Methanol Extract Of Stem Bark Research Articles

Effect of methanol stem bark extract of Ochna schweinfurthiana (Ezeata) on liver enzymes in Wistar rats

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka. Anambra State. Nigeria. 2 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli campus. Anambra State. Nigeria. 3 Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Royal Bournemouth Hospital (University Hospital Dorset NHS Foundation Trust) Bournemouth, England, BH7 7DW United Kingdom. 4 Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Royal Bournemouth Hospital (University Hospital Dorset NHS Foundation Trust) Bournemouth, England, BH7 7DW United Kingdom. 5 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Abia StateUniversity Teaching Hospital, Aba. Abia State. Nigeria.

Secondary metabolites from the stem bark of Alstonia boonei and the seeds of Picralima nitida with antibacterial activities

The methanol stem bark extract of A. boonei and methanol seed extract of P. nitida, were subjected to purification using chromatographic techniques. A. boonei yielded loganic acid (1), sweroside (2) and secoxyloganin (3), while P. nitida afforded (1), akuammidine (4), akuammicine (5) and alstonine (6). The structures of the compounds were elucidated based on their nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) profiles and comparison with literature data. The antibacterial activities of the compounds were evaluated using the disc diffusion assay with chloramphenicol as the positive control. Alstonine (6) demonstrated weak activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus agalactiae with zones of inhibition of 9.3 ± 0.6 and 10.0 ± 0.0 mm, respectively. This is the first report of sweroside (2) and secoxyloganin (3) in A. boonei.

Boswellia dalzielii Methanol Stem Bark Extract Demonstrates Significant Analgesic Activity in Swiss Albino Mice

Medicinal plants are gaining popularity as safer and more natural alternatives to orthodox medicines for managing health challenges and diseases. One such plant is Boswellia dalzielii, a renowned tree in northern Nigeria extensively used due to its ethnomedicinal importance. To determine the analgesic properties of Boswellia dalzielii methanol extract (BDME), the extract was screened in mice using thermal and acetic acid-induced pain models. The extract's acute toxicity and phytochemical constituents were determined using standard protocols. The results showed that the acute toxicity of the methanol stem bark extract was greater than 2000 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening of BDME revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and glycosides. The extract, at the dose of 50 mg/kg significantly (p < 0.05) prolonged the pain reaction time at 15 and 30 minutes in the hot plate test, and reduced acetic acid-induced writhing at the 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg doses. The analgesic activity of the extract may be attributed to the phytochemical contents. The findings suggest that BDME have analgesic properties and could be beneficial in alleviating painful conditions.

Biochemical Evaluation of Adansonia Digitata Methanolic Leaf and Stem Bark Extract on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Several herbal preparations are used to treat diabetes; however, their overall biochemical effects other than hypoglycemic effects are scanty. This study therefore was designed to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of leaves and stem-bark of Adansonia digitata on biochemical indices of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Sixty-three wistar rats were distributed into 9 groups of 7 each. The test animals were intraperitoneally administered with single dose of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin and monitored for 72 hours for development of hyperglycemia. Diabetic rats were treated in 12 h cycles for three weeks with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg of both leaves and stem-bark of Adansonia digitata methanolic extract and metformin (50 mg/kg). Non-diabetic control rats received a lacebo of distilled water. Group 1 served as normal control, group 2 served as diabetic control, while groups 4-9 were diabetic rats treated orally with methanolic leave and stem-bark extracts of Adansonia digitata (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) for 21days. Group 3 animals were diabetic rats treated with anti-diabetic drug (metformin 50 mg/kg). The levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-), Urea and creatinine Triglyceride (TG), Cholesterol (CHOL), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), White Blood Cell (WBC) count, Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, Haemoglobin (HGB), Hematocrit (HCT), Platelet (PLT), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Lymphocyte (LYM), aspartatate aminotransfrease (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities total, total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin(DB) and indirect bilirubin (IB) concentrations were assayed. The results indicated that the concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl-, creatinine, urea TBARS, ALT, AST, ALB, CHOL and IB bilirubin were significantly (p<0.05) increased, while the levels of WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, PLT, LYM, MCV SOD and CAT were reduced in the diabetic control (p<0.05). The Adansonia digitata methanolic leaves and stem-bark extract significantly increased WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, PLT, MCV, LYM, TP, CAT and SOD activity and reduced the FBS, Na+, K+, Cl-, TBARS, ALT, AST, creatinine, urea and bilirubin concentrations significantly (p<0.05) compared to normal control. However, treatment with metformin showed slight modification in the changes observed compared to Adansonia digitata methanolic leaves and stem-bark extract. MCV and MCHC reduced non-significantly (p>0.05) in the diabetic animals as compared to the normal control and the extract-treated rats, while they increased non- significantly (p>0.05) in the test groups when compared to the diabetic control. Levels of TB, DB, and TG showed non-significant (p<0.05) increase in diabetic control, but treatment with extracts and metformin caused non-significant decrease (p<0.05). Diabetic control exhibited significantly (p<0.05) decreased ALB levels and non-significant TP decrease compared to normal control, while Adansonia digitata extracts and metformin significantly increased ALB and non-significantly increased TP levels compared to diabetic control. The study concluded that Adansonia digitata extracts reversed diabetes-induced oxidative stress in rat hepatocytes, potentially through beta cell regeneration or insulin release stimulation, suggesting their potential for managing diabetic complications.

Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant, Activities of Parinari Curatellifolia Planch. Ex Benth (Chrysobalanaceae) Methanol Stem Bark Extract

It is used as human food and beverage, and in traditional medicine it is used to treat pneumonia and fever. The aim of this was to investigate its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Parinari curatellifolia methanol stem bark extract. A 2kg of the dried and powdered plant material was extracted with 80% methanol through cold maceration to obtain the crude methanol extract. The crude methanol extract was sequentially fractionated using n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol to yield n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions respectively. Acute toxicity study was conducted following the OECD guidelines. The anti-inflammatory activity of the fractions was evaluated was evaluated using inhibition of albumin denaturation, inhibition of egg albumin-induced paw edema in rats and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibition assay models. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH de-colourizing, Nitric oxide scavenging activity and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays. Oral acute administration of the extract revealed an LD50 dose > 5000 mg/kg in rats. The extract caused a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of rat paw edema, and a concentration-dependent inhibition of Phospholipase A2 activity. IC50 of the extract for Albumin Denaturation inhibition was 37.22 ug/ml. In the antioxidant assays the IC50 of the extract against DPPH was 25.91 ug/ml, while the Nitric oxide Equivalence (mM)/mg was 42.38.

Acute toxicity profile of crude methanolic stem bark extract of Parkia biglobosa in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats

Despite the high demand for herbal medicines for treatment of health disorder, there are still concerns associated with not only their use, but their safety. This study was aimed at providing information on the potential toxicity profile of the stem bark extracts of P. biglobosa in goats. For this purpose, the stem bark parts of P. biglobosa were collected and processed. The acute toxicity, biochemical and histopathological analysis in goats were determined. The results of phytochemical constituents revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, glycosides, oils, phlobatannins, reducing sugar, saponins and tannins (condensed and hydrolysable). The results of acute toxicity studies showed no mortality with up to 5000 mg/ kg of the body weight. The blood collected revealed that, CMSBE has no significant (p>0.05) effect on biochemical parameters of WAD goats. However, there were slight changes in glucose concentration, cholesterol and triglyceride level, though they were no statistically significant (p>0.05). The extracts did not also have deleterious effect on morphology of the tissues observed during histopathology. The study has scientifically established that, stem bark extract of P. biglobosa have LD50 that is greater than 5,000 mg/kg and it can be inferred that the plant might have a wide margin of safety typical of treatment of some diseases. It is therefore recommended that despite the non-toxicity as demonstrated in this present study, detailed toxic and pharmacological effects of the extracts of P. biglobosa stem bark in other animals should be investigated.

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTICONVULSANT SCREENING OF THREE MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF NIGERIA

The burden of epilepsy in developing countries made medicinal plants like Xylopia aethiopica fruit; Khaya grandifoliola, Alstonia boonei etc an alternative source in epilepsy management in the south-western part of Nigeria. The aim of the study was to provide pharmacological rationale for the ethnomedicinal use of the plants in epilepsy management. The oral medial lethal dose of methanol stem bark extracts of Alstonia boonei (MEAB) and Khaya grandifoliola (MEKG) and methanol fruit extract of Xylopia aethiopica (MEXAF) were done in accordance with the Organization for Economic Cooperation Development guideline. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical profiling of the extracts was done. Anticonvulsant screening was carried out on the extracts (doses: 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) using the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure and maximum electroshock tests (MEST). Results showed that the MEXAF has the highest amount of phytochemicals except for saponins in MEKG; and MEAB with the least amount (but higher alkaloid) than MEKG. The TLC showed different bands of spots of the extracts. In the PTZ test, MEXAF showed 100 % protection against mortality at 300 mg/kg; MEAB with 66.67 % protection at 75 mg/kg and MEKG 0 % protection. MEAB, MEKG and MEXAF nonsignificantly increased the onset of seizure and latency to death. In the MEST, MEXAF, MEKG and MEAB at 75 mg/kg protected 50, 33.3 and 16.67% of the animals against tonic hind limb extension respectively and nonsignificantly (p˃0.05) decreased recovery time except MEXAF which significantly (p<0.05) decreased the recovery time at a dose of 75 mg/kg. It was concluded that the extracts possess anticonvulsant activities hence, the pharmacological credence for the ethnomedicinal use of these plants in treating epilepsy.

Phytochemical Contents and Antioxidant Activity of Dysoxylum densiflorum Extract and Fractions

Many studies have been carried out on the use of natural product compounds as an alternative medicine. Dysoxylum densiflorum is a plant that is commonly found in tropical countries and is used as an alternative treatment in local communities for several diseases. Our current study aims to determine the content of phytochemicals, total phenol, and total flavonoids from D. densiflorum leaves and stem bark methanol extract. The extraction was performed by the maceration method using methanol solvent and then fractionated into hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. A phytochemical screening was performed to determine the content of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and saponins. The total phenol contents of the extract were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu using gallic acid as a standard. Total flavonoid were determined by alumunium chloride colorimetric methods, with quercetin as the standard. The antioxidant activity was determined by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and 2,2’-azino-bis-(3 ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic Acid (ABTS) assay. The results of phytochemical screening showed that the extract and fractions of D. densiflorum leaves contained flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and saponins. The methanol extract and fractions of D. densiflorum stem bark contained flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. The total phenol analysis showed that leaves and stem bark methanol fractions had the highest content, at 4.631 mg GAE/g and 3.011 mg GAE/g, respectively. While the total flavonoids analysis showed that leaves methanol extract and bark ethyl acetate fraction had the highest content compared to other samples from the same origin, which are 49.585 mg QE/g and 63.432 mg QE/g, respectively. Antioxidant test results using DPPH radical scavenging and the ABTS assay obtained the highest IC50 values, respectively, in the stem bark methanol fraction of 104.092 μg/mL and the leaves ethyl acetate fraction of 8.49 μg/mL. The ethyl acetate fraction of D. densiflorum leaves contains the highest antioxidant activity. The results indicate that D. densiflorum extracts and fractions have antioxidant potential. Further research is required to identify compounds that act as antioxidants.

Prophylactic Anticoccidial Effects of the Methanol Extracts of Ganoderma lucidum, Vernonia amygdalina Leaves and Vitellaria paradoxa Stem Bark: An Investigation of the Cytokine and Immunoglobulin Y Responses in Eimeria tenella-infected Broiler Chickens

Objectives: This study evaluated the interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-gamma (INF-γ), and immunoglobulin Y (IgY) responses in Eimeria tenella-infected broiler chickens pre-administered with the methanol extracts of Ganoderma lucidum, Vernonia amygdalina leaves and Vitellaria paradoxa stem bark. Material and Methods: One hundred 1-day-old broiler chicks were obtained, brooded for two weeks, and then randomly divided into 10 groups (A1, B1, C1, D1, A2, B2, C2, D2, E, and F) of 10 birds each. From 14 to 20 days of age (doa), groups A1 and A2 were administered G. lucidum; B1 and B2 V. amygdalina; C1 and C2 V. paradoxa; D1 and D2 Amprolium (100 g/100 L drinking water; while no extract/medication was administered to groups E and F. At 21 doa, groups A2, B2, C2, D2, and E were challenged orally with 104 E. tenella sporulated oocysts. Blood was collected at 14, 21, and 28 doa in labeled plain tubes, and serum was harvested and assayed for IL-10, INF-γ, and IgY levels. Results: Results revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the serum IL-10, INF-γ, and IgY levels in all groups of chickens at 14 and 21 doa. At 28 doa, serum IL-10 level was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in B2 and C2 compared to A2, D2, and E. The levels of INF-γ and IgY were not significantly (P > 0.05) higher in B2 and C2 than in A2, D2, and E. The prophylactic administration of G. lucidum, V. amygdalina leaf, and V. paradoxa stem bark methanolic extracts altered changes in the serum IL-10, INF-γ, and IgY levels induced by E. tenella challenge in the broiler chickens. Conclusion: The mechanisms involved in these cytokines and IgY responses as a result of the prophylactic administration of these extracts require further investigation.

Anti-Hepatitis C virus activity of Garcinia lattissima Miq. stem barks methanol exctract

Herbal medicine treatment for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a promising alternative to common medical HCV treatments because it has low unwanted side effects and production costs. This study aimed to evaluate the methanol extract of Garcinia lattissima stem barks as an antiviral compound against strain JFH1 (HCV) genotype 2a. Garcinia lattissima stem bark methanolic extract (GL-SB) was added to Huh7it-1 cells infected with JFHI. Anti HCV activity was determined by Focus-forming unit (FFU) assay and the cytotoxicity activity was analyzed using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay. The GL-SB showed its efficacy as the anti-HCV agent with a 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) of 34.2 µg/mL and a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 4.7 µg/mL. The co-addition and post-infection phases of GL-SB showed an anti-HCV activity, according to a time-of-addition investigation. These findings imply that GL-SB might be a promising candidate for add-on therapy in the treatment of HCV infections.

Antioxidant properties of Carallia brachiata stem bark and leaf

Carallia brachiata (Lour.) Merr. (Rhizophoraceae) had been used to treat various human disoders. This study reported antioxidant activity of C. brachiata of stem bark and leaf in various solvents. Each sample was macerated in various solvent separately. By using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, antioxidant activity was determined. The TLC method was created using dichloromethane and ethyl acetate mobile phase. The methanol extract of stem bark contained the highest TPC value (262.73 ± 1.58 mg GAE/ g extract), while the methanol extract of leaf contained the highest TFC value (45.46 ± 0.32 mg QE/ g extract). The total phenolic content of stem bark extract was higher than that of leaf extract, but the flavonoid content of the leaf extract was marginally higher. The methanol extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity for DPPH (13.06±0.08 μg/mL), ABTS (7.19±0.08 μg/mL), and FRAP assay (155.19±0.34 μM Fe2+/g). In this research, stem bark has greater antioxidant activity than the leaf. In addition, the results of TLC profile were detailed. The TLC chromatogram indicates that C. brachiata stem bark contains more components than leaf. This study indicates that C. brachiata has a rich source of prospective antioxidants.

Pharmacognostic characterization, wound healing and toxicity assessment of the stem bark of Xylia evansii Hutch (Leguminosae)

Xylia evansii is widely used in traditional medicine to stop bleeding gums and treat wounds. This study was undertaken to assess the wound healing activity and toxicity profile of the stem bark methanol extract of X. evansii (XES). Wound healing activity was determined by the dermal excision model in rats. The free radical scavenging capacity, antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were evaluated by the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), aluminum chloride colorimetric and Folin Ciocalteu methods respectively. Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity assessment was performed following the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines. Significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent wound healing effect, similar to that of 1 % silver sulphadiazine was elicit by the 10, 15 and 20 %w/w XES ointments. The highest effect was demonstrated by XES 20 %w/w which resulted in 98.3 % wound surface closure by day 9 of treatment (p < 0.0001). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined to be 381.2 ± 12.57 mg/g gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 460 ± 29.07 mg/g quercetin equivalent respectively. XES exhibited remarkable free radical scavenging effect (IC50 = 68.13 ± 1.87 μg/mL) and had a total antioxidant capacity of 279.2 ± 32.08 mg/g GAE. The LD50 of XES was estimated to be > 5000 mg/kg. In sub-acute toxicity, 28 days treatment with XES (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg body weight) did not result in any significant (p > 0.05) change in the body weight or weight of the heart, lung, spleen, liver and kidneys. The haematological and biochemical profiles of XES-treated rats were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected after 4-weeks treatment with XES, except for platelet count which increased significantly (p < 0.0001) in a non-dose-dependent manner. Histopathological examination did not reveal any toxic effect to liver cells, however at 1000 mg/kg XES, slight abnormalities were identified in the glomeruli. Microscopy of the powdered stem bark displayed calcium oxalate crystals, pitted vessels and lignified fibres. Tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, saponins, triterpenes and alkaloids were identified in the bark. This is the first report on the wound healing potential and safety profile of X. evansii, giving scientific credence to its use in traditional medicine.

Annickia affinis (Exell) Versteegh & Sosef methanol stem bark extract, potent fractions and isolated Berberine alkaloid target both blood and liver stages of malaria parasites

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHaving identified Annickia affinis as the most potent antiplasmodial plant constituent in a hepta-herbal Agbo-iba (HHA) formula commonly used to manage malaria in Benin city, Nigeria, we have in this study attempted to identify the specialized metabolites responsible for antiplasmodial activity of A. affinis through anti-blood stage malaria parasite activity guided isolation of potent molecules from its stem bark methanol extract. After that, phenotypic effects, including stage-specific kill kinetics, were investigated. Further, the crude extract, its potent fractions, and specialized metabolites were also tested against the liver-stage malaria parasite. Materials and methodsA. affinis was subjected to molecular PCR-based analysis to confirm its identity. Thereafter, extraction of its stem bark with methanol was carried out. Alkaloid enriched fractions from this stem bark extract were obtained using the acid-base-solvent extraction method. These alkaloid-enriched fractions were subjected to various chromatographic techniques that led to the isolation of two protoberberine alkaloids identified as berberine and palmatine based on NMR and mass spectrometry analysis. The efficacy of crude extract, fractions and purified alkaloids was tested against the malaria parasite's blood and liver stages, respectively. Results and DiscussionAnnickia affinis methanol extract, fractions, and the isolated protoberberine alkaloids showed excellent antiplasmodial activity with good selectivity against blood-stage malaria parasite. Thus, their IC50 against various strains of the parasite ranged from 0.95 to 18.65 μg/ml, while CC50 against Human embryonic kidney (HEK) and the human hepatoma (HUH-7) cell lines ranged between 10 and > 100 μg/ml. Interestingly, the crude extract and the alkaloid enriched fractions showed promising activity against the liver-stage malaria parasite. Between berberine and palmatine isolated from the potent fractions, only the former showed ∼100% and 90% inhibitions of liver stage parasite at 5 μg/ml and 1 μg/ml, respectively, while the latter showed no inhibition even at 20 μg/ml. ConclusionThis study reports that the ethnomedicinal use of HHA to manage malaria can be attributed to the presence of promising antiplasmodial protoberberine alkaloids together with synergistic effects via either enhancement of bioavailability or improved pharmacokinetics by other phytoconstituent(s) coming from other HHA constituent plants. The protoberberine alkaloids isolated have been identified as fast-acting antiplasmodial agents, with activity against all erythrocytic stages of the malaria parasite. Further, A. affinis methanol stembark extract and the protoberberine alkaloid berberine isolated from it also displayed excellent activity (>90% inhibition at 1 μg/ml) against the liver-stage malaria parasite. A. affinis and HHA can thus be useful as both liver-stage prophylactic and blood-stage curative agents.

Toxicity Assessment and Anxiolytic Properties of Methanol Stem Bark Extract from Khaya senegalensis in Wistar Rats

Toxicity Assessment and Anxiolytic Properties of Methanol Stem Bark Extract from Khaya senegalensis in Wistar Rats

Phytochemical Screening and Toxicity Study of Methanol Stem Bark Extract of &lt;i&gt;Prosopis africana&lt;i&gt; (African Mesquite) In Albino Wistar Rat

Prosopis africana (Guill. &amp; Perr.) is a perennial leguminous tree of the subfamily Mimosaidae and is found to grow in the savanna region of Senegal and Nigeria. Several parts of the plant has been documented to possess ethno medicinal value. The study aimed to determine the phytochemical constituents using methods described by Trease &amp; Evans and toxicity profile (using established toxicity determination protocols) of methanol stem bark extract of Prosopis africana in albino Wistar rats. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, carbohydrates, terpenoids, flavonoids, and tannins. Acute toxicity test showed that the LD50 of the extract was 3807.88 mg/kg, with only the animal administered with 5000 mg/kg of the extract dying in phase two. The extract did not affect food and water consumption or most hematological parameters, except for red and white blood cell counts. Histological examination of liver, kidney, and heart did not show any signs of malformation. These findings suggest that the methanol stem bark extract of Prosopis africana may be safe for use in traditional medicine and could provide a basis for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of various diseases such as malaria fever, wound care and diabetes mellitus.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential of Zanthoxylum alatum roxb Stem Bark

In humans, reactive oxygen species induce inflammation through oxidative stress. Persistent inflammation generates a large number of free radicals, which eventually create additional inflammation. This never-ending vicious loop can harm multiple components in the human body. In this study, we explored the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency of a locally available plant Zanthoxylum alatum utilizing both in vivo and in vitro models. Carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma model were used to assess the anti-inflammatory potency of the extracts while as DPPH quenching and reducing power estimation were used to assess the antioxidant potency of the drug. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts of Zanthoxylum alatum stem bark showed dose dependent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency. Aqueous extract was further fractioned using different organic solvents which also revealed good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency. The current data revealed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potency of Zanthoxylum alatum. However, more research is needed in order to isolated and identify the active principle in order to support the existing findings.

Chemical characterization and biological abilities of Anthocleista djalonensis collected from two locations of Ivory Coast

AbstractIn this study, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, HPLC‐DAD detected phytochemicals, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential of methanolic and aqueous (as infusion) extracts of the medicinal plant, Anthocleista djalonensis (leaf and stem bark) collected from two locations, Mafiblé and Prikro, in Ivory Coast, were investigated. The ranges of total phenolic and flavonoid contents obtained were 14.17–46.95 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 2.96–34.76 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g, respectively. Antioxidant abilities in terms of radical scavenging, reducing and metal chelating activity of the extracts in different assays were as follows: DPPH (4.90–48.82 mg trolox equivalent [TE]/g), ABTS (21.05–81.89 mg TE/g), CUPRAC (29.54–122.33 mg TE/g), FRAP (17.53–94.06 mg TE/g) and metal chelating (10.09–28.49 mg EDTAE/g. The extracts of A. djalonensis collected from Mafiblé, especially those of stem bark, contained higher level of total bioactive contents compared to Prikro extracts, detected by high‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode‐array detection (HPLC‐DAD). Only the methanolic extracts irrespective of plant parts/location, showed inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (1.42–2.12 mg galantamine equivalent (GALAE)/g), while only the stem bark methanolic extract of A. djalonensis from Mafiblé was found to inhibit butyrylcholinesterase (0.65 mg GALAE/g). Thus, findings from this study could be useful for better application of the medicinal benefits from this plant.

Evaluation of the in-vivo Antiplasmodial Activities of Ochna membranacea (Oliv) Ochnaceae Leaves and Stembark extracts in mice

Malaria is an infectious disease with high mortality rate in Africa. Development of resistance to antimalarial drugs in current clinical use such as chloroquine and Artemisinin; along with poor health systems and funding shortfalls have elevated the importance of continuous search for novel antimalarial agents. The lead compounds from which chloroquine and artemisinin were derived were isolated from plants. Therefore, there is high potential for the discovery of new and effective treatment from plants. Ochna membranacea (Oliv) Ochnaceae is among several plants used traditionally against infectious diseases including malaria with no scientific validation. This study investigated the antiplasmodial effect of the crude methanol leaves extract and crude methanol stembark extract of Ochna membranacea coded OMCLE and OMCSE respectively against Plasmodium berghei chloroquine-resistant strain. Acute toxicity studies were carried out using standard protocol. The prophylactic, suppressive and curative effects of the extracts were evaluated at the doses of 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg using Ryley and Peters’ method. Chloroquine (5 mg/kg) and artesunate (5 mg/kg) were used as standard drugs in the suppressive and curative tests, while 1.2 mg/kg pyrimethamine was used as standard in the prophylactic test. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) was estimated to be &gt; 5000 mg/kg. All graded doses of OMCLE gave a statistically significant (P&lt;0.05) prophylactic effect. Only the median and highest doses of OMCSE gave significant inhibition of parasitaemia. In the suppressive test, all tested doses of both extracts exhibited significant suppression of parasitaemia compared to the negative control. In conclusion, the study suggests that O. membranaceapossesses antiplasmodial activity making it a potent candidate in the search for newer antimalarials.

Neuropharmacological assessment of the methanolic stem back extract of Anopyxis klaineana (Pierre) Engl. (Rhizophoraceae) in mice

BackgroundMedicinal plants have recently attracted attention on a global scale for therapeutic interventions in the field of neuroscience. Anopyxis klaineana, a medicinal plant widely used in West Africa, has been studied extensively for its anti-inflammatory effects. However, studies on its neuropharmacological effects are quite limited. This study therefore assessed the neuropharmacological potential of the methanolic stem bark extract of Anopyxis klaineana (EAK) in murine models. Materials and methodsMice were treated orally with a methanolic stem back extract of Anopyxis klaineana (EAK) at 10, 30 or 100 mg/kg followed by testing in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests for anxiolytic-like effects. EAK's antidepressant-like potential was also evaluated in the tail suspension test (TST), while anticonvulsant and central analgesic effects were evaluated with the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsion threshold and tail withdrawal tests respectively at 30, 100 or 300 mg/kg. The extract was additionally subjected to chromatographic analyses using high resolution HPLC-MS. ResultsTotal ion current chromatogram of EAK revealed several peaks suggestive of secondary metabolites of the plant extract. EAK significantly (p<0.05) reduced depression-like behaviours in the TST although not as potent as fluoxetine (ED50: EAK=43.39±2.5; fluoxetine=1.16±1.6) (F3,20=9.663, p = 0.0004). It also showed significant anticonvulsive effect by reducing the frequency and duration of PTZ-induced convulsions (ED50=48.53±2.5 mg/kg) (F3,19=5.136, p = 0.0091). This anticonvulsant effect was seen in both clonic and tonic convulsions at 30 and 300 mg/kg. Additionally, EAK-treated mice showed higher latency to tail withdrawal in the analgesia test. We also observed significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent increase in anxiolytic-like effects in EAK-treated animals in the EPM (F3,20=10.77, p = 0.0002) and OF tests (F3,22=5.079, p = 0.008). ConclusionsThe methanolic Anopyxis klaineana stem back extract exhibits anxiolytic-like, antidepressant-like, analgesic and anticonvulsant effects in murine models for assessing neuropharmacological activity and is a good source for novel neuroactive compounds.

Inhibitory effects of methanolic extracts from the stem barks of ten Mexican Bursera Jacq. ex L. species on the activity of α-amylase and acetylcholinesterase from Tenebrio molitor

Methanolic stem bark extracts from ten Mexican Bursera Jacq. ex L. species were evaluated in vitro with regard to their inhibitory activity against two Tenebrio molitor-derived enzymes. Seven extracts (B. bicolor, B. copallifera, B. fagaroides, B. grandifolia, B. lancifolia, B. linanoe, and B. longipes) reduced α-amylase activity by 55.37% to 96.25%, with three samples proving to be particularly potent α-amylase inhibitors (B. grandifolia, B. lancifolia, and B. linanoe; IC50 = 162, 132, and 186 µg/mL, respectively). In contrast, no extract inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity by more than 39.94%. Quantitative HPLC analysis did not reveal any clear correlation between the species-specific flavonoid or phenolic acid profiles and the respective extracts’ enzyme inhibitory activity. The findings reported herein do not only contribute to improving the current state of knowledge regarding the enzyme inhibitory potential of the Bursera genus, but could also lead to the development of new sustainable bioinsecticides.