Ficus Asperifolia Research Articles

High fat diet-induced estrus cycle disruption: effects of Ficus asperifolia.

Ficus asperifolia (L) Hook. Ex Miq (Moraceae) fruits are used in Cameroonian traditional medicine to cure some cases of infertility in women. This study determines the mechanism of alleviating effect of the plant extracts on rat infertility induced by a high fat diet (HFD). Obesity was reached by feeding female rats with a HFD for 10 weeks. Vaginal smear was observed daily for 3 weeks after animals were obese. Then, 70 animals with abnormal estrus cyclicity were selected and partitioned into two sets of 35 animals. Each set was further divided into seven groups of five rats. These obese rats with disrupted estrus cyclicity were orally administered the aqueous and methanolic extracts (100 and 500 mg/kg), distilled water (10 mL/kg), 5% Tween 80 (10 mL/kg) or lutenyl (0.8 µg/kg) once a day for 1 week (set I) or 4 weeks (set II). Estrus cyclicity, body weight gain, hematocrit, lipid profile, ovarian, uterine and hepatic growth indices were determined at the end of each treatment. HFD increased the body weight of the animals by 27% and disrupted the estrus cyclicity by 98.44%. Aqueous extract (100 mg/kg) of F. asperifolia given for 1 week corrected 40% of the irregular estrus cycle and this percentage increased to 80% as the treatment progressed to 4 weeks. F. asperifolia-treated obese rats (mostly with the aqueous extract at 100 mg/kg) showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) in the total plasma cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level and a significant increase (p<0.001) in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. F. asperifolia has bioactive agents that may maintain conducive conditions for reproduction in obese female rats. Our data support the anecdotal claims of F. asperifolia in folk medicine to cure some cases of infertility in women.

Assessment of antioxidant activity of Ficus asperifolia Miq aqueous extract - In vitro studies

Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting and scavenging free radicals, thus providing protection to human against degenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro antioxidant activity of Ficus asperifolia aqueous extract. In this study, the free radical scavenging potential of a aqueous extract of the leaves of Ficus asperifolia was assessed by measuring its capability for scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical (OH), nitric oxide radicals (NO), iron chelation as well as its reductive ability. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The aqueous extract of Ficus asperifolia had a DPPH scavenging activity of 78.65 ±1.15% at 5 mg/ml and a reductive potential of 44.05 ± 0.05 mm.AAE/g at 5 mg/ml. The plant extract yielded 69.20 ± 0.00 mg garlic acid equivalents phenolic content and 39.90 ± 0.00 mg rutin equivalents flavonoid content. The observed antioxidant potentials and phenolic content of the extract suggest that an aqueous extract of Ficus asperifolia leaves is a potential source of natural antioxidants and may be responsible for its popular and wide traditional use.

Hepatotoxic and Antidiabetic Potentials of Aqeuous Bark Extracts of Ficus asperifolia on Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Hepatotoxic and Antidiabetic Potentials of Aqeuous Bark Extracts of Ficus asperifolia on Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activities of Some Antioxidant-Rich Cameroonian Medicinal Plants

Traditional remedies have a long-standing history in Cameroon and continue to provide useful and applicable tools for treating ailments. Here, the anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of ten antioxidant-rich Cameroonian medicinal plants and of some of their isolated compounds are evaluated.The plant extracts were prepared by maceration in organic solvents. Fractionation of plant extract was performed by column chromatography and the structures of isolated compounds (emodin, 3-geranyloxyemodin, 2-geranylemodin) were confirmed spectroscopically. The antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) bleaching method, the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and the hemoglobin ascorbate peroxidase activity inhibition (HAPX) assays. The anticancer activity was evaluated against A431 squamous epidermal carcinoma, WM35 melanoma, A2780 ovary carcinoma and cisplatin-resistant A2780cis cells, using a direct colorimetric assay. The total phenolic content in the extracts was determined spectrophotometrically by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Rumex abyssinicus showed the best AOA among the three assays employed. The AOA of emodin was significantly higher than that of 3-geranyloxyemodin and 2-geranylemodin for both TEAC and HAPX methods. The lowest IC50 values (i.e., highest cytotoxicity) were found for the extracts of Vismia laurentii, Psorospermum febrifugum, Pentadesma butyracea and Ficus asperifolia. The Ficus asperifolia and Psorospermum febrifugum extracts are selective against A2780cis ovary cells, a cell line which is resistant to the standard anticancer drug cisplatin. Emodin is more toxic compared to the whole extract, 3-geranyloxyemodin and 2-geranylemodin. Its selectivity against the platinum-resistant A2780cis cell line is highest. All of the extracts display antimicrobial activity, in some cases comparable to that of gentamycin.

Effects of Ficus asperifolia on normal rat estrus cyclicity

ObjectiveTo evaluate Ficus asperifolia (Moraceae) (F. asperifolia) effecting on regular estrus cycle of Wistar rats. MethodsAir-dried fruits of F. asperifolia were extracted using water. Prior to the test, vaginal smear was monitored daily for a 3-week period to select females with normal (regular) estrous cycle. Those with regular estrus cycle weighing between 150-170 g were randomized into three sets of 15 animals each. Each set was then divided into three groups: Group 1 (control) was orally administered with distilled water (10 mL/kg body weight) once a day for 1 week starting from the proestrus stage. Groups 2 and 3 were respectively treated with 100 and 500 mg/kg body weight of the plant aqueous extract. The two other sets of 15 animals each were similarly treated as the first set for 3 weeks and 6 weeks respectively. Estrus cycle pattern was monitored before and during plant extract application whereas lipid profile, ovary, uterus and liver growth indices were determined at the end of each treatment. ResultsF. asperifolia did not disrupt (0%) the order of appearance of normal estrus cycle stages, namely, proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus. Short-term treatment (1 week duration) exhibited high frequency of appearance of proestrus and estrus stages while mid-(3 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks) treatments revealed constancy in the frequency of all stages irrespective to animal groups. The plasma and organ lipid profile, as well as ovary, uterus and liver growth remained unchanged when compared to distilled water-treated animals. Following long-term administration of plant extract (6 weeks), no adverse effect was noticed. ConclusionsOur data partially support the use of F. asperifolia in common medicine.

Factors affecting the dynamics of tree diversity in agroforestry parklands of cereal and cotton farming systems in Burkina Faso

Despite their socio-economic and ecological role, many studies have shown that the parklands are degrading very rapidly. Therefore, there is a need to undertake restoration actions for both production and environmental services. To do so, there is a need to identify factors that are affecting the dynamics of parkland systems. The present study aimed at characterizing and quantifying tree diversity of parkland systems taking into consideration the household’s wealth status, land uses, market access and the type of farming system (cereal based on the “Plateau Central” and cotton based in “Boucle du Mouhoun”). Six villages (Kienfangue, Ipelce, and Kuizili with easy access to the market and, Karang-Tanghin, Nionsna and Targho with poor access to the market) in the “Plateau Central” and six villages (Bondoukuy, Ouahabou and Yaho with easy access to the market and, Dora, Fakena and Mamou with poor access to the market) in “Boucle du Mouhoun” were studied. In each village, the Participatory Analysis of Poverty and Livelihood Dynamics method was used by rural farmers to rank farmer households of their communities and that gave three groups of wealth status that are poor, fairly well-off and well-off. Five households representing each of the three wealth groups in each village, giving a total of 15 households per village, were randomly selected by wealth group. Tree/shrub inventories were conducted in all land use types (house fields, village fields and bush fields) of the 180 selected households for the 12 studied sites. The number of species in the different land use types ranged from 96 to 102, but the majority of species were represented by less than 10 individuals. This indicates the selection effect made by the farmers to the parklands. Land use and farming system showed a clear effect on tree diversity in parklands. The effect of accessibility to market was evident in some cases whereas wealth status did not show any effect. Despite the statistical significant effect of farming system and land use type, the ANOVA models accounted for relatively little variation, indicating that other factors may contribute to tree diversity in parkland systems. The most threatened species were Adansonia digitata, Afzelia africana, Bombax costatum,Celtis integrifolia,Ficus asperifolia, Ficus iteophylla, Lannea velutina, and Parkia biglobosa. These species were represented in the largest diameter class (≥80 cm) or showed very few individuals in the different diameter classes. Due to the increasing degradation of the parklands, a domestication and conservation strategy of key threatened species needs to be developed and implemented with the participation of local communities.

Vitamins and effect of blanching on nutritional and anti- nutritional values of non-conventional leafy vegetables

The leaves of 14 non-conventional vegetables consumed by rural populace in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria were assessed for vitamin and effect of blanching on their nutrients and anti-nutrients content. Ficus asperifolia has the highest level of vitamins followed by Adansonia digitata. These values are higher compared to those of some common Nigerian vegetables. Data obtained for proximate composition showed that the leaves have high carbohydrate, crude protein and crude fiber. The anti-nutritional factors were analyzed; oxalate, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), tannin, alkanoids and phytate, in the vegetables were lower than the range of values reported for most vegetables. Results after blanching showed that, vitamin content, nutrient composition and anti-nutrients decrease. Though the anti-nutrients decrease as a result of blanching, the leaves are best used in diet preparation before blanching as the anti-nutrient content of the leaves before the blanching are below the established toxic level. Key words: Vitamin, nutritional, anti-nutritional, non-conventional, vegetable.

Nutritional status of non-conventional leafy vegetables, Ficus asperifolia and Ficus sycomorus

Ficus asperifolia and Ficus sycomorus leaves were assessed to determine proximate nutrient content, mineral and amino acid composition and antinutritional factors. Results obtained for proximate composition showed protein content of 20.27 ± 0.17 and 17.24 ± 0.71% for F. asperifolia and F. sycomorus, respectively. Compared to some of Nigeria vegetables, these values are higher. Both the leaves of the plants have high percentage of crude fibre (28.68 ± 0.57 and 31.54 ± 0.11%). Moisture, ash, lipid and carbohydrate contents were within the range expected for dry leaf vegetable. The mineral content of the leaves showed that F. asperifolia had higher mineral content except for copper which is lower (1.45 ± 0.61 for F. asperifolia and 1.50 ± 0.51 for F. sycomorus). All the essential amino acids were found present in the leaves in varying proportions in the protein of both vegetables. The antinutrients analyzed include oxalate, tannin, saponin, phytate, alkaloids and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Results of the antinutrients (oxalate, tannin, saponin phytate, alkaloids and HCN) showed that they are below the extablished toxic levels. This study therefore, revealed that F. asperifolia and F. sycomorus can serve as good sources of nutrients and minerals where cultivated leaves are scarce or out of season. Key words: Ficus asperifolia, Ficus sycomorus, amino acid, nutrient, mineral, antinutrient, vegetables.

Reproductive effects of Ficus asperifolia (Moraceae) in female rats.

The reproductive effects of Ficus asperifolia in female rats were investigated in the present study. Sperm-positive adult female rats were orally administered (P.O.) either the aqueous and methanol extracts of Ficus asperifolia (100 and 500mg/kg), distilled water (10ml/kg) or 5%Tween 80 (10ml/kg) for seven days. On day 10 of pregnancy, the implantation sites were recorded. In the fertility study, adult female rats received the same test substances for 21 days and, the fertility index and litter size determined. In the uterotrophic test, normal and ovariectomized immature rats were treated for seven days with the dry extract of Ficus asperifolia (100 and 500mg/kg) in the absence and presence of 17ȃ-estradiol benzoate 1µg/animal/day, s.c. On day 8, the uterine growth index was measured. Results of the study showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the implantation sites and litter size of animals receiving 100mg/kg of the aqueous extract of Ficus asperifolia. In the estrogenic assay, normal immature rats were sensitive to the treatment with Ficus asperifolia than the ovariectomized ones. Our results give added scientific support to the popular use of Ficus asperifolia in the treatment of some cases of women's sterility/infertility related problems.

Antibacterial, antioxidant and fibroblast growth stimulation of aqueous extracts of Ficus asperifolia Miq. and Gossypium arboreum L., wound-healing plants of Ghana

Aim of the study Use of in vitro tests to search for relevant activities in bark of Ficus asperifolia Miq. and leaves of Gossypium arboreum L., used in Ghana for wound healing. Materials and methods Aqueous extracts of the relevant parts of the two species were tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus flavus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus SA1199B, RN4220 and XU212. The effects of the plants on fibroblast growth stimulation as well as antioxidant protective effect against hydrogen peroxide induced damage in the same cell line were also studied. Results The extracts of Gossypium arboreum and Ficus asperifolia had weak antibacterial action against all bacteria tested. The extracts of the two plants had significant ( p < 0.001) effects on the growth of human dermal fibroblast at 50 μg/ml and lower. They also significantly protected fibroblast cells against oxidative damage at doses up to 50 μg/ml. Gossypium arboreum leaf extract displayed the higher activity. Conclusion The stimulatory effect on fibroblast growth and protection against peroxide-induced oxidative damage give some support to the traditional use of these two plants as wound-healing agents.

The evaluation of selected ghanaian medicinal plants for cytotoxic activites

Cancer is still responsible for many deaths worldwide. Therefore, the need for an effective management, treatment and cure of cancer is undoubtedly crucial. In Ghana, several plants or herbal products are used by traditional healers for the management and/or the treatment of various cancers. However, the efficacies of these plant products as anticancer agents are often ill defined. In this study, the methanolic extracts of ten plant species were evaluated for cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines, DLD- 1, MCF-7 and M14, using the MTT assay. Extracts of Adenia lobata root, Clerodendrum capitatum leaves, Garcinia kola stem bark, Plumbago zeylanica leaves and Vernonia conferta root, showed relatively low cytotoxic activities while extracts of Ficus asperifolia leaves, Paullinia pinnata root and Thonningia sanguinea root exhibited moderate activity (IC50 values 40 – 55&#956;g/ml against at least one of the three cell lines). Croton membranaceus root extract exhibited markedly higher cytotoxic activities, particularly against the DLD-1 and MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 16.0 and 17.4&#956;g/ml respectively), while Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides bark extract was 2-3 fold more active against DLD-1 cells (IC50 = 16&#956;g/ml), than against the other cell lines. These results lend some support for the use of these species in traditional medicines for the treatment of cancer, especially for C. membranaceus and Z. xanthoxyloides.Journal of Science & Technology (Ghana) Vol. 27 (2) 2007: pp. 16-22

Some Nigerian plants of dermatologic importance

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the world's population uses medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases and, in African countries, this rate is much higher. In recent years, however, medicinal plants have represented a primary health source for the pharmaceutical industry. No less than 400 compounds derived from plants are currently used in the preparation of drugs, such as vincristine and vinblastine used in the treatment of cancer. Nigerians still depend largely on crude herbal remedies or traditional medicine. They also use wild plants for cosmetics and perfumery. Some of these herbal remedies have been observed to be effective in certain skin diseases. The data were obtained from history questionnaires completed by patients at the Dermatology Clinic, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, and from oral interviews with vendors and prescribers of herbal preparations at major markets at Lagos and Ijebu-Ode in south-west Nigeria, between July 2004 and July 2006. Photographs of plants were taken at private residences at Lagos, Ibadan, and Ijebu-Ode in south-west Nigeria. A literature search was conducted on 38 of the plants. The data are presented in tabular form. Sixty-five per cent of patients had applied some form of herbal remedy before attending our clinic. The reasons for consultation included relapses, unsustained relief, incomplete resolution, and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Lesions for which herbs were successfully applied included infantile eczema and seborrhoiec dermatitis, atopic eczema, impetigo, impetiginized eczema, tinea capitis, scabies, erythema multiforme, leg ulcers, localized vitiligo, and sexually transmitted diseases. Partial relief was achieved in dermatophytoses, ichthyosis, leprosy, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Some forms of alopecia, onychomycosis, and vitiligo, as well as allergic dermatoses, were not improved by herbal medicines. The preparation of the remedies was mostly by heating and boiling, infusion, and maceration. In most cases, mixtures of plants or other substances were used. The preparations were applied as poultices, ointments, baths, soaks and soaps, and oral fluids. The plants used included Adansonia digitata, Aframomum melegueta, Aloe species, Azadirachta indica, Cassia alata, Alstonia boonei, Ficus asperifolia, Cocos nucifera, Jatropha gossypyfolia, Ocimum gratissimum, Ricinus communis. A literature search on 38 of the plants used by herbal prescribers revealed the presence of established antimicrobial agents, immune modulating agents, antioxidants, other vitamins and minerals, volatile oils and emollients, and anti-inflammatory agents. Some of the plants may be contaminated by mycotoxins because of poor storage. There appears to be clinical, scientific, and pharmacologic basis for the use of herbal preparations. Nigeria needs to provide effective coordination of the practice of herbal medicine to ensure safety, standardization, and preservation of the flora.

Leaf Processing by Wild Chimpanzees: Physically Defended Leaves Reveal Complex Manual Skills

AbstractThe manual processing of eight species of leaf was investigated in the M‐group chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania. Leaf species varied in the extent to which physical defences made consumption difficult. In all, 96 distinct techniques for leaf processing were identified, but two species with defended leaves (Ficus asperifolia and F. exasperata) required 2.5 as many techniques as did any of the six undefended species. Moreover, chimpanzees made more multiple leaf detachments, and made more subsequent modifications of the leaves, when dealing with the leaves of these two Ficus species, compared with the undefended leaf species. This greater complexity was associated with evidence of flexible, hierarchical organization of the process: iteration of modules consisting of several processing elements, facultative omission of modules, or substitutions of alternative modules. Comparison with data from mountain gorillas is made, and is consistent with similar cognitive architecture in the two species. We consider that, not only is hierarchical organization currently associated with mechanical difficulty in food processing, but that over evolutionary time‐scales difficulties in food processing may have selected for cognitive advance.