Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of Lepidagathis anobrya Nees (Acanthaceae)

This study investigated the general acute, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of methanol extract of Lepidagathis anobrya Nees (Acanthaceae). Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and croton oil-induced ear edema in rats were used for the evaluation of general acute anti-inflammatory effects. Acetic acid-induced writhing response and yeastinduced hyperpyrexia in mice were used to evaluate the analgesic and antipyretic activities respectively. The extract at doses of 10, 25, 50 and 100 mgkg-1 for carrageenan test and doses of 0.5 mg/ear for croton oil test induced a significant reduction (p < 0.001) of paw and ear edemas in rats. In the analgesic and antipyretic tests, the extract has shown a significant inhibition of writhes and hyperpyrexia with all the doses used when compared to the untreated control group. These results clearly show the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of the methanol extract of Lepidagathis anobrya and give the scientific basis for its traditional use. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of action and the components responsible for these pharmacological effects.Key words: Lepidagathis anobrya, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, acute toxicity.doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i4.1

Phytochemical composition, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory potential of bioactive fractions from extracts of three medicinal plants traditionally used to treat liver diseases in Burkina Faso

Our aim in this study concerning the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions was to provide a scientific basis for the treatment of hepatitis B in Burkina Faso of these three ethnomedicinal plants. As a result, we evaluated polyphenol content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory evaluated by lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory and Xanthine Oxidase (XO) activities of aqueous acetone bioactive fractions from three species of Malvaceae (Sida cordifolia, Sida rhombifolia, S. urens). Folin-ciocalteu; AlCl3 methods and tannic acid respectively were used for polyphenol content research. The antioxidant activity of the samples was evaluate using three separate methods, inhibition of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydramzyl (DPPH), ABTS radical cation decolorization assay, Iron (III) to iron (II) reduction activity (FRAP). For anti-inflammatoty activity, lypoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities were used. Finally, in this study, the ethyl acetate fraction has shown the best results comparatively to the dichloromethane fraction. Keywords: Polyphenol, Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, Medicinal plants, hepatitis B

Phytochemical composition, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory potential of bioactive fractions from extracts of three medicinal plants traditionally used to treat liver diseases in Burkina Faso

Our aim in this study concerning the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions was to provide a scientific basis for the treatment of hepatitis B in Burkina Faso of these three ethnomedicinal plants. As a result, we evaluated polyphenol content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory evaluated by lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory and Xanthine Oxidase (XO) activities of aqueous acetone bioactive fractions from three species of Malvaceae (Sida cordifolia, Sida rhombifolia, S. urens). Folin-ciocalteu; AlCl3 methods and tannic acid respectively were used for polyphenol content research. The antioxidant activity of the samples was evaluate using three separate methods, inhibition of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydramzyl (DPPH), ABTS radical cation decolorization assay, Iron (III) to iron (II) reduction activity (FRAP). For anti-inflammatoty activity, lypoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities were used. Finally, in this study, the ethyl acetate fraction has shown the best results comparatively to the dichloromethane fraction. Keywords: Polyphenol, Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, Medicinal plants, hepatitis B

Polyphenolic composition of Lantana camara and Lippia chevalieri, and their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

In the present study, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of methanolic extracts of two Verbenaceae (Lantana camara L. and Lippia chevalieri Moldenke: aerial part) were investigated. Their polyphenolic composition in the ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions were characterized by HPLC-DAD. The antioxidant capability of the methanolic extracts was assessed by the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and the scavenging activity of the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of the methanolic extracts (25 µg mL-1), and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) (12.5 µg mL-1) against 13 pathogenic bacteria and four serotyped bacteria from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) were also determined by the agar-well diffusion method. The results indicated that the L. chevalieri extracts are rich in phenolic compounds (among the 27 polyphenolic compounds detected, 20 belong to L. chevalieri) and showed the highest antioxidant activities, simultaneously on iron (III) to iron (II)-reducing activity and the radical scavenging activity. However, L. camara displayed the best and the broadest antimicrobial spectrum, especially on Shigella flexneri and Pantoea sp. (two Gram-negative strains of bacteria). The nature of polyphenolics compounds detected (phenol acid and flavone) in the L. camara can justify this activity.Key words: Verbenaceae, HPLC-DAD, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, polyphenolic compound

Long-Term Vegetation Change in Central Africa: The Need for an Integrated Management Framework for Forests and Savannas

peer reviewedTropical forests and savannas are the main biomes in sub-Saharan Africa, covering most of the continent. Collectively they offer important habitat for biodiversity and provide multiple ecosystem services. Considering their global importance and the multiple sustainability challenges they face in the era of the Anthropocene, this chapter undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the past, present, and future vegetation patterns in central African forests and savannas. Past changes in climate, vegetation, land use, and human activity have affected the distribution of forests and savannas across central Africa. Currently, forests form a continuous block across the wet and moist areas of central Africa, and are characterized by high tree cover (>90% tree cover). Savannas and woodlands have lower tree cover (<40% tree cover), are found in drier sites in the north and south of the region, and are maintained by frequent fires. Recent tree cover loss (2000–2015) has been more important for forests than for savannas, which, however, reportedly experienced woody encroachment. Future cropland expansion is expected to have a strong impact on savannas, while the extent of climatic impacts depends on the actual scenario. We finally identify some of the policy implications for restoring ecosystems, expanding protected areas, and designing sustainable ecosystem management approaches in the region

Rift Valley Fever in Camels in Northern Burkina Faso

This study was done in three provinces located in Northern Burkina Faso, home of about 15705 camels. To investigate Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in these animals, serological examinations including Seroneutralisation Test (SNT) were performed on 270 camel serum samples. Positive results were obtained in 140 (51.85%) camels thus tested. Seventy five percent of seropositive camels were adult ≥ than 4 years old and the remaining 25% were young ranging from 8 months to 4 years. The results of the questionnaires administrated during the sampling to the shepherds and owners showed that association of abortion and mortalities in young animals were often observed. The survey revealed that high prevalence of RVFV is observed in camels in the sahelian desert zone of Burkina Faso which is not routinely diagnosed. Recommendations for systematic RVF investigation in camels and others domestic ruminants were made in order to improve the animal productivity. Habitual consumption of raw milk and close contact with infected animals signify possible zoonotic importance of RVF in the studied area. A risk assessment of the disease should be also undertaken in order to understanding the epidemiology and knowledge of the disease in the country and the sahelian region.Keywords: Serology, Camel, Rift Valley Fever, IgG, IgM, Seroneutralisation, Public health, Northern Burkina Faso

Rift Valley Fever in Camels in Northern Burkina Faso

This study was done in three provinces located in Northern Burkina Faso, home of about 15705 camels. To investigate Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in these animals, serological examinations including Virus neutralization Test (VNT) were performed on 270 camel serum samples. Positive results were obtained in 140 (51.85%) camels thus tested. Seventy five percent of seropositive camels were adult ≥ than 4 years old and the remaining 25% were young ranging from 8 months to 4 years. The results of the questionnaires administrated during the sampling to the shepherds and owners showed that association of abortion and mortalities in young animals were often observed. The survey revealed that high prevalence of RVFV is observed in camels in the sahelian desert zone of Burkina Faso which is not routinely diagnosed. Recommendations for systematic RVF investigation in camels and others domestic ruminants were made in order to improve the animal productivity. Habitual consumption of raw milk and close contact with infected animals signify possible zoonotic importance of RVF in the studied area. A risk assessment of the disease should be also undertaken in order to understanding the epidemiology and knowledge of the disease in the country and the sahelian region.Keywords: Serology, Camel, Rift Valley Fever, IgG, IgM, Seroneutralisation, Public health, Northern Burkina Faso

INHIBITION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE AND GLUTATHIONE‐S‐TRANFERASE ACTIVITIES BY METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Lippia chevalieri MOLDENKE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) inhibition against methanolic extract (100 μg/mL) of Lippia chevalieri from Burkina Faso. The total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and annins were also determined spectrophometrically. Lippia chevalieri inhibited both enzymes at more 35 %. The best inhibition activity was found on GST. The total phenolics content was 17.88 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 mg dry extract. As tannins were the major phenolic compounds in the extracts, their contribution to inhibition activity could represent 42.61 %. The present findings suggest that the methanolic extract of L. chevalieri is a relevant inhibitor of AChE and GST and confirm its traditional use in the treatment of mental and respiratory disorders and cardiovascular diseases

Contribution à la connaissance des plantes médicinales utilisées dans les soins infantiles en pays San, au Burkina Faso

La présente étude contribue à la connaissance des plantes médicinales et des recettes médicamenteuses utilisées dans les soins infantiles au Pays San, situé au Nord-ouest du Burkina Faso. A la suite d\'enquêtes ethnobotaniques, 50 tradipraticiens de santé, ayant au moins 15 ans d\'expérience ont été interrogés. La technique utilisée était l\'entretien semi-directif à partir d\'un questionnaire élaboré. Au total 79 espèces médicinales ont été recensées, reparties en 69 genres et 34 familles dont les mieux représentées sont les Ceasalpiniaceae (7 genres et 9 espèces), les Mimosaceae (6 genres et 9 espèces), les Combretaceae (4 genres et 8 espèces) et les Anacardiaceae (4 genres et 5 espèces). Quelques 90% de ces espèces sont des plantes ligneuses (arbres, arbustes, lianes et sous-arbrisseaux). Isolées ou en association, ces plantes entrent dans la formulation de 167 recettes médicamenteuses, et les feuilles constituent les principaux organes sollicités. La décoction et la boisson sont prédominantes pour l\'acquisition et l\'administration des remèdes respectivement. Le paludisme et la diarrhée sont les plus cités sur les 34 maladies infantiles recensées. Keywords: Plantes médicinales, Ethnopharmacopée, Pédiatrie traditionnelle, Burkina Faso. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences Vol. 1 (3) 2007: pp. 262-27