Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Caralluma Acutangula (Decne.) N.E.Br Extracts, a Medicinal Plant from Burkina Faso

Plants have always played an important role in health care in Africa. The stress, a situation of imbalance between oxidizing and antioxidant systems in favor of the prooxidants is responsible for the installation of several pathologies such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes ... The objective of this study was to highlight the presence Secondary metabolites in C. acutangula extract and determine its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. For the determination of the acute toxicity of the extract, a dose of 2000 mg / kg was administered to the NMRI Mouse. The methods of screening were used to detect secondary metabolites like tannins, steroids and terpen, flavonoids, coumarins. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated in vitro by determining the ability of the extract to inhibit lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide, degradation of deoxyribose. The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated on lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase. Acute toxicity evaluated in NMRI mice showed that the ethanolic extract of C. acutangula show no toxicity. Tannins, steroids and terpen, flavonoids, coumarins have been detected in the extracts. C. acutangula showed good activity with an inhibition of 50.71 ± 2.51% at 100 μg / ml on lipid peroxidation, of 66.105 ± 1.26% on deoxyribose degradation and 8.625 ± 1.09% on hydrogen peroxide. It showed good activity on xanthine oxidase with an 81.5 ± 5.5% inhibition. For the effect on lipoxygenase it gave an inhibition of the enzyme at 43.11 ± 3.4%. This potential could be used in the fight against inflammatory diseases and that due to oxidative stress. Keywords: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidatio

Lean Project Management as a facilitator of Organisational Learning

The utility and impact of lean principles remains a point of contention (Staats et al, 2011) and few research studies have attempted to link lean project management (LPM) thinking with overall learning and knowledge success from a behavioural perspective (Hines et al, 2004). Those who have done so, have used lean project management principles to highlight singular process-related, task-driven systems and identify barriers in improving operational procedures (Spear, 2005; Poksinska, 2010; Staats et al, 2011) rather than investigating the potential link between desired outcomes and behaviours (Nidumolu & Subramani, 2003). Such studies have limited the progress of LPM as a viable change initiative in solution-focused environments. In this paper, we explore the utility of lean project management against a background of complexity and uncertainty and consider if, and how, LPM can facilitate learning within organisations to establish and sustain improvements for economic success

Leafy amaranthus consumption patterns in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

There is a new attention to vegetables as vital components of daily diet. A concerted effort to raise their standing has begun to change mentalities and to fuel a rapid growth of traditional leafy vegetables marketing and consumption in African cities. However, little is known about the production and consumption patterns of these plant foods. This study examined, through a field survey the socio-economic, food consumption and conservation aspects of leafy vegetables in the region of Ouagadougou. It was found that leafy vegetables are cultivated under both rain-fed and irrigated conditions in the villages and also in the city’s gardens. The study has demonstrated that there is considerable indigenous knowledge on the leafy vegetables of the region. Amaranth species are the most cultivated and marketed and have potential for commercialization. They are used for many dishes in the local kitchen. Leafy Amaranths are consumed during all seasons even though they are more available (and cheap) during rainy season (June to end October). Ninety-four per cent of the interviewed people use vegetable Amaranth in sauce. There is a growing trend to use cultivated (introduced) species of Amaranth, which were brought to Africa by colonial powers and gained popularity because they were associated with high status. The introduced species are spreading quickly in a spontaneous manner. This can be a threat to biodiversity. There is need for a conservation initiative for the native species. In the commercialization of leafy vegetable and in particular for Amaranth, women play an important role. That could be optimized for marketing purpose to improve leafy vegetable adding-value. Because transportation is a cost increase factor, and given that cities should be targets for increased consumption, it is necessary to promote peri-urban agriculture of leafy vegetables, by policy guidelines. There is a need of documentation and dissemination of indigenous knowledge on indigenous leafy vegetables.Key words: vegetables, African greens, Amaranthus, micronutrients, biodiversity, horticulture, Ouagadougou, Burkina Fas

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF FRUIT AND LEAVES EXTRACT OF LANNEA MICROCARPA ENGLAND K. KRAUS (ANACARDIACEAE)

Objective:  To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity as well as carotenoid content of crude hydro-acetonic extract of fruit and leaves of Lannea microcarpa (L. microcarpa) and to elucidate the possible anti-inflammatory mechanism by enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods.Methods:  Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by using carrageenan induced paw edema in mice;  the anti-inflammatory mechanism may have been assessed using the inhibitory effect of the extracts, on the lipoxygenase, xanthine oxidase, lipid peroxidation and the reduction of Fe3+.Results:  At the doses of 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg, the extracts of both fruit and leaves reduced the carrageenan-induced paw edema while the dose of 200 mg/kg has produced a maximum percentage of inhibition of mice paw edema both for fruit (78.44%) and leaves (58.02%) at the fifth hour compared to control. Significant lipoxigenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effect was obtained with both fruit and leaves extract ethyl acetate fraction. Ethyl acetate fraction from both extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation. The fruit and leaves extract ethyl acetate fraction also inhibited lipid peroxidation with 32.85% and 78.07% respectively. Crude acetonic extract of leaves of Lannea microcarpa has shown a significantly reducing power of Fe3+ by 9.46±0.26 and high carotenoids content compared to those of fruit extract.Conclusion: The results obtained from the present study suggest that Lannea microcarpa fruit and leaves extract possess significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities (mg AAE/100 mg). Therefore, they could be useful for food and pharmaceutics industries.Â

Antioxidative and antibacterial activities of phenolic compounds from Ficus sur Forssk. and Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae) : potential for sickle cell disease treatment in Burkina Faso

Ficus sur and Ficus sycomorus, two medicinal species used in Burkinabe traditional medicine for the treatment of sickle cell disease were investigated. The determination of total phenolic and tannins contents, using the method of Folin-Ciocalteu (FCR), indicate values significantly (p <0.05) higher in extracts of Ficus sycomorus compared to those of Ficus sur, with respective values of 336.80 ± 0.80 mg TAE/g of extract and 203.74 ± 0.9 mg TAE/g of extract against 247.00 ± 0.52 mg TAE/g of extract and 120.8 ± 0.83 mg TAE/g of extract. Similarly, using the method of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the results of the analysis indicate that extracts of Ficus sycomorus produce the highest antiradical activity with IC50 value of 9.60 ± 0.02 μg/mL against 31.83 ± 0.55 μg/ mL for Ficus sur. The IC50 value of quercetin, used as reference antioxidant, was of 4.6 ± 0.08 μg/mL. The latex of Ficus sycomorus presented the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with respective values of 0.13 mg/mL and 0.25 mg/mL. The difference in phenolic content could explain the difference in biological activity between the two Ficus species.Keywords: drepanocitosis, radical scavenging, tannins, flavonoids, medicinal plant

Carotenoids content and antibacterial activity from galls of Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel (combretaceae).

Guiera senegalensis is a well known medicinal plant which is used as a drug in Burkina Faso. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the carotenoids content and antibacterial activity from galls of Guiera senegalensis. The hydroacetonic extract (HAE) exhibited the highest of β-carotene (4.67±0.25 mg/g) and lycopene (0.99±0.0735 mg/g) content. The extracts and fractions of galls exhibited antimicrobial activity against some gram positive and gram negative bacteria. We observed an inhibitory activity of the extracts against Bacillus cereus ATCC 13061 and Staphylococus aureus ATCC 6538 which showed a resistance to the penicillin and ampicillin. The ratio of the MBC and the MIC showed that the hydroacetonic extract is bactericidal against all the bacterial strains used except for Proteus mirabilis ATCC 35659. The aqueous decoction extract is bactericidal against all the bacterial species tested. The present study thus suggested that galls from G senegalensis may be used as a new potential source of natural nutraceutical components

Antimicrobial activity of polyphenol-rich fractions from Sida alba L. (Malvaceae) against co-trimoxazol-resistant bacteria strains

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The increased resistance of microorganisms to the currently used antimicrobials has lead to the evaluation of other agents that might have antimicrobial activity. Medicinal plants are sources of phytochemicals which are able to initiate different biological activities including antimicrobials</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p><it>In vitro </it>antibacterial (MIC, MBC and time-kill studies) of polyphenol-rich fractions from <it>Sida alba </it>L. (Malvaceae) was assessed using ten bacteria strains (Gram-negative and Gram-positive).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All test bacteria were susceptible to the polyphenol-rich fractions. Time-kill results showed that after 5 h exposition there was no viable microorganism in the initial inoculum and the effect of polyphenol-rich fractions was faster on <it>Enterococcus faecalis </it>(Gram-positive bacterium) comparatively to the other bacteria strains.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The data analysis indicates that the tested of polyphenol-rich fractions has significant effects when compared with the standard antibiotic. These results therefore justify the traditional use of <it>sida alba </it>L., alone or in combination with other herbs to treat bacterial infections.</p

Pharmacognostic Standardization, Physico- and Phytochemical Evaluation of Amaranthus Spinosus Linn. Root

Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (Amaranthaceae) is found throughout India. This tree species has been of interest to researchers because it is a medicinal plant employed in the Indian traditional system of medicine. Pharmacognostic standardization; physico-and phytochemical evaluation of the roots of Amaranthus spinosus was carried out, to determine its macro-and microscopical characters, and also some of its quantitative standards. Microscopical studies were done by using the trinocular microscope. Total ash, water-soluble ash, acid-insoluble ash, sulfated ash values, and alcohol-and water-soluble extractive values were determined for physico-chemical evaluations. A preliminary phytochemical screening was also done to detect different phytoconstituents. Microscopically, the root showed cork, cortex, stellar region, and calcium oxalate crystals. Powder microscopy showed anamalous secondary growth in between the xylem vessels and Calcium Oxalate crystals in the cortex region. Total ash was approximately three times more than acid insoluble and water soluble ash. The ethanol soluble extractive was approximately the same as the water soluble extractive. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) of the Petroleum-ether extract using Benzene : Ethyl acetate (6 : 1), showed six spots. In the chloroform extract, using Benzene : Ethyl acetate (4 : 1) nine spots were seen, and in the ethanol extract, using Chloroform: Methanol (93 : 7), only four spots were observed, using Iodine vapor as a viewing medium. Phytochemically, the root exhibited terpenes, alkaloids, glycosides, and sugars. These findings might be useful to supplement information with regard to its identification parameters, which are assumed significant in the way of acceptability of herbal drugs, in the present scenario, which lacks regulatory laws to control the quality of herbal drugs

Caralluma Acutangula Prevents Body Weight Gain in Rats Feed on Hyperlipidic Diet

Caralluma acutangula (Decne.) (CA) (Asclepiadaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Burkina Faso for the management of weight. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extract of CA on body weight, food intake, blood biochemistry parameters on experimental obesity rat model. One group received CA 400 mg/kg b.w. per day and was fed on hyperlipidic diet (HD), while the control group received HD only for three weeks long. The phytochemical investigation of extract showed a high total phenolic content (36.21±1.36 mg GAE/100mg of extract) and total flavonoids (4.98 ±0.31 QE/100 mg of extract). In the end, CA-HD treated group had a body weight loss of 2%, compared to HD group who presented a body weight gain of 15%. The CA-HD treated group showed also a lower levels of plasma triglyceride (136.57±13.82 mg/dL) and glycemia (187.74±31.16 mg/dL) compared to HD (206.02±23.82 and respectively 230.96±79.07 mg/dL) (p<0.05). CA extract also showed a good anti-oxidant activity in vivo (effect on antioxydant enzyme (MDA, GPX, SOD) and in vitro (inhibition of DPPH radical, ferric ion reduction). This study showed that CA is a potential natural remedy for the control of body weight and alleviation of obesity related disease