Comparative Study of Antioxidant and Antipyretic Activities of Leaf Extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium* (Published)
This study investigated the antioxidant and antipyretic activities of ethanolic leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium. Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opiates and various synthetic drugs have been used classically in these conditions, but some adverse reactions occur with these drugs such as gastrointestinal disturbances, renal damage, respiratory diseases and possible dependence. In search of inexpensive but effective and readily available drugs, with little or no side effects, several investigations have been conducted on indigenous plant materials. Antioxidant and antipyretic study was done using a total of 56 Wistar albino rats, divided into 7 groups of 4 rats per group, each groups administered different concentration of extract and standard. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and catalase were used to determine antioxidant activity in acetaminophen induced oxidative stress in rats while rectal temperature measurement was used to determine the antipyretic effect of these leave extracts in baker yeast induced pyrexia. The results from the antioxidant analysis in comparison to leave extracts of Ocimim gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium, showed that bi-herbal combined ratio of (Ocimum gratisssimum + Gongronemalatifolium) showed a higher antioxidant and antipyretic activity followed by Ocimum gratissimum, and Gongronema latifolium respectively. In conclusion, Ocimum gratissimum and Gongronema latifolium leaves have antioxidant and antipyretic potentials, which could be harnessed for clinical applications.
Keywords: Antioxidant, antipyretic, gongronema, latifolium, leave extracts, ocimum gratissimum
Effects of Ethanol Leaf Extract Of Eremomastax Speciosa (African Blood Tonic) on Female Reproductive Hormones of Albino Wistar Rats (Published)
Eremomastax speciosa is known to exhibit a wide range of biological activities because of the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. This work evaluates the effects of Eremomastax speciosa on reproductive hormones in female rats using standard analytical methods. The phytochemical screening and the antioxidant activities of Eremomastax speciosa leaves were also evaluated using standard methods. Twenty-five matured virgin female rats were divided into five groups of five rats each; groups 1 and 2 were the normal and positive controls and were given distilled water and the standard drug respectively while groups 3, 4 and 5 were administered the ethanol extract of the plant in graded dosages of 400, 200, and 100mg/kg respectively. The phytochemical screening reviewed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenes and flavonoids while, the leaves showed a significant free scavenging activities with IC50 90μg/ml. The hormonal result showed that the extract caused a dose dependent significant increase (p<0.05) in estrogen, prolactin, progesterone and FSH when compared with the normal control. However, there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum LH levels also in comparison with the normal control. In conclusion, the ethanol leaf extract of Eremomastax speciosa suggested an increase in the reproductive enhancing hormones which might increase the reproductive activities of the female rats.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Phytochemical, eremomastax speciosa, ethanol extract, reproductive hormones.