Most of biochemical reactions in the body generates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)which are involved in the pathogenesis of oxidative stress-related disorders like diabetes,nephrotoxicity, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, inflammation and neurological isorders. Antioxidants are used to protect the cells or tissues against potential attack by ROS. Most medicinal plants possess a rich source of antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkaloids among others. These phytochemicals are currently pursued as an alternative and complimentary drug. The study was carried out to ROS. Most medicinal plants possess a rich source of antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkaloids among others. These phytochemicals are currently pursued as an alternative and complimentary drug. The study was carried out to determine Pharmacognostic, antioxidant and acute toxicity of Vitellaria paradoxa root and stem bark. The Vitellaria paradoxa was extracted with water and methanol, screened for their phytochemical properties and antioxidant effects. Chemo-microscopical studies revealed the presence of cellulose cell wall, lignin, calcium oxalate crystals, tannins, starch and mucilage while calcium carbonate was absent in the stem bark but present in the root. The average moisture contents were 7.30% and 6.80% in stem bark and root respectively. The water and ethanol/alcohol extractives were 24.0% and 20.0% for stem while 25.50% and 19.0% for the root respectively. Alkaloid, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, triterpenes, carbohydrate and phenols were detected in both aqueous and methanol extracts while anthraquinones was absent in all the extracts. The DPPH radical scavenging ability of the extract showed the following trend Ascorbic acid ˃ Stem bark extract˃ Root extract. Toxicity of the samples was expressed as LD50, it was found above 5000 mg/kg and did not cause mortality in all the tested rats. These results suggested that Vitellaria paradoxa root and stem bark have moderate antioxidant potentials. Further study is necessary for isolation and characterization of active antioxidant agents which can be used to treat various oxidative stress related diseases.

The stems from Anogeissus leiocarpus are commonly used as chewing sticks in Northern Nigeria. If properly used, the chewing sticks have proven to be effective in removing dental plaque due to mechanical cleaning and enhanced salivation. Chewing sticks from other plants have been shown to display antimicrobial activities against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. However, there is limited information available in Northern Nigeria on the chemical composition, antimicrobial properties and the ability of the plants under study to prevent bacterial adhesion to tooth surface. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to ascertain the phytochemical and antibacterial properties of Anogeissus leiocarpus and correlate the results obtained to their ethnomedicinal uses as chewing sticks. Powdered stem was exhaustively extracted using methanol at room temperature for 72 hours. Antibacterial activities of the methanol extract was assessed using the agar well diffusion methods against the oral pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis. Acute toxicity study was achieved using Lorke method. Phytochemicals which include flavonoid, steroid, triterpenes, alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrate, glycoside, phenols were detected in the extracts while anthraquinones was absent. The antibacterial results revealed that, the methanol extract had promising antibacterial activity. S. aureuswas found to be the most susceptible bacteria at 500mg/ml with inhibition of 22 mm, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus sanguinis were inhibited at 16 mm while Streptococcus mutans showed inhibition of 14 mm. The extract have MIC and MBC of 31.25 mg/ml and 62.5 mg/ml respectively against all the tested clinical isolates. The LD50 of Anogeissus leiocarpus was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg and could be considered safe for consumption.