Millettia Thonningii Research Articles

Anticancer activities of isoflavones from the Millettia thonningii plant and their synthetic derivatives

Anticancer activities of isoflavones from the Millettia thonningii plant and their synthetic derivatives

The effects of feeding dried browse leaves on rumen ammonia levels, methanogens and protozoa amplification of sheep in the Coastal Savannah of Ghana

Tanniferous browse leaves are reported to inhibit methanogens and protozoa activity in the rumen, thus contributing to a reduction of methane emission. This study evaluated the influence of feeding dried browse leaves to sheep on rumen ammonia concentration, the base pair at which protozoa and methanogens were amplified and double stranded DNA concentration (dsDNA) from rumen fluid and faeces. The eight treatments were urea treated rice straw, Albizzia lebbek (AL), Moringa oleifera (MO), Millettia thonningii (MT), AL + MO, AL + MT, AL + MO + MT and MO + MT. After feeding 32 ram lambs for 3months, one ram lamb on each of the eight experimental diets was randomly selected and slaughtered to obtain rumen fluid. Genomic DNAs were extracted from methanogen and protozoa strains obtained from rumen liquor and from faecal matter of sheep. Rumen ammonia was determined using spectrophotometer. Methanogens and protozoa from rumen fluid and faeces were amplified at 1100 base pair, 200-1100 base pair, 320-1100 base pair and 200-750 base pair respectively. Rumen ammonia concentration, dsDNA from rumen fluid and faeces ranged from 14.51 to 23.01mg/dl, 65 to 900µg/ml and 100 to 950µg/g respectively. The rumen ammonia concentration met the requirements for efficient growth of microbes. The presence of methanogens and protozoa in the rumen fluid and in the faeces indicated that dried browse diets were able to inhibit the growth of both protozoa and methanogens in the rumen by eliminating them, and thus, were excreted in the faeces. Hence, feeding of dried browse leaves can contribute to lower methane emission.

Chemical Regeneration of A Dye-Laden Activated Carbon: Optimization via The Box-Behnken Experimental Design

Activated carbon is widely used as an adsorbent to remove numerous pollutants from water and wastewater. The cost-effectiveness of an adsorbent depends upon its ability to be reused. This study focuses on regenerating Millettia thonningii seed pods' activated carbon (MAC) saturated with Methylene Blue (MB) using acetic acid as a regenerating solvent and exploring its potential to be reused. The effects of the variables such as, the concentration of the regenerating solvent, contact time, and volume of regenerating solvent on the regeneration process were ascertained using the Box-Behnken experimental design, which is a sub-set of Response Surface Methodology. The regeneration process was evaluated based on the desorption capacity of the active carbon. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterize the surface of the saturated active carbon before and after regeneration. Results revealed that the concentration of the regenerating solvent had the most significant synergistic effect on the regeneration process. The optimum conditions for the maximum regeneration of the spent activated carbon within the range of the variables studied were found to be: 8M acetic acid, 100 min, and 40 mL of acetic acid. The regenerated and pristine MAC when reused to adsorb fresh MB solutions (50 ml of 10mg/L MB: 0.2g adsorbent) had an adsorption capacity of 2.1912mg/g and 2.0977mg/g for MB respectively. Hence, the regenerated carbon outperformed the pristine active carbon. It could therefore be explored further as a recyclable adsorbent for wastewater treatment.

Essential Oil Characterization and Biological Activities of Millettia thonningii (Schumach. & Thonn.) Baker Leaf, Stem and Root

Millettia thonningii has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat pains, pathogenic diseases, and radical-induced aliments. Essential oils (EOs) are a source of bioactive compounds, and their potential application as an alternative to synthetic products in the treatment of infectious diseases and oxidative stress has been validated. Leaf, stem and root EOs of M. thonningii were obtained by hydro-distillation and characterized by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical while antibacterial activity was assessed using agar well diffusion and broth micro-dilution techniques. EOs yields obtained were 0.18, 0.20 and 0.27% for the leaf, stem and root, respectively. Seventeen (leaf), twenty-two (stem) and fifteen (root) compounds were identified in EOs representing 96.3, 98.2 and 91.0% of the whole composition, respectively. Two major constituents in leaf essential oil (EO) were β-atlantol (23.6%) and β-caryophyllene (22.7%); β-caryophyllene (54.3%) was the most abundant in stem EO followed by caryophyllene oxide (11.4%) and α-humulene (7.2%) while epicedrol (57.1%) was the major compound in the EO followed by cedrol (10.6%) and β-cedrene (9.8%). α-Humulene, caryophyllene oxide, cedrol and isolongifolen-9-one were common in the three parts. Stem EO showed the highest antioxidant activity among others (IC50 = 259.76 µL/mL). However, the leaf, stem and root EO showed strong inhibition on the growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Streptococcus pneumoniae (14.0 - 20.0 mm and 5 - 20 µL/mL). This research further justified the ethnomedicinal uses of M. thonningii against pathogenic disorders and radical-induced aliments.

Effects of selected medicinal plant extracts on mitochondrial function

Abstract. Achampong AS, Ocloo A, Appiah-Opong R. 2018. Effects of selected medicinal plant extracts on mitochondrial function. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 16: 1-13. Mitochondria are organelles that produce approximately 90% of the energy required by the eukaryotic cell through oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondria also play vital roles in other metabolic processes in the cell. Mitochondria have unique features that make them sensitive to some xenobiotics. Thus, they serve as primary or secondary targets for these xenobiotics. Medicinal plants are the source of phytochemicals which also have the potential to regulate mitochondrial function. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effects of these medicinal plants, especially those in Ghana, on mitochondrial function. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of Taraxacum officinale, Morinda citrifolia, and Millettia thonningii on mitochondrial function. The antioxidant properties, phenolic content, and phytochemicals of the extracts were determined. We determined the effect of the extract on cell viability and mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. All extracts significantly stimulated basal respiration and also caused an increase in complex IV respiration. The extracts exhibit considerable antioxidant activity, and all contain phytochemicals that have been shown to have antioxidant properties. M. thonningii partially blocked the effects of rotenone, while Noni juice partially blocked the effects of antimycin A. The extract, however, had a weak cytotoxic effect on Jurkat leukemia cells and MCF7 breast cancer cells.

Extracts of endophytic fungi from leaves of selected Nigerian ethnomedicinal plants exhibited antioxidant activity

BackgroundPlants with an ethnobotanical history are known to harbor diverse group of endophytic fungi, which constitute major natural sources of bioactive compounds. In the present study, we evaluated the antioxidant activity of endophytic fungi from eight Nigerian ethnomedicinal plants. Endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves of Acalypha ornata, Albizia zygia, Alchornea cordifolia, Chrysophyllum albidum, Ficus exasperata, Gomphrena celosioides, Millettia thonningii, and Newbouldia laevis.MethodsEndophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves of selected plants via surface sterilization. Isolated fungi were identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS-rDNA) sequence analysis. Pure fungal strains were subjected to fermentation process on solid rice medium and metabolites extracted using ethyl-acetate. Fungal crude extracts were screened for antioxidant activity using 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and reduction of ferric ion assays. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was used to identify the major chemical constituents in active fungal extracts.ResultsA total of eighteen fungal endophytes with fungal codes CU (061 and 062); ZA (161, 162, 163, and 164); LO (261); CA (041, 042, and 043); FE (081, 082, and 084); GE (091); MO (211 and 212); and NA (021 and 022) were isolated from the eight ethnomedicinal plants A. ornata, A. zygia, A. cordifolia, C. albidum, F. exasperata, G. celosioides, M. thonningii, and N. laevis respectively. ZA 163 and MO 211 fungal extracts showed significant (p < 0.05) radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 50.53 ± 0.01 and 86.69 ± 0.02 μg/ml respectively. Fungal extract CA 041 demonstrated significantly (p < 0.01) higher iron chelating activity than standard gallic acid with absorbance values of 0.803 and 1.107 at 250 and 500 μg/ml concentrations respectively. Pyrogallol, phenol, 2,6-dimethoxy-, phytol, dl-alpha-tocopherol, alpha-tocospiro, oleamide, methyl stearate, oleic acid, palmitic acid, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, urs-12-en-24-oic acid, 3-oxo-, methyl ester, lup-20(29)-en-3-one, and lupeol were detected in the selected active extracts.ConclusionThese results showed that leaves of the selected Nigerian plants harbor diverse group of endophytic fungi, which can be potential antioxidant resource.Graphical abstract

Nonlinear regression analysis of the sorption of crystal violet and methylene blue from aqueous solutions onto an agro-waste derived activated carbon

Sorption of synthetic dyes on low-cost solid sorbents is a simple technique for their removal from wastewater. Recent initiatives in the sorption process have sought the use of activated carbon derived from agricultural wastes as it provides an attractive and cheaper alternative to commercial activated carbon, which is usually expensive. This research investigates the sorption kinetics and equilibrium of two synthetic cationic dyes, crystal violet and methylene blue from aqueous media using activated carbon prepared from an agro-waste, Millettia thonningii seed pods. Sorption experiments were carried out using the batch process. The kinetic data were analyzed using the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models while the equilibrium data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson isotherm models. Nonlinear regression method was used to fit the data to the isotherm models in order to determine model parameters and the best-fit isotherms. Thus, three error functions; coefficient of determination, Chi-square statistic test, and the sum of error squares were applied to evaluate the sorption data. The pseudo-second-order model best described the sorption kinetics of both dyes while the Redlich–Peterson model described the equilibrium data the most, followed closely by the Freundlich isotherm model indicating a heterogeneous sorbent surface. The experimental results indicate that the agro-waste derived activated carbon is a viable adsorbent for the remediation of dye-contaminated water.

Optimization of the preparation of Millettia thonningii seed pods activated carbon for use in the remediation of dye-contaminated aqueous solutions

An increasing research interest in the use of waste-derived activated carbon in the remediation of contaminated water as a renewable alternative to commercial activated carbon has been noted. This research evaluates the optimization of the preparation of activated carbon from Millettia thonningii seed pods for application in the removal of synthetic dyes from aqueous solutions. The Box–Behnken experimental design, a subset of response surface methodology is employed in this research as it provides an economical strategy to optimize the process using a minimal number of experiments. The effect of preparation factors such as activation temperature, activation time and impregnation ratio on the preparation process was evaluated and these conditions optimized by maximizing the activated carbon yield and the adsorption efficiencies of two synthetic dyes, Basic Violet 3 and Basic Blue 9. The optimal conditions established were activation temperature of 400 °C, activation time of 30 min and impregnation ratio of 2.0. The activated carbon yield, Basic Violet 3 and Basic Blue 9 adsorption efficiencies approached 39.12%, 83.25% and 91.05% respectively under these optimal experimental conditions. The optimized activated carbon was characterized via physicochemical and proximate analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Millettia thonningii seed pods activated carbon produced at the optimum activation conditions possessed desirable properties such as low ash content, low moisture content and suitable bulk density. The activated carbon also holds great potential for application in the removal of hazardous synthetic dyes from wastewater.

Crystal structure and in vitro antimicrobial activity studies of Robustic acid and other Alpinumisoflavones isolated from Millettia thonningii

Abstract We report a systematic study of the antibacterial inhibitory potential of isoflavone natural products isolated from the seeds extracts of Millettia thonningii. In an effort to gain bond topological information which may have consequences for the observed bioactivities, the crystal structure of robustic acid was solved and refined using the independent atom as well as the invariom model, and the structures were compared. Robustic acid contains a fused tricyclic unit with a benzopyran moiety, with a phenylene ring substitution on the coumarin ring similar to the alpinumisoflavones isolated from this plant. At a minimum inhibitory concentration of ~1 mg/mL, alpinumisoflavone and robustic acid were found to be cytotoxic to Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) showing a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of ~9 mm. On the other hand, at ~2 mg/mL, these compounds were found to be bacteriostatic to a hospital isolate of Salmonella typhi with about 7 mm ZOI. Taken together, these compounds offer potential new avenues for targeting both Gram positive and negative bacteria and could be useful as chemical probes for understanding these pathogens in an effort to overcome drug resistance.

Coumarin Antifungal Lead Compounds from Millettia thonningii and Their Predicted Mechanism of Action.

Fungal pathogens continue to pose challenges to humans and plants despite efforts to control them. Two coumarins, robustic acid and thonningine-C isolated from Millettia thonningii, show promising activity against the fungus Candida albicans with minimum fungicidal concentration of 1.0 and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. Molecular modelling against the putative bio-molecular target, lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51), revealed a plausible binding mode for the active compounds, in which the hydroxyl group binds with a methionine backbone carboxylic group blocking access to the iron catalytic site. This binding disrupts the synthesis of several important sterols for the survival of fungi.

Evaluation of the Sedative and Anticonvulsant Properties of Three Cameroonian Plants

Millettia thonningii, Ocinum sanctum and Securitaca longepedunculaca are used in traditional medicine in Cameroon to treat epilepsy, insomnia and headaches. Animal models of epilepsy (maximal electroshock (MES), n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), isonicotinic hydrazide acid (INH), picrotoxine (PIC) and strychnine (STR)-induced convulsions or turning behavior were used to evaluate anticonvulsant activity while diazepam-induced sleep test was used to evaluate sedative activity of the plants. Four doses of extracts were used for each plant (100, 200, 500 and 1000 mg/kg). At a dose of 1000 mg/kg, Millettia thonningii protected 60 and 90% of mice against MES and PTZ-induced convulsions, respectively. At the same dose, Millettia thonningii also protected 80% of mice against NMDA-induced turning behavior. At a dose of 1000 mg/kg, Ocinum sanctum provided complete protection against MES, PIC and STR- induced convulsions and 83.3% of protection in PTZ test. Securitaca longepedunculata completely protected (100%) mice in PIC test at a dose of 200 mg/kg, in MES test at a dose of 500 mg/kg and in PTZ test at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. 66.7% of mice were protected against STR-induced convulsions. All the three plants showed also sedative properties for they increased significantly and in a dose dependent manner the total sleep time induced by diazepam. The total sleep time of the control groups was multiplied by a factor of 3 at least by each extract. The presence of sedative and anticonvulsant activity in the three plants could explain their use in traditional medicine in the treatment of epilepsy and insomnia in Cameroon.

Efficiency of inactivation of trypsin inhibitory activity in some selected tropical plant seeds by autoclaving

Trypsin inhibitor (TI) levels in the crop seeds varied between 0.0 in Adansonia digitata and 40.8 TIU/mg in Pterocarpus osun. Efficiency of inactivation of TI by autoclaving ranged from 58.1% in Millettia thonningii to 100% in Sesbania pachycarpa and Lonchocarpus. sericeus. It isconcluded that the effect of heat treatment on TI varies with plant species and could be dependent on the structural formula of each TI.

Invariom structure refinement, electrostatic potential and toxicity of 4-O-methylalpinumisoflavone, O,O-dimethylalpinumisoflavone and 5-O-methyl-4-O-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)alpinumisoflavone

The accurate X-ray single-crystal structures of the isoflavone compounds 4-O-methylalpinumisoflavone, O,O-dimethylalpinumisoflavone and 5-O-methyl-4-O-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)alpinumisoflavone {alpinumisoflavone = 5-hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-2H,6H-benzo[1,2-b:5,4-b']dipyran-6-one} from data sets measured at cryogenic temperature have been obtained from invariom modelling using theoretically predicted Hansen and Coppens multipole-model form factors, which describe the aspherical electron density distribution. Molecular dipole moments and electrostatic potentials obtained from invariom modelling are discussed and compared with results from ab initio theoretical calculations. All three studied compounds are solvent extracts of root bark or seed powder of Millettia thonningii (leguminosae), a plant molluscicide and cercaricide used in Franco West Africa as medication against various diseases. The compounds' toxicities to brine shrimp have been determined and their different potencies tentatively related to conformation differences, intramolecular contacts, dipole moments and electrostatic potential features.

Cassava, maize and tree root development as affected by various agroforestry and cropping systems in Bénin, West Africa

Soil fertility levels, climate, aboveground interaction for light in plant canopies, and belowground interactions of the root systems for nutrients and water have an important influence on the performance of cropping systems. This study aims at identifying the impact of agroforestry treatments and fertilizer application on the root development of cassava-based cropping systems. At three sites in southern Bénin, the root development of intercropped maize ( Zea mays) and cassava ( Manihot esculenta) vs. sole-cropped cassava was monitored in an NPK fertilizer treatment and a no-fertilizer and no-mulch treatment. The latter represented local farmers’ practice. In addition, root development of sole-cropped cassava in three agroforestry systems was recorded at the same sites consisting of: (i) annually planted Cajanus cajan, (ii) perennial alleys, and (iii) a tree block of a Gliricidia sepium, Flemingia macrophylla, Parkia biglobosa, Millettia thonningii mixture. Soil monolith sampling was used to extract roots and generate data on the morphological development of root systems and their interactions. In general, intercropping reduced cassava root length density (RLD). Fertilizer applications significantly increased ( P≤0.05) the RLD of intercropped maize and intercropped cassava at all sites. Annual alleys of C. cajan developed smaller RLD and root weight densities (RWD) than the perennial tree mixture, leading to less interference with cassava. Block arrangement of the tree mixture had detrimental effects on the cassava growth in the adjacent rows, indicated by high RLD and RWD of the tree mixture. However, the overall effect on cassava yield was positive, when the crop yield is calculated on an entire field basis.

Inhibition of Site I mitochondrial electron transport by an extract of the seeds of Millettia thonningii: a potential mechanism for the plant's molluscicidal and schistosome larvicidal activity.

A dichloromethane extract of the seeds of Millettia thonningii (Leguminosae) which contains a mixture of isoflavonoids (predominantely robustic acid, alpinumisoflavone and dimethylalpinumisoflavone) is known to have larvicidal activity towards the miracidia and cercariae of schistosomes and to possess significant molluscicidal activity. The present investigation has assayed the effects of this extract on the electron transport systems of isolated rat liver mitochondria. The extract was found to inhibit mitochondrial electron transport at Site I (NADH dehydrogenase) at concentrations of 30-159 mg x l(-1). Although the extract is not as potent an inhibitor at Site I as rotenone, a known inhibitor of NADH dehydrogenase, such observations could explain the molluscicidal and schistosomicidal activity of dichloromethane extracts of the seeds of M. thonningii.

The use of video-imaging to assesss the sub-lethal impact of plant secondary compounds on Schistosoma mansoni miracidia

The study describes methods developed for using video-imaging technology to record and measure the velocity of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia. The efficacy of the classical bioassay procedure (a qualitative behavioural assay) was compared with that of the new quantitative protocol, for assessing the sub-lethal impact of a larvicidal dichloromethane extract of the seeds of Millettia thonningii on miracidia. The new technique confirmed the efficacy of the classical bioassay for rapid determination of the lethal and sub-lethal impact of larvicides but also provided quantitative information on sub-lethal impacts on miracidial velocity and shape.

Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value of Some Wild-Gathered Tropical Plant Seeds

As part of the search for alternative sources of food to alleviate hunger, this study reports the approximate total contents of soluble sugars, starch, and gross energy of nine lesser-known wild-gathered plant seeds. High crude protein levels occurred in Lonchocarpus sericeus (28.03%), Albizia zygia (32.90%), and Gliricidia septum (34.15%). High levels of fat occurred in Entandrophragma angolense (59.30%), L. sericeus (34.15%), and Millettia thonningii (30.66%). Low levels of crude protein but high levels of total carbohydrate were found in Diospyros mespiliformis (77.21% carbohydrate), Daneillia ogea (74.32% carbohydrate), and Afzelia belle (53.96% carbohydrate). Starch contents were high in A. zygia (40.46%), D. ogea (69.62%), and A. belle (51.43%). The seeds with high fat content invariably showed high gross energy levels: E. angolense (30.9 kJ/g), L. sericeus (24.37 kJ/g), and M. thonningii (25.12 kJ/g). The results are compared to those for soya bean and other common staples. It is concluded that these less familiar wild seed plants should not be ignored, but further investigation into possible toxic and antinutrient factors, amino acid patterns, digestibility, and fatty acid composition is still required before recommendations are made.

Feed value of multipurpose fodder trees and shrubs in West Africa: edible forage production and nutritive value of Millettia thonningii and Albizia lebbeck

Millettia thonningii (Schum. & Thonn.) Bak., a nitrogen fixing shrub native to Africa and Albizia lebbeck Benth, were harvested at 0.50 m above ground level after one year of establishment to determine edible forage production. Harvests were made at the end of the main (April–August) and minor (September–November) wet, and dry (December–March) seasons for two years. Dry season edible forage samples were analyzed for concentrations of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), cellulose (CL), soluble phenolics (SOPH) and proanthocyanidins (PAs). In sacco dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) degradation and in vitro gas production (GP) characteristics were also determined on dry season edible forage samples. Edible forage production of M. thonningii was significantly lower than A. lebbeck during the wet seasons. Millettia thonningii had relatively lower CP and PAs, but higher NDF, ADF, ADL, CL and SOPH than A. lebbeck. In sacco DM and N degradation and in vitro GP parameters of M. thonningii were significantly lower than A. lebbeck. Parameters of in sacco DM degradation and in vitro GP were highly correlated. Millettia thonningii appeared to be of lower feed value than A. lebbeck based on edible forage production, chemical composition, in sacco DM and N degradation and in vitro GP characteristics.

Activity of the Molluscicidal Plant Millettia thonningii (Leguminosae) toward Biomphalaria glabrata Eggs

A dichloromethane extract of the seeds of the molluscicidal west African legume Millettia thonningii was tested for ovicidal activity toward Biomphalaria glabrata egg masses. The extract was found to be highly ovicidal at concentrations as low as 5 mg/L. Embryonic development of the snails in egg masses was monitored using photomicrographs from which embryonic diameters were estimated. Such measurements revealed that ovicidal effects were developmentally stage specific and normally induced a curtailment of development during the gastrula to trochophore transition.

Aqueous degradation of isoflavonoids in an extract of Millettia thonningii (Leguminosae) which is larvicidal towards schistosomes

AbstractA chloroform extract of the seeds of the West African legume Millettia thonningii has been shown to kill the snails which transmit the schistosomiasis and also the larvae of the parasite itself. This study examines the bioactivity of the chloroform extract of M. thonningii in aqueous non‐sterile conditions. Suspensions of the extract in water maintained larvicidal activity for long periods. HPLC analysis showed that over a period of 4 weeks in aqueous suspension, degradation of two of the compounds present, the isoflavonoids alpinumisoflavone and 4′‐methylalpinumisoflavone, occurred and bioactivity was eventually lost, indicating that these compounds are probably responsible for the bioactivity. These isoflavonoids are thought to act via inhibition of electron transport.