In vivo anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and in vitro antioxidant efficacy, and acute oral toxicity effects of the aqueous and methanolic stem bark extracts of Lonchocarpus eriocalyx (Harms.)

Development and optimization of hydrogel-forming microneedles fabricated with 3d-printed molds for enhanced dermal diclofenac sodium delivery: a comprehensive in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo study

With the developing manufacturing technologies, the use of 3D printers in microneedle production is becoming widespread. Hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMs), a variant of microneedles, demonstrate distinctive features such as a high loading capacity and controlled drug release. In this study, the conical microneedle master molds with approximately 500 μm needle height and 250 μm base diameter were created using a Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer and were utilized to fabricate composite HFMs containing diclofenac sodium. Using Box-Behnken Design, the effects of different polymers on swelling index and mechanical strength of the developed HFMs were evaluated. The optimum HFMs were selected according to experimental design results with the aim of the highest mechanical strength with varying swelling indexes, which was needed to use 20% Gantrez S97 and 0.1% (F22), 0.42% (F23), and 1% (F24) hyaluronic acid. The skin penetration and drug release properties of the optimum formulations were assessed. Ex vivo studies were conducted on formulations to determine drug penetration and accumulation. F24, which has the highest mechanical strength and optimized swelling index, achieved the highest drug accumulation in the skin tissue (17.70 ± 3.66%). All optimum HFMs were found to be non-cytotoxic by the MTT cell viability test (> 70% cell viability). In in vivo studies, the efficacy of the F24 was assessed for the treatment of xylene-induced ear edema by contrasting it to the conventional dosage form. It was revealed that HFMs might be an improved replacement for conventional dosage forms in terms of dermal diseases such as actinic keratosis.

Amelioration of Hepatic Injury Through Oxidative Stress Management Employing Methanolic Extract of Crepe-Ginger (Cheilocostus speciosus (J. Koenig) C. Specht) Flower

Cheilocostus speciosus (J. Koenig) C. Specht, commonly known as "crepe-ginger," is a traditional plant with edible flowers utilized in folk medicine. This study uses crepe-ginger flowers to assess their hepatoprotective effects through the management of oxidative stress. C. speciosus flower's methanolic extract (CSF-ME) was subjected to in vitro antioxidant effects were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and in vivo by catalase (CAT) assays which ameliorated CCl4-induced hepatic injury evident by histopathological analysis. The chemical assay was evaluated via phytochemical screening and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis followed by in silico studies. The antioxidant assay DPPH (IC50 = 179.36 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 198.27 µg/mL) showed remarkable scavenging activity. Hepatotoxicity experiments demonstrated that CSF-ME improved liver function by positively regulating AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, creatinine, LDL, CHO, TG, HDL, and catalase levels. Besides, histopathological analysis revealed normal hepatocyte integrity and microstructures after treatment. Besides, phytochemical screening revealed prospective phytochemical groups, while GC-MS/MS analysis recognized 40 compounds, resulting in auspicious outcomes employing computer-aided studies. The findings indicated that the CSF-ME possesses promising hepatoprotective and antioxidant prospects, which demand further extensive research to develop novel lead compounds from this natural source.

GC-MS/MS Analysis and Wound Repair Potential of Urtica dioica Essential Oil: In silico Modeling and In vivo Study in Rats

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to assess the antioxidant and wound healing properties of Urtica dioica essential oil (UDEO) through a comprehensive evaluation involving in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analyses. The phytochemistry of UDEO was also investigated to identify trace compounds crucial.

METHODS

Various injection methods of the multimode inlet (MMI) in chromatography were investigated to attain lower instrumental detection limits. Subsequently, in silico studies were employed to delve deeper into the potential biological activities of the identified compounds. Standard antioxidative tests, encompassing ABTS•+ and TAC, were performed. In vivo tests centered on wound healing were implemented using rat models. The rats were randomly allocated to four groups: saline solution, vaseline vehicle, cytol centella, and 5% UDEO ointment. Wound healing progress was evaluated through a chromatic study.

RESULTS

Gas chromatography combined with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis revealed the presence of 97 thermolabile compounds in UDEO. Subsequent in silico studies unveiled the potential of identified compounds to inhibit COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6, suggesting a possible enhancement of anti-inflammatory responses and healing processes. In vitro tests elucidated the notable antioxidant capacity of UDEO, a finding reinforced by wound healing data, revealing a substantial closure rate of 89% following the topical application of UDEO. Notably, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly reduced, indicating minimized oxidative stress damage compared to control. Additionally, UDEO exhibited an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities compared to control.

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that UDEO possesses significant antioxidant and wound-healing properties, supported by its rich phytochemical composition. The findings suggest its potential application in therapeutic interventions for oxidative stress and inflammatory conditions.

Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the genus Sarcophyte: a review

Although medicinal plants have been used by ethnic communities since ancient times to prevent and treat various diseases, only a few have been scientifically documented. Therefore, due to their rare availability and lack of comprehensive scientific information, we reviewed the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of plants within the genus Sarcophyte. To do this, we used specific search terms and phrases to retrieve relevant information from online sources published in English from 2000 to July 2023. The results showed that there are only two plants in the genus Sarcophyte (Sarcophyte sanguinea Sparrm. and Sarcophyte piriei Hutch.), which are traditionally used to treat a wide range of diseases, especially cancer, and skin, gastrointestinal, and urinogenital tract ailments in humans, and to cure animals in ethnoveterinary practices. It was noted that 13 secondary metabolites have been isolated from the two plants, the most prominent of which are flavonoids (diinsininol, diinsinin, and naringenin). The antioxidant activity of S. piriei is reported based on the scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC50: 4.26 ± 0.22 μg/mL) and 2 -2'-Azino-di-[3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate (ABTS) radicals (IC50: 4.62 ± 0.14 μg/mL), chelating iron (IC50: 1.82 ± 0.01 μg/mL, 3.50 ± 0.09 μg/mL), and nitric oxide (IC50: 9.97 ± 0.88 μg/mL, 9.09 ± 0.11 μg/mL). The methanolic stem extracts of S. piriei possess antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio fluvialis, and Enterococcus avium, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.16 to 0.625 mg/mL, and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1.25 to 5 mg/mL. Cytotoxic effects of the extracts from the two plant species were also demonstrated. Sarcophyte piriei possesses therapeutic potential as evidenced by the inhibitory effects of the aqueous rhizome extract on edema (1,000 mg/kg) and prostaglandin synthesis (IC50 = 0.2 mg/mL). In addition, diinsininol and diinsinin were isolated from S. sanguinea inhibited prostaglandin synthesis (IC50: 9.20 µM, 13.14 µM) and platelet-activating factor-induced exocytosis. Therefore, based on this review, further scientific research is needed to demystify the links between traditional medicinal uses, various secondary metabolites, and the pharmacology of the two plants.

Evaluation of the toxicity of crude aqueous Pleurotus tuber-regium (Fr.) Singer extract in mice

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to determine the phytochemical profile and safety of the aqueous extract of Pleurotus tuber regium using laboratory animal model.

METHODS

The pulverized sample was macerated with water and allowed to stand for 24 h, then filtered. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out on the crude extract and LD50 determination was done using standard procedures. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters to assess the kidney and liver functions were carried out using standard methods.

RESULTS

The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins, steroids, carbohydrates, flavonoids and terpenoids. However, anthraquinones were observed to be absent in the extracts. The LD50 of the extract was found to be greater than 5,000 mg/kg when administered orally with no physical signs of toxicity and death over the 14-day period. There was no significant (p>0.05) increase in the level of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (p<0.05) when compared to the control group. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the total white blood cells of the mice administered with P. tuber-regium.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that P. tuber-regium (Fr.) Singer does not possess toxic principles, hence, the wide safety margin observed in the mice.

Subacute Toxicity Effects of the Aqueous Shoot Extract of Yushania alpina (K. Schum.) W.C.Lin in Sprague Dawley Rats: An Appraisal of Its Safety in Ethnomedicinal Usage

Plant-based medicines have effectively managed several ailments in humans and animals since prehistoric times. However, the pharmacologic efficacy and safety of many plants currently used in traditional medicine have not been explored empirically, which raises serious public health concerns, derailing further research and their integration into the conventional healthcare system. Despite the longstanding ethnomedicinal usage of Yushania alpina shoot extract to treat inflammation, microbial infections, and diarrhoea, among other diseases, there is insufficient scientific data to appraise its toxicity profile and safety. Accordingly, we investigated the subacute toxicity of the aqueous shoot extract of Y. alpina in Sprague Dawley rats (both sexes) for 28 days based on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development guideline 407. In this study, all the experimental rats treated orally with 40 mg/Kg BW, 200 mg/Kg BW, and 1000 mg/Kg BW of the aqueous shoot extract of Y. alpina remained normal, like the control group rats, and did not show any clinical signs of subacute toxicity, and no morbidity or mortality was recorded. Besides, the weekly body weight gains and the haematological and biochemical parameters of experimental rats orally administered with the studied plant extract at the tested doses and in the control group were comparable (P > 0.05). No pathologic alterations in internal organs were observed following necroscopy. Further, the differences in weights of the liver, kidney, and spleen of experimental rats which were subacutely treated with the studied plant extract and the control rats were insignificant (P > 0.05). Moreover, no histopathological changes were observed in tissue sections of the liver, kidney, and spleen obtained from all the experimental rats. Our findings demonstrate that the aqueous shoot extract of Y. alpina may be safe as it does not elicit subacute toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats. Further toxicological and pharmacological studies using other model animals and in clinical setups are encouraged to fully appraise the efficacy and safety of the studied plant extract.

Richardia brasiliensis Gomes: phytochemical characterization, antiproliferative capacity and in vitro and in vivo toxicity

Richardia brasiliensis, known as poaia branca, is a medicinal species widely distributed throughout Brazil and used in folk medicine. However, studies on its toxicity are practically non-existent, and little is known about its biological activity. This study aimed to investigate its phytochemical compounds, assess its in vitro and in vivo toxicities, and determine its antiproliferative activity. UHPLC-ESI-HRFTMS performed the phytochemical characterization, and the antiproliferative activity was analyzed in different tumor cell lines. In vitro toxicity was evaluated in PBMC cells, and in vivo acute and repeated dose toxicity was evaluated according to OECD guidelines. It was identified alkaloids and terpenes as significant compounds. Regarding its antiproliferative activity, the human melanoma strain decreased its viability by about 95%. In vitro toxicity showed that the extracts maintained the viability of PBMCs; however, higher concentrations were able to increase the production of dsDNA quantity. In vivo tests showed no mortality nor signs of toxicity; the alterations found in hematological and biochemical parameters are within the standards for the species. The results indicate that R. brasiliensis has a good effect against the tumor cell line; still, more studies on its toxicity at higher concentrations are needed.

Antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and toxic effects of the aqueous and methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of Cucumis dipsaceus (Ehrenb. Ex Spach.)

Introduction: Cucumis dipsaceus is used to treat diarrhoea, microbial infections, among other diseases across the world; however, there is insufficient empirical data to validate its efficacy, toxicity, and safety. Accordingly, we investigated the antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and toxic effects of the aqueous and methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus.Methods: Antidiarrheal activities of the aqueous and methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus were investigated using the castor oil-induced diarrhoea technique in a Wistar rat model. The disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods were adopted to determine the antimicrobial activities of the studied plant extracts. The acute oral toxicity effects of the studied plant extracts were investigated in Wistar rats according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines.Results: The aqueous and methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited diarrhoea in a dose-dependent manner in experimental rats. Besides, the studied extracts significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the growth of Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans in varying degrees, as depicted by their growth inhibition zones (>6.00 mm) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs <1000 μg/mL). Moreover, the studied extracts did not cause any observable acute oral toxicity effects in the experimental rats across the 14-day experimental period.Conclusion: The aqueous and methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus present a potential source of safe and efficacious lead compounds for developing antidiarrheal and antimicrobial therapies.

Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, and Cytotoxic Effects of The Phytexponent: A Polyherbal Formulation

The Phytexponent is used to treat pain and inflammation in complementary and alternative medicine practices; however, empirical data supporting its pharmacological efficacy and safety is scanty, hence the present study. We used the carrageenan-induced paw oedema and the acetic acid-induced writhing techniques to determine the anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacies, respectively, of the Phytexponent in Swiss albino mice models. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay technique was used to investigate the in vitro cytotoxic effects of the Phytexponent in the Vero E6 cell line. The Phytexponent exerted significant (P < .05) anti-inflammatory effects in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema mouse model in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with significantly higher efficacy at 250 mg/Kg BW, than indomethacin (4 mg/Kg BW), in the first, second, and third hour (P < .05). Besides, the Phytexponent significantly reduced the acetic acid-induced writhing frequency in mice (P < .05), in a dose-dependent manner, depicting its analgesic efficacy. Notably, the Phytexponent (at doses: 125 mg/Kg BW and 250 mg/Kg BW) exhibited significantly higher analgesic efficacy than the Indomethacin (P<.05). Moreover, the Phytexponent was not cytotoxic to Vero E6 cells (CC₅₀ >1000 µg/ml) compared to cyclophosphamide (CC₅₀ = 2.48 µg/ml). Thus, the Phytexponent has significant in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacy in mice models and is not cytotoxic to Vero E6 cell line, depicting its therapeutic potential upon further empirical investigation.

Chemical Fingerprinting, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Hydroethanolic Extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum

In the current study, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of hydroethanolic extract of T. foenum-graecum seeds was evaluated. Phenolic profiling of T. foenum-graecum was conducted through high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) as well as through the mass spectrometry technique to characterize compounds responsible for bioactivity, which confirmed almost 18 compounds, 13 of which were quantified through a chromatographic assay. In vitro antioxidant analysis of the extract exhibited substantial antioxidant activities with the lowest IC50 value of both DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) inhibition assays. The extract was found to be non-toxic against human RBCs and murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, the extract significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), intrlukin-6 (IL-6), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The hydroethanolic extract of T. foenum-graecum exhibited considerable anti-inflammatory potential by decreasing the cellular infiltration to the inflammatory site in both carrageenan-induced peritonitis and an air pouch model of inflammation. Pretreatment with T. foenum-graecum extract caused significant improvement in antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), CAT (catalase), malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) against oxidative stress induced by carrageenan. Based on our results of in vivo and in vitro experimentation, we concluded that hydroethanolic extract of T. foenum-graecum is a potential source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Acute Oral Toxicity, and Qualitative Phytochemistry of The Aqueous Root Extract of Launaea cornuta (Hochst. Ex Oliv. & Hiern.)

The root and leaf extracts of Launaea cornuta have been locally used in traditional medicine for decades to manage inflammatory conditions and other oxidative-stress-related syndromes; however, their pharmacologic efficacy has not been scientifically investigated and validated. Accordingly, we investigated the in vitro antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory (in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo) efficacy, acute oral toxicity, and qualitative phytochemical composition of the aqueous root extract of L. cornuta. The ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2,2-diphenyl-2-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test methods were used to determine the studied plant extract’s antioxidant activity. Besides, the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the studied plant extract was investigated using in vitro (anti-proteinase and protein denaturation), ex vivo (membrane stabilization), and in vivo (carrageenan-induced paw oedema in Swiss albino mice) methods. The studied plant extract demonstrated significant in vitro antioxidant effects, which were evidenced by higher DPPH radical scavenging and FRAP activities, in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Generally, the studied plant extract exhibited significant in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy, respectively, and in a concentration/dose-dependent manner compared with respective controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, the studied plant extract did not cause any observable signs of acute oral toxicity, even at the cut-off dose of 2000 mg/Kg BW (LD₅₀ > 2000 mg/Kg BW), and was thus considered safe. Additionally, qualitative phytochemistry revealed the presence of various antioxidant- and anti-inflammatory-associated phytochemicals, which were deemed responsible for the reported pharmacologic efficacy. Further studies to characterise bioactive molecules and their mode(s) of pharmacologic efficacy are encouraged.

Ethnobotanical Documentation, Phytochemical Screening, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Medicinal Plants Used to Manage Snakebite Envenomation in Mwingi West Subcounty, Kenya

Snakebite envenomation (SBE) is a life-threatening global public health problem affecting over 2.7 million persons annually, with a bigger burden lying in the developing world. Despite the successful management of SBE by antivenom therapy in conventional medicine, it is of low efficacy due to the diverse venom composition across snake types, which limits its usefulness. As a result, inhabitants of the sub-Sahara region, where SBE incidence is high, utilise medicinal plants as an alternative remedy for SBE. However, most plants have not been ethnobotanically documented and validated empirically and hence this study is needed. An ethnobotanical survey to document medicinal plants used to manage SBE in Migwani ward, Mwingi West Subcounty, Kitui County, was conducted between January and February, 2021. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 45 purposefully sampled respondents from Migwani ward using semistructured questionnaires, field walks, and oral interviews. In this study, 14 medicinal plants which are used to manage SBE were documented. Four plants with the highest Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) (Entada leptostachya Harms-stem bark (0.58), Senna singueana-roots (0.53), Securidaca longipendunculata-roots (0.36), and Strychnos henningsii-stem bark (0.46)) were selected and extracted using water, methanol, and dichloromethane according to the standard procedures. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the plant extracts and their cytotoxic effects on brine shrimp nauplii (brine shrimp lethality assay) was conducted according to the standard techniques. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of anti-SBE-associated phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, and flavonoids, in the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the studied plant extracts. However, the tested phytochemicals were not detected in dichloromethane extracts of all the studied extracts. The anti-SBE effects of the documented plants could be attributable to these associated bioactive phytocompounds, which are synthesized by the studied plants and transfered to humans when consumed. Furthermore, the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Entada leptostachya and Senna singueana had high LC₅₀ of >1000 µg/ml and were considered noncytotoxic. However, Securidaca longipendunculata had an LC₅₀ of <1000 µg/ml and was considered slightly cytotoxic. Further empirical investigations to characterise the bioactive phytochemicals and their safety should be done.