Preliminary Pharmacologic Evaluation of Spigelia anthelmia Aerial Parts

The potential of Elephantorrhiza elephantina as an anthelminthic in goats

Elephantorrhiza elephantina Bruch. Skeels. is used by farmers in the Eastern Cape Province to control helminths in goats. An in vitro study revealed efficacy of its fractions against adult Haemonchus contortus. This study was conducted to validate efficacy of fractions in vivo, on gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected goats. A total of 36 goats (18 males and 18 females) between ages of 8 and 12 months were used; these were randomly assigned to six treatments (A-F). For treatments A and B, goats received Prodose orange® (Albendazole 1.92 % m/v, closantel 3.94 % mv) at 2 ml/10 kg and distilled water at 0.5 ml/kg per os, respectively, whereas those under treatments C to E received aqueous fractions of E. elephantina at concentrations of 12. 5, 25, 50 and 75 mg/ml, dosed at 2 ml/10 kg. On days 1, 28 and 56, faecal samples were collected for faecal egg counts (FEC) and larval count, blood samples taken for packed cell volume (PCV) and body weights recorded to assess weight changes. The aqueous fraction caused highest the total faecal egg count reductions (TFECR) % of 81.7 %, 96.8 % and 98.6 % at doses of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg, respectively, on day 56. This was comparable to the commercial drug Prodose orange®, which caused TFECR% of 94.9 % at the same time. The fraction also caused reduction of Haemonchus contortus and strongyloides larvae at all dose levels, but these were not significantly different (P > 0.05) to the negative control. There was an increase in body weights of animals at dose concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg. Animals receiving the fraction had weight increases of between 3 and 4 kg by end of experiment (over 56 days), but those drenched with Prodose orange ® gained by less than 2 kg. The fraction also increased PCV levels at all doses on days 28 and 56 and this was comparable to the group on commercial drug. The reductions of FEC and worm larvae, as well as increase in PCVs are indicative that E. elephantina posses some antihelmintic properties against gastrointestinal parasites in goats. With a minimum dose concentration of 25 mg/ml being effective, this means that farmers can use little material. Increase in weight gain revealed in this study may indicate that the plant may have some nutritional value; further study is therefore called for to validate the plant for its nutritive value.

Anthelmintic screening of fractions of Elephantorrhiza elephantina root extract against Haemonchus contortus

In the previous work conducted, it was found that the root extract of Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Bruch.) Skeels. exhibited good anthelmintic efficacy against eggs and larvae of Haemonchus contortus. This study was therefore undertaken to screen fractions of the extracts of E. elephantina for their anthelmintic activity against adult H. contortus using a bioactivity-guided assay. The adult worm bioassay was conducted using aqueous, hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of the plant extracts at concentrations of 0.312, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml in vitro. Albendazole and distilled water were used as positive and negative control, respectively. In vitro treatment of adult worms revealed concentration and time-dependent efficacy of the fractions of E. elephantina. The aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions showed a highly significant (P<0.05) motility inhibition at concentrations of 2.5 mg/ml and above after 6 h of exposure, while the hexane fraction showed a significant (P<0.05) motility inhibition at concentrations of 5 mg/ml and above. After 30 h of exposure, all the fractions showed insignificant (P>0.05) inhibition of motility. The fractions of E. elephantina also showed mortality indexes that were not significantly different to each other, as well as to the commercial drug (albendazole). Overall, the ethyl acetate and the aqueous fractions were found to possess the highest anthelmintic activity. We therefore recommend future studies to further investigate effective dosages of these fractions in vivo, as well as a full investigation into the compounds responsible for the biological activity.

Leishmanicidal evaluation of extracts from native plants of the Yucatan peninsula

Methanol extracts were prepared from different parts of 18 plants collected in the Yucatan peninsula and evaluated in an in vitro bioassay for leishmanicidal activity against Leishmania mexicana promastigotes. The ten most potent plant extracts (IC(50)<50 microg/ml) were Aphelandra scabra leaves, Byrsonima bucidaefolia bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Clusia flava leaves, Cupania dentata bark, Diphysa carthagenensis leaves, Dorstenia contrajerva whole plant, Milleria quinqueflora roots, Tridax procumbens whole plant, and Vitex gaumeri bark.

Anthelmintic efficacy of extracts of Spigelia anthelmia Linn on experimental Nippostrongylus braziliensis in rats

Spigelia anthelmia Linn is used as a herb and is a common annual weed of cultivation in open re-growths, on unused land in towns as well as on road sides. The plant can grow to approximately 30 cm in height. The aim of this study was to screen extracts of Spigelia anthelmia for their anthelmintic activity against an experimental Nippostrongylus braziliensis infection in rats. Acute oral toxicity occurred at a dose of 1,140 mg/kg, while anthelmintic trials against Nippostrongylus braziliensis in rats using the aqueous fraction showed a progressive decrease in worm count with increasing dose (10, 13, 16, 20 and 25 mg per kg body weight) (p < 0.05). At 25 mg per kg body weight, the worm count was significantly lower than that at 10 mg per kg body weight (p < 0.05).

Medicinal plant inventory of Kuna Indians: Part 1

Results of an ethnopharmacognostic survey of 90 plants used by the Kuna Indians of San Blas Islands, who live in Ailigandí, are listed. Results of a literature search are also reported, including medical uses, known constituents and pharmacological effects.