Dietary Cameroonian Plants Exhibit Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Human Gastric Epithelial Cells

In Cameroon, local plants are traditionally used as remedies for a variety of ailments. In this regard, several papers report health benefits of Cameroonian spices, which include antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, whereas gastric anti-inflammatory activities have never been previously considered. The present study investigates the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of hydro-alcoholic extracts of eleven Cameroonian spices in gastric epithelial cells (AGS and GES-1 cells). The extracts showed antioxidant properties in a cell-free system and reduced H2O2-induced ROS generation in gastric epithelial cells. After preliminary screening on TNF-induced NF-B driven transcription, six extracts from Xylopia parviflora, Xylopia aethiopica, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Dichrostachys glomerata, Aframomum melegueta, and Aframomum citratum were selected for further studies focusing on the anti-inflammatory activity. The extracts reduced the expression of some NF-B-dependent pro-inflammatory mediators strictly involved in the gastric inflammatory process, such as IL-8, IL-6, and enzymes such as PTGS2 (COX-2), without aecting PTGS1 (COX-1). In conclusion, the selected extracts decreased pro-inflammatory markers by inhibiting the NF-B signaling in gastric cells, justifying, in part, the traditional use of these spices. Other molecular mechanisms cannot be excluded, and further studies are needed to better clarify their biological activities at the gastric level

Comparative study of Moringa stenopetala root and leaf extracts against the bacteria Staphyloccocus aureus strain from aquatic environment.

International audienceThe present study assessed the abiotic factors of Moringa stenopetala (M. stenopetala) extracts against Staphyloccoccus aureus in aquatic microcosm. Bacterial survival was assessed using colony forming unit (CFU) method on culture agar medium at different concentration levels (0.5 to 2 g/L). The incubation duration varied from 3 to 24 hours, and the temperatures were between 7°C and 44°C. Phytochemical screening showed that most of the constituents obtained from the extracts are the alkaloids, flavonoids and the tannins. It was observed that increase in extract concentration significantly inhibited the number of CFU obtained. Compared to the control {9.27 Log(CFU/100 mL)}, cells abundance from different concentrations of leaves extracts fluctuated between 4.74 and 0 {Log(CFU/100 mL)} after 3h incubation; 5.46 and 0 {Log(CFU/100 mL)} after 6h; 4.75 and 0 {Log(CFU̸/100 mL)} after 9h, and 4.85 and 0 {Log(CFU/100 mL)} after 24h incubation. As for root extracts, the abundance were between 4.80 and 0 {Log(CFU/100 mL)} under 7°C incubation; 5.03-5.23 and 0 {Log(CFU/100 mL)} under 23°C and 37°C, and 4.66 and 0 Log (CFU/100 mL) under 44°C incubation when considering the whole extract concentrations used. Incubation temperature and extracts concentration significantly impacted bacterial abundances. When the decoction extracts of roots were used, the amount of S. aureus cells inhibited was registered after 3-24 hours incubation. The Pearson correlation coefficient in most cases, revealed an inversely proportional relationship between the plant extracts and S. aureus cultured cells in a dose-dependent manner (P≤0.05). The use of M. stenopetala extracts could constitute an alternative in the treatment of water intended for human consumption