Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Cola nitida, commonly known as kola nut, is a plant native to West Africa and widely recognized for its various medicinal properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of water extract of Cola nitida pod on various biological activities. The extraction process involved obtaining the water extract from the pods of Cola nitida using standard procedures. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins in the extract. The antimicrobial activity of the water extract was evaluated against a panel of bacteria and fungi using the disc diffusion method. The results demonstrated significant antimicrobial effects of the extract against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as certain fungal strains. This suggests the potential of Cola nitida pod extract as a natural antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. The results indicated potent antioxidant properties of the water extract, which could be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds in the extract. These findings highlight the potential of Cola nitida pod extract as a natural antioxidant agent for various applications. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of the water extract was evaluated using in vitro assays. The extract demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on inflammatory markers, suggesting its potential in alleviating inflammation-related conditions. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the extract was assessed using MTT assay on human cell lines. The results revealed that the extract exhibited low cytotoxicity, indicating its safety for potential therapeutic use. In conclusion, the water extract of Cola nitida pod exhibited promising biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and low cytotoxicity properties. These findings support the traditional uses of Cola nitida in African traditional medicine and suggest its potential for further development as a natural therapeutic agent. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and explore the full therapeutic potential of Cola nitida pod extract.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Cola Nitida has been used in folk medicine as an aphrodisiac, an appetite suppressant, to treat morning sickness, migraine headache, and indigestion (Esimone et al., 2007). It has also been applied directly to the skin to treat wounds and inflammation (Newall et al., 1996)on the teeth and gums. There has also been speculations as to its use in the treatment of peptic ulcer, however, in Nigeria there is no record of the incidence of peptic ulcer.According to Esimone (2007), cola nitida tree is native to West Africa. Cola nuts are obtained from cola trees. Cola nitida belongs to the genus cola and family steriliaceae. They are commonly used to counteract hunger and thirst; in some cases it is used to control vomiting in pregnant woman and also as a principal stimulant to keep awake and withstand fatigue by students, drivers, and other menial workers. Lipoproteins are found in the liver and cells. The liver is the largest organ inside the body. The liver is dark reddish-brown and consists of two main lobes. There are over 300 billion specialized cells in the liver that are connected by a well organized system of “bile” ducts and blood vessels called the biliary system.