Aframomum subsericeum and Aframomum alboviolaceum leaf essential oils exhibit testosterone antagonistic and oestrogen synergic effects in male Wistar rats: potential candidates for prostate cancer treatment

Background: Aframomum species are routinely used as spices in many traditional Cameroonian meals due to their sweet fragrance. Many species of the Aframomum species are also used to treat cancer, pain, arthritis, and stomach disorders. This work was performed to determine the chemical composition, antiandrogenic, and estrogenic properties of Aframomum subsericeum and Aframomum alboviolaceum leaf essential oils. Methods: The chemical components of A. subsericeum and A. alboviolaceum essential oils were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The anti-androgenic and estrogenic properties were investigated in vivo in physically and chemically castrated Wistar rats, respectively. Results: Fifteen compounds versus nine compounds were identified in A. subsericeum and A. alboviolaceum essential oils, respectively. The main compounds of Aframomum subsericeum were cyclohexene, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene) (10.03%), γ-terpine (12.22%), and myrtenyl acetate (8.52%), while those of Aframomum alboviolaceum were γ-terpinene (20.07%), caryophyllene (11.58%), myrtenyl acetate (7.22%), and (1R)2, 6, 6 trimethylbicyclo [3.1.1] hept-2-ene (6.97%). The results of the anti-androgenic test reveal that both A. subsericeum and A. alboviolaceum induced a significant decrease in androgen-dependent organs, especially the prostate and seminal vesicle, at doses of 200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. Interestingly, A. alboviolaceum showed oestrogen synergic effects on the above organs. Conclusions: So, this study reveals mainly the presence of diterpenoids in both A. subsericeum and A. alboviolaceum, which are potential candidates for prostate cancer treatment. The in vivo results show that Aframomum leaf essential has antiandrogenic and oestrogen synergic properties, suggesting that the oils could provide a safe natural drug for prostate cancer treatment

Estrogenic and anxiolytic effects of the decoction of stem bark of Khaya anthotheca (Welw.) C.DC (Meliaceae) in ovariectomised Wistar rats

Khaya anthotheca (Welw.) C.DC (Meliaceae) is a plant used in Cameroon to alleviate vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women and is also known to have anxiolytic properties.This work was designed to evaluate estrogen-like effects of this plant on primary estrogens targets of ovariectomized adult rats, as well as to evaluate its anxiolytic activities in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test. In the 3-day uterotrophic assay, the extract increased (p < 0.01) the size of the vaginal epithelia and stimulated the acini differentiation of the mammary gland. In the EPM test, the extract increased the percentage of number of entries (p <0.05; p <0.01) and the percentage of time spent (p < 0.05) into open arms.Italso induced a decrease in percentage of number of entries (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) and the percentage of time spent (p < 0.05) into closed arms. The extract also induced an increase of total arms entries (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) and rearing (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a decrease of defecation and grooming (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). These results suggest that K. anthotheca is endowed with estrogenic and anxiolytic properties, likely due to the presence of some estrogen-like compounds

Evaluation of the estrogenic properties of aqueous extracts of Tragia benthamii Baker (Euphorbiaceae) and Graptophyllum pictum (Acanthaceae) and their ability to alleviate some menopausal symptoms induced by ovariectomy in Wistar rats

Tragia benthamii Baker (Euphorbiaceae) and Graptophyllum pictum Linn (Acanthaceae) are two Cameroonian medicinal plants traditionally used against female reproductive tract disorders, during and after the reproductive period, and as an abortifacient. Since there were no scientific data supporting the above claims and pharmacological studies characterizing their estrogenic properties, we therefore aimed to evaluate their ability to induce estrogen-like effects on primary estrogens targets, uterine, vagina and mammary gland; as well as their ability to alleviate hot flushes in ovariectomized adult rats. For this purpose, we applied a 3-day uterotrophic assay to determine the estrogenic effects of each extract and the mixture of both plants as used by traditional practitioners. The extracts were administered orally for 3 days to the 10 to 12 weeks aged ovariectomized rats. The results obtained showed that the aqueous extract of T. benthamii at the dose of 500 mg / kg BW, the aqueous extract of G. pictum at all the tested doses as well as the aqueous extract of the mixture  at 275 mg / kg body weight induced a significant increase (p ˂ 0.01) of the uterine epithelium thickness. In addition, the aqueous extract of T. benthamii at the dose of 500 mg / kg BW, as well as the aqueous extract of the mixture at the doses of 50 and 275 mg / kg induced acinar development and eosinophil secretions. These results are proof of estrogen-like effects of T. benthamii and G. pictum and therefore justify the traditional use of these plants. This suggests the presence in these plants, of secondary metabolites with estrogenic properties, can induce cell proliferation, and to correct disorders of post-oophorectomy œstrogénopénia in the Wistar rats and therefore menopausal disorders

Effects of Ficus umbellata (Moraceae) Aqueous Extract and 7-Methoxycoumarin on Scopolamine-Induced Spatial Memory Impairment in Ovariectomized Wistar Rats

The present work was undertaken to evaluate the ability of F. umbellata aqueous extract and its major component 7-methoxycoumarin (MC) to improve scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats. For this to be done, 10 sham-operated and 30 postmenopausal-like rats were randomly distributed in eight groups (n=5) and treated with distilled water (2 mL/250 g), estradiol valerate (1 mg/kg BW), piracetam (1.5 mg/kg BW), F. umbellata aqueous extract (50 and 200 mg/kg BW), or MC (1 mg/kg BW) for 21 consecutive days. Before and after the memory impairment with scopolamine (2 mg/kg BW), animals underwent behavioral evaluations on Y- and radial mazes. As results, age and ovariectomy did not induce significant changes in the reference memory errors. While age decreased working memory errors, ovariectomy increased it. The MC as well as F. umbellata extract significantly increased (p<0.01) the percentage of spontaneous alternation and decreased (p<0.001) working and spatial reference memory errors and anxiety parameters (rearing and grooming) in ovariectomized rats. MC significantly reduced (p<0.05) the MDA level, but resulted in an increase in GSH level in brain homogenates. These results suggest that MC is endowed with neuroprotective effects and could account for the neuroprotective effects of F. umbellata in rats

Effects of hydroquinone-containing creams on capillary glycemia before and after serial hand washings in Africans.

BACKGROUND:Hydroquinone-containing creams cause false increases in capillary glycemia. However, the magnitude of this false increase, and the means to reverse it have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the technical and clinical impact of hydroquinone-containing creams on capillary glycemia and investigate the efficacy of hand washing and other common practices, in reversing cream effects. METHODS:We included 91 participants in a quasi-experimental study in Buea, Cameroon. After determining the hydroquinone content of a cream, Caro Light, we used two glucometers with different enzymatic systems (Accu-Chek Active and OneTouch Ultra 2) to measure fasting glycemia after: initial hand washing (reference), application of 1 ml of hydroquinone-containing cream, finger swabbing with wet gauze, sanitizer application and a series of three hand washings following cream application. Reference glycemia was compared to those obtained after various interventions. Statistical significance was assessed by paired sample t-test, clinical significance by total error allowable (TEa), and clinical impact by Parke's error grid analysis. RESULTS:The mean differences in capillary glycemia (Intervention-reference) measured by Accu-Chek Active in mg/dl were 28, 27, 38, 16, 4, and -2 after cream application, finger swabbing, sanitizer application, one, two, and three hand washings respectively. Corresponding values for OneTouch Ultra2 were 41, 44, 64, 22, 5 and -5. These differences, except after two and three hand washings were both statistically (p < 0.0001) and clinically significant (TEa). After cream application, Accu-Check had 9.9% of values in Parke's Zones C-E, while OneTouch had 18.7%. CONCLUSION:Hydroquinone-containing creams cause significant false increase in capillary glycemia irrespective of the enzymatic system of the glucometer used, and can lead to potentially wrong clinical decisions. A minimum of two hand washings is required prior to capillary glucose measurement