Extract Of Aframomum Melegueta Research Articles

Management of Major Seed-Borne Fungi of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) with Four Selected Botanical Extracts

Seed-borne fungal pathogens present significant constrain to the production and conservation of many seed crops including cowpea. Infection of mature seeds by such pathogens could result in mycotoxin contamination, loss of viability, and decay of seeds. This study aimed to identify seed-borne fungi on 200 accessions of cowpea under cold storage at CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI), Ghana. Also, the antifungal effect of seeds of Piper nigrum, Xylopia aethiopica, Aframomum melegueta, and fresh leaves of Cymbopogon citratus aqueous extracts (100% w/v) on the major seed-borne fungi identified on the cowpea seeds was determined. Seven fungal species belonging to five genera were identified from the seeds of the cowpea accessions evaluated. However, the diversity and infection levels of the pathogenic fungi recorded on the seeds were lower than that of the saprophytic fungi indicating minimal capacity of the seeds to spread pathogenic fungi on the field. Aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta inhibited the growth of Fusarium verticillioides by 98.40%, Colletotrichum sp. by 97.83%, Aspergillus niger by 94.70%, and Aspergillus flavus by 63.38%. The only other aqueous extract that inhibited the colony growth above 60% was that of Piper nigrum which inhibited colony growth of Fusarium verticillioides by 71.7% and Colletotrichum sp. by 63.47%. Due to the benign effect of Aframomum melegueta extract on the environment and non-target organisms, its use as a seed protectant is highly recommended. Further studies to establish the spectrum of activity and dose levels of Aframomum melegueta extract are recommended.

Anti-Th17 and anti-Th2 responses effects of hydro-ethanolic extracts of Aframomum melegueta, Khaya senegalensis and Xylopia aethiopica in hyperreactive onchocerciasis individuals' peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Hyperreactive onchocerciasis (HO) is characterized by a severe skin inflammation with elevated Th17-Th2 combined responses. We previously demonstrated the anthelminthic activity of Aframomum melegueta (AM), Xylopia aethiopica (XA) and Khaya senegalensis (KS) used by traditional healers to treat helminthiasis in the endemic area of Togo. However, their effect on severe onchocerciasis is poorly investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-Th17 and anti-Th2 effects of hydro-ethanolic extracts of AM, XA and KS during HO. Onchocerca volvulus-infected individuals were recruited in the Central region of Togo in 2018. Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from both generalized onchocerciasis (GEO) and HO forms were activated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies in the presence or absence of the hydro-ethanolic extracts of AM, XA and KS as well as their delipidated, deproteinized and deglycosylated fractions. After 72 hours, cytokines were assayed from cell culture supernatants. Then, flow cytometry was used to investigate the effects of the extracts on cell activation, proliferation, intracellular cytokines and T cells transcription factors. The production of both Th17 and Th2 cytokines IL-17A and IL-5 were significantly inhibited upon T-cell receptor (TCR) activation in the presence of the hydro-ethanolic extracts of AM, XA and KS in HO individuals’ PBMCs in vitro. AM and XA inhibited CD4+RORC2+IL-17A+ and CD4+GATA3+IL-4+ cell populations induction. This inhibition was not Th1 nor Treg-dependent since both IFN-γ and IL-10 were also inhibited by the extracts. AM and XA did not interfere with T cell activation and proliferation for their inhibitory pathways. Lipid and protein compounds from AM and XA were associated with the inhibition of IL-17A. This study showed that in addition to their anthelminthic effects, hydro-ethanolic extracts of Aframomum melegueta, Xylopia aethiopica and Khaya senegalensis could downregulate both Th17 and Th2 responses and prevent the severe skin disorder observed.

Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Potential and Nutritional Compounds of Aframomum melegueta and Syzygium aromaticum Seeds in Ibadan, Oyo-State, Nigeria

Consequents upon the efficacies of the local claims of Aframomum melegueta (Ataare) and Syzygium aromaticum (Kanafuru) in the treatment of respiratory infections and diseases in the study area, the present study was conducted to investigate the phytochemical, antioxidant capacity and nutritional composition in compounds of Aframomum melegueta and Syzygium aromaticum seeds to validates their local claims. The aqueous extracts of the plants seeds were obtained using standard procedures. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and phenols in the aqueous extracts of the plants seeds, while tannins was absent in the extract of Aframomum melegueta. Flavonoids and phenols revealed the highest antioxidant potential of the plants quantitatively at 0.1 g/m. The proximate contents of the plants seeds showed the level of crude contents ranging from moisture (7.34% ± 0.01 and 13.74% ± 0.03), fiber (28.33% ± 0.02 and 16.23% ± 0.02), protein (21.03% ± 0.02 and 10.79% ± 0.05), fat (7.13% ± 0.02 and 27.94% ± 0.10) and carbohydrates (32.76% ± 0.03 and 26.53% ± 0.02) respectively. The results also revealed the presence of potassium (63.50% ± 0.2 ppm and 64.20% ± 0.2 ppm), calcium (7.54% ± 0.2 ppm and 10.40% ± 0.2 ppm) and magnesium (9.05% ± 0.2 ppm and 9.11% ± 0.2 ppm) in the two plants seeds respectively. Therefore this study justifies the local use of Aframomum melegueta (Ataare) and Syzygium aromaticum (Kanafuru) as sources of medicine to manage and alleviate various symptoms associated with respiratory diseases and health conditions.

Assessment of in-vitro Antioxidant/Enzymes Inhibitory Potentials of Aframomum melegueta [Roscoe] K. Schum (Grains of Paradise) Leaf, Stem Bark, Seed Bark and Seed Extracts

The purpose of this research work is to evaluates the in-vitro antioxidant and antioxidant enzymes inhibition potentials of Aframomum melegueta [Roscoe] K. Schum (Grains of Paradise) Leaf, Stem Bark, Seed Bark and Seed Extracts. Aframomum melegueta is a spice with a similar composition as Ginger, that belongs to the same Zingiberaceae family, used in Nigeria, West Africa and it is used for the treatment of infectious diseases such as urinary tract infections, cancer and diabetes. Antioxidants neutralize the effect of free radicals through different ways and may prevent the body from various diseases. The plant extract were collected from a rain forest in Akugba Akoko, Ondo state, Nigeria. The plant sample was dried, pulverized, filtered with Whatman No 1 filtered paper and the filtrates was concentrated in-vacuum using vacuum rotary evaporator at 40°C and was later concentrated to dryness in a hot-air oven at 40°C. Assessment of antioxidant potentials were performed using Singleton method Total flavonoids (mg/g), Phenol (mg/g), Ferric reducing (FRAP) potentials (mg/g), Free radical scavenging ability (DPPH) (1, 1- diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl) potentials (%),2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging potentials (mMol/g), Fe2+ chelation potentials (%) and OH Radical Scavenging potentials (%) were evaluated. Antioxidant enzymes of plant were assessed using Bentller method, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) (%), Reduced Glutathione (GSH) (%), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Peroxidise (GPX) were evaluated. Seed extract among other extracts of Aframomum melegueta has the highest quantity of flavonoids, Phenol, FRAP, DPPH, ABTS, Fe2+ chelation and OH radical scavenging potential. The leaf extract of A. meleguata has the highest percentage of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) while stem bark of Aframomum melegueta has the highest percentage of Reduced Glutathione (GSH) and Glutathione Peroxidise (GPX).it can be deduced from this research work that all parts of the A. melegueta has pharmacological and therapeutic activities judging from literature that A. melegueta can be used to prevent oxidative damage by ROS (Reactive oxygen species) reacting with free radical chelating and catalytic metals which can be used to reduce and prevent various diseases like heart disease, cancer, DNA degeneration, pulmonary and neurological disorder. SOD, GPX, GSH help to control cytokins induced peroxidise level and mediate signal transduction in mammalian cells. It can be deduced that Aframomum melegueta should be the focal point in human diet, natural herbal drug supplement and even in addition to conventional drug to improve the potency and quality of natural drug system. The use of Aframomum melegueta should be encouraged. These results show the potential of Aframomum melegueta as a source of bioactive compounds to be used for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical applications.

Antifungal Potency of <i>Aframomum melegueta</i> (Alligator Pepper) Seed Extracts on Postharvest Rot Fungi of Two Citrus Species

This study was carried out to test the potency of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of small and large Aframomum melegueta (alligator pepper) on the control of postharvest deterioration of lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and lemon (Citrus limonum) caused mostly by Aspergillus niger, Trichothecium roseum, Rhizoctonia species, Alternaria tenuis, Absidia ramose and Rhizopus stolonifer which were isolated from the fruits of lime and lemon. The fungal isolated were tested for its ability to cause the same disease condition in a healthy Citrus (C. limonum and C. aurantifolia).The extracts were concentrated at different range from 5-30 mg/ml. The study showed that the extracts of Aframomum melegueta were able to suppress fungi growth on Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus limonum. All the concentrations of the ethanolic extract of small A. melegueta were potent to all the organisms. The small seed ethanolic extracts were most effective on Rhizopus stolonifer while larege seed ethanolic extracts were most effective on Alternaria tenuis which recorded the highest zone of inhibition. I recommended that 5mg/ml concentration which has the highest zone of inhibition of the extract can be used as spray in controlling the postharvest deterioration of the citrus fruits. Therefore, they will serve as a good natural seed fungicide (protectant) against Citrus in storage.

Psychopharmacological evaluation of antidepressant-like activity of ethanol seed extract of grains of paradise (Aframomum meleguetaK. Schum.)in mice

The antidepressant-like activity of ethanol seed extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) in mice was evaluated in this study. The duration of immobility was measured 30 min after oral administration of AM (25–400 mg/kg) in forced swim test. In the unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) paradigm, mice were treated with AM (25–100 mg/kg) 30 min before exposure to different stressors for 14 days. Thereafter, sucrose preference test, tail suspension test, and test for anxiety were done. The brain concentrations of malondialdehyde and glutathione were estimated spectrophotometrically. Brain histology and population of healthy neurons in cornu ammonis 3 of the hippocampus were also assessed. AM (25 and 50 mg/kg) significantly decreased the duration of immobility in forced swim test and prevented UCMS-induced anhedonia and anxiety-like behaviors, suggesting antidepressant potentials. The extract decreased malondialdehyde and increased glutathione concentrations in UCMS-induced mice. Therefore, AM extract offers protection against UCMS-induced damage to cornu ammonis 3 hippocampal neuronal cells indicating neuroprotection. Practical applications The seed of Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta) is used in traditional medicine for fatigue and impotence, which are prominent symptoms of major depression. It is also widely chewed for its presumed central nervous system stimulant and endurance promoting effects. The results of this study revealed valuable evidence concerning the possible use of Grains of Paradise as an affordable natural, alternative, and/or complementary therapy with antioxidative and neuroprotective potentials. Consumption of these seeds in the right quantity might provide health benefits as Grains of Paradise exhibited antidepressant-like effect via inhibition of oxidative stress and neuroprotection.

Ameliorative potential of Aframomum melegueta extract in cadmium-induced hepatic damage and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats

The present study was undertaken to explore the ameliorative potential of aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) on cadmium-induced hepatic damage in rats. Toxicity was induced by daily administration of 200 mg/L cadmium: Cd (Cd as CdCl2) in the animals’ main drinking water for 21 days. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in the liver while total protein, albumin, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin concentration as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were monitored in the serum and histological examination was carried out. Exposure to cadmium resulted in various alterations in all the evaluated parameters. Treatment with AM (200 or 400 mg/kg bw) extract showed a significant (P <0.05) reversal effect that mitigated the deleterious effect of cadmium. Results of the histological examination also support the above findings. The results suggest that aqueous extracts of A. melegueta when administered orally, could ameliorate cadmium-associated oxidative stress in male Wistar rats in a dose dependant manner via its free radical-scavenging mechanism which could be linked to the synergetic effects between the bioactive constituents present in the extract.

A Comparative Study of in Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemical Constituents of Methanol Extract of Aframomum Melegueta and Costus Afer Leaves

A Comparative Study of in Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemical Constituents of Methanol Extract of Aframomum Melegueta and Costus Afer Leaves

Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibition in Sitotroga cerealella Olivier Exposed to Biopesticides

IntroductionThe Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) is one of the serious primary pests of grain and its infestation starts in the field. Many spices are known for their medicinal properties and are also used in pest management especially on stored product insect pests to ensuring food security. However, there is dearth of information on the molecular mechanism by which these botanicals killed targeted insects especially on stored products pests.In this study, extracts of Aframomum melegueta were assessed for inhibition of butrylcholinesterase (BuchE) in S. cerealella. The assessment of butrylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition was carried out by using a colorimetric method based on Ellman's reaction.ResultsFor the seed extracts, maximum inhibitory activity was observed in n–hexane at 5% (65.00) % and (60.00) % for the leaf extract. However, for the leaf extracts, minimum inhibition of 58.33 % was obtained in petroleum ether extract while the lowest inhibition of 58.33 % was also observed in petroleum ether extracts of the seeds. These results showed that there could be great potential to search for novel usage of this medicinal plant for butrylcholinesterase compounds.ConclusionKnowledge about the inhibitory activities of this biopesticide against S. cerealella should be a vital area of interest important because of its importance in Integrated Pest Management for both scientists and biopesticides manufacturers.

Corrosion Inhibiting Effect of Aframomum melegueta Extracts and Adsorption Characteristics of the Active Constituents on Mild Steel in Acidic Media

The extract from the seeds of Aframomum Melegueta (AM) was investigated as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in aerated 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions using gravimetric and electrochemical techniques. AM extract was found to inhibit both the cathodic and anodic partial reactions of the corrosion process, via adsorption of the organic matter on the metal/solution interface, as described by the Langmuir as well as Flory-Huggins adsorption isotherms. Corrosion rates in all systems studied increased with rise in temperature. Increasing the temperature of the system enhanced inhibition efficiency of AM extract in 1 M HCl, but decreased efficiency in 0.5 M H2SO4. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to theoretically illustrate the electronic structure and adsorption behaviour of the active constituents of the seeds of Aframomum melegueta; paradol (1-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)decan-3-one) and shogaol ((E)-1-(4-Hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)dec-4-en-3-one) in order to theoretically evaluate their contributions to the corrosion inhibiting action of the extract.

Proximate and Mineral Composition of A Sorghum Stem Sheath Beverage (Poporo) Spiced with Aframomum melegueta Extract

Proximate and Mineral Composition of A Sorghum Stem Sheath Beverage (Poporo) Spiced with Aframomum melegueta Extract

Proximate and Mineral Composition of A Sorghum Stem Sheath Beverage (Poporo) Spiced with Aframomum melegueta Extract

Proximate and Mineral Composition of A Sorghum Stem Sheath Beverage (Poporo) Spiced with Aframomum melegueta Extract

Spasmolytic Effects of Aqueous Extract of Mixture from Aframomumum Melegueta (K Schum) – Citrus Aurantifolia (Christm and Panzer) on Isolated Trachea from Rat

The spasmolytic properties of the aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta (K Schum) and Citrus aurantifolia (Christm and Panzer) (AMCA) mixture were tested on isolated rat trachea. Inhibition of the contraction was observed the in presence of the AMCA (EC 50 = 1.80 ± 0.48 mg/mL) after a pre contraction of the trachea by acetylcholine (10⁻⁵ M). With propranolol (10⁻⁶ M), the spasmolytic activity of the mixture was inhibited and the concentration-response curve shifted to the right. The EC50 value was then 2.60 ± 0.41 mg/mL. AMCA also inhibited contraction induced by KCl (4.10⁻² M) with EC50 value = 1.86 ± 0.65 mg/mL. These results clearly show the relaxing effect of the aqueous extract on the isolated rat trachea. This effect involved some β-adrenergic receptor inhibition.

Pharmacological Evaluation of the Central Nervous System Activity of Aframomum melegueta Seed Extract in Mice

Objective: To study the effects of intraperitoneal injection of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) on the central nervous system (CNS) in mice. Materials and methods: The study sought to evaluate the effects of the extract on the general behaviour of the animals (Irwin test), on pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time, on methamphetamine-induced stereotyped behaviour, on motor coordination, and on convulsive seizures induced by isoniazid and picrotoxin. AM was tested at a dose range of 5-400 mg/kg. Results: AM (50-200 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease in spontaneous motor activity and also caused a dose-related prolongation of pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. At a dose range of 100-400 mg/kg, a significant inhibition of methamphetamine (35 mg/kg, i. p) induced stereotyped behaviour was observed. Furthermore, it offered a significant protection against convulsions induced by isoniazid (200 mg/kg, i.p). However, it failed to modify the convulsive action of picrotoxin (10 mg/kg, i.p) and did not cause any significant effect in the motor coordination of animals on the rota-rod machine. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that A. melegueta seed extract possesses central nervous system depressant activity.

Further Evaluation of the Anti–inflammatory Activity of &lt;i&gt;Aframomum Melegueta&lt;/i&gt; Seed Extract and its Possible Mechanism of Action

The anti–inflammatory effect of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) was further evaluated in the study. Sub–chronic inflammatory conditions were induced by 2% formaldehyde and 6% nystatin respectively. Whilst the Selye granuloma pouch technique utilizing carrageenin–induced exudate formation was used as model of chronic inflammation. The membrane stabilizing activity of AM was assessed using rat erythrocyte exposed to hypotonic solution. The results revealed that AM (50–200 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly (P A. melegueta may contribute to its anti–inflammatory action. KEY WORDS: Aframomum melegueta, seed, membrane stabilization, inhibition, sub–chronic, inflam-matory responses. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 35-39