Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2026 in |
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and excessive mucus production. This study evaluated the anti-asthmatic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential of the methanolic fruit extract of Morinda citrifolia (noni), a medicinal plant widely used in traditional herbal medicine. Dried fruits were shade-dried, powdered, and extracted with methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. The extract was investigated using in-vivo models including histamine aerosol-induced bronchoconstriction, milk-induced leukocytosis, and eosinophilia to assess anti-asthmatic activity. Antioxidant activity was determined by hydrogen peroxide scavenging and reducing power assays, while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated through protein denaturation inhibition and red blood cell membrane stabilization methods. The extract was administered at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. Results demonstrated significant bronchodilatory activity with reduced leukocyte and eosinophil counts, indicating notable anti-asthmatic effects. The extract also exhibited considerable free radical scavenging capacity and membrane stabilizing activity, confirming its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These pharmacological activities may be attributed to the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, and tannins. The...
Read More
Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2026 in |
This study aims at valorizing the leaves of Hymenocardia acida Tul., a medicinal plant traditionally used in the Republic of Congo and other African countries, for healing cough and respiratory infections. The aqueous extract, prepared by decoction, showed a low acute toxicity in mice (LD50 > 5000 mg/kg). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, condensed tannins, saponins, mucilages, reducing sugars, and anthraquinones. The oral administration of the extract at 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg significantly inhibited ammonia-induced cough in guinea pigs, with a prolonged reaction latency and a reduction of post-exposure cough bouts, comparable to the effect of dextromethorphan (0.5 mg/kg). Conversely, no significant effects were observed on cigarette smoke-induced cough. The extract also exhibited an in vitro antibacterial activity against a clindamycin-resistant strain of staphylococcus aureus, at concentrations of 1% and 10%, but no activity was observed against Escherichia coli. These findings validate the traditional use of Hymenocardia acida Tul. and highlight its natural antitussive and antibacterial...
Read More
Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2026 in |
Hyperglycemia due to insulin secretion or action abnormalities, or both, characterizes diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic condition. Using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats, this research aimed to determine whether or not extract from the leaves of Tinospora cordifolia had any anti-diabetic effects. A single intraperitoneal injection of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin was used to develop diabetes, and for 28 days, the mice were given an oral dosage of 300 mg/kg of an ethanolic extract of Tinospora cordifolia leaves. The gold standard medicine for comparison was glibenclamide (10 mg/kg). Changes in body weight and fasting blood glucose levels were used to evaluate the extract’s anti-diabetic effectiveness. Tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids were detected in the phytochemical analysis of the extract. In diabetic rats, the extract treatment led to a 58.2% decrease in blood glucose levels (P < 0.01) and an improvement in body weight. The outcomes were similar to those of the gold standard medication, glibenclamide. According to the results, a 50% ethanolic Tinospora cordifolia extract has strong anti-diabetic effects and might...
Read More
Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2026 in |
Oxidative stress caused by free radicals contributes significantly to aging and various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and neurodegenerative conditions. Natural antioxidants from plant sources have gained scientific attention due to their therapeutic potential and safer profile compared to synthetic antioxidants. The present study comparatively evaluated the in-vitro antioxidant activity of Punica granatum peel extract and Vitis vinifera seed extract using phytochemical screening and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. Ethanolic extracts of both plant materials were prepared by maceration and subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis for the detection of phenolics, tannins, and flavonoids. Antioxidant activity was assessed at concentrations ranging from 100–800 µM by measuring absorbance at 593 nm using the FRAP method. Both extracts exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity with increasing absorbance at higher concentrations. However, Punica granatum peel extract consistently showed greater ferric reducing antioxidant power than Vitis vinifera seed extract at all tested concentrations. At 800 µM, the absorbance value of Punica granatum was 0.8, while Vitis vinifera showed 0.3. The superior antioxidant...
Read More
Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2026 in |
Opuntiol is a biologically active flavonol present in Opuntia elatior Mill. (Cactaceae) that exhibits significant pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti inflammatory and anticancer effects. Reliable analytical methods are therefore required for its quantitative estimation in plant extracts and pharmaceutical preparations. The present study aimed to develop and validate a rapid, sensitive and reproducible densitometric HPTLC method for the quantification of Opuntiol. Opuntiol was isolated from the fruits of Opuntia elatior using column chromatography and its purity was confirmed by TLC and UV spectroscopy. Chromatographic separation was achieved on silica gel 60 F254 plates using an optimized mobile phase consisting of ethyl acetate:water:formic acid:glacial acetic acid:n-hexane (7:1:1.1:1.1:5 v/v). Densitometric scanning was performed at 280 nm. Densitometric scanning was yielding a well-resolved band with an Rf value of 0.42 ± 0.005. The method showed excellent linearity in the range of 10–120 ng/spot with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The limits of detection and quantification were 8.13 ng/spot and 24.65 ng/spot, respectively. Precision studies demonstrated %RSD values below 2%, confirming good...
Read More
