狭基线纹香茶菜对D-半乳糖胺所致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用

目的研究狭基线纹香茶菜对D-半乳糖胺(D-Gal)所致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用.方法60只大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、高中低剂量给药组、阳性对照组.给药组按15、7.5、3.75 g/kg剂量以狭基线纹香茶菜水提物灌胃,阳性对照组按45 mg/kg联苯双酯灌胃,共7 d.灌胃给药第6 d,模型组和给药组按550 mg/kg体重腹腔注射D-Gal一次.第11 d末次给药24 h(腹腔注射36 h)后,测定血清生化指标,并测体重和肝脏重、脾重、胸腺重,求脏器系数,同时切取肝脏检测肝糖原,取肝组织作病理观察.结果狭基线纹香茶菜可显著降低急性肝损伤大鼠血清ALT、AST、ALP水平和TBA、T-Bil含量,促进血清中TP、ALB和肝组织中肝糖原的增加,对肝重量增大和胸腺萎缩有抑制作用,病理检查结果也显示有明显的保肝作用.结论狭基线纹香茶菜对D-Gal所致大鼠急性肝损伤有保护作用,其作用与多环节有关.     

决明子水提物对D-半乳糖中毒大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用

目的研究决明子水提物对D-半乳糖所致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法50只大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、大剂量给药组、小剂量给药组、阳性对照组5个组。给药组按10,5 g/kg剂量;阳性对照组按0.2 g/kg联苯双酯灌胃;正常组、模型组以等体积生理盐水灌胃,共5 d。第4天,模型组和给药组按0.5 g/kg剂量腹腔注射D-半乳糖,正常组腹腔注射等体积生理盐水。腹腔注射D-半乳糖24 h后,摘眼球取血,用比色分析法测定大鼠血清天冬氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、丙氨酸转氨酶(AST)的活性,血清、线粒体超氧化歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)的活性及丙二醛(MDA)的含量。结果决明子水提物显著降低因D-半乳糖所致急性肝损伤大鼠血清ALT的升高;对急性肝损伤大鼠血清SOD,GSH-PX的活性有明显的升高作用及降低MDA的含量。结论决明子水提物对D-半乳糖所致大鼠急性肝损伤有保护作用。     

龙胆草水提物对D-半乳糖中毒大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用

目的:研究龙胆草水提物对D-半乳糖所致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法:50只大鼠随机分为正常组,模型组,大、小剂量给药组,阳性对照组5组。给药组按10 g/kg5、g/kg剂量,阳性对照组按0.2 g/kg联苯双酯灌胃,正常组、模型组以等体积生理盐水灌胃,共5 d。第4天,模型组和给药组按0.5 g/kg剂量腹腔注射D-半乳糖,正常组腹腔注射等体积生理盐水。腹腔注射D-半乳糖24 h后,摘眼球取血,用比色分析法测定大鼠血清天冬氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、丙氨酸转氨酶(AST)的活性,血清、线粒体超氧化歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)的活性及丙二醛(MDA)的含量。结果:龙胆草水提物显著降低因D-半乳糖所致急性肝损伤大鼠血清ALT的升高,明显升高急性肝损伤大鼠血清SOD、GSH-PX的活性,可降低MDA的含量。结论:龙胆草水提物对D-半乳糖所致大鼠急性肝损伤有保护作用。     

漏芦水提物对D-半乳糖中毒大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用

目的研究漏芦水提物对D-半乳糖所致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法50只大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、大、小剂量给药组、阳性对照组5个组。给药组按10,5 g/kg剂量,阳性对照组按0.2 g/kg联苯双酯灌胃,正常组、模型组以等体积生理盐水灌胃,共5 d。第4天,模型组和给药组按0.5 g/kg剂量腹腔注射D-半乳糖,正常组腹腔注射等体积生理盐水。腹腔注射D-半乳糖24 h后,摘眼球取血,用比色分析法测定大鼠血清天冬氨酸转氨酶(aspartate transam inase,ALT)、丙氨酸转氨酶(alan ine transam inase,AST)的活性,血清、线粒体超氧化歧化酶(superoxide d ismutase,SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutath ione perioxidase,GSH-PX)的活性及丙二醛(m alond ialdehyde,MDA)的含量。结果漏芦水提物显著降低因D-半乳糖所致急性肝损伤大鼠血清ALT、AST的升高;对急性肝损伤大鼠血清、线粒体SOD,GSH-PX的活性有明显的升高作用及降低MDA的含量。结论漏芦水提物对D-半乳糖所致大鼠急性肝损伤有保护作用。     

消炎利胆片防治大鼠急性肝损伤的实验研究

目的:研究消炎利胆片(穿心莲、溪黄草、苦木等)对大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法:分别采用四氯化碳(CC l4)和D-半乳糖胺(D-galactosam ine,D-Gal)腹腔注射造成大鼠急性肝损伤,测定血清生化指标,并测体重和肝脏重、脾重和胸腺重,求脏器系数。同时切取肝脏检测肝糖原,并取肝组织作病理观察。结果:消炎利胆片可显著降低CC l4和D-Gal诱导的急性化学性肝损伤大鼠血清ALT、AST、ALP水平及TBA和T-B il含量。病理检查结果也显示有明显的保肝作用。结论:消炎利胆片对CC l4和D-Gal所致大鼠急性肝损伤有保护作用。     

狭基线纹香茶菜对四氯化碳所致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用

目的:研究狭基线纹香茶菜对四氯化碳(CCl4)所致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用。方法:60只大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、高、中、低剂量给药组、阳性药对照组6个组。给药组按15,7.5,3.75 g.kg^-1剂量,以狭基线纹香茶菜水提物灌胃;阳性药对照组按45 mg.kg^-1给联苯双酯;每天1次,连续10天。给药第1,4,7,10天(共4次),模型组和给药组按2 mL.kg^-1腹腔注射10%CCl4造模。第11天,末次给药24 h后,取血,测定血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)及总胆红素(T-Bil),同时测体重、肝脏重、脾重和胸腺重,求脏器系数,并取肝组织作病理观察。结果:狭基线纹香茶菜可显著降低急性肝损伤大鼠血清ALT,AST,ALP水平和T-Bil含量,对肝重量增大和胸腺萎缩有抑制作用。病理检查结果也显示有明显的保肝作用。结论:狭基线纹香茶菜对CCl₄所致大鼠急性肝损伤有保护作用。     

补骨脂灌胃30天对大鼠肝毒性的实验研究

目的:研究补骨脂生药粉对大鼠的肝毒性。方法:大鼠连续灌胃给予补骨脂生药粉(2.1g/kg、1.35g/kg)30天,同时设对照组。每5天称一次体重和食量,末次给药后禁食12h,水合氯醛麻醉动物,取肝脏称重并计算肝系数,光镜下做病理组织学检查,并测定血清中AST、ALT、ALP和肝组织中SOD和MDA。结果:补骨脂组大鼠体重及食量均比同时间点对照组大鼠略小,但无统计学意义(P0.05)。补骨脂2.10g/kg剂量组大鼠肝重、肝系数显著高于对照组,血清中AST、ALT、ALP值与对照组比较有升高趋势,雄性大鼠肝组织中SOD活力水平明显高于对照组,病理组织学观察表明大鼠肝脏形态结构基本正常,未见明显病变。补骨脂1.35g/kg剂量组的雌性大鼠肝重、肝系数明显高于对照组。结论:补骨脂2.10g/kg连续灌胃30天,对大鼠肝脏有一定毒性,病理组织学观察无明显病理改变。     

柴胡挥发油大鼠肝毒性“量-时-毒”关系研究

目的:研究柴胡挥发油多次灌胃致大鼠肝毒性的"量-时-毒"关系。方法:连续30天给Wistar大鼠灌胃不同剂量的柴胡挥发油,分别于药后71、52、1、30天检测大鼠血清ALT、AST活性、肝体比值和病理组织学变化。结果:连续30天灌胃(0.19～0.42)ml/kg的柴胡挥发油可造成大鼠肝毒性损伤,药后7天即可产生明显肝毒性,各剂量组血清ALT、AST活性明显升高,肝体比值增大(,0.26～0.42)ml/kg组肝脏出现轻微病理损伤。药后15～21天肝毒性表现最明显,血清ALT、AST活性显著升高,与空白组比较,各剂量组均呈现不同程度的显著性差异,且随剂量增加升高更明显;肝体比值显著增大;肝脏病理损伤严重。药后30天,大鼠出现死亡,ALT、AST活性及肝体比值较21天增加不明显。结论:柴胡挥发油致大鼠肝毒性损伤的剂量范围是(0.19～0.42)ml/kg,相当于生药量(92.6～204.7)g/kg,按柴胡口服液计约相当于70kg人日用量的(1.5～3.4)倍。     

消黄方对异硫氰酸-α-荼酯诱导大鼠急性肝损伤的干预作用研究

目的:观察消黄方对异硫氰酸-α-萘酯(α-naphthyl isethiocyanate,ANIT)诱导大鼠急性肝损伤的干预作用.方法:SD大鼠68只,随机分为正常组、模型对照组、消黄方低、中、高剂量组和熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)阳性对照组.造模前分别以消黄方低、中、高剂量5 g/kg、10 g/kg、20 g/kg和熊去氧胆酸15 mg/kg体质量灌胃7天,正常组及模型对照组以同体积的生理盐水灌胃,第8天以2%ANIT色拉油溶液6 mL/kg体质量一次性灌胃诱导急性肝损伤模型,48小时后模型大鼠随机处死6只观察成模情况,其余各组大鼠继续以相应药物及生理盐水灌胃7天,处死所有大鼠,观察模型大鼠血清肝生化指标及肝脏组织病理学改变及消黄方对其影响.结果:造模48小时时模型大鼠肝组织广泛点片状坏死和大量炎性细胞浸润,血清ALT、AST、TBil、TBA、LDH显著升高(P<0.01),造模7天后模型大鼠肝组织病理改变及血清ALT、AST、TBil、TBA、LDH虽然明显恢复,但仍然显著高于正常大鼠,与模型对照组比较,消黄方中、高剂量组肝组织病理明显改善,血清ALT、AST、TBil、TBA、LDH显著降低(P<0.01或P<0.05),作用类似于UDCA.结论:消黄方对ANIT诱导大鼠急性肝损伤具有良好的干预治疗作用.     

玄参水提物对CCL_4所致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用研究

目的研究玄参水提物对四氯化碳(CCL4)所致大鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用及其作用机制。方法 40只SD雄性大鼠随机分为空白组,CCL4模型组,联苯双酯组,玄参水提物高,低剂量组。高、低剂量给药组大鼠分别给予5.4,1.35 g/kg玄参水提取液灌胃,联苯双酯组大鼠给予0.2 g/kg混悬液灌胃,空白组及模型组大鼠给予等体积生理盐水灌胃,1次/d,连续7 d。末次给药后1 h,除空白组腹腔注射10 m L/kg橄榄油外,其余各组按10m L/kg剂量腹腔注射10%CCL4橄榄油溶液。腹腔注射CCL4后,禁食不禁水,24 h后称重20%乌拉坦麻醉,腹主动脉取血,并迅速摘取肝组织,观察比较各组大鼠肝组织病理学变化及部分肝功能指标的差异。结果玄参水提物能明显降低肝损伤大鼠肝脏指数、ALT、AST活性及MDA含量,并且增强SOD和GSH-Px活性,同时对血清中TBi L活性具有一定的降低作用。结论玄参水提物对CCL4所致大鼠急性肝损伤具有明显的保护作用。     

Acute and chronic toxicity of a lyophilised aqueous extract of Tanacetum vulgare leaves in rodents

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the safety of an aqueous extract of tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) leaves by determining its potential toxicity after acute and chronic administration in rodents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the acute study, a lyophilized aqueous extract of tansy leaves was administered to mice in single doses of 0-13 g/kg given by gavage as well as intraperitoneal doses of 0-4.5 g/kg. General behavior adverse effects and mortality were determined for up to 14 days. In the chronic dose study, the extract was administered orally at doses of 0, 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg daily for 90 days to rats. Biochemical and hematological parameters were determined after 30 and 60 days, and then at the end of 90 days of daily administration. RESULTS: In the acute study in mice, the crude aqueous extract of tansy leaves caused dose-dependent general behavior adverse effects and mortality. The no-observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL) of the tansy extract were 7.0 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg, and the lowest-observed adverse effect levels (LOAEL) were 9.0 g/kg and 1.5 g/kg, when given by the oral and intraperitoneal routes, respectively. Mortality increased with increasing doses, with LD(50) of 9.9 g/kg and 2.8 g/kg for the oral and intraperitonal modes of administration, respectively. In the chronic study in rats, daily oral administration of the crude aqueous extract of tansy leaves for up to 90 days did not result in death or significant changes in the biological (except for hypoglycemia) and hematological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the relatively high NOAEL values in the acute study in mice, and lack of significant effect on biological and hematological parameters in rats after 90 days of daily doses, the tansy extract does not appear to have significant toxicity. In view of the dose of tansy consumed in traditional medicine, there is a wide margin of safety for the therapeutic use of the aqueous extract of Tanacetum vulgare leaves.     

Screening for antihyperglycaemic activity in several local herbs of Malaysia

Screening of aqueous extract of Phyllantus niruri (PL), Zingiber zerumbet (ZG), Eurycoma longifolia (TA-a and TA-b) and Andrographis paniculata (AP) to determine their blood glucose lowering effect were conducted in normoglycaemic and Streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic rats. Significant reduction in blood glucose level at 52.90% was shown when hyperglycaemic rats were treated with 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) aqueous extract of AP. This effect is enhanced when freeze-dried material was used, where 6.25 mg/kg BW gave 61.81% reduction in blood glucose level. In the administration of TA-a and TA-b, positive results in hyperglyacaemic rats were only obtained when 150 mg/kg BW of the aqueous extract was used. No significant reduction in blood glucose level were shown in hyperglycaemic rats treated with PL and ZG at all concentrations used (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg BW). In normoglycaemic rats, no significant reduction was noted when all the same extracts were used.     

Effects of Orthosiphon stamineus aqueous extract on plasma glucose concentration and lipid profile in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. aqueous extract on plasma glucose concentration and lipid profile in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The chemical screening of the extract showed phenolic compound and flavonoid content were 13.24+/-0.33 mg/g and 1.73+/-0.14 microg/g, respectively. In oral glucose tolerance test, the extract (0.2-1.0 g/kg) significantly decreased plasma glucose concentration in a dose-dependent manner in both normal and diabetic rats. The extract at 1.0 g/kg was most effective in decreasing plasma glucose concentrations and the response was closed to the result of glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). After repeated daily oral administrations of the extract (0.5 g/kg) for 14 days, the extract significantly reduced plasma glucose concentration in diabetic rats at days 7 and 14. By the end of the study, plasma triglyceride concentration was lower in the extract-treated diabetic rats than untreated ones. Furthermore, plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly increased in diabetic rats treated with the extract. In perfused rat pancreas, the extract did not increase insulin secretion in the presence of 5.5 mM glucose, but 100 microg/ml extract potentiated glucose-induced insulin secretion. Our findings suggested that Orthosiphon stamineus aqueous extract is effective for alleviating hyperglycemia and improving lipid profile in diabetic rats.     

Evaluation of the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. stem-bark aqueous extract in mice and rats

In order to appraise some of the ethnomedical uses of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst., subspecies caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro [family: Anacardiaceae], the present study was undertaken to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties of the plant's stem-bark aqueous extract in experimental models of pain, inflammation and diabetes mellitus. The analgesic effect of Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract was evaluated in mice, while its anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects were investigated in rats. Diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg p. o.) and chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg p. o.) were used respectively as reference analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic agents for comparison. Like diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg p. o.), Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SBE, 100-800 mg/kg p. o.) produced dose-dependent, significant protection (p < 0.05-0.001) against electrical heat-induced pain. The plant extract (SBE, 25-800 mg/kg p. o.) also produced dose- and time-related, sustained and significant reductions (p < 0.05-0.001) in the fresh egg albumin-induced acute inflammation of the rat hind paw oedema. However, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the plant's extract were found to be approximately 10-15 times less than that of diclofenac. In one set of experiments involving hypoglycaemic/antidiabetic evaluation of the plant's extract, graded doses of Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SBE, 25-800 mg/kg p. o.) were separately administered to groups of fasted normal and fasted diabetic rats. In another set of experiments, a single dose of the plant's aqueous extract (SBE, 800 mg/kg p. o.) was used. The hypoglycaemic effect of this single dose of Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SBE, 800 mg/kg p. o.) was compared with that of chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg p. o.) in both fasted normal and fasted streptozotocin (STZ)-treated diabetic rats. Following acute treatment, relatively moderate to high doses of Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SBE, 25-800 mg/kg p. o.) produced dose-dependent, significant reductions (p < 0.05-0.001) in the blood glucose concentrations of both fasted normal and fasted diabetic rats. Chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg p. o.) also produced significant reductions (p < 0.05-0.001) in the blood glucose concentrations of the fasted normal and fasted diabetic rats. Administration of the single dose of Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SBE, 800 mg/kg p. o.) significantly reduced (p < 0.01-0.001) the blood glucose levels of both fasted normal (normoglycaemic) and fasted STZ-treated, diabetic rats. The results of this experimental animal study indicate that Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic properties. These experimental findings lend pharmacological support to the suggested folkloric uses of the plant's stem-bark in the management and/or control of pain, inflammatory conditions, and adult-onset, type-2 diabetes mellitus in some communities of South Africa.     

Effect of different extracts of Centella asiatica on cognition and markers of oxidative stress in rats.

Centella asiatica, a plant mentioned in Indian literature has been described to possess CNS effects such as stimulatory-nervine tonic, rejuvenant, sedative, tranquilizer and intelligence promoting property. In the present study aqueous, methanolic and chloroform extracts of C. asiatica were investigated for their effect on cognitive functions in rats. Male Wistar rats of 200-250 g were used to study the effect on learning and memory by using shuttle box, step through, step down and elevated plus maze paradigms. Only the aqueous extract of whole plant (200 mg/kg for 14 days) showed an improvement in learning and memory in both shuttle box and step through paradigms. Therefore, further experiments were conducted with aqueous extract using 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg doses in different paradigms of learning and memory. All doses of aqueous extract increased the number of avoidances in shuttle box and prolonged the step through latency in step through apparatus in a dose dependent manner, while only two doses 200 and 300 mg/kg of aqueous extract showed significant increase in the step down latency in step down apparatus and transfer latency (TL) in elevated plus maze. Among doses of aqueous extract tested on oxidative stress parameters, only 200 and 300 mg/kg showed a significant decrease in the brain levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) with simultaneous significant increase in levels of glutathione. There was a significant increase in the levels of catalase at the 300 mg/kg but no significant change in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were observed. The present findings indicate that the aqueous extract of C. asiatica has cognitive enhancing effect and an antioxidant mechanism is involved.     

Anti-hyperglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare growing wild in Tafilalet region

The effect of an aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare (OV) leaves on blood glucose levels was investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. In normal rats, the blood glucose levels were slightly decreased 6 h after a single oral administration (P<0.05) as well as 15 days after once daily repeated oral administration of aqueous OV extract (P<0.05) (20 mg/kg). After a single dose or 15 daily doses, oral administration of the aqueous extract (20 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease on blood glucose levels in STZ diabetic rats (P<0.001). In STZ rats, the blood glucose levels were normalised from the fourth day after daily repeated oral administration of aqueous OV extract (20 mg/kg) (P<0.001). However, this effect was less pronounced 2 weeks after daily repeated oral administration of OV extract. In addition, no changes were observed in basal plasma insulin concentrations after treatment in either normal or STZ diabetic rats indicating that the aqueous OV extract acted without changing insulin secretion. We conclude that an aqueous extract of OV exhibits an anti-hyperglycaemic activity in STZ rats without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations.     

Alhagi maurorum aqueous extract protects against norfloxacin-induced hepato-nephrotoxicity in rats

Objectives: While the protective effects of Alhagi maurorum have been shown against various ailments, its role against norfloxacin-induced adverse effects has not been studied. The current study was conducted to determine the effect of A. maurorum aqueous extract against norfloxacin-induced side effects in rats. Methods: Twenty four male albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups, which received normal saline, norfloxacin (50 mg/kg b.wt orally once a day), A. maurorum aqueous extract (300 mg/kg b.wt orally once a day), and norfloxacin with A. maurorum aqueous extract by the same previous mentioned dosages. Blood samples were collected for hematological examination to evaluate liver and kidney function tests. Hepatic and renal tissue samples were obtained to assess antioxidant activity and histopathological examination. Results: A. maurorum aqueous extract significantly ameliorated norfloxacin-induced elevation in tissue malondialdehyde, and reduction in tissue antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities as well as reduced glutathione concentration. Concurrent administration of A. maurorum aqueous extract with norfloxacin significantly reduced serum alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, urea, creatinine, and uric acid and increased RBCs count, Hb concentration, PCV, leucocyte, and monocyte counts compared with the norfloxacin-treated group. Co-administration of A. maurorum aqueous extract with norfloxacin prevented the degenerative changes induced by norfloxacin alone in liver and kidney tissues. The phytochemical profile of the extract showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenolics, and flavonoids. Conclusion: These findings indicated that A. maurorum possesses potent antioxidant activities and could be used to attenuate norfloxacin-induced side effects.     

Saponins from the leaves of Musanga cecropioïdes (cecropiaceae) constitute a possible source of potent hypotensive principles

The aqueous leaf extract and saponins extracted from the aqueous leaf extract of Musanga cecropioïdes exhibited potent hypotensive effects in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. The intravenous administration (direct invasive blood pressure study technique) of 15–30 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous leaf extract produced a fall in blood pressure (BP) of 35%–57% in hypertensive rats and 27% in normotensive individuals. This BP fall was followed by a transient rise, while saponins extracted from the aqueous extract of the leaves of MC produced a fall in BP of 55% in hypertensive and 30% in normotensive rats. In the indirect (tail cuff) blood pressure study, the effect was also dose-dependent. The oral administration of 300 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous leaf extract produced a BP fall of over 30% by 12 h following extract administration while the saponins (0.02–0.8 mg/kg body weight) produced a fall of 10% to 53%.