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Trema orientalis Linn. is commonly grown in many parts of Bangladesh. Its leaves have been used for analgesic and anti-diarrhoeal activity in traditional medicine. This study evaluates the potential analgesic and anti-diarrhoeal activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of leaves in experimental acetic acid induced writhing and castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice. The aqueous extract of leaves showed significant (P < 0.001) analgesic effect in acetic acid induced writhing in mice at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight In castor oil induced antidiarrhoeal screening both extract increased latent period (P < 0.025) and decrease the number of stool (P < 0.025) at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight comparable with that of the standard drug loperamide. The results provide a support for the use of this plant in traditional medicine and suggest its further investigation.
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2008 Kyung Hee University Press 1
Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine 2008 8(2), 00-00
www.opem.org
OPEM
Analgesic and antidiarrhoeal activities of Treama orientalis Linn. in mice
Sarder Nasir Uddin
1,
*
, Khan Mohammad Ahsan Uddin
1
and Firoz Ahmed
2
1
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh;
2
Pharmacy
Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
Received for publication May 18, 2007; accepted October 16, 2008
SUMMARY
Trema orientalis Linn. is commonly grown in many parts of Bangladesh. Its leaves have been used for
analgesic and anti-diarrhoeal activity in traditional medicine. This study evaluates the potential
analgesic and anti-diarrhoeal activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of leaves in experimental acetic
acid induced writhing and castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice. The aqueous extract of leaves showed
significant (P < 0.001) analgesic effect in acetic acid induced writhing in mice at a dose of 500 mg/kg
body weight In castor oil induced antidiarrhoeal screening both extract increased latent period (P <
0.025) and decrease the number of stool (P < 0.025) at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight comparable
with that of the standard drug loperamide. The results provide a support for the use of this plant in
traditional medicine and suggest its further investigation.
Key words: Analgesic; Antidiarrhoea; Trema orientalis Linn.; Extract
INTRODUCTION
During the past decade, traditional systems of
medicine have become increasingly important in
view of their safety. Current estimates suggest that,
in many developing countries, a large proportion
of the population relies heavily on traditional
practitioners and medicinal plants to meet primary
health care needs. Although modern medicine may
be available in these countries, herbal medicines
(phytomedicines) have often maintained popularity
for historical and cultural reasons. Concurrently,
many people in developed countries have begun to
turn to alternative or complementary therapies,
including medicinal herbs.
Bangladesh possesses rich floristic wealth and
diversified genetic resources of medicinal plants. It
has a widely ranging tropical and the agro climatic
conditions, which are conducive for introducing
and domesticating new and exotic plant varieties.
The use of the plants, plant extracts and pure
compounds isolated from natural sources provided
the foundation to modern pharmaceutical compounds.
T. orientalis (Bengali name- Jibon or Chikon) is a
tree and belongs to the Ulmaceae family. The plant
is distributed in almost all districts of Bangladesh
and is used in traditional medicine by the rural people
and possesses various interesting pharmacological
activities. The root of the plant is used in the treatment
of diarrhoea, asthma and passing of blood in urine;
the bark is used as poultice in muscular pain; the
roots, barks and leaves are used in epilepsy
(Kirtikar and Basu, 1980). In African folk medicine,
it is used in many diseases including dysentery,
*Correspondence: Sarder Nasir Uddin, Biotechnology
and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Khulna University,
Khulna-9208, Bangladesh. Fax: +88041731244; E-mail:
nasir713@yahoo.com
DOI 10.3742/OPEM.2008.8.2.001
2008 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine 8(2), 00-00
2 Sarder Nasir Uddin et al.
hypertension, etc (Iwe, 1993). Fruit, leaves, bark,
stems, twigs and seeds are also used in traditional
medicine. The leaves are used to treat coughs and
sore throats and the bark is used to make cough
syrups. Other reported uses include remedies for
bronchitis, gonorrhoea, malaria, yellow fever, toothaches,
and intestinal worms (Rulangaranga, 1991).
As part of our continuing efforts to study the
chemical and pharmacological aspects of the
medicinal plants of Bangladesh, T. orientalis was
investigated Successive extraction of dried powdered
Leaves of T. orientalis (Family-Ulmaceae) methanol
and aqueous extracts and the effects of both extracts
were investigated analgesic and antidiarrhoeal
activities. Since there is a vast resource of Trema
Orientalis in Bangladesh, the present study will
provide some valuable information about the
pharmacological properties of this plant.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant materials
Fresh leaves of T. orientalis were collected from
Khulna University Campus in Bangladesh. The
plant was identified by the experts of Bangladesh
National Herbarium, Mirpur, Dhaka (Accession
no. 31,285) and a voucher specimen was also
deposited there. The fresh leaves were cleaned,
dried and pulverized. About 400 g of powdered
material was taken in a clean, flat bottomed glass
container (4 l) and soaked in 1,300 ml of 80% of
methanol. The container was sealed and kept for a
period of 10 days with occasional shaking and
stirring. Then it was filtered and concentrated by
evaporation.
Experimental animal
Young Swiss-albino mice aged 4 - 5 weeks, average
weight 20 - 25 g were used for the experiment. The
mice were purchased from the animal Research
Branch of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal
Disease and Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B). They
were kept in standard environmental condition for
one week for adaptation after their purchase and
fed ICDDR, B formulated rodent feed and water.
Analgesic activity test
Analgesic activity of both methanol and aqueous
extract was tested by acetic acid induced writhing
model in mice (Whittle, 1964). Eighty four mice of
either sex were grouped in six (n = 14 per group).
Each group received a particular treatment i.e.
group-I for control, group-II for positive control,
test group-I for aqueous extract at the dose of 250
mg/kg, test group-II for aqueous extract at the
dose of 500 mg/kg, test group-III for methanol
extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg and test group-IV
for methanol extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg. 1%
tween-80 solution in deionized water at the doses
10 ml/kg per oral was used as control and
Diclofenac-Na was used at the doses of 25 mg/kg
body weights per oral as a standard positive
control. To prepare suspension of the test samples
at required doses, the required amount of extract
was triturated in unidirectional manner by the
addition of small amount of tween-80. After proper
mixing of extract and tweeen-80, the volume was
adjusted with deionized water. The test consists of
injecting 0.7% acetic acid solution intraperitoneally.
Control and test sample was given orally 30 min
prior to acetic acid injection. Each mouse of all
groups was observed carefully to count the number of
writhing that they had made in 15 minutes.
Incomplete writhing was taken as half-writhing, so
two half-writhing were taken as one full writhing.
Antidiarrhoeal acitvity test
Antidiarrhoeal activity was tested using the castor
oil induced diarrhea in mice (Chatterjee, 1993).
Experimental animals were randomly selected and
divided into four groups (n = 5 per group). Each
group received a particular treatment i.e. group-I
for control, group-II for positive control, test group-I
for aqueous extract and test group-II for methanol at
the dose of 500 mg/kg, Loperamid was used at the
doses of 4 mg/kg body weight as a standard.
Analgesic and antidiarrhoeal activities of Treama orientalis Linn. in mice 3
2008 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine 8(2), 00-00
Control vehicle and the extract were administered
orally, 1h prior to the oral administration of castor
oil at dose of 0.5 ml per mice. Individual animals of
each group were placed in separate cages having
adsorbent paper beneath and examined for the
presence of diarrhea every hour in five hour study
after castor oil administered. Number of stool or
any fluid that stained the adsorbent paper was
counted at each successive hour during the
experiment. The latent period of each mouse also
counted.
Statistical analysis
Students t-test was used to determine a significant
difference between the control groups and
experimental groups for both the experiment.
RESULTS
The crude extract of aqueous and methanol extract
of leaves of T. orientalis linn. was used for analgesic
and antidiarrhoeal activity in mice at different
doses.
Analgesic activity of aqueous and methanol
extract of T. orientalis leaves was tested by acetic
acid induced writhing in mice. The methanol
extract showed 16.67% and 30.01% acetic acid
induced writhing inhibition in mice at the doses of
250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight respectively.
But the Aqueous extract showed 38.34% and
56.67% acetic acid induced writhing inhibition in
mice at the doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg
body weight respectively. This was comparable to
diclofenac sodium where the inhibition was 48.34%
at the dose of 25 mg/kg body weight (Table 1).
In the study of antidiarrhoeal activity, aqueous
and methanol extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg
body weight was used as test group, 1% tween-80
at the dose of 10 mg/kg body weight was used as
control and loperamide at the dose 4 mg/kg body
weight was used as standard. From the study, it
showed that both aqueous and methanol extract
increased the latent period as compared to control
and standard. In Table 2, it was found that aqueous
extract and methanol extract increased the latent
period 1.456 h and 1.240 h respectively whereas
control and standard increased the latent period
1.096 h and 1.284 h respectively. From the same
doses we also showed that both the aqueous and
methanol extract decreased the number of stool as
Table 1. Effect of Trema orientalis on acetic acid induced writhing in mice (n = 4)
Animal group/Treatment
Number of Writhing
(% writhing)
Inhibition (%)
Group I- Control 1% Tween-80 solution in water, 10 ml/kg, p.o. 30 ± 1.07 (100) 00
Group II- Positive control-Diclofenac Sodium 25 mg/kg, p.o. 15.5 ± 0.64
(51.66) 48.34
Test group I- Aqueous extract 250 mg/kg, p.o. 18.5 ± 0.97
(61.66) 38.34
Test group II- Aqueous extract 500 mg/kg , p.o. 13 ± 0.70
(43.33) 56.67
Test group III- Methanol extract 250 mg/kg , p.o. 25 ± 1.29
(83.33) 16.67
Test group IV- Methanol Extract 500 mg/kg , p.o. 21 ± 1.13
(69.99) 30.01
Values are expressed as mean ± S.E.M.
indicates P < 0.001 vs. control; %: percentage; p.o.: per oral.
Table 2. Effect of T. orientalis on castor oil induced diarrhea in mice (Latent Period)
Animal group/Treatment Dose (mg/kg, per oral) Latent Period (h)
group-I, Control (1% tween-80) 10 1.096 ± 0.025
group-II, Standard (loperamide) 4 1.284 ± 0.053
group-III, Test group (Aqueous extract) 500 1.456 ± 0.029
group-IV (Methanol extract) 500 1.240 ± 0.058
Values are expressed as mean ± S.E.M. (n = 5) P < 0.025 vs control.
2008 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine 8(2), 00-00
4 Sarder Nasir Uddin et al.
compared to the control and standard (Table 3).
During the first hour, the number of stool was 6.6
and 6.2 for aqueous and methanol extract respectively,
but the same time it was 7.8 and 7.2 for control and
standard (Table 3). The mean number of stools was
6.2, 4.4, 3.8, 1.2 and 0.6 at the 1
st
to 5
th
hour for
aqueous extract and 6.6, 3.8, 0.8, 0.8 and 0.2 at the
1
st
to 5
th
hour for methanol extract respectively. The
given data showed that the increase in period
decreases the number of stools.
DISCUSSION
For the millions of rural populations in countries of
the developing world, diarrhoeal diseases continue
to be the major cause of morbidity and mortality,
with an estimated 1 billion episodes of illness and
some 5 million or more deaths in children under
5 years. In such populations, preparations from
herbs and plants remain the most common forms
of treatment for diarrhoeal disease.
Acetic acid induced writhing model represents
pain sensation by triggering localized inflammatory
response. Acetic acid, which is used to induce
writhing, causes algesia by liberation of endogenous
substances, which in turn excite the pain nerve
endings (Taesotikul et al., 2003).
The acetic acid induced writhing demonstrates a
noxious stimulation in mice. The test consists of
injecting 0.7% acetic acid solution intraperitoneally
and then observed the animal for specific contraction
of body referred as writhing. A comparison of
writhing was made between positive control
(Diclofenac-Na), control and test sample given
orally 30 min prior to acetic acid injection. If the
sample possesses analgesic activity, the animal that
received the sample will give lower number of
writhing than the control, i.e. the sample having
analgesic activity will inhibit writhing.
From the study it was found that aqueous extract
of leaves at the doses of 500 mg/kg exhibited highly
significant (P < 0.001) inhibition of writhing reflex
by 56.76% while the standard drug diclofenac (25
mg/kg body weight) inhibition was found to be
48.34% (Table 1). So, it is concluded that the aqueous
extract of T. orientalis possess strong analgesic action.
Antidiarrhoeal activity of the aqueous and
methanol extract of Trema orientalis was tested
using the model of castor oil induced diarrhea in
mice. Castor oil, which was used to induce
diarrhea in mice, mixes with bile and pancreatic
enzymes and liberates ricinoleic acid from the
triglycerides upon oral administration. Most of the
ricinoleic acid remains in the intestine and
produces its anti absorptive effect. The ricinoleic
acid thus liberated readily forms ricinoleic salts
with sodium and potassium in the lumen of the
intestine. The salt formed as such behaves like a
soap or surfactant within gut and at the mucosal
surface. Most agreed view is that ricinoleate salt
Table 3. Effect of Trema orientalis on castor oil
induced diarrhea in mice (number of stools)
Animal
group/
Treatment
Dose
(mg/kg, per
oral)
Period of
study
(h)
Total no.
of stool
Control
(1% tween-80)
10
1 7.8 ± 0.73
2 5.0 ± 0.59
3 4.0 ± 0.63
4 3.6 ± 0.60
5 1.2 ± 0.48
Standard
(loperamide)
4
1 7.2 ± 0.73
2 4.6 ± 0.67
3 3.2 ± 0.37
4 1.28 ± 0.48
5 0.6 ± 0.40
Test group
(Aqueous
extract)
500
1 6.6 ± 0.6
2 3.8 ± 0.73
3 0.8 ± 0.48
4 0.8 ± 0.48
5 0.2 ± 0.2
Test group
(Methanol
extract)
500
1 6.2 ± 0.86
2 4.4 ± 0.5
3 3.8 ± 0.68
4 1.2 ± 0.37
5 0.6 ± 0.39
Values are expressed as mean ± S.E.M. (n = 5)
P < 0.025
vs control.
Analgesic and antidiarrhoeal activities of Treama orientalis Linn. in mice 5
2008 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine 8(2), 00-00
stimulates the intestinal epithelial cells adenyl
cyclase (Racusen et al., 1979) or release prostaglandin
(Beubler et al., 1979).
The results showed that both the extract increase
the latent period and decrease the number of stools
i.e. delayed the onset of diarrhoeal episode at the
dose of 500 mg/kg body weight. If the sample
possesses antidiarrhoeal activity, the animal that
received the sample will give longer latent period
than the control, i.e. the sample having antidiarrhoeal
activity will increase the latent period and the
number of stools will decrease.
However, in toxicity evaluation of plant extracts
by brine shrimp lethality bioassay, aqueous extract
did not show any cytotoxic effect on brine shrimp
but methanol extract displayed toxicity. The
methanol extract showed cytotoxicity LC50 = 120 µg/
ml and LC
90
= 200 µg/ml. So, we have concluded
that the tested aqueous extract sample may be a
good source of analgesic and antidiarrhoeal medicine.
CONCLUSION
Bangladesh imports a large quantity of pharmaceutical
raw materials including medicinal plants and semi
processed plant products to produce drugs and
medicines. This huge foreign exchange can be
saved if the indigenous medicinal plants or their
semi-processed products are utilized by the
manufacturers to satisfy their needs. From the
above experiment, it could be suggested that both
aqueous and methanol extract of T. orientalis leaves
posses significant analgesic and antidiarrhoeal
activity in mice. So, further pharmacological and
toxicological study is required to establish the
therapeutic uses of the plant.
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Beubler E, Juan H. (1979) Effect of Ricinoleic acid and
other Laxatives in net water flux and prostaglandin
E release by the rat colon. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 31,
681-685.
Chatterjee TK. (1993) Handbook of laboratory Mice
and Rats. pp. 133-139.
Farnsworth NR, Soejarto DD. (1991) Global importance
of medicinal plants. In: Akerele, O, Heywood V,
Synge H. (Eds.)
The Conservation of Medicinal Plants,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 25-51.
Iwe M M. (1993) Hand Book of Medicinal Plants. CRC
Publication. p. 251.
Kirtikar, KR. and Basu, BD. 1980. Indian Medicinal
Plants. 2nd Ed, Vol. 1. p. 264.
Racusen LC, Binder HJ. (1979) Ricinoleic acid stimulation
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rat. J. Clin. Invest. 63, 743-749.
Rulangaranga ZK. (1991) Conservation of medicinal
and aromatic plants in Tanzania, proceedings of a
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afforestation in Tanzania, Morogoro, Tanzania.
May 14-18, 1990.
Taesotikul T, Panthong A, Kanjanapothi D, Verpoorte
R, scheffer JJC. (2003) Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
and antinociceptive activities of Tabernaemontana
pandacaqui Poir. J. Ethnopharmacol. 84, 31-35.
Whittle BA. (1964) The use of changes in capillary
permeability in mice to distinguish between narcotic
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22, 246-253.
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WHO, Geneva. (2nd Ed) pp. 1-4.
... The plant is used in traditional folk remedy by the rural people and shows various pharmacological activities. 1 The root of the plant is used in the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea and passing of blood in urine; the bark is used as poultice in muscular pain; the roots, barks and leaves are used in epilepsy. 1,2 In Africa, this plant is used in various diseases including, hypertension and dysentery. ...
... The plant is used in traditional folk remedy by the rural people and shows various pharmacological activities. 1 The root of the plant is used in the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea and passing of blood in urine; the bark is used as poultice in muscular pain; the roots, barks and leaves are used in epilepsy. 1,2 In Africa, this plant is used in various diseases including, hypertension and dysentery. 3 The leaves are used to treat cough and sore throats and bark are used to make cough syrups in traditional medicine. ...
... It has been also reported to be used in bronchitis, gonorrhea, malaria, yellow fever, toothache and intestinal worms. 1,4 Since no literature is currently available to substantiate Anti-nociceptive property from ethanolic extract of T. cannabina, therefore the present study was designed to provide scientific evidence for its use as a traditional folk remedy by investigating the Anti-nociceptive activity that also confirms its use as pain killer. ...
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... T. cannabina is a tree and belongs to the Cannabaceae family. The plant is distributed in almost all districts of Bangladesh and is used in traditional medicine by the rural people and possesses various interesting pharmacological activities [1] . The root of the plant is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, asthma and passing of blood in urine; the bark is used as poultice in muscular pain; the roots, barks and leaves are used in epilepsy [1][2] . ...
... The plant is distributed in almost all districts of Bangladesh and is used in traditional medicine by the rural people and possesses various interesting pharmacological activities [1] . The root of the plant is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, asthma and passing of blood in urine; the bark is used as poultice in muscular pain; the roots, barks and leaves are used in epilepsy [1][2] . In African folk medicine, it is used in many diseases including dysentery, hypertension, etc [3] Fruit, leaves, bark, stems, twigs and seeds are also used in traditional medicine. ...
... The leaves are used to treat cough and sore throats and bark are used to make cough syrups. Other reported uses include remedies for bronchitis, gonorrhea, malaria, yellow fever, toothache and intestinal worms [1,4] . Since no literature is currently available to substantiate antinociceptive activity from ethanolic leaf extract of T. cannabina, therefore the present study is a part of our on-going pharmacological and chemical screening of selected T. cannabina and designed to provide scientific evidence for its use as a traditional folk remedy by investigating the antinociceptive activity. ...
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... The castor oil induced diarrhea in mice was carried out according to the method described by Uddin SN, 2008 (5,12). ...
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... During evaluation for anti-diarrhoeal activity, like atropine and phenylbutazone (PBZ), a single oral dose of DL of C. procera (500 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease in frequency of defaecation, severity of diarrhoea and afforded protection from diarrhoea in 80% rats treated with castor oil (Kumar and Basu, 1994). Methanolic extracts of C. procera has been shown to possess antioxidant activity in Trema orientalis [76] and senna tora. [77] Imosemi. ...
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Peptic ulcer disease affects many people globally. With the increasing resistance to some orthodox antibiotics such as Clarithromycin and Metronidazole, it is important that new acceptable, safer and effective therapies are developed to manage this disease. Various herbal medicines have been used traditionally for the remedy of peptic ulcer disease (PUD), however scientific information with regards to their anti-peptic ulcer both in-vivo and in-vitro as well as clinical studies supporting their use is still inadequate. The Centre for Plant Medicine Research, (CPMR) Mampong-Akuapem, Ghana manufactures three herbal Products namely Enterica, Dyspepsia and NPK 500 capsules which are currently used for the remedy of PUD as a triple therapy at its out-patient clinic with promising effects. The aim of this review is to gather information from literature on the anti-ulcer properties, pharmacological, phytochemical constituents and related activities of herbal plants used at the CPMR for formulation of the triple herbal therapy. This review may, provide some scientific bases for the use of Enterica, Dyspepsia and NPK 500 capsules in the management of Peptic ulcer at the CPMR out-patient clinic. Methods Organization for the review involved the on and/or offline search for information from available literature using electronic data and scientific research information resources such as PubMed, Science Direct and Google scholar. Results In this review, fifteen ethno-medicinal plants used for the formulation of Enterica, Dyspepsia and NPK capsules have been discussed, presenting the description of the plants, composition and pharmacological activity. Interpretation Tables with the summary of reviewed medicinal plants with their anti-ulcer models and inference on possible mechanisms of action were drawn up. The mechanism(s) of action of individual plants and products (Enterica, Dyspepsia and NPK 500 capsules) must be further investigated and established experimentally in-vitro in addition to in-vivo pharmacological and clinical activity studies to confirm their use in the remedy of PUD.
... Methanol extract had a pronounced inhibitory effect on the test isolates. This supported the report of Uddin [59] who reported ethanol extract of T. orientalis to be effective against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The activity of the plant may be due to the phytochemical constituents of the plant which justify its ethno medicinal usage among the rural dwellers [60]. ...
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Background Trema orientalis (T. orientalis Linn) has been used in the management of malaria in the western part of Nigeria and despite its application in ethnomedicine, there is dearth of scientific evidence to justify the acclaimed prophylactic antimalarial usage of the plant. The aim of this study is to assess the in vitro antiplasmodial cell-free assay and chemopreventive efficacy of the methanol extract of the stem bark of T. orientalis and its fractions as a prophylactic regimen for malaria prevention. Also, the antimicrobial activities of the extract and the fractions were investigated. Method Vacuum liquid chromatography was used to obtain dichloromethane, ethylacetate and methanol fractions from the methanol extract of T. orientalis. The fractions were tested for their prophylactic and cell-free antimalarial activity using murine models and β-hematin formation assay respectively. Disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity of the extract and its fractions against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results In the prophylactic experiment, dichloromethane (DCMF), methanol fraction (MF) and extract (ME) (in this order) showed significant chemopreventive effects against P. berghei invasion of the red blood cells when compared with both Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) and untreated controls. Results of the in vitro study showed that the DCMF had the highest effect in preventing the formation of β-hematin when compared with other fractions. The DCMF also had the highest percentage inhibition of β-hematin formation when compared with chloroquine. The extract and fractions showed a concentration dependent antibacterial activity. Methanol extract had a pronounced inhibitory effect on Enterobacter cloaca ATCC 13047 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. Serratia mercescens ATCC 9986 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 19582 were the most susceptible bacteria. Conclusion The results obtained showed that both extract and fractions of T. orientalis possessed antiplasmodial and antimicrobial activity.
... Is known to possess multifarious medicinal properties. The blood glucose reducing property of C. procera was assessed by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in STZ-diabetics (Uddin et al., 2008). The root of C. procera is used as a carminative in the treatment of dyspepsia (Kumar and Arya, 2006). ...
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... It is extensively used in African continent due to its medicinal values as treatment for hematuria, dysentery, cardiovascular diseases, malaria, and respiratory illnesses (Adinortey et al., 2013). Pharmacological research has indicated its anti-pyretic, analgesic, anti-microbial, anticonvulsant activity, antibacterial, anti-sickling, and antiplasmodial potential supporting its traditional use (Rout et al., 2012;Mpiana et al., 2011;Abiodun et al., 2011;Panchal et al., 2010;Uddin et al., 2008;Chowdhury and Islam, 2004 ...
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Chapter
Underutilized Wild Edible Fruits is a treasure trove of minor, neglected and often overlooked fruits that have played significant roles in human diets for centuries. These fruits, characterized by their local, orphaned, and promising nature, have faced challenges such as low supply, poor shelf life, and limited consumer awareness, leading to their diminished importance in modern times. Despite their underutilization, wild edible fruits have been vital sources of sustenance, flavour and even medicinal properties throughout history. They offer alternative food sources during periods of scarcity, potential nutritional supplements to combat malnutrition and income opportunities for rural communities. However, with the dominance of industrial agriculture and globalization, traditional knowledge of these fruits has dwindled and commercially cultivated varieties have overshadowed them. Yet, there is a growing interest in reviving and exploring these underexploited fruits. Researchers, nutritionists, and conservationists are recognizing their nutritional richness, potential for biodiversity conservation, and contributions to sustainable development. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive overview of underexploited wild edible fruits, delving into their nutritional composition, culinary uses, traditional knowledge, conservation status and potential for cultivation. By shedding light on these often-neglected fruits, we hope to cultivate a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and advocate for sustainable methodologies to preserve these invaluable resources for future generations.
Chapter
Nearly all cultures, from ancient times to today, have used plants as a source of medicine. In many developing countries, traditional medicine is still the mainstay of health care and most of the drugs and cures used come from plants. In developed countries many people are turning to herbal remedies. With this widespread use has come the assumption that plants identified as having medicinal qualities will be available on a continuing basis. However no concerted effort has been made to ensure this and in the face of the threats of increasing demand, a vastly increasing human population and extensive forest destruction, there can be no guarantee that we will continue to benefit indefinitely from this valuable resource. In light of this situation the World Health Organisation held a meeting in 1988. This book is the outcome of that meeting, detailing in a series of papers by leading experts the problems of which need to be addressed, the existing experiences from a range of countries and the future direction which must be taken to ensure the conservation of the world's medicinal plants.
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Ricinoleic acid, oleic acid, dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate, deoxycholic acid, sennoside A + B and mannitol reduced or reversed water flux from lumen to blood in rat colon in situ. Stearinic acid was without any effect. Ricinoleic acid, oleic acid, dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate, deoxycholic acid and sennoside A + B stimulated release of PGE-like material into the colonic lumen whereas the osmotic laxative mannitol and stearinic acid did not. Inhibition of PGE biosynthesis by pretreatment of the rats with indomethacin significantly reduced (but did not abolish) the effect of ricinoleic, oleic and deoxycholic acids on net water flux and PGE release. Indomethacin reduced the effect of dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate and of sennoside A + B on PGE release but not their effect on the net water flux. The effect of mannitol was not influenced by indomethacin. The amount of PGE release in experiments with ricinoleic acid, oleic acid, stearinic acid and dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate (with and without indomethacin) showed a good correlation (r = 0.99) with the change in net water flux. Deoxycholic acid, sennoside A + B and mannitol did not show this correlation. It is assumed that the action of non-osmotic laxatives is partially mediated by PGE, although other mechanisms also seem to be involved in their mode of action.
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Perfusion of the colon with ricinoleic acid produces fluid and electrolyte accumulation. The mechanism of these changes in water and electrolyte movement is uknown. These studies were designed to determine whether ricinoleic acid effects active ion transport across isolated rat colonic mucosa. 0.5 mM Na ricinoleate produced significant increases in potential difference (3.8 +/- 0.5 mV) and short-circuit current (Isc) (99.2 +/- 10.1 muA/cm2). The increases in Isc produced by Na ricinoleate were inhibited by both removal of bicarbonate and chloride and by the presence of theophylline. The hydroxy fatty acid also resulted in a significant decrease in net Na absorption from 4.7 +/- 0.8 to 0.1 +/- 0.7 mueq/h cm2 and reversed net Cl transport from absorption (+ 4.5 +/- 0.9) to secretion (-2.2 +/- mueq/h cm2). In parallel studies 0.5 mM Na ricinoleate increased mucosal cyclic AMP content by 58%. The concentrations of Na ricinoleate required to produce detectable and maximal increases in both Isc and cyclic AMP were the same. These results provide evidence in support of the concept that hydroxy fatty acid-induced fluid and electrolyte accumulation is driven by an active ion secretory process.
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Studies on carrageenin-induced rat paw edema, yeast-induced hyperthermia in rat and writhing response induced by acetic acid in mice showed that the alcoholic extract of stems of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui (T. pandacaqui) has significant anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antinociceptive activities. These activities are due to alkaloidal components since they were also observed when the crude alkaloidal (CA) fraction separated from alcoholic extract was tested in the same models.
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An extension of the "squirming test" is described which makes the method specific for nonnarcotic analgesics. The intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid causes squirming and an increase in capillary permeability that is measured by direct estimation of plasma-bound dye (Pontamine Sky Blue) which has leaked into the peritoneal cavity. Nonnarcotic analgesics inhibit squirming and leakage of dye. Values for the oral ED50s for both effects are given for a number of typical compounds. Narcotic analgesics, in doses that produce analgesia, inhibit squirming but do not significantly affect leakage of dye. Drugs that stimulate the central nervous system and also inhibit squirming have no significant effect on leakage of dye over the range of doses which inhibit squirming. Corticosteroids do not significantly inhibit either squirming or leakage of dye.
The treatment and prevention of acute diarhoea, Practical Guidelines. WHO, Geneva
World Health Organization. (1994) The treatment and prevention of acute diarhoea, Practical Guidelines. WHO, Geneva. (2nd Ed) pp. 1-4.
Hand Book of Medicinal Plants
  • M M Iwe
Iwe M M. (1993) Hand Book of Medicinal Plants. CRC Publication. p. 251.
Conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants in Tanzania
  • Z K Rulangaranga
Rulangaranga ZK. (1991) Conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants in Tanzania, proceedings of a workshop on priority species for tree planting and afforestation in Tanzania, Morogoro, Tanzania. May 14-18, 1990.