@article {403, title = {In vitro free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of ethanol extract of Terminalia glaucescens}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {December 2014}, pages = {49-56}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {49}, abstract = {

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in various pathological conditions. Synthetic antioxidants have adverse health effects, while many medicinal plants have antioxidant components that can prevent the harmful effects of ROS. Objectives: This study quantitatively determined the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant properties of ethanol extract of the stem bark of Terminalia glaucescens (EESTG). Materials and Methods: The objectives were achieved based on in vitro assays. Data were analyzed by Sigma Plot (version 11.0). Results: Using gallic acid as the standard compound, TPC value obtained was 596.57 {\textmu}g GAE/mg extract. TFC content of EESTG, determined as quercetin equivalent was 129.58 {\textmu}g QE/mg extract. Furthermore, EESTG significantly (P \< 0.001) displayed higher reducing power activity than the standard compounds (ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene [BHT]). Total antioxidant capacity assay, measured by phosphomolybdate method, was 358.33 {\textpm} 5.77 {\textmu}g butylated hydroxytoluene equivalents [BHTE]/mg extract. β-carotene-linoleate bleaching method affirmed the potency of EESTG because of its significantly (P \< 0.001) higher anti-oxidant activity when compared with quercetin and BHT. Based on DPPH assay, EESTG displayed significantly (P \< 0.001) higher activity than BHT, while the hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of BHT and quercetin significantly (P \< 0.001) exceeded that of the extract, although EESTG still displayed a high level of activity obtained as 83.77\% in comparison to 92.80\% of the standard compounds. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate the presence of promisingly potent phytoconstituents in EESTG that have the capability to act as antioxidants and free radical scavengers.

}, keywords = {Antioxidants, Extract, free-radicals, Standard compounds, Terminalia glaucescens.}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.147200}, author = {J. Olorunjuwon Olugbami and Michael A. Gbadegesin and Oyeronke A. Odunola} } @article {609, title = {Co-administration of Sodium Arsenite and Ethanol: Protection by Aqueous Extract of Aframomum Longiscapum Seeds}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {4}, year = {2012}, month = {July,2012}, pages = {154-160}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {154}, abstract = {

Background: Human exposure to arsenicals, its toxicity, subsequent adverse effects on health has been widely reported and implicated in the etiology of several cancers. Objectives: We investigated the effect of Aframomum longiscapum (AL) extracts on sodium arsenite (SA) and ethanol (EtOH)- induced toxicities in rats. Materials and Methods: Male rats were fed SA, EtOH, and SA + EtOH, with or without AL for 5 weeks. Hepatic transaminases were assessed in serum, micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs) from bone marrow, liver histopathology, and semen quality from caudal epididymis were assessed, respectively, and data were represented as mean {\textpm} SD, analyzed by ANOVA. Results: SA, SA + EtOH, and AL alone induced mPCEs formation in rat bone marrow (P \< 0.05). A decrease (P \< 0.05) in mPCEs in AL + SA + EtOH-treated rats compared with SA, and SA + EtOH was observed. SA and EtOH treatment increased serum hepatic transaminases (P \< 0.05) relative to control, while AL treatment resulted in a decrease (P \< 0.05). AL, SA, and SA + EtOH treatment decreased sperm count and motility (P \< 0.05) with no effect on viability compared with control. Semen morphological abnormalities showed no difference (P \> 0.05) across the treated groups. Hepatic histopathology indicated mild mononuclear cellular infiltration in the control group. Necrotic hepatocyte were observed in SA, SA + EtOH treated groups, with no visible lesions seen in the AL treated group. Mild hepatocyte congestion of the portal vessels was observed in AL + SA + EtOH-treated groups. Conclusion: The AL extract exhibited anticlastogenic and hepatoprotective potentials, reduced sperm count, motility, with no effect on viability and morphology. Our findings suggest that AL may mitigate the effect of arsenicals-induced clastogenicity implicated in chemical carcinogenesis.

}, keywords = {Aframomum longiscapum, Arsenite, ethanol, Micronuclei}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.99078}, author = {Solomon E. Owumi and Oyeronke A. Odunola and Mohammed Aliyu} }