Background: Ocimum gratissimum leaf is used in managing rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of phenolic extract obtained by sequential methanol extraction of O. gratissimum leaves (MEOg). Methods: The methanol extract (MEOg) was obtained after sequential maceration (n-hexane, chloroform and methanol) of dried O. gratissimum leaves. The fingerprint of the extract was obtained using a high-performance liquid chromatrographic method. In vitro effects were tested by 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) free radical scavenging, lipoxygenase, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory assays. MEOg was studied for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced paw edema and air pouch inflammation in rats. Results: HPLC fingerprint of the extract shows the presence of caffeic acid, rutin, ferulic acid, apigenin, and quercetin.

A prospective case control study that was conducted at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria, between 1st January and 31st December 2002. The purpose of this study was to determine the association and the pattern of bacteria/microorganisms in the aetiology of pre-labour premature rupture of membrane (PROM) in this centre. A total of 108 cases of PROM and 98 control cases that presented between 37 completed weeks' and 40 weeks' gestation were analysed. Pathogens were isolated in 48 patients, giving a recovery rate of 44.4%. The common pathogens include Gardnerella vaginalis (29.1%), Candida (23.0%) and Staphylococcus aureus (18.7%). Others were Streps. Pyogenes (16.6%), coagulase negative staphylococcus (CONS) (6.3%) and Klebsiella (6.3%). Only Candida and S. aureus were isolated in the controls. Ofloxacin and azithromycin were 100% active against all the isolated pathogens, while ampicillin was the least active. G. vaginalis was the most sensitive among the isolates while CONS and Klebsiella were the least sensitive. It is evident in this study that some pathogens were associated with PROM and that G. vaginalis was the most common organism and azithromycin was the only antibiotic with 100% sensitivity. We suggest that metronidazole should be added to azithromycin to cover for anaerobes in cases of PROM, where facilities for screening for anaerobes are not available.

This study investigated the effect of methanolic leaf extract of Peristrophe Bicalyculata (MEPb) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) associated cognitive decline in Wistar rats.36 male rats weighing 130-200 g were assigned into 6 groups (n ¼ 6) as follows: normal control, diabetic control, pioglitazone-treated diabetic and three MEPb-treated diabetic groups, type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced with low dose streptozocin (STZ) injection following 3 weeks of high fat diet (HFD) intake. Thirty days after diabetes induction, rats exhibited marked and persistent hyperglycemia, animals were treated with MEPb (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (10 mg/kg) as standard. Morris water maze (MWM) test and Novel object recognition test (NORT) were used to assess learning and memory. Blood glucose level, oxidative stress makers, pro-inflammatory marker and acetylcholinestarase activities were analysed.Both MEPb and pioglitazone significantly (P < 0.05) reduced escape latency in treated animals compared to the diabetic control group in the MWM test. Methanolic leaf extract of Peristrophe bicalyculata and pioglitazone also significantly (P < 0.05) increased discrimination index in treated animals compared to the diabetic control group in the novel object recognition test. Serum, brain and liver MDA levels were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in MEPb and pioglitazone treated rats compared to diabetic control. Serum and liver GSH as well as CAT levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased while brain GSH and CAT levels shows apparent increase in MEPb and pioglitazone treated rats compared with diabetic control. Treatment with MEPb caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in brain nitrite level, interleukin 6 and acetylcholinesterase activity compared to diabetic control group.We conclude that Methanolic leaf extract of Peristrophe bicalyculata enhanced antioxidant capacity and prevented neuroinflammation, consequently improving brain neuronal cholinergic function in experimental animals.

The potential application of gedunin, a pharmacologically active limonoid, is limited in medicine because it has poor aqueous solubility. This study was aimed at preparation and characterization of an inclusion complex of gedunin and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HBD) to increase the solubility in aqueous solvents and thus enhance the possibility of pharmaceutical formulation and oral administration of gedunin. Inclusion complex of gedunin isolated from Entandrophragma angolense heartwood with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HBD) was prepared using freeze-drying and kneading methods. The gedunin-2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complex (GCD) was characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Elemental analysis indicated that gedunin and HBD formed 1:1 stoichiometric inclusion complex. Results of FT-IR indicated that gedunin was stabilized in HBD cavity by intra-molecular hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. 1H-NMR revealed that the entire gedunin molecule was not trapped into the core of the HBD. Nevertheless, the fraction trapped may be sufficient to enhance the apparent solubility of gedunin. XRD results showed the formation of new solid crystalline phase. The results obtained by different characterization techniques clearly indicated that both kneading and freeze-drying methods led to inclusion complex formation which may enhance oral administration of gedunin.