AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effects of E. guineensis leaf on wound healing activity in rats.
METHODS: A phytochemical screening was done to determine the major phytochemicals in the extract. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was examined using the disk diffusion technique and broth dilution method. The wound healing activity of leaves of E. guineensiswas studied by incorporating the methanolic extract in yellow soft paraffin in concentration of 10% (w/w). Wound healing activity was studied by determining the percentage of wound closure, microbial examination of granulated skin tissue and histological analysis in the control and extract treated groups.
RESULTS: Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of tannins, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, terpenoids, and flavonoids in the extract. The extract showed significant activity against Candida albicans with an MIC value of 6.25 mg/mL. The results show that the E. guineensis extract has potent wound healing capacity, as evident from better wound closure, improved tissue regeneration at the wound site, and supporting histopathological parameters pertaining to wound healing. Assessment of granulation tissue every fourth day showed a significant reduction in microbial count.
CONCLUSIONS: E. guineensis accelerated wound healing in rats, thus supporting this traditional use.
AIM: The study aimed to investigate the effect of P.s on atherosclerotic changes in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
METHODS: Forty two male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into seven groups. C - control group fed normal rabbit chow, CH - cholesterol diet (1% cholesterol), W1 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of P.s (62.5 mg/kg), W2 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of P.s (125 mg/kg), W3 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of P.s (250 mg/kg), W4 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of P.s (500 mg/kg) and Smv - 1% cholesterol supplemented with simvistatin drug (1.2 mg/kg). All rabbits were treated for 10 weeks. Following 10 weeks of supplementation, the animals were sacrificed and the aortic tissue was taken for histological study.
RESULTS: Rabbits fed only with high cholesterol diet 1% cholesterol (CH) showed focal fatty streak lesions compared to the C group and 1% cholesterol supplemented with simvistatin drug (Smv) group. Atherosclerotic lesions in the 1% cholesterol group supplemented with P.s (500 mg/kg) i.e. W4 group showed significant reduction (30 + or - 6.0%, p < 0.05) in fatty streak compared to the high cholesterol group (85.6 + or - 4.1%) under Sudan IV stain. The atherosclerotic lesions under transmission electron microscope showed reduction in foam cells in the treatment groups compared to the CH groups.
CONCLUSION: Administration of P.s extract has protective effect against atheroscleros.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MEZZ was prepared by macerating oven-dried (50 degrees C) powdered rhizomes (1.2 kg) of Z. zerumbet in 80% methanol in a ratio of 1:20 (w/v) for 48 h. The supernatant was collected, filtered and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure (50 degrees C) yielding approximately 21.0 g of the crude dried extract. The crude dried extract was stored at -20 degrees C prior to use and was dissolved in normal saline (0.9% NaCl) immediately before administration at concentrations required to produce doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg.
RESULTS: All dosages of MEZZ showed significant (p < 0.05) antiedema activity when assessed using the carrageenan-induced paw edema test and the cotton-pellet-induced granuloma test. The MEZZ exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antinociceptive activity when assessed by the writhing, hot plate and formalin tests. Pretreatment with naloxone (5 mg/kg) significantly decreased the latency of discomfort produced by the 100 mg/kg dose of MEZZ in the hot plate test.
CONCLUSION: MEZZ produced antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities which may involve the inhibition of bradykinin-, prostaglandin-, histamine- and opioid-mediated processes.