IMMUNO-MODULATORY PROPERTIES OF PREBIOTICS EXTRACTED FROM vernonia amygdalina

Immune boosting and ameliorative properties of aqueous extract of Vernonia amygdalina Delile against MSG-induced genotoxicity: An in silico and in vivo approach

Vernonia amygdalina (VA) is popularly consumed as food and as medicine due to its nutritional and bioactive constituents. This study assessed the anti-genotoxic effect of aqueous leaf extract of VA against monosodium (MSG) -induced genotoxicity. Crude extraction and phytochemical analysis were done using standard methods. In silico studies was done using compounds in the extract against Bcl-2, NF-kB 50, DNA polymerase lambda, DNA ligase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Twelve rats were divided into three groups with four rats in each group. Group I was fed on food and water, group II received MSG (4 g/kg) per body weight (pbw) intraperitoneally, group III received MSG (4 g/kg) pbw intraperitoneally followed by oral dose of VA leaf extract (250 mg/kg) per body weight. The number of the micronucleated red blood cells and white blood cells were determined from blood smears microscopically. Results showed that aqueous extract of VA contained in mg/100 g alkaloids (7.04 ± 0.16), saponins (3.91 ± 0.13), flavonoid (1.64 ± 0.16), phenol (3.40 ± 0.12) and tannins (0.07 ± 0.32). In silico studies revealed high binding interaction (ΔG > -8.6) of vernoniosides D and E with all the tested proteins. There was a reduction in the number of micronucleated cells, neutrophils and eosinophils of the treated group compared to the MSG group, while there was an increase in the lymphocyte count. The anti-genotoxic effects of VA leaf extract might be attributed to the synergistic interaction of the various bioactive components in the extract. VA could be a potential plant for the prevention of cancer and other diseases that attenuate the immune system.

Medicinal Plants in COVID-19: Potential and Limitations

Currently, the search to identify treatments and vaccines for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are ongoing. Desperation within the community, especially among the middle-and low-income groups acutely affected by the economic impact of forced lockdowns, has driven increased interest in exploring alternative choices of medicinal plant-based therapeutics. This is evident with the rise in unsubstantiated efficacy claims of these interventions circulating on social media. Based on enquiries received, our team of researchers was given the chance to produce evidence summaries evaluating the potential of complementary interventions in COVID-19 management. Here, we present and discuss the findings of four selected medicinal plants (Nigella sativa, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Eurycoma longifolia), with reported antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects that might be interesting for further investigation. Our findings showed that only A. indica reported positive antiviral evidence specific to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) based on preliminary in silico data while all four medicinal plants demonstrated differential anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory effects. The definitive roles of these medicinal plants in cytokine storms and post-infection complications remains to be further investigated. Quality control and standardisation of medicinal plant-based products also needs to be emphasized. However, given the unprecedented challenges faced, ethnopharmacological research should be given a fair amount of consideration for contribution in this pandemic.