Browsing by Author "Juma, Kelvin K."

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    Evaluation of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and toxic effects of lantana camara l.
    (2017-07) Sore, Millycent A.; Mwonjoria, John K.; Juma, Kelvin K.; Ngugi, Piero M.; Mwaniki, Njagi E.N.
    Lantana camara has been used traditionally to manage several diseases such as wound healing, inflammation and pain. However, its efficacy and safety has not been scientifically evaluated and clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity as well as toxicity of aqueous extract of the plant using animal models. The anti-inflammatory activity assay was carried out using carrageenan induced lung edema and pleurisy mice. Analgesic effect assay was carried out using formalin pain test while the safety of this aqueous plant extracts was determined by intraperitoneal administration of 450, 670 and 1000 mg daily for 28 days after which the changes in selected organ and body weight, hematological and biochemical parameters were determined. Both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical composition was determined using standard procedures. The doses showed significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity and minimal toxic effects. Phytochemical analysis showed that the extract contained various amount of tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids. Therefore, the extract may possess substances with antiinflammatory, analgesic and minimal toxic effects. The result from this study supports traditional use of this plant for pain and inflammatory ailments. It also serves as awake up call for researchers to do more and establish its mode of action and to elucidate the metabolites responsible for theses effects in hope of developing a novel remedy for these signs and symptoms. Key words: Lantana camara, Analgesic, Antinociceptive, Anti-inflammatory, Phytochemical, Pain.
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    In Vivo Antianaemic Effect and Safety of Aqueous Extracts of Erythrina abyssinica and Zanthoxylum usambarensis in Mice Models
    (OMICS International, 2016) Musyoka, Thomas M.; Nyamai, Dorothy W.; Arika, W.M.; Juma, Kelvin K.; Nzioka, Mutua D.; Maina, D.; Waithaka, Stanely K.; Ngugi, M.P.; Orinda, George O.; Karau, Geoffrey M.; Njagi, E.N.M.
    This study was carried out to determine the hematinic effects and long term safety of Zanthoxylum usambarensis and Erythrina abyssinica in mice. Aqueous stem extracts of Z. usambarensis and E. abyssinica were screened for their haematinic activity in Phenylhydrazine induced anemic mice using the oral route. Hematological parameters were analysed as indices of anemia. The safety of these plant extracts was studied by orally administering 1 g/kg body weight of aqueous extracts daily in mice for thirty days and determining changes in body and organ weight, hematological and biochemical parameters. The mineral content of the extracts was estimated using Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence system (TRXF) while phytochemicals were assessed using standard procedures. Phenylhydrazine (PHZ) treatment induced macrocytic anemia. Administration of Z. usambarensis and E. abyssinica extracts at 100 mg/kg body weight daily for three weeks increased the red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume and decreased the mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin though E. abyssinica returned these parameters to normal. Administration of Z. usambarensis and E. abyssinica extracts at 1 g/kg body weight daily for four weeks significantly increased the activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and amylase and the levels of urea and creatine in the treated mice. Extracts from both plants had alkaloids and flavonoids and minerals potassium, calcium, chromium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, nickel, arsenic, and lead. This study has confirmed in vivo haematinic activity and safety of aqueous stem bark extracts of Z. usambarensis and E. abyssinica. The observed haematinic activity could be attributed to the phytonutrients present in these plants. The study recommends continued use of Z. usambarensis and E. abyssinica in the management of anaemia at the right doses as high doses are toxic
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    Potential Anti-diabetic Effects and Safety of Aqueous Extracts of Urtica dioica Collected from Narok County, Kenya
    (OMICS International, 2017) Mukundi, Mwangi J.; Mwaniki, Njagi E.N.; Ngugi, M.P.; Murugi, Njagi J.; Juma, Kelvin K.; Yusuf, Abdirahman A.; Mwonjoria, John K.; Ngetich, Alex K.; Agyirifo, Daniel S.; Gathumbi, Peter K.; Muchugi, Alice N.
    Drug bio screening for potential anti-diabetics is scientifically motivated by the desire to discover newer, safer and affordable drugs that complement conventional strategies for management of diabetes. Urtica dioica grows naturally in many parts of Africa with a wide variety use in traditional medicine and diet. However, scientific validation for use of U. dioica has not been done for anti-diabetic activity. The aim of the study was to determine the antidiabetic effects of aqueous extracts of U. dioica in alloxan induced mice and the safety of U. dioica on mice models. The plant extracts were administered orally at doses of 25 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg which is the common route used in traditional herbal medicine administration. Evaluation for toxicity was determined at a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight aqueous extracts of U. dioica. The results from the study indicated that the plant extracts exhibited insulin mimetic anti-diabetic activity. Evaluation for toxicity also indicated that a dose of 1000 mg/kg bw preserved the integrity of liver, kidney and lipid profiles for biochemical markers. Moreover, there was no significant change in the hematological and leucocyte counts. There was no significant change in gross body weight, organ body weight and histopathological changes on tissues of the body organs in this study. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of aqueous leaf extracts of U. dioica indicated the presence of phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Various levels of different mineral elements were also recorded. In conclusion, this study confirmed that U. dioica at a dose of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg body weights possessed anti-diabetic activity. It is also safe for use at a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight. More studies should be explored on the potential anti-diabetic effects using other routes of administration.