Beta Fulltext view is in preview — article structure may vary. Browse all articles
Contents
Cell & Cellular Life Sciences Journal Research Article 7 min read

Phytochemical Analysis and Antihelminthic Effects of Guierasenegalensis on Infected Rabbits

Magashi LA and Ibrahim IAA*
* Corresponding author
ISSN: 2578-4811  10.23880/cclsj-16000111  Received: June 27, 2017  Published: July 03, 2017
 — views
 12 references
 6 tables
PDF
Keywords
&lt p&gt Phytochemical analysis Guirea Senegalensis Antihelminthic Rabbits Helminths&lt /p&gt
Abstract

<p>The leaves of the common West African plant GuireaSenegalensis were analyzed for the presence of secondary metabolites. The qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, Flavounoids, tannins and steroids as active constituents of ethanolic extract which are similar to water extract with exception of steroids. Further investigation reveals the antihelminthic effect of GuireaSenegalensis by administering 200mg/kg twice of leaves extract over a period of seven days using a rabbit’s models; ethanol extracts revealed 50% effective and water extracts 28.57% effective.</p>

Introduction

Helminths are worm-like parasites with complex reproductive system and life cycles involving intermediate host for the development of larval stages and a definitive host for the adult forms [1]. Research has established that helminthes infections are accompanied by reduced growth rate during childhood and by impaired nutrient utilization [1]. Hookworm infection affects iron status, often to the point where anaemia develops. Many species of helminthes have been reported as causing infections in humans and animal in many part of the world; nematode infection both soil-transmitted helminthiasis and lymphatic filariasis are having public health significance [2, 3]. Others include trematodes and cestodes [1]. More than 1.5 billion people, or 24% of the world’s population, are infected with soil-transmitted helminth infections worldwide [4, 5]. Infections are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas, with the greatest numbers occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, China and East Asia [6]. Over 270 million preschool-age children and over 600 million school-age children live in areas where these parasites are intensively transmitted, and are in need of treatment and preventive interventions [7, 8]. Guiera Senegelensis commonly known as Sabara (in Hausa language) belongs to the Combretaceae family [9]. It is a tropical shrub used in traditional medicine for the treatment of stomach pain, dysenteric diarrhea, syphilis, beriberi, leprosy and impotence [10]. It is also used in veterinary medicine among the Tukolor people in diets designed to increase body weight, reproductive capacity and milk secretion in animals [9]. Powdered dried leaves of G. senegalensis associated with Melantherascandens are administered by the nasal route to treat headaches and sinusitis. The leaves are also used as a poultice on tumors and against the guinea worm [11]. Several high quality investigations conducted on G. senegalensis have been found to possess pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant and anti- inflammatory effects on the central nervous system [11].

Materials and Methods

Collection and Identification of Plant Material

The leaves of G. Senegalensis were collected from Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria. The plant was authenticated at the Postgraduate Biology Laboratory of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

Preparation of Plant Material

Ethanol extraction: 100g of the powdered plant sample was weighed and place in the thimble of the soxhlet extractor. 200ml of ethanol was measured with a measuring cylinder and placed into the flask of the soxhlet extractor. Eight (8) anti-bumping clips were placed in the ethanol in order to prevent overheating and spill over. The soxhlet condenser was then connected and fixed tightly on the soxhlet chamber. It was extracted with ethanol for 6-8hrs at 50-60oC. The crude extract obtained was concentrated in a rotary evaporator to obtain a greenish residue (EE). The weight and the percentage yield were calculated. Water extraction: The powdered leaves (100g) were extracted with 200ml distilled water using maceration method for 2days with occasional shaking. The extract was filtered using What Man No. 1 filter paper and the filtrate was freed from solvent with the aid of a water bath (30-40oC) to obtain a gummy greenish product subsequently referred to as the water extract (WE). The weight and the percentage yield were calculated. Phytochemical investigations: The extracts (EE and WE) were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening for the presence of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins etc using standard procedures. Preparation of animal sample: Three test rabbit were obtained in Bauchi metropolis and kept at school of agric., ATAP laboratory for intensive care. The animals were divided into three groups of one animal each. Group 1 served as the control while groups 2 and 3 served as the test groups. The test rabbits were infected with hookworm via feeding with contaminated feed (larva of hookworm mixed with their food and water). Mode of administration of extract: The extracts (200mg/kg) were administered to the test animals orally using a syringe while distilled water was administered to the control animal. Group 2 (R1) received ethanol extracts while group 3 (R2) was treated with water extracts.

Determination of Antihelminthic Effect

Stool microscopy: Stool microscopy was carried out weekly during the course of the research work the first was to determine the health status of the animals, then to confirm establishment of Ascaris infection and after treatment to assess the effectiveness of the plant extracts as antihelminthic. To carryout stool microscopy, 15 sterile specimen bottles were used in the morning to collect the freshly produced stool by the rabbits. Physiological saline, (0.85g of sodium chloride into 100ml of distilled water) was used for emulsification, and later examined under the ×10 objective of a light microscope. The number of eggs counted was then multiplied by 4 to give the number of eggs per gram of stool.

Counting of Helminth Eggs

Stoll’s technique for counting helminth egg was carried out in the study; the counting of the hookworm egg was achieved by weighing 3g of faeces in screw-cap container, 0.1 mol/L solution of sodium hydroxide was added, using a rod, breaking up the faeces and mixing it in NaOH. The container was cupped and shake hardly to complete the mixing, without delay using a wide bore Pasteur pipette about 0.15ml of the suspension was removed and transferred to the slide and was covered with cover slipped. The entire preparation was examined systematically using x10 objective lens with the condense iris reduced to give good contrast, included in the count any egg’s laying outside the edge of the cover glass because these are also contained in the 0.15ml sample. The number of eggs counted was multiplied by 100 to give the number of eggs per gram of faeces.

Results

The percentage yield of extraction for the methanol and aqueous extracts is presented in Tables 1 and 2 respectively.

  • Phytochemical profile of methanol and water extract of
  • G. Senegalensis is shown in Table 3. Diagnosis of the test animals before and after contamination with the hookworm larvae is presented in Tables 4 and 5 respectively.
  • Weight of powered sample
  • =
  • 100g
  • Weight of extract and container
  • =
  • 40.8g
  • Weight of empty container
  • =
  • 7.8g
  • Actual weight of extract = weight of container with extract – weight of container
  • = 40.8g – 7.8g
  • =
  • 33.0g
  • Percentage Yield = Final weight of extract × 100
  • Initial weight of extract
  • =
  • 33.0 × 100
  • 100
  • =
  • 33.0%
  • =
  • 33.0%

Table 1: Percentage yield of water extraction.

  • Weight of powered sample
  • =
  • 100g
  • Weight of extract and container
  • =
  • 45.2g
  • Weight of empty container
  • =
  • 7.8g
  • Actual weight of extract = weight of container with extract – weight of container
  • = 45.2g – 7.8g
  • =
  • 37.4g
  • Percentage Yield = Final weight of extract × 100
  • Initial weight of extract
  • =
  • 37.4 × 100
  • 100
  • =
  • 37.4%

Table 2: Percentage yield of ethanol extraction.

  • Phytochemical profile of methanol and water extract of
  • G. Senegalensis is shown in Table 3. Diagnosis of the test animals before and after contamination with the hookworm larvae is presented in Tables 4 and 5 respectively.
  • Weight of powered sample
  • =
  • 100g
  • Weight of extract and container
  • =
  • 40.8g
  • Weight of empty container
  • =
  • 7.8g
  • Actual weight of extract = weight of container with extract – weight of container
  • = 40.8g – 7.8g
  • =
  • 33.0g
  • Percentage Yield = Final weight of extract × 100
  • Initial weight of extract
  • =
  • 33.0 × 100
  • 100
  • =
  • 33.0%
  • =
  • 33.0%

Table 1: Percentage yield of water extraction.

Inferences
ConstituentsTest
EE WE
GlycosidesFehling’s test- -
AlkaloidsMayer’s test+ +
Dragendorf’s test+ +
FlavonoidsFerric chloride test+ +
NaOH test+ +
SaponinsFrothing test+ +
SteroidsLieberman-Buchard+ -
Salkowski test+ -
TanninsLead Sub-acetate+ +

Table 3: Result of rabbit’s stool after contamination.

No. of eggs in
GroupColor of specimenConsistencyNo. of eggsGrade
gram
RCPaleFormed---
R1PaleFormed---
R2PaleFormed---

Table 4: Result of rabbit’s stool after contamination.

Color ofNo. of eggs perNo. of eggs in
GroupConsistencyGrade
Specimenpreparationgram
RCPaleSemi-formed61200Few
R1YellowSemi-formed4800Few
R2PaleSemi-formed61400Few

Table 5: Result of rabbit’s stool after contamination.

Color ofNo. of eggs perNo. of eggs in
GroupConsistencyGrade
Specimenpreparationgram
RCYellowSemi-formed61200Few
R1YellowSemi-formed2400Scanty
R2YellowSemi-formed51000Few

Table 6: Result of rabbit’s stool after administration of extract.

The crude extracts of ethanol and water yields 37.4g% and 33.0% per 100g of the test samples respectively[Table:1&2]. Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and steroids were present in the ethanol extract while the water extract revealed the presence of all the constituents tested in ethanol including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins with exception of steroids [Table:3]. These constituents have been reported to be associated with different pharmacological activities of plants (“Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Ethnomedicinal Uses of Ficus Thonningii [12]. The screening of rabbits for helminth at initial stage [Table: 4] where all the rabbit are found with no infection. However, the investigation of rabbits before and after contaminating their food and water, and with administration of the extracts, results are found with different degree of infections; although they have the

References

  1. Schabussova I (2014) Helminths and Helminthiasis, Ss
  2. Alex L, Paul P (2001) Immune Responses in Hookworm Infections, J Clin Microbiol Rev 14(4): 689–703
  3. Ayo OM, Osazuwa F, Imade P (2011) A significant association between intestinal helminth infection and anaemia burden in children in rural communities of Edo state, Nigeria. North American Journal of Medical Sciences 3(1): 30-34
  4. Yapi RB, Chammartin F, Hürlimann E, Houngbedji CA, Prisca BN, et al. (2016) Bayesian risk profiling of soil- transmitted helminth infections and estimates of preventive chemotherapy for school-aged children in Côte d'Ivoire. Parasites & vectors 9(1): 162.
  5. Oswald WE, Stewart AE, Kramer MR, Endeshaw T, Zerihun M, et al. (2017) Association of community sanitation usage with soil-transmitted helminth infections among school-aged children in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Parasites & vectors 10(1): 91.
  6. CDC - Parasites - About Parasites.
  7. Mukherjee S, Mukherjee N, Gayen P, Roy P, Babu SP (2016) Metabolic Inhibitors as Antiparasitic Drugs, Pharmacological, Biochemical and Molecular Perspectives. Curr Drug Metab 17(10): 937-970.
  8. Muiruri G, Mary GW (2016) Effects of Public Health Interventions on Intestinal Parasitic Infections among School-Going Children in Murang’a County, Kenya.
  9. Kamal NSA, Elshafie AE, Nour A (2016) Antifungal and Phytochemical Analysis of Medicinal Compounds of Guiera senegalensis Leaves in Sudan. Plant Biochemistry & Physiology Antitoxic 4(2): 2–5.
  10. Salihu SO, Usman AA (2015) Antimicrobial and phytochemical study of the bioactive fractions of Guiera senegalensis from Alasan. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 3(6): 106-111.
  11. Mohammed SY (2013) Quantitative phytochemical and elemental analysis of Guiera Senegalensis leaf extract. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy 5(12): 204-207.
  12. Rachael D, Kennedy HE, Davison M, Eliton C (2013) Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Ethnomedicinal Uses of Ficus Thonningii (Blume Moraceae) A Review. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med 10(2): 203-212.
More from this journal

Cite this article

BibTeX
APA
RIS
@article{magashi2017,
  title   = {Phytochemical Analysis and Antihelminthic Effects of Guierasenegalensis on Infected Rabbits},
  author  = {Magashi LA and Ibrahim IAA},
  journal = {Cell & Cellular Life Sciences Journal},
  year    = {2017},
  volume  = {2},
  number  = {2},
  doi     = {10.23880/cclsj-16000111}
}
Magashi LA and Ibrahim IAA (2017). Phytochemical Analysis and Antihelminthic Effects of Guierasenegalensis on Infected Rabbits. Cell & Cellular Life Sciences Journal, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.23880/cclsj-16000111
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Phytochemical Analysis and Antihelminthic Effects of Guierasenegalensis on Infected Rabbits
AU  - Magashi LA and Ibrahim IAA
JO  - Cell & Cellular Life Sciences Journal
PY  - 2017
VL  - 2
IS  - 2
DO  - 10.23880/cclsj-16000111
ER  -