Nwafor Arthur

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.

The present experimental research work was undertaken to determine the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of novel xylopia aethiopica formulations based on folklore methods used in Nigeria for the management of chronic severe painful conditions on eggwhite induced paw oedma in both sex of albino wistar rats using the pain models of Randall and Selitto (1957) as adopted by Ugo Basile (Italy). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the different analgesia models at doses as low as 0.5mg/ kg & 2mg/ kg respectively were evaluated against the standard analgesic drug Piroxicam, at dose of 20mg/ kg. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities was dose, and sex dependant: females appearing to endure more pains than males and in the ratio 2:1; suggesting that xylopia aethiopica is efficacious in ameliorating pains .The results from the study demonstrated strong anti- nociceptive than anti-inflammatory activities and as evidenced the bioactive constituents of hydro-alcoholic formulations, particularly, hydro-methanolic, potentiated the effects which resonated with the local use of finished products and practices for medicine purposes. Studies with the pure samples are on the way in order to understand the precise mechanisms of action. Key words: Analgesic & anti-inflammation activity, Piroxicam, xylopia aethiopica, hydro-alcoholic formulation, paw oedema, sex.

In the southern and southwestern parts of Nigeria, xylopia aethiopica is much acclaimed to possess nutritional properties for the control of diverse or definite physiological processes and were evaluated and compared based on the folklore methods of the finished medicinal products and practices. Result showed variability and statistically significant differences in the percent composition of the detected bio-active phyto-mineral elements and suggested that the novel hydro-alcoholic formulations, specifically, hydro-methanolic, potentiated the stimulation of the phyto-minerals and ranked: hydro-methanolic (60.8%), > hydro-ethanolic (21.3%), > methanolic (11.81%) > ethanolic (6.15%). Evident in hydro-methanolic formulation, it can be a good source of the following micro-minerals: iron (32.7%), magnesium (10.2%), manganese (8.9%), calcium (7.6%), potassium (0.69%), zinc (0.36%), sodium (0.28%), phosphorus (0.08%) and lead (0.001%). The percent proximate composition ranged: carbohydrate 72.6 to 77.7, protein 12 to 14.7, fiber 2.99 to 6.0, ash value 2.5 to 3.9, lipid/fat 1.47 to 2.3, and moisture content 0.98 to 1.96. While the anti-nutrients detected were: tannin 87%, oxalate 12.03%, hydrogen cyanide 0.93%, and phytate 0.08%.  The findings of this study provided importantly that xylopia aethiopica can ameliorate natural healing and scientific credence on the rationale of the folklore hydro-alcoholic methods, particularly, hydro-methanolic formulations in processing and dispensing the finished bio-active products from which our understanding of the safety, effectiveness and quality of finished nutritional or medicinal products and practices may emerge.

Preliminary characterization and isolation of phytomedicinal components of dried black fruits of xylopia aethiopica in hydro-methanolic (1:4 v/v), hydro-ethanolic (1:4, v/v), methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous solvents has been compared. Results showed variability and significant differences in phytomedicinal compositions and the potency ranked: hydro-methanolic > hydro-ethanolic > methanolic > ethanolic = aqueous and the percentage difference was 75%, 54%, 45.8%, 29% =29% which perhaps validates the efficacy of the therapeutic potentials of xylopia aethiopica for many of the traditional medicinal applications.  Anthraquinone and combined anthraquinone were exclusively found in hydro-methanolic and methanolic concentrates and accounted for 44.4 % and 33.3 % respectively. Glycosides (-terpene, sterols and deoxy-sugar) accounted for 100% in hydro-alcoholic concentrates respectively. Alkaloids and the phenolic compounds flavonoids and tannins with the exception of saponins which was negligible or absence in the solvents were also the phytomedicinial constituents. Results suggest that the ability of hydro-alcoholic to enhance the isolation of useful constituents might be attributed to the differential solubility of the combined hydrophobic and hydrophilic components of the phytomedicinal bioactive ingredients in the solvent which, is still subject to further studies. Hydro-alcoholic, specifically hydro-methanolic, therefore is recommended for isolation and characterization of economically important medicinal plants of medical interest.