Egwurugwu Jude

The increasing search and utilization of phytochemicals for medicinal purposes necessitated this comparative isolation and characterization of the medicinal constituents in aqueous, hydro-methanolic (1:4, v/v), hydro-ethanolic (1:4, v/v) leaf extracts of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius. The extracts were tested for twelve important medicinal constituents. Alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, Salkowski’s test were positive though at different strengths in the three extracts. The presence of combined anthraquinons, saponins, free anthraquinones, terpenes and Liberman’s test appeared weak (33.3%) in aqueous and hydro-ethanolic (1:4, v/v) extracts though totally absent in hydro-methanolic (1:4, v/v) extract. Phlobatanins and cyanogenetic glycosides were absent in the three extracts. Hydromethanolic (1:4, v/v) extract contained at least 66.7% alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, Salkowski’s test and Kellerkillian’s test and these gave cumulative percent – strength of 300.1% compared to aqueous extract that had 233.3% and hydroethanolic  (1:4, v/v) extract that had 200%. The results implied that hydromethanolic (1:4, v/v) extraction yields more medicinal constituents than aqueous and hydroethanolic (1:4, v/v) extractions. Further analysis of these isolated phytomedicinal constituents are recommended to understand the physiological and therapeutic implications of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius utilizations.

This research work evaluated the effects of Psidium guajava leaf extract on differential white blood cell count, % Packed Cell Volume(PCV) and Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in acute -induced inflamed wistar rats. The study involved the use of forty five rats (in two groups) and were each divided into various subgroups (5mg/kg, 10mg/kg, 15mg/kg of extract and aspirin and control groups), with average weight of 150-270g. The initial, inflamed, and treated values of rats paw volumes were taken and after inducing inflammation with egg albumin and after a period of administration of the extract and aspirin, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected. The results obtained at the end of the experiment showed that there were differences in values (i.e. initial, inflamed and treated). There was an increase in %PCV, WBC, Hb concentration after administration of extract and aspirin which led to a decrease in inflammatory effect. The effect may be due to the anti-inflammatory components present in P. guajava leaf and stem bark extracts which not only inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators but equally have multiplier effects on acutely low hematologic parameters. Based on these results, it is clear that P. guajava extracts possess components that sustain prompt recovery of these hematologic parameters during inflammation, a possible mechanism of action of its anti-inflammatory effect on animals.