Antinociceptive activity of Eupatorium buniifolium aqueous extract

The antinociceptive properties of the aqueous extract of Eupatorium buniifolium aerial parts were investigated in chemical and thermal models of nociception in mice. Oral doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg produced an inhibition of 42.3% and 73.9%, respectively, of the abdominal writhes induced by acetic acid in mice. This antinociceptive effect was not reversed by pretreatment with naloxone. In the formalin test, the administration of 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o. had no effects in the first phase (0-5 min) but produced a dose-dependent analgesic effect on the second phase (15-30 min) with inhibitions of the licking time of 38.9% and 57.3%, respectively. In the hot plate test, no effect was seen at the dose of 500 mg/kg p.o.     

Antihyperglycemic activity of the aqueous extract of Urtica dioica

When administered 30 min before glucose loading, the aqueous extract of Urtica dioica (nettle) (250 mg/kg) showed a strong glucose lowering effect. The decrease of glycemia has reached to 33+/-3.4% of the control value 1 h after glucose loading. This effect was persistent during 3 h. In contrast, nettle did not show hypoglycemic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The amount of glucose absorbed in a segment jejunum in situ was 8.05+/-0.68 mg in presence of nettle extract vs. 11.11+/-0.75 mg in control rats during 2 h (P<0.05). The results indicate that nettle has a significant antihyperglycemic effect in OGTT model. This effect may be caused in part by the reduction of intestinal glucose absorption. LD(50) is 3.5 g/kg (i.p.).     

Vasodilator activity of the aqueous extract of Viscum album

The aqueous extract of Viscum album leaves showed a significant coronary vasodilator activity on the Langendorff's isolated and perfused heart model. The data obtained suggest that the aqueous extract of V. album contains some biologically active principles that may act as inducers of the nitric oxide/soluble guanylate cyclase pathway.     

Central inhibitory activity of the aqueous extract of Crinum giganteum

The aqueous extract of Crinum giganteum given intraperitoneally at doses of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg in rats prolonged the duration of pentobarbital sleeping time and in mice reduced spontaneous motor activity, decreased the exploratory activity and attenuated amphetamine-induced stereotype behavior. The intraperitoneal and oral preliminary LD(50) in mice were found to be 627 and 1468 mg/kg, respectively. The data obtained suggest that the aqueous extract of C. giganteum contains some biologically active principles with sedative activity.     

Antiinflammatory activity of the aqueous leaf extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus

The antiinflammatory effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus was evaluated using the carrageenan and egg albumin induced rat paw edema, xylene induced mouse ear edema and formaldehyde induced arthritis inflammation tests. The extract administered orally at doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w produced a significant (P<0.05) dose dependent inhibition of edema formation in all four methods used. The results obtained suggest that the aqueous leaf extract of B. coccineus is endowed with effective antiinflammatory activity mediated via either inhibition of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) activity or cyclooxygenase cascade and by blocking the release of vasoactive substances (histamine, serotonin and kinins). These findings seem to justify the use of the plant in traditional African medicine in the treatment of inflammation, including arthritic conditions.     

Evaluation of the antinociceptive activity of Ficus deltoidea aqueous extract

The aqueous extract of Ficus deltoidea leaves was evaluated for possible antinociceptive activity in three models of nociception, namely, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin and hot plate test. The results of the present study showed that intraperitoneal administration of the F. deltoidea leaves aqueous extract at the dose of 1, 50 and 100 mg/kg, 30 min prior to pain induction produced significant dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in all the models used, which indicating the presence of both central and peripherally mediated activities. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effect of the extract in the formalin and hot plate test was reversed by the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone suggesting that the endogenous opioid system is involved in its analgesic mechanism of action. Thus, the present results demonstrated that F. deltoidea leaves aqueous extract contains pharmacologically active constituents which possess antinociceptive activity justifying its popular therapeutic use in treating conditions associated with the painful conditions.     

Anti-nociceptive activity of the aqueous extract of Erythrina velutina leaves

Anti-nociceptive and anti-oedematogenic effects of the aqueous extract from the leaves of Erythrina velutina were tested through experimental models of nociception in mice and paw oedema induced by carrageenin in rats. The extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) did not change the carrageenin-induced paw oedema. In the hot plate test the extract also did not alter the latency time for mice liking the rear paws. Moreover, the extract (600 mg/kg) decreased by 96.5% the paw liking time in the second phase of the formalin test. This effect was antagonized by naloxone (5 mg/kg). In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) reduced the number of writhing by 88.8% and 96.4%, respectively. Our present results demonstrated that the crude extract from the leaves of E. velutina has anti-nociceptive but not anti-oedematogenic properties.     

Free radical-scavenging activity of aqueous extract of Pteris multifida Poiret

Aqueous extract of Pteris multifida showed scavenging activities on DPPH, hydroxyl radicals and reducing power.     

Wound healing activity of the aqueous extract of Thespesia populnea fruit.

Villagers have traditionally used the poultice prepared from the fruits of Thespesia populnea to treat a variety of skin ailments including wounds. In the present study, the aqueous extract of T. populnea fruit showed significant wound healing activity in the excision wound and incision wound models in rats following topical and oral administration, respectively.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Adhatoda vasica aqueous leaf extract on D-galactosamine-induced liver damage in rats

Adhatoda vasica leaf showed significant hepatoprotective effect at doses of 50-100 mg/kg, p.o., on liver damage induced by D-galactosamine in rats.     

Anthelmintic activity of crude aqueous extract of Nauclea latifolia stem bark against ovine nematodes

The anthelmintic efficacy of Nauclea latifolia stem bark aqueous extract was studied in sheep with natural acute/sub-acute parasitic gastro-enteritis due primarily to mixed nematode species. Graded doses of the extract (400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg, p.o for 5 consecutive days) significantly reduced faecal egg counts in infected animals. The percentage reduction (93.8%) by 1600 mg/kg of the extract was comparable to that of 5 mg/kg of albendazole (94.1%). The administration of the extract resulted in improved haemoglobin and leucocytosis values in worm-infected sheep.     

In vitro spasmolytic effect of aqueous extract of Calotropis procera on Guinea-pig trachea smooth muscle chain

The aqueous extract of Calotropis procera was evaluated for its spasmolytic effect using in vitro trachea smooth muscle chain of Guinea-pig. The extract (50, 100 and 200 microg/ml) showed a dose-dependent relaxant activity probably exhibited through the direct relaxant action on the smooth muscle.     

Analgesic properties of Capraria biflora leaves aqueous extract

The analgesic properties of dried leaves of Capraria biflora were investigated. The aqueous extract (50-200 mg kg(-1)) produced moderate inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. At the same doses, a better analgesic effect was observed on the hot plate test.     

Pharmacological screening of the aqueous extract of Musanga cecropiodes

The aqueous extract of the leaves of Musanga cecropioides did not affect ache-induced contractile response, but produced significant inhibition of the twitch and pendular movement of the rat and rabbit smooth muscles, respectively, and reduced writhing induced by acetic acid in mice.     

Antitrypanosomal effect of the aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea

The in vitro antitrypanosomal activity of the aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea, was investigated in Trypanosoma brucei brucei 'Lafia' strain. The extract was found to be effective by immobilizing the trypanosomes within the 3-h incubation period and thereafter rendering them not infective to mice.     

Triterpenoidal constituents of an aqueous extract from neem kernels

A quantitative HPLC analysis of the major triterpenoids present in an aqueous extract of powdered neem kernels prepared in the traditional manner was undertaken. The study shows that water extracts contain all the principal triterpenoids in neem kernel though the quantities extracted are much less than in the subsequent extraction with methanol.     

COX-2 and sPLA2 inhibitory activity of aqueous extract and polyphenols of Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove)

The aqueous extract of Rhizophora mangle bark and its polyphenolic fractions showed remarkable in vitro antiinflammatory activity in a preliminary study. The low molecular weight fraction exhibited cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory activity while the total aqueous extract and the low molecular weight fraction showed secretory phospholipase A(2) inhibitory activity.     

Antileishmanial activity evaluation of adunchalcone,a new prenylated dihydrochalcone from Piper aduncum L.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of EtOH extract from the leaves of Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae) afforded a new dihydrochalcone, named adunchalcone. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data, primarily NMR and MS. Adunchalcone was evaluated against promastigote forms of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, L. (V.) braziliensis, L. (V.) shawi, and L. (L.) chagasi and displayed 50% effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of 11.03, 26.70, and 11.26 μM, as well as selective indexes of 4.86, 2.01, 4.76 and 0.50, respectively. This compound was also tested against intracellular forms of L. (L.) amazonensis, displaying weak activity, in comparison to reference drug amphotericin B. However, despite reduced effect of adunchalcone against amastigotes of L. (L.) amazonensis, this work opens the perspective to use this particular molecule as a scaffold for the design of novel and selective drug candidates for neglected diseases, mainly leishmaniasis.     

Effect of Mitragyna speciosa aqueous extract on ethanol withdrawal symptoms in mice

Administration of the aqueous extract of Mitragyna speciosa at a dose of 300 mg/kg significantly inhibited ethanol withdrawal-induced behaviors that included rearing, displacement and head weaving. The results also showed that at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg M. speciosa showed antidepressant activity without effect on the spontaneous motor activity.     

Effect of aqueous Euphorbia hirta leaf extract on gastrointestinal motility

The aqueous leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta decreased the gastrointestinal motility in normal rats and decreased the effect of castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice.