Key words: SWEDISH BITTERS^®, Galenicals, medicinal plants

Galenicals were very popular in clinical medicine till late 1960s at which time the pharmaceutical industry revolutionized drug research and production. Almost four decades later, old but useful galenicals such as SWEDISH BITTERS^® have been rediscovered and registered in conformity with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. SWEDISH BITTERS^® consists of ten herbs (one of which is compound) and purified camphor. It is used internally as a bitter stomachic and tonic and externally as a counter-irritant. The major chemical constituents in the tincture include mannitol, anthraquinones and monoterpenoids.

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria. ¹ Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmacy, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Box 579, S-751 23, Uppsala, Sweden.

*Address for correspondence

Keywords: Nigerian medicinal plants; anti-inflammatory activity, prostaglandin biosynthesis; PAF-induced elastase release

Extracts of nineteen plant species from an inventory of Nigerian medicinal plants were screened for activity in two in vitro anti-inflammatory model test systems, inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis and PAF-induced elastase release from neutrophilis. Anacardium occidentale and Acalipha hispida were active in both test systems. Amatranthus spinosus had high specific prostaglandin synthesis inhibitory activity, while Bryophyllum pinnatum and Combretodendron macrocarpum had specific activity in the PAF elastase release test. The results obtained were related to the traditional uses of the plants and chemical constituents where known.

Department of Pharmacognosy and ¹Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria

Keyword: Crinum glaucum, Amaryllidaceae, asthma, respiratory and cardiovascular activity.

Crinum glaucum used traditionally in Western Nigeria for treatment of asthma was investigated for its effects on respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Increasing doses of the aqueous extract caused an increase in tidal volume (increase in ventilatory rate and depth) and a corresponding decrease in both systolic and diastolic pressures. This therefore supports the claim by the traditional medical practitioner that preparation from this plant is useful in the treatment of asthma.

Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, ¹Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Keyword: Sarmentoside-A, Strophanthus sarmentosus, cardioactivity.

Sarmentoside-A extracted from the seeds of Strophanthus sarmentosus was tested on rabbit heart preparation. Its cardio active property compared favourably with digoxin. Both drugs (Sarmetoside-A and digoxin) increased the force and rate heart contractions; these effects were antagonized by potassium chloride solution.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Jos, P.M.B. 2002, Jos. Plateau state, Nigeria ¹Department of Pharmacology, University of Jos.

Keywords: Vitex doniana, smooth muscle, blood pressure, antihypertensive

Oral and intravenous administration of the stem bark extract of Vitex doniana produced a dose-dependent hypotensive effect in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. The blood pressure was markedly reduced and the level maintained for longer duration when the extract was administered intravenously to hypertensive rats.

Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria and ¹Institut fur Pharmazeutische Chemie, Westfalische Wihelms-Universitat, D-48149 Munster, Federal Republic of Germany

Keywords: Murraya koenigii; Rutaceae; seeds; furocoumarins; monoterpenoid lactones, 2", 3"-epoxyindicolactone.

Indicolactone, anisolactone and a new furocoumarin lactone, 2", 3"-epoxyindicolactone were isolated from the seeds of Murraya koenigii. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods. This represents the first report of furocoumarins with a monoterpenoid lactone chain in the genus Murraya.

Drug Research and Production Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. ¹Department of Chemistry, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, U.K.

Keywords: Caffeine, Cola nitida, Cola acuminata, Pests, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

The caffeine content of nuts of Cola nitida and C. acuminata infested by insect pests in four major geographical zones of Nigeria have been determined and compared with the uninfested ones using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The findings showed that the infestation has no significant effect on the caffeine content of kola nut samples analysed.

Department of Pharmacognosy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria and ¹Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Keyword: Eugenia uniflora, Myrtaceae, volatile oil, variation

The volatile oil content of the leaves of Eugenia uniflora L. growing in Nigeria was found to be between 0.63-1.09%v/w. From this study, the species is considered an economic source of the oil. The volatile oil content was highest at flowering of the plant and lowest at fruiting. The morphological part of the plant, stage of growth, time and season of collection of the leaves were found to be important factors that determine the amount of the oil produced. Also conditions for storage of the oil and its commercial exploitation were studied.

Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, ¹Dept of Pharm. Tech. And Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

*Address for Correspondence

Keyword: Mangifera indica, seed fat, fatty acids, suppositories, salicylic acid

The extracted seed fat of Mangifera indica was cream coloured, with a pH of 5.0, and possess pleasant odour. It melted within 32—35^oC and remained solid at room temperature. The refractive index is 1.4628. The viscosity is 44.84 poise in the liquid form, and the acid, iodine, saponification and unsaponifiable matter values were found to be 5.046, 43.35, 188 and 1.11g respectively.

There was faster and optimal release of salicylic acid from Mangifera indica seed fat when formulated as a suppository then that obtained with cocoa butter.

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

*Address for correspondence

Keywords: Propeties, films, Detarium microcarpium gum

ABSTRACT

The films obtained from Detarium microcarpium gum were compared in some aspects with gelatin films of equal thickness. Detarium film compared favourably with gelatin as a film former. Unplasticised and plasticised Detarium film absorbed less water than gelatin film, an advantage that could be of immense importance in the formulation of moisture sensitive drug.

Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Keyword: Palustrine, Markamia tomentosa, Bignoniaceae

The alkaloidal fraction of Markamia tomentosa afforded palustrine.

Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. ¹Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Keywords: Kigelia pinnata, Bignoniaceae, Triterpenoids, Phenolic acids.

3b, 19a-dihydroxyurs-12-ene-28oic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorgenic were isolated from the fruits and 3b, 19a-hydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid from the roots of Kigelia pinnata.

Lipid and Lipoprotein Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and ¹Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Keywords: Piper guineese, Xylopia aethiopica, fixed oils.

The fixed oil of Piper guineese and Xylopia aethiopica are rich in b-carotene, phospholipids and plant sterols. Mycotoxins are absent.

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Keywrod: Irvinga gabonensis, Irvingiaceae, fatty acids, Dika fat, GC-MS

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