Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

The combination effect of the active fractions of Ficus mucuso Welw. Ex Ficalho and standard antibiotics against selected uropathogens

2025-04-07T09:06:19+00:00

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a global health challenge, causing high mortality rates annually. With rising antimicrobial resistance, the search for effective alternatives has intensified. Medicinal plants serve as substitutes. Ficus mucuso Welw. Ex Fichalo has been purportedly used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of UTIs.

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial effects of Ficus mucuso extract and fractions on UTI isolates and assess synergy with first-line antibiotics.

Methods: Pulverized leaves of Ficus mucuso were extracted with methanol by cold maceration. The crude extract was partitioned into n- hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening was carried out. Antioxidant activity of the plant was assessed. Antibiogram of clinical uropathogenic isolates and standard strains was determined using disc-diffusion method. The antimicrobial efficacy of plant extract was tested using agar-well diffusion. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the active fractions was by vacuum liquid chromatography. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined via microbroth dilution assay. Combination antimicrobial testing with ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin-clavulanate was performed using checkerboard assay. Brine-shrimp assay was used to assess cytotoxicity of the plant.

Results: The secondary metabolites detected; flavonoids (98.41mg/g), phenols (79.17mg/g) and tannins (27.26mg/g) were more abundant in the ethyl acetate fraction. The plant had appreciable antioxidant activity. Plant extracts and fractions had appreciable inhibitory activities against MDR bacteria with MIC and MBC ranges of 1.5625 to 12.5mg/mL 3.125 and 25mg/mL respectively. Combination testing indicated a synergistic effect with ciprofloxacin. Cytotoxicity assay yielded LC50 value of 31.30 μg/mL.

Conclusion: Leaf extracts of Ficus mucuso have antimicrobial potentials which demonstrated enhanced synergistic activity against UTI organisms when combined with standard chemotherapeutics.

Assessment of heavy metal content in Erythrina senegalensis and their human health risk index

2025-04-07T09:11:10+00:00

Background: The general use of herbal drugs is gaining wide popularity. Part of the quality attributes of a drug is its safety and efficacy, as these are important components of quality assurance in the production and use of drugs. The presence of heavy metals in herbal drugs can have severe health consequences. Therefore, there is need to evaluate the quality of plant materials used for therapeutic and drug development purposes.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the level of cadmium, lead, zinc, calcium, magnesium and nickel, and evaluate their health risk index in herbal plant, Erythrina senegalensis.

Materials and Methods: The leaves of the plant were obtained from traditional medicine suppliers at the local market of Mushin, Lagos. The plant extract was digested using a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid in the ratio of 3:1. cadmium, lead, zinc, calcium, magnesium and nickel were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and health risk index was determined.

Results: The results obtained showed that cadmium concentration (3.21 mg/kg) was above the permissive limit set by FAO/WHO. The health risk index (HRI) showed that cadmium (8504, 15765) and zinc (62.6617, 167.0977) values in adults and children were respectively greater than 1 which implies that users are considered to be at risk of various health complications that arise from the consumption of heavy metals beyond the required daily intake.

Conclusion: This study highlights the concerning levels of cadmium and lead in the herbal plant, which pose potential health risks despite the presence of beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium; and the presence of nickel and zinc at concentrations below the expected limits. The findings underscore the urgent need for stringent monitoring and regulation of heavy metal content in herbal products to ensure consumer safety.

Assessment of nephroprotective potentials of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) swingle peels extract in gentamicin-induced kidney toxicity in mice

2025-04-07T09:15:20+00:00

Background: Peels from Citrus aurantifolia are used in ethnomedicine to cure a variety of illnesses. These extracts have been used traditionally as cold treatments, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agents, suggesting that they could be used in contemporary nephroprotective drugs.

Objective: The objective of this investigation was to assess the nephroprotective properties of Citrus aurantifolia peels extract (CAPE) in gentamicin-induced kidney toxicity.

Method: Dried Citrus aurantifolia peels were extracted with 80% methanol. Thirty mice were randomly assigned to six groups (Groups 1-6, n = 5). Group I received normal saline only (10 mL/kg; baseline), while Groups II, III, IV, V, and VI received gentamicin (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally to induce kidney toxicity, with concomitant administration of normal saline (10 mL/kg), different doses of CAPE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), and ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg), respectively. Treatments were administered orally for 8 days. Twenty-four hours after the final dose, blood samples were collected, allowed to clot, and centrifuged to separate the serum for measuring urea, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Furthermore, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in kidney tissue were assessed.

Results: The data indicated a decrease in tissue MDA, serum creatinine, urea, and BUN in the CAPE-treated groups. Moreover, the CAPE-treated groups exhibited elevated tissue CAT activity and higher GSH concentrations.

Conclusion: The study concluded that CAPE displayed nephroprotective effects, which were possibly mediated via inhibition of oxidative stress.

Development of the cream formulation of Morinda lucida (Benth) extracts and evaluation of its wound healing properties in an animal model

2025-04-07T09:20:24+00:00

Background: Morinda lucida Benth (Rubiaceae) commonly known as brimstone has been used in ethnomedicine for wound healing. However, the presentation of this plant in a conventional dosage form for standard dosing and patient acceptance has not been done.

Objectives: This study was designed to formulate the extracts into pharmaceutical cream and investigate its wound healing activity in animal model.

Methods: Leaf ethanol (LE), Leaf aqueous (LAQ), stem-bark ethanol (SE) and stem-bark aqueous (SAQ) extracts of M. Lucida were prepared by maceration. Pharmaceutical creams were prepared by standard procedures using 10%w/w extract and assessed by pH, viscosity, extrudability and spreadability. Extracts and creams were evaluated in Wistar rats using incision and excision wound models. For incision, animals were euthanized after 14 days and wound site tissues collected for histology. Excision model was based on wound contraction, closure and epithelialization for 20 days.

Results: The creams had acceptable pH, viscosity, extrudability and spreading times. Histology photomicrographs showed that LE, LAQ and 10% LE cream showed dense, well-arranged and well-positioned collagen, with moderate diffuse cellular dermis infiltration compared to controls. All extracts and cream formulations enhanced wound healing compared to their negative controls while leaf ethanol cream showed optimal activity in significantly (<0.05) reducing wound diameter compared to gentamycin as positive control.

Conclusion: Morinda lucida extracts and cream formulations demonstrated significant (<0.05) wound-healing activity in-vivo, in comparison with negative controls and can be improved for translational outcomes.

Xylopia parviflora (A. Rich.) Benth. ameliorates ketamine-induced positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of psychosis through down-regulation of neuro-oxidative damage in mice

2025-04-07T09:23:34+00:00

Background: Ethno-botanical investigations on Xylopia parviflora (A. Rich.) Benth. revealed its application in the management of neurological disorders, including psychotic conditions.

Objective: To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of the hydroethanol leaf extract of Xylopia parviflora (XPE) on the positive, negative, and cognitive manifestations of psychosis in mouse models. .

Methods: Thirty mice were allocated into six groups (n=5). Treatments for each group are as follows: distilled water only (10 mL/kg; Grp A), distilled water + ketamine (50 mg/kg; Grp B), the extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg; Grps C-E), and haloperidol (5 mg/kg; Grp F). One hour subsequent to the administration of the extract and haloperidol, all groups were administered ketamine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce psychosis. These treatment regimens were repeated over a period of 21 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours following the final treatment, the mice underwent forced swim (FST), open field (OFT), and object recognition tests (ORT), during which relevant parameters were monitored for a duration of five minutes. Thereafter, the animals were euthanized via cervical dislocation, and their brain tissues were harvested for antioxidant analyses.

Results: XPE (50-200 mg/kg) diminished the duration of immobility in the FST; enhanced the duration spent with the novel object and reduced the duration spent with the familiar object in the ORT; and diminished the frequency of section crossings in the OFT when compared with the distilled water + ketamine treated group. Furthermore, XPE increased antioxidant biomarkers in the brain.

Conclusion: XPE ameliorates ketamine-induced symptoms of psychosis through the attenuation of oxidative stress.

Sub-acute toxicity studies of methanol root bark extract of Azanza Garckeana (F Hoffm.) Exell And Hillc. in rats

2025-04-07T09:34:41+00:00

Background: Plants are widely used for various medicinal purposes without careful consideration of potential adverse effects on the system. The fruit of Azanza garckeana is eaten as food, while the other parts are shown to have different medicinal uses and serve as treatments in managing several diseases and ailments throughout its geographical coverage. The study is a necessary/relevant addition in the ongoing efforts to increase awareness about the potential dangers of Azanza garckeana that is presently in use for multiple purposes without prior toxicity studies.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the sub-acute toxicity of the methanol root bark extract of A. garckeana (MEAG).

Methods: The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guidelines (TG) 425 and 407 were followed for conducting acute oral toxicity and sub-acute toxicity study of MEAG, respectively.

Results: In the overall acute toxicity test carried out on MEAG, there were no observed signs and symptoms of toxicity, morbidity or mortality and the LD₅₀ was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg in the oral route of administration. Sub-acute toxicity study, revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in direct (conjugated) bilirubin at 400 and 800 mg/kg as well as in serum urea at 200 and 400 mg/kg in the MEAG treated groups respectively when compared to the control group. Also, histology of the rats’ organs such as liver, kidney, brain and the heart revealed some level of tissue damage such as, moderate hepatic and slight periportal necrosis, slight glomerular necrosis, as well as slight neuronal necrosis and slight myocardial necrosis, respectively.

Conclusion: Prolonged administration of methanol root bark extract of Azanza garckeana appears to be toxic to Wistar rats.