Evaluation of Antitrypanosomal and Anti Inflammatory Activities of Selected Nigerian Medicinal Plants in Mice

The extracts of nine selected Nigerian medicinal plants were investigated on Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected mice. The anti-inflammatory properties of hexane fraction of the most promising U. chamae extract was assessed by acute oedema of the mice paw model while the modulatory effect of the extract on Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) response on in vivo leucocytes mobilization was evaluated. ‘Dose-probing acute toxicity tests’ established an oral and intraperitoneal LD₅₀ for T. ivorensis stem bark as >1600 < 5000 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg respectively, while the oral LD₅₀ of Uvaria. chamae was >5000 mg/kg. Extracts of Khaya senegalensis, Harungana madagascariensis, Terminalia ivorensis, Curcuma longa, Ocimum gratissimum and Alcornea cordifolia showed weak anti-trypanosomal effect and did not exhibit significant clearance in parasitemia at the test dose administered compared with the positive control (Diminal®). However, the leaf extract of U. chamae and its hexane fraction demonstrated a significant response (P < 0.01). The fraction at 1000 mg/kg inhibited oedema by 107%. Uvaria. chamae demonstrated both antitrypanosomal and anti-inflammatory properties by increasing the survival time of infected mice due to reduction in parasitemia caused by T. brucei brucei.     

Anti-Nociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Aqueous Leaves Extract of Ocimum Gratissimum (Labiate) in Rodents

The aqueous leaves extract of Ocimum gratissimum was investigated for anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in mice and rats. The models used to study the effect on nociception are the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test, hot- plate method in mice. The anti-inflammatory effect was investigated employing the formalin-induced hind-paw oedema in rats. The extract caused a significant (p<0.05), dose-dependent inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate method. The extract also exhibited anti-inflammatory effect which was significant (P<0.001) at all the three doses. The intraperitoneal LD₅₀ value of the extract was 1264.9mg/kg body weight in mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. The results suggest the extract contained pharmacologically active principles, and supports the local application of the plant in painful and inflammatory conditions.     

Ocimum gratissmum aqueous extract reduces plasma lipid in hypercholesterol-fed hamsters

Objectives: Hyperlipidemia is a significant risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis and related diseases which are major health problem in many developed and developing countries that can lead to fatality due to the changes in lifestyle and dietary habits in this modern age.Methods: In the present study, the Ocimum gratissimum aqueous extract (OGE) was tested for the lowering effect on the serum lipid level of male hamsters on a high-fat (12%) and high-cholesterol (0.2%) diet (HFCD).Results: The results showed that the levels of serum high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerols (TG) were increased in the HFCD group (113±11, 259±87, 629±175 and 625±262, respectively), as compared to the control normal diet group (51±8, 19±5, 77±16 and 101±44, respectively). When co-treated with various doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) of the OGE or rosuvastatin, the rats exhibited the restoration of normal serum LDL-C, TC, and TG levels.Conclusion: Therefore, we suggest that the Ocimum gratissimum aqueous extract may have the potential function of lowering serum lipid in rats.     

Subacute toxicity study of the methanolic seed extract of Buchholzia coriacea (Capparaceae) in rats

The methanol extract of Buchholzia coriacea seed has shown some anti-trypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The acute toxicity test of this extract showed no signs of toxicity. This present study was designed to assess its sub-acute toxicity in rats. Rats of both sexes were dosed daily with 125, 250 and 500?mg/kg body weight of the extract by oral gavage for 28?days. Dosing with the extract showed no significant effect on body weights. The temperatures of extract-treated rats were significantly (p?<?0.05) higher during the first and last weeks of the experiment. There were also significant reductions (p?<?0.05) of red and white blood cell counts, packed cell volumes and haemoglobin concentrations in the extract-treated animals. Blood biochemistry revealed no significant changes. On necropsy, pale mucous membranes, bile stains on spleen, congestion of the lungs and caudal lobes of the liver were evident in the extract-treated rats. There were significant (p?<?0.05) reductions in relative liver weights of the extract-treated male rats. Twenty-eight days dosing of rats with the methanol extract of B. coriacea seed caused signs of toxicity at the tested doses.     

Phytochemical and In Vitro Antimicrobial Assay of the Leaf Extract of Newbouldia Laevis

The methanolic leaf extract of Newbouldia laevis was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and in-vitro antimicrobial tests. The extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, steroidal and cardiac glycosides. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extract was assayed by the agar plate disc diffusion and nutrient broth dilution techniques. Test microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella spp. and Candida albicans; all the organisms were laboratory isolates. The extract inhibited the growth of all the test organisms especially against Klebsiella spp. and S. aureus which had mean inhibition zone of 42.3±1.5 and 32.3±1.5 mm respectively. The results showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.563 mg/ml against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. and 3.125 mg/ml against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi. The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was 0.39 mg/ml. This study has justified the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of stomach discomfort, diarrhea, dysentery and as a remedy for wound healing whose causative agents are some of the organisms used in this study.     

In Vitro Assessment of Antioxidant,Phytochemical and Nutritional Properties of Extracts from the Leaves of Ocimum Gratissimum (Linn)

The antioxidant, phytochemical and nutritional properties of acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum (Linn) were investigated to evaluate the therapeutic and nutritional potential of the leaves of this plant. The antioxidant of the plant extracts were assessed against 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and ferric reducing agent. Total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidins were determined to assess their corresponding effect on the antioxidant activity of this plant. The extracts exhibited DPPH and ABTS^.+ radical scavenging activities, which was comparable to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponin, steroids, cardiacglycoside, flavonoid, terpenoids and phenol. The proximate analysis confirms that the leaves contain appreciable amount of ash, crude protein, lipids, fibre and carbohydrates. The macro and micro elements and constituents revealed that the leaves contain significant amount of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, copper, nitrogen, and manganese. This study shows that the leaf can be used as a therapeutic agent and justifies its application in folkloric medicine.     

Experimental Evaluation of the Impact of Maternal Consumption of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Hybanthus Enneaspermus on Pregnancy in Sprague Dawley Rats

The impact of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus (HEaq) on pregnancy factors and litter survival was investigated in Sprague Dawley (SD) rat. Control group received distilled water while the test group received 2g/kg body weight of HEaq orally. Blood samples were collected on days one and twenty of pregnancy for total blood count, serum thyroid hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) assay. Half the number of rats in each group was sacrificed on day nineteen of pregnancy and the placenta and foetus were removed and weighed. The second half carried their pregnancy to term. Number and weights of litter were recorded at birth and the litter were also subjected to righting reflex test. Post-natal survival rate was determined for each group while effect of HEaq was also examined in-vivo on the activities of pregnant myometrial muscle. HEaq significantly decreased (p<0.05) foetal weight, placenta weight, foetal growth and survival, number and weights of litter at birth, maternal serum triiodotyroxine T₃ and TSH level. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin, white blood cell count, platelet count and lipid profile were significantly increased (P<0.05). HEaq increased the frequency and percentage contraction of gravid myometrial muscle in a dose dependent manner. Maternal consumption of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus adversely affected pregnancy and development of the foetus, as it precipitated resorption of developing foetus and reduced size and weight of litter at term.     

Anthelminthic Efficacy of Aqueous Extract of Acanthus Montanus Leaf Against Strongylid Nematodes of Small Ruminants

The anthelminthic efficacy of the crude aqueous extract of Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anders (Acanthaceae) against strongylid nematodes of small ruminants was investigated using the in-vitro egg hatch and larval growth inhibition assays. Faecal samples collected per rectum from sheep and goats were subjected to parasitological examination using the McMaster counting technique with a yield of 700 eggs per gram (E.P.G.) of faeces. Crude aqueous leaf extract of Acanthus montanus was extracted using cold water extraction with a yield of 13.01% w/w. Egg hatch assay revealed a 91.75% reduction in egg hatch at concentration of 25mg/ml of the extract. The extract had a 100% inhibition, at 200mg/ml concentration which was equivalent to the activity of 3.125mg/ml albendazole. The distilled water control however, showed a 0% inhibition. Larval growth inhibition assay results showed the extract on Day 1 at 25mg/ml and 200mg/ml concentrations yielded 67.02% and 85.26% larval inhibition. On Day 2, 100% inhibition was obtained on all concentrations of the extract except for 25mg/ml that yielded 88.30%. Albendazole however, had a 100% larval inhibition for all concentrations on Day 2. A 100% larval inhibition was recorded on Day 3 from the 25mg/ml concentrations. The mean percentage larval inhibition of the extract at 200mg/ml (92.63%) was comparable to the standard anthelminthic (albendazole) at 12.50mg/ml (92.28%). These findings showed that there is a pharmacological basis for the folkloric claim of the anthelminthic effect of Acanthus montanus.     

Bioactive Diterpenes and Sesquiterpenes from the Rhizomes of Wild Ginger (Siphonochilus Aethiopicus (Schweinf) B.L Burtt)

Wild ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Schweinf) B.L Burtt) is used in traditional medicines in the West and South of Africa. In the present study, the crude hexane extract of wild ginger was evaluated for in vitro bioactivity. The components isolated from the plant for the first time are: epi-curzerenone, furanodienone (sesquiterpenes), 8(17),12E-labdadiene-15,16-dial, 15-hydroxy-8(17),12E-labdadiene-16-al and 16-oxo-8(17),12E-labdadiene-15-oic acid (labdanes). Cytotoxicity determinations using five cell lines: SH-SY5Y (human, Caucasian, bone marrow, neuroblastoma), Jurkat (human, peripheral blood, leukaemia T cell), L929 (mouse, CH3/connective tissue, areolar and adipose tumour cells), Hep G2 (human, Caucasian, hepatocellular carcinoma) and Hs 27 (normal, human, foreskin cells) were carried out. Anti-trypanosomal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (S427) blood stream forms and anti-bacterial activity against Mycobacterium aurum (CIP .104482) were also investigated. Activity against M. aurum was moderate and at 100µg/ml, the crude extract together with the labdanes showed specific cytotoxicity, indicating anti-cancer potency. Anti-trypanosomal activity was observed in the crude extract which increased with the pure components: 8(17),12E-labdadiene-15,16-dial (MIC = 5.3 µM) and the sesquiterpenoids (MIC = 6.9 µM) as compared to suramin activity (MIC = 10 µM). This anti-trypanosomal activity which is being reported for the first time indicates possible usage against sleeping sickness and nagana in cattle.     

Lactogenic Activity of Rats Stimulated by Gunnera Perpensa L. (Gunneraceae) from South Africa

Gunnera perpensa L. (Gunneraceae) is a medicinal plant used by Zulu traditional healers to stimulate milk production. The effect of an aqueous extract of the rhizome of the plant on milk production in rats was investigated. Female lactating rats that received oral doses of the extract of G.perpensa significantly (p<0.05) produced more milk than controls. The plant extract did not however, significantly influence the levels of prolactin, growth hormone, progesterone, cortisol, ALT, AST and albumin in the blood. The mammary glands of rats treated with the extract showed lobuloalveolar development. The extract (0.8 µg/ml) was also found to stimulate the contraction of the uterus and inhibit (23%) acetylcholinesterase activity. The cytotoxicity of the extract (LC₅₀) to two human cell lines (HEK293 and HepG2) was 279.43 µg/ml and 222.33µg/ml, respectively. It is inferred that the plant extract exerts its activity on milk production and secretion by stimulating lobuloalveolar cell development and the contraction of myoepithelial cells in the alveoli. It is concluded that Gunnera perpensa contains constituents with lactogenic activity that apparently contribute to its effectiveness in folk medicine.     

Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Justicia Insularis T. Anders (Acanthaceae) on Ovarian Folliculogenesis and Fertility of Female Rats

Justicia insularis T. Anders (Acanthaceae) is a medicinal plant whose leaves and those of three other plants are mixed for the preparation of a concoction used to improve fertility and to reduce labour pains in women of the Western Region of Cameroon. Previous studies have demonstrated the inducing potential on ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis of the aqueous extract of the leaf mixture (ADHJ) of four medicinal plants (Aloe buettneri, Dicliptera verticillata, Hibiscus macranthus and Justicia insularis) among which the later represented the highest proportion. This study was aimed at evaluating the ovarian inducing potential of J. insularis in immature female rats. Various doses of the aqueous extract of J. insularis were daily and orally given, for 20 days, to immature female rats distributed into four experimental groups of twenty animals each. At the end of the experimental period some biochemical and physiological parameters of ovarian function were assayed. The administration of the aqueous extract of Justicia insularis significantly induced an early vaginal opening in all treated groups (P < 0.001) as well as an increase (at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg) in the number of hemorrhagic points, Corpus luteum, implantation sites, ovarian weight, uterine and ovarian proteins. Ovarian cholesterol level (P < 0.05) significantly decreased in animals treated with the lowest dose (12.5 mg/kg). The evaluation of the toxicological effects of the extract on pregnancy showed that it significantly increased pre- and post-implantation losses, resorption index and decreased the rate of nidation as well as litter''s weight. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of Justicia insularis induces ovarian folliculogenesis thus justifying its high proportion in the leaf mixture of ADHJ.     

Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts and Topical Products of the Stem Bark of Spathodea Campanulata for Wound Healing

The antibacterial activity of the aqueous, ethanol, methanol and petroleum ether Soxhlet extracts of sundried stem bark of Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) was investigated by testing the extracts against B. subtilis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the methanol extract was determined against the four bacteria strains and C. albicans using the broth dilution method. Four topical products were prepared by incorporating the methanol extract of S. campanulata (20 % w/w) into aqueous cream, soft paraffin, emulsifying ointment and simple ointment bases and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial efficacy. The effect of storage time on the activity of the methanol extract of S. campanulata and S. campanulata extract incorporated in aqueous cream base was also investigated. The methanol and ethanol extracts showed good activity while the aqueous and petroleum ether extracts exhibited little activity. The methanol extract showed the best antibacterial activity. The MIC of the methanol extract of S. campanulata was: C. albicans (45 – 50 mg/ml), B. subtilis and E. coli (50 – 55 mg/ml), P. aeruginosa (60 – 65 mg/ml), S. aureus (145 – 150 mg/ml). Antimicrobial activity of S. campanulata in the topical bases was in the order: aqueous cream > emulsifying ointment > simple ointment > white soft paraffin. Antimicrobial activity of S. campanulata in aqueous cream decreased (p < 0.05) upon storage at room temperature for 6-months. The antifungal activity of the methanol extract of S. campanulata was reduced (p < 0.05) upon storage while antibacterial activity was largely unaffected.     

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Effects of Ziziphus Mauritiana Lam. Leaf Extracts Against Chronic Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rat Liver

Chronic alcohol ingestion is known to increase the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby leading to liver damage. Antioxidant enzymes act individually or in combination to reduce or counter the effect of these ROS. Chronic administration of alcohol at (40% v/v, 1ml/100g), for 6 weeks showed a significant (p<0.05) elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TB). There was also a significant (p<0.05) decreased levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase compared to control rats. Pre-treatment of rats with 200, 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract of Ziziphus mauritiana or 100 mg/kg silymarin resulted in a significant (p<0.05) decreased levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and TB with levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase showing a significant (p<0.05) increase compared to group administered alcohol only. Histopathology of rat liver administered with alcohol only resulted in severe necrosis, mononuclear cell aggregation and fatty degeneration in the central and mid zonal areas which was a characteristic of a damaged liver. Pre-treatment with the aqueous extract of Ziziphus mauritiana or silymarin reduced the morphological changes that are associated with chronic alcohol administration. The presence of tannins, saponins and phenolic compounds observed in the plant extract could be responsible for the observed effects of decreasing the levels of injured tissue marker and lipid peroxidation.     

Evaluation of the In Vivo Activity of Different Concentrations of Clerodendrum Umbellatum Poir Against Schistosoma Mansoni Infection in Mice

Clerodendrum umbellatum Poir (Verbenaceae) is traditionally used in Cameroon for the treatment of many diseases including intestinal helminthiasis. This study was undertaken to assess the in vivo antischistosomal activity of its leaves aqueous extract on a Schistosoma mansoni mice model and to determine the most effective dose of this extract. Mice showing a patent infection of S. mansoni were daily treated with C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract at the doses of 40, 80 or 160 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. Seven days after administration of the extract, schistosomicidal activity was evaluated on the liver and spleen weights, faecal eggs releasing, liver egg count and worm burden. Treatment using C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract resulted in an important reduction in faecal egg output by 75.49 % and 85.14 % for 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg of the extract respectively. These reduction rates did not differ significantly from the 100 % obtained in the group of infected mice treated with 100 mg/kg of praziquantel. C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract was lethal to S. mansoni worm. A 100 % reduction rate was recorded in the group of infected mice treated with 160 mg/kg of the extract, as well as in praziquantel-treated mice. An amelioration of the hepatosplenomegaly was noticed in both the extract-treated mice and the praziquantel-treated mice. From these results, we can conclude that C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract demonstrated schistosomicidal properties in S. mansoni model at doses of at least 80 mg/kg body weight.     

Comparative Study of Leaf and Stem Bark Extracts of Parkia Biglobosa Against Enterobacteria

Hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaf and stem bark of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) Benth. (Mimosaceae) were tested against clinical isolates Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae and Enterococcus faecalis, and corresponding collection strains E. coli CIP 105 182, Salmonella enterica CIP 105 150, Shigella dysenteriae CIP 54-51 and Enterococcus faecalis CIP 103 907. Discs of Gentamicin, a broad spectrum antibiotic were used as positive controls. The results showed that all the extracts possess antimicrobial activities. A comparative study of the antibacterial activity of the leaves and that of the bark showed that for all the tested microorganisms, the hydroalcoholic extract of the bark is more active than the aqueous extract of the leaf. The hydroethanolic extract of the leaves is as effective as the aqueous extract of the stem bark prescribed by the traditional healer, suggesting it is possible to use leaves other than the roots and bark. The phytochemical screening showed that sterols and triterpenes, saponosides, tannins, reducing compounds, coumarins, anthocyanosides, flavonosides are present in both bark and leaf but in different concentrations.     

Erythrocytic profile of rats infected with T. brucei brucei and treated with a combination of Azadirachta indica leaf extract and diminazene diaceturate

This study investigated the erythrocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and treated with a combination of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and diminazene diaceturate (DDA). Acute toxicity study of the drug and extract combinations was carried; selection of the best drug and extract combinations was carried out using 54 rats of both sexes separated into nine groups. Three dose combinations were derived from the selection of the best drug and extract combinations used for the final study, viz: 7?mg/kg body weight (bw) DDA plus 125?mg/kg bw extract (group B), 3.5?mg/kg bw DDA plus 250?mg/kg bw extract (group C) and 1.8?mg/kg bw DDA plus 500?mg/kg bw extract (group D). The final study had, in addition to the three groups derived from the dose–response study, four other groups, viz: uninfected untreated negative control (group F), infected and treated with 3,000?mg/kg bw extract alone (group E), infected and treated with 7?mg/kg bw DDA alone (group A) and infected untreated positive control (group G). The parameters assessed were onset of parasitaemia (OP), level of parasitaemia (LOP), clearance of parasites posttreatment (COPPT), relapse of infection period (RIP), red blood cell counts (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV). There was no significant difference (p?<?0.05) in OP between the groups. A day following treatment, the LOP of groups A, B and C was found to be significantly lower (p?<?0.05) than that of group D (p?<?0.05) which in turn was lower (p?<?0.05) than that of group E and G, respectively. The mean LOP of group E was significantly (p?<?0.05) lower than group G (p?<?0.05) 2?days posttreatment, and this trend continued throughout the experimental period. Mean COPPT of group D was significantly (p?<?0.05) longer than that of groups A, C and B. There was no significant difference (p?<?0.05) in the mean COPPT among groups B, C and A. The mean RIP of group D was significantly shorter (p?<?0.05) than group C, and that of group C was significantly shorter (p?<?0.05) than group A. There was no relapse of infection in group B rats. Group B rats had significantly higher (p?<?0.05) PCV and RBC counts when compared to other infected groups. Group E rats had significantly higher (p?<?0.05) PCV and RBC counts when compared to group G rats. It was concluded that dose combination of 125?mg/kg bw extract plus 7?mg/kg bw DDA led to significant enhancement of erythrocytic profile and potentiation of diminazene in its trypanocidal activity. This combination therapy proved to be better than single therapy of DDA.     

Anthelmintic Efficacy of Nauclea Latifolia Extract Against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Sheep: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Direct effects of Nauclea latifolia extracts on different gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep is described. In vivo and in vitro studies were conducted to determine possible anthelmintic effect of leaf extracts of Nauclea latifolia toward different ovine gastro intestinal nematodes. A larval development assay was used to investigate in vitro, the effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of N. latifolia towards strongyles larvae. The development and survival of infective larvae (L₃) was assessed and best-fit LC₅₀ values were computed by global model of non-linear regression analysis curve-fitting (95% CI). Twenty sheep harbouring naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematodes were treated with oral administration of ethanolic extracts at a dose rate of 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg to evaluate therapeutic efficacy, in vivo.The presence of the extracts in the cultures decreased the survival of larvae. The LC₅₀ of aqueous and ethanolic extract were 0.704 and 0.650 mg/ml respectively and differ significantly (P<0.05, paired t test). Faecal egg counts (FEC) on day 12 after treatment showed that the extract is effective, relative to control (1-way ANOVA, Dunnett''s multiple comparison test), at 500mg/kg against Haemonchus spp, Trichostrongylus spp (p<0.05), Strongyloides spp (P < 0.01); at 250mg/kg against Trichuris spp (P < 0.01) and ineffective against Oesophagostomum spp (p>0.05). The effect of doses is extremely significant; the day after treatment is sometimes significant while interaction between dose and day after treatment is insignificant (2-way ANOVA).N. latifolia extract could therefore find application in the control of helminth in livestock, by the ethnoveterinary medicine approach.     

A Study on Inhibitory Effect of Spica Prunellae Extract on T Lymphoma Cell EL-4 Tumour

The objective of the study was to investigate the in-vivo anti-tumour activity of Spica prunellae extract, and to preliminarily explore the possible mechanism of in-vivo anti-tumour effect of Spica prunellae extract. Tumour inhibition rate and tumour apoptosis-related protein status were determined using the mice model of transplanted T lymphoma cell EL-4 tumour, and by immunohistochemical method. The results revealed that Spica prunellae extract showed certain tumour inhibitory effect, and compared with the model group. Tumour weight in Spica prunellae high-dose group was highly significantly different (P<0.01). Tumour weight in Spica prunellae medium-dose group was also significantly different (P<0.05) compared with the model group. Spica prunellae high-dose group enabled the high expression of Bcl-2 protein (47.54%) and low expression of Bax protein (13.14%). The study concluded that Spica prunellae extract has certain in vivo anti-tumour effect, which may be achieved through regulation of apoptosis related proteins.     

Changes in the pathogenicity of relapsed diminazene aceturate (DA)-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei as the trypanosomes are transmitted from DA-treated hosts to another set of animals

This study investigated the changes in pathogenicity of relapsed diminazene aceturate (DA)-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei (TBB) as the trypanosomes are transmitted from DA-treated hosts to another set of animals. The Federe strain of T. brucei brucei which was known to be DA resistant was used to infect two groups of rats, one of which was treated at the peak of infection. There was temporary clearance of the trypanosomes from blood of the treated group and subsequent relapse of the infection. The relapsed trypanosomes were used to infect a group of rats (group A1), and the pathogenicity of the relapsed T. brucei brucei in this rat group was compared to that of a group infected with primary T. brucei brucei stock that was not treated with DA (group B1). Results showed that when compared with the B1 rats, the A1 group had a slower onset of parasitaemia, significantly lower (p < 0.01) level of parasitaemia all through the study, significantly longer (p < 0.01) time period to reach peak parasitaemia, significantly longer (p < 0.01) post-infection survival time and significantly higher (p < 0.05) packed cell volume from day 6 post-infection. Further sequential transmission of this same T. brucei brucei infection to another group of rats (A2 and B2) produced the same effects on the above parameters used to assess pathogenicity. It was concluded that beyond temporarily clearing trypanosomes from blood of treated animals, treatment with DA reduces the pathogenicity of DA-resistant T. brucei brucei, and this reduced pathogenicity is carried on as the T. brucei brucei is further sequentially transmitted to another set of animals.