Browsing by Author "Koffuor, G.A."
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Item Analgesic activity and safety assessment of heliotropium indicum linn. (boraginaceae) in rodents(2012) Boye, A.; Koffuor, G.A.; Amoateng, P.; Ameyaw, E. O.; Abaitey, A.K.This study presented the analgesic and safety assessment of Heliotropium indicum, a plant traditionally used for the management of abdominal pains, dysmenorrhoea and post-labour inflammatory conditions in Ghana using formalin-induced pain model in mice. For comparison of analgesic effect, morphine (1-10 mg kg-1) and diclofenac sodium (1-10 mg kg-1) were used as a reference opioid and NSAID, respectively. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts (30-300 mg kg-1) dose-dependently inhibited both the first and second phases of the formalin-induced nociception. Oral doses of the aqueous extract (1-5 g kg-1) in imprint control region mice were well tolerated in acute toxicity studies; however a 14-day oral administration of 1-2 g kg-1 of the extracts in sprague-Dawley rats produced pathologic effects on the heart, kidney, liver and lungs. Therefore, although the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of H. indicum have analgesic activity, it could have a cumulative toxic effects hence prolonged and continuous use is not advised.Item Antinociceptive and antioxidant activity of an aqueous root bark extract of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel (Fam: Leguminosae [Fabaceae]) in ICR mice(Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2013-12) Boye, A.; Amoateng, P.; Koffuor, G.A.; Atsu Barku, V.Y.; Bawa, E.M.; Anto, O.E.Daniellia oliveri stem bark is used traditionally by the people of Northern Ghana to manage pain. This study therefore sought to validate the antinociceptive property of an aqueous stem bark extract of Daniellia oliveri (DOE) using murine hot plate and paw pressure pain models as well as its antioxidant property. Groups of ICR mice were pre-treated with DOE (250, 500, 1000 or 2000 mg kg-1 , p.o), morphine (3 mg kg-1 , i.p), diclofenac (3 mg kg-1 , i.p) or normal saline (2 ml/kg) respectively for 0.5 - 1 h, prior to pain induction. Pain latency period were measured at 0.5 h intervals for 1.5 h. To establish the possible mode of analgesic activity, nociceptive activity of DOE was antagonized by naloxone (2 mg kg-1), glibenclamide (8mg kg-1), and theophylline (5mg kg1). The extract was screened for antioxidant property by its effect on DPPH radical scavenging activity. DOE in both pain models produced significant (P ≤ 0.001) dose and time - dependent antinociceptive effect comparable to morphine, and diclofenac. The antinociceptive effect of DOE was significantly (P ≤ 0.001) attenuated by naloxone, glibenclamide, and theophylline. DOE caused a concentration dependent percentage increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity. The aqueous stem bark extract of Daniellia oliveri therefore has antinociceptive and antioxidant effect with antinoception possibly mediated through activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, as well as opioidergic and adenosinergic receptor pathways. © 2013 Alex Boye et al.Item Immunomodulatory and erythropoietic effects of aqueous extract of the fruits of solanum torvum swartz (solanaceae)(Pharmacognosy Research, 2011) Koffuor, G.A.; Koffuor, G.A.; Amoateng, P.; Andey, T.A.Aim The effect of Solanum torvum (Fam: Solanaceae) on delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, hemagglutinating antibody (HA) titer, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin concentration was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats to establish immunomodulatory and erythropoietic activity. Materials and Methods Sheep red blood cells (SRBC)-immunized and challenged rats were treated with Solanum torvum extract, levamisole and dexamethasone. Phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced anemia in rats was treated with the extract. Results The aqueous Solanum torvum extract and levamisole significantly enhanced DTH response, increased HA titer and WBC count, while dexamethasone significantly decreased DTH response, did not increase HA titer, and did not enhance WBC profile. The extract and Feroglobin, the reference heamatinic, were able to reverse PHZ-induced anemia, and increase the RBCs and Hb concentration above baseline values within 24 days. Conclusion: Solanum torvum extract showed a concentration-dependent immunostimulant and erythropoietic activity.Item Investigating the site of action of an aqueous extract of heliotropium indicum linn (boraginaceae) on smooth muscles(Research Journal of Pharmacology, 2012) Koffuor, G.A.; Boye, A.; Amoateng, P.; Ameyaw, E.O.; Abaitey, A.K.Heliotropium indicum has various traditional medicinal uses such as treating abdominal pains, dysmenorrhoea, hypertension, convulsion, post-partum inflammatory disorders, wounds and infections and skin rashes. The aim of this study therefore is to find receptors that possibly mediate the activity of H. indicum as a means of finding explanation to some of its reported traditional uses. The effect of various concentrations of agonist drugs and an aqueous extract from the plant as well as the effects of these agonist drugs and the extract in the presence of specific reference antagonist drugs were established on isolated guinea-pig ileum, rabbit jejunum, rat uterus and rat anococcygeus preparations. Data obtained was analyzed using GraphPad Prism Version 5.0 for Windows. The extract caused dose-dependent contractions similar to the acetylcholine, methylcholine, carbamylcholine, nicotine, histamine and oxytocin used on the smooth muscle preparations studied. The contractions were significantly inhibited by atropine and hexamethonium, suggesting muscarinic and nicotinic activity, adrenaline and salbutamol, suggesting adrenoceptor activity and diclofenac sodium, suggesting the inhibition of synthesis and/or effect of products of COX such as prostaglandin. The extract was significantly stable to plasma cholinesterase. The receptor activity of H. indicum explains some of its traditional medicinal uses such as relieving abdominal pain, hypertension and impotence and sexual weakness.