Browsing by Author "Atunwa, Soliu"

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    Acute Toxicity Study and Evaluation of the Anxiolytic Activity of the Ethanol Leaf Extract of Bryophyllum Pinnatum (Kurz) in Mice
    (Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Practice, 2019-04) Amali, Mohammed; Atunwa, Soliu; Aiyelero, Medinat; Usman, Shukurat; Olapade, Akeem; Oyedotun, Eniola; Omotesho, Quadri
    Introduction: Anxiety is a psychiatric disorder and identified as the most common stress-related mood disorders causing disability and premature death. Due to the several adverse effects of conventional anxiolytics that have reduced the compliance tendencies of patients, alternative therapies are being sought. Although, studies have shown relative central nervous system effects of different fractions of Bryophyllum pinnatum, no study has specifically evaluated the anxiolytic activity of the ethanol leaf extract of the plant (EEBP) hence, this study. Materials and Methods: Mice (22–25 g) were randomly distributedinto six groups (n = 5) and administered thus: Group I and II received intraperitoneally 1 mL/kg saline and 1 mg/kg diazepam as negative and positive controls respectively whereas Groups III, IV, V and VI received oral doses of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg of B. pinnatum extract respectively followed by open field (OF) paradigm procedure. Similarly, the pattern of EEBP administration was repeated for the mice and then subjected to Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) test. Data were expressed as Mean ± Standard Error of Mean (SEM) using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test. Results were regarded as significant at values of P < 0.05. Result: LD50 of EEBP is greater than 2000 mg/kg. EEBP exhibited a significant decrease in locomotion and rearing of mice at 500 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg respectively. Contrarily, a significant increase in the duration of time spent by the mice in the open arm was observed at 1000 mg/kg whereas, none of the treated doses showed a significant reduction in the frequencies of entries in the EPM paradigm. However, EEBP showed a reduction in the index of open arm avoidance compared to the saline group. Conclusion: EEBP exhibited dose-dependent inhibitory central effects and may possess potential anxiolytic effect. However, further studies are required to determine its molecular mechanism of action ___________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: Bryophyllum pinnatum, anxiolytics, elevated plus maze, Open Field test, Open Arm Avoidance Index
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    Anti-nociceptive Potential of Ethanol Extract of Terminalia macroptera Guill&Perr (Combretaceae) Stem Bark in Mice
    (National Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), 2020-12) Atunwa, Soliu; Amali, Mohammed; Lawal, Sikiru; Usman, Sukurat; Olapade, Akeem
    Background: Terminalia macroptera Guill. &Perr. (Combretaceae) is a flowering plant with several ethno-medicinal claims. However, the dearth of information on its analgesic property has necessitated this study. Objectives: to evaluate the anti-nociceptive potential of ethanol extract of Terminalia macroptera stem bark (TMSB) in mice. Materials and Methods: Male and female mice of weight range 22 – 25g were randomly allotted into seven groups (n= 5) and treated as follows: Group I received 0.5 mL distilled water orally (negative control), Groups II-V were orally administered ethanol extract of T. macroptera stem bark (TMSB) at 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg respectively while groups VI-VII received piroxicam 10 mg/kg and pentazocine 2 mg/kg intraperitoneally respectively as standards. The same treatment pattern was adopted for both pain models: tail immersion and acetic acid-induced writhing assays. Data were expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM) using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s and Bonferroni's multiple comparisons tests with p < 0.05 taken as significance. Results: The ethanolic extract of Terminalia macroptera stem bark showed significant dose-dependent anti-nociceptive activity at 100 and 400 mg/kg (2.95±0.41 and 2.9±0.31 respectively) 60 min post-treatment compared to the negative control group in the tail immersion test. Significant inhibition of nociception (0.20±0.20) was obtained at 400 mg/kg compared to the negative control group in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Conclusions: The ethanol extract of Terminalia macroptera stem bark exhibited dose-dependent anti-nociceptive potential in both tail immersion and acetic acid-induced writhing assays in mice.
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    Assessment of anxiolytic potential and acute toxicity study of Combretum micranthum G. Don. leaves (Combretaceae)
    (Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development, 2020-12-18) Amali, Mohammed; Atunwa, Soliu; Omotesho, Quadri; Oyedotun, Eniola; Olapade, Akeem
    Background: Combretum micranthum G. Don. (Combretaceae) is an ethnomedicinally valuable, undomesticated and indigenous shrub of West Africa. However, its anxiolytic potential have not been reported despite its ethanolic extract being used ethnomedicinally in the management of anxiety disorders. Aim: To determine the acute toxicity effect and assess the behavioural effects and anxiolytic potential of C. micranthum G. Don. leaves in mice. Settings: This study is an experimental design to evaluate the ethnomedicinal claim of Combretum micranthum G. Don using animal models of anxiety. Methods: Fifty-six male and female mice, ranging in weight between 20 g and 30 g were randomly distributed into three main groups. The first group of mice (n = 6) was assigned for toxicity assessment (LD50) study using the guideline of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The second group of mice for behavioural study (n = 25) was further divided into five sub-groups. Sub-groups I, II and III were orally administered 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of C. micranthum (CmEE), respectively, whilst IV and V were intraperitoneally administered 1 mg/kg diazepam and normal saline 0.5 mL, respectively. They were thereafter evaluated for novelty-induced behaviours: locomotion, rearing and grooming using Open Field Test (OFT). The third group of mice (n = 25) was treated similar to the pattern used in behavioural study and evaluated for anxiolytic activity of CmEE using elevated plus maze (EPM) model. Data were expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (S.E.M) and analysed using Student’s-t test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Student–Newman– Keuls (SNK) test with values of p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The percentage yield of ethanolic leaf extract of C. micranthum was 14.28% weight/ weight (w/w). Combretum micranthum showed no toxicity when administered orally to mice (LD50 ≥ 2000 mg/kg). Groups administered 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of CmEE exhibited decreased locomotion (p < 0.05) when compared with saline group. There was significant decrease in rearing at 2000 mg/kg but increase in grooming in mice administered 2000 mg/kg of CmEE was recorded. The groups administered 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of CmEE showed increased percentage time spent in the open arm in a dose-dependent pattern (33.3%, 41.6% and 55.4%, respectively) when compared with the saline group. There were significant dosedependent decreases in the indices of open arm avoidance at 1000 (48.9) and 2000 mg/kg (41.4) of CmEE. Conclusion: Combretum micranthum is non-toxic and preliminary data indicated that it possesses anxiolytic potential. However, it is recommended that further assays using other specific models of anxiety to determine its probable mechanism(s) of action should be explored. Keywords: Combretum micranthum; Combretaceae; anxiety disorders; elevated plus maze; open field test; locomotion; rearing; grooming; index of open arm avoidance.
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    Heavy metal content of commonly consumed herbal bitters in Ilorin, Nigeria
    (West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy, 2017) Ayanniyi, Rashidat Oluwafunke; Folamin, Samson; Olumoh-Abdul, Hidayah; Atunwa, Soliu; Oreagba, Ibrahim
    Background: The use of herbal medicines has increased in recent years and has gained much attention in the health sectors, scientific community and the public alike. The safety and quality of these products become questionable even when the efficacy and potency may be guaranteed. Objective: The presence of heavy metals was determined. Methods: Two batches of five herbal bitters were purchased from different parts of Ilorin. Samples were prepared from these batches and analyzed for the presence of Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe) and Lead (Pb) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Their concentrations were compared with WHO permissible limits. The variations in the concentration of Cd, Fe, and Pb in the two batches of samples were also determined at P < 0.05. Results: The value of Cd ranged from 0.003-0.3mg/L, Pb 0.000-0.067mg/L and Fe 0.083-0.27mg/L. This study revealed that majority of the samples contained Cd and Pb in concentrations significantly lower than the permissible limits. However, the two batches of herbal bitters contained Fe with concentrations significantly higher than the official permissible limit of 0.1mg/L. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study showed that Iron was present in all the samples with some concentrations significantly higher than the WHO permissible limit. Lead and cadmium were present in some of the samples with concentrations below the WHO permissible limit.
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    Neurobehavioural Effects of Acute and Repeated Administrations of Sub-Psychotomimetic Dose of Ketamine in Mice
    (Ife Journal of Science and Technology, 2019) Atunwa, Soliu; Adeyemi, Oluwole; Owolabi, Adegboyega Rotimi
    Recent studies have shown that sub-anaesthetic doses of ketamine may induce analgesia, but its psychotomimetic side effects have called for caution. This study therefore, explored a possible sub-psychotomimetic dose of ketamine (SPDK) and determined the influence of frequency of exposure on its neurobehavioural effects in mice. Mice of either sex weighing 18 - 25 g were randomly selected into three major groups: A, B, and C. Group A was distributed into seven sub-groups (n=12) and treated with saline (10 μL/g/body weight); 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mg/kg ketamine for stereotyped horizontal locomotion (SHL) assessment using the open field test. Groups B and C were each allotted into three sub-groups (n=7): I, II, and III. They were treated with saline (10 μL/g/body weight) as negative control, 1 mg/kg ketamine and 1.5 mg/kg scopolamine as positive control; and assessed for neurobehavioural effects of acute and repeated administrations using elevated plus-maze (EPM) and Y-maze respectively. Data were presented as Mean ± SEM and analyzed using ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test with p < 0.05. The results showed that 1 mg/kg ketamine is devoid of psychotomimetic side effects (1.979, p > 0.05), whereas, ketamine 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg/kg induced significant increase (8.258, p < 0.001), (7.688, p < 0.001), (7.916, p < 0.001), (10.580, p < 0.001) and (13.244, p < 0.001) respectively in SHL compared with the saline group in the open field paradigm. Therefore, ketamine 1 mg/kg was chosen as the sub-psychotomimetic dose. Acute administration of SPDK did not significantly impair memory of mice in both EPM (6.751, p < 0.001) and Y-maze models (3.467, p < 0.05), whereas, its repeated administrations showed comparable results to the group administered scopolamine in both EPM (0.1460, p > 0.8654) and Y-maze models (1.258, p > 0.3126). This study concluded that 1 mg/kg of ketamine may be a sub-psychotomimetic dose; and ketamine-induced psychotomimetic side effects and cognitive impairments could be dose and time-dependent respectively. Keywords: Neurobehavioural effects; sub-psychotomimetic dose of ketamine; drug re-positioning; stereotyped horizontal locomotion; scopolamine
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    Phytochemical and Anti-Inflammatory Studies of Ethanol Extract of Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae) Stem Bark in Rats and Mice
    (Nigerian Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), National Secretariat, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.,, 2017) Usman, Sukurat; Agunu, AbdulKareem; Atunwa, Soliu; Hassan, Seun; Sowemimo, Abimbola; Salawu, Kayode
    Background: Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae) is a flowering plant used traditionally for the treatment of various disease conditions including hepatitis, dysentery, piles, edema, fever, gastritis, as aphrodisiac, applied to sprains and as a cleanser for washing sores. The aim of the work was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical properties and anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract of T. macroptera stem bark. Material and Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening and quantification was carried out on the extract using standard phytochemical methods. The ethanol stem bark extract was screened using the carrageenan induced rat paw edema model, and xylene induced edema model in mice at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses orally. Lorke’s method was used to study the acute oral toxicity effect. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and alkaloids. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract were 164.8±10.37 (GAE/g of dried extract mg/g) and 193.6±6.37 (QE mg/g) respectively. The result showed that the extract produced a significant (p<0.05) dose independent inhibition with the maximum inhibition (89.93%) observed at 30 minutes at 50 mg/kg in the carrageenan induced edema and (49.5%) at 400 mg/kg in xylene induced models. No toxic effect was observed at 4.0g/kg of the extract in rats. Conclusion: The study showed that the ethanol stem bark extract is a good source of various phytochemicals that could be responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory activity of the plant.
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    Phytochemical, antibacterial and anticonvulsant activity of the stem bark of Lannea kerstingii Engl. & K. Krause (Anacadiaceae)
    (Journal off Pharmacy and Bioresources, 2018-09) Njinga, Ngaitad; Sule, Mohammed; Shittu, Abiodun; David, Susan; Amali, Mohammed; Bolaji, Abdulkareem; Abdullahi, Saad; Atunwa, Soliu; Hassan, Halima; Eniayewu, Oluwasegun
    The stem bark of Lannea kerstingii Engl. & K. Krause was investigated for its phytochemistry, acute toxicity, antibacterial and anticonvulsant activit ies. Standard methods were used to evaluate phytochemistry while antibacterial activity was determined using agar diffusion and broth dilution method s on Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Maximal electroshock-induced seizures test in chicks and pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures test in mice were used to determine the anticonvulsant activity. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates steroids and triterpenes. Ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of the stem bark were found to be active against S. aureus, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, Proteus sp, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis with zone of inhibition ranging from 20-27.5mm and MIC ranging from 6.25mg/mL to 100mg/mL and MBC from 50mg/mL and above. LD50 was found to be 2154.066 mg/kg. The crude methanol extract of the stem bark afforded dose (150, 300 and 600mg/kg) dependent protection to the laboratory animals against the hind limb tonic extension though not statistically significant (P<0.05) showing the inability of the extract to inhibit seizure discharge within the brainstem seizure substrate. Meanwhile the extract at doses of 300 and 600mg/kg significantly (P<0.05) prolonged the onset of seizure in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) test showing the potential of this plant in raising seizure threshold in the brain therefore making it beneficial in the treatment of myoclonic and absence seizures. This justifies the use of the plant in treating convulsion. Keywords: Lannea kerstingii; Anticonvulsant; Phytochemical; Antibacterial; Phytochemistry