Evaluation of antioxidant activities of some Nigerian medicinal plants

Objective:The methanol extracts of the leaves of Kolancheo(K.) pinnata,Aspilia(A.) africana,Mucuna (M.) pruriens,Emilia(E.) coccinea,Triumfetta(T.) rhomboidea,Laportea(L.) ovalifolis,Celosia(C.) trigynea,Cucurbita(C.)moschata and Asystesia(A.)gangestica were evaluated for antioxidant activities,the reducing potentials of these plants were also determined and phytochemical screening of some of these plants were carried out.Methods:The antioxidant activities of these plants were evaluated by the use of 2,2-diphenyl -1 -picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) free radical assay and spectrophotomer.The reducing potentials of these plants were determined using Ferric chloride,Potassium Ferricyanide and Trichloroacetic acid proceedures. The phytochemical screenings of the medicinal plants were equally done using standard procedures.Results: The percentage of antioxidant activities values for the plants were:(31.00±1.80)%,(58.40±1.26) %,(59.10±1.60)%,(60.00±1.05)%,(60.80±1.28)%,(62.40±1.26)%,(64.80±2. 10)%,(75.70±2.60)%and(82.70±2.80)%for A.gangestica,C.moschata,C.trigynea,L. ovalifolia,E.coccinea,M.pruriens,A.africana,K.pinnata and T.rhomboidea.respectively.These values were dose-dependent and statistically significant at P < 0.05(ANOVA).The results showed that T.rhomboidea had the highest antioxidant activity value(82.70±2.80%) while A.gangestica had the least value (31.00±1.80%).The percentage of antioxidant activities of these plants were comparable to the standard used,Tocopherol which was found to be(97.20±1.06)%.The reducing potentials of the plants were found to be positively correlated to the antioxidant activities of the plants.Phytochemical screenings revealed the presence of alkaloids,flavonoids,terpenoids,saponins and tannins in the medicinal plants.Conclusion:The findings from this study have revealed the potentials of these plants as antioxidants.This could be exploited in drug development in search of powerful antioxidants which are urgently needed to challenge free radicals in biological systems.It will consequently help to prevent the body from free radicals originated ailments.However, further study needs to be done to isolate and characterize the active principles in these plants.

Anti-ulcer potentials of phylum mollusca(tropical snail)slime

Objective:The effectiveness of the slimy substance in snail to regenerate and repair damaged areas on it body/shell lead to this investigation.Methods:The anti-ulcer’property of snail slime extracted from phylur mollusca(tropical snail) from the giant African snail Archachatina marginata(Fam.Arionidae) was investi gated using histamine,stress and indomethacin-induced ulcers.The solubility profile of extract was investiga ted in different solvents and at different temperatures.Chemical analysis was carried out to determine the type of constituents present in the slim,while acute toxicity test was carried out to evaluate its profile of toxicity The effect of the snail slim on gastrointestinal motility was investigated in mice,while the guinea pig ileum wa used to study the effect of the extract on contraction produced by acetylcholine and histamine.The snail slim contained copious quantity of protein,with varying amounts of simple sugars,carbohydrates and fats.Th slime was not soluble in most common solvents and increases in temperature,did not appear to increase its sol ubility.Results:The result further indicated that although the snail slime exhibited significant(P【0.05) an ti -ulcer induced by stress and histamine,it was most potent against ulcer induced by indomethacin.The snai slime potently inhibited gastrointestinal movement in mice in a dose-dependent manner;however,it was not a ble to inhibit contraction induced by acetylcholine and histamine in guinea pig ileum.Conclusion:The snai mucin possesses potent antiulcer properties without any toxic effect.The mechanism responsible for the anti-ul cer property may not be postulated with certainty but cytoprotective and anti-spasmodic activities are most likel to be involved.