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Volume 2 Number 2 2008 
CONTENTS AND ABSTRACTS
Olukayode M. Odeleye, Adebola O. Oyedeji (South Africa) Antibacterial Activity of Crude and Fractions of Momordica foetida Leaf Extracts (pp 75-78)
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Original Research Paper: The leaves of Momordica foetida were screened for their phytochemical composition and antimicrobial potential. Phytochemical screening of the crude extract showed the presence of various secondary metabolites which included alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, saponins and tannins. In-vitro antimicrobial activities of the crude extract and five solvent fractions were screened against 28 bacterial strains using traditional methods. Among the five fractions, ethyl acetate exhibited the highest broad spectrum antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria and the decreased in the order of ethyl acetate > butanol > chloroform > aqueous > hexane fraction at a concentration of 5.0 mg mL-1. The zone of inhibition exhibited by the EtOAc and BuOH fractions ranged from 8 to 17 mm while the CHCl3 fraction was between 7.5 and 15 mm. The hexane and aqueous fractions showed a zone of inhibition that ranged from 7 to 14 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) exhibited by EtOAc, CHCl3 and HEX fractions against the bacterial strains ranged between 0.156 and 2.5 mg mL-1 while that of BuOH and aqueous fractions ranged between 0.3125 and 5.0 mg mL-1. The antibacterial activities of the plant were comparable with standard antibiotics such neomycin, ampicillin and tetracycline at the same concentration.
Yamini Dixit, Sunanda Panda, Anand Kar (India) Lagenaria siceraria Peel Extract in the Regulation of Hyperthyroidism, Hyperglycemia and Lipid Peroxidation in Mice (pp 79-83)
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Original Research Paper: The potential of Lagenaria siceraria peel extract in the regulation of lipid peroxidation, hyperthyroidism and hyperglycemia has been evaluated in mice. In an in-vitro study the quenching potential of the peel extract (5-100 μg/ml) on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-dependent free radicals was examined. Antioxidative potential was also studied in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)- and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) in liver tissues. In another experiment, an in-vivo study was performed considering three different concentrations of the test peel extract to select its most effective and safe dose for the regulation of hepatic LPO, thyroid function and glucose metabolism. Out of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the peel extract, 100 mg/kg was found to be the most effective and safe concentration, as it could inhibit the levels of serum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and glucose as well as hepatic LPO. Considering this dose, finally the antithyroidal, antiperoxidative and glucose inhibitory potential of the peel extract were tested in T4-induced hyperthyroid animals. After 21 days of treatment, a decrease in the concentrations of serum thyroid hormones, glucose as well as in hepatic LPO with a parallel increase in antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) indicated the efficacy of the test peel in the amelioration of hyperthyroidism, hyperglycemia and hepatic lipid peroxidation.
Sankhadip Bose, Arti Bose, Sushomasri Maji, Pranabesh Chakraborty (India) In Vitro Antioxidant Property of Leaf Extracts of Ixora coccinea L. (pp 84-87)
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Original Research Paper: Ixora coccinea L. is widely distributed throughout India and is used in the treatment of various diseases. Leaves and flowers are used in dysentery, dysmenorrhoea and while roots and fruits are used in urinary problems of females. In Indo-China, an infusion of leaves is given to treat fevers. In this study, the antioxidant capacity of extracts of I. coccinea leaves were assayed for their scavenging abilities against superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, metal chelation and reducing power. All the extracts of I. coccinea inhibited all above said free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. These results clearly indicate that I. coccinea is effective against free radical-mediated diseases.
Natchimuthu Karmegam, Subbiah Karuppusamy, Mani Prakash, Mani Jayakumar, Kuppuraj Rajasekar (India) Antibacterial Potency and Synergistic Effect of Certain Plant Extracts against Food-Borne Diarrheagenic Bacteria (pp 88-93)
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Original Research Paper: In the present study, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves of six commonly available medicinal plants, Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (Balanitaceae), Hyptis sauveolens Poit. (Lamiaceae), Lawsonia inermis L. (Lathyraceae), Leucas aspera L. (Lamiaceae), Lobelia nicotianaefolia Roth. ex. Roem. & Schult. (Lobeliaceae) and Phyllanthus madraspatana L. (Euphorbiaceae), individually and in combinations were tested in crude form for their antibacterial activity against five different diarrheagenic bacteria, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157:H7 (enterohemorrhagic E. coli, EHEC), Salmonella enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes. Cifroflaxacine (20 µg) was used as antimicrobial standard. The highest antimicrobial activity was recorded in both crude aqueous leaf extract (CALE) and crude ethanolic leaf extract (CELE) of L. nicotianaefolia when all the extracts were tested individually. The zone of inhibition (IZ) of 2.2 cm against S.aureus and S.enteritidis, 2.3 cm against B. cereus and L. monocytogenes were observed in CELE of L. nicotianaefolia. CALE and CELE of H. saveolens and P. madraspatana when tested individually showed least IZ against test organisms (IZ, 0-1.2 cm). Synergistic activity of CALE and CELE of selected plant leaves, in combination of two, three, four, five and six against test organisms ranged from 0-2.8 cm zone of inhibition. The highest IZ of 2.8 cm was observed against S.aureus in CELE combination of B. aegyptiaca + L. nicotianaefolia. The IZ range of 2.6-2.8 was recorded for standard antibiotic, ciprofloxacin against test organisms. The combined or synergistic activity of CALE and of CELE also showed closer IZ to that of standard antibiotic, against food-borne diarrheagenic bacteria, there is a scope to develop effective combination of antimicrobial agents in purified form.
Claudia Edwedje Noumessing Momo, Ngwa Akonwi Fuh, Gilles Inès Dongmo Fomekong, Julius Enyong Oben (Cameroon) In Vitro Antioxidant Activities and Pancreatic α-Amylase Inhibition of some Cameroonian Medicinal Plants (pp 94-97)
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Original Research Paper: The present study was aimed at investigating the antioxidant activities and the inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase of the aqueous, ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts of Laportea ovalifolia, Luffa aegytiaca, and Cola nitida. The phytochemical screening of these extract was also carried out revealing the presence of flavonoids, tannins and saponins. The highest total phenol content was observed in the ethanolic extract of C. nitida while the aqueous extract of the same plant and the hydroethanolic extract of L. aegyptiaca exhibited the best antioxidant activity by FRAP and DPPH methods, respectively. For all plants tested, the ethanolic extract most inhibited the activity of α-amylase, although the aqueous extract of L. aegyptiaca was a more effective pancreatic α-amylase inhibitor than that of L. ovalifolia and C. nitida. The presence of active phytochemical substances with antioxidant properties may provide a substantial basis for the use of these plants in ethnomedicine for the treatment of diabetes.
Rangasamy Rajesh, Pindath Thandayan Lakhsmanan (India) Antioxidant Defense of Dietary Squalene Supplementation on Sodium Arsenite-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Myocardium (pp 98-102)
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Original Research Paper: Arsenic is a naturally occurring element widely present in the environment, with drinking water accounting for the majority of chronic human arsenic exposure worldwide. Millions of people worldwide are at risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes because of chronic arsenic exposure. In the present study, we have investigated the antioxidant defense of squalene on myocardial function in sodium arsenite-induced oxidative stress condition in rats. Oral administration of sodium arsenite [10 mg/kg body weight/day for a period of 30 days] caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of diagnostic markers (troponin T, homocysteine and creatine phosphokinase-MB) in the plasma of rats, indicating necrotic damage to the myocardial membrane. Significant (p < 0.05) elevation in the level of lipid peroxidation with a parallel reduction in the level of reduced glutathione and the activities of glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes and antiperoxidative enzymes in the heart tissue was also noticed. The dietary supplementation of 2% squalene for a period of 30 days significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the sodium arsenite-induced oxidative aberrations in the heart tissue and maintained the levels of diagnostic markers at near normal. The results of the present findings indicate that the cytoprotective potential of squalene is probably related to its ability to counteract free radical formation by its antioxidant nature.
Muthuswamy Umamaheswari, Tapan Kumar Chatterjee (India) Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activities of the Fractions of Coccinia grandis against Paracetamol-induced Hepatic Damage in Mice (pp 103-107)
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Original Research Paper: The leaves of Coccinia grandis L. Voigt (Cucurbitaceae) are used in Indian traditional medicine for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, jaundice, bronchitis, fever, skin eruptions, wounds, etc. We evaluated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the petroleum-ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and residual fractions of the hydromethanol extract of the leaves of C. grandis against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in Swiss albino mice. Hepatotoxicity was induced by oral administration of paracetamol (2 g/kg) for 7 days. Silymarin (25 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as the standard drug. Activities of liver marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase), uric acid, and biluribin levels were determined in serum, while end products of lipid peroxidation, viz. lipid hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde, tissue protein, enzymatic, and non-enzymatic antioxidants were measured in liver homogenate. Oral administration of the fractions at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w.for 7 days resulted in a significant reduction in serum biochemical parameters and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and an increase in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants when compared with paracetamol-damaged mice. Profound fatty degeneration, fibrosis, and necrosis observed in the hepatic architecture of paracetamol-treated mice were found to acquire near-normalcy in drug co-administered mice. The effect produced by the chloroform fraction was almost comparable with the silymarin-treated group. The leaves of C. grandis protected the liver against paracetamol damage, which may be due to its antioxidant mechanism.
Muthuswamy Umamaheswari, Tapan Kumar Chatterjee (India) Effect of the Fractions of Coccinia grandis on Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Enzymes in Oxonate-induced Hyperuricaemic Mice (pp 108-111)
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Original Research Paper: The present study investigated the effect of several fractions of Coccinia grandis L. Voigt on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in oxonate-induced hyperuricaemic mice. The leaves of C. grandis, belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, are used in Indian traditional medicine for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, jaundice, eye infections, bronchitis, fever, skin eruptions, wounds, etc. The petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and residual fractions of the hydromethanolic extract of the leaves of C. grandis at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w. were given orally to Swissalbino mice for 7 days. On the 7th day, potassium oxonate, an uricase inhibitor was injected intraperitoneally (280 mg/kg) to induce hyperuricemia. The end products of lipid peroxidation, viz. malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid hydroperoxides (LH) and the levels of tissue protein, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were estimated in the liver. Allopurinol (10 mg/kg p.o.) was used as the standard. There was a significant (P<0.01) elevation in MDA and LH and a decrease in total protein and antioxidant enzymes in hyperuricaemic mice compared to normal control. Pre-treatment with the pet-ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of C. grandis prevented a rise in MDA and LH significantly (P<0.01) and enhanced the total protein content and antioxidant enzymes. Among the fractions tested, the chloroform fraction exhibited highest activity followed by the pet-ether and ethyl acetate fractions. These results suggest that the use of leaves of C. grandis for the treatment of gout and related inflammatory disorders could be attributed to its antioxidant property.
Kartick Chandra Pramanik, Tapan Kumar Chatterjee (India) Wound Healing Properties of Tissue-Cultured Pluchea indica (L.) Less. Root Extract in Rats (pp 112-116)
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Original Research Paper: Excision, incision and dead space wound models were used to evaluate the wound-healing activity of tissue-cultured root extract of Pluchea indica (L.) Less. (Asteraceae) on Swiss Wistar strain rats of either sex. In each model, animals were divided into four groups of 6 animals each. In the excision wound model, treatment was continued until the complete healing of the wound but in the incision and dead space wound models treatment was continued for 10 days. 10% (w/w) ointment of methanolic root extract of tissue-cultured P. indica was prepared and applied topically at 50 mg/day and for oral administration, 200mg/kgbw/day of aqueous suspensions of methanol root extracts were prepared in 1% Tween 80 solution.The wound-healing activity was assessed by the rate of wound contraction, period of epithelialization, skin-breaking strength, weight of granulation tissue, and collagen content. Both formulations of methanolic root extract of tissue-cultured P. indica revealed wound-healing activity significantly in all the wound models studied. A high rate of wound contraction, a decrease in the period of epithelialisation, high skin breaking strength, an increase in dry granulation tissue weight, and elevated hydroxyproline content were observed in animals treated with both formulations. Histological studies of the granulation tissue showed the presence of few inflammation cells, and an in increase collagen formation compared to the control. Both the formulation of the root extract of tissue-cultured P. indica possesses potent wound-healing activity.
Damaris Mandob Enyegue, Judith Laure Ngondi, Gilles Inès Dongmo Fomekong, Gabriel Agbor, Julius Enyong Oben (Cameroon) Prediction and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects in Cameroon (pp 117-121)
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Original Research Paper: Metabolic syndrome (MS) has reached pandemic proportion and has an impact on the incidence and severity of cardiovascular pathologies. The present study evaluates the prevalence of MS, and determines the appropriate definition for the evaluation of MS in overweight and obese subjects in Cameroon. The study is cross sectional, involving 1519 subjects (18–70 years), and body mass index (BMI) (25.01 to 62.50 Kg/m²). Physiological and anthropometrical measures were taken at the first visit of the subject. Glucose and lipid parameters were analysed from the plasma of fasting subjects. NCEP-ATPIII, AHA/NHLBI, and IDF criteria were used to evaluate MS. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the ability of the 5 definitions to predict the prevalence of MS in Cameroon. It was observed that the prevalence of MS and its individual component’s prevalence among participants vary widely across definitions. The use of the IDF definition of the metabolic syndrome leads to a higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome than other definitions. The IDF criteria were adopted as the appropriate definition of MS in Cameroon with a prevalence of 19.80 and an ROC area of 0.79.
Ikechukwuka Cyriacus Okwulehie, Ikechukwu Adiele Okwujiako (Nigeria) Phytochemical Constituents and Antioxidant Activity of the Fruit-bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus var Florida Eger. Grown on Different Substrates and Substrate Supplementations (pp 122-125)
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Original Research Paper: The phytochemical constituents of the fruit-bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida were investigated to determine whether they are influenced by the substrates and the level of supplementation of organic manure in the substrates. The mushroom’s phytochemical constituents were significantly influenced by the substrate and additive levels. Straw with 10% cow dung produced mushrooms with 0.05% alkaloids while those from the control straw contained only 0.02%. Fruit-bodies from straw with 5 or 10% poultry droppings and 5 or 10% turkey droppings yielded significantly more flavonoids than control mushrooms. The phenolic content of the fruit-bodies produced on unsupplemented Andropogon and Pennisetum straws were significantly less than those produced on straws supplemented with 5 and 10% levels of any manure (P < 0.05). The saponin and tannin contents of the fruit-bodies showed a trend: high level of supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed the quantity of both bioactive compounds. On the contrary, the 5 and 10% levels of supplementation with cow and poultry manures did not significantly influence the tannin contents, but the addition of manures in general increased the tannin contents of the fruit-bodies. Similarly, the antioxidant activity of the mushrooms produced on different substrates was investigated. The fruit-bodies from the three substrates exhibited varying degrees of activity. Those from Andropogon straw showed the highest activity and rice and Pennisetum straws had similar activity. The results of the investigations are discussed in relation to the establishment of the medicinal potentials of and domestication of P. ostreatus var. florida in commercial quantities for local consumption.
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