Senna alata L. has been ethnobotanically used extensively in traditional medicines

Ulcer is a common gastrointestinal disease affecting 5% of the world’s population. Hannoa klaineana is used locally in the management of many gastrointestinal disorders and fevers. The study was conducted to evaluate toxicity profile and anti-ulcer effect of methanol extract of the leaves of Hannoa klaineana (Simaroubaceae). Acute toxicity test was conducted according to OECD guideline 423 using the limit test dose (5000 mg/kg) for 14 days. Sub-chronic toxicity study was carryout according to OECD guideline 407 by daily oral administration of the extract (500 and 1000 mg/kg) for 28 days. Anti-ulcer effect of the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.wt) was evaluated using ethanol and indomethacin induced gastric ulcer models. In acute toxicity test, 5000 mg/kg dose of the extract does not caused mortality nor any sign of toxicity observed in the rats, thus, the LD50 value of the extract was above 5000 mg/kg. While sub-chronic toxicity test, the extract demonstrated significant (p<0.01) increase in body weight and weight of the liver, spleen and kidneys of the rats. The result also showed significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent decrease in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, uric acid and creatinine. Ethanol-induced ulcer model, the extract demonstrated significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent decrease in mean ulcer index, with percentage inhibition (62.84%) of gastric damage at 400 mg/kg. While indomethacin model, the extract exhibited significant (p<0.001) dosedependent decrease in mean ulcer index with percentage gastroprotection (99.20%) at 400 mg/kg. This study suggested that methanol extract of the leaves of Hannoa klaineana is safe for oral administration and exhibited strong anti-ulcer effect, thus validating the traditional use of the plant leaves in ulcer treatment.

Adansonia digitata L. is a tree commonly called Baoba tree which is a native of African savannah widely distributed in arid zones of Sahara. This study was carried out to investigate the native uses and nutritional content (peoximate composition and minerals profile) of the leaf, pulp and seed of A. digitata L. (Baoba). The methods adopted for data collection included well-structured questionnaire, field and laboratory methods. Results from the survey revealed that different ethnic groups in Adamawa used parts of A. digitata L. for medicine, food, spices and special drinks. The results of proximate composition showed protein 38.18, 17.57 and 48.49% in the leaf, pulp and seed of Baoba tree, respectively. The carbohydrate content showed 37.30, 63.71 and 22.95%, respectively. The moisture and ash contents in the three samples ranged between 6.30 and 11%, while the crude fiber ranged from 1 to 3%. The minerals content in the pulp samples revealed that Mg and Fe significantly recorded the highest. There was significant difference in both minerals and nutritional profiles in the three parts of A. digitata L. In conclusion, the three parts of the plants studied contained important nutrients and minerals that are good for human consumption and therefore conservation strategies should be employed to ensure sustainability in utilization of the plant products.

In this research work, various materials were used and they include; apparatus such as fume cupboard, measuring cylinder, spatula, centrifuge, pipette and reagent such as Na2CO3, CaCl2, H2SO4, HCl, AgNO3. The nutrient composition of V. Amydalina are: Phytate 11.9 ± 0.01 (mg/100g), oxalate 244.02 ± 0.57 (mg/100g), tannins 1.28 ± 0.50 (mg/100g), alkaloid 1.66 ± 0.01%, HCN 2036.00 ± 0.58 (mg/100g) and M. oleifera are: phytate 10.58 ± 0.01 (mg/100g), oxalate 334.33 ± 0.67 (mg/100g), tannin 8.19 ± 0.01 (mg/100g), alkaloid 1.72 ± 0.01% and HCN 3998.30 ± 0.49 (mg/100g). These results showed that V. Amydalina leaves could be a bioresources for Zn as a result of the low level of phytate. But they are not Cu bioavailable resources due to the high level of oxalate. Hence, people are encouraged to utilize V. amydalina and M. oleifera leaves as a good source of micronutrient particularly those prove to be bioavailable.