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Wound healing agents support the natural healing process, reduce trauma and likelihood of secondary infections and hasten wound closure. The wound healing activities of water in oil cream of the methanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) was evaluated in rats with superficial skin excision wounds. Antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Echerichia coli were determined. The total flavonoid content, antioxidant properties and thin layer chromatographic fingerprints of the extract were also evaluated. The extract demonstrated antioxidant properties with a total flavonoid content of 12.30±0.09 mg/g. Six reproducible spots were obtained using methanol:water (95:5) as the mobile phase. The extract showed no antimicrobial activity on the selected microorganisms, which are known to infect and retard wound healing. Creams containing H. sabdariffa extract showed significant (P<0.05) and concentration dependent wound healing activities. There was also evidence of synergism with creams containing a combination of gentamicin and H. sabdariffa extract. This study, thus, provides evidence of the wound healing potentials of the formulated extract of the calyces of H. sabdariffa and synergism when co-formulated with gentamicin.

Preparations of Agelanthus dodoneifolius have been used in the traditional Nigerian medicine to treat malaria and this practice has remained till date without scientific validation. The antiplasmodial property of the water extract of Agelanthus dodoneifolius was evaluated in vivo and in vitro against Plasmodium berghei and clinical isolates of Plasmodium falciparum, respectively. There was a dose-dependent inhibition of parasitaemia in the in vivo antiplasmodial tests likewise, the in vitro screening demonstrated a strong and concentration-dependent activity (21.54 μg/ml < IC50 < 50 μg/ml) of the extract against the clinical isolates of Plasmodium falciparum. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, sterols, glycosides, phenols, anthraquinones, terpenes, reducing sugars and resins. It also showed a strong free-radical scavenging activity on 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) in mice was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. Our results evidence that Agelanthus dodoneifolius may contain biologically active principles those are relevant in the treatment of malaria, thus supporting further studies of its active components.

Extracts of Parkia biglobosa stem bark is used in Nigerian traditional medicine (NTM) to treat malaria, diarrhea and pains. To establish the toxicity profile of the medicine such parameters as the lethal dose (LD 50 ) as well as effects on body functions and organs were evaluated in albino Wistar rats. The bioactive constituents of the water and methanol extracts were also evaluated as a link to toxicity. The LD 50 was greater than 5000mg/kg per oral (p.o) for both extracts. No significant (P< 0.05) changes in body weights and vital organs of treated animals. However, at 5000mg/kg of water extract, a significant increase in relative weight of the kidneys and hyper -cholesterolemic effects were observed. The extract also elicited significant increase in blood glucose level. The kidneys and livers of animals treated with P. biglobosa water extract for 14 days revealed histopathological evidence of pathological lesions. The methanol extract did not show any changes in the levels of hepatic and hematological parameters, histopathological evidence of pathological lesions, and serum level of urea, uric acid, bilirubin, creatinine and total protein concentrations. Treatment elicited hypocholesterolemic effects and significant reduction in blood glucose level occurred in all the groups. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes, cardiac glycosides, phenols and reducing sugars in the methanol extract, the water extract showed the presence of similar constituents with the absence of flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. This study has shown the toxicity characteristics of the methanol and water extracts of the stem bark P. biglobosa in short time treatment with the extracts.

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