In vitro antisickling activities and phytochemical evaluation of Plumbago zeylanica and Uvaria chamae

The roots of Plumbago zeylanica (Plumbaginaceae) and Uvaria chamae (Annonaceae) have been used in folklore medicine in the management of sickle-cell disease (SCD) in South-West Nigeria. Using both crude methanol extract and its aqueous fraction, in vitro antisickling activities of these plant parts were evaluated using p-hydroxybenzoic acid and normal saline as positive and negative controls, respectively. Phytochemical screening of the investigated plant specimens revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponnins, alkaloids, tannins, cardiac glycosides free and combined anthraquinones. Extracts/fractions of P. zeylanica had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) antisickling activity at the tested concentrations of 10.0, 1.0 and 0.1 mg/ml. Therefore, the use of these plants by the traditional medical practitioners in the treatment of SCD in Ogun State, Nigeria is justified. The implication of these resultsis in defining the role of each plant specimen in traditional recipes for SCD management and drug development is presented.Keywords: Antisickling activity, phytochemicals, Plumbago zeylanica, sickle cell disease, Uvaria chama

Recent progress in research on the pharmacological potential of mushrooms and prospects for their clinical application

International audienceFungi are considered one of the most diverse, ecologically significant, and economically important organisms on Earth. The edible and medicinal mushrooms have long been known by humans and were used by ancient civilizations not only as valuable food but also as medicines. Mushrooms are producers of high- and low-molecular-weight bioactive compounds (alkaloids, lectins, lipids, peptidoglycans, phenolics, polyketides, polysaccharides, proteins, polysaccharide-protein/peptides, ribosomal and non-ribosomal peptides, steroids, terpenoids, etc.) possessing more than 130 different therapeutic effects (analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet, antiviral, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, immunomodulatory, immunosuppressive, mitogenic/regenerative, etc.). The early record of Materia Medica shows evidence of using mushrooms for treatment of different diseases. Mushrooms were widely used in the traditional medicine of many countries around the world and became great resources for modern clinical and pharmacological research. However, the medicinal and biotechnological potential of mushrooms has not been fully investigated. This review discusses recent advances in research on the pharmacological potential of mushrooms and perspectives for their clinical application