No abstract

The aqueous extract of Allium cepa (ACE) has been reported to be effective in the treatment of convulsion. We therefore investigated its effect on seizures induced by maximal electroshock stimulation (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in rats and mice. The preliminary phytochemical constituents were also elucidated. The extract contained tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, reducing sugars, saponins and alkaloids. Anthraquinones, steroids and terpenes were absent. In the electrically-induced seizure, ACE significantly (p< 0.01) prolonged the onset of tonic convulsion at all doses. It also reduced the duration of the tonic convulsion at all doses but it is only significant at 50mg/kg (p< 0.02), 200mg/kg (p< 0.03) and 400mg/kg (p< 0.004). It was reduced from 3.295 ± 0.448s (control) to 1.172 ± 0.837s (50mg/kg); 1.62 ± 0.670s (200mg/kg) and 0.832 ± 0.376s (400mg/kg). In the PTZinduced seizure ACE prolonged the onset of tonic convulsion at 50mg/kg and 200mg/kg dose but it was insignificant. It was increased from 3.469 ± 1.335 min (control) to 3. 999 ± 1.658 min (50mg/kg) and 4.261 ± 0.740 min (200mg/kg). It also delayed the time it took for the mice to die at 50mg/kg and 200mg/kg, although not significantly. It is concluded that Allium cepa extract has an anticonvulsant effect especially in MES-induced seizure and could serve as a good alternative for the treatment of convulsion. This observation explains, at least in part, the basis for its use by herbalists for the treatment of convulsion.

Elaeis guineensis-Jacq (Arecaceae) is reported for the treatment of a variety of ailments notable amongst these are diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The present study is aimed at evaluating its anti-hyperlipedemic effect, via olive oil induced hyperlipidemia.The aqueous extract was obtained from a decoction of the roots, and later administered to olive oil loaded rats (5 ml/kg). Administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract was done 30 min before olive oil administration. Distilled water was used as control, while atorvastatin (50 mg/kg) was the standard drug. All administrations were done orally. Blood samples were withdrawn via the abdominal aorta 2 and 4 h after olive oil administration and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 to 20 min. The plasma samples obtained were subjected to biochemical analysis for HDL, LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Acute treatment with the extract points to a significant (p<0.05) reduction in total cholesterol by (35.86 and 56.32%), LDL (61.27 and 20%) and triglycerides (53.87 and 71.23%) by 250 mg/kg at the 2 nd and 4 th h respectively. At the 500 mg/kg dose, a significant reduction (p<0.05) was also obtained in TC by (36.88 and 34.84%), TG (69.51 and 51.77%) and LDL (66.19 and 50%) at the 2 nd and 4 th h respectively. While a significant increase (p<0.0001) at both doses of the extract was noted for the HDL by (295.29 and 6.72% for 250; 309.33 and 43.21% for 500 mg/kg) at 2 nd and 4 th h respectively. The effect of the extract was noted to be more pronounced in the 2 nd h in comparison with the 4 th h. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and steroids. The plant possesses hypolipidemic effect, considering the increase and decrease in HDL and LDL respectively and thus a useful remedy for hyperlipdemia