Effects of aqueous extract of Aspilia africana on reproductive functions of female Wistar rats

Effect of Quarrying and Stone Crushing Activities on Nutritional Composition, Heavy Metals and Oxidative Stress Indices of <i>Aspilia africana</i>

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Physiological and biochemical changes in plants are indicators used for monitoring cellular activity of plant prior and post exposure to harsh environment. This study investigated the impact of quarrying and stone crushing activities on heavy metals, plant nutritional composition, phytochemicals and oxidative stress indices of Aspilia africana.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different parts of A. africana were collected from the quarry site and compared to those growing from non-quarry mining environment.

RESULTS

The result shows that A. africana from quarry mining site had significant (p<0.05) increase in phenol, tannin, alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid, Mg2+, Na+, Fe2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ levels when compared to that of control site. Ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) level significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the quarry site. The photomicrograph of the A. africana leaves from the quarry site demonstrated a squeezed venial arrangement, necrotized surface, closed stomata and compressed vein.

CONCLUSION

The result suggests that quarrying and stone crushing activities may induce oxidative stress on A. africana. Based on its APTI rating, A. african can be used in the monitoring of air pollution. The results revealed that quarrying and stone crushing activities increased health promoting phytochemicals and some minerals of A. africana growing around the quarry environment.

Ethnopharmacological Potential of Aspilia africana for the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases

Inflammatory diseases are major health concerns affecting millions of people worldwide. Aspilia africana has been used for centuries by many African communities in the treatment of a wide range of health conditions, including inflammatory diseases, osteoporosis, rheumatic pains, and wounds. Analysis of the phytochemical composition of A. africana indicated that the plant is rich in a broad range of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, sterols, phenolic compounds, and glycosides. This explains the efficacy of the plant in treating inflammation-related diseases, as well as several other health conditions affecting different African communities. The mechanisms of action of the anti-inflammatory phytochemical compounds in A. africana include inhibition of a number of physiological processes involved in the inflammatory process and synthesis or action of proinflammatory enzymes. The phytochemicals enhance anti-inflammatory biological responses such as inhibition of a number of chemical mediators including histamine, prostanoids and kinins, 5-lipoxygenase. and cyclooxygenase and activation of phosphodiesterase and transcriptase. Currently used anti-inflammatory medications are associated with several disadvantages such as drug toxicity and iatrogenic reactions, thereby complicating the treatment process. The adverse effects related to the use of these conventional synthetic drugs have been the driving force behind consideration of natural remedies, and efforts are being made toward the development of anti-inflammatory agents based on natural extracts. A. africana is rich in secondary metabolites, and its use as a traditional medicine for treating inflammatory diseases has been validated through in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, the plant could be further explored for potential development of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

The Wound Healing Potential of Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams (Asteraceae)

Wounds remain one of the major causes of death worldwide. Over the years medicinal plants and natural compounds have played an integral role in wound treatment. Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams which is classified among substances with low toxicity has been used for generations in African traditional medicine to treat wounds, including stopping bleeding even from severed arteries. This review examined the potential of the extracts and phytochemicals from A. africana, a common herbaceous flowering plant which is native to Africa in wound healing. In vitro and in vivo studies have provided strong pharmacological evidences for wound healing effects of A. africana-derived extracts and phytochemicals. Singly or in synergy, the different bioactive phytochemicals including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, α-pinene, carene, phytol, and linolenic acid in A. africana have been observed to exhibit a very strong anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities which are important processes in wound healing. Indeed, A. africana wound healing ability is furthermore due to the fact that it can effectively reduce wound bleeding, hasten wound contraction, increase the concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) and platelet derived growth factor, and stimulate the haematological parameters, including white and red blood cells, all of which are vital components for the wound healing process. Therefore, these facts may justify why A. africana is used to treat wounds in ethnomedicine.

Aphrodisiac activity of aqueous extract of Anthonotha macrophylla P. Beauv. leaves in female Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the aphrodisiac activity of aqueous extract of Anthonotha macrophylla leaves (AEAML) in female Wistar rats.

METHODS

Thirty female rats were assigned into five groups of six animals each, such that rats in groups A, B, C, D and E received orally 1 mL of distilled water only, 5.7 mg/kg body weight (BW) of Exus Ginseng (a polyherbal formulation), 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg BW of AEAML, respectively. After 1 h of treatment, female sexual behaviour parameters were monitored for 30 min. Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E) and testosterone were also determined using standard methods.

RESULTS

Six secondary metabolites were detected in AEAML with alkaloids (13.00 mg/L) being the highest. AEAML at 25 and 50 mg/kg BW significantly (P<0.05) increased the darting frequency, hopping frequency, lordosis frequency, anogenital grooming, genital grooming and licking behaviour, whereas the darting latency, hopping latency and lordosis latency decreased (P<0.05) in a manner comparable with Exus Ginseng. The 25 and 50 mg/kg BW of AEAML increased (P<0.05) the serum concentrations of FSH, LH and E, like Exus Ginseng, whereas testosterone content was not altered (P>0.05). The 100 mg/kg BW of AEAML did not alter (P>0.05) the sexual behaviour parameters, serum FSH, LH and E contents, whereas testosterone content increased significantly. The ovarian histology of the animals treated with Exus Ginseng, AEAML at 25 and 50 mg/kg BW revealed developing and ruptured follicles with numerous corpora lutea in the stroma, whereas the 100 mg/kg BW of AEAML produced fewer follicles and corpora lutea.

CONCLUSION

The enhanced proceptive, receptive and orientation components of the female sexual behaviour by the 25 and 50 mg/kg BW of AEAML confers sexual invigorating potential on the plant. This study thus justifies the folkloric claim of the plant as a female aphrodisiac.

Effects of Ficus asperifolia on normal rat estrus cyclicity

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate Ficus asperifolia (Moraceae) (F. asperifolia) effecting on regular estrus cycle of Wistar rats.

METHODS

Air-dried fruits of F. asperifolia were extracted using water. Prior to the test, vaginal smear was monitored daily for a 3-week period to select females with normal (regular) estrous cycle. Those with regular estrus cycle weighing between 150-170 g were randomized into three sets of 15 animals each. Each set was then divided into three groups: Group 1 (control) was orally administered with distilled water (10 mL/kg body weight) once a day for 1 week starting from the proestrus stage. Groups 2 and 3 were respectively treated with 100 and 500 mg/kg body weight of the plant aqueous extract. The two other sets of 15 animals each were similarly treated as the first set for 3 weeks and 6 weeks respectively. Estrus cycle pattern was monitored before and during plant extract application whereas lipid profile, ovary, uterus and liver growth indices were determined at the end of each treatment.

RESULTS

F. asperifolia did not disrupt (0%) the order of appearance of normal estrus cycle stages, namely, proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus. Short-term treatment (1 week duration) exhibited high frequency of appearance of proestrus and estrus stages while mid- (3 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks) treatments revealed constancy in the frequency of all stages irrespective to animal groups. The plasma and organ lipid profile, as well as ovary, uterus and liver growth remained unchanged when compared to distilled water-treated animals. Following long-term administration of plant extract (6 weeks), no adverse effect was noticed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data partially support the use of F. asperifolia in common medicine.

Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Antifertility Effect of Artemisia kopetdaghensis

To date, there is no report on safety of Artemisia Kopetdaghensis. This study aimed to determine the possible undesirable effects of A. Kopetdaghensis on reproduction of female rats. The pregnant rats were treated (i.p.) with vehicle or 200 and 400 mg/kg of A. Kopetdaghensis hydroalcoholic extract from the 2nd to 8th day of pregnancy. Then, number and weight of neonates, duration of pregnancy, and percent of dead fetuses were determined. Also, cytotoxicity of this plant was tested using fibroblast (L929) and ovary (Cho) cell lines. The A. Kopetdaghensis had no significant effect on duration of pregnancy, average number of neonates, and weight of neonates. However, administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract led to 30 and 44% abortion in animals, respectively. The extract at concentrations ≥200 μg/mL significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited the proliferation of L929 fibroblast cells. Regarding the Cho cells, the extract induced toxicity only at concentration of 800 μg/mL (P < 0.01). Our results showed that continuous consumption of A. Kopetdaghensis in pregnancy may increase the risk of abortion and also may have toxic effect on some cells.