Evaluation of extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis, Nauclea latifolia and Uvaria afzalii for activity against bacterial isolates from cases of non-gonococcal urethritis

Use of Medicinal Plants in Africa: A Case Study From the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Although medicinal plants are beneficial, they also can be important risk factors for the development of acute and chronic kidney injury, as well toxicity of other solid organs. There are a lack of reports of adverse kidney events and drug interactions resulting from medicinal plants owing to a lack of professional surveillance and specific data on kidney toxicity, especially in low-resource settings. Within the context of increased medicinal plant use and lack of effective regulatory control, safety is a key priority issue. We review the benefits and adverse effects of medicinal plants with particular reference to nephrotoxicity encountered in the Democratic Republic of Congo in sub-Saharan Africa.

Protective Effects of Anthocleista djalonensis Extracts against Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Epileptic Seizures and Neuronal Cell Loss: Role of Antioxidant Defense System

Oxidative stress and neurodegeneration are involved in the initiation of epileptogenesis and progression of epileptic seizures. This study was aimed at investigating the anticonvulsant, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties of active fractions isolated from Anthocleista djalonensis root barks in pentylenetetrazole mouse models of epileptic seizures. Bioactive-guided fractionation of Anthocleista djalonensis (AFAD) extracts using acute pentylenetetrazole (90 mg/kg) induced generalised tonic-clonic seizures, which afforded a potent anticonvulsant fraction (FPool 5). Further fractionation of AFAD was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography, which yielded fifteen subfractions, which were chemically characterised. In addition, AFAD was tested against convulsions or spontaneous kindled seizures induced, respectively, by acute (50 mg/kg) or subchronic (30 mg/kg) injection of pentylenetetrazole. Finally, oxidative stress markers, brain GABA content, and neuronal cell loss were evaluated in AFAD-treated pentylenetetrazole-kindled mice. Administration of AFAD significantly protected mice against acute pentylenetetrazole (90 mg/kg)-induced convulsions. In acute pentylenetetrazole (50 mg/kg)-induced hippocampal and cortical paroxysmal discharges, AFAD significantly decreased the number of crisis, the cumulative duration of crisis, and the mean duration of crisis. Additionally, AFAD significantly decreased the number of myoclonic jerks and improved the seizure score in subchronic pentylenetetrazole-induced kindled seizures. The pentylenetetrazole-induced alteration of oxidant-antioxidant balance, GABA concentration, and neuronal cells in the brain were attenuated by AFAD treatment. This study showed that AFAD protected mice against pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptic seizures possibly through the enhancement of antioxidant defence and GABAergic signalling. These events might be correlated with the amelioration of neuronal cell loss; hence, AFAD could be a potential candidate for the treatment of epilepsy.

Plant species of the genus Uvaria: ethnobotanical uses, biological activities and phytochemistry

The genus Uvaria (Annonaceae) comprises of climbing or trailing shrubs and rarely trees. Its plant species are widely distributed across tropical Africa, Asia and Australia. The genus Uvaria is known for various ethnobotanical uses including the treatment of tumours and the control of fever. Some of plant species in this genus have been studied for their ethnobotanical uses, biological activities and phytochemistry. The aim of the present study is to give a comprehensive review of plant species from the genus Uvaria in terms of their ethnobotanical uses, biological activities and phytochemistry. This review is expected to lay a foundation for further studies of this genus in terms of ethnobotanical applicability, biological activities and phytochemistry. Since many compounds currently known from the genus Uvaria have not yet been investigated for their biological activities, this review will be useful for future studies in the phytochemical investigations of lead compounds from this genus.

Evidence for the involvement of the GABA-ergic pathway in the anticonvulsant activity of the roots bark aqueous extract of Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev. (Loganiaceae)

BACKGROUND

The root bark of Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev. (Loganiaceae) is widely used in traditional medicine in Northern Cameroon to treat epilepsy and related conditions, such as migraine, insomnia, dementia, anxiety, and mood disorders.

METHODS

To investigate the anticonvulsant effects and the possible mechanisms of this plant, an aqueous extract of Anthocleista djalonensis (AEAD) was evaluated by using animal models of bicuculline-, picrotoxin-, pilocarpine-, and pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions. Their effects on brain γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration and GABA-T activity were also determined.

RESULTS

This extract significantly protected mice against bicuculline-induced motor seizures. It provided 80% protection against picrotoxin-induced tonic-clonic seizures, and strongly antagonized convulsions induced by pilocarpine. AEAD also protected 100% of mice against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. Flumazenil, a central benzodiazepine receptor antagonist and FG7142, a partial inverse agonist in the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor complex, were found to have an inhibitory effect on the anticonvulsant action of AEAD in pentylenetetrazole test. Finally, the brain GABA concentration was significantly increased and GABA-T activity was inhibited by AEAD.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of Anthocleista djalonensis suggested the presence of anticonvulsant properties that might involve an action on benzodiazepine and/or GABA sites in the GABAA receptor complex or by modulating GABA concentration in the central nervous system (CNS).

Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of African Nauclea species: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOALOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Nauclea in Africa comprises seven species. Among them, N. latifolia, N. diderrichii and N. pobeguinii are widely used by the local population in traditional remedies. Preparation from various parts of plants (e.g. roots, bark, leaves) are indicated by traditional healers for a wide range of diseases including malaria, pain, digestive ailments or metabolic diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted on African species of the genus Nauclea using scientific databases such as Google Scholar, Pubmed or SciFinder. Every document of ethnopharmacological, phytochemical or pharmacological relevance and written in English or French were analyzed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Nauclea genus is used as ethnomedicine all along sub-Saharan Africa. Several local populations consider Nauclea species as a major source of remedies for malaria. In this regard, two improved traditional medicines are currently under development using extracts from N. latifolia and N. pobeguinii. Concerning the chemical composition of the Nauclea genus, indoloquinolizidines alkaloids could be considered as the major class of compounds as they are reported in every analyzed Nauclea species, with numerous structures identified. Based on traditional indications a considerable amount of pharmacological studies were conducted to ensure activity and attempt to link them to the presence of particular compounds in plant extracts.

CONCLUSION

Many experimental studies using plant extracts of the African species of the genus Nauclea validate traditional indications (e.g. malaria and pain). However, bioactive compounds are rarely identified and therefore, there is a clear need for further evaluations as well as for toxicity experiments. The sustainability of these plants, especially of N. diderrichii, a threatened species, should be kept in mind to adapt local uses and preparation modes of traditional remedies.

Nauclea latifolia: biological activity and alkaloid phytochemistry of a West African tree

Covering up to 2016Nauclea latifolia (syn. Sarcocephalus latifolius, Rubiaceae), commonly called the African pincushion tree, is a plant widely used in folk medicine in different regions of Africa for treating a variety of illnesses, including malaria, epilepsy and pain. N. latifolia has not only drawn the interest of traditional healers but also of phytochemists, who have identified a range of bioactive indole alkaloids in its tissue. More recently, following up on the traditional use of extracts in pain management, a bio-guided purification from the roots of the tree led to the identification of the active ingredient as tramadol, available as a synthetic analgesic since the 1970s. The discovery of this compound as a natural phytochemical was highlighted worldwide. This review focuses on the correlation between extracted compounds and pharmacological activities, paying special attention to infectious diseases and neurologically-related disorders. A critical analysis of the data reported so far on the natural origin of tramadol and its proposed biosynthesis is also presented.

Medicinal plants of the genus Anthocleista--A review of their ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Anthocleista of the Gentianaceae family contains 14 species of trees and shrub-like plants distributed in tropical Africa, in Madagascar and on the Comoros. Traditionally, they are commonly used in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension, malaria, typhoid fever, obesity, diarrhea, dysentery, hyperprolactinemia, abdominal pain, ulcer, jaundice, asthma, hemorrhoids, hernia, cancer, wounds, chest pains, inflammations, rheumatism, STDs, infertility and skin diseases. They serve as an anthelmintic, laxative, diuretic and contraceptive. This review aims to provide for the first time a repository of ethnopharmacological information while critically evaluating the relation between the traditional medicinal uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of the Anthocleista species so as to unveil opportunities for future research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search for relevant information on Anthocleista species was performed on scientific databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar, SciFinder, Web of Science, Scopus, PubChem and other web sources such as The Plant List, Kew Botanical Garden and PROTA) and books, PhD and MSc dissertations for un-published resources.

RESULTS

Out of the 14 species of Anthocleista, 6 have been reported in literature to be widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. The six species include: A. djalonensis, A. vogelii, A. nobilis, A. grandiflora, A. schweinfurthii, and A. liebrechtsiana. The chemical compounds isolated from Anthocleista species fall into the class of phytochemicals such as secoiridoids, nor-secoiridoids, xanthones, phytosterols, triterpenes, alkaloids, and others of which majority of the compounds were isolated from A. djalonensis and A. vogelii. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies on the crude extracts, fractions and few isolated compounds of Anthocleista species showed antidiabetic, antiplasmodial, antimicrobial, hypotensive, spasmogenic, anti-obesity, antiulcerogenic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitrypanosomal, anthelmintic, fertility, diuretic and laxative activities which supports most of their uses in traditional medicine. However, the bulk of the studies where centered on the antidiabetic, antiplasmodial and antimicrobial activities of Anthocleista species, although the evidence of its antiplasmodial effect was not convincing enough due to the discrepancies between the in vitro and in vivo results.

CONCLUSION

A. djalonensis and A. vogelii are potential antidiabetic and antibacterial agents. The antibacterial potency relates to infections or diseases caused by E. coli, S. typhi and S. aureus such as urinary tract infections, typhoid, diarrhea, skin diseases, and food poisoning. Pharmacological research on this genus is quite elementary and limited, thus, more advanced research is necessary to isolate and determine the activities of bioactive compounds in vitro and in vivo, establish their mechanisms of action and commence the process of clinical research.

Alpha-amylase inhibitory activity of two Anthocleista species and in vivo rat model anti-diabetic activities of Anthocleista djalonensis extracts and fractions

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anthocleista djalonensis (A. Chev) and Anthocleista vogelii Planch are plants being used in West Africa traditionally to treat various diseases such as malaria, hernia, hypertension, stomach aches, hemorrhoids, syphilis, and diabetes. Diabetes causes about 5% of all deaths globally each year. Chemotherapeutic agents such as biguanides, sulfonylureas, and thiozolidinediones are available for the treatment of diabetes, however, they have undesirable side effects. The need for newer, more effective and less toxic drugs is imperative and the biodiversity of Nigeria has a high potential for drug discovery based on plants used in the ethnomedicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the leaves, stem bark and roots of these plants for their probable alpha-amylase inhibitory activities and establish their anti-diabetic activities. The overall goal is do bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation of active anti-diabetic compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Powdered samples (leaves, stem bark and roots) macerated with 80% aqueous methanol were evaluated in vitro using alpha-amylase inhibitory assay while in vivo investigations were carried out on hyperglycemic rats. Diabetes was induced in albino rats by an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (80mg/kg). Plant extracts (1g/kg) were given orally for 7 days, while blood glucose levels were monitored using a one touch glucometer. The crude methanol extracts found to be most active were further partitioned into hexane and ethyl acetate fractions which were also tested in vivo on the diabetic animals.

RESULTS

The leaves and stem bark crude methanol extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis gave comparable α-amylase inhibition of 73.66% and 72.90%, respectively which were quite higher than the 38.93% and 22.90% of the same plant parts given by Anthocleista vogelii. The crude stem bark extract of Anthocleista djalonensis exhibited significant peak blood glucose reduction on day 6 (72.59%, p<0.05) which was higher than the leaves or roots which gave 45.73% and 47.46% (p<0.05), respectively The stem bark ethyl acetate fraction of Anthocleista djalonensis gave reduction in blood glucose level of 60.86% (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

From our results, the leaves, stem bark and whole root of both plants exhibited α-amylase inhibitory activities with Anthocleista djalonensis also showing good anti-diabetic activities in vivo indicating that they contain active principles for the management of diabetes. There is justification for the use of the plants traditionally to manage diabetes.

Essential Oils from the Leaves of Six Medicinal Plants of Nigeria

The chemistry of Cassia siamea L., C. occidentalis L. (Fabaceae), Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae), Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev (Loganiaceae), Solanum torvum Swartz and S. erianthum G. Don (Solanaceae) volatiles grown in Nigeria have been studied. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The main compounds of C. siamea were (E)-geranyl acetone (5.8%), 1-octen-3-ol (5.8%), linalool (7.8%), iso-italicene (15.4%) and (E)-β-damascenone (11.0%). On the other hand, C. occidentalis consisted mainly of (E)-geranyl acetone (8.0%), hexahydrofarnesylacetone (24.0%) and (E)-phytol acetate (40.7%). The oil of C. ferruginea was comprised mainly of (E)-geranyl acetone (13.7%), (E)-α-ionone (9.5%), phytol (5.8%), pentadecanal (6.1%) and 1-octen-3-ol (5.5%). The main compounds of A. djalonensis were α-humulene (31.9%), β-caryophyllene (17.8%), humulene epoxide II (12.7%) and caryophyllene oxide (5.9%). The main volatiles of S. torvum were (E)-phytol acetate (38.7%), pentadecanal (25.3%) and (E)-geranyl acetone (5.0%). Apart from methyl salicylate (4.5%), tetradecanal (2.2%), 2-pentyl furan (1.8%), hexahydrofarnesylacetone (1.6%) and hexadecanal (1.1%), all other compounds were either present in trace quantity or in amounts less than 1%. On the other hand, α-humulene (46.6%) and β-caryophyllene (20.6%) were the compounds occurring in higher quantities in S. erianthum. The volatile oil contents of Cassia siamea, Cnestis ferruginea, Anthocleista djalonensis and Solanum torvum are being reported for the first time.

Medicinal plants use in central Togo (Africa) with an emphasis on the timing

Background:

Plant-based remedies continue to play a key role in the health care of people in Togo; however, there is a lack of published data in medicinal plants and medical practices of the people in the country.

Objective:

This study was aimed at documenting the plant utilization in the Tem folk medicine in the central region of Togo.

Materials and Methods:

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted with traditional healers in the central region of Togo using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Results:

This study demonstrated that local specialists in the central region of Togo tend to agree with each other in terms of the plants used to treat diabetes (ICF = 0.38), infertility, and abdominal pains (ICF = 0.33), but cite a much more diverse groups of plants to treat problems related to arterial hypertension, sickle cell disease, and abscess. They use 144 herbal concoctions made of 72 plants, distributed among 36 botanical families. The Euphorbiaceae family with eight species was best represented in terms of the number of species. The species with the highest use value were Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss. (Meliaceae) (UV = 0.36), Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev. (Gentianaceae) (UV = 0.27), Trichilia emetica Vahl (Meliaceae) (UV = 0.25), and Sarcocephalus latifolius (Sm.) E. A. Bruce (Rubiaceae) (UV = 0.21). They also rely on the timing in the plant processing and the administration of herbal remedies.

Conclusion:

All these findings are based on empirical observations; laboratory screenings are needed to check the effectiveness of these plants.

Investigations of antimicrobial activity of some Cameroonian medicinal plant extracts against bacteria and yeast with gastrointestinal relevance

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Resistance against antibiotics of many bacteria is accumulating. Therefore, searches for new substances with antimicrobial activity have become an urgent necessity. Medicinal plants are frequently used in popular medicine as remedies for many infectious diseases (intestinal infection, malaria, tuberculosis, etc.).

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from different parts (leaves, stem bark, entire plant) of five different plant species against bacteria and yeast of gastrointestinal relevance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-one extracts from all the following plants (Albizia gummifera (leaf), Ficus exasperata (leaf and stem bark), Nauclea latifolia (leaf and stem bark), Ricinodendron heudelotii (stem bark), Senna hirsuta (entire plant) have been screened for their antimicrobial activity against eight bacteria species including Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and one yeast species (Candida albicans) using agar disc-diffusion, and microbroth dilution assays.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that F. exasperata and N. latifolia were active against the whole set of tested microorganisms. The methanol extract of N. latifolia (leaf and stem bark) was the most active against against C. albicans, E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2, 32, 64 and 64 μg/ml, respectively. The methanol extract of leaf of F. exasperata was also most active with significant inhibitory activity against E. coli, S. dysenteriae, S. Typhi and P. aeruginosa with MIC values of 128 μg/ml. Only the extract of N. latifolia (stem bark and leaf) showed anticandidal property.

CONCLUSION

The results show that these plant extracts exhibit antimicrobial activity and N. latifolia proved to be most effective as an antibacterial and antifungal.

In vivo evaluation of the antiviral activity of Cajanus cajan on measles virus

Cajanus cajan, a tropical shrub, serves as source of food and traditional medicines. The evaluation of aqueous and ethanol extracts for activity against measles virus and toxicity to embryonated chicken eggs was carried out in this study. In vivo and in vitro assay techniques using embryonated chicken eggs and tissue culture (Hep-2 cell lines) as media for both virus cultivation and anti-virus assay showed that a hot-water extract yielded higher activity against measles virus. The hot-water extract of the stem yielded a Log(2) titre of 0.1 for the in vivo assay and an inhibition of cytopathic effect (CPE) in Hep-2 cells by 100% for the in vitro assay. At all concentrations of the extracts, there was a lowering of virus concentration (p = 0.05), indicated by hemagglutination (HA) titration, which is the advantage of HA titration over the tissue culture technique using CPE. This study validates embryonated chicken eggs as suitable media for anti-virus assay and the use of C. cajan in the treatment of some diseases of viral origin.

In vitro myometrial inhibition by the partitioned aqueous fraction of Anthocleista djalonensis leaves

This study investigated the effect on the uterus of the aqueous fraction of the partitioned methanol crude extract of the leaves of Anthocleista djalonensis (AD) and the possible mechanism of AD activity. AD inhibited the concentration-response curves induced by oxytocin and CaCl2 on the rat uterus in vitro and significantly reduced the EC50 in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). A similar effect was observed with salbutamol and verapamil on the concentration-response curves obtained for oxytocin and CaCl2. The inhibitory effect of AD was not attenuated in the presence of propranolol. AD, salbutamol, and verapamil also produced a concentration-dependent relaxation on K+-induced sustained uterine contraction. In Ca2+-free medium, AD and salbutamol similarly inhibited oxytocin-induced contraction, but verapamil failed to produce this effect. The present results suggest that AD, being a mixture of phytochemicals, probably exerts inhibitory activity on in vitro uterine contractions of the nonpregnant, diethylstilboestrol-treated rat by multiple mechanisms that do not involve interaction with &beta;-adrenergic receptors and do not solely depend on inhibition of calcium influx.

Herbal remedies and their adverse effects in Tem tribe traditional medicine in Togo

In Africa, up to 80% of the population relies on herbal concoctions for their primarily health care. In Togo, western Africa, Tem tribe is a population with old knowledge of medicinal plants, however, still very little is known about their medical practices. The present study was conducted to access for the apprehension of adverse effects of traditional remedies by Tem traditional healers (TH). Enquiry was performed by interviews with healers from August to October 2007 in Tchaoudjo prefecture (Togo). The study allowed us to interview 54 TH including 41(75.93%) males and 13(24.07%) females, who cited 102 recipes assumed to have adverse effects. The recipes were used alone to cure several diseases including haemorrhoids (22.55%), female sexual disorders and infertility (21.57%), gastrointestinal disorders (18.63%), and malaria (6.86%). A total of 34 plants belonging to 21 families were cited to be components of the recipes. Euphorbiaceae and Mimosaceae families were the most represented, however, Nauclea latifolia, Khaya senegalensis, Pseudocedrela kotschyi and Xeroderris stuhlmannii were the main components of recipes linked to adverse effects. A total of 20 adverse effects were linked to the administration of theses drugs, and among them; diarrhoea, abdominal pains, polyuria, general weakness and vomiting were the most frequently encountered. These findings were in accordance with several reports of the literature concerning medicinal plants, although they were based on empirical observations. Laboratory screenings are needed to access for the effectiveness as well as the possible toxic effects of the recipes.

An antimicrobial investigation of plants used traditionally in southern Africa to treat sexually transmitted infections

AIM OF THE STUDY

Eighteen plants were assessed for antimicrobial activity against pathogens associated with prevalent urogenital/sexually transmitted infections. Plant selection was based on information obtained from the ethnobotanical literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dried plant material was submerged in a 1:1 mixture of methanol and dichloromethane for 24 h. Aqueous extracts were prepared by submerging dried plant material in sterile distilled water for 24 h followed by lyophilization. Essential oils were distilled from the two aromatic plant species (Tarchonanthus camphoratus and Croton gratissimus). Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the micro-well minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay with specific modifications to facilitate fastidious growth of pathogens.

RESULTS

Tarchonanthus camphoratus (solvent extract) showed the most significant broad spectrum activity with MIC values ranging between 0.50 and 0.70 mg/ml against five of the six pathogens tested. Other noteworthy activity was found for Hypericum aethiopicum (root) at 0.3 mg/ml (Neisseria gonorrhoeae).Polygala fruticosa and the solvent root extract of Hypericum aethiopicum showed highest sensitivities towards Gardnerella vaginalis at 0.2 mg/ml. Efficacy of the solvent extracts against the pathogen Oligella ureolytica demonstrated antimicrobial activity (MIC values <or=1.0 mg/ml) for seven plant species. The highest activity noted against Ureaplasma urealyticum was for Psidium guajava (solvent extract) at 0.8 mg/ml. In general the aqueous extracts displayed mostly poor anti-STI activity. The most noteworthy susceptibility for the aqueous extracts was noted with the plant extract Syzygium cordatum (MIC value 0.1 mg/ml against Candida albicans). The most noteworthy activity for the essential oils was observed for Tarchonanthus camphoratus (0.8 mg/ml) against Oligella ureolytica.

CONCLUSIONS

Antimicrobial activity was observed for a number of the plant samples against at least one or more pathogen, thus validating the ethnobotanical use as an anti-infective to treat sexually transmitted diseases.

Evaluation of the in vivo antimalarial activity of ethanolic leaf and stembark extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the in vivo antimalarial activities of ethanolic leaf and stembark extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis used traditionally as malarial remedy in Southern Nigeria in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei.

METHODS

The ethanolic extracts of the A. djalonensis leaf (1000 - 3000 mg/kg/day) and stembark (220 - 660 mg/kg/day) were screened for blood schizonticidal activity against chloroquine-sensitive P. berghei in mice. The schizonticidal effect during early and established infections was investigated.

RESULTS

The A. djalonensis leaf extract (1000 - 3000 mg/kg/day) exhibited a significant antiplasmodial activity both in the 4-day early infection test and in the established infection with a considerable mean survival time, which was incomparable to that of the standard drug, chloroquine (5 mg/kg/day). The stembark extract (220 - 660 mg/kg/day) also demonstrated a promising blood schizontocidal activity in early and established infections.

CONCLUSION

These plant extracts possess considerable antiplasmodial activities, which justify their use in ethnomedicine and can be exploited in malaria therapy.

Chemical Constituents of Nauclea latifolia and their Anti-GST and Anti-Fungal Activities

The crude ethanolic extract of Nauclea latifolia yielded five known compounds, strictosamide (1), naucleamides A (2), naucleamide F (3), quinovic acid-3-O-β-rhamnosylpyranoside (4), and quinovic acid 3-O-β-fucosylpyranoside (5). Microbial reactions, using a whole cell culture of Rhizopus circinans on compound (1), yielded three analogues, 10-hydroxystrictosamide (6), 10-4bT-glucosyloxyvincoside lactam (7) and 16,17-dihydro-10-β-glucosyloxyvincoside lactam (8). Compounds 1-8 were identified with the aid of extensive NMR spectral studies. Compound 8 was found to be a new metabolite. Compounds 1-8 exhibited different levels of anti-GST and antifungal activities.

Some Nigerian plants of dermatologic importance

BACKGROUND

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the world's population uses medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases and, in African countries, this rate is much higher. In recent years, however, medicinal plants have represented a primary health source for the pharmaceutical industry. No less than 400 compounds derived from plants are currently used in the preparation of drugs, such as vincristine and vinblastine used in the treatment of cancer. Nigerians still depend largely on crude herbal remedies or traditional medicine. They also use wild plants for cosmetics and perfumery. Some of these herbal remedies have been observed to be effective in certain skin diseases.

METHODS

The data were obtained from history questionnaires completed by patients at the Dermatology Clinic, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, and from oral interviews with vendors and prescribers of herbal preparations at major markets at Lagos and Ijebu-Ode in south-west Nigeria, between July 2004 and July 2006. Photographs of plants were taken at private residences at Lagos, Ibadan, and Ijebu-Ode in south-west Nigeria. A literature search was conducted on 38 of the plants. The data are presented in tabular form.

RESULTS

Sixty-five per cent of patients had applied some form of herbal remedy before attending our clinic. The reasons for consultation included relapses, unsustained relief, incomplete resolution, and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Lesions for which herbs were successfully applied included infantile eczema and seborrhoiec dermatitis, atopic eczema, impetigo, impetiginized eczema, tinea capitis, scabies, erythema multiforme, leg ulcers, localized vitiligo, and sexually transmitted diseases. Partial relief was achieved in dermatophytoses, ichthyosis, leprosy, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Some forms of alopecia, onychomycosis, and vitiligo, as well as allergic dermatoses, were not improved by herbal medicines. The preparation of the remedies was mostly by heating and boiling, infusion, and maceration. In most cases, mixtures of plants or other substances were used. The preparations were applied as poultices, ointments, baths, soaks and soaps, and oral fluids. The plants used included Adansonia digitata, Aframomum melegueta, Aloe species, Azadirachta indica, Cassia alata, Alstonia boonei, Ficus asperifolia, Cocos nucifera, Jatropha gossypyfolia, Ocimum gratissimum, Ricinus communis. A literature search on 38 of the plants used by herbal prescribers revealed the presence of established antimicrobial agents, immune modulating agents, antioxidants, other vitamins and minerals, volatile oils and emollients, and anti-inflammatory agents. Some of the plants may be contaminated by mycotoxins because of poor storage.

CONCLUSION

There appears to be clinical, scientific, and pharmacologic basis for the use of herbal preparations. Nigeria needs to provide effective coordination of the practice of herbal medicine to ensure safety, standardization, and preservation of the flora.

The effect of water extract of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) and lactic acid on decontamination and shelf life of raw broiler wings

In an attempt to improve the bacteriological quality and refrigerated shelf life of broiler meat, 10-min surface wash treatments with sterile distilled water (DW), 8% (wt/vol) water extract of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) fruits (WES), and 2% (vol/vol) lactic acid (LA) were compared by using a broiler wing model. The aerobic plate counts (log10 cfu/g) of psychrotrophs, mesophilic aerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms and presumptive fecal coliforms on the samples were determined. Immediately after a 10-min decontaminaton, the mean count of all the bacterial groups was determined to be 3.9, 2.6, and 1.7 (log10 cfu/g) for DW, WES, and LA, respectively. Because the postdecontamination population level of psychrotrophs, mesophiles, and Enterobacteriaceae were low in the LA-treated group compared to the WES group, an equity between the 2 groups in the point of view of the 3 bacterial groups existed at d 10 of cold storage (3 +/- 1 degrees C). Shelf life was 7 and 14 d for wings treated with DW and WES, respectively, whereas the LA-treated wings did not spoil after 14 d of cold storage (3 +/- 1 degrees C). Nevertheless, an undesirable pale color and an acidulous odor occurred in the LA-treated wings. In contrast, a good color appeared on the WES-treated wings, which was also superior to the color of the DW-treated wings. Such advantages of WES may be important for poultry processors and for consumers. However, the immediate decontamination and refrigerated shelf life extension potential of WES should be intensively studied in antimicrobial interventions in poultry processing plants.

Ethnopharmacological survey of different uses of seven medicinal plants from Mali, (West Africa) in the regions Doila, Kolokani and Siby

An ethnopharmacological survey was carried out to collect information on the use of seven medicinal plants in rural areas in the nearby regions of Bamako, Mali. The plants were Opilia celtidifolia, Anthocleista djalonensis, Erythrina senegalensis, Heliotropium indicum, Trichilia emetica, Piliostigma thonningii and Cochlospermum tinctorium. About 50 medical indications were reported for the use of these plants in traditional medicine. The most frequent ailments reported were malaria, abdominal pain and dermatitis. The highest number of usages was reported for the treatment of malaria (22%). The majority of the remedies were prepared from freshly collected plant material from the wild and from a single species only. They were mainly taken orally, but some applications were prepared with a mixture of plants or ingredients such as honey, sugar, salt, ginger and pepper. Decoction of the leaves was the main form of preparation (65%) and leaf powder was mostly used for the preparation of infusions (13%). The part of the plants most frequently used was the leaves. There was a high degree of informant consensus for the species and their medicinal indications between the healers interviewed. The results of this study showed that people are still dependent on medicinal plants in these rural areas of Mali.