ABSTRACT

Emesis or vomiting is a means by which gastrointestinal tract gets rid of its content when the upper portion of the tract is excessively irritated, over-distended or even over-excited. A large amount of stomach contents is pushed upwards to flow back into the oesophagus, which then exits through the mouth or nose. Medicinal plants have been much widely employed, and they have proved reliable in the treatment of various diseases, as well as in the discovery of newer agents.

The plant, Chrysophyllum albidum (Linn), also known as African star apple, belongs to the family Sapotaceae. It is primarily a forest tree species with its natural occurrences in diverse ecozones in Uganda, Nigeria and Niger Republic (Bada, 1997). Across Nigeria, it is known by several local names and is generally regarded as a plant with diverse ethno-medicinal uses (Amusa et al., 2003). The plant is known as ‘Agbalumo’ in Yoruba.

The present aim was to evaluate antiemetic activities of Chrysophyllum albidum (in copper sulphate-induced emesis, cisplatin-induced emesis in chicks, as well as in ipecac-induced emesis in rats.

Both copper sulphate (50 mg/kg, orally) and cisplatin (10 mg/kg i.p) were administered to seven groups (n = 5) of chicks, while ipecac (0.03 ml orally) was used to induce emesis in rats (n = 4). Group 1 received distilled water (control), groups 2, 3, and 4 were given doses of C. albidum (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o), while groups 5, 6 and 7 were treated with standard antiemetic drugs (promethazine 25 mg/70kg, p.o; metoclopramide 50 mg/kg, i.p; and ondansetron 24 mg/70 kg, p.o). Emesis was induced thirty minutes later, and number of retching was counted for ten minutes. Chrysophyllum albidum at the doses employed showed significant (p<0.001) antiemetic when compared to the control and standard antiemetic drugs in all the models employed.

The findings in this study validate the folkloric use of the plant in treating emesis.

 

 

 

Extracts of natural plants contain several chemical groups with various biological activities. This work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, anthelminthic activities and determining the secondary metabolites, mineral and histological elements of Ocimum gratissimum from Democratic Republic of the Congo used for various culinary and therapeutic purposes. Primo Star 200® microscope was used for microscopic analysis further thin layer chromatography and X-ray fluorescence were used for chemical analysis. Antioxidant and anthelminthic activities were evaluated with DPPH° radical scavenging method and the rate of Benhamia rosea death, respectively. Spiral vessels, group scleritis, sclerotic fiber, pollen seed, stomata, hairs cells were found by Powder microscopic analysis. Secondary metabolites such as polyphenols (tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, leuco anthocyanins), alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids and various mineral elements (K, Ca, Cl, P, S, Mg, Na, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, etc.) were found in O. gratissimum leaves. Aqueous extract showed a high antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 25.7 ± 1.03 μg/mL. Aqueous extract of O. gratissimum leaves is a good antioxidant and it has an interesting anthelmintic activity.

Aims: to provide knowledge on the bioactivity and phytochemistry of Jatropha podagrica Hook.

Study Design: Advanced multidisciplinary bibliographical research, use of the ChemBioDraw software package and dissemination of the knowledge obtained.

Methodology: A literature review was conducted to obtain information on the pharmacognosy and phytochemistry of Jatropha podagrica Hook. from various scientific databases (SciLEO, PubMed, Google scholar, Science Direct and PubMed Central). The scientific name of this plant species was used as a keyword for the search, as well as the terms pharmacognosy and phytochemistry. ChemBioDraw Ultra 12.0 software was used to draw the structures of chemical compounds of Jatropha podagrica Hook. and other species of the genus Jatropha.

Results: The results obtained revealed that this plant is traditionally used as a stimulant or analgesic. 

This species possesses various biological properties such as anti-tumor, antimicrobial, molluscicidal and anti-insect. These properties are due to the presence of natural chemical compounds such as steroids, flavonoids and diterpenoids.

Conclusion: This study can therefore help guide future scientific research towards the development of new antisickling drugs from Jatropha podagrica Hook.