Evaluation of the anti-diarrheal activity of 80% methanol extracts and the solvent fraction of the leaves of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) in mice

Background: The leaf of Withania somnifera has been used for the treatment of diarrhea without evaluation of its efficacy. This study was aimed to evaluate the antidiarrheal activity of 80% methanol extract and the solvent fraction of Withania somnifera leaf in mice.Materials and Methods: The extraction was done using a cold maceration technique. The antidiarrheal activity was investigated on the castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced gastrointestinal transit tests, and castor oil-induced enteropooling models. The mice were randomly grouped into negative control received 10ml/kg 2% tween-80 in distilled water, positive control received 3mg/kg loperamide, and group III - V received 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400mg/kg of the extract orally.Result: The crude extract, aqueous, and n-butanol fractions significantly delayed the onset of diarrhea at 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg doses. All three doses of the crude extract showed significant activity on the three models (castor oil induced diarrhea, castor oil induced gastro-intestinal motility, and castor oil-induced enteropooling test), whereas the aqueous and n-butanol fractions revealed a significant result at 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg. The phytochemical screening showed that flavonoids, tannins, alkaloid, phenols, saponin, terpenoids, and steroid were presented in the crude, flavonoid, phenol, tannin, saponin, alkaloid, and steroid were possessed in aquas fraction, while the n-butanol fraction contained flavonoid, tannins, phenols, alkaloid and terpenoids, the chloroform fraction showed the presences of flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids. The acute oral toxicity test revealed that the crude extract was safe at 2000 mg/kg.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the crude and fractions of Withania somnifera leaf has antidiarrheal activity and supports the folklore use of the plan for the treatment of diarrhea.

Silver hull buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is a part of nature that offers best health and honour

The gluten-free pseudocereal Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (Silver hull buckwheat) belongs to the Polygonaceae family, which has a long history of both edible and medicinal use. It's a highly nutritious food ingredient that's been shown to have a variety of health benefits. Plasma cholesterol levels are lowered, neuroprotection is given, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic effects are provided, and hypertension conditions are improved thanks to Silver hull buckwheat. It has also been stated to have prebiotic and antioxidant properties. The aim of this review was to include an up-to-date and detailed study of F. esculentum. Furthermore, the potential for future research was addressed. Flavonoids, phenolics, fagopyritols, triterpenoids, hormones, and fatty acids are among the various compounds derived from F. esculentum. The main active ingredients were believed to be flavonoids and phenolic compounds. All of the information presented leads us to believe that Silver hull buckwheat has a strong medicinal potential. However, further research is needed to better understand its bioactive constituents, their structural functions, and molecular mechanisms underlying

Insight in the Phytochemistry of Wild Vegetable Vitex grandifolia Gürke with its Biological and Nutritional Importance – A Review

Vitex grandifolia belongs to genus Vitex, which is the largest in the family Lamiaceae, the species is distributed worldwide. The young leaves of V. grandifolia is culturally used as vegetables and for medicinal purposes. Vitex grandifolia is considered an underutilized and indigenous vegetable (UIV) because its importance and usefulness are greatly undervalued. Micro and macro-deficiency which is one of the main cause of health problems and high incidence of death in most children in sub-Sahara Africa. This has necessitated much research towards underutilized and indigenous vegetables (UIVs) because the populace in the remote places outside the commercial route mostly depends on food gathering from the wild and this could contribute greatly to their food system. Various publications’ sites, dissertation search engines, search engines were queried employing keywords as “Vitex grandifolia†and “biological activity of Vitex grandifoliaâ€. This study reports the untapped huge benefits this plant presents and further climaxes with up-to-date knowledge of its chemistry. Only about five compounds have been isolated so far, these compounds are mainly flavonoids and iridoids. The various in vitro and in vivo biological studies of these constituents and extracts were reported. Furthermore, the contradiction about the plant’s toxicity was explained in detail. The indications of its enormous traditional uses are large but the pharmacological facts are unsatisfying because they are few. It is quite relieving that its nutritional evidence is great though much is still needed. This review tends to create a foundation for further studies on its use as a vegetable

A Study on Aphanamixis polystachya for evaluation of phytochemical and pharmacological properties

The present study was conducted to detect possible chemicals (phytoconstituents), and investigate antioxidant, antimicrobial and thrombolytic activities of the extract of Aphanamixis polystachya (stem bark). Phytochemical screening was carried out using the standard test methods of different chemical group. For investigating the antioxidant activity, two complementary test methods namely DPPH free radical scavenging assay and total phenolic content determination were carried out. For the evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial activity, disc diffusion method, and to determine the thrombolytic activity, the method of Prasad et al., 2007 with minor modifications were used. The bark extracts were a rich source of phytochemicals. In DPPH free radical scavenging test, the Carbon tetra chloride soluble fraction showed the highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 value 19.86µg/ml. while compared to that of the reference standards ascorbic acid. Aphanamixis polystachya was also found as a good source of total phenolic contents. Moreover, the extracts revealed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity at the concentration of 400 µg/disc. By comparing with the negative control the mean clot lysis % was significant (p value <0.0009). Therefore, further studies are suggested to determine the active compounds responsible for the biological activities of the plant extracts.   

Phytochemical study and anti-nutritional factors in stems of Dioscorea praehensilis benth (Dioscoreaceae)

The objective of this study was to identify and assay phytochemical compounds and various biological macromolecules of the tender stems of Dioscorea praehensilis benth and evaluate their antioxidant activity and to compare the content of oxalates and cyanogenetic glucosides between raw and cooked tender stems. The plant collection and identification, phytochemical evaluation: phytochemical screening, preliminary (qualitative) analyses and in vitro assays. Phytochemical screening was performed by qualitative methods. The estimation of the content of secondary metabolites was evaluated by spectrophotometry-UV. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the ABTS and DPPH assays and preliminary composition by the gravimetric method. The results obtained show that the stems of Dioscorea praehensilis are devoid of certain important chemical groups, the flavonoids were not detected and they were rich in total polyphenols (17.22 ± 0.16), tannins (19.32 ± 0.52) and anthocyanins (25.22 ± 0.04). Our extracts showed a lower antioxidant activity than that of positive controls. The samples are rich in carbohydrates and fiber, with low levels of proteins, lipids and ash. Dioscorea praehensilis has a high toxicity in HCN, but after a good cooking of about 1 hour, 99.97% of the cyanide are eliminated and does not have many oxalates. The results obtained show that Dioscorea praehensilis has a high dietary value and can therefore be used as a nutritive food

Glucose oxidase as a model enzyme for antidiabetic activity evaluation of medicinal plants: In vitro and in silico evidences

Background and objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem in the world. In Africa, more than 80% of patients use plants for their treatment. However, the methods of validation of endogenous knowledge usually used are costly. The alternative method we propose aims at creating hyperglycemia in vitro and exploiting the metabolic pathway involving glucose oxidase for UV-visible spectrophotometric screening of the antidiabetic activity of medicinal plants.Methodology: The evolution of glucose oxidation as a function of drug concentration is followed by UV-visible spectrophotometry. The formation of the stable complex between the enzyme and the inhibitor is studied by molecular docking.Results: Drugs used (Gliben and plant extracts) displayed an in vitro hypoglycemic effect by exponentially reducing the level of free glucose in vitro. L. multiflora is more active than V. amygdalina (IC50: 1.36 ± 0.09 mg/mL Vs IC50: 3.00 ± 0.54 mg/mL). Gliben (0.5 mg/mL) and L. multiflora (2 mg/mL) reduced both the rate of oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase (catalytic power Vmax: 0.84 ± 0.11 mg*mL-1*min-1 for Gliben and 1.72 ± 0.13 mg*mL-1*min-1 for L. multiflora) and the affinity of this enzyme for its substrate-glucose (KM: 15.11 ± 2.72 mg*mL-1 for Gliben and 9.17 ± 1.56 mg*mL-1 for L. multiflora) when compared to enzyme catalysis in the  absence of inhibitor (Vmax: 2.86 ± 0.44 mg*mL-1*min-1; KM: 8.07 ± 1.96 mg*mL-1). The binding of GOX (1GAL) to selected phyto-compounds derived from L. multiflora was confirmed by molecular docking. The best stability complexes were obtained for four compounds 8 (-10.3 Kcal/mol), 9 (-9.7 Kcal/mol), 6 (-9.7 Kcal/mol) and 3 (-9.5 Kcal/mol). Among these compounds, compounds 8 et 6 formed their complexes through  hydrogen bonds: the compound 8 form 04 hydrogen bond (ALA 292, GLY 290, SER 291, TYR 80) while the compound 6 form 03 hydrogen bonds (SER 103, THR 110, TYR 515). However, none H-bonding interaction occurs in the complex that involves ligands 9 and 3 despite their high binding energy (-9.7 Kcal/mol and -9.5 Kcal/mol respectively).Conclusion: Glucose oxidase can serve as a marker enzyme for in vitro antidiabetic activity evaluation of medicinal plants

Mini-review on the Phyto-chemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology of Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl. (Malvaceae): A medically interesting bio-resource of multiple purposes in Africa

The aim of the present mini-review was to document knowledge on the phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of Cola nitida, a medicinal plant species traditionally used in Africa for its multiple purposes. A non-exhaustive literature review for relevant articles published online was conducted in January 2021 using various electronic databases like Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and SciELO. The scientific name of this plant was used as keyword, along with the terms phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. The chemical structures of compounds isolates from this plant were drawn using ChemBioDraw Ultra 12.0 software package. Literature surveys have revealed that C. nitida is highly appreciated by African populations in various cultures, especially in West Africa. Phytochemical analyses showed that  C. nitida contains mainly catechin, caffeine, epicatechin, polyphenols, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, bromelain, cardenolides, proanthocyanidins, triterpenes, glycosides, flavonoids, anthraquinones, steroids, anthocyanins, glycosides, alkaloids, etc. The presence of these phyto-compounds in the investigated plant species justify it’s used as anti-microbial, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-coagulant agent. Thus, C. nitida could be as raw material for manufacturing efficient medication against various diseases including Sickle cell disease.Â

Preliminary evaluation of in vitro anti-urolithiasic effect of six Algerian plant products

The present paper reports on the preliminary evaluation of in vitro anti-urolithiasic effect (AULE) of six Algerian plant products: lemon (Citrus limon L.), orange (Citrus sinensis L.), grapefruit (Citrus grandis L.), lemon/grapefruit (1/1 ratio, v/v) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) juices, [and aqueous extract from hairy rupturewort (Herniaria hirsuta L.), the bi-distilled water being taken as reference. The AULE was evaluated, based on the ability of considered plant liquids to prevent the crystallization of calcium oxalate (CaOx) from the mixture of stock solutions of calcium chloride and sodium oxalate. For this, the juices and the aqueous extract to be analyzed were used as solvents to prepare the two stock solutions. The formation of CaOx was assessed by means of microscopic observation and presented in the form of images. A better AULE was observed for citrus juices, compared with bi-distilled water, tomato juice and hairy rupturewort extract. In the case of lemon juice, it was also found that the AULE is more effective when the juice acidity is adjusted to high pH values (6-7). Based on these results, citrus juices may be recommended for the prevention of urinary lithiogenesis. However, in-depth confirmatory studies are always desired, knowing that opinions are not unanimous on this issue

Molecular Docking Studies on the Interaction of Four Malagasy Cytotoxic Compounds with Angiogenesis Target Protein HIF-1α and Human Androgen Receptor and Their ADMET properties

Background and objectives: Cancer is a significant public health problem worldwide and constitutes the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. This study was thus designed to identify new natural compounds from Malagasy medicinal plants traditionally used to treat cancer.Methodology: In silico analyses by molecular docking to model ligand-protein interactions, and by SwissADME and ADMET webservers to establish the pharmacokinetic profile of the four investigated compounds in interaction with the angiogenesis target protein HIF-1α/breast cancer (PDB ID: 3KCX) and human androgen receptor/prostate cancer (PDB ID: 1E3G) were performed.Results: The docking results show that the HIF-1α receptor has the best binding energy when it interacts with compound 1 (1’,4-dihydroxy-2,3’-dimethyl-1,2’-binapthyl-5,5’,8,8’-tetraone: -8.49 kcal/mol) followed by compound 3 ((E)-5,6-dimethyl-2-(2-methyl-3-(prop-1-enyl)phenyl)-2H-chromene: -8.43 kcal/mol), compound 2 (6’-ethoxy-1’3’-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-1,2’-binaphthyl-2,5’,8,8’-tetraone: -7.80 kcal/mol) and compound 4 (methyl 10-hydroxy-2,4a,6a,9,12b,14a-hexamethyl-11-oxo-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,11,12b,13,14,14a,14b-tetradecahydropicene-2- carboxylate : -7.63 kcal/mol). The receptor 1E3G displayed poor binding affinity energy to all tested compounds with energy value above -11.99 Kcal/mol (co-crystal). Based on the H-bonding interaction, ligands 1 and 2 displayed good pharmacophore profile to both protein targets 3KCX and 1E3G. The ligand 3 does not interact with the selected receptors via hydrogen bonds. The pharmacokinetic profile of these phyto-compounds revealed that they are orally active and safe. They were isolated and their chemical structures were elucidated previously by our teamusingchromatographic and spectroscopic techniques(LC/MS/NMR).Conclusion: The ligands 1 and 2 can be considered as hits since they are non-carcinogenic and non-hepatotoxic, and could thus be useful as alternative therapy in breast than in prostate cancer.Â

The Myth of Aloe vera phytochemicals and its advancement as medicinal and plant packed cosmetics

A succulent plant Aloe vera has been extensively utilized for various pharmaceutical and biomedical products. Its bioactive components that have different properties of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-microbial and immunomodulation have made it more attractive for the scientific community to further explore its hidden facts about its utilization and also in addition to improve its properties through expression of some useful protein which can make it complete plant packed cosmetics. This study briefly summarizes fundamental active components, their biological activities, and significant applications of the constituents found in Aloe vera, and extensively surveyed its research progress in cytology and molecular biology with an emphasis on genetic engineering. Aloe constituents are studied in the context of therapeutics, cosmetics, and hydration, antibacterial and antiviral applications. The information that has been presented here is useful for better comprehending and investigating its possible therapeutic and culinary applications and provides routes for future studies.&nbsp