title: Investigations of the methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer. Ker for pharmacological activities in vitro and in vivo.
abstract: The methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer. Ker (family: Zingiberaceae) was investigated for some pharmacological effects in vivo and in vitro. Brine shrimp lethality test showed that the extract was significantly (p < 0.05) cytotoxic with LC50 of 21.3 ppm. The extract showed moderate local anesthetic property, about twice less than lignocaine of the same concentration, on guinea pig wheal test. The extract contracted the guinea pig ileum in a concentration-dependent manner, but had no effect on pleuripara and nullipara non-gravid uteri at progestogenic and estrogenic phases respectively. The contractile effect on the guinea pig ileum was partially inhibited by atropine but completely reversed by adrenaline. The extract induced expulsion of whole fetuses still enveloped within the placental membrane at the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The extract exhibited a biphasic antihyperglycemic activity. At 200 mg/kg body wt., p.o., it decreased the blood glucose level by 50% in Streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in male rats in 60 minutes post dosing. However, doses above 200 mg/kg body wt., p.o., caused increase in blood glucose level, potentiating the action of STZ. At 10 microg/ml the extract induced about 98% glucose uptake in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes when compared with insulin (340 nm).
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Anaga
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Njoku
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Ekejiuba
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Esiaka
authors.forename: I U
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Asuzu
mesh_terms: D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001156:Artemia / Q000187:drug effects; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D029770:Costus; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013311:Streptozocin
chemical_list: D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013311:Streptozocin; D008012:Lidocaine