Pharmaceutics and Phytomedicine

Herbal teas consist of mono and sometimes poly-herbal recipes of herbs with acclaimed health benefits which are often brewed as infusion or decoction. Three variants of poly-herbal teas containing Herbiscus sabdariffa, Moringa oleifera, Citrus limon, and Zingiber officinale were prepared and evaluated for their physicochemical and stability properties. Intrinsic physicochemical properties that include organoleptic, ash value, pH of brew solutions, extractive matter as well as non-intrinsic properties such as moisture content, flow and particle size of granules and dust leak from teabags were determined. Also, the effects of stressful storage conditions on some physicochemical properties were evaluated. The different tea blends showed remarkable differences in their physicochemical properties. The products also showed discrepancies in stability parameters such as appearance, pH of the brew and antioxidant properties when stored under different conditions. In all, the herbal tea showed good physicochemical and stability properties that are characteristic of a good finished herbal product.

Herbal teas consist of mono and sometimes poly-herbal recipes of herbs with acclaimed health benefits which are often brewed as infusion or decoction. Three variants of poly-herbal teas containing Herbiscus sabdariffa, Moringa oleifera, Citrus limon, and Zingiber officinale were prepared and evaluated for their physicochemical and stability properties. Intrinsic physicochemical properties that include organoleptic, ash value, pH of brew solutions, extractive matter as well as non-intrinsic properties such as moisture content, flow and particle size of granules and dust leak from teabags were determined. Also, the effects of stressful storage conditions on some physicochemical properties were evaluated. The different tea blends showed remarkable differences in their physicochemical properties. The products also showed discrepancies in stability parameters such as appearance, pH of the brew and antioxidant properties when stored under different conditions. In all, the herbal tea showe...

Many herbal teas consist of poly-herbal materials that are often folk recipes with known health benefits. Poly-herbal teas containing the leaves of Moringa oleifera, Zingiber officinale and juice of Citrus limon were developed and evaluated for its physicochemical and stability properties. The herbal tea generally showed good physicochemical properties such as organoleptic properties, excellent flow, optimal ash value and moisture content. It showed stability properties that are characteristic of a good finished herbal product. The tea also showed effective free radical scavenging properties similar to that of ascorbic acid and consistent with its antioxidant benefits. Some of its physicochemical and antioxidant properties were diminished when stored in a stress environment. Formulating the poly-herbal recipe of M. oleifera, Z. officinale and juice of C. limon into herbal tea is an effective means of presenting the herbal medicine for use.

Many herbal teas consist of poly-herbal materials that are often folk recipes with known health benefits. Poly-herbal teas containing the leaves of Moringa oleifera, Zingiber officinale and juice of Citrus limon were developed and evaluated for its physicochemical and stability properties. The herbal tea generally showed good physicochemical properties such as organoleptic properties, excellent flow, optimal ash value and moisture content. It showed stability properties that are characteristic of a good finished herbal product. The tea also showed effective free radical scavenging properties similar to that of ascorbic acid and consistent with its antioxidant benefits. Some of its physicochemical and antioxidant properties were diminished when stored in a stress environment. Formulating the poly-herbal recipe of M. oleifera, Z. officinale and juice of C. limon into herbal tea is an effective means of presenting the herbal medicine for use.

Plaque-related diseases, dental caries and periodontal diseases are among the most important preventable global infectious diseases. In addition to mechanical plaque removal nowadays the phytomedicine use is gaining attention throughout the world. Plants are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites, such as tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which have been found to have antimicrobial properties. The phytomedicine, today, symbolize safety, in contrast to the synthetics that are regarded as unsafe to humans and the environment. Plant extracts have been used in dentistry for reducing inflammation, as antiplaque agents, for preventing release of histamine and as antiseptics, antioxidants, antimicrobials, antifungals, antibacterials, antivirals and analgesics. The aim of this paper is to consider the resurgence of phytomedicine use in Dentistry.

Background: Sterculia cordata is a flowering plant and belongs to the family Malvaceae. The goal of our investigation was to determine the significant medicinal properties of the leaf of this plant. Methods: Leaves of Sterculia cordata was extracted with pure ethanol, then fractioned with n-hexane, Ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol. The extract and fractions were tested for secondary metabolites and the determination of total phenol, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. The antibacterial screening was done by disk diffusion technique. The cytotoxic bioassay was carried out with the method as described by brine shrimp bioassay. Results: Alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid, and tannins are present in all extracts and fractions of Sterculia cordata leaves. Among all extract and fractions, MFEESC exhibited strong antioxidant activity in both reducing powers. Phenol content was at a range of 3.06 ± 0.34 mg to

This study determined the total phenols and flavonoids, antioxidant activity, Preliminary Phytochemical Screening, GC-MS analysis. Hypnea boergesenii T. Tanakared seaweed, collected from Chabahar Sea, on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. Powder was extracted using five solvent: (15g) with70% ethanol and (340g) extracted successively with four solvent (Hexane, petroleum ether, dichloromethane and 1445 methanol) using maceration method. All the crude extracts were concentrated under reduced pressure and dried by using freeze dryer. The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was measured using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the IC 50 is (17.68± 0.33). The total phenolics and total flavonoids content were also determined by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods (TPC =3.42±0.04) and (TFC = 4.79 ± 0.11). In this investigation, was performed to screen, estimate total phenolic, flavonoids, evaluate antioxidant potential of H. boergesenii and investigate Antimicrobial activity of the seaweed extracts. Phytochemical analysis of alcoholic extract showed presence of major classes of phytochemicals, such as: tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, etc. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry results revealed presence phytoconstituents compounds in various extract of H. boergesenii alga.

Current practice in treating cases of malaria is based around the concept of combination therapy, since this offers several advantages - reduced risk of treatment failure, reduced risk of developing resistance, enhanced convenience and reduced side-effects. The effect of the supplements vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) and orange fruit juice on the potency and efficacy of some selected anti-malaria drugs (Armact, Coartem, Waipa and Fansider) as a combination therapy were investigated. 80 patients (adults) infected with malaria parasites were used. The study showed that the simultaneous administration of the drugs with vitamin B2 did not alter the potency of the drugs, while orange fruit juice altered the efficacy of the drugs. Therefore, the concomitant administration of these anti-malaria drugs (combination therapies) with orange fruit juice should be avoided during the period of malaria treatment for the effectiveness of such drugs. The result of this study also showed that concomitant administration of Riboflavin with antimalarial drugs may possess potent antimalarial effects and may therefore offer a potential drug lead for development of a safe, effective and affordable antimalarial.

Background: The exploitation and utilization of vast varieties of herbal extracts may serve as
alternative measures to deter aggregation of deoxygenated sickle cell hemoglobin (deoxyHbS)
molecules. Objective: The present in vitro study ascertained the capacity of three medicinal plants,
namely, Anacardium occidentale, Psidium guajava, and Terminalia catappa, to alter polymerization
of HbS. Materials and Methods: Spectrophotometric method was used to monitor the level of
polymerization of hemolysate HbS molecules treated with sodium metabisulfite (Na2S2O5) at a
regular interval of 30 s for a period of 180 s in the presence of separate aqueous extracts of A.
occidentale, P. guajava, and T. catappa. At time intervals of 30 s, the level of polymerization
was expressed as percentage of absorbance relative to the control sample at the 180th s.
Results: Although extracts of the three medicinal plants caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction
in polymerization of deoxyHbS molecules, the corresponding capacity in this regard diminished
with increase in incubation time. Aqueous extract of P. guajava exhibited the highest capacity
to reduced polymerization of deoxyHbS molecules. Whereas at t > 60 s, extract concentration
of 400 mg% of A. occidentale activated polymerization of deoxyHbS molecules by 6.23±1.34,
14.53±1.67, 21.15±1.89, and 24.42±1.09%, 800 mg% of T. catappa at t > 30 s gave values
of 2.50±1.93, 5.09±1.96, 10.00±0.99, 15.38±1.33, and 17.31±0.97%. Conclusion: The
capacity of the three medicinal plants to interfere with polymerization of deoxyHbS molecules
depended on the duration of incubation and concentration of the extracts.

The seeds of Cleome viscosa are used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of many diseases in Asia.
This study evaluated fixed oil from the seeds of Cleome viscosa for analgesic and antiemetic activity by using the acetic acid
induced writhing test in mice (intraperitoneally) and chick emetic model (oral treatment) respectively. The results showed
significant analgesic and antiemetic activities of Cleome viscosa fixed oil.

Salacia senegalensis is an acclaimed medicinal plant use locally by the people of the South-East zone Nigeria in the
treatment of malaria, skin problem and lotion for sick children. Therefore, acute toxicity study (LD50) was carried out on
methanol extract of its leaf. Results of phase I and phase II of the study showed no mortality was recorded in any of the
experimental groups of mice in 24 hours (a day), 72 hours (3days) and up to four weeks after oral and intra-peritoneal
administration of 5000mg per kg body weight of extract. Also the histology (photomicrograph) of the liver sections showed
no histopathological lesion, showed multinucleation, a large but centrally positioned hepatic vein, pleomorphic nuclei,
normal sinusoids with intact hepatic cyto-architecture are being regenerated (H & E X 400). Hence, oral and intraperitoneal
administration of the extract at a dose of less than or equal to 5000mg per kg body weight is safe, but extremely
high doses may not be advisable.

The research was undertaken to investigate the comparative phytochemical and in vitro antibacterial activity of the single and combined strengths of the leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum Linn and Gongronema latifolium Benth. on some enteric bacterial isolates. The sensitivity test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were carried out using a modified agar-well diffusion method. The enteric bacterial isolates tested included Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella Typhi and Enterobacter aerogenes. Standard methods were applied to obtain the ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts. The ethanol extracts of O. gratissimum and G. latifolium produced highly significant inhibitory activity against all the enteric bacterial isolates tested. Comparatively, the ethanol plant extracts were more potent than the commercially available drug, Ciprofloxacin and the aqueous plant extracts. The isolates were sensitive at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.25 mg/ml for the ethanol extract but varied from 2.5 mg/ml - 5.0mg/ml in the aqueous extract. It was also observed that the synergistic antibacterial effect of the medicinal plant extracts was greater than the singular antibacterial effect of the individual plant extracts in both the ethanol and aqueous extracts. The potency of the individual extracts and the combined effect may be due to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, tannins and saponins in the leaves of the plants. This study partly validates the use of the plant extracts in the treatment of disease caused by the enteric bacterial isolates by multiple traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria, however, strict adherence to dosage is recommended. The leaf extract is a potential source of the new drug if the components are purified and enhanced for treating infections caused by these enteric pathogens.

This  study  was  carried  out  to  determine  the  hematological  changes
(TEC, Hb, PCV) and biochemical changes (AST/SGOT, ALT/SGPT
and Ca), in commercial broiler chickens due to the  use of Probiotics
(protexin). Total 60, day old of vencobb broiler chicks was used for
the  experiment.  The  chicks  were  distributed  into  four  dietary
treatments  having  three  replications  in  each  treatment.  For
hematological  examination,  5  ml  blood  sample  was  collected  from
wing vein of each group by and kept in vials containing anticoagulant
(sodium-EDTA)  and  this  was  done  on  day  of  7,  14,  21,  28  and  35
during  experimental  period.  Biochemical  parameters, SGOT  and
SGPT were determined by the use of the specific test kit and analyzer
(3000  evolution)  and  Ca  by  R.X  Monza  analyzer.  Probiotic  effects
were found at 35 days old broilers statistically significant at (P<0.01)
level  of  significance  for  TEC,  PCV,  Hb,  SGOT  and  Caw  here  as
SGPT  was  at  (P<0.05)  level  of  significance.  Probiotics  perhaps
increase the beneficial microorganisms and decreases the pathogenic
microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) on the lipogram and selected organ functions in hyperlipidemic rats. Animals were subjected to different treatments for 60 days. Balanced basal diet was supplied to control rats; saturated high fat- and/or MOS-contained diets were supplied to tested rats. Sera were collected on escalating times and total lipids, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine were evaluated. On the last day, rats were sacrificed and the kidneys, liver, heart with aorta were picked out for histopathology. The results of MOS-treated group revealed significant decrease in total lipids, cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine with significant increase in HDL-C. Histopathological findings in the tested organs have been ameliorated with MOS, comparing with those in hyperlipidemic rats. The obtained data may give MOS the potential of antihyperlipidemic activity for prophylaxis and treatment of hyperlipidemia and related diseases.

Eclipta  alba  Hassk.  (Bhringaraja,  Fam:  Compositae)  is  a  perennial
shrub which grows widely in moist tropical countries. Different uses
have  been  reported  for  this  shrub.  It  is  used  as  anthelmintic,
expectorant,  antipyretic,  antiasthmatic,  tonic,  deobstruent  in  hepatic
and  spleen  enlargement,  in  skin  diseases  and  as  a  substitute  for
Taraxacum (a popular liver tonic). It has been reported to be useful in
liver  ailments  and  has  been  shown  to  possess  hepatoprotective
activity  against  carbon-  tetrachloride  induced  liver  cell  damage  in
animals.  The  aim  of  the  present  study  was  to  design  and  estimate
gastro  retentive  floating  tablet  of  selected  hepato-protective  herbal
drugs to increase the efficacy and stability of the drug. The floating
tablet of extract of Eclipta alba was prepared by using kollidon SR as
floating and release retarding polymer. The effect of various additive
excipient  was  also  studied  to  alter  the  floating  behaviour  and  drug
release from the floating tablet.