Alstonine as an Antipsychotic: Effects on Brain Amines and Metabolic Changes

Managing schizophrenia has never been a trivial matter. Furthermore, while classical antipsychotics induce extrapyramidal side effects and hyperprolactinaemia, atypical antipsychotics lead to diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, and weight gain. Moreover, even with newer drugs, a sizable proportion of patients do not show significant improvement. Alstonine is an indole alkaloid identified as the major component of a plant-based remedy used in Nigeria to treat the mentally ill. Alstonine presents a clear antipsychotic profile in rodents, apparently with differential effects in distinct dopaminergic pathways. The aim of this study was to complement the antipsychotic profile of alstonine, verifying its effects on brain amines in mouse frontal cortex and striatum. Additionally, we examined if alstonine induces some hormonal and metabolic changes common to antipsychotics. HPLC data reveal that alstonine increases serotonergic transmission and increases intraneuronal dopamine catabolism. In relation to possible side effects, preliminary data suggest that alstonine does not affect prolactin levels, does not induce gains in body weight, but prevents the expected fasting-induced decrease in glucose levels. Overall, this study reinforces the proposal that alstonine is a potential innovative antipsychotic, and that a comprehensive understanding of its neurochemical basis may open new avenues to developing newer antipsychotic medications

Anti-trypanosomal alkaloids from Xymalos monospora

From an extract of the stem bark of Xymalos monospora, a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (1), three benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (mollinedine, 1-(p-methoxybenzyl)-6,7-methylenedioxyisoquino-line, doryafranine), and an aporphine alkaloid (N-methyllaurotetanine) were isolated. These compounds were tested for growth inhibitory activity against bloodstream forms of three strains of African trypanosomes. In vitro IC50 values starting from 1.8 mu g/mL were obtained

Bio-flavonoids and Garcinoic Acid from Garcinia kola seeds with Promising Anti-Inflammatory Potentials

ABSTRACT Objective: The research was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extract, fraction (kolaviron) and compounds (garcinoic acid, GB1 and GB2) of Garcinia kola seeds. Materials and Method: To evaluate the acute anti-inflammatory effect of extract, fraction and compounds of G. kola carrageenan-induced edema model in wistar albino rats was used. Results: Kolaviron (50 mg/kg), garcinoic acid (50 mg/kg) and the crude extract (50 mg/kg) caused 100, 83 and 74% inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema respectively at 6 h post administration. Indomethacin (10 mg/ kg), the reference drug induced 100% inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw oedema. While GB1 (50 mg/kg) and GB2 (50 mg/kg) was prominent at 4, 5 and 6 h post administration. Conclusion: Results showed that the extract possessed anti-inflammatory activity, which have justified their use in Nigeria traditional medicine to treat inflammation

Anti-plasmodial sesquiterpenoids from the African Reneilmia cincinnata

A new isodaucane sesquiterpenoid, 6,7,10-trihydoxyisodaucane, was isolated from the fruits of Reneilmia cincinnata, together with the known sesquiterpenoids oplodiol, oplopanone, 5E,10(14)-germacradien-1β,4β-diol, 1(10)E,5E-germacradien-4α-ol and eudesman-1,4,7-triol. A large amount of 5- hydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone was also isolated. Their structures were established by NMR techniques using 1D and 2D experiments. Three of the known sesquiterpenoids exhibited noteworthy anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum strains