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Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Herbal treatments have historically been utilized to treat various human diseases. To find a single ingredient that could be the basis for creating new therapeutically effective products, researchers studied herbal medicines. Annona squamosa Linn has anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, cytotoxic, gene-toxic, and anticancer properties. The primary active components of A. squamosa leaves, flavonoids, have been utilised to treat a variety of human ailments. Quercetin and rutin, two flavonoids, have been shown to have anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and heart disease preventive properties. In the present study in -vivo and in -silico evaluation of anthelmintic potential of Annona squamosa leaf methanolic extract was carried out. Further proposed mechanism of Anthelmintic efficacy of Annona squamosa leaf was determined by molecular docking.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Objective: Coronaviruses belong to the order Nidovirales, family Coronaviridae, and four genera, namely: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. In December 2019, a novel coronavirus was first officially reported in Wuhan City of China. Consequently, on February 11, 2020, the CSG named the virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); it causes the disease dubbed Covid-19. The virus was officially declared pandemic by WHO, on March 11, 2020. Up till date, no drug, including the existing ones, has been approved for covid-19 treatment. The objective of this work, is to carry out a review on proven herbal extracts and the phyto-compound contents, for possible antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, and thus, as potential candidates for Covid-19 vaccine. Materials and Methods: Investigation into proven plant species against respiratory tract diseases was carried out between 1st to 30th of July, 2020 via: (a) Conduction of interview with traditional herbal healers and users, in south-western Nigeria on efficacies and history of use of identified plant species; (b) Search to confirm active phyto-compounds in the traditionally identified plant species via: (i). the free ELSEVIER repositories at the ‘COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTRE’ hosted on ELSEVIER Connect. (ii). Unrestricted resources in the PubMed domain. (iii). Unrestricted publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID-19 database. Results: Findings revealed herbal extracts of: (i). Zingiber officinale, (ii). Psidium guayava, (iii). Nigella sativa, and (iv). Hibiscus sabdariffa; are highly rich in phyto-compounds with potent antiviral properties, and therefore suit as a potential remedy against Covid-19. Conclusion: Identified plant species possess phyto-compounds with antiviral activities, thus projecting them as potential candidates for development of Covi-19 vaccine.
Original Research Article
In vitro Cytotoxic Activities of Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. Ex Endl. (Khat) Varieties from Kenya on Select Cancer Cell Lines
Lilian C. Ngeny, Lucia K. Keter, Beatrice N. Irungu, James M. Kuria, Nicholas M. Mwikwabe, Joyce M. Ondicho, Richard K. Korir, Peter G. Mwitari, Festus M. Tolo, Jennifer A. Orwa
EAS J Pharm Pharmacol, 2023; 5(1): 8-13
DOI: 10.36349/easjpp.2023.v05i01.002
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ABSTRACT
Khat (Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk.) is a herb from the Celastraceae family (also known as qat, gaad, or miraa). The leaves and stems are used medicinally and for recreational purposes. The communities that grow khat have identified different varieties based on perceived appearance and quality. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of khat varieties grown in the Meru and Embu Counties of Kenya. Field studies were undertaken in the markets and farms in Meru and Embu Counties of Kenya to document and purchase local khat varieties. Dried khat was extracted with a 1:1 v/v MeOH: CH2Cl2 solvent and water. Cytotoxicity of extracts was determined in vitro by MTT assay against four normal and cancer cells namely; HeLa ATCC® CCL-2™, HCC1395 ATCC® CRL-2324™, Hep2 ATCC® CCL-23™, and Vero E6 ATCC® CRL-1586™. The khat varieties identified were Muti Mutiiri, Mugwanthingi, Gicheru, Karimi ka Nthiya, Muguka, Black colombo asili, Black mbaine, and white. The aqueous extracts of black colombo asili and black mbaine displayed the highest cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell lines having IC50 37.15 ± 1.75 µg/ml and 38.31 ± 2.05 µg/ml, respectively. Muguka and Muti Mutiiri varieties were not cytotoxic to the Vero E6 cell line with CC50 > 100 µg/ml. 75% (12/16) of extracts were cytotoxic to the Vero E6 cell line with CC50 ˂ 100 µg/ml. This study demonstrated that there is variability in activities between the identified khat varieties. Toxicity was observed in vitro due to observed cytotoxicity to the Vero E6 cell line.
ABSTRACT
Research studies have shown that about 90% of the time is spent in indoor environments (homes, hospitals, schools, offices, restaurants and subways). During the past decade, many studies have been conducted to assess indoor air quality in school environments. A large number of indoor air pollutants have been measured including volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, bioaerosols and particulate matters. In most low and medium-income countries, biomass fuel-based cooking and heating is considered to be a significant source of the household as well as ambient air pollution formaldehyde from clipboard and hydrocarbons from paints, cleaners and furnishings (anthropogenic sources). A wide range of acute and chronic diseases are now associated with exposure to air pollution, starting from diabetes mellitus, declining cognitive functions, and obstructive pulmonary diseases, haematopoietic diseases, to cardiovascular disease.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Estimation of foliar bioactive components (viz. photosynthetic pigments, nutrients, alkaloids, polyphenol and antioxidant activities) of Centella asiatica L. Urban were studied in four different seasons (EM: early monsoon- March, April and May; M: Monsoon-June, July and August; LM: Late Monsoon- September, October and November and W: Winter- December, January and February) within a year. A pot culture based experiment was conducted at the Botanical Garden, University of Chittagong. Maximum foliar photosynthetic pigments, nutrients were observed in monsoon and minimum in winter respectively. Whilst the highest alkaloid content was observed in early monsoon and the lowest in winter. Moreover the maximum polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were observed in the leaf extract of late monsoon and the minimum in winter respectively. The present study concludes that monsoon is suitable for efficient photosynthesis as well as nutrient accumulation in Centella, early monsoon is favorable for alkaloid synthesis and late monsoon is the right time for harvesting Centella to obtain maximum antioxidant activity for medicinal use.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Preformulation studies are fractions that are initiated once new molecules are seeded. In a broader sense, it deals with the study of physical, chemical, analytical, and pharmacological properties associated with molecules, providing ideas for appropriate modifications of molecules for better performance. The study of pre-formulation parameters can lead to the production of effective, safer, stable and reliable drug formulations. Aceclofenac is an analgesic. It relieves pain, stiffness and swelling caused by various conditions of bones and joints. It is also used to relieve headaches, toothaches, back pain, menstrual cramps, sprains and muscle strains. Aceclofenac works by preventing the body from releasing chemicals that cause pain and swelling. In the current work, the overall goal of aceclofenac preformulation research is to generate information useful for the development of stable bioavailable dosage forms.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Plants are not only indispensable in health care but form the best hope of source for safe future medicines. In spite of the fact that now we have at our disposal a number of modern drugs, it is still genuinely urgent to discover and develop new therapeutic agents. The objective of the study is to determine the secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of Heteropogon contortus. The phytochemical analysis of the crude plant extract of Heteropogon contortus was performed using standard analytical method while the antioxidant activity of the extract was done using DPPH method of analysis. The study recorded yield of 9.22% for the methanol extract. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of seven secondary metabolites out of the nine metabolites screened for. The result of antioxidant activity of the crude extract showed good activity with an increase in the percentage inhibition on increase in concentration with the highest percentage inhibition of 57.16±53% at 500 mg/ml this was quite comparable to that of the standard (ascorbic acid) which had percentage inhibition at 500 mg/ml to be 67±32%. In conclusion the findings of the study showed that the methanol extract of H. contortus has an appreciable antioxidant activity which could be attributed to the secondary metabolites which it contains.