Flueggea Virosa Research Articles

In Silico Screening of Phytocompounds from West African Traditional Medicine and Molecular Docking Targeting Dengue Virus Protein NS2B/NS3.

Traditional medicine offers a wide range of application for in silico study techniques. This drug research and development strategy is embryonic in the West African context, particularly in Burkina Faso, which is increasingly faced with emerging diseases such as dengue fever. Circulation of the 4 serotypes of this virus has been documented in the country. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of phytocompounds contained in the West African pharmacopoeia against dengue virus NS2B/NS3 protein, using computational methods integrating several software packages and databases. Based on a literature review, we identified 191 molecules from 30 plants known for their antiviral effects. Five met the inclusion criteria for molecular docking: patulin from calotropis procera, resiniferonol from Euphorbia poissonii, Securinol A from Flueggea virosa, Shikimic acid and Methyl gallate from Terminalia macroptera. The best binding scores were observed between resiniferonol and the serotypes 1, 2 and 4 NS2B/NS3 protease, with binding energies of -7.4 Kcal/mol, -6.8 Kcal/mol and -7.3 Kcal/mol respectively; while the NS2B/NS3 protease of serotype 3 had the best affinity for securinol A (-7 Kcal/mol). This study points the way to further research in computer aided drug design field and calls for multidisciplinary collaboration to promote West African medicinal plants against health challenges.

Chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation of Flueggea virosa (Phyllanthaceae)

Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle, an evergreen shrub and small tree in the Phyllanthaceae family, holds significant potential in garden landscaping and pharmacological applications. However, the lack of genomic data has hindered further scientific understanding of its horticultural and medicinal values. In this study, we have assembled a haplotype-resolved genome of F. virosa for the first time. The two haploid genomes, named haplotype A genome and haplotype B genome, are 487.33 Mb and 477.53 Mb in size, respectively, with contig N50 lengths of 31.45 Mb and 32.81 Mb. More than 99% of the assembled sequences were anchored to 13 pairs of pseudo-chromosomes. Furthermore, 21,587 and 21,533 protein-coding genes were predicted in haplotype A and haplotype B genomes, respectively. The availability of this chromosome-level genome fills the gap in genomic data for F. virosa and provides valuable resources for molecular studies of this species, supporting future research on speciation, functional genomics, and comparative genomics within the Phyllanthaceae family.

Interaction of norsecurinine-type monomeric and dimeric alkaloids with α-tubulin: a molecular docking study

Aim: New microtubule-targeting agents are needed to improve cancer treatment. The recent characterization of the anticancer alkaloid securinine as a tubulin-binding agent prompted us to explore the interaction of related monomeric and dimeric analogues with tubulin. The interaction between the α/β-tubulin dimer and alkaloids fluevirines A–F and flueggenines A–I, isolated from the bush Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle, was investigated using molecular docking. Methods: Two molecular models were initially compared for the binding of securinine to α/β-tubulin. The pironetin-binding site model (5FNV) was selected for the subsequent docking analysis with all compounds. Empirical energies of interaction (ΔE) were measured and compared. Results: Fluevirine A has been identified as a potent tubulin binder. This dimeric alkaloid formed more stable complexes with tubulin than the monomeric counterparts, such as fluevirines B–D. The bis-indole derivative fluevirine E also provided more stable complexes than (nor)securinine. The study was extended to the dimeric alkaloids flueggenines A–I and three compounds were identified as potential tubulin binders: the polycyclic product flueggenine B, the norsecurinine-indole hybrid flueggenine E, and the norsecurinine dimer flueggenine I. This later compound proved to be well adapted to fit into the pironetin site of tubulin, extending its two norsecurinine units between the colchicine-binding area and the pironetin site, in close proximity to the pironetin-reactive cysteine-316 residue. Structure-binding relationships were delineated. Conclusions: The study identifies the dimeric alkaloids fluevirine A and flueggenine I as potential α-tubulin binding agents. For the first time, dimeric alkaloids including two C-C connected norsecurinine units are characterized as tubulin ligands. The study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of Flueggea alkaloids and should help the design of anticancer analogues targeting the pironetin site of α-tubulin.

Interaction of Norsecurinine-Type Oligomeric Alkaloids with α-Tubulin: A Molecular Docking Study.

The medicinal plant Securinega virosa (Roxb ex. Willd) Baill., also known as Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle, is commonly used in traditional medicine in Africa and Asia for the management of diverse pathologies, such as parasite infections, diabetes, and gastrointestinal diseases. Numerous alkaloids have been isolated from the twigs and leaves of the plant, notably a variety of oligomeric indolizidine alkaloids derived from the monomers securinine and norsecurinine which both display anticancer properties. The recent discovery that securinine can bind to tubulin and inhibit microtubule assembly prompted us to investigate the potential binding of two series of alkaloids, fluevirosines A-H and fluevirosinine A-J, with the tubulin dimer by means of molecular modeling. These natural products are rare high-order alkaloids with tri-, tetra-, and pentameric norsecurinine motifs. Despite their large size (up to 2500 Å3), these alkaloids can bind easily to the large drug-binding cavity (about 4800 Å3) on α-tubulin facing the β-tubulin unit. The molecular docking analysis suggests that these hydrophobic macro-alkaloids can form stable complexes with α/β-tubulin. The tubulin-binding capacity varies depending on the alkaloid size and structure. Structure-binding relationships are discussed. The docking analysis identifies the trimer fluevirosine D, tetramer fluevirosinine D, and pentamer fluevirosinine H as the most interesting tubulin ligands in the series. This study is the first to propose a molecular target for these atypical oligomeric Securinega alkaloids.

Plant species from the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) family used for medicinal purposes in Zimbabwe: A review

The present review was aimed at documenting medicinal uses of species of the Euphorbiaceae family in Zimbabwe. Literature was collected from online databases such as BioMed Central, Web of Science, Springerlink, Google Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, Science Direct, ACS Publications, Scopus and JSTOR. This study showed that 29 species are used to manage human and animal diseases in Zimbabwe. These species are used against 49 medical conditions, mainly as ethnoveterinary medicine (21 use reports), and traditional medicine against respiratory (23 use reports), gastro-intestinal (14 use reports), male reproductive (11 use reports), antenatal and postpartum (10 use reports each) and sexually transmitted infections (9 use reports). Acalypha brachiata, Bridelia cathartica, B. mollis, Crotonmegalobotrys, Euphorbia ingens, E. matabelensis, Flueggea virosa, Monadenium lugardiae, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Ricinus communisand Spirostachys africanahave the highest number of medicinal uses. There is need to unravel the therapeutic potential of the family through further ethnopharmacological research.

Phytochemical screening and effects on spermatogenesis of extracts from leaves of Flueggea virosa (Roxb, ex Willd.) Royle and Heliotropium indicum L., two plants used against infertility in North of Ivory Cost

Male infertility constitutes a public health problem today in developing countries. But populations are faced with very high costs and difficult access to specialized centers in order to benefit from quality care. These obstacles lead couples in distress to turn to medicinal plants to treat possible causes of infertility. The aims of this study is to evaluated effects of Flueggea virosa and Heliotropium indicum, two plants from northern Ivory Coast on spermatogenesis in Wistar rats male. Aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts of the two plants leaves were first analysed through phytochemical screening by the staining and precipitation methods. Then effects of their two aqueous extracts were evaluated on spermatogenesis in Wistar rats. Each extract was administrated at concentration of 100 mg/kg body weight orally to test Wistar rats. A reference standard fertilizer product, Fertilo Forte Denk (FFD) was used at 5 mg/kg body weight as positive control to treat Wistar rats. After 30 and 60 days of treatment, mobility, viability, density and morphology of rat’s spermatozoa were evaluated by observation under an optical microscope. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, gallic tannins, catechic tannins, alkaloids and saponosides in all the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of F. virosa and H. indicum. For spermatogenesis effects in Wistar rats, the study highlights that aqueous extracts from leaves of F. virosa and H. indicum induce an increase in the number, an improvement of the mobility and viability of spermatozoa after 60 days of treatment. But this increase is more significant (P < 0.001) in rats treated with F. virosa compared to control and group treated with FFD. According to these results, aqueous extracts from F. virosa and H. indicum leaves improve quality of sperm in rats. These data might justify the use of these two plants in treatment of certain cases of male infertility.

Hepatoprotective Activity of <i>Flueggea virosa</i> Against d-Galactosamine Induced Liver Damage in Rats

Flueggea virosa belonging to the family Phyllanthaceae, commonly known as White berry bush was traditionally used for the treatment of rheumatism, sterility, and rashes, and an infusion of the root is taken to relieve malaria. The study was intended to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Flueggea virosa (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) against d-Galactosamine-induced liver damage in rats. Silymarin (100 mg/kg) was used as a reference drug. Blood samples were collected after 24 h for haematological and biochemical investigation before the rats were euthanized, and liver samples were taken for histopathology. Oral administration of the HEFV at a dose of 200 mg/kg displayed a significant hepatorenal protective effect against d-Galactosamine by lowering liver biomarkers (SGPT, SGOT, and ALP), kidney biomarker levels (urea and creatinine) and hematological parameters when compared with the disease control group. These findings were strongly supported by the histopathological results of liver sections with fewer pathological changes in comparison with the group treated by the standard drug silymarin and verified the protective effect of the plant extract. The LCMS report of the extract revealed the presence of hepatoprotective ingredients like Tocopherol, Fraxetin, Glaucine, Kaempferol, Methicillin, Capsaicin, and Austinol in the hydroethanolic extract of Flueggea virosa root. The results show that the selected dose of Flueggea virosa (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed dose-dependent hepatoprotective effects on d-Galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The protection of Flueggea virosa against d-Galactosamine-induced liver damage and restoration of biochemical values could result from the content of tocopherols and tetrahydroxy flavones.

Traditional Uses, Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of the Medicinal Plant Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle

The white berry bush, officially Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle is a medicinal plant distributed throughout tropical areas and traditionally used in Africa, India and China. Root decoctions are used to treat abdominal pain, whereas extracts from the aerial parts serve to treat liver and urinary diseases, inflammatory pathologies and diabetes, among other pathologies. Plant extracts have revealed antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antiepilepsy, antidiabetic, anticancer and analgesic effects. Three main categories of phytochemicals were isolated from F. virosa: polyphenols, with the lead product bergenin; terpenoids, such as the flueggenoids and related podocarpane-type diterpenoids; and many alkaloids derived from securinine and norsecurinine. A remarkable feature of S. virosa is the production of norsecurinine oligomers, including macromolecular tetramers and pentamers, such as fluevirosinines. The most potent anticancer alkaloid in the family is the dimeric indolizidine flueggine B, which was identified as a potential binder to α/β-tubulin dimer, which is a known target for securinine. This review highlights the diversity of phytochemicals identified from S. virosa and the potential therapeutic benefits of dimeric alkaloids. Studies are encouraged to further investigate the therapeutic properties of the lead compounds but also define and finesse the nutritional profile of the edible fruit.

The Potential of Cochlospermum tinctorium, Flueggea virosa, and Waltheria indica Traditional Plants From Burkina Faso in Treating Periodontitis: A Systematic Review.

Periodontitis is a chronic, infectious, and inflammatory oral disease with a high prevalence in developing countries, where limited access to modern dental care curtails its treatment. This review is dedicated to examining three indigenous botanical species frequently recommended by traditional therapists for the treatment of periodontal disease, namely, Cochlospermum tinctorium, Flueggea virosa, and Waltheria indica, with the aim of elucidating their chemical constituents and pharmacological properties that may support their empirical use. This review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines extension for scoping reviews. An electronic search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) up to July 2022. Out of 700 articles initially identified, only 11 were deemed eligible for inclusion; a substantial majority (80%) of these comprised in vitro studies. Among the trio of botanicals considered, Waltheria indica emerged as the most extensively investigated (65% of the studies). The administration of these plants was predominantly in the form of decoctions or macerations, with extraction methods employing alcoholic agents (ethanolic and methanolic), hydroalcoholic solutions, or aqueous solvents. The selected plants exhibited notable richness in polyphenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids, and demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, as indicated in 60% of the studies, along with antibacterial properties (against Streptococcus aureus and Helicobacter pylori). None of the studies reported antibacterial activity against periodontal pathogens. The pharmacological properties of these plants may hold promise for the management of oral inflammatory and infectious conditions. Nevertheless, further comprehensive investigations are imperative to establish their safety and efficacy for periodontitis treatment before conclusive recommendations can be formulated.

The In vitro biological activity testing of Vitex doniana bark extract anf Flueggea virosa root extract against Taenia solium metacestodes

Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm, is a foodborne parasite of global concern it affects more than fifty million people globally, with more than 80% of these being in the developing world. Infection of the brain with larval stages (metacestodes) leads to neurocysticercosis, a leading cause of epilepsy in endemic areas of the world where pig rearing is common. People in pig-rearing communities rely on local herbs for their primary health care. Exploring the use of these herbs as anthelmintics will give insights into the biological activity of locally available herbs and open up avenues for more research on local herbs. This study aimed to determine the in-vitro anthelminthic activity of locally used anti-parasitic herbs, namely Vitex doniana bark extract and Flueggea virosa root extract against T. solium metacestodes. An experimental in-vitro study using intact T. solium metacestodes with full bladder walls was conducted to check for the cytocidal activity of the locally available herbs of V. doniana bark extract and F. virosa outer root cover extract. Non-evagination of metacestodes at incubation post-treatment was used as an indicator of the extract's activity against the metacestode. Treatment with praziquantel was used as a positive control. The herbs (V. doniana and F. virosa) and drug extracts (Praziquantel) were tested in five different concentrations. Vitex doniana at a concentration of 50μg/ ml resulted in an evagination of 64%, while F. virosa had 52% at the same concentration. Vitex doniana and F. virosa showed a dose-dependent response: the higher the dose, the higher the biological activity. This study showed an association between T. solium metacestodes' response to V. doniana and praziquantel (Chi-square = 29.63 versus tabulated value 3.84), indicating that there was an association between exposure of metacestodes to the treatment of V. doniana and Praziquantel. The same was observed with F. virosa and praziquantel (Chi-square = 42.28). Vitex doniana showed more biological activity than F. virosa, but both had at least biological activities above 50%. This shows that both herbs have the potential to be anthelmintics against T. solium metacestodes and are recommended to be explored further in animal models for activity against the adult tapeworm.

Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of the Anti-Sickle Cell Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Two Medicinal Plants from Niger: Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle and Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth.

Sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary blood disorder that attacks the red blood cells and deforms them, giving them a sickle shape. Sickle cell anaemia is a serious health problem in the West African country of Niger. Moreover, the cost associated with medical care is very high. The main objective of this study is to contribute to the valorisation of Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle (aerial part), Kigelia africana (lam), and Benth (leaves) from Niger were used to treat sickle cell disease using aqueous and ethanolic extracts of phytochemical compounds. To achieve this objective, the evaluation of anti-sickle cell activity was carried out in vitro using the Emmel technique through the normalisation rate. The analyses showed that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts contained various classes of bioactive substances known for their valuable biological activities. The chemical composition rich in bioactive compounds led to very good results in biological assays. Thus, from a dose of 0.05 mg/mL, the ethanolic extracts of the two plants normalised up to 75% of the sickle cells. As the rate of normalisation was shown to be dose-dependent, at a dose of 10 mg/mL, the ethanolic extracts showed the best rates of sickle cell normalisation, with 95% for F. virosa and 93% for K. africana. Phytochemical screening was used to correlate the secondary metabolite and anti-sickle cell activities of the extracts from the two plants. These results may justify the use of these two species in traditional medicine for the treatment of sickle cell disease in Niger. The inclusion of these plants in phytomedicines could provide significant relief to people suffering from sickle cell disease.

A Review of the Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Genus Flueggea

Abstract: The genus Flueggea Willd. belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is widely distributed in Asia, South America, Oceania, and Europe, with sixteen species. Several species, such as Flueggea suffruticosa and Flueggea virosa, have been used as traditional medicines in Southeast Asia and Africa for a long time for their good medicinal effects in treating rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic injury, gastrointestinal disease etc. The characteristic chemical constituents of this genus are alkaloids and diterpenoids, which show antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antitumor, antibacterial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activities. This review summarizes the traditional medicinal values, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of the genus Flueggea to provide a useful reference for the follow-up research and application of the genus.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants traditionally used against erectile dysfunction in Tabora region, Tanzania

Background: Globally, erectile dysfunction (ED) is a public health concern that upsets men's psychosocial well-being. Despite using indigenous knowledge to manage various disorders in Tanzania, there is a lack of data on the medicinal plants (MPs) used to manage ED. Therefore, this study was aimed at documenting MPs traditionally used by traditional healers (THs) to manage ED in Tabora region, Tanzania. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted from June to October 2020. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 38 THs in 9 wards, explicitly asking about MPs used against ED, parts used, methods of preparation, and routes of administration. The collected information was analyzed by computing percentage frequencies and familiarity index. Results: Thirty-four plant species belonging to 21 families and 32 genera were documented to be used to manage ED. Family Fabaceae (26%) dominated the species used in the treatments. Abrus precatorius L. (59%), Senegalia senegal (L.) Wild., Ricinus communis L. (with 57% each), Coffea arabica L., and Flueggea virosa (Willd.) Voigt. (56% each) were the most cited MPs. Tree (52%) and root (60%) were the most utilized growth form and plant part, respectively. Decoction (34%) and oral (97%) were the most used methods of preparing and administering the remedies, respectively. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the region has diverse MPs for treating ED. Most MPs used by THs to treat ED are yet to be tested; thus, further research is required to authenticate the efficacy of the herbal remedies and to formulate low-cost contemporary drugs. Keywords: Ethnomedicine, herbal remedies, impotence, Traditional medicine, Tanzania

Plant Diversity and Quantitative Characteristics Of Wetland Community on the North Bank of Hanjiang River in Cheng GU, Shaanxi Province, China

Four water ecological surveys were carried out on the north bank of Hanjiang river in two seasons from 2020 to 2021. Based on the field wetland quadrat survey and literature data, the species diversity index was determined. The research showed that there are 360 species of wetland plants belonging to 108 families and 264 genera on the north bank of Hanjiang river, and the geographical composition of seed plants is at the genus level, mainly temperate distribution types, with 160 species. In the community species diversity index, the mean value of Patrick index was 18.80 ± 5.19. The mean Shannon Wiener diversity index was 2.15 ± 0.39. The mean value of Simpson dominance index was 0.81 ± 0.10. The average Pielou evenness index was 0.75 ± 0.10. The mean value of Margalef index was 3.44 ± 0.87. The Patrick index and Margalef index of the Bidens pilosa form were the lowest. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index，the Simpson index，and the Pielou index of the Potamogeton malaianus form were the lowest. The Patrick index of the Colocasia esculenta form was the highest,and the Pielou of the Sapium sebiferum form was the highest. The Shannon- Wiener diversity index and Simpson index of the Populus canadensis form group were the highest, and the Margalef index of the Flueggea virosa form was the highest. The research results provide basic data and scientific basis for the protection and restoration of wetland ecosystems and management of wetland resources in Yuan'an and similar areas. Bangladesh J. Bot. 51(4): 839-848, 2022 (December) Special

Protective Effect Of Hydro-Ethanolic Extract Of Bushweed Flueggea Virosa On Renal Damage In Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemia In Rat

Aim: To study the effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Flueggea virosa on Streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in rats with respect to kidney function parameters and histology.
 Methods: 
 Daily single oral doses of Flueggea virosa extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) and the anti-diabetic drug Metformin (500 mg/kg) were administered for 21 days to three groups of rats rendered diabetic by a single injection of Streptozotocin (60mg/kg). The body weight and blood glucose levels were recorded every 7th day. On the 21st day, the rats were euthanized and blood collected for testing kidney functions.
 Results: Treatment of Flueggea virosa extract and metformin significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels, blood urea, creatinine, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen and increased the levels of total protein. Histological studies showed metformin and hydro-ethanolic extract of Flueggea virosa retard the onset of glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion, tubular dilation, collagen fiber deposition and inflammatory cells accumulation. Thus indicated delayed effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of Flueggea virosa on progression of diabetic nephropathy. 
 Conclusion: Rats rendered diabetic by Streptozotocin, were administered hydro-ethanolic extract of Flueggea virosa (200 mg/kg) and metformin. These treatments reduced hyperglycemia and progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Polyoxygenated Terpenoids and Polyketides from the Roots of Flueggea virosa and Their Inhibitory Effect against SARS-CoV-2-Induced Inflammation

Six new polyoxygenated terpenoids, podovirosanes A-F (1-6), and two known polyketides (7 and 8) were isolated from the roots of F. virosa. Their structures, along with absolute configurations, were deduced using spectroscopic analysis as well as computational calculations, including TDDFT calculation of ECD spectra and GIAO NMR calculations combined with DP4+ probability analysis. Compounds 2, 3, 5, and 8 were found to reduce the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 in SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus-stimulated PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells.

Gathering scientific evidence for a new bioactive natural ingredient: The combination between chemical profiles and biological activities of Flueggea virosa extracts

Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle is a plant with several traditional uses in tropical countries. To study the potential usefulness, extracts from stem barks and leaves of F. virosa were obtained with different solvents. The phytochemical composition was assessed using LC-MS and NMR. Triterpenes, as oleanolic (0.05–88.09 mg/g extract), and ursolic (0.03–94.36 mg/g extract) acids were determined. In addition, ellagic and gallic acid derivatives were present in large concentrations in some of the extracts. Antioxidant (radical scavenging, reduction ability, and metal chelating) and enzyme inhibitory (cholinesterase, tyrosinase, amylase, and glucosidase) effects were assessed by in vitro chemical assays. The methanol extracts and infusions from both parts show higher antioxidant ability when compared with ethyl acetate extracts, and the antioxidant capacity was correlated with the total phenolic contents of the tested extracts. The extracts demonstrate enzyme inhibitory abilities on AChE and BChE, and multivariate approaches allowed for correlating the activities with the presence of triterpenoids (R > 0.8). Furthermore, molecular docking was used to get insights into the interactions between the triterpenoids and the tested enzymes. Together, these results indicate that F. virosa represents a significant source of naturally-occurring bioactive compounds that can be exploited as a new ingredient for the development of novel functional products with promising biological properties.

Chemical Constituents of the Leaves and Twigs of Flueggea virosa

Chemical Constituents of the Leaves and Twigs of Flueggea virosa

Ethnobotanical Survey on Medicinal Plants Used in Burkina Faso in the Treatment of Breast Cancer, Phytochemistry and Antioxidant Activities: Euphorbia poissonii Pax and Flueggea virosa (Willd.) Voigt. (Euphorbiaceae)

This study presents an ethnobotanical survey, a quantification of polyphenols and antioxidant activities on medicinal plants used in the treatment of breast cancer in the cities of Bobo-Dioulasso and Fada N'Gourma conducted among traditional practitioners. For this purpose, after the survey analyses, Euphorbia poissonii Pax (Euphorbiaceae) and Flueggea virosa (Willd.) Voigt. (Euphorbiaceae) were chosen. A methanolic extraction with soxhlet was performed on these plants. Then, the quantification of phenolic compounds was done by spectrophotometric method with Folin Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride respectively. Likewise, the antioxidant activity was evaluated by three methods (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP). A total of 103 traditional practitioners were surveyed and 47 species divided into 27 families were obtained. Among the total extracts, the leaves of Flueggea virosa gave the highest content of total phenolics (52.05 ±1.49 mg EAG/100mg extract) and the root gave the highest content of flavonoids (3.30 ±0.32 EQ/100mg extract). The best antioxidant activity was observed at the ABTS method with best results obtained for the total extracts of Flueggea virosa (8413.78±110.16 μmol EAA/g). The results of the different phytochemical and antioxidant activities could partially justify the traditional use of these plants in the management of breast cancer patients.

Comparative Chloroplast Genomics in Phyllanthaceae Species

Family Phyllanthaceae belongs to the eudicot order Malpighiales, and its species are herbs, shrubs, and trees that are mostly distributed in tropical regions. Here, we elucidate the molecular evolution of the chloroplast genome in Phyllanthaceae and identify the polymorphic loci for phylogenetic inference. We de novo assembled the chloroplast genomes of three Phyllanthaceae species, i.e., Phyllanthus emblica, Flueggea virosa, and Leptopus cordifolius, and compared them with six other previously reported genomes. All species comprised two inverted repeat regions (size range 23,921–27,128 bp) that separated large single-copy (83,627–89,932 bp) and small single-copy (17,424–19,441 bp) regions. Chloroplast genomes contained 111–112 unique genes, including 77–78 protein-coding, 30 tRNAs, and 4 rRNAs. The deletion/pseudogenization of rps16 genes was found in only two species. High variability was seen in the number of oligonucleotide repeats, while guanine-cytosine contents, codon usage, amino acid frequency, simple sequence repeats, synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions, and transition and transversion substitutions were similar. The transition substitutions were higher in coding sequences than in non-coding sequences. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the polyphyletic nature of the genus Phyllanthus. The polymorphic protein-coding genes, including rpl22, ycf1, matK, ndhF, and rps15, were also determined, which may be helpful for reconstructing the high-resolution phylogenetic tree of the family Phyllanthaceae. Overall, the study provides insight into the chloroplast genome evolution in Phyllanthaceae.