Polyphenol-Rich Fraction of Parquetina nigrescens Mitigates Dichlorvos-Induced Cardiorenal Dysfunction Through Reduction in Cardiac Nitrotyrosine and Renal p38 Expressions in Wistar Rats

A review of preclinical evidence of Cryptolepis nigrescens (Wennberg) L. Joubert. and Bruyns., Prosopsis africana (Guill. and Perr.) Taub. and Pterygota macrocarpa K. Schum. traditionally used to manage tumours in Ghana

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cancer stands as one of the leading causes of death worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and it has led to approximately 10 million fatalities in 2020. Medicinal plants are still widely used and accepted form of treatment for most diseases including cancer in Ghana. This review presented Cryptolepis nigrescens (Wennberg) L. Joubert. and Bruyns., Prosopsis africana (Guill. and Perr.) Taub. and Pterygota macrocarpa K. Schum. as medicinal plants that are traditionally used to treat tumour growth, amongst other diseases, in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

AIM OF REVIEW

This paper aims to present a comprehensive review on the botanical description, ecological distribution, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical composition and ethnopharmacological relevance of C. nigrescens, P. africana and P. macrocarpa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The review covers works published between 1962 and 2023 from various countries. Published books, thesis, scientific and medical articles on C. nigrescens, P. africana and P. macrocarpa were collected from the following databases: 'Scopus', 'Science Direct', 'Medline', 'PubMed', 'Research Gate' 'Google Scholar, and 'Springer link' using the keywords.

RESULTS

Phytochemical analysis of C. nigrescens, P. africana and P. macrocarpa revealed the presence of some prominent bioactive compounds such as convallatoxin, 7,3,4-trihydroxy-3-methoxyflavanone and dioxane, respectively. Plant extracts and isolated compounds of these medicinal plants exhibited a wide range of ethnopharmacological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, cytotoxic, antimalarial, antipyretic, haematinic, hepato-protective, aphrodisiac and antihypertensive properties.

CONCLUSION

The present review on C. nigrescens , P.africana and P. macrocarpa provided a credible summary of the ethnopharmacological research conducted on these medicinal plants till date. The data also highligted the potential therapeutic profiles of these plants in Ghana that could serve as foundation for future studies. Additionally, the information significantly supported the traditional and commercial use of these plants among the people.

“A Review of Parquetina nigrescens (Afzel.) Bullock, A Plant for Traditional Medicine: Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties”

The development of herbal medicines as a remedy for several illnesses has been recognized and accepted worldwide by health experts. Parquetina nigrescens is a perennial evergreen woody climber from the Apocynaceae family, widely used in Africa for the treatment of many diseases. The current study is intended to review and put together information available on this ethno-medicinal plant, which will improve scientific knowledge about the plant and also identify research areas that need to be investigated further. The information related to the plant was obtained using scientific databases such as Google scholar, WebMD, Wiley, Science direct, Cochrane database, student thesis, PubMed, and Scopus to obtain relevant literature regarding the botanical descriptions and distribution of the plant, traditional uses, phytochemicals, active compounds isolated from the plant, and pharmacological properties of P. nigrescens. Several traditional uses for different parts of the plant (leaves, stem bark, roots, leaf sap, flowers, and latex) have been presented. A review of the phytochemical composition of different plant parts revealed the presence of reducing sugars, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, coumarin, anthraquinones, terpenoids, and saponins. Many studies also highlighted pharmacological activities related to P. nigrescens, including antianemic and haematological activity, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antiasthmatic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, neurotoxic, cytotoxic, antityphoid, antipolycystic ovarian syndrome activity, antilipidemic, and memory-enhancing activity. It is recommended that further in-vivo and clinical studies be conducted on the plant for the development of novel drugs.

Simulation of hemo- and biochemical toxicities associated with chronic inhalation exposure to 2,2-Dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) in Wistar rat

DDVP is a commonly used pesticide in Nigeria and those involved with DDVP manufacturing, packaging or utilizing facilities seldom use PPE to limit pesticide exposure. The study aim was to determine the impact of chronic exposure to DDVP by monitoring hematological and biochemical changes in Wistar rats. Male rats (n = 60; 150-180 g) were exposed to graded DDVP concentrations (0%, 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, 80 % and 100 %) via inhalation route for 60 days. Body weights were initially measured and then at 20-day intervals. Blood samples were collected for hematology and serum biochemistry on day 61. Results showed significant (p < 0.05) polycythemia, neutrophilia, thrombocytosis, hepatic and renal derangement in rats exposed to DDVP. Also, albumin, AST, ALP, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, bilirubin levels and dyslipidemia significantly increased. Cholinergic signs and stunted growth were observed in higher concentrations. Study emphasized hazards of DDVP mishandling and risks of non-compliance with PPE use by workers in-contact with DDVP, as well as misuse/abuse in animals.