Advancement in Medicinal Plant Research

Number 4, 2013

72-76
Evaluation of the adsorption isotherm of activated charcoal used in pharmaceutical medicine from some Nigerian plant parts, corn cobs, the wooden parts of Mangifera indica and Azandirachta indica

Authors: Edwin N. Oguegbulu and Jude Okumiahor

Abstract

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Activated charcoal is variously referred to as charcoal, carbon, Norit and medicoal. It is generally derived from many carbonaceous vegetable materials and in this study from Nigerian wooden plants as well as farm wastes. The uses include, detoxification, decontamination and in flatulence. The aim of this research is to explore cheaper and more effective activated charcoal alternatives than those that are currently commercially available. Corn cobs and the wooden parts of Mangifera indica and Azandirachta indica as raw materials were carbonized in a muffler furnace at 600 to 700°C for 30 min. The carbonized residue so obtained were pulverized, sieved and activated in an oven at 120°C for 2 h. The adsorption profile of the test charcoal samples was evaluated using acetic acid adsorption method and Freundlich isotherm model to determine adsorption constants, (K) and (n). It was observed that M. indica (K – 0.076), showed the highest adsorption capacity while at the same time was statistically significant, followed by A. Indica (K - 0.026) whereas corn cobs (K – 0.013) and standard (K – 0.013) ranked equally with the lowest specific adsorption property. Activated charcoal with excellent performance as well as cost-effective for use in pharmaceutical medicine can be sourced from local plants and farm wastes. Keywords: Locally sourced, cost-effectiveness, excellent, activated charcoal, alternative, pharmaceutical medicine.

77-85
Effect of sapogenin extract on anti-infertility induced by aluminium chloride in male rats

Authors: Abd El-Rahman N. Soheir and Al-Ahmary S. Haya

Abstract

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Balanites aegyptiaca has been reported to be important saponins. Therefore, this study aimed at elucidating the protective effects of B. aegyptiaca sapogenin extract (BASE) against infertility caused by aluminium chloride in male rats. The first group served as control (NC). Group 2 received AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw) (1/25 LD50) (PC). Groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated with AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw) plus BASE at different doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg bw) for 70 days. Luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, testosterone, sperm motility, sperm count (testicular and epididymal), daily sperm production, fructose in semen, semen quality and glucose were significantly (P < 0.05) increased. While, concentration of total cholesterol, sAST, sALT, urea and creatinine were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in rats treated with AlCl3 (34 mg /kg bw) plus BASE at levels 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg bw compared to PC. Also, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sperm transit rate (day) were decreased in rats treated with AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw) plus BASE at levels 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg bw compared to PC. The results obtained indicated that using 100 mg/kg bw of BASE was more beneficial than using 25 and 50 mg/kg bw for protection from infertility in male rats. It could be recommended to use BASE as natural source against infertility caused by AlCl3 (34 mg /kg bw) and effectiveness of doses used to 100 mg/kg bw. Keywords: Balanites aegyptiaca, sapogenin extract, anti-infertility, aluminium chloride, testosterone, sperm motility, fructose in semen.