active constituent responsible for the anticonvulsant effect. Bioactive-guided fractionation of the methanol-methylene chloride root bark extract (MME) of A. senegalensis using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice, afforded a potent anticonvulsant ethyl-acetate fraction (EF). Further fractionation of the EF yielded eight sub-fractions (F₁-F₈) which were tested for anticonvulsant activity. The sub-fraction F₂ yielded white crystals that were purified to obtain A. senegalensis crystals, AS2. The AS2, which exhibited potent anticonvulsant effects, was characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The AS2 was characterized as kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (KA), a diterpenoid. The AS2 indicated an oral LD₅₀ of 3800 mg/kg. The results showed that the MME, EF and AS2 significantly (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) and dose-dependently delayed the onset of myoclonic spasms and tonic-clonic phases of seizures induced by PTZ and maximal electroshock seizures (MES). Kaurenoic acid was identified as the anticonvulsant principle in the root bark extract of A. senegalensis. The anticonvulsant effect of the MME, EF and AS2 is most likely being mediated through central inhibitory mechanisms.
Research Interests: Mice, Female, Animals, Male, Annona, and 3 moreRats, Diterpenes, and Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
The leaves of Newbouldia laevis is traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus in southeast Nigeria. The apigenin isolated from the methanol fraction of dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) extract of the leaves was evaluated for antidiabetic... more
The leaves of Newbouldia laevis is traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus in southeast Nigeria. The apigenin isolated from the methanol fraction of dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) extract of the leaves was evaluated for antidiabetic and antihyperglycemic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and on normal rats. Treatment of alloxan-diabetic rats with the compound (apigenin) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced blood glucose, and increased the liver and muscle glycogen content. The adrenaline-induced elevation of blood glucose of normal rats was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by the isolated compound. These results suggest that apigenin may be the anti-diabetic principle in the leaves of Newbouldia laevis..
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In western Africa ethnomedicine, Lannea barteri Oliv. (Anacardiaceae) is believed to have activity against gastrointestinal, neurological and endocrine diseases. Previous studies on this plant have revealed antimicrobial,... more
In western Africa ethnomedicine, Lannea barteri Oliv. (Anacardiaceae) is believed to have activity against gastrointestinal, neurological and endocrine diseases. Previous studies on this plant have revealed antimicrobial, anticholinestrase, anticonvulsant, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the anticancer potential of L. barteri has not been studied to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticancer potential of hot and cold extracts and silica gel column chromatographic fractions of L. barteri leaf and stem bark. The extracts and fractions were tested for anticancer activity by using the crystal violet cell proliferation assay on four adherent human carcinoma cell lines—5637 (bladder), KYSE 70 (oesophagus), SiSo (cervical) and HepG2 (hepatic). The inhibitory concentration (IC50) of fractions IH, 1I, 2E and 2F were: 3.75 ± 1.33, 3.88 ± 2.15, 0.53 ± 0.41, and 0.42 ± 0.45 µg/mL against KYSE 70 and 1.04 ± 0.94, 2.69 ± 1.17, 2.38 ± 3.64, 2.17 ± 1.92 µg/mL ...
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Alchornea floribunda leaves are widely used in ethnomedicine for the management of immuno-inflammatory disorders. We investigated the in vivo and in vitro antioxidant activity of the leaf extract, fractions and isolated compounds of A.... more
Alchornea floribunda leaves are widely used in ethnomedicine for the management of immuno-inflammatory disorders. We investigated the in vivo and in vitro antioxidant activity of the leaf extract, fractions and isolated compounds of A. floribunda. The ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol leaf extract was subjected to several chromatographic separations to isolate compounds 1-4. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. Oxidative stress was induced with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Further analysis on the isolated phenolic compounds were done using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity tests. The ethyl acetate fraction at 200 mg/kg produced significant (p<0.05) elevations of catalase enzyme activity and a significant (p<0.05) reduction in serum malondialdehyde. The chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate fraction led to...
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Garcinia kola seed is a commonly used social masticatory agent in Africa and is believed to possess many useful medicinal properties. The effect of the seed of G. kola Heckel on the salivary pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin was studied in... more
Garcinia kola seed is a commonly used social masticatory agent in Africa and is believed to possess many useful medicinal properties. The effect of the seed of G. kola Heckel on the salivary pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin was studied in healthy human volunteers. In a 2-way crossover design, ten healthy human volunteer received oral dose of 200 mg ofloxacin and saliva
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ABSTRACT The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols isolated from the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. The anti-inflammatory properties of... more
ABSTRACT The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols isolated from the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. The anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were evaluated on the basis of their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumuor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Semipreparative HPLC separation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (n-BuOH) fractions of the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis led to the isolation of four polyphenols: 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG) (1); (-)-epicatechin-3-O-(3″-O-methyl)-gallate (ECG3″Me) (2); rutin (3) and peltatoside (4). Compounds 1-4 were isolated for the first time from this plant while 1 was isolated for the first time in nature. These compounds (1-4) were readily identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The polyphenols proved to have antiinflammatory activity as evidenced by the suppression of inducible nitric oxide (iNO) and cytokine (TNF-α) levels in the culture supernatant of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. However, the study showed that the quercetin diglycosides showed stronger inhibition of proinflammatory mediators than the epicatechin derivates. These data provide evidence that polyphenolic compounds isolated from the mistletoe parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis may contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α.
Context Alchornea floribunda Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) leaves are widely used in ethnomedicine for the management of rheumatism, arthritis and toothache. Objective In this study, flavonoid glycosides isolated from Alchornea floribunda... more
Context Alchornea floribunda Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) leaves are widely used in ethnomedicine for the management of rheumatism, arthritis and toothache. Objective In this study, flavonoid glycosides isolated from Alchornea floribunda were screened for their effect on the intracellular expression of interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) type-1 cytokines. Materials and methods Chromatographic purification of the ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol leaf extract led to the isolation of seven flavonoid glycosides (1-7). Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Splenocytes were treated with graded concentrations of the compounds (6.25-25 μg/mL) and incubated for 24 h. Thereafter, their effect on the expression of IFNγ and IL-2 by CD4(+ )and CD8(+ )T-lymphocytes was evaluated using intracellular cytokine staining and FACS analysis. Results Compounds 1-7 (6.25-25 μg/mL) caused the up-regulation of activated CD8(+ )(57.85-72.45% versus 57.85% for untreated control) and, to a lesser extent, activated CD4(+ )(3.21-7.21% versus 2.75% for the untreated control) T-lymphocytes that were both largely interferon-gamma-releasing in treated mouse T lymphocytes relative to untreated control. FACS data analysis showed that stimulation with all the compounds increased the proportion of CD8(+)/IFNγ(+ )and CD4(+)/IFNγ(+ )T lymphocytes up to two-fold when compared with the cells in untreated control wells. Intracellular IL-2 secretion by treated T cells was not detected. Conclusion This recorded T-lymphocyte-specific immune-modulatory property may contribute to explain in part the dynamics associated with the ethnomedicine of Alchornea floribunda, and may find relevance as a necessary cellular immune response precursor to infection-associated disease management.
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Research Interests: Plant Biology, Malaria, Medicinal Plants, Phytotherapy, Animals, and 12 moreHigh Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Pharmaceutical Biology, Plant extracts, medicinal & Aromatic plants, Time Factors, Antimalarials, Apocynaceae, Lethal Dose, Plasmodium berghei, Solvents, Plant Leaves, and Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols isolated from the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. The anti-inflammatory properties of the... more
The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of polyphenols isolated from the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn.) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis. The anti-inflammatory properties of the isolated compounds were evaluated on the basis of their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumuor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Semi-preparative HPLC separation of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (n-BuOH) fractions of the leaves of mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn) parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis led to the isolation of four polyphenols: 3-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-(-)-epicatechin (TMECG) (1); (-)-epicatechin-3-O-(3″-O-methyl)-gallate (ECG3″Me) (2); rutin (3) and peltatoside (4). Compounds 1-4 were isolated for the first time from this plant while 1 was isolated for the first time in nature. These compounds (1-4) were readily identified by comparison of th...
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Column fractionation and purification of an n-hexane fraction led to the isolation of three lupeol-based triterpenoid esters from the leaves of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus Linn parasitic on a local kola nut tree,... more
Column fractionation and purification of an n-hexane fraction led to the isolation of three lupeol-based triterpenoid esters from the leaves of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus Linn parasitic on a local kola nut tree, Kola acuminata. These three compounds were adequately characterised using a combination of UV/visible, IR, NMR (¹³C-NMR and ¹H-NMR), DEPT, MS and two-dimensional correlation (H-H COSY, Hetero-nuclear Single Quantum Correlation (HSQC), HMBC, NOE and NOESY) studies as 7β,15α-dihydroxyl-lup-20(29)-ene-3β-esters of palmitic (I), stearic (II) and eicosanoic acids (III). The characterisation of other isolated compounds is ongoing. Remarkably, this is the first report of the existence of fatty acid esters of an unusual 7β,15α-dihydroxylated lupeol in the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe. These isolated compounds might contribute in part to the numerous established bio-activities of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoes.
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This study was carried out to investigate the effect of concurrent oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) on the pharmacokinetic properties of chloroquine sulphate in experimental rabbits. The... more
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of concurrent oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) on the pharmacokinetic properties of chloroquine sulphate in experimental rabbits. The results indicated that concurrent administration of both agents resulted in a significant decrease in serum concentration, slower absorption and elimination as well as longer half-life of chloroquine sulphate. The highest relative decrease of 78.0% was recorded 4 hours after concurrent administration, while the smallest decrease (64.6%) occurred 24 hours after concurrent administration. Significant reductions were also noted in some pharmacokinetic parameters of chloroquine and included the area under the curve (71.9%), maximum serum concentration (69.8%), absorption rate constant (37.3%), elimination rate constant (53.9%), clearance rate (76.5%) and volume of distribution (47.2%). However, there was a pronounced increase in the half-life of the drug (125...
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ABSTRACT Introduction Data on perception, knowledge and the use of herbal medicine by an educated population will be helpful for on-going discussions on forming policies to support integrative medicine within the formal healthcare... more
ABSTRACT Introduction Data on perception, knowledge and the use of herbal medicine by an educated population will be helpful for on-going discussions on forming policies to support integrative medicine within the formal healthcare delivery system in Africa. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and use of herbal medicine by students (n = 1075) and academic staff (n = 177) at the university of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Methods A validated, self-complete 26-item questionnaire was administered anonymously to university staff and students. Results Over 50% of the respondents believed that herbal medicines were effective and should be integrated into the modern health care system. Approximately 70% of the students surveyed had used at least one form of herbal therapy for a number of indications, especially malaria (54.2%) and typhoid fever (36.6%). Recommendations for the use of herbal medicines were made by family and friends (54.4%). There was a relationship between the respondent&#39;s academic field of study and their perceptions. Whereas majority of respondents in Arts, Humanities, and the Social Sciences faculties viewed herbal medicines as natural and completely safe, the majority of their colleagues in Biological Sciences, Veterinary Medicines, Paramedical Sciences, Medicine, and Pharmacy did not agree that herbal medicines are completely safe. The general opinion and perception of herbal medicines by respondents was positive, with a mean perception index of 2.73 on a 4-Likert scale. The majority of study participants had either used or were using one form of herbal medicine or another. Sources of information on herbal medicine were mainly from the electronic and print mass media, friend, peers, and family. Health professionals like doctors, nurses and pharmacist were not popular sources of information on herbal medicine; however, majority of respondents preferred that prescriptions of herbal medicines were issued by doctors and would like to see their use in hospitals. Conclusion The results of this study indicated that most of participants used herbal medicines, were sufficiently aware of herbal medicine and had a general positive attitude towards its usage.
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Screening of a panel of purified compounds isolated from Aglaia sp. (Meliaceae) for inhibition of early steps in the lentiviral replication cycle led to the identification of the 3, 4-secodammarane triterpenoid, ignT1, which inhibited... more
Screening of a panel of purified compounds isolated from Aglaia sp. (Meliaceae) for inhibition of early steps in the lentiviral replication cycle led to the identification of the 3, 4-secodammarane triterpenoid, ignT1, which inhibited HIV-1 infection potently (IC(50)=0.48microg/ml), while cytotoxic effects and inhibition of cell proliferation were only observed at concentrations exceeding 10.69microg/ml. Time of addition experiments revealed similar kinetics to the non-nucleoside RT-inhibitor (NNRTI), Nevirapine, although the latter was significantly less cytotoxic. However, unlike Nevirapine, dammarenolic acid also potently inhibited the in vitro replication of other retroviruses, including Simian immunodeficiency virus and Murine leukemic virus in vector-based antiviral screening studies. Interestingly, the methyl ester analogue of dammarenolic acid-methyldammarenolate had no anti-HIV-1 activity. Cell cycle analysis revealed that ignT1 arrests HeLa cells at the S and G2/M phase. T...
Research Interests: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Kinetics, Cell Cycle, HIV, Phytomedicine, and 15 moreHumans, Mice, Animals, HeLa cells, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Cell Proliferation, Esters, Methyl Ester, Cytotoxins, Molecular Structure, Nevirapine, Aglaia, Haplorhini, Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences, and HIV infections
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ABSTRACT Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of Corynespora cassiicola, an endophytic fungus of Gongronema latifolium, afforded three new secondary metabolites, including corynesidone D (1), corynether B (2) and corynether... more
ABSTRACT Chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of Corynespora cassiicola, an endophytic fungus of Gongronema latifolium, afforded three new secondary metabolites, including corynesidone D (1), corynether B (2) and corynether lactone A (3), together with four known derivatives. The structures of the new compounds were deduced on the basis of 1D- and 2D-dimensional NMR spectroscopy as well as by high resolution mass spectrometry. Compounds 1 and 4-6 were tested for their ability to modulate the chaperoning activity of the Hsp90 chaperoning machine in vitro using 17-allylamino-demethoxygeldamycin (17-AAG) as a positive control. Unfortunately, no effect on the Hsp90 chaperoning machine has been observed.
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Chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal failure, and liver diseases are increasing worldwide and constitute a huge burden on health care costs, with attendant high morbidity and debility. Despite advances in modern medicine, there are... more
Chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal failure, and liver diseases are increasing worldwide and constitute a huge burden on health care costs, with attendant high morbidity and debility. Despite advances in modern medicine, there are still no licensed drugs that satisfactorily restore lost kidney or hepatic functions. In this study the chemoprotective effects of the hot aqueous extract of a local edible oyster mushroom, Pleurotus tuberregium (APTR), was evaluated in experimental liver and kidney toxicities. The effect of APTR on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)- and paracetamol (PCM)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats was investigated by determining serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Short-term oral treatment with APTR (100 and 250 mg/kg) significantly reduced (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) the increased concentrations of AST, ALT, and ALP induced in both PCM and CCl4 models of liver toxicity. APTR (100 and 250 mg/kg) decreased the mean serum AST concentrations by as much as 73.00% and 99.37%, respectively, in PCM-treated rats. Nephroprotection was assessed by determining the serum concentrations of creatinine and urea, as well as antioxidant enzymes, in kidney tissue homogenates after a repeated high dose of gentamicin. APTR (100 and 250 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) in the escalated serum concentrations of creatinine and urea by as much as 48.36% and 41.53%, respectively, compared to control. Similarly, levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in kidney tissue were increased in a dose-related manner in groups that received oral APTR supplementation. The results of this study suggest that the consumption of our local edible mushroom, P. tuberregium, could, in addition to its high nutritive value, protect the liver and kidneys from oxidative damage caused by drugs and toxicants such as CCl4 and high doses of gentamicin and PCM.
Research Interests: Treatment Outcome, Nigeria, Kidney, Liver, Animals, and 13 moreMedicinal mushrooms, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Pleurotus, Carbon Tetrachloride, Wistar Rats, Acetaminophen, Liver Failure, Liver function tests, Gentamicins, Complex Mixtures, renal insufficiency, Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences, and Kidney function tests
In this study, we investigated a herbal ointment containing Dissotis theifolia extract for wound healing and antibacterial activities against clinical wound isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ointment... more
In this study, we investigated a herbal ointment containing Dissotis theifolia extract for wound healing and antibacterial activities against clinical wound isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ointment batches containing different concentrations of the D. theifolia extract was applied topically to both infected and uninfected wounds inflicted on rats and the rate of wound closure assessed by wound
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Extracts of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiacea) is used in the traditional medicine of Africa and Latin America to treat many inflammatory conditions, with repeated claims of efficacy. However, there are no scientific data yet to support... more
Extracts of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiacea) is used in the traditional medicine of Africa and Latin America to treat many inflammatory conditions, with repeated claims of efficacy. However, there are no scientific data yet to support these claims and the mechanism through which the extract may be acting is still unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the methanolic extract of the leaf of S. mombin (SM) on inflammation and to uncover some of the possible mechanisms that could explain any observed changes. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was investigated in Wistar rats using intraplantar injection of carrageenan as an in vivo model of inflammation. The effect of oral supplementation of the SM extract on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels after an intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 mg/kg) challenge was investigated in mice. The effect of SM on TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide (iNO) production by LPS-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BM-MØ) was also investigated in vitro. BM-MØ were preincubated for 2 h with SM (0-100 μg/ml), activated with LPS, and then TNF-α and NO production measured in the cell-free conditioned culture supernatant after 24 h of incubation. The study showed that pre-treatment of rats with the SM extract (at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, per os) caused a significant dose-related inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema over a 4-h period. In treated mice, LPS-inducible (systemic) TNF-α levels were found to be significantly lower as a result of their receiving the SM extract. In vitro, SM treatment caused a dose-dependent decrease in LPS-inducible TNF-α and NO production by BM-MØ compared to the effects of treatment of the cells with LPS alone. Taken together, the results of these studies suggest that supplementation with SM extract can alleviate inflammatory responses and that this could possibly be via a suppression of the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines such as TNF-α and iNO.
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ObjectiveTo explore antidiabetic principles of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus Linn. parasitic on Persea Americana.
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Research Interests: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Plant Biology, Pharmacognosy, Comparative Study, Phytotherapy, and 15 moreHumans, Mice, Animals, Animal Model, In Vivo, Plant extracts, Euphorbiaceae, Edema, Phytosterols, Erythrocytes, Planta, Molecular Structure, Hemolysis, Cell Membrane, and Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
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We conducted a study in out-patient pharmacies in South-eastern Nigeria in order to determine the extent of self-medication of antimicrobial agents in this area, assess the dosing error associated with this practice and to ascertain the... more
We conducted a study in out-patient pharmacies in South-eastern Nigeria in order to determine the extent of self-medication of antimicrobial agents in this area, assess the dosing error associated with this practice and to ascertain the extent of involvement of community pharmacies. A survey was carried out daily in selected community pharmacies for a period of 90 days. Data were collected on the number of patients visiting these shops for antimicrobial agents, the number getting their medication with a prescription, the number getting their order without prescription and on the type and dose of antimicrobial agents received. MAIN OUT-COME MEASURE: The percentage of patients with prescription and without prescription was compared. The percentage under-dosages or over-dosages associated with how each antimicrobial agent was obtained were compared. The total DDDs of antimicrobial agents dispensed within this period with and without prescription were compared. A total of 4,128 outpatients visited the shops for antimicrobial agents within the period and were involved in the study. Of this number, 1,742 (42.2%) came with a prescription from qualified medical personnel and 2,386 (57.8%) came without a prescription. A total of 13,693.13 DDDs of antimicrobial agents was dispensed, of which 56.38% was dispensed with prescription and 43.62% was dispensed without prescription. The degrees of under-dosing were significantly (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) higher in regimen filled without prescription when compared to those filled with prescription. Majority of the patients in this region still obtains their antimicrobial agents without a proper prescription, which is associated with sub-therapeutic dosing of these agents. There is a need for better regulation of antimicrobial agents dispensing and utilization in the region.
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Column fractionation and purification of an n-hexane fraction led to the isolation of three lupeol-based triterpenoid esters from the leaves of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus Linn parasitic on a local kola nut tree,... more
Column fractionation and purification of an n-hexane fraction led to the isolation of three lupeol-based triterpenoid esters from the leaves of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus Linn parasitic on a local kola nut tree, Kola acuminata. These three compounds were adequately characterised using a combination of UV/visible, IR, NMR (¹³C-NMR and ¹H-NMR), DEPT, MS and two-dimensional correlation (H-H COSY, Hetero-nuclear Single Quantum Correlation (HSQC), HMBC, NOE and NOESY) studies as 7β,15α-dihydroxyl-lup-20(29)-ene-3β-esters of palmitic (I), stearic (II) and eicosanoic acids (III). The characterisation of other isolated compounds is ongoing. Remarkably, this is the first report of the existence of fatty acid esters of an unusual 7β,15α-dihydroxylated lupeol in the Eastern Nigeria mistletoe. These isolated compounds might contribute in part to the numerous established bio-activities of the Eastern Nigeria mistletoes.