Antimicrobial potential of extracts and fractions of the African walnut – Tetracarpidium conophorum

Antibacterial and antifungal evaluation of the leaf, stem bark, kernel and root methanol extracts as well as the hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of the leaf of Tetracarpidium conophorum, the African walnut, were investigated using the agar cup diffusion and agar broth dilution techniques. Extracts and fractions were tested against four clinical strains of 2 Gram positive, 2 Gram negative bacteria and two of fungi. They exhibited concentration-dependent antimicrobial properties. The extracts displayed higher activities to the Gram positive organisms. The edible nut was devoid of any antimicrobial property. The leaf extract was most active and it inhibited the growth of all the microorganisms used in the study. This led to the bioassay-guided fractionation of the leaf methanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf extract, displayed higher activities with the bacteria and fungi used in the assay, at the five test concentrations (100 mg – 10 mg/ml). Pseudomomas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were most sensitive to the extracts. Ampicillin and tioconazole were used aspositive control, and methanol, used as negative control. The plant materials were also screened for secondary metabolites and this indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponins and tannins and absenceof cardiac glycosides. The thin layer chromatographic analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf crude extract confirmed the presence of alkaloids and tannis. These could be responsible for observedactivity in the leaf of the plant; thus justifying its traditional uses especially in the treatment of dysentery

Anti-inflammatory studies of yam (Dioscorea esculenta) extract on wistar rats

The defatted methanol extract of Dioscorea esculenta tuber was evaluated for anti-inflammatory properties in animal model using Wistar rats. The study was done using the cotton thread method in measuring the right hind paw oedema and granuloma tissue formation in rats. The extract was tested at doses between 100 – 200 mg/kg body weight of rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of saponins, disgenin, -sistosterol, stigmasterol, cardiac glycosides, fat and starch. The extract exhibited significant inhibition of the carrageenan-induced oedema that was dose-dependent with a good initial effect in 1 h and 2 h at doses of 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg, respectively. The observed activity was comparable to that of 150 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid that was used as a reference drug in the study. D. esculenta tuber methanol extract supports the folkloric use for management ofinflammation

Phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of Solanum macranthum Dunal

Extracts of leaves, stem bark, roots and fruits of Solanum macranthum Dunal were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening for the presence of plant secondary metabolites and in vitro antibacterial and antifungal studies respectively. The results of the preliminary investigation revealed the presence of alkaloids, the steroidal nucleus, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, reducing sugars and  anthraquinones. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was done using agar well diffusion technique. Six clinical strains of human pathogenic  microorganisms, comprising two Gram positive, two Gram negative bacteria and two fungi were utilized in the studies. The various plant extracts varied in their high inhibitory activity to Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli at 1000 mg/ml comparable to the  reference antibacterial drug, gentamicin at 2.5 mg/ml. High activity was exhibited against Bacillus subtilis whilst Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were moderately inhibited even at 2000 mg/ml.Key words: Solanum macranthum, Solanaceae, antimicrobial activity, phytochemical screening

Resveratrol derivatives from Commiphora africana (A. Rich.) Endl. display cytotoxicity and selectivity against several human cancer cell lines

Commiphora africana (A. Rich.) Endl. (Burseraceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in Nigerian ethnomedicine. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the stem bark extract of C. africana and isolated cytotoxic compounds was investigated. Three resveratrol derivatives; (E)-resveratrol 3-O-rutinoside (1), 5-methoxy-(E)-resveratrol 3-O-rutinoside (2) and pinostilbene (3), together with 3-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (4) were isolated from the methanol fraction of C. africana. Their structures were determined by extensive analysis of their HREIMS and NMR spectra. The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds against four human carcinoma cells were determined using the MTT assay. Compound 1 displayed the highest antiproliferative effect on the cell lines, with IC50 values of 16.80, 21.74, 17.89 and 17.44 μM, against MCF7, A549, PC3 and HepG2 human cancer cell lines, respectively. In addition, compounds 1-3 showed low toxicity against normal human prostate cell line, with selectivity indices greater than five across the carcinoma cells, indicating the compounds possess potential in the development of low-toxicity chemotherapeutic agents. These results support the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of cancer

Acridone alkaloids from the stem bark of Citrus aurantium display selective cytotoxicity against breast, liver, lung and prostate human carcinoma cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae) is used, either singly or as a part of a polyherbal preparation, in Nigerian traditional medicine for the management of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Currently, there is a dearth of knowledge demonstrating its anticancer potential. Aim of the study: This study was carried out to determine the in vitro cytotoxicity of the crude extract of the stem bark of C. aurantium, identify and isolate the bioactive constituents and to establish the cytotoxicity of such constituents. Material and Methods The powdered bark of C. aurantium was extracted with methanol at room temperature (25-34 °C) and the crude extract was partitioned successively, with nhexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol. Amongst the fractions, the DCM fraction was the most active and compounds were isolated from this fraction using several chromatographic techniques. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic means (mass spectrometry, one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance). The cytotoxicity of the extract, and the isolated compounds were evaluated by the MTT (3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium) assay against four human cancer cell lines: A549 (lung), HepG2 (liver), MCF7 (breast) and PC3 (prostate). The selectivity of the isolated compounds was assessed using the normal human prostate epithelium cells (PNT2). Results and Discussion: Of the three plant fractions, the DCM fraction showed significant cytotoxicity, with its highest activity against A549 cells (IC50 = 3.88 µg/mL) and the least activity on HepG2 cells (IC50 = 5.73 µg/mL). Six acridone alkaloids: citrusinine-I (1), citracridone-I (2), 5-hydroxynoracronycine (3), natsucitrine-I (4), glycofolinine (5) and citracridone-III (6), were isolated from the DCM fraction of C. aurantium. The isolated compounds demonstrated potent to moderate cytotoxicity ((IC50 = 12.65 – 50.74 µM) against the cancer cells under investigation. It is noteworthy that the compounds exerted cytotoxicity at least four times more selective towards the carcinoma cells than the PNT2 cells. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study have provided some evidence for the ethnomedicinal use of C. aurantium against cancer and the acridone alkaloids present in its stem bark, have appeared to be responsible for this effect. Further research to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of the isolated acridone alkaloids is needful

Plants used traditionally to treat malaria in Brazil: the archives of Flora Medicinal

The archives of Flora Medicinal, an ancient pharmaceutical laboratory that supported ethnomedical research in Brazil for more than 30 years, were searched for plants with antimalarial use. Forty plant species indicated to treat malaria were described by Dr. J. Monteiro da Silva (Flora Medicinal leader) and his co-workers. Eight species, Bathysa cuspidata, Cosmos sulphureus, Cecropia hololeuca, Erisma calcaratum, Gomphrena arborescens, Musa paradisiaca, Ocotea odorifera, and Pradosia lactescens, are related as antimalarial for the first time in ethnobotanical studies. Some species, including Mikania glomerata, Melampodium divaricatum, Galipea multiflora, Aspidosperma polyneuron, and Coutarea hexandra, were reported to have activity in malaria patients under clinical observation. In the information obtained, also, there were many details about the appropriate indication of each plant. For example, some plants are indicated to increase others' potency. There are also plants that are traditionally employed for specific symptoms or conditions that often accompany malaria, such as weakness, renal failure or cerebral malaria. Many plants that have been considered to lack activity against malaria due to absence of in vitro activity against Plasmodium can have other mechanisms of action. Thus researchers should observe ethnomedical information before deciding which kind of screening should be used in the search of antimalarial drugs

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS