1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Key Words: Telfairia occidentalis, Cucurbitaceae, macroscopy, microscopy, characterization, fixed oil

The macroscopical and microscopical characters of the leaf, stem and root of Telfaria occidentalis are reported. ash value, extractive value, moisture content and some numerical constants of the leaf were determined. Phytgochemical analysis of the various parts of the plants was also done. The fixed oil from the seed was extracted and some of its properties determined.

Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. ¹Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Keywords: Crotalaria; pyrrolizidine alkaloids; toxic plants, necrosis, hyperaemia.

The study of the alkaloids of three Crotalaria species was carried out with special reference to their toxicity. These are Crotalaria microcarpa Hochst: Crotalaria naragutensis, Hutch. and Crotalaria retusa L. Alkaloids was detected in the leaves and aerial parts of all the three species except the leaves of C. naragutensis. Mattock’s test for unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids (hepatotoxic) revealed that only C. retusa contained these alkaloids amongst the three species. This indicated that this is a potentially toxic specie. The alkaloids of C. retusa were toxic to albino (Wistar) rats. Marked microscopic lesions were found, principally in the liver. The lungs, kidneys and intestine also had significant toxic features. Toxicity pattern was typical of the alkaloid monocrotaline.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health sciences and ¹Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Durban-Westville, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.

Keywords: Senna didymobotrya; Fabaceae, Aqueous extracts; mosquito larvae; Larvicidal property; Anopheles fluviatilis

Larvicidal properties of aqueous extracts of the leaves tem and root barks of Senna didymobotrya (Fabaceae) were evaluated against the malaria vector (Anopheles fluviatilis) under physiological conditions. Larvicidal assays showed that early larval stages were more prone to the lethal effects of the plant extracts, and that the root barks extract possessed the strongest larvicidal activity. Larvicidal effects were obtained after 3 hours of incubation of the larvae in 1,0.1, or 0.01% w/v solutions of the aqueous extracts. It was concluded that S. didymoborya is a potential mosquito larvicide.

College of Health Sciences and ¹Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

Keywords: Cassia occidentalis, Caesalpiniceae, haematology, pathology and rats

The aqueous leave extract of Cassia occidentalis produced significant decreases in the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HB), and total red blood cell count (RBC) (P<0.05) but did not influence the white blood cell (WBC). Similarly the aqueous leaf extract produced histopathological lesions of the liver and kidney. These lesions include fatty changes and acute tubular necrosis in the liver and kidney, respectively. There was a dose dependent decrease weight changes in the rats given aqueous leaf extract of Cassia occidentalis. The results therefore indicate some level of toxicity in the use of this plant.

Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-araba, Surulere, Lagos.

Keywords: Musanga cecrepioidis, Cecropiaceae, oral contraceptives, serum lipids.

Effects of the Water (MCW), Ethanolic (MCE) and Acetylated Ethanolic (MCA) extracts of the budsheath of Musanga cecrepioidis (Cecropiaceae) administered into mature female Sprague Dawley rats were compared with those of the synthetic low-dose combined oral contraceptive-Neogynon Ed Fe (C.O.C-N). All the three extracts of Musanga cecrepioidis elicited a significant (P<0.01) increase in fasting serum triglycerides concentration after 27-day administration. The increase was dose-dependent for MCE compared to controls. All the three extracts caused a non-dose dependent reduction in serum cholesterol levels of treated rats compared to controls. A similar pattern was observed in rats treated with C.O.C-N. There was however, no significant alteration in blood serum inorganic phosphate levels in all treated rats. Results suggest a mimic of a state of psuedopregnancy associated with synthetic oral contraceptive drugs. It is concluded that extracts of Musanga cecrepioidis caused elevation of blood serum triglycerides concentration and depression of serum cholesterol levels in the mature female rat.

Department of Chemistry, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyondou, 0950, South Africa.

Keyewords: Zanthoxylum davyi; Rutaceae, chelerythrine acetonate; methyl octadecyl ketone; lupeol; skimmianine; hesperidin; X-Ray structure; ¹³CNMR; NOE; HMBC.

The alkaloids pellitorine and chelerythrine acetonate were isolated from the stem bark of Zanthoxylum davyi together with methyl octadecyl ketone, lupeol and hesperidin. The alkaloid skimmianie was isolated from the leaves. The X-Ray structure of chelerythrine acetonate was also determined.

Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1017, Uyo, Nigeria.

Keywords: Cedrus doedara, fumigants, Storage moulds, Capsicum annum (Varieties U-LP and U-RSP)

An in vitro anti-fungal action of the essential oil of Cedrus deodara on storage moulds of Capsicum annum was evaluated. The oil exerted strong action against the moulds isolated and was more efficacious than other tested fumigants.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,

Faculty of Pharmacy, P.M.B. 1017, University of Uyo, Nigeria

Keywords: Salacia pyrriformis, Celastraceae, root chemical constituents, antibacterial activity, celesbraceae

The phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extracts of Salacia pyriformis revealed the presence of saponins, tannis, polyphenols, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids. An in-vitro antibacterial action of the plant material was evaluated, using the disc diffusion method. The extracts exhibited marked inhibitory action on the growth of Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli at the concentration of 100mg/ml.

Departmentof Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. ¹Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Keywords: Acalypha racemosa, Euphorbiaceae, Antimicrobial, rate of kill.

Phytochemical studies on the powdered leaves of Acalypha racemosa revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and terpenes. Antimicrobial activities of cold water, hot water and methanolic extracts were studied against standard organisms (E. coli NCTC 10418, Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571) and a clinical isolate (Candida albicans). The cold-water extract showed better antibacterial activity than the hot water and methanolic extracts. Similarly, S. aureus was more susceptible than E. coli, but Candida albicans was completely resistant to the extracts. The cold-water extract showed activity with MIC range from 3.0mg/ml (against S. aureus) to 4.0mg/ml (E.coli) for cold water and 7.0mg/ml for the two isolates (methanolic extract). The MBC of the cold-water extract (6.0mg/ml) was able to cause 2-log cycle reduction of cell population in 90 minutes.

Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Keywords: Antifungal, Brachystegia eurycoma, Caesalphinaceae, Richardia brasiliensis, Ruboaceae, Tannin.

The antifungal properties of ethanol and water crude extracts of the bark of Brachystegia eurycoma and leaf of Richaria brasiliensis were analysed using disc diffisopm agar method. After 48 hours of incubation, all the four extracts at 2mg/ml inhibited the growth of Aspergillus flavus. Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Epidermophyton floccosium, Fusarium solani, Mucor mucedo, Microsporium audonii and Trichophyton verrucosum. The ethanol extract of Richardia brasiliensis was the most active of the four extrtacts. The water extract of Brachystegia eurycoma was more active than its ethanol extract, but the dreverse occurred with Richardia brasiliensis because the ethanol extract was more active than its water extract. Preliminary phytochemical studies of the plant extracts reveals that Richardia brasiliensis water extract contains mainly tannin while its ethanol extract possess antraquinone, flavonoid, pholbatannin, saponins and steroids. The water extract of Brachystegia eurycoma has tannin mainly while its ethanol extract has flavonoid and tannin. Alkaloid and terpenes were absent in the four plant extracts.

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, ¹Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ²Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Keywords: Schistosoma mansoni, Vernonia amygdalina, Compositae, cercariae, infection, mice.

The curative and prophylactic effects of petroleum ether and ethanolic leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Del (family Compositae) were investigated in mice with experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection. Thirty male Swiss albino mice of 20-25g weight (7-8 weeks old) in six groups of five each were used. Mice in groups A & B were experimentally infected, by intraperiotoneal inoculation, with a 200 dose of Schistosoma mansoni type cercariae obtained from Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails. Mice in groups A and B were respectively, treated (I.P) with petroleum ether extract (PEVA) and ethanolic extra (EEVA) of the plant at a dose of 1mg/kg bw for five consecutive days following the detection of lateral spined eggs in their faeces (10 weeks post-inoculation). Mice in groups C and D received a single prophylactic dose (1mg/kg bw) of PEVA and EEVA respectively 24h before the animals were inoculated with the cercercial dose. Animals in groups E and F served as positive (infected not treated) and negative (non-infected non-treated) control respectively. Mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and necropsy done. EVA and EEVA reduced the parasite load in mice by 72.3% and 83.61% respectively. Chemoprophylactic application recorded 34.06% and 44.57% reduction of parasite load for PEVA and EEVA respectively. The non-infected non-treated mice (negative control) showed no signs of infection while the infected but not treated (positive control) were anaemic with severe enteritis, enlarge and congested kidney, liver and spleen (hepato splenomegaly) with areas of necrosis. Changes in the mean liver weights of treated and non-treated infected mice were not significant (P>0.05). The result show that the leaf extracts of V. amygdalina have potential curative effects on experimental schistosomiasis in mice.

Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi FIIRO0, P.M.B. 21023, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. ¹Departmentof Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria ² Institute of Chemistry of Lipids, Bagkf, P.O.Box 1705, D-4800B, Munster, Germany.

Keywords: Citrullus colocynthis, Curcubitaceae, seed oil, physio-chemical characteristics, fatty acids

Edible oil was mechanically extracted and characterized from Guna melon (Citrullus colocynthis L.). The physical characteristics of the Guna melon were compared with Citrullus lanatus "Serewe" and Citrullus vulgaris "Bara" melon types. There were significant (P<0.01) differences in the physical characteristics between Guna melon and "Sewere" or "Bara" melons, with respect to shape, length, width, seed weight and volume. Results of the study showed that the yield of extracted Guna melon oil was 54.7+0.82% of the kernel, and 43.3+0.60% of the unshelled seed by weight. The moisture content, free fatty acid content, idodine value, saponification value and unsaponifiable matter content were 0.13 + 0.04%, 0.65 + 0.10%, 109 + 1.50, 213.8 + 4.895, and 1.05+0.06% respectively. The fatty acid composition determined by Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC) showed individual unsaturated fatty acid to be Oleic (18:1), 15.5+0.07%; Linoleic (18:2), 56.9 +1.04%, and Linolenic (18:3), 0.1+0.02%, while the saturated fatty acids were palmitic (16:0), 10.3 + 0.42%, and stearic (18:0), 14.7+0.68%. The unidentified fatty acids detected amounted to 2.5+0.04%. The results indicate that Guna melo contains high amount of golden yellow, semi-drying soft edible oil, rich in the esstial fatty acids, and therefore justifies its use as a source of vegetable oil.

Department of Public Health and Animal Production and ¹Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Keywords: Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthaceae, haematology, serum chemistry, rats.

The aqueous extract of Amaranthus spinosus leaf produced no significant (p<0.05) changes in the value of haematological parameters such as total red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and blood coagulation time of the rats. A significant (p<0.05) reduction in serum glucose and cholesterol levels was observed. Serum biochemical parameters showed no significant (p<0.05 changes in the levels of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum glutamate pyruate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (SGOT).

Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadanm Nigeria. ¹Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL. 60612.

Keywords: Euphorbia species, Spondianthus preussii, Euphorbiaceae, anti-tumour activity, Betulinic acid.

We report results of screening of eight local Euphorbiaceae plants for in vitro anti-tumor activities involving a panel of solid tumours of human origin and the P-388 lymophocytic leukemia system. Selective cytotoxicity was observed for four of the plant species namely. Spondianthus preussii Engl. (Melanoma), Elaeophorbia drupifera (Thonn) Stapf. (lung, colon and P-388), Euphorbia deightonii Croizat (sarcoma, ssquamous cell cancer and P-388) and E. desmondi Keay and Milne-Redhead (melanoma, colon and P-388). We also report the identification of 3b-hydroxy-20 (29)-lupen-28-oic acid as a major anti-tumor constituent (ED=24mg/ml) of stem bark of S. preussii. This work provides further evidence for the use of some Euphorbiaceae plants in traditional medicine.