its oxytocic, hypotensive and antidiabetic activities. This work examined the effect of the water extract of the stem bark on rat uterus pre-treated with 1 mg/kg stilboesterol for 24 h. The effects of oxytocin-a uterine contraction agonist, antagonists like atropine (1-2 mg) and salbutamol (2 µg) on the uterine contractile effect of the water extract as well as its acute toxic effect were investigated. The water extract of M. cecropioides produced a dose related increase in the force of uterine contraction. An equivalent force of uterine contraction of 1.10 ± ± ± ± 0.15 g produced by 12.5 mg of the extract was increased to 2.53 ± ± ± ± 0.6 g when 1600 mg of the extract was administered. Oxytocin at 0.08 i.u. was observed to elicit a similar force of contraction with 400 mg of the water extract. The drug was observed to potentiate the uterine contractile activity of the extract while pre-treating the tissue with either atropine or salbutamol before administering the water extract showed the inhibitory effects of the drugs on the activity of the extract. The inhibition effect showed by atropine suggests the probable stimulation of the muscarinic receptors of the uterus by the extract. Between doses of 1-4 g/kg, the water extract of M. cecropioides was observed to be well tolerated in mice as no obvious signs of toxicity were observed on the animals.

Roots of Nauclea latifolia are used in Nigeria for the treatment of hypertension. Ethanolic extract of the root of N. latifolia was administered to anaesthetised rats through the jugular vein while the blood pressure was measured through the carotid artery. The extract reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure in normotensive and in one kidney one clip hypertensive rats in a dose dependant manner. 10 mg/kg of the extract reduced the mean arterial pressure from 115.7 ± 0.4 to 99.6 ± 3.8 mm Hg, while it reduced the systolic and diastolic from 125.6 ± 0.5 to 102.4 ± 4.0 and from 110.5 ± 0.3 to 95.0 ± 3.2 mm Hg respectively. The changes caused in hypertensive rats were much greater. The same dose of the extract reduced the mean arterial pressure from 157.4 ± 4.7 to 72.0 ± 3.6 mm Hg, while it reduced the systolic and diastolic blood pressures from 180.0 ± 5.7 to 90.1 ± 2.6 and from 146.2 ± 3.3 to 63.0 ± 4.9 mm Hg respectively. The extract (10 mg/kg) also reduced the heart rate of normotensive rats from 365 ±12.8 to 280 ± 6.0 beats/min, while it reduced the heart rate of hypertensive rats from 550 ± 22.5 to 120 ± 8.0 beats/min. The reduction in blood pressure and heart rate was not affected by prior treatment with atropine or promethazine.

Although snake bites occur frequently in Benin City, the prevalence has not been documented. This study was therefore done to determine the prevalence, morbidity, mortality, and the orthodox treatment of victims. Results: Males were twice more often bitten than females, and teenagers and youths in their early twenties constituted the peak age range of victims. Most victims (59.5%) were bitten in the bush or farm. The limbs were the commonest sites of bite with the feet (73.5%) and arms (20.9%) more frequently bitten; both the upper and lower right limbs were also more frequently bitten than the corresponding left limbs. All patients who showed symptoms of envenomation (68.3%) received polyvalent antivenom, 67.4% received antibiotics while over 90% of patients received antitetanus prophylaxis. Some of the patients (61.5 %) were treated with analgesics, while 17.2% and 82.3% received diazepam and intravenous fluids, respectively. Although there was a high degree of morbidity as shown by the long stay of many patients in the hospital (mean duration of stay by patients in hospital is 5.7±5.1 days; range <1-23 days), mortality was not recorded. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is a high prevalence of snake bites with high morbidity especially among the very active youthful segment of the Benin City population.

Although snake bites occur frequently in Benin City, the prevalence has not been documented. This study was therefore done to determine the prevalence, morbidity, mortality, and the orthodox treatment of victims. Results: Males were twice more often bitten than females, and teenagers and youths in their early twenties constituted the peak age range of victims. Most victims (59.5%) were bitten in the bush or farm. The limbs were the commonest sites of bite with the feet (73.5%) and arms (20.9%) more frequently bitten; both the upper and lower right limbs were also more frequently bitten than the corresponding left limbs. All patients who showed symptoms of envenomation (68.3%) received polyvalent antivenom, 67.4% received antibiotics while over 90% of patients received antitetanus prophylaxis. Some of the patients (61.5 %) were treated with analgesics, while 17.2% and 82.3% received diazepam and intravenous fluids, respectively. Although there was a high degree of morbidity as shown by the long stay of many patients in the hospital (mean duration of stay by patients in hospital is 5.7±5.1 days; range <1-23 days), mortality was not recorded. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is a high prevalence of snake bites with high morbidity especially among the very active youthful segment of the Benin City population.

The aqueous extract of Crinum glaucum was investigated for its effects on rat passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction, rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation and allergic bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig. The extract demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in area of dye leakage. The extract, administered for five days, inhibited mast cell degranulation of normal and passively sensitized rats induced by dextran and antigen. Allergic bronchoconstriction in actively sensitized guinea pigs was inhibited by the extract. The effects of the extract observed were comparable to those of sodium cromoglycate. These results substantiate the efficacy of the extract in the treatment of asthma, in traditional medicine.

The aqueous extract of Crinum glaucum was evaluated for its effects on antigen and histamine induced contraction of the ileum and on mediator release from the lungs of sensitized guinea pigs. The results show that the extract dose dependently inhibited the contractions induced by antigen and histamine in vitro and in vivo. The extract also inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the quantity of mediators antigenically released from the lungs and reduced the mepyramine resistant activity from the lungs. The results obtained indicate that the extract possesses antianaphylactic properties, which may account for its use as an antiasthmatic in traditional medicine. #

Crinum glaucum aqueous extract (1-8 mg/mL) produced a concentration dependent, non-competitive inhibition of contractions induced by acetylcholine (1.1 Â 10 À8 -3.3 Â 10 À7 M) and calcium chloride (CaCl 2 , 0.05-2 mM) on the rat duodenum. Contractions of the guinea-pig ileum induced by acetylcholine (1.1 Â 10 À8 -3.3 Â 10 À7 M) and histamine (1.1 Â 10 À8 -3.3 Â 10 À7 M) were inhibited by the extract (1-4 mg/ mL). The extract (0.125-2.0 mg/mL) also, produced a concentration dependent relaxation of the guineapig taenia coli, precontracted with potassium chloride (40 mM).

The effects of the methanolic extract of Acanthus montanus on different smooth muscle preparations have been investigated. The extract (6.25-100 mg/ml) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation and inhibition of the spontaneous contraction of the rabbit jejunum which was reversed by CaCl 2 (0.1 -1mM). This effect of the extract was not blocked by propranolol (3 × 10 − 7 M) but partially antagonised by phentolamine (10 − 6 -3× 10 − 6 M), procaine (10 − 3 M) and methylene blue (10 − 5 M). The extract also caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of the KCl-precontracted taenia coli of the guinea-pig which was partially blocked by propranolol (3 × 10 − 5 M) that completely blocked isoprenaline (10 − 8 -3×10 − 4 M) relaxation of the tissue. Methylene blue (10 − 5 M) and procaine (10 − 3 M) completely blocked the direct relaxant effects of the extract and isoprenaline on the guinea-pig taenia coli. The extract (0.1-1 mg/ml) shifted the concentration-response curves of CaCl 2 to the right in a concentration-dependent manner on the guinea-pig taenia coli. These effects of the extract suggest a non specific smooth muscle relaxant activity.

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the aqueous extract of Crinum glaucum were evaluated in mice and rats using the carrageenan-and dextran-induced paw oedema, acetic acid-induced writhing, cold water tail flick and formalin pain tests. The extract (100-400 mg/kg) and acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg) produced a significant (P B 0.05) inhibition of the second phase response in the formalin pain model, while only the high dose (400 mg/kg) of the extract showed an antinociceptive effect in the first phase. The extract also showed a dose-dependent inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal writhes. The tail flick latency was dose dependently enhanced by the extract but this was significantly (P B0.05) lower than that produced by morphine (2 mg/kg). The extract (125-500 mg/kg) administered 1 h before or after carrageenan-induced paw swelling produced a dose dependent inhibition of the oedema. No effect was observed with the dextran-induced oedema model. The data obtained suggest that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the extract may be mediated via both peripheral and central mechanisms.

The aqueous seed extract (AE) of Persea americana Mill (Lauraceae) is used by some herbal medicine practitioners in Nigeria for the treatment of hypertension. We investigated its effects on the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and Heart Rate (HR) of naïve and 260 mg/kg/day x 10 days pretreated rats. Naïve rats were given bolus injections of (a) -AE (240, 260, 280 mg/kg); (b) -2 µg/kg of acetylcholine (ACh) + 240, 260, 280 mg/kg of AE; or bolus doses of ACh (1, 2, 4 µg/kg). Results show that 10-day pretreatment significantly reduced MAP (125.7 ± 11.2 vs 92.1 ± 8.5 mm Hg) and HR (274.6 ± 39.3 vs 161.6 ± 11.6 beats/min). Also, acute AE injections significantly decreased MAP from baseline values in naïve rats. The effects of AE on MAP were comparable with those of ACh. Combination of AE with 2 µg/kg of ACh only significantly potentiated the MAP reducing effect of 240 mg/kg of AE. It is concluded that the aqueous seed extract of P. americana reduces BP and HR in normotensive rats. This observation lends credence to its use by herbalists for the management of hypertension.

The aqueous seed extract of Persea americana Mill (Lauraceae) is used by herbalists in Nigeria for the management of hypertension. As part of our on-going scientific evaluation of the extract, we designed the present study to assess its acute and sub-acute toxicity profiles in rats. Experiments were conducted to determine the oral median lethal dose (LD 50 ) and other gross toxicological manifestations on acute basis. In the sub-acute experiments, the animals were administered 2.5 g/kg (p.o) per day of the extract for 28 consecutive days. Animal weight and fluid intake were recorded during the 28 days period. Terminally, kidneys, hearts, blood/sera were obtained for weight, haematological and biochemical markers of toxicity. Results show that the LD 50 could not be determined after a maximum dose of 10 g/kg. Sub-acute treatment with the extract neither affected whole body weight nor organ-tobody weight ratios but significantly increased the fluid intake (P < 0.0001). Haematological parameters and the levels of ALT, AST, albumin and creatinine were not significantly altered. However, the concentration of total proteins was significantly increased in the treated group. In conclusion, the aqueous seed extract of P. americana is safe on sub-acute basis but extremely high doses may not be advisable.

The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate the antidiarrhoeal activity of three chromatographic fractions (L, S and Y) of Stereospermum kunthianum stem bark in mice. Methods: Vacuum liquid/column chromatography (VLC/ CC) were used to obtain three fractions (L,S and Y) of Stereospermum kunthianum stem bark fractions. The antidiarrhoeal activities of these fractions at doses ranging from 100 -400 mg/kg were evaluated in diarrhoea episodes induced by castor oil in mice. The controls were given distilled water (10 ml/kg) while 10 mg/kg of morphine was used as the reference drug (positive control).

The reaction of phthalimide derivatives (1a-c) with 1-methylethylamine in dimethylformamide (DMF) at room temperature afforded benzamido-N-prop-2-ynyl-2-(2-methylethyl)-carboxamide (3a), benzamido-N-cyclopentyl-2-(2-methylethyl)-car-boxamide (3b) and benzamido-N-benzyl-2-(2-methylethyl)-carboxamide (3c), respectively. In the carrageenan induced paw oedema test for anti-inflammatory activity, 3a (50 mg/kg) decreased the inflammatory response by 55% after 3 hrs while 3b and 3c exhibited significant reduction in the oedema level. The compounds 3a, 3b and 3c exhibited analgesic activities with 3b producing 76% inhibition. The activities were dose - dependent.

To evaluate some central nervous system activity of methanolic leaf extract of Alstonia boonei used traditionally to manage psychosis. Methods: The plant extract was administered to 5 groups of mice. Using the rotarod performance evaluation test, motor in-coordination (a test for grip strength) as well as potentiation of phenobarbitone induced sleeping time were determined in the animals. Results: Oral administration of the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in length of time spent on the horizontal arm of the rotarod from 111.50 ± 7.22 sec to 139.68 ± 12.51 sec and 128.09 ± 9.14 sec in a non-dose dependent manner when 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract were administered to the animals, respectively ( value for control was 48.55 ± 5.03 sec) but did not prolong phenobarbitone induced sleeping time of 94.8 ± 4.1 min in the control mice when compared with 59.8 ± 3.9 min, 77.8 ± 8.9 min, and 66.0 ± 3.3 min for 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. Conclusion: Methanolic leaf extract of A. boonei may not increase phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time or produce motor in-coordination in mice.

Purpose: To evaluate the possible analgesic properties of the methanol leaf extract of Alstonia boonei (De Wild, Apocynaceae) a locally available plant used in traditional medicine for the management of pain and other conditions. Methods: Alstonia boonei leaves were extracted with methanol. Rodent models were employed in screening the analgesic effect of the extract. Pain indices evaluated in hot plate and tail flick tests, formalin pain test and mouse writhing assay were mean reaction time to latent heat, time spent in licking of injected paw and abdominal writhes, respectively. Results: Oral administration of the extract caused a significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent reduction in