The Root Aqueous Extract of Entada africana

Entada africana (Mimosaceae) was reported to have analgesic and antioxidant properties. The present study is aimed at investigating the effects of the root aqueous extract of Entada africana (EA) on an experimental model of endometriosis. The study was performed in rats orally treated with EA at doses of 127.5, 255, and 510 mg/kg. Microgynon® 30 served as the reference substance. Estradiol valerate and oxytocin were used to induce dysmenorrhea. Endometrial implant levels of catalase and malondialdehyde (MDA) allowed estimating tissue oxidative status. Ovarian dynamic and rat sexual behavior were assessed through histological analysis of ovaries, uterus, and vagina. EA decreased dysmenorrhea at tested doses following a 7-day treatment (p<0.001). Endometrial implant volume decreased following the three treatment periods (p<0.05). Catalase activity (p<0.001) and MDA level (p<0.01) increased only following a 3-day treatment. EA also increased antral follicles, reduced luteinized unruptured follicle number (p<0.001), and induced animals to be in the estrus phase. In conclusion, EA prevented the progress of endometriosis, reduced dysmenorrhea, promoted ovarian follicle growth, prevented anovulation, and stimulated the special period of rat sexual desire. These results suggest that Entada africana could be a promising alternative option for the treatment of endometriosis

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine / Lupinalbin A as the most potent estrogen receptor \u3b1- and aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist in Eriosema laurentii de Wild. (Leguminosae)

Background: Eriosema laurentii De Wild. (Leguminosae) is a plant used in Cameroon against infertility and gynecological or menopausal complaints. In our previous report, a methanol extract of its aerial parts was shown to exhibit estrogenic and aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonistic activities in vitro and to prevent menopausal symptoms in ovariectomized Wistar rats. Methods: In order to determine the major estrogen receptor \u3b1 (ER\u3b1) agonists in the extract, an activity-guided fractionation was performed using the ER\u3b1 yeast screen. To check whether the ER\u3b1 active fractions/compounds also accounted for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonistic activity of the crude methanol extract, they were further tested on the AhR yeast screen. Results: This study led to the identification of 2\u2032-hydroxygenistein, lupinalbin A and genistein as major estrogenic principles of the extract. 2\u2032-hydroxygenistein and lupinalbin A were, for the first time, also shown to possess an AhR agonistic activity, whereas genistein was not active in this assay. In addition, it was possible to deduce structure-activity relationships. Conclusions: These results suggest that the identified compounds are the major active principles responsible for the estrogenic and AhR agonistic activities of the crude methanol extract of the aerial parts of Eriosema laurentii

Lannea acida A. Rich. (Anacardiaceae) Ethanol Extract Exhibits Estrogenic Effects and Prevents Bone Loss in an Ovariectomized Rat Model of Osteoporosis

Phytoestrogens have been shown to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Lannea acida is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Cameroon to treat infertility, gynaecological complaints, and rheumatism. These uses prompted us to evaluate estrogenic activity of Lannea acida bark ethanolic extract and its antiosteoporotic potential in ovariectomized Wistar rats. In vitro, the E-screen assay was used to assess the ability of L. acida extract to induce MCF-7 cells proliferation. In vivo, a 3-day uterotrophic assay and a 12-week oral treatment in ovariectomized adult rats were carried out to evaluate the ability of L. acida extract to prevent bone mass loss. L. acida extract induced MCF-7 cell proliferation. In vivo, it significantly increased the uterine wet weight, uterine and vaginal epithelial heights, and mammary glands differentiation. At 200 mg/kg, a long-term treatment with the extract prevented body weight gain (p<0.05) and loss of bone mass and/or density (p<0.05) induced by ovariectomy. Also, a significant (p<0.001) decrease of alkaline phosphatase activity was observed with 50 mg/kg. L. acida extract improved bone microarchitecture and could restore normal bone mineralization by increasing the inorganic phosphorus and calcium level in bone. These findings provide evidence that Lannea acida is a potential alternative for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Safety assessment of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Amphimas pterocarpoides Harms: Acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies in Wistar rats

Amphimas pterocarpoides Harms (Leguminosae) is widely used traditionally in Central and West Africa for the treatment of various ailments. However, no data regarding its safety have been published until now. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the potential toxicity of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Amphimas pterocarpoides (AP) in Wistar rats following the OECD guidelines. In acute oral toxicity, female rats received a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of AP and were observed for 14 days. In subchronic toxicity, doses of 150, 300, 600 mg/kg/day of AP were given per os to rats (males and females) for 28 days. No death and abnormal behaviors were observed in acute toxicity and the LD50 was estimated higher than 5000 mg/kg. In the subchronic study, AP induced no significant variation in body weight and relative weight of organs, whereas a delayed decrease of white blood cell count and granulocytes was observed. Inconsistent increase of the total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein was observed at 600 mg/kg in males. Such variation (not dose dependent) and without biological relevance indicate a wide margin of safety for the traditional use of AP