Effects of the Methanol Extract of Basella alba L (Basellaceae) on Steroid Production in Leydig Cells

In this study, Leydig cells were purified from 70 day-old Sprague Dawley male rats and incubated with 10 and 100 μg/mL of methanol extract of Basella alba (MEBa) for 4 hours followed by the evaluation of cell viability, steroid (testosterone and estradiol) production, and the level of aromatase mRNA. Results showed that MEBa did not affect Leydig cell viability. At the concentration of 10 μg/mL, MEBa significantly stimulated testosterone and estradiol production (p < 0.01 and p < 0.03, respectively), and enhanced aromatase mRNA level (p < 0.04). These observations suggest that MEBa directly stimulated testosterone, estradiol and aromatase mRNA levels in isolated Leydig cells

Filaricidal properties of Lantana camara and Tamarindus indica extracts, and Lantadene A from L. camara against Onchocerca ochengi and Loa loa.

Ivermectin is the only drug currently recommended for the treatment of onchocerciasis, the second leading infectious cause of blindness in the world. This drug kills only the first stage larvae-microfilariae (mf) of Onchocerca volvulus and is to be used cautiously in areas where Loa loa is prevalent because of severe adverse events observed with coinfected patients.This study investigated the anti-filarial activities of two Cameroonian medicinal plants, Lantana camara and Tamarindus indica locally used to treat onchocerciasis. Twelve (12) extracts were prepared and tested in vitro on the bovine model parasite, O. ochengi as well as L. loa mf. Both mf and adult male worm viabilities were assessed by motility scoring, while adult female worm viability was determined biochemically by standard MTT/formazan colorimetry. Cytotoxicity and acute toxicity were determined respectively, in monkey kidney epithelial cells and in BALB/c mice. Pure compounds were isolated by LC/MS using a bio-assay guided strategy. All the extracts showed 100% activity at 500 μg/mL against O. ochengi adult worms and mf. The highest activity against O. ochengi was observed with the hexane extract of L. camara leaves (LCLhex), with IC50 of 35.1 μg/mL for adult females and 3.8 μg/mL for the mf. Interestingly, this extract was more active against O. ochengi mf than L. loa mf. Further studies on the extracts led to the isolation of lantadene A from the methylene chloride extract of L. camara leaves, with IC50s of 7.85 μg/mL for adult males, 10.38 μg/mL for adult females, 10.84 μg/mL for O. ochengi mf and 20.13 μg/mL for L. loa mf.We report for the first time the anti-onchocercal activities of these locally consumed medicinal plants and lantadene A, a potential lead for further development as an onchocerciasis cure

Comparison of the effect of different extracts and concentrations on the mean activity of <i>Loa loa</i> microfilariae.

<p>Comparison of the effect of different extracts and concentrations on the mean activity of <i>Loa loa</i> microfilariae.</p

Comparison of the effect of different extracts and concentrations on the mean activity of <i>O</i>. <i>ochengi</i> females.

<p>Comparison of the effect of different extracts and concentrations on the mean activity of <i>O</i>. <i>ochengi</i> females.</p

Phytochemical analysis for TIL_mc, LCL_hex, and LCL_mc extracts.

<p>Phytochemical analysis for TIL_mc, LCL_hex, and LCL_mc extracts.</p

Comparison of the effect of different extracts and concentrations on the mean activity of <i>O</i>. <i>ochengi</i> microfilariae.

<p>Comparison of the effect of different extracts and concentrations on the mean activity of <i>O</i>. <i>ochengi</i> microfilariae.</p

Graphical representation of IC₅₀ and IC₁₀₀ of active extracts against microfilariae of <i>L</i>. <i>loa</i> compared to the values for <i>O</i>. <i>ochengi</i>.

<p>(TIL_mc: methylene chloride extract from <i>Tamarindus indica</i> leaves; LCL_hex: hexane extract from <i>Lantana camara</i> leaves; LCL_mc: methylene chloride extract from <i>Lantana camara</i> leaves).</p

Percentage yields and IC₅₀s of the extracts in secondary screens for the male, female and microfilariae (mf) of <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i> and the mf of <i>Loa loa</i>.

<p>Percentage yields and IC₅₀s of the extracts in secondary screens for the male, female and microfilariae (mf) of <i>Onchocerca ochengi</i> and the mf of <i>Loa loa</i>.</p

Comparison of the effect of different extracts and concentrations on the mean activity of <i>O</i>. <i>ochengi</i> males.

<p>Comparison of the effect of different extracts and concentrations on the mean activity of <i>O</i>. <i>ochengi</i> males.</p