RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The current widespread distribution and use of Yoyo bitters; an herbal bitters made in Nigeria calls for an assessment of its content, efficacy and extent to which this product achieves the labelled claim of being an herbal cleanser. METHODS: The pH, analysis for trace metal and preliminary phytochemicals screening were assessed. In addition, the total phenolic acid content, antioxidant activity using DPPH inhibition and microbiological assay were evaluated using standard procedures. The biological effect of different doses on weight, blood glucose, haematological parameters, liver function and tissues pathology were investigated in healthy Wistar rats over a 28-day period. RESULTS: Yoyo bitters is a slightly acidic liquid (pH 5.46), containing 0.110 µg/L of zinc, little quantities of saponins, alkaloids, anthraquinones and cardenolides. Low total phenolic acid content (537.7 ± 22.38 mgGAE/mL), poor radical scavenging activity; DPPH IC50 of 855.27 ± 85.8 mg/mL compared with 1.27 ± 0.03 and 1.24 ± 0.02 mg/nL for gallic acid and ascorbic acid respectively. There was lack of antibacterial activity. The weight, blood glucose level and liver function were not affected, while only WBC and platelet levels were increased significantly (p = 0.003). Gut associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) was observed in the intestine as well as hepatic lesions with some of the treated groups. CONCLUSION: Yoyo bitters has a weak antioxidant activity, thus may not possess significant effect on the enhancement of general body health. It has immune-potentiating effect with the risk of development of hepatic degeneration.
Asunto(s)
Preparaciones de Plantas/química , Preparaciones de Plantas/farmacología , Animales , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Glucemia/metabolismo , Peso Corporal/efectos de los fármacos , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Hidroxibenzoatos/análisis , Recuento de Leucocitos , Hígado/efectos de los fármacos , Hígado/enzimología , Masculino , Recuento de Plaquetas , Distribución Aleatoria , Ratas Wistar , Oligoelementos/análisisRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Resistance to most antimalarial drugs has encouraged the use of herbal preparations along with prescribed orthodox drugs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate effect of co-administration of aqueous extract of T. occidentalis leaves; commonly used as antimalarial and haematinic agent in Nigeria and artesunate using P. berghei animal model. METHODS: In vivo curative antiplasmodial effect of T. occidentalis (200mg/kg) alone and combination with artesunate (2mg/kg) were evaluated using albino mice infected with 10(6) parasitized erythrocytes of P. berghei intraperitoneally. The haematological parameters: haemoglobin level, red blood cells and white blood cells and packed cell volume were monitored using standard methods. RESULTS: Aqueous extract of T. occidentalis, artesunate and the combination gave 72.17±4.07%, 70.43± 4.27% and 85.43±3.65% reduction in parasitaemia after 48hours respectively. A significant enhancement of the PCV was obtained with the coadministration of artesunate and aqueous extract (p< 0.01). Similar trends were also observed with heamatological parameters at 72hours of administration. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a synergistic effect of the co-administration on parasite clearance rate of P. berghei infection in mice, with a significant enhancement of haematological parameters within 48 hours of administration. This indicates a rapid rate of recovery from plasmodial infections with the co-administration.