Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Bambusa vulgaris Var. vulgaris Leaf and its Toxicity Studies in Male Wistar Rats

The study evaluated the pharmacognostic characters and toxicity of the aqueous ethanolic extract of Bambusa vulgaris leaf in male wistar rats. The microscopy of the leaf revealed diagnostic characters such as anomocytic stomata, sinuous epidermal cells, numerous prisms of calcium oxalate crystals and covering trichomes. Histopathological examination revealed no significant adverse effects on the lungs, kidneys and the spleens after fourteen days oral administration of the extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg doses. Haematological evaluation however revealed a significant 31% reduction (p<0.05) in packed cell volume and a significant 31% increase (p<0.05) in white blood cell count at 500 mg/kg. The results suggest that administration of B. vulgaris extract may possess low toxicity when used.Keywords: Bambusa vulgaris, Toxicity, Microscopy, Standardization, Histolog

Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Bambusa vulgaris Var. vulgaris Leaf and its Toxicity Studies in Male Wistar Rats

The study evaluated the pharmacognostic characters and toxicity of the aqueous ethanolic extract of Bambusa vulgaris leaf in male wistar rats. The microscopy of the leaf revealed diagnostic characters such as anomocytic stomata, sinuous epidermal cells, numerous prisms of calcium oxalate crystals and covering trichomes. Histopathological examination revealed no significant adverse effects on the lungs, kidneys and the spleens after fourteen days oral administration of the extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg doses. Haematological evaluation however revealed a significant 31% reduction (p&lt;0.05) in packed cell volume and a significant 31% increase (p&lt;0.05) in white blood cell count at 500 mg/kg. The results suggest that administration of B. vulgaris extract may possess low toxicity when used.Keywords: Bambusa vulgaris, Toxicity, Microscopy, Standardization, Histology</jats:p

Antidiarrheal mechanism of Carpolobia lutea

Context: Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) leaf is reputable as an antidiarrheal agent among the Efik and Ibibio tribe of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The crude extract is reported to show antidiarrheal and antiulcer effects in rodents.Objective: The isolation and characterization of drug molecules from the leaf fraction with antidiarrheal bioactivity and determination of mechanism of action are reported.Material and methods: Gradient extraction by maceration yielding n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol fractions (770 mg/kg) were used to establish the fractions suitable for drug discovery. The antidiarrheal effect of the leaf fractions of Carpolobia lutea was evaluated using castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced intestinal transit, and enteropooling.Results: Results indicate that all fractions produced a significant (p < 0.01-0.001) decrease in castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats. This effect was not antagonized by isosorbide dinitrate (150 mg/kg, p.o), diphenoxylate (5 x 10(-3) mg/kg p.o) and yohimbine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) except for the chloroform fraction. The ethyl acetate fraction produced 100% inhibition of intestinal transit, an effect greater than pure drug. Phytochemical analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction yielded polyphenolic compounds.Conclusion: The leaf fractions contain two types of antidiarrheal agents, one mediating its effect through alpha(1) - presynaptic adrenoceptor while the other does not. Polyphenols isolated may in part lend credence for observed antidiarrheal activity.Niger Delta UniversityKhana Local Government Council, Bori, Ogoni, NigeriaFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Niger Delta Univ, Fac Pharm, Dept Pharmacol & Toxicol, Wilberforce Isl, Bayelsa State, NigeriaUniv Uyo, Fac Pharm, Dept Pharmacol & Toxicol, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, NigeriaSão Paulo State Univ, UNESP, Dept Organ Chem, Inst Chem, BR-14801970 São Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo State Univ, UNESP, Dept Organ Chem, Inst Chem, BR-14801970 São Paulo, Brazi