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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The bark of Canarium schweinfurthii is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of diabetes, pain, malaria, fever and diarrhoea., Aim of the Study: The chemical phytoconstituents, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects and safety profile of the aqueous extract of Canarium schweinfurthii bark (AECSB) were investigated., Materials and Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyse the phytochemical composition. In the acute toxicity test, AECSB were administered up to 2 g/kg by oral gavage. For the subacute toxicity test (28 days), rats in group 1 (control) received no AECSB, while rats in groups 2-4 were administered different doses of AECSB. Charcoal meal transit and castor oil-induced diarrhoea models were used to study the antidiarrheal effect, while egg albumin/carrageenan and acetic acid/tail immersion models were used for the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive studies, respectively. With the exception of the acute toxicity experiment, AECSB was administered orally at doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg., Results: Bioactive phytoconstituents identified include p-cymene, δ-terpinene, linalool and phytol. No adverse effects or mortality were observed in acute and subacute studies. Treatment with AECSB (28 days) had no significant effect on organ weight, biochemical, hematologic and histopathologic parameters compared to the control groups (p > 0.05). Comparable antidiarrheal and antinociceptive effects were observed in both AECSB- and standard drug-treated groups, while the 400 and 800 mg/kg AECSB-treated groups showed remarkable anti-inflammatory effects compared to the standard drug-treated and control groups (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: AECSB has antidiarrheal, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects and can be safely used for therapeutic purposes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The stem of Musa paradisiaca (plantain) has found application in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes, inflammation, ulcers and wound injuries., Aim of the Study: This study investigated the phytochemical composition, toxicity profile, wound healing, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of aqueous Musa paradisiaca stem extract (AMPSE) in rats., Methods: Phytochemical analysis of methanol-MPSE was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Acute toxicity testing was carried out through oral administration of a single dose of AMPSE up to 5 g/kg. Four separate groups of rats were used for the subacute toxicity testing (n = 6). Group 1 served as a normal control and did not receive AMPSE, groups 2-4 received AMPSE daily by gavage for 28 days. In the experiments with excision and incision wounds, the rats were treated with 10 w/w AMPS extract. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of AMPSE were assessed using egg albumin-induced paw oedema and acetic acid-induced writhing methods, respectively. For the subacute, anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies, AMPSE was administered to the experimental rats at doses of 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg body weight., Results: Bioactive compounds identified include β-sitisterol, n-hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, diethyl sulfate, p-hydroxynorephedrine, phenylephrine, nor-pseudoephedrine, metaraminol, pseudoephedrine and vanillic acid. No signs of toxicity and no deaths were observed in all the groups. For the groups treated with AMPSE for 28 days, a significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, sodium, chloride, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed while high density lipoprotein cholesterol, glutathione and superoxide dismutase increased compared to control (p < 0.05). In wound healing experiments, AMPSE showed greater percent wound contraction and wound resistance fracture compared to the povidone-iodine (PI) treated and control groups. Treatment with 900 mg/kg AMPSE resulted in significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects compared to the control., Conclusion: This study shows that AMPSE is not toxic but contains biologically active compounds with hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering and wound-healing effects. Treatment of rats with AMPSE has shown that AMPSE has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hepatoprotective, lipid-lowering and wound-healing effects, supporting its therapeutic use in ethnomedicine., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ananas comosus (pineapple) leaf is used in ethnomedicine to treat diarrhoea, inflammation, pain, bacterial infections and oedema., Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects as well as the toxicity profile of the aqueous Ananas comosus leaf extract (AACLE) in rats., Methods: Methanol ACLE was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. In the acute toxicity study, a single oral dose of up to 5000 mg/kg AACLE was administered. In the subacute toxicity study (28 days), rats in groups 2-4 received AACLE orally. The anti-diarrhoeal effect was studied using charcoal meal and castor oil-induced diarrhoea. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic tests were measured using egg albumin-induced paw oedema and acetic acid-induced writhing methods, respectively. For the subacute toxicity, anti-diarrhoeal, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory studies, AACLE was administered orally to rats at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight., Results: Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, n-hexadecanoic acid and n-heptadecanol-1 were identified among other compounds with known pharmacological activities by GC-MS analysis. No deaths, behavioural changes, or signs of toxicity were observed in the acute toxicity study. Treatment with AACLE (28 days) decreased aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glutathione, and catalase increased when compared with control (P < 0.05). Treatment with AACLE did not cause significant changes in haematological or renal function parameters. Treatment with AACLE inhibited gastrointestinal motility and castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats. Treatment with AACLE resulted in a dose-dependent (200-600 mg/kg) significant (P < 0.05) anti-diarrhoeal, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effect compared to standard drugs., Conclusion: Our study revealed that ACLE is not toxic but contains bioactive compounds with anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective activity. AACLE has antidiarrhoeal, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity in rats, which justifies its therapeutic use in traditional medicine., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Corchorus olitorius is used in ethnomedicine to arrest threatened miscarriage, ease labour, and promote smooth childbirth., Aim of the Study: To evaluate the phytochemical composition, toxicity profile, and effect of Corchorus olitorius L. leaf extract (COLE) on fetal macrosomia control in rats., Materials and Methods: The chemical constituents of COLE were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A single dose of up to 5000 mg/kg was administered in the acute toxicity test, and the rats were monitored for 14 days. In the sub-acute toxicity study, rats were treated with the extract for 28 days, and liver function, renal function, lipid profile, and serum antioxidant parameters, coupled with liver and kidney histology, were used to assess the toxicity potential of the extract. In the pup birth weight study, treatment of pregnant rats lasted until the birth of pups and continued for an extra 4 weeks. Rats in group 1 served as a control, whereas rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 received daily doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of COLE, respectively, via oral gavage., Results: Bioactive compounds such as D-limonene, phytol, hexadecanoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid (Z), dodecanoic acid, and ethyl 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate with well-known pharmacological activities were detected. LD 50 of COLE was >5000 mg/kg. COLE decreased body weight and increased red blood cell, packed cell volume, and haemoglobin values when compared with the control (p < 0.05). COLE significantly decreased alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase but did not cause any significant (p > 0.05) changes in other biochemical (liver and kidney) parameters when compared to control. COLE decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol when compared with the control (p < 0.05). Birth weights of pups were significantly decreased in the COLE-treated groups when compared with the control (p < 0.05), but the observed difference terminated by the fourth week of weaning., Conclusion: The results showed that COLE is not toxic but has several bioactive compounds with known pharmacological activities and therefore may be a safe oral agent for fetal macrosomia control., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Psidium guajava L. (Family, Myrtaceae) is reportedly used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of diarrhoea, inflammation, and gastroenteritis., Objective: This study evaluated the gastrointestinal function of Psidium guajava leaf extract (PGLE) in rats and rabbits., Materials and Methods: Crude ethanolic PGLE was subjected to phytochemical and toxicity tests (acute and sub-acute). Standard analytical procedures were employed to evaluate the in vivo gastrointestinal motility, and gastroprotective effect of PGLE against aspirin-induced ulcers., Results: In the phytochemical analysis, phenols were the highest (48.32 mg) followed by flavonoids (32.74 mg) and least in tannins (7.31 mg). The acute toxicity of PGLE was >6000 mg/kg. Administration of PGLE decreased significantly ( p  < 0.05) the body weight, while the liver biomarkers were not significantly altered ( p  > 0.05) when compared to the control. PGLE significantly increased extractible mucus weight and lowered gastric acid secretion in rats ( p  < 0.05). PGLE decreased significantly ( p  < 0.05) ulcer scores and indexes, and increased percentage ulcer inhibition in a dose-dependent manner compared to the negative and omeprazole-treated groups. PGLE dose-dependently inhibited basal amplitudes of contractions, and significantly inhibited acetylcholine-induced contractions, terminating them completely at higher doses., Conclusion: PGLE may be a good anti-ulcer and anti-diarrhoeal agent, raising the prospect of novel drug development for such applications.

Objectives Traditionally, Justicia carnae is used in treatment of anaemia. In this study, the haematoprotective effects of ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts of J. carnae were evaluated in sodium nitrate-treated male rats. Methods Acute toxicity values, phytochemical, vitamin B12, vitamin C and iron contents of the extracts were analytically determined. Seventy (70) adult rats divided into seven groups of 10 rats each were assigned specific treatments. Group I served as the normal control, while group II was treated with the induction agent (sodium nitrate (NaNO3), 300 mg/kg body weight) only. Group III was pretreated with fesolate before NaNO3 induction, while groups IV to VII received leaf extracts in addition to induction. The daily oral treatments lasted for 28 days and at the end, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for haematological studies. Results Results obtained revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, terpenes, saponins, alkaloids, vitamins C, B12 and iron in both extracts. The LD50 value for each extract was >5,000 mg/kg body weight. There were increased significant co-administration effects (p < 0.05) in red blood cell, packed cell volume, haemoglobin, white blood cells and platelet counts in the extract and fesolate treated groups compared to negative control. Bleeding time values were not significantly altered in all test groups (p > 0.05), but the increased clotting time values were lowered to about normal values following treatment with the extracts. Conclusions The results showed that J. carnae extract has haematoprotective potential and may be a good candidate for haematopoiesis.

Ethno-Pharmacological Relevance: Corchorus olitorius is reportedly used in ethno-medicine to arrest threatened miscarriage and other conditions associated with excessive uterine contractions. The plant is also used as a purgative, demulscent and an anti-inflammatory agent., Aim of the Study: Against the background of ethno-medicinal use, this current work was designed to evaluate the gastrointestinal and uterine smooth muscles relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects of Corchorus olitorius leaf extract (COLE)., Materials and Methods: Pieces of uterine and gastrointestinal tissues were suspended separately in organ baths containing ideal physiological salt solutions bubbled with air and were tested for responses to standard drugs and COLE, then repeated in the presence of antagonists. Anti-inflammatory study was carried out via the egg albumin-induced paw edema model in rats., Results: The application of COLE to pieces of uterine tissue significantly decreased the amplitudes of contractions in a dose dependent manner such that the highest dose applied (666.67 μg/ml) achieved a 100% inhibitory effect. Oxytocin induced contractions were also significantly inhibited by both salbutamol and COLE. On the isolated rabbit jejunum, the effect of COLE was also inhibitory and like atropine, significantly inhibited acetylcholine induced contractions. In the in vivo study, the extract inhibited charcoal meal movement in test rats when compared with control. Anti-inflammatory effect of COLE was significant and compared favourably with that of aspirin following in vivo trials., Conclusions: COLE therefore, may be a good tocolytic, anti-diarrheal and anti-inflammatory agent and offers hope of new drug discovery for such uses., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: In this study, the anti-fertility effect of Corchorus olitorius leaf extract (COLE) was evaluated in adult male rats., Materials and Methods: Forty rats assigned to 4 groups of 10 rats each, were orally given COLE for 28 days. Group 1 was the control group but groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered with 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight, respectively and were considered the test groups. Blood collection from the animals was performed at the end of treatments and blood samples were used for reproductive hormone assays. Also, sperm sample quality was ascertained, and basic organs were evaluated histologically for all groups., Results: A significant fall in relative organ weights for the testes and prostate was observed following high-dose treatment (p<0.05). Sperm sample pH, and individual sperm motility, viability, progressiveness and concentration decreased, while total abnormalities increased following high-dose (1000 mg/kg) treatment (p<0.05). Serum concentration of FSH significantly increased at 500 and 1000 mg/kg dose levels while LH and testosterone concentrations were significantly higher than control at all dose levels (p<0.05) except estrogen which was higher than control at 250 and 500 mg/kg but lower at 1000 mg/kg dose level. Control testes showed intact histological architecture with mature spermatid density of 300 cells per tubule and well differentiated Leydig cells, while those animals treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract, were without significant pathology but had average spermatid densities of 200 and 280 cells per tubule, respectively. Significant azoospermia and spermatid density of only 30 cells per tubule and prostatic degeneration were seen in the group treated with 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract., Conclusion: Consumption of high amounts of C. olitorius may inhibit reproductive functions in males., Competing Interests: None declared.

Background In this study, the hematological and antioxidant potential as well as the osmotic fragility effects of a Nigerian polyherbal formulation were evaluated. Materials and methods A total of 40 fats were divided into four groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 served as the control group, and the rest were assigned increasing daily oral administration of the extract for 28 days. At the end of treatment, blood was collected for hematological and osmotic fragility studies. The free radical scavenging effect of the extract was investigated via different in vitro models as well. Results Results showed that the nitric oxide scavenging and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activities of the extract were significant (p < 0.05) and compared favorably with that of vitamin C. At 200 and 400 μg/mL, the nitric oxide scavenging activities for Ajumbise Polyherbal Extract (APE) were 60.71 ± 0.25% and 59.49 ± 0.98%, respectively, whereas for the same concentrations of vitamin C, 74.60 ± 0.25% and 85.24 ± 0.14 scavenging activities were obtained. The (DPPH) activity at 100 μg/mL was 81.24 ± 0.02% for the extract and 96.22 ± 0.18% for vitamin C. However, at all concentrations, the extract had significantly lower Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) activity than vitamin C. Red blood cell counts (RBCC), hemoglobin and packed cell volume values (PCV) were significantly lowered only in groups treated with 400 and 800 mg/kg of the extract (p < 0.05), whereas other RBCC parameters and white blood cell counts (WBCC) were not significantly affected (p < 0.05). Platelet (PLT) count was also significantly lowered in all extract-treated groups. The extract also significantly reduced RBCC percentage hemolysis (p < 0.05). Conclusions Ajumbise polyherbal may be free of hematoxicity and may improve the integrity of the RBC membrane due to its appreciable antioxidant activity.

The gastroprotective activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extract against aspirin-induced ulcers was investigated in rats. Thirty (30) rats under starvation but with access to drinking water for 48 h were divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each. Animals in groups 1 and 2 were pretreated with 0.2 ml normal saline via the oral route. Group 3 received 32 mg/kg cimetidine while those in groups 4, 5 and 6 received oral Moringa leaf extract treatments at doses 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight respectively. Thirty minutes after treatment, all animals in groups 2 to 6 were given 800 mg/kg Aspirin to induce ulcer. Results obtained showed complete erosion of the superficial epithelium with complete loss of the mucus globules and sloughing off of immediate underlying cells and sparsely distributed intraepithelial lymphocytes in the stomach of rats in which no treatment was given and significantly differed from those of the normal control animals which were essentially intact. No significant gastroprotection was observed in rats pretreated with the lowest dose of the extract (200 mg/kg) as a high degree of intestinal mucosal lesions and complete erosion of the surface epithelium with intraepithelial haemorrhage, moderate inflammation and tissue oedema were observed. Pretreatment with 400 mg/kg, however, offered a mild degree of protection with patches of surface epithelial protection and mucus globules, even though there was still predominant disintegration and sloughing off of superficial and underlying epithelial cells. The level of protection was sufficiently increased in animals treated with 800 mg/kg Moringa extract as there was increased protection of surface epithelium with more mucus globules and compared favourably with the effect of Cimetidine in which patches of intact superficial cells were observed. Moringa leaf extract may contain active agents with gastroprotective and mucus enhancing activities and could be harnessed into safe and potent treatment agents for ulcer in addition to providing template for the development of new antiulcer agents., Competing Interests: Compliance with ethical standardsThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.All applicable international, national and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

The indiscriminate use of pesticide is a treat to non-target organisms. This study evaluates the haematological and biochemical changes induced by inhalation of local Nigerian dichlorvos insecticide on rats. The rats were randomly assigned to a control group which received only food and water and a test group which, in addition to food and water, was exposed to the pesticide for a period of 4 h daily for 28 days, after which exposure was discontinued for seven days. Five animals were sacrificed from each group on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35, and blood was collected by cardiac puncture for haematological, biochemical and antioxidant analysis. Results obtained showed lowered values of red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) ( p < 0.05) with increased white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet counts after day 14 when compared to the control group. Liver enzymes aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and alanine amino transaminase (ALT) were higher in the exposed rats compared to the control group ( p < 0.05). Urea and creatinine concentrations increased significantly after day 1 and at day 28, while superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluthathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activity increased significantly compared to the control after day 1, day 14 and day 21, respectively. The RBC, PCV and haemoglobin values of all exposed rats were restored to normal following withdrawal of the pesticide, though AST, ALT, urea, creatinine and, glutathione values remained significantly high compared to the control. Inhalation of the local insecticide is toxic to the blood, liver and kidney of laboratory rats and may be deleterious to human health following long-term exposure.