AQUEOUS EXTRACT

Non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and glaucoma cause serious health issues and hardships in sub-Saharan Africa, often made worse by a lack of access to regular medical services. This research examines how the leaf extracts from Sorghum bicolor and Andrographis paniculata affect blood pressure, blood sugar, and eye pressure in healthy adults, both separately and together. One hundred and seventy-four (174) participants (mean age 34.3 ± 7.1 years) received single administrations of hot aqueous extracts of S. bicolor, A. paniculata, or a 1:1 mixed extract. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg), fasting blood glucose (mg/dL) and IOP (mmHg, right eye [RE] and left eye [LE]) were measured at baseline and four hours post- administration. The results revealed statistically significant reductions (p < 0.05) across all parameters in all treatment groups. For Sorghum bicolor, systolic pressure decreased from 126.15 ± 15.9 to 120.80 ± 15.0 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 85.60 ± 11.1 to 80.03 ± 10.4 mmHg, blood glucose from 82.86 ± 14.61 to 70.39 ± 11.99 mg/dL, and IOP from 16.88 ± 2.5 to 15.83 ± 1.6 mmHg (right eye) and from 17.14 ± 1.93 to 16.12 ± 1.8 mmHg (left eye). Similar reductions were observed with Andrographis paniculata, where systolic pressure fell from 129.44 ± 14.7 to 121.20 ± 16.9 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 84.60 ± 13.3 to 77.13 ± 11.4 mmHg, and blood glucose from 83.61 ± 13.2 to 75.26 ± 11.43 mg/dL, while IOP decreased to 14.49 ± 2.0 mmHg (right) and 15.98 ± 2.0 mmHg (left). The combined extract produced the greatest effect, with systolic pressure reducing from 134.63 ± 15.7 to 128.68 ± 15.9 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 87.10 ± 22.1 to 77.90 ± 12.2 mmHg, blood glucose from 80.42 ± 12.04 to 74.40 ± 10.20 mg/dL, and IOP from 15.94 ± 1.8 to 14.94 ± 2.0 mmHg (right) and 15.67 ± 1.5 to 15.13 ± 2.7 mmHg (left). These results demonstrate that both Sorghum bicolor and Andrographis paniculata extracts—singularly and in combination—can significantly lower blood pressure, blood glucose, and intraocular pressure within a short period following administration. The enhanced effects observed with the combined extract suggest possible synergistic interactions between their phytochemical constituents.

Acute diarhoea is one of the major illness that cause death in children, despite clinical intervention and the use of oral rehydration therapy. Thus, there is need to discover other effective, affordable and accessible treatments for this disease. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of citrus sisnensis peel on castor oil-induced diarhoea in mice

Ethnomedicine or traditional systems of medicines have suggested means to increase the body’s natural resistance to microbial infections. A number of medicinal plants have been reported to possess antimicrobial activities. This study aimed at determining phytochemical constituents, proximate composition, and the antibacterial activity of aqueous extract of Costus afer (Monkey Sugarcane) on clinical isolates such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The plant samples were collected from a farmyard in Ughelli, Delta State. Samples were air dried for ethanol and aqueous extraction, using standard method. The antibacterial activities of the ethanol and aqueous extract of Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were determined by the disc diffusion method. The result of this study revealed the presence of phytochemical constituents including; flavonoids (2.69 ± 1.53), saponins (4.86 ± 0.23), alkaloids (1.93 ± 0.11), tannins (88.96 ± 5.77) and phenols (59.70 ± 3.29). Proximate analysis revealed the moisture content 22.4%, ash content was 11.2%, crude fibre content was 3.9%, crude protein content was 8.0%, crude fat content was 0.7%, while carbohydrate content accounted for 53.8% of its total composition. The study investigated the determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), and the identification of bacterial isolates, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity of aqueous extract of Costus afer on clinical isolates such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed that the organism was not sensitive to the aqueous extract. The bacterial isolates showed greater resistance to commercially available antibiotics against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the susceptibility test. Antioxidant assays such as the DPPH radical scavenging activity, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) were conducted to assess the extract’s free radical scavenging ability.

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD’s) remain the dominant course of mortality in developed and developing countries. Due to changing life styles, socio-economic status and decline in provision of healthcare services in developing countries such as Nigeria, myocardial infraction is making a significant contribution to national healthcare burden and mortality statistics.
Aim: This present study evaluated the effect of aqueous extract of Gnetum africanum on some cardiac function biomarkers in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats.
Methodology: Acute toxicity test and haemotological and biochemical analysis of the extract was done using standard methods. Wister rates aged 2 – 3 months weighing 150 to 200 grams were acclimatized for 2 weeks and grouped into 4 (A– D) groups. B and C orally received graded doses of extracts (B = 50, C = 100, mg/kg body weight) daily for 28 days. Group A served as control and group D served as standard group 2ml/kg of cargradenol Blood samples (5ml) were collected into ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) containers and analysed using haemetological automety following manufacturers guidelines. Isoprenaline was induced 85mg/kg on 26th and 27th day in all groups.
Result Gnetum africanium extract displayed no accurate toxicity up to 5g/kg; at doses of 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg, it demonstrated no significant effects on cardiac biomarkers when compared with the control against isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in rats across parameters including organ weight, body weight changes, cardiac biomarkers and oxidative-antioxidant balances

Cissus populnea has been reported to have high antioxidant content which is beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects aqueous extract of Cissus pulpolnae on the liver of Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats were allowed to acclimatize for two weeks under standard laboratory conditions (temperature 24-28°C and 12 hour light-dark cycle) before commencement of the experiment. The rats in each group were allowed access to standard rat chow and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The rats were randomly assigned into a control group and three treatment groups (5) rats each. The rats in Group A served as control and received feed and water ad libitum only. The treatment groups B received intraperitoneal injection of 30% CCl4 only; group C received 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Cissus populnea only; group D received 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Cissus populnea and intraperitoneal injection of 30% CCl4. The experimental period lasted for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed under chloroform anaesthesia. Blood samples were collected, in plain bottles, from the Inferior vena cava of each rat for biochemical assay. The liver was excised and fixed in 10% buffered formalsaline for routine histological processing. The data generated were subjected to statistical analysis. Significant difference in the means of all parameters was determined using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA; 95% confidence interval). The result obtained showed that CCL4 induced some pathologies on the liver tissue ranging from formation of lipid vacuoles (steatosis) to degeneration of the hepatocyte and obliteration of the sinusoids. Cissus populnea ameliorated the pathologies induced by CCL4 on the liver tissue. It is concluded however that Cissus populnea possess hepatoprotective potential against CCL4 insult.

Sphenocentrum jollyanum is an important West African medicinal plant traditionally used for treating fever, digestive disorders, and metabolic ailments. Despite its widespread use, limited information exists regarding its biochemical safety and systemic effects during prolonged exposure. This study investigated the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum on renal and hepatic biochemical parameters in Wistar rats following 28 days of sub-chronic oral administration. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five animals each: a control group that received distilled water and three experimental groups treated with 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg of the aqueous leaf extract, respectively, for 28 consecutive days. Blood samples were analyzed for creatinine, urea, uric acid, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) using standard spectrophotometric methods. The mean biochemical values obtained were as follows: creatinine (4.25 ± 2.07–8.96 ± 3.32 mg/dL), urea (99.82 ± 7.00–161.54 ± 22.92 mg/dL), uric acid (8.18 ± 3.75–13.57 ± 3.88 mg/dL), and AST (54.41 ± 7.28–74.03 ± 18.06 U/L). The results showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between treated and control groups across all parameters. A slight, non-dose-dependent variation in creatinine and a mild reduction in urea and AST levels at higher doses indicated stable renal and hepatic function. These findings suggest that the extract does not induce nephrotoxicity or hepatotoxicity but may
support metabolic and antioxidant balance. In conclusion, sub-chronic administration of S. jollyanum aqueous extract in Wistar rats was well tolerated and biochemically safe at all tested doses. The study validates the plant’s traditional use as a detoxifying and restorative agent and supports its potential as a natural source of hepatoprotective and nephroprotective compounds.

Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre is a medicinal plant widely used across West Africa for the treatment of various ailments, yet the chemical constituents responsible for many of its reported therapeutic effects remain underexplored in scientific literature. This study aimed to identify the major fatty acids and ester compounds present in the aqueous stem extract of S. jollyanum using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), with the goal of contributing to phytochemical profiling and supporting the plant’s ethnomedicinal applications. Fresh stems were cleaned, air-dried, pulverized, and extracted by cold maceration. The resulting filtrates were freeze-dried and the crude aqueous extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis under optimized chromatographic and mass spectrometric conditions. The GC-MS scan revealed a spectrum of bioactive constituents including compounds known for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic regulatory activities. This study provides scientific support for the medicinal uses of S. jollyanum and establish a biochemical basis for its reported bioactivities. It further highlights the importance of GC-MS as a robust analytical tool for identifying volatile and semi-volatile compounds in medicinal plant extracts. Overall, the results strengthen the pharmacognostic understanding of S. jollyanum and lay groundwork for future studies on its biological mechanisms, safety, and potential drug development applications.

Persistent hyperglycemia is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic condition that increases the risk of major vascular problems such neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Inhibition of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, especially α-glucosidase, has become an effective therapeutic method for controlling postprandial blood glucose. Despite the availability of synthetic α-glucosidase inhibitors like acarbose, their usage is frequently restricted due to gastrointestinal side effects, which has sparked interest in safer, plant-based substitutes. Although the leaves and seeds of the traditional West African medicinal plant Picralima nitida have been shown to have antidiabetic qualities, nothing is known about how its fruit extract affects α- glucosidase. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of aqueous Picralima nitida fruit extract on α-glucosidase activity in male Wistar rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin. Rats were given graded doses of the fruit extract after being acclimated to controlled laboratory conditions and grouped based on body weight. A colorimetric assay based on the hydrolysis of p- nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside was used to test serum α-glucosidase activity. The enzyme activity was determined spectrophotometrically at 405 nm. Tukey's post hoc test and one-way ANOVA were used to examine the data, which were presented as mean ± SEM. The study's findings are still awaiting. It is anticipated that the study would shed light on whether Picralima nitida fruit extract inhibits α-glucosidase to produce antihyperglycemic effects. It may also help develop safer plant-based medicines for the treatment of diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, or elevated blood glucose levels, resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. This study focused on the severe metabolic imbalance caused by Streptozotocin (STZ) induction in male Wistar rats . Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Wistar rats by a combination of a 2-week high-carbohydrates diet, followed by double doses (60 and 40 mg/kg respectively) of intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Diabetic rats were then treated for two weeks with either distilled water (control), Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg, positive control), or picralima nitida extract at two doses (200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg). The findings revealed that all groups treated with Picralima nitida showed a decrease in α-amylase levels compared to the diabetic group that received no treatment. However, this reduction was not sufficient to bring the enzyme activity back to the levels observed in non-diabetic (control) rats. Among the doses tested, the low dose produced the most stable regulatory effect, showing results that were comparable, though slightly less effective, than glibenclamide

The study investigated the effect of Acanthus montanus leaf's aqueous extract on male Wistar rats' haematological parameters. The research aimed to evaluate the ability of the plant extract to protect and restore normal haematological parameters following administration of the extract. Fifteen male Wistar rats were divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental groups received varying doses of the aqueous extract of Acanthus montanus orally for a specified period. Blood samples were analysed to determine haematological indices, including packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HB), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), and differential leukocyte count. Results revealed that administration of Acanthus montanus extract significantly (p < 0.05) improved haematological parameters in a dose- dependent manner compared to the untreated group. The extract normalised the levels of packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), and red blood cell (RBC) count, while also stabilising white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte counts. The study indicates that Acanthus montanus possesses potent haematoprotective activity, likely due to its phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins, which help mitigateoxidative damage to blood cells. Therefore, the aqueous leaf extract of Acanthus montanus may serve as a potential natural therapeutic agent for managing haematological disorders and conditions associated with blood toxicity. Further studies are recommended to isolate and characterise the active compounds responsible for its protective effects.