ETHANOL EXTRACT

Arthritis basically means inflammation of the joints (Pirotta, 2010; Athanasiou et al., 2013). Even so, joint inflammatory disease is more like a clinical signs than a precise diagnosis. All conditions that have an impact on the joints are commonly referred to as having arthritis (Pirotta, 2010). These illnesses are included in the larger category of rheumatic diseases (Athanasiou et al., 2013). Arthritic pain is likely the most well-known type of pain in both primary and secondary care (Athanasiou et al., 2013; Pirotta, 2010). Arthritis is a condition in which a joint becomes inflamed. When joints become inflamed, they can cause stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness, and discomfort (Athanasiou et al., 2013). Gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and spondylitis are only a few of the many kinds of arthritis.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that occurs due to progressive loss of dopaminergic neuron resulting in motor dysfunction with symptoms such as bradykinesia, akinesia and non-motor symptoms such as anxiety and cognitive deficits. Experimental models using neurotoxins such as rotenone mimic the features of Parkinson’s disease. Afzelia africana, a medicinal plant with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties has shown potential neuroprotective properties. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biochemical and behavioural effects of Afzelia africana in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism using catalepsy and beam walking. Phytochemical screening of the stem bark of Afzelia africana was conducted to determine the bioactive phytoconstituents present and acute toxicity studies was done to determine the safety profile of the plant. Rats randomly divided into different groups viz: no treatment, vehicle only, rotenone plus vehicle, rotenone plus 250 mg/kg of stem bark extract, and rotenone plus 500 mg/kg of stem bark extract were used for the study. These were treated daily with either the vehicle or two doses of Afzelia africana. Rats subject to rotenone treatment received rotenone on days 1,4,7 and 10 of the study. Catalepsy and beam walking were conducted to assess motor performance on days 0, 5 and 10. Animals were sacrificed on the 11 th day and organs harvested for biochemical analysis. The mean lethal dose of Afzelia africana was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. Afzelia africana at doses used in this study reduced the cataleptic score and increased time spent in the beam walking. Treatment with A, africana reduced rotenone elevated levels of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase in the livers of test animals. A. africana also reduced urea and creatinine levels increased by rotenone. Findings from this that the ethanol extract of Afzelia africana has nephroprotective and hepatoprotective potential.

In this study, the effect of ethanol extract of Solarium nigrum (Sn) leaf on the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) after histamine challenge in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs was investigated. Three weeks old, male guinea pigs (25 of them) were divided into five groups consisting of five pigs each were used. All animals were allowed access to standard animal feed and water. In addition animals were pre-sensitized with ovalbumin, and then exposed to 2% histamine aerosol after an overnight fast. The pre convulsion time was recorded. Animals in groups 2, 3, 4, were administered ethanol extract of Solanum nigrum leaf at the respective doses of 50, 100 and 200mg/kg body weight while animals in group 5. received 25mg/kgbw of the reference drug aminophylline. Animals were again subjected to histamine aerosol after drug administration and the pre-convulsion was again recorded. All animals were sacrificed three days after the last challenge and their lungs were excised. Result obtained indicates that sensitization with ovalbumin and exposure to histamine aerosol caused the increase in the lipid peroxidation in bronchial alveolar tissue, lung and plasma cells respectively. Treatment with ethanol extract of Solanum nigrum (Sn) leaf showed a decrease in the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) when compared to that of the control.