Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

U. Njoku Ugochi ¹, Joshua Parker Elijah ¹, I. Offor Leonard ¹, O. Okoli Charles ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG
2 Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, NG

Abstract

Apium graveveolens (Celery) an ancient vegetable spice consumed in both tropical and western world was investigated for its antioxidant properties. The ethanol extract of Apium graveolens gave 15.5% yield and the extract was used for lipid peroxidation scavenging tests. The acute toxicity of the ethanol extract of Apium graveolens was investigated using 21 albino mice and was found out to be 2450mg/kg body weight, which indicates that the plant is relatively safe for human consumption. Both the fresh, dried leaves and stem of Apium graveolens were subjected to phytochemical analysis and the results showed that the plant contains alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, proteins, fats and oils, carbohydrates, steroids and tannins with the dried samples having a higher concentration than the fresh samples. The ethanol extract of Apium graveolens showed significant nitric oxide induced free radical scavenging activity when compared with ascorbic acid. The extract also showed significant inhibition of carbon tetrachloride and ferrous sulphate induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate when compared with ascorbic acid.

Keywords

Apium graveolens, Antioxidant, Free Radicals.

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Anosike Chioma Assumpta ¹, Obidoa Onyechi ², C. Nwodo Okwesilieze Fredrick ², Joshua Parker Elijah ²

Affiliations
1 University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG
2 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, NG

Abstract

The effects of the ethanol extract of coconut on indomethacin - induced gastric ulcer in Wistar rats and on Hypotonicity induced haemolysis of human red blood cells were studied. Ulcer was induced in the rats by post oral (p.o.) administration of indomethacin (50mg/kg) using standard procedures. The percentage ulcer inhibition was taken as the measure of the cytoprotection offered by the coconut extract. The extracts reduced the gastric erosions induced by indomethacin in a dose dependent manner with 100mg/kg dose having an ulcer inhibition of 65.4%; 200mg/kg gave 67.9% inhibition while 400mg/kg caused a 70.1% reduction in the ulcerations formed. These results were comparable to the 91% reduction recorded for ranitidine, the standard anti-ulcer drug. The effect of the coconut extract on haemolysis induced by distilled water was evaluated by incubating various concentrations of the extract with red blood cells and distilled water. The effect of the standard anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin was determined as a positive control. Changes in absorbance were used to assess the extent of haemolysis, hence membrane stabilization. From the results obtained, coconut extract gave a dose dependent reduction in the haemolysis induced by distilled water. This suggests that the extract has a stabilizing effect on lysosomal membranes.

Keywords

Coconut Extract, Gastric Erosions, Cytoprotection, RBCs Haemolysis, Distilled Water.

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