Browsing by Author "Njinga, N.S."
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Item Characterization, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potentials of a herbal preparation.(Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Published by Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria., 2019) Njinga, N.S.; Bakare-Odunola, M.T.; Mustapha, K.B.; Yahaya, T.; Shittu, A.O.; Bello, H. R.; Abdullahi, S.T.; Usman, S.O.; Ayanniyi, R.O.; Olufadi-Ahmed, H.Y.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.Item Chemical Equivalence of some Brands of Metronidazole Tablets Marketed in Sagamu Community(Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, 2018) Kasim, L.S.; Oyefule, M.O.; Eniayewu, O.I.; Njinga, N.S.; Abdullahi, S.T.; Shittu, A.O.The occurrence of fake and substandard medicines has become a global issue that draws the attention of all key players in the sector in all nations of the World. This study was carried out for comparative quality assessment of different brands of metronidazole tablets in Sagamu community in Nigeria to determine their suitability for therapeutic purpose. Five (5) brands of 200mg metronidazole tablet, marketed in Sagamu community Pharmacies were randomly selected and subjected to physicochemical studies which include uniformity of weight, crushing strength, friability, and disintegration rate, and chemical equivalence study using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) according to official procedures in British Pharmacopoeia (B.P). All brands except brand D and E passed the weight uniformity test. The friability test was passed by all the brands except brand E according to B.P specification which states that the loss in weight should be less than 1% also all brands except brand B showed satisfactory crushing strength. Also, the disintegration rate of the brands was satisfactory according to the B.P. specification as all the brands disintegrated within 30 minutes. The results of high performance liquid chromatography revealed the percentage content of brands A,B,C,D, and E to be 97.44% w/w, 130.9% w/w, 111.56% w/w, 98.52% w/w, 96.02% w/w respectively. The British Phamacopoeia specification for percentage composition of metronidazole is in the range of 90-105%. Therefore brand A, D and E passed the test while brand B and C did not pass the test. The results showed that only brand A passed all the analytical procedures and therefore fit or safe for human consumption.Item Chemical Equivalence of Some Brands of Metronidazole Tablets Marketed in Sagamu Community(Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, 2018) Kasim, L.S.; Oyefule, M.O.; Eniayewu, O.I.; Njinga, N.S.; Abdullahi, S.T.; Shittu, A.O.Item Chemical equivalence of some brands of metronidazole tablets marketed in Sagamu community.(Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Development and Practice. published by Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin., 2018) Kasim, L.S.; Oyefule, M.O.; Eniayewu, O.I.; Njinga, N.S.; Abdullahi, S.T.; & Shittu, A.O.The occurrence of fake and substandard medicines has become a global issue that draws the attention of all key players in the sector in all nations of the World. This study was carried out for comparative quality assessment of different brands of metronidazole tablets in Sagamu community in Nigeria to determine their suitability for therapeutic purpose. Five (5) brands of 200mg metronidazole tablet, marketed in Sagamu community Pharmacies were randomly selected and subjected to physicochemical studies which include uniformity of weight, crushing strength, friability, and disintegration rate, and chemical equivalence study using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) according to official procedures in British Pharmacopoeia (B.P). All brands except brand D and E passed the weight uniformity test. The friability test was passed by all the brands except brand E according to B.P specification which states that the loss in weight should be less than 1% also all brands except brand B showed satisfactory crushing strength. Also, the disintegration rate of the brands was satisfactory according to the B.P. specification as all the brands disintegrated within 30 minutes. The results of high performance liquid chromatography revealed the percentage content of brands A,B,C,D, and E to be 97.44% w/w, 130.9% w/w, 111.56% w/w, 98.52% w/w, 96.02% w/w respectively. The British Phamacopoeia specification for percentage composition of metronidazole is in the range of 90-105%. Therefore brand A, D and E passed the test while brand B and C did not pass the test. The results showed that only brand A passed all the analytical procedures and therefore fit or safe for human consumption.Item Chemical equivalence studies of three brands of aspirin tablets(Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, 2011) Usman, M.A.Chemical equivalence studies of three brands of aspirin tablets; Abubakar, M.M.; Pateh, U.U; Hassan, H.S.; Adamu, S.A.; Njinga, N.S.Three brands of Aspirin were analyzed for chemical equivalence studies. The biopharmaceutical parameters considered are Uniformity of Weight, identification, assay, disintegration, friability, hardness, and dissolution tests using B.P 2002 specification. Brands 02 and 03 complied to the B.P specification for the Weight Uniformity test. Brand 01 did not meet the B.P standard for the Weight Uniformity test. The values for the % content using the back titration procedure as specified by the B.P 2002 showed that Brands 01 and 02 had 118.004% and 127.01% respectively hence both Brands did not comply with the specified B.P standard of 95%-105%. Only Brand 03 passed the Assay test with a 98.18% percentage content of Aspirin. Brands 01, 02 and 03 passed the disintegration test showing 9.11 minutes and 13.1 and 6.67 minutes respectively which comply with standard ≤15 minutes for uncoated tablets. Brand 02 failed the friability test with a result of 9.32% weight loss as compared to the 1% maximum weight loss specified in the B.P Monograph. Brands 01 and 03 met with this specification with 0.307% and 0.29% weight loss respectively. Brands 01, 02, and 03 gave 8KgF, 4KgF, and 4.5KgF respectively in response to the Crushing Strength Test. All the Brands passed the Hardness test which has a specification of 4-15KgF as standard. The values obtained for dissolution after 45 minutes for Brand 01=71.67%, Brand 02=62.5% and Brand 03=77.5%. The overall result showed that all the three brands are not chemically equivalent to each other since Brand 02 did not meet the official standard of 70% release.Item Comparative phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of the stem and seed of Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F. (Curcurbitaceae)(Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, 2016) Njinga, N.S.; Bakare-Odunola, M.T.; Abdullahi, S.T.; Okonkwo, J.A.; Oladimeji, O.H.This research analyzed and compares the phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of the different fractions (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol) of the seed and stem extracts of T. occidentalis. Phytochemical studies were done using standard methods and spectrophotometric techniques. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effects. The phytochemistry of the seed fractions showed the presence of cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids while that of the stem extract showed the presence of reducing sugars, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids. Only the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the stem contain flavonoid and phenols while the other seed did not contain any flavonoid and phenols. The petroleum ether and chloroform fractions of the seed contain more alkaloid than the stem. The difference was statistically significant at p<0.05. Also, only the ethyl acetate and acetone fractions of the stem contains alkaloid while those of the seed did not. The antioxidant activity of the seed fractions (0.5 mg) was found to range from 40.5 to 76.75 % scavenging activity for all the fractions while only the chloroform and ethyl acetate of the stem showed scavenging activity of 69.27 and 76.75 % respectively. The phytochemicals have been reported to be responsible for the pharmacological effect of most medicinal plants. Compounds from the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the stem may be potent leads for potential antioxidant.Item Comparative phytochemical analysis and antioxidant activity of the stem and seed of Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F. (Curcurbitaceae).(Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Development and Practice. Published by Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin., 2016) Njinga, N.S.; Bakare-Odunola T.M.; Abdullahi S.T.; Okonkwo, J.A.; & Oladimeji, O.H.This research analyzed and compares the phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of the different fractions (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol) of the seed and stem extracts of T. occidentalis. Phytochemical studies were done using standard methods and spectrophotometric techniques. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effects. The phytochemistry of the seed fractions showed the presence of cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids while that of the stem extract showed the presence of reducing sugars, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids. Only the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the stem contain flavonoid and phenols while the other seed did not contain any flavonoid and phenols. The petroleum ether and chloroform fractions of the seed contain more alkaloid than the stem. The difference was statistically significant at p<0.05. Also, only the ethyl acetate and acetone fractions of the stem contains alkaloid while those of the seed did not. The antioxidant activity of the seed fractions (0.5 mg) was found to range from 40.5 to 76.75 % scavenging activity for all the fractions while only the chloroform and ethyl acetate of the stem showed scavenging activity of 69.27 and 76.75 % respectively. The phytochemicals have been reported to be responsible for the pharmacological effect of most medicinal plants. Compounds from the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the stem may be potent leads for potential antioxidant.Item Comparative study on the antimicrobial activity of partitioned fractions of the stem-bark of Ceiba pentandra (bombacaceae)(Nitte University, 2015) Njinga, N.S.; Sule, M.I.; Pateh, U.U.; Hassan, H.S.; Ache, R.N.; Abdullahi, S.T.; Danja, B.A.Due to the emergence of more and more drug resistance bacteria and the reported antibacterial activity of Ceiba pentandra, the antimicrobial activity of the partitioned ethyl-acetate and n-butanol fractions of the stem-bark of this plant were carried out on the following clinical isolates: Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pyrogenes; corynebacterium ulcereans; Escherichia coli; Salmonella typhi; Shigella dysenterea; Enterococcus aerogenes; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; klebsiella pneumonia and the fungi Trichophytom rubrum, Microsporum sp., Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger . Agar diffusion and broth delusion methods were used in this study. The ethyl acetate fraction showedwide spectrumantibacteria activity (with zones of inhibition between 27mmand 37mm)while the n-butanol extract showed activity only against the gram negative bacteria (zones of inhibition between 20mmand 21mm). The MIC ranged from0.65 to 2.5mg/ml and 2.5 to 5mg/ml andMBC ranged from2.5mg/ml and 5 – 10mg/ml for the ethylacetate and n-butanol respectively. Both fractions showed no activity against the fungi used in this study. The preliminary phytochemistry of the ethyl acetate showed the presence of only flavonoid and thismay explain the activity against all the bacteria. The n-butanol showed the presence of carbohydrates, saponins, tannins and cardiac glycoside and the absence of flavonoid and alkaloids. This study justifies the use of this plant in herbalmedicine.Item Design and Characterization of Taste Masked Metronidazole Microcapsules and its Utilization in the Formulation of Orodispersible Tablets(Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Jos., 2019) Shittu, A.O.; Njinga, N.S.; Olatinwo, S.; Afosi, A.B.Orodispersible tablet (ODT) containing microcapsules is an advanced and convenient drug delivery system that offers advantages of easy administration, and increased bioavailability. Metronidazole is an antiprotozoal, with a bitter and metallic taste as its major drawback. A taste masking is required since the tablet will disintegrate in the oral cavity releasing the drug into close proximity to the taste buds. The purpose of the study is to design and evaluate metronidazole microcapsules for formulation of taste masked orally ODT metronidazole tablets. Taste masked metronidazole microcapsules were prepared by emulsion polymerization method with sodium alginate as polymer using different drug to polymer ratio. The microcapsules were evaluated for drug loading, entrapment efficiency, drug-polymer interaction by FTIR spectrometry, DTA, and flow properties. Batches B4 and B5 were formulated into orally disintegrating tablet by direct compression method. The results of FTIR spectrometry and DTA characterization of microcapsules revealed absence of drug-polymer interaction. Evaluation of the microcapsules showed fairly good flow properties and increase in entrapment efficiency as the polymer concentration increased. Evaluation of the directly compressed ODTs showed acceptable weight variation, and average disintegration time less than 60 sec. The average tablet crushing strength range from 18 to 19 N, and the drug release profiles showed greater than 80% release of metronidazole within 10 min. The successful microencapsulation of metronidazole, fast disintegration, rapid drug release profile, and evidence of compatibility between metronidazole and the process polymer demonstrates the suitability of the microcapsules for formulation of orally disintegrating tablet for convenient delivery of metronidazole.Item Design, Formulation and Characterization of Ibuprofen-Polyethylene Glycol (6000) Solid Dispersions(West African College of Postgraduate Pharmacists, 2019) Shittu, A.O.; Oyeyiola, R.W.; Njinga, N.S.; Afosi, A.B.Background: Formulation of solid dispersion has attracted considerable interest where dispersing a poorly water soluble drug in a water soluble polymer matrix improves the dissolution characteristics and bioavailability of the drug. Aim: The aim of this study was to enhance the dissolution rate and bioavailability of Ibuprofen (BCS class II) using solid dispersion techniques. Method: Ibuprofen solid dispersion was prepared by fusion method. Drug-carrier physical mixtures were also prepared. Effects of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) was studied for the solid dispersions and physical mixtures. The solid dispersions were investigated for drug content, solubility and dissolution characteristics, surface morphology using optical microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). All the solid dispersions showed better solubility characteristics and dissolution rate than physical mixtures. Evaluation of the FTIR results shows that the stretching vibration of ibuprofen carbonyl peak in SDs and physical mixture remained which indicates that the drug crystalline form may not be altered during solid dispersion formation and its attenuated intensities were thought to be due to the lower drug content as the amount of polymer was increased. Conclusion: The FT-IR and DTA results for SDs and physical mixtures showed no drug-polymer interaction. The statistical analysis, solubility and dissolution rate test result of ibuprofen was compared to that of the SD formulations and the values obtained were significantly below 0.05 which indicates that the results are statistically significant. Therefore, solid dispersion may be an effective technique to enhance dissolution rate of Ibuprofen.Item Development and Characterization of Ibuprofen Solid Dispersion for Solubility and Dissolution improvement using a binary carrier system consisting of D- Mannitol - Polyethylene Glycol 6000(Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, 2022) Shittu, A.O.; Njinga, N.S.; Orshio, S.D.Background: Adequate drug bioavailability is a major problem in most solid dosage formulations. Recent works reported enhanced solubility and dissolution using a carrier. This study was carried out to enhance the solubility and dissolution of ibuprofen using a binary carrier system. Method: Solid dispersions (SD) of ibuprofen were prepared using PEG 6000 and D (-) mannitol in different ratios (1:0:4, 1:1:3, 1:2:2, 1:3:1, and 1:4:0) by the fusion method. Results: Percentage yield of SD was between 96% and 99% and content analysis revealed 100 % drug content. All batches of SD showed better solubility characteristics than Ibuprofen alone or its physical mixtures. The SD batch 3, ratio 1:2:2 with equal amount of PEG and mannitol possessed the best solubility characteristic and drug release profile with T at 17 min. FTIR spectral and DSC thermograms of SDs showed no 50% interaction between the carriers and ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: The SD3 formulated with 20 % ibuprofen, 40 % mannitol and 40 % PEG 6000 possessed.Item Effects of UV, Red and Sun Light on the Stability of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity in the Rhizomes of Zingiber Officinale(Zingiberacea)(Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya, 2020) Njinga, N.S.; Bakare-Odunola, M.T.; Abdullahi, S.T.; Abdulmajeed, F.F.; Bello, H.R.; Adediran, J.O.; Muhammad, Z.T.; Egharevba, G.O.; Shittu, A.O.; Attah, F.A.U.Item Extraction, Purification and Determination of Phyto-component of Fatty acids from Irvingia gabonensis Seeds(Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, 2018) Shittu, A.O.; Njinga, N.S.This study was designed to extract, purify and determine the phyto-components in the petroleum ether extract of Irvingia gabonensis seeds (IGS). A multiple steps extraction procedure was employed using petroleum ether as a solvent. A specified quantity of the IGS was size reduced, dispersed in freshly distilled water by heating to a temperature of 80 oC. The dispersion was then filtered through a clean muslin cloth. The fats content was separated from the Biopolymer by first dispersing in 90 % alcohol, filtered and dried at 40 oC. The fat component of the residue was finally extracted with petroleum ether. GC-MS analysis of the petroleum ether extract of IGS was performed using a Agilent G1701 GC/MSD system. This investigation was done to determine the possible chemical components from IGS by GC-MS. This analysis revealed that the petroleum ether extract of IGS contained mainly fatty acid compounds– lauric acid (36.82%), myristic acid (31.52%), benzyl dodecanoate (9.06%) and palmitic acid (4.03%), n-Decanoic acid, 1-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-ethanediyl ester, Tetradecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediyl ester. The results from the present study show that IGS contains various bioactive compounds and is recommended as a plant of phyto-pharmaceutical importance.Item Extraction, Purification and Determination of Phyto-component of Fatty acids from Irvingia gabonensis Seeds(Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, 2018) Shittu, A.O.; Njinga, N.S.Item Heavy metal analysis of polyherbal formulations marketed in Ilorin.(Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Development and Practice. Published by Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin., 2020) Eniayewu, O.I.; Bamidele, O.D.; Ogunremi, B.I.; Afosi A.B.; Ibrahim, S.A.; Abdulahi, S.T.; Njinga, N.S.Globally, consumption of herbal preparations is on the increase with corresponding increase in the numbers of pharmaceutical industries engaged in herbal production. There is need for regular assessment of the quality of these herbal products to safeguard the health of the consumers of herbal drugs. Besides other quality parameters for evaluation of herbal products, heavy metals analysis is essential due to the potential health hazards implicated in their consumptions. Therefore, the study evaluates the heavy metal contents of two polyherbal liquid preparations marketed in Ilorin, North Central, Nigeria. Samples of the two herbal products (AMO and ZAK herbal bitters) were pre-treated and analyzed for the presence of iron, lead, cadmium, Copper, manganese and zinc using a validated Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) method. The analysis was done in triplicate and International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guideline followed. Validation results showed linearity between 5-50 mg/L, 0.1-0.4 mg/L, 1-4 mg/L, 0.02-1.0 mg/L, 0.2-1.6 mg/L and 1-4 mg/L for iron, manganese, lead, copper, zinc and cadmium respectively, while the limit of detection was 0.001 mg/L, 0.001 mg/L, 0.002 mg/L, 0.005 mg/L, 0.025 mg/L, and 0.002 mg/L, for copper, manganese, cadmium, iron, lead, and zinc respectively. The findings showed higher concentrations of iron above the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit in the two preparations at 15.1 mg/L and 42.6 mg/L for AMO and ZAK herbal bitters respectively. However, lead, cadmium, and zinc were undetectable in both samples and the observed amount for copper and manganese were below the WHO limit. Our findings revealed the presence of iron at concentrations exceeding WHO permissible limits in both polyherbal preparations evaluated. This indicates a potential risk for iron poisoning with long term consumption of these products. Intensive effort by regulatory agencies to ensure the safety and quality of polyherbal formulations is recommended.Item Isolation and Antimicrobial Activity of β-Sitosterol-3-OGlucoside from Lannea Kerstingii Engl. & K. Krause (Anacardiacea)(Nitte University, 2016) Njinga, N.S.; Sule, M.I.; Pateh, U.U.; Hassan, H.S.; Abdullahi, S.T.; Ache, R.N.The emergence of more and more drug resistance bacteria has led to the study of the antimicrobial activity of the compound isolated from Lannea kerstingii Engl. & K. Krause (Anacardiacea) since the active principles of many drugs found in plants are secondary metabolites.Acompoundwas isolated using dry vacuumliquid chromatography and elutingwith CHCl -EtOAc andmonitored using TLC. 3 1 13 The glycoside was characterized using H NMR and C NMR spectra recorded in DMSO-d6 at 400 MHz and 125 MHz, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the compoundwas determined using agar diffusionmethod. Theminimuminhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/minimum fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) was determined using broth dilution method. The compound isolatedwas found to be β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside. The β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside (200μg/ml)was active against S. aureus, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, P. mirabilis, S. typhi, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, B. subtilis with zone of inhibition ranging from 24mm to 34mmand inactive against P. aeroginosa and Proteus vulgaris. Itwas also active against the fungi C. albicans and C. tropicalis but inactive against C. krusei. The MIC ranged from25 to 50 μg/ml while the MBC/MFC ranged from50 to 200 μg/ml. These results show the wide spectrumantimicrobial activity of β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside.Item Isolation, characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of compounds from the Vernonia amygdalina.(Heliyon (Elsevier (Cell Press), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ), 2024-04) Atolani, O.; Usman, M.A.; Adejumo, J.O.; Ayeni, A.E.; Ibukun, O.J.; Kola-Mustapha, A.T.; Njinga, N.S.; Quadri, L.A.; Ajani, E.O.; Amusa, T.O.; Bakare-Odunola, M.T.; Oladiji, A.T.; Alqahtani, A.; Mohamed, A.; Kambizi, L.Item Isolation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Analysis of Ethyl succinate and Ethyl β-riboside from Acalypha wilkesiana var. golden-yellow (Muell & Arg.)(University of Nairobi, 2016) Oladimeji, O.H.; Njinga, N.S.; Udo, U.C.Background: The genus, Acalypha is one of the many genera in the Euphorbiaceae family. A. wilkesiana var. goldenyellow (Muell & Arg.) syn. A. wilkesiana var. tropical tempest is a species and variety employed in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, inflammations, bacterial and skin fungal infections amongst many others. Before now, some biological investigations had been done but very limited chemical studies have been carried out on the plant. Objectives: This study was principally done to isolate chemical compound(s) inherent in the plant and also evaluate their antimicrobial potential. Methodology: The leaves were to extracted cold with 50% ethanol and the resultant aqueous crude extract partitioned with butanol. Isolates obtained from the silica-gel column chromatography of the butanol fraction were analysed for antimicrobial activities using the hole-in agar diffusion technique. The compounds were screened for both antibacterial and antifungal activities using the microbes namely, B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, V. cholerae and C. albicans. Results: Two compounds, designated as compounds W-1 [Rf (0.76); [n]20 D (1.4333 )] and W-2 [Rf (0.58)] were isolated. The structures of W-1 and W-2 have been established to be 4-ethoxy-4-oxobutanoic acid (ethyl succinate) and 2-ethoxy-5(hydroxymethyl)-oxalane-3,4-diol (ethyl β-riboside) respectively using the 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS and IR spectral techniques. Both compounds were inactive against B. subtilis, S. aureus and E. coli. Interestingly, W-1 and W-2 demonstrated very minimal activity against P. aeruginosa, S. typhi and V. cholerae. However, neither gave any anticandidal activity. Conclusion: The two isolates (though generally weakly active) would serve as chemotaxonomic markers for this species and variety in particular and the genus, Acalypha in general.Item Pharmacognostic studies and antioxidant activity of the stem-bark of Entandrophragma utile Dawe & Sprague (Meliaceae)(Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, 2018-03) Usman, S.O.; Agunu, A.; Njinga, N.S.; Oladipupo, A.F.; Olutayo, A.O.The stem-bark of Entandrophragma utile (Meliaceae) is used traditionally for treatment of rheumatism, eye inflammation, sickle cell disease, gastric and duodenal ulcers in Nigeria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pharmacognostic and antioxidant properties of the stem-bark of E. utile. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations, physicochemical parameters as well as phytochemical analyses of the powdered stem bark are performed. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effects. The macroscopic studies indicated that the stem-bark is brown, bitter, rough, channeled or squilled and has a smooth fracture type. The microscopy showed the presence of bundles of fibres, single fibres, cork cells, and sclereids. Chemo-microscopy showed the presence of lignified cell walls, suberized/cuticular cell walls, tannins and starch. Physicochemical constants are: moisture-content 8.3 ± 0.03 %, alcohol-soluble extractive 0.8 ± 0.07 % and 0.4 ± 0.03 % water-soluble extractive values. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannin, saponin and flavonoid. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract was found to be 452.8±39.4 (GAE/g of dried extract mg/g) and 15,673±261.7 (QE mg/g) respectively. The IC50 was found to be 0.75 mg/mL. The study showed that the stem bark extract is a good source of polyphenols that could be responsible for the observed antioxidant activity of the plant.Item Phytochemical and Antidiarrhea Activity of the Methanolic Extract of the Stem Bark of Lannea kerstingii Engl. and K. Krause (Anacardiaceae)(Scholars Research Library, 2013) Njinga, N.S.; Sule, M.I.; Pateh, U.U.; Hassan, H.S.; Usman, M.A.; Haruna, M.S.Lannea kerstingii Engl. and K. Krause is used in Nigeria and Northern Côte d’Ivoire for the management of diarrhea. Crude methanolic extract of stem bark of Lannea kerstingii was evaluated on isolated rabbit jejunum and castor oil-induced diarrhea model in rats. The methanolic extract of Lannea kerstingii (1, 10 and 100 mg/ml) produced a dose dependent transient contractile response followed by relaxation of isolated rabbit jejunum. In the castor oil-induced diarrhea model, 60.0% protections was produced by the extract. These results revealed that the methanolic extract of the stem bark of Lannea kerstingii (300 and 600 mg/Kg) have antidiarrhea activity. The effects on smooth muscle showed the usefulness of the Lannea kerstingii in the management of diarrhea. The effect of Lannea kerstingii was not as comparable to that of loperamide, a strong antidiarrhea drug, in castor oil induced diarrhea. This may partially explain the use in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhea. These results support their use in folk medicine.