Acacia Nilotica Pods Research Articles

Evaluation of anti-acne activity of selected Sudanese medicinal plants

Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease in the world, and the number of antibiotics resistant to acne-inducing bacterial strains has been increasing in the past years. Natural substances from plants are promising candidates to treat this disease. The methanol and 50 % (v/v) ethanol extracts of 29 plant species traditionally used in Sudan for treatment of a variety of diseases were tested in vitro for their potential anti-acne activity. The activities of these extracts were determined using an antibacterial assay against Propionibacterium acnes, a lipase inhibitory assay, and l,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity assay. The results showed that methanol and 50 % ethanol extracts of Terminalia laxiflora Engl & Diels wood exhibited good antibacterial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration 0.13 mg/ml). The 50 % ethanol extracts of Abrus precatorius L. seed, T. laxiflora Engl & Diels and methanol extract of Acacia nilotica (L.) pods showed lipase inhibitory activity more than 70 % at 500 μg/ml. The methanol extracts of A. nilotica (L.) pods showed the best DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 1.32 μg/ml). Total phenolic, flavonoid and total tannin contents of selected plant extracts shown anti-acne activities were investigated. Almost all selected extracts contained phenolic compound. The highest level of flavonoids (38.87 μg/mg) was detected in T. brownii bark, whereas the highest amount of tannin was detected in A. nilotica (L.) bark (88.01 %).

Therapeutic effect of Acacia nilotica pods extract on streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy in rat

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of aqueous methanol extract (150 and 300mg/kg body weight) of Acacia nilotica pods in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 60days, and its biochemical, histopathological and histochemical study in the kidney tissues. Diabetic rats exhibited hyperglycemia, elevated of serum urea and creatinine. Significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) was observed in diabetic kidney. Histopathological examination revealed infiltration of the lymphocytes in the interstitial spaces, glomerular hypertrophy, basement membrane thickening and tubular necrosis with loss of their brush border in some of the proximal convoluted tubules in diabetic rats. Acacia nilotica extract lowered blood glucose levels, restored serum urea and creatinine. In addition, Acacia nilotica extract attenuated the adverse effect of diabetes on LPO, SOD and GSH activity. Treatment with Acacia nilotica was found to almost restore the normal histopathological architecture of kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. However, glomerular size and damaged area showed ameliorative effect after treatment with the extract. In conclusion, the antioxidant and antihyperglycemic properties of Acacia nilotica extract may offer a potential therapeutic source for the treatment of diabetes.

Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activities of <i>Acacia nilotica</i> Lam (Mimosaceae) Methanol Extracts Against Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Klebsiella</i> Species

Purpose: To investigate lysates from Acacia nilotica pods for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities against a variety of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae as well as methicillin resistant Staphylococci aureus (MRSA).Methods: ESBLs-producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp were isolated from clinical and environmental specimens and incubated with Acacia nilotica pod lysates. The bactericidal activity and cytotoxic effects of the lysates were evaluated while fast protein liquid chromatography (size exclusion FPLC) was used to identify the various compounds showing bactericidal activity.Results: The lysates showed remarkable bactericidal properties, killing almost 100 % of the bacteria they were tested against, including neuropathogenic Escherichia coli, MRSA, and Klebsiella spp. The bactericidal activity was heat-resistant and showed minimal cytotoxic effects on human brain microvascular endothelial cells. FPLC revealed eight peaks, with three of them representing compounds that had maximum bactericidal activity against all the tested isolates, but showed < 30 % host cell cytotoxicity.Conclusion: The lysate of Acacia nilotica pods is a potentially good candidate for the therapy of antibacterial-resistant bacteria, and would therefore require further studies.Keywords: Acacia nilotica, ESBLs, MRSA, E. coli, Klebsiella, Antibacterial resistance, Cytotoxicity

The <i>in vitro</i> anti-fertility effects of <i>Acacia nilotica</i> on human spermatozoa function

BACKGROUND: Acacia nilotica pods have been used since ancient times as a male contraceptive even though no scientific evidence exists about its efficacy. METHODS: Crude aqueous and ethanol extracts of Acacia nilotica pods powder were administered to human spermatozoa in vitro at different concentrations and incubation periods. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica significantly decreased sperm progressive motility in a dose and time dependent manner, but no differences were observed in cell viability. The aqueous extract also caused an increase in spontaneous acrosome reaction of the treated cells. No significant differences in all the sperm functions assessed were observed when the sperm were treated with the ethanol extract. CONCLUSION: These data have demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica has contraceptive properties by interrupting sperm transportation as evidenced by the reduction in progressive motility. Furthermore, the contraceptive properties have been demonstrated in vitro by inducing premature spontaneous acrosome reaction which could affect sperm-egg interaction. In vivo studies would confirm the contraceptive properties of Acacia nilotica.

Physicochemical Analysis of the Aqueous Extracts of Six Nigerian Medicinal Plants

Purpose: Extracts of Picralima nitida seeds, Detarium microcarpum stem bark, Aframomum melagueta seeds, Terminalia catappa leaves, Acacia nilotica pods, and Morinda lucida stem bark, are under consideration for development into suitable dosage forms for treating diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anemia and malaria. This study aimed at evaluating the extracts for features that would influence decisions on them in the course of the project. Methods: Physicochemical determinations, including proximate analysis, were done by sensory examination, and gravimetric and electrochemical techniques. Thin layer chromatography was carried out with normal silica plates using various solvent systems. Metallic content analyses were carried out by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: The extracts were dry but hygroscopic, with a loss on drying range of 0.26 – 12.00 %w/w. The pH of the 5 - 10 % solutions ranged 5 - 7. No harsh sensory effects, such as lacrimation, were detected in any of the extracts. Total ash ranged from 3.79 – 20.68 %w/w, while acid insoluble ash values were below detection. The extracts yielded reproducible chromatograms on normal silica plates developed with various solvent systems. Copper, present at 0.16 - 0.58 mg/100g, was the lowest occurring microelement while calcium content was highest, at 41 - 216 mg/100g. The level of lead, a heavy metal, was 0.05 - 0.22 mg/100g. Conclusion: The results confirm that the extracts require no special handling, possess characteristics that would allow their possible development into solid dosage forms, and that their lead contents complied with official limits. Keywords: Aqueous extract, Picralima nitida, Detarium microcarpum, Aframomum melagueta, Terminalia catappa, Acacia nilotica, Morinda lucida.

Novel Role for Reactive Oxygen Species as Amplifiers of Intermittent Hypoxia. Focus on “Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Central Cardiorespiratory Network Responses to Acute Intermittent Hypoxia”

Hypoxia (i.e., decreased O2 availability) is a pervasive physiological stimulus that profoundly affects biological systems. Systemic responses to acute hypoxia occur within seconds and are mediated entirely by reflexes originating from peripheral chemoreceptors especially the carotid bodies.

Glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzyme activities in renal cortex of diabetic rats.

Glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzyme activities in renal cortex of diabetic rats.