March 2009
Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Cnidium officinale Makino
The development of an efficient protocol for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from immature flower cultures of Cnidium officinale Makino is reported. Embryogenic callus and somatic embryos induced from immature flower of C. officinale was cultured on medium supplemented with 2,4-D and BAP. The highest induction frequency of embryogenic callus (68%) and number of somatic embryos per...
March 2009
Antinociceptive activity of methanol extract and aqueous fraction of the stem bark of Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth (Mimosaceae)
The antinociceptive activity of the methanol extract and the aqueous fraction of the bark of Pentaclethra macrophylla, family: (mimosaceae) was evaluated using the acetic acid induced mouse writhing assay and tail immersion assay in mice. The methanol extract and the aqueous fraction at a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight administered orally exhibited significant inhibition of the acetic acid induced...
March 2009
Micropropagation of Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. an important medicinal plant
A rapid micropropagation protocol was established for Gynura procumbens(Lour.) Merr., an important medicinal plant for the treatment of various ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and urinary tract infection. The nodal segments of one year old mature plants was used as the explants for the initiation of axillary branching using Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) supplemeted with 2mg l–1 BA....
March 2009
Phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of the stem aqueous extract of Anisopus mannii
Studies were conducted to determine the active chemical constituents of stem aqueous extract of Anisopus mannii by way of phytochemistry and to evaluate itsin vitro antimicrobial activity, using the disc diffusion technique as described by the National Committee of Clinical Laboratory Standard (1993). Using standard phytochemical analysis procedures, results revealed the presence of saponins,...
March 2009
A study on antimicrobial effect of extracts of Cassia arereh (Del.) on some clinical isolates
Results of preliminary phytochemical analysis showed that the stem and root barks of Cassia arereh (Del.) possess phenols, tannins, cardiac glycosides, phlobatanin and anthraquinone. The acetone extract of the root bark produced the highest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (16 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (9 mm) compared to the other...
March 2009
Non enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant activities in aqueous extract of different Ficus deltoidea accessions
Ficus deltoidea was used in this study due to its reputation in reducing risk of cancer, diabetes and heart diseases. In this study 13 accessions of F. deltoideawere selected and they were divided into two groups, generally named as, female and male plants based on leaf sizes and the spots present. The signature of F. deltoidea is that this plant has black spots representing the female leaf while red...
March 2009
Antimicrobial effects of four medicinal plants on dental plaque
Dental caries is a common disease in human population which has a multifactorial etiology. A major cause of the disease is believed to be commensal bacteria which exist in dental plaque, particularly oral Streptococci. Our study is aimed at investigating the effects of aqueous, alcoholic and etheric, extracts as well as essence of four medicinal plants (Thymus vulgaris L., Melissa...
March 2009
Antimicrobial potential of Nymphaea lotus (Nymphaeaceae) against wound pathogens
Ethanolic extracts of Nymphaea lotus leaves were tested for antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes), and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella Pneumoniaeand Pseudomonas aeruginosa) isolated from wounds by the disc diffusion method (DDM). The result of the phytochemical analysis of the extract showed the presence...
March 2009
Traditional health practitioners’ awareness training programme on TB, HIV and AIDS: a pilot project for the Khayelitsha area in Cape Town, South Africa
Twenty (20) Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) from Khayelitsha Township in Cape Town were being trained in tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Khayelitsha is among the biggest townships in the City of Cape Town Metro pole. The city is about 30 km south of Cape Town. Based on scientific research articles Khayelitsha has a high prevalence of TB cases....
March 2009
In vivo antiplasmodial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the leaf extract of Lippia multiflora mold
Leaf extracts of Lippia multiflora Mold have reputation in Northern Nigeria as remedy for different ailments including fevers attributed to malaria. The plant was hence analysed for safety, antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium berghei in mice, analgesia and anti-inflammatory effects in rats. Crude extracts were further subjected to bioactivity-guided fractionation. The results showed leaf...
March 2009
Phytochemical composition and antimicrobial effects of Corchorous olitorius leaf extracts on four bacterial isolates
The phytochemistry and antimicrobial potential of Corchorus olitorius leaf extracts on four bacterial isolates was investigated using both agar diffusion and tube dilution methods. Aqueous and methanolic extracts were tested againstEscherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. Extracts concentration of 500, 125, 125 and 62.5 mgml-1 were used while tetracycline...
March 2009
Investigation of phytochemical, anti- inflammatory and anti nociceptive properties of Ipomoea asarifolia leaves
Ipomeoa asarifolia has been used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments including dysmenorrhea, without scientific verification of its effects. Phytochemical studies were carried out on samples of I. asarifolia to determine its pharmacognostic profile. Acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, formalin-induced pain and egg-albumin induced inflammatory tests in rats were employed to investigate...
March 2009
Genetic variation and polymorphism in the Himalayan nettle plant Urtica dioica based on RAPD marker
Urtica dioica is a medicinal plant and is distributed throughout the ranges of Himachal Pradesh. The Genetic variation was found in U. dioica plant samples, with respect to plant distribution in middle and lower Himalayas. Genetic variability was based on change in altitude. Examination of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers from six plant samples collected at different heights from sea level...
March 2009
Isolation, purification, and structural elucidation of a fructan from Arctium lappa L.
A fructan named ALF was isolated from Arctium lappa L. The structure of ALF was determined by methylation, GC-MS analysis, and both 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. These results showed that ALF is an inulin-type fructan that is comprised of D-fructose and D-glucose in the molar ratio of 14:1, which is confirmed by the composition of 14 fructose residues linked by β (2→1) glycosidic bond and 1 glucose...
March 2009
Chemical composition and antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic activities of the essential oil of Thymus Fallax Fisch. Mey
The aim of this study was to investigate radical scavenging, antimicrobial and antiospasmodic activities in vitro and the composition of Thymus fallax Fisch. Mey. (labiatte) essential oil. The oil of T. fallax was analyzed by the GS-MS method. The sample was subjected to screening for possible antioxidant activity by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene-linoleic...
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