Selected Preclinical Studies on Picralima nitida Stem Bark Extract

Purpose: Traditional medicine has utilized Picralima nitida (Apocynaceae) to treat a variety of illnesses, including microbial and pain-induced infections, diabetes, inflammation, and malaria. Methods: The phytochemical screening, haematological, and histological studies were carried out using already established methods. Results: Alkaloids, saponins, tannins, proteins, carbohydrates flavonoids, reducing sugars, and terpenoids detected in the extract. The histology of the organ treated by the stem bark extract showed no form of organ damage and toxic damage when treated with the plant extract and when compared to the control. Haematological studies of the effects of the stem bark of P. nitida extract on the red blood cell and it’s components; hamacrite (HCT), haemoglobin (HGB) and red blood cell (RBC) at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg showed slight increase in RBC showing that P. nitida stem bark extract can increase the ability of the blood to transport oxygen and hence, could be effective in treating certain diseases like anaemia. All the mice that received the plant extract experienced an increase in WBC counts. White blood cells are involved in battling illness and the extracts may stimulate their production. The result of the white blood cell demonstrates that the P. nitida extract significantly affected the white blood cells (WBC), lymphocyte (LYM), and granulocyte (GR) counts. Conclusion: The study revealed that Picralima nitida could serve as an intoxicating source of haematinic agent and as such; further studies should be carried out on the isolation of the active agents responsible for this potency