Browsing by Author "Mburu, David N."

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    Anti-inflammatory activities of dichloromethane-methanolic leaf and stem bark extracts of Ximenia americana in mice models
    (Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, 2017) Gaichu, Daniel M.; Nthiga, Peter M.; Kariuki, Duncan M.; Ngugi, M.P.; Mburu, David N.
    Introduction: Ximenia americana is a highly branched shrub mainly found in tropics of Asia, Africa, New Zealand, Central and South America among others. In most parts of Africa, X. americana is used in folklore to treat various disorders such as oedema, pain, fever, helminthiasis, diarrhea and burns among others. There is no published data on anti-inflammatory activities of organic extracts of X. americana. It is against this background that this research was carried out. The study tested for the anti-inflammatory activities of dichloromethane-methanolic (DCM-MeOH) leaf and stem bark extracts of X. americana in rats. Methods: The plant materials were collected from Mbeere North sub-county, Embu county, Kenya. Methanol and dichloromethane in the ratio of 1:1 was used to extract the active compounds. Five to 6 weeks old Swiss Albino mice were employed for the anti-inflammatory studies. Animals were divided into 6 groups of 5 mice each: normal, negative, reference and three experimental groups (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight). Inflammation was induced experimentally using carrageenan. The experimental groups were treated with predetermined dose quantities of prepared extracts. Diclofenac was used as the reference drug. Data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The extracts from the leaves reduced hind paw circumference by between 0.91% and 16.90% while the stem bark extracts reduced hind paw circumference by between 5.84% and 29.00%. Diclofenac reduced right hind paw circumference by 1.32%-29.60%. Qualitative phytochemical screening showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, phenolics and terpenoids in the extract. Conclusion: The study established that the DCM-MeOH leaf and stem bark extracts of X. americana is effective in management of inflammation and therefore it can be explored as a possible bio-resource in the development of herbal medicines.
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    Antinociceptive and antiiflammatory potential of dichloromethane: methanolic leaf extracts of caesalpinia volkensii and maytenus obscura in animal models
    (2015-09) Maina, Mwangi B.; Maina, G. S.; Muriithi, Njagi J.; Kiambi, M. J.; Umar, Aliyu; Njoroge, A. W.; Mwonjoria, K. J.; Ngugi, Piero M.; Mburu, David N.
    Caesalpinia volkensii and Maytenus obscura are specialised plants that grow in Mbeere County of Eastern region of Kenya. Species belonging to genus maytenus are widely used in folk medicine such as antiseptic, antiasthmatic, fertility-regulating agents, antitumor and antiulcer. The leaf decoction of Caesalpinia volkensii is taken to fight pains during pregnancy. Pregnant women take powdered pods dissolved in water to relieve stomach-ache. They are also used to treat gonorrhoea and bilharzia. Seeds are used to cure stomach ulcers. Flower buds are crushed and applied to the eye to treat eye problems. This study is designed to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of Caesalpinia volkensii and Maytenus obscura plants. In order to assess the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, formalin induced writhing response model and carrageenan induced paw edema model will be used in and Wister albino rats and mice. In both cases, leaves extract will be administered (2gm/kg body weight) and the obtained effects will be compared with commercially available antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac sodium (15mg/kg body weight). DMSO (2ml/kg body weight) will be used as a control for the study. The plant sample of the leaves will be dried at room temperature under shade for one month and ground into powder. Two hundred grams of the powdered leaves material will be soaked to DCM and ethanol in the ratio of 1:1 for 3 h. The extract will be filtered and concentrated using a rotator evaporator. The experimental rats and mice will be divided into four groups; normal group, diseased, control and experimental group. Pain will be induced using formalin while inflammation will be induced using carrageenan. The experimental group will be treated with predetermined quantities of extracts of both plant leaves. The dichloromethane:methanolic extract of leaves of the plant will be evaluated for significant antiinflammation and antinociceptive activities using several experimental models in rats and mice when compared with the standard conventional drugs. The experimental data will be analyzed using paired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Should the claimed effectiveness be validated by this study, the plant will be recommended for further studies as a bio source into producing standardized herbal formulation more effective in the treatment of pain and inflammation with less toxic and less costly than current synthetic drugs.