Traditional uses, biological activities, and phytochemicals of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides: a review

Medicinal plants are indispensable source of therapeutic agents, and have proved to be “warehouse” of lead drug candidates. Lecaniodiscus cupanioides Planch. ex Benth is a medicinal tree plant that is extensively distributed in both Asia and Africa. The species has many ethnomedicinal uses in the treatment of fever, cough, typhoid, wound, skin infection, measles, jaundice, diabetes, sexual dysfunction, cancer, bone fracture, and as galactogogues. In the recent decades, the extracts and phytochemicals of L. cupanioides have been investigated to possess antibacterial, anticancer, aphrodisiac, antifungal, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, antidiarrhoeal, analgesic and ameliorative properties. However, triterpenoids which have been linked to its anticancer and antifungal actions, are the only isolated active constituents identified from the species despite the results of the phytochemical screenings and reported biological activities. Moreover, the mechanisms of action of the extracts and active components are yet to be fully elucidated. This paper provides a general review on the ethnomedicinal, phytochemicals, and biological activities of L. cupanioides, and lays a solid foundation for future investigations on the plant.

Purgative/laxative actions of Globularia alypum aqueous extract on gastrointestinal-physiological function and against loperamide-induced constipation coupled to oxidative stress and inflammation in rats

BACKGROUND

Chronic constipation is a gastrointestinal functional disorder which affects patient quality of life. Therefore, many studies were oriented to search herbal laxative agents. In this study, we investigated the effect of Globularia alypum L. leaves aqueous extract (GAAE) against loperamide (LOP)-produced constipation.

METHODS

Animals were given LOP (3 mg/kg, b.w., i.p.) and GAAE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) or yohimbine (2 mg/kg, b.w., i.p.), simultaneously, for 1 week. Gastric-emptying test and intestinal transit were determined. Colon histology was examined, and oxidative status was evaluated using biochemical-colorimetric methods.

KEY RESULTS

GAAE ameliorates significantly gastric emptying (64% to 76.5%) and intestinal transit (66.65% to 84.73%). LOP negatively influenced defecation parameters and generated a stress situation. GAAE administration in contrast ameliorated those parameters and re-established oxidative balance.

CONCLUSION

GAAE showed a modest action against oxidative stress and decreased LOP effect and thereby can be considered a pharmacological agent in constipation.