Background: Mallotus oppostifollous is a shrub used folklorically in traditional medicine for the treatment and management of different diseases including infections, wounds, and inflammation across tribes where they are found including South East Nigeria. This study was aimed to toxicity, renal-protective and hepato-protective effect of crude methanol extract of M. oppositifolius honey mixture in rats. Methods: The powdered leaf extracts of M. oppositifolius was extracted by cold maceration using methanol. The acute toxicity, hepatotoxicity and renal-toxicity profile of the crude extract of M. oppositifolius were carried out using standard laboratory procedures. Results: The result showed that Mallotus oppostifollous administered orally had LD50 above 5000mg/kg and showed no toxic effect on the blood, kidney and liver of the rats when used orally. It stabilized the blood hematology and biochemical parameters. It showed no significant elevation on the creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid and therefore showed that the honey combination could have a stabilizing effect on the vital organs of the rats. Conclusion: We therefore conclude that the crude extract of Mallotus oppostifollous has no toxic effect against the kidney, liver and blood parameters and therefore is safe for consumption as a phytomedicine. Therefore, we recommend its continued usage for the treatment of diseases.

One of the most probable markers of inflammatory response is serum protein. Recently, serum levels of these some proteins have been proven to be useful in clinical diagnosis. In this study, we comparatively investigated serum and saliva C - reactive protein (CRP), α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in type II Diabetic and Normo-glycemic humans. Two hundred and thirteen (213) subjects of 173 Diabetics and 40 Non-diabetics (Control) were ethically recruited from the central hospital, warri, Delta State. For each participant, serum and saliva was collected and laboratorily analyzed for α-amylase, α-glucosidase and CRP levels, while comparing mean differences between groups with a student t-test and statistical measure of association (correlation). Result showed a statistically significant increase in CRP and α-amylase activity of diabetics than non-diabetic subjects, with a statistically significant increase in salivary and serum CRP, α-glucosidase and α-amylase levels across groups. This finding is suggestive that saliva and/or serum levels may be useful bioanalytes for non-invasive, alternative diagnosis of blood glucose levels. Similar studies that corroborate the efforts of this study is recommended. Further studies that assay other saliva and serum biomarkers may also be useful and thus recommended.

Background: Previous folkloric and experimental reports have demonstrated the antimalarial efficacy of Azadirachta indica (AZA) extracts. However, one of the major challenges facing its application for the clinical treatment of malaria is the design of an acceptable dosage form. Objective: Consequently, we developed AZA extract-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for the formulation of suppositories, denoted as nanosuppositories, for intrarectal treatment of malaria. Methods: Various batches of NLC-bearing AZA extract were formulated based on lipid matrices prepared using graded concentrations of Softisan®154 and Tetracarpidium conophorum or walnut oil. NLC was investigated by size and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Suppository bearing AZA extract-loaded NLC was developed using cocoa butter or theobroma oil, and their physicochemical properties were profiled. In vitro drug release and in vivo antimalarial activity (using Plasmodium berghei-infected mice) were investigated. Results: NLCs exhibited sizes in nanometers ranging from 329.5 - 806.0 nm, and were amorphized as shown by DSC thermograms. Nanosuppositories were torpedo- or bullet- shaped, weighing 138 - 368 mg, softened/liquefied between 4.10 - 6.92 min, and had controlled release behaviour. In vivo antimalarial study revealed excellent antimalarial efficacy of the nanosuppositories comparable with a commercial brand (Plasmotrim®) and better than the placebo (unloaded nanosuppository), and without toxic alterations of hepatic and renal biochemical factors. Conclusion: Thus, AZA extract could be rationally loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for further development as nanosuppository and deployed as an effective alternative with optimum convenience for intrarectal treatment of malaria.

Background: Medicinal plants have been shown to contain intrinsic active ingredients that can be used for curative purpose for some diseases. Ipomoea quamoclit is one of such ethnomedicinal plants of reported health benefits. Aim of Study: This study was aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract and fractions of the leaves of Ipomoea quamoclit Mill. Materials and Methods: Ipomoea quamoclit leaves were harvested and extracted with 80% ethanol by cold maceration for 48 hours and the crude extract was fractionated to obtain n-hexane, n-butanol and ethyl acetate fraction, respectively. The crude extract and its fractions were screened to unveil the resident phytochemical constituents. The ethanol extract was tested for acute toxicity (LD50). The systemic acute inflammation of the crude extract and fractions of Ipomoea quamoclit was studied using the water (fluid) displacement method after inducing inflammation with egg albumin, using rats. The effect of the crude extract and fractions of Ipomoea quamoclit on arthritis was studied using the formaldehyde-induced arthritis model in rats. Results: The results of the qualitative phytochemical evaluation of the plant confirmed the presence of these phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins, and coumarins. There were no deaths recorded for acute toxicity study for both phases of the test. In the acute anti-inflammation assay, significant (P<0.05) anti-inflammatory activities were observed from the 5th hour for the ethyl acetate fraction (150 and 400 mg/kg) and the butanol fraction (400 mg/kg). The anti-arthritic activity of the crude extract (150 mg/kg), ethyl acetate fraction (150 and 400 mg/kg), n-hexane fraction (150 mg/kg) and butanol fraction (150 and 400 mg/kg) was obvious from the second day after administration. By the 10th day the crude extract (50, 150, and 400 mg/kg) and ethyl acetate fraction (150 and 400 mg/kg) brought about a significant reduction of chronic inflammation (arthritis) in the test animals to normal basal levels. Conclusions: This study thus provides scientific information and validates the ethnobotanical use of Ipomoea quamoclit leaves in management of diseases and inflammation inclusive. The findings of this study also reveal that potentially Ipomoea quamoclit could be a source of pharmacologically active compounds of pharmaceutical importance.