In Vitro and In Vivo Neutralizing Activity of Uvaria chamae Leaves Fractions on the Venom of Naja nigricollis in Albino Rat and Bovine Blood

Nanoformulated 3'-diindolylmethane modulates apoptosis, migration, and angiogenesis in breast cancer cells

Background

It is well-established that specific herbal plants contain natural active ingredients that have demonstrated anti-cancer potential. Therefore, they are considered highly beneficial as a potential adjuvant, alternative or complementary agent in anti-cancer therapy. However, the low chemical stability and limited bioavailability of 3, 3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a plant-derived compound used in clinical settings, limit its therapeutic applications. To overcome this challenge, researchers have focused on developing innovative approaches to improve DIM's biological activity, such as utilizing nanoformulations. Here, we investigated the potential benefits of coating DIM nanoparticles (DIM-NPs) with PEG/chitosan in the treatment of breast cancer. Our results demonstrate the molecular mechanism underlying the activity of DIM-NPs, highlighting their potential as an effective therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment.

Methods

DIM-PLGA-PEG/chitosan NPs were synthesised and characterised using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and evaluated the impact of these NPs on two breast cancer cell models.

Results

DIM-NPs had an average diameter of 102.3 nm and a PDI of 0.182. When treated with DIM-NPs for 48 h, both MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells displayed cytotoxicity at a concentration of 6.25 g/mL compared to untreated cells. Furthermore, in MDA-MB-231 cells, treatment with 2.5 μg/mL of DIM-NPs resulted in a significant decrease in cell migration, propagation, and angiogenesis which was further enhanced at 10 μg/mL. In chicken embryos, treatment with 5 μg/mL of DIM-NPs on day 2 led to a significant reduction in angiogenesis. Furthermore, this treatment induced cell death through a regulatory pathway involving the upregulation of Bax and p53, as well as the downregulation of Bcl-2. These results were supported by in-silico analysis of DIM's binding affinity to key proteins involved in this pathway, namely Bax, Bcl-2, and p53.

Conclusion

Our findings show that DIM-NPs induces apoptosis, inhibit migration, and reduce angiogenesis in breast cancer. However, further research using a preclinical cancer model may be necessary to determine the pharmacokinetics of DIM-NPs and ensure their safety and efficacy in vivo.

Pre-clinical efficacy of African medicinal plants used in the treatment of snakebite envenoming: A systematic review

The World Health Organization has listed Snakebite Envenoming (SBE) as a priority neglected tropical disease, with a worldwide annual snakebite affecting 5.4 million people and injuring 2.7 million lives. In many parts of rural areas of Africa and Asia, medicinal plants have been used as alternatives to conventional antisnake venom (ASV) due in part to inaccessibility to hospitals. Systemic reviews (SR) of laboratory-based preclinical studies play an essential role in drug discovery. We conducted an SR to evaluate the relationship between interventional medicinal plants and their observed effects on venom-induced experiments. This SR was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The Modified collaborative approach to meta-analysis and review of animal data from experimental studies (CAMARADES) and SYRCLE's risk of bias tools were used to appraise the included studies. Data were searched online in Medline via PubMed, Embase via OVID, and Scopus. Studies reporting in vivo and in vitro pharmacological activities of African medicinal plants/extracts/constituents against venom-induced pathologies were identified and included for screening. Data from the included studies were extracted and synthesized. Ten studies reported statistically significant percentage protection (40-100%) of animals against venom-induced lethality compared with control groups that received no medicinal plant intervention. Sixteen studies reported significant effects (p ≤ 0.05) against venom-induced pathologies compared with the control group; these include hemolytic, histopathologic, necrotic, and anti-enzymatic effects. The plant family Fabaceae has the highest number of studies reporting its efficacy, followed by Annonaceae, Malvaceae, Combretaceae, Sterculiaceae, and Olacaceae. Some African medicinal plants are preclinically effective against venom-induced lethality, hematotoxicity, and cytotoxicity. The evidence was extracted from three in vitro studies, nine in vivo studies, and five studies that combined both in vivo and in vitro models. The effective plants belong to the Fabaceae family, followed by Malvaceae, and Annonaceae.

In vitro anthelmintic activity of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) Fruits against Haemonchus contortus

Helminthosis is one of the greatest causes of parasitic disease and loss in animal productivity. As such, the control of helminth parasites is of critical importance. This study was aimed to investigate the in vitro anthelmintic activity of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) fruits against Haemonchus contortus. Using in vitro techniques, the anthelmintic activity of extracts and fractions of D. tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) was evaluated for ovicidal (Egg hatch inhibition test) and larvicidal (larval mortality test) activity. Besides, the maximum tolerated dose was determined in adult albino rats administered, 300, 400, and 500 mg/kg body weight of the CME fraction, and observed over a period of 48 h for signs of toxicity and mortality. Phytochemical screening uncovered the occurrence of flavonoids, steroids/triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, and alkaloids in the crude methanol extract (CME), the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), and butanol fraction. The maximum tolerated dose of the CME of D. tripetala did not produce observable signs of toxicity or death in all the rats given up to 500 mg/kg. The CME and EAF of D. tripetala fruits produced a significant ( p < 0.05 ) reduction in the hatchability of H. contortus eggs in a concentration-dependent manner, while the CME at concentrations between 12.5 and 100 mg/ml completely inhibited the hatching of H. contortus eggs. Similarly, EAF at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml completely inhibited the hatching of H. contortus eggs. The CME and EAF of D. tripetala fruits produced significant ( p < 0.05 ) larvicidal activity against L₃ of H. contortus in a concentration-dependent manner while the CME at concentrations between 6.25 and 100 mg/ml caused larval mortality of H. contortus L₃ larvae completely. This study suggests that methanol extract and fractions of D. tripetala fruits possess beneficial anthelmintic (ovicidal and larvicidal) activity against H. contortus, and may be a suitable alternative anthelmintic candidate for the control of nematodes.

Novel Pomegranate-Nanoparticles Ameliorate Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Improves Cisplatin Anti-Cancer Efficacy in Ehrlich Carcinoma Mice Model

Cisplatin (CISP) is one of the most widely used anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents with remarkable efficacy against various types of cancers. However, it has been associated with nephrotoxicity amongst other undesirable side effects. Pomegranate (PE) is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent effective against cancer, with a superior benefit of not being associated with the common toxicities related to the use of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. However, the application of PE is limited by its reduced solubility and decreased bioavailability. We investigated the potential of a novel nanoparticle (NP) enclosing PE to enhance its solubility and improve its bioavailability, and efficacy to prevent CISP-associated nephrotoxicity in a mice model of Ehrlich solid carcinoma (ESC). All mice were grouped into four cohorts: (I) control, (II) tumor, (III) CISP, and (IV) CISP + PE-NPs. The data obtained demonstrated that PE-NPs was beneficial in potently ameliorating CISP-induced nephrotoxicity in ESC mice. PE-NPs significantly attenuated CISP-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the kidney via improving activities of antioxidants (SOD, GSH, and CAT). Additionally, PE-NPs considerably decreased CISP-induced inflammation in the kidney by decreasing the levels of NF-kB, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Notably, PE-NPs did not assuage the antitumor efficacy of CISP as revealed by histological assessment and tumor weight data. In summary, PE-NPs may be a potent alternative anticancer therapy devoid of nephrotoxicity.

Anthelmintic activity of methanol extract of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) fruits against Haemonchus contortus in red Sokoto goats

Haemonchosis is a gastrointestinal parasitic disease of economic importance in ruminants especially sheep and goats. In view of the rising costs of conventional veterinary anthelmintics and the development of resistance by Haemonchus contortus, there is a need to develop alternative ethnoveterinary therapies for the treatment and management of Haemonchosis. This study investigated the anthelmintic activity of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) fruits against Haemonchus contortus in red Sokoto goats. The maximum tolerated dose was determined in adult albino rats administered, 3000, 4000, and 5000 mg/kg body weight of the crude methanol extract (CME) fraction, and observed over a period of 48 h for signs of toxicity and mortality. The in vivo anthelmintic activity was evaluated using 20 kids infected with H. contortus and randomly allocated into 5 groups (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Kids in groups 1, 2, and 3 were treated with CME at doses of 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg respectively for 3 consecutive days per os. Groups 4 and 5 were treated with albendazole (7.5 mg/kg) once and distilled water (5 ml) respectively and served as treated and untreated controls. Blood samples were collected for haematology. The maximum tolerated dose of the CME of D. tripetala did not produce observable signs of toxicity or death in all the rats given up to 5000 mg/kg. There was significant (P < 0.05) reduction in faecal egg count by CME at doses of 1250 mg/kg (91.6%), 2500 mg/kg (98.5%), and 5000 mg/kg (100%) at day 14 post-treatment. The total plasma protein (TPP) and FAMACHA© scoring values were significantly improved (P < 0.05) in the treated groups. These results indicate that methanol extract and fractions of D. tripetala fruits possess beneficial anthelmintic activity against H. contortus and may be a suitable alternative anthelmintic candidate for the control of haemonchosis in goats.

Anticoccidial efficacy of Garcinia kola (Heckel H.) against experimental Eimeria tenella infection in chicks

There is a need to advance commercial poultry production to cater to the essential protein needs of an ever-increasing population, however, the rampant occurrence of coccidiosis infection poses a threat to this achievement. This study evaluated the in vivo anticoccidial activities of the extracts and fractions of Garcinia kola against experimental Eimeria tenella infection using broiler chickens as experimental subjects. A total of 40 broiler chicks were experimentally infected with E. tenella and assigned randomly into five groups consisting of eight chicks each. Three days post experimental infection groups I and II were administered orally with tween 80 (0.8%) and Amprolium (30 mg/kg) and served as untreated and treated control groups, respectively whereas Groups III, IV, and V were administered orally with crude methanol extract (CME) at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, respectively, for five consecutive days. Daily weight gains were recorded and faecal oocysts per gram (OPG) counts were made by the McMaster Egg counting technique. Blood samples from each experimental group were collected on days 0, 3, 6, and 8 for haematological examination. In the acute toxicity studies, the CME of G. kola did not produce any toxic effect or mortality at doses between 10 and 5000 mg/kg. The CME G. kola was then considered safe and the LD50 was assumed to be > 5000 mg/kg. Graded doses of CME of G. kola considerably (P < 0.05) improved body weight gain and decreased OPG in a dose-depended manner. There was also significant improvement in the Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell (RBC) and White Blood Cell (WBC) counts upon treatment with the graded doses of CME of G. kola. Besides, G. kola significantly decreased histopathological lesions in the caecum. The results of this study indicates that G. kola may provide beneficial effects against E. tenella-induced coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

In Vitro Anticoccidial Activities of the Extract and Fractions of Garcinia kola (Heckel h.) Against Eimeria tenella Oocyst

BACKGROUND

Commercial poultry farming is expanding every day and contributing to the provision of affordable and high-quality protein. However, this sector is confronted with many diseases of which coccidiosis is among the most important. There are many registered patents affirming the health benefits of Garcinia kola in poultry.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of in vitro anticoccidial activities of the extracts and fractions of Garcinia kola against Eimeria tenella oocyst was carried out.

METHODS

Fresh seeds of G. kola were collected, dried under shade at room temperature, and pulverized using a mortar and a pestle. The powder was exhaustively extracted with a soxhlet apparatus using 70% methanol, and the crude methanol extract (CME) was concentrated to dryness using a rotary evaporator. The CME was further partitioned using butanol, ethylacetate, and n-hexane. The CME, butanol fraction (BTF), ethylacetate fraction (EAF), and hexane fraction (HXF) were concentrated in vacuo and tested for the presence of phytochemical constituents using standard procedures. Similarly, the CME, butanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane fractions were evaluated in vitro for oocyst sporulation inhibition.

RESULTS

Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, saponins, carbohydrates, steroids/triterpenes, tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids in the CME and BTF. The EAF contains all the metabolites mentioned except saponins. Similarly, HXF contains only cardiac glycosides, tannins, and steroids/ triterpenes. The CME and BTF caused a concentration-dependent increase in the inhibition of sporulation of unsporulated oocysts of E. tenella. In the acute toxicity studies, the CME did not produce any toxic effect or mortality at doses between 10 and 5000 mg/kg. The CME was then considered safe, and the LD50 was assumed to be >5000 mg/kg.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained in this study suggested that the crude methanol extract (CME) of G. kola could be an appreciable beneficial effect as an anticoccidial agent against Eimeria tenella oocyst.