Planta Med 2008; 74 - PA247
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084245

Biochemical evaluation of Mitragyna ciliata Aubrev & Pellegr (Rubiaceae)

HA Ogbunugafor 1, VI Okochi 2, J Okpuzor 3, OS Odesanmi 2
  • 1Applied Biochemistry Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Awka. Nigeria
  • 2Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine University of Lagos
  • 3Department of Cell and Genetics, University of Lagos. Yaba. Lagos

Bioassay guided-fractionation of M. ciliata Aubrev and Pellegr (Rubiaceae) ethanolic root extract at 100mg/kg in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected rats indicated that active agents reside in the butanol fraction. In vitro investigation of the extract revealed that it had low (25.55%) antioxidative property which might have created oxidative stress in vivo [1]. Heamatological profile of treated rats was consistent with the major features of trypanosomiasis – anaemia, leucocytopaenia and thrombocytopaenia [2]. In vivo evaluation of active fraction indicated depressed (p<0.05) Ca2+ level compared to untreated control. A positive correlation(r=0.40, p=0.488) exists between Ca2+ concentration and parasiteamia in the active fraction. The decreased Ca2+ level suggests that the active agent affected the Ca2+ metabolism in the animals which inhibited parasites' growth.

References: 1. Ogbunugafor, HA. et al. (2007) Afr. J. Biotech. 6:2310–2313.

2. Kagira, JM. et al. (2006) Afri. J. Health Sci. 13:59–65.