Acute and subchronic evaluation of Indigofera arrecta: absence of both toxicity and modulation of selected cytochrome P450 isozymes in ddY mice

Nutritional and pharmacological potentials of orphan legumes: Subfamily faboideae

Legumes are a major food crop in many developing nations. However, orphan or underutilized legumes are domesticated legumes that have valuable properties but are less significant than main legumes due to use and supply restrictions. Compared to other major legumes, they are better suited to harsh soil and climate conditions, and their great tolerance to abiotic environmental circumstances like drought can help to lessen the strains brought on by climate change. Despite this, their economic significance in international markets is relatively minimal. This article is aimed at carrying out a comprehensive review of the nutritional and pharmacological benefits of orphan legumes from eight genera in the sub-family Faboidea, namely Psophocarpus Neck. ex DC., Tylosema (Schweinf.) Torre Hillc., Vigna Savi., Vicia L., Baphia Afzel. ex G. Lodd., Mucuna Adans, Indigofera L. and Macrotyloma (Wight & Arn.) Verdc, and the phytoconstituents that have been isolated and characterized from these plants. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct for articles that have previously reported the relevance of underutilized legumes. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of threatened species was also conducted for the status of the species. References were scrutinized and citation searches were performed on the study. The review showed that many underutilized legumes have a lot of untapped potential in terms of their nutritional and pharmacological activities. The phytoconstituents from plants in the subfamily Faboideae could serve as lead compounds for drug discovery for the treatment of a variety of disorders, indicating the need to explore these plant species.

Safety and Effectiveness of Mist Antiaris, a Herbal Preparation for Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy

Mist Antiaris is a herbal decoction for treatment of nervous disorders. Safety and efficacy were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats and human patients, respectively. Acute toxicity was assessed by administration of a single 5000 mg/kg oral dose of decoction to a group of six rats. For subchronic toxicity, four groups of six rats each received water (control) or 10, 100, or 200 mg/kg oral doses of decoction daily for eight weeks. Body weight, serum, urine, and hematological profile of the animals in each group were monitored over the period. Effects of treatment on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and histology of liver, lung, heart, and kidney tissue were assessed at the end of the study. There was no evidence of acute toxicity within 48 hours of the oral dose. Over the 8-week period, body weight increases in Mist Antiaris treatment groups were reduced relative to the control group. There were no significant differences in urine profile, serum biochemistry, hematological parameters, and pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. Tissue histology revealed no differences relative to controls. Assessment of efficacy was by retrospective review of data on patients who presented with peripheral neuropathy. Treatment resulted in 53.7 % of patients reporting complete resolution and 15.7 % showing reduction in neuropathic symptoms. The data demonstrate that there is no toxicity due to subchronic administration of Mist Antiaris in Sprague-Dawley rats. The reduction or resolution of neuropathic symptoms indicated by patents' file data provides evidence to suggest that Mist Antiaris has antineuropathic effects.

Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Studies of Aqueous Extract of Desmodium adscendens (Sw) DC

Extracts of Desmodium adscendens (Sw) DC are used for the treatment of various diseases but limited toxicological evaluations have been done on the medicinal plant. This study investigates toxicity effects of the leave extract of D adscendens, and the possibility of drug-drug interaction of the plant extract when co-administered with other drugs. Oral administrations of leaf extract of D adscendens to white Wistar rats in an acute toxicity studies allowed the estimation of an LD₅₀ (median lethal dose) value of 1122 mg/kg body weight. In a subchronic toxicity studies, the plant extract caused a decrease in zoxazolamine paralysis time and prevented thiopentone from causing sleep in test animals compared to controls. Overall, the results are consistent with the plant extract being safe at the doses administered in humans. However, the induction of the CYP enzymes is an indication of a possible drug interaction when the plant extract is co-administered with other drugs.

Plants used to treat malaria in Nyakayojo sub-county, western Uganda

AIM OF STUDY

We performed an ethnobotanical study of plants used to treat malaria in Nyakayojo sub-county in south western Uganda because malaria in this region, and in Uganda at large, is still the single most important reason for ill health and mortality. Two of the most vulnerable groups affected by malaria are young children and pregnant women and plants are commonly used in their treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight traditional birth attendants were interviewed about how they used plants to treat malaria. Review of the literature available on all species identified was undertaken.

RESULTS

Altogether 56 plant species were used by the informants, 48 of which have been identified to species level. Thirty-two (67%) of the species used by the respondents are documented for antimalarial use in other studies, and nearly half (44%) have documented anti-plasmodial activity. Fifty-five percent of the species were used by 2 or more of the respondents. The most commonly used species were Vernonia amygdalina, the indigenous Aloe species, Justicia betonica, Vernonia adoensis and Tithonia diversifolia. It was common to use more than one plant in a recipe (43%). The respondents had good knowledge of the symptom of malaria, and fairly good understanding of the causes.

CONCLUSION

The interviews show that the group of traditional birth attendants has an extensive and diverse knowledge on plants used in the treatment of malaria. The literature survey may indicate a possible explanation for the use of several plants.

Antidiabetic and ameliorative potential of Ficus bengalensis bark extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidiabetic and ameliorative potential of aqueous extract of Ficus bengalensis bark in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of F. bengalensis bark on blood glucose, serum electrolytes, serum glycolytic enzymes, liver microsomal protein, hepatic cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenase enzymes and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney of streptozotocin -induced diabetic rats was studied. Oral administration of Ficus bengalensis to fed, fasted and glucose loaded diabetic rats significantly [F > 0.05 (ANOVA) and P< 0.05 (DMRT)] decreased the blood glucose level at 5 hrs and restored the levels of serum electrolytes, glycolytic enzymes and hepatic cytochrome P-450 dependent enzyme systems and decreased the formation of liver and kidney lipid peroxides at the end of 12 weeks. Further, the aqueous extract of Ficus bengalensis at a dose of 500mg/kg/day exhibits significant antidiabetic and ameliorative activity as evidenced by histological studies in normal and Ficus bengalensis treated streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. On the basis of our findings, it could be used as an antidiabetic and ameliorative agent for better management of diabetes mellitus.