Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammatory response by polysaccharide fractions of Khaya grandifoliola (C.D.C.) stem bark, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schltr and Cymbopogon citratus Stapf leaves in raw 264.7 macrophages and U87 glioblastoma cells

Abstract Background Khaya grandifoliola (C.D.C.) stem bark, Cymbopogon citratus (Stapf) and Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schltr leaves are used in Cameroonian traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Several studies have been performed on the biological activities of secondary metabolites extracted from these plants. However, to the best of our knowledge, the anti-neuro inflammatory and protective roles of the polysaccharides of these three plants have not yet been elucidated. This study aimed at investigating potential use of K. grandifoliola, C. sanguinolenta and C. citratus polysaccharides in the prevention of chronic inflammation. Methods Firstly, the composition of polysaccharide fractions isolated from K. grandifoliola stem bark (KGF), C. sanguinolenta (CSF) and C. citratus (CCF) leaves was assessed. Secondly, the cytotoxicity was evaluated on Raw 264.7 macrophages and U87-MG glioblastoma cell lines by the MTT assay. This was followed by the in vitro evaluation of the ability of KGF, CSF and CCF to inhibit lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced overproduction of various pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, ROS and IL1β, TNFα, IL6, NF-kB cytokines). This was done in Raw 264.7 and U87-MG cells. Finally, the in vitro protective effect of KGF, CSF and CCF against LPS-induced toxicity in the U87-MG cells was evaluated. Results CCF was shown to mostly contain sugar and no polyphenol while KGP and CSP contained very few amounts of these metabolites (≤ 2%). The three polysaccharide fractions were non-toxic up to 100 μg.mL− 1. All the polysaccharides at 10 μg/mL inhibited NO production, but only KGF and CCF at 12.5 μg/mL down-regulated LPS-induced ROS overproduction. Finally, 100 μg/mL LPS reduced 50% of U87 cell viability, and pre-treatment with the three polysaccharides significantly increased the proliferation. Conclusion These results suggest that the polysaccharides of K. grandifoliola, C. citratus and C. sanguinolenta could be beneficial in preventing/treating neurodegenerative diseases in which neuroinflammation is part of the pathophysiology

Effets De Cyperus Articulatus L. (Cyperaceae) Sur La Memoire Des Souris Blanches Suisses (Mus Musculus Swiss.)

Le but de la présente étude était d’évaluer l’effet de l’extrait aqueux des rhizomes de Cyperus Articulatus L. (Cyperaceae) sur l’apprentissage et la mémoire des souris blanches Mus musculus Swiss. Les tests du Labyrinthe en T avec ou sans induction de perte de mémoire ont été réalisé une heure après administration orale de différentes doses d’extrait (52,4, 131, 262 et 524 mg/kg) de C. Articulatus obtenu par décoction. Concernant le test du Labyrinthe en T, l’extrait aux doses tests a entrainé l’augmentation significative de la latence et du nombre d’entrée dans le bras préféré à la phase d’acquisition en comparaison aux souris non traitées. Cependant, seule la dose 131 mg/kg a significativement réduit le nombre d’entrée dans le bras préféré à la dose 131 mg/kg. Dans le test du labyrinthe en T avec induction de perte de mémoire, l’extrait à toutes les doses a montré une réduction significative du temps de latence pour entrer dans le bras préféré, du temps passé dans le bras discriminé et du nombre de retour dans le bras de départ. En conclusion, l’extrait aqueux de rhizome de C. Articulatus possède des propriétés qui facilitent la mémorisation et corrigent les déficits de mémoire chez les souris. Les résultats obtenus dans cet article justifient l’utilisation de C. Articulatus en Médecine traditionnelle. Il conviendrait de faire une expérience sur les humains. Le screening phytochimique préliminaire réalisé a montré la présence de flavonoïdes, d’alcaloïdes, de tannins, de saponines, d’anthraquinones, de triterpènes et de polyphénols.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the water extract of Cyperus Articulatus rhizomes on the learning capacity and memory of Mus musculus Swiss white mice. T-maze tests with or without memory loss induction were performed one hour after oral administration of different doses of extract (52.4, 131, 262 and 524 mg/kg) of C. Articulatus obtained by decoction. For the T-maze test, the extract at the various test doses resulted in a significant increase in latency and the number of entries into the preferred arm in the acquisition phase compared to the untreated mice group. However, only the 131 mg/kg dose significantly reduced the number of entries into the preferred arm. In the T maze test with memory loss induction, the extract at all doses showed a significant reduction in latency to enter the preferred arm, time spent in the discriminated arm and the number of returns to the starting arm. In conclusion, the water extract of C. Articulatus rhizome has properties that facilitate memory and correct memory deficits in mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, anthraquinones, triterpenes and polyphenols.The results obtained in this article justify the use of C. articulatus in Traditional Medicine. It would be necessary however to conduct similar studies on humans so that these findings can be used to improve memory issues in patients and persons with special needs

Secondary metabolites from <i>Aspergillus japonicus</i> CAM231, an endophytic fungus associated with <i>Garcinia preussii</i>

<p>Chemical investigation of <i>Aspergillus japonicus</i> CAM231, isolated from the leaf of <i>Garcina preussii</i> collected in Cameroon, yielded two new compounds; one pyrone derivative, hydroxy neovasinin (<b>1</b>) and one phenol derivative, asperolan (<b>2</b>), together with two known compounds neovasifurarone B (<b>3</b>) and variecolin (<b>4</b>). The structures of the two new compounds were established using intensive NMR spectroscopy and HRMS spectra in comparison with data found in literature. The structure of compound <b>1</b> was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis in combination with NOESY experiment. The new compounds were screened for their cytotoxic and antibacterial properties; however, the tested compounds displayed no significant activities.</p