In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Contents of the Leaves of Olax subscorpioidea and Distemonanthus benthamianus

ABSTRACT Plants are sources of natural antioxidants and some of their compounds have significant antioxidant properties and health benefits. Olaxsubscorpioidea and Distemonanthusbenthamianus are used in folk medicine for the treatment of many diseases. This study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential and the phenolic contents of the aqueous and 70% ethanolic extracts of the leaves of these plants. The antioxidant activity and phenolic contents of the aqueous and 70 %ethanolic extracts of the leaves of O.subscorpioidea and D.benthamianus were evaluated using Spectrophotometric methods for the determination of total phenols, total flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidins. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by the 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, anti-lipid peroxidation, reducing power and ferrous chelating ability methods. The ethanolicextracts had the highest antioxidant activitiesand phenolic compoundslevels.D.benthamianusexhibited strong DPPH scavenging activity (IC 50 =10.87 ± 0.18),lipid peroxidation inhibition assay (IC 50 =0.97 ± 0.01 mg/mL),ferrous chelating assay (IC 50 =0.94 ± 0.02 mg/mL) added to its higher reducing power andphenolic contents (102.8±0.57 mg/g extract). Theantioxidant propertiesof these plants may explain their therapeutic activities. Our following work will explore the pharmacological potential of D. benthamianusethanolic extract

Laxative activities of Mareya micrantha (Benth.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) leaf aqueous extract in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Mareya micrantha </it>(Benth.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a shrub that is commonly used in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa) for the treatment of constipation and as an ocytocic drug. The present study was carried out to investigate the laxative activity of <it>Mareya micrantha </it>in albino's Wistar rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Rats were divided in 5 groups of 5 animals each, first group as control, second group served as standard (sodium picosulfate) while group 3, 4 and 5 were treated with leaf aqueous extract of <it>Mareya micrantha </it>at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), <it>per os </it>respectively. The laxative activity was determined based on the weight of the faeces matter. The effects of the leaves aqueous extract of <it>Mareya micrantha </it>and castor oil were also evaluated on intestinal transit, intestinal fluid accumulation and ions secretion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phytochemicals screening of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols, sterols and polyterpenes. The aqueous extract of <it>Mareya micrantha </it>applied orally (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; <it>p.o</it>.), produced significant laxative activity and reduced loperamide induced constipation in dose dependant manner. The effect of the extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg (<it>p.o</it>.) was similar to that of reference drug sodium picosulfate (5 mg/kg, <it>p.o</it>). The same doses of the extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, <it>p.o</it>.) produced a significant increase (p < 0.01) of intestinal transit in comparison with castor oil (2 mL) (p < 0.01). Moreover, the extract induced a significant enteropooling and excretion of Cl^-, Na⁺, K⁺and Ca²⁺in the intestinal fluid (p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results showed that the aqueous extract of <it>Mareya micrantha </it>has a significant laxative activity and supports its traditional use in herbal medicine.</p

In Vitro Anticholinesterase and Inhibitory Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Combretum molle (Combretaceae) Leaf on Rabbit Breathing

Purpose: In previous studies, the aqueous extract of Combretum molle was shown to inhibit disturbances of breathing induced by acetylcholine. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of this inhibition. Methods: The aqueous extract of Combretum molle and an anti-asthmatic, salbutamol (reference), were tested at varying concentrations for their inhibitory effects on breathing. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was extracted from rabbit duodenum and its activity determined by Ellman’s assay using acethylthiocholine iodide (ACTH) as substrate. The rate of hydrolysis of acetylcholinesterase was spectrophotometrically monitored at 412 nm. Results: The results indicate that in the presence of C. molle extract, a considerable reduction in the variation of breathing amplitudes occurred. Furthermore, the extract probably contains anti-AChE substances. C. molle exerted non-competitive inhibition of acetylcholinesterase with Michaelis-Menten constant (KM) of 192 μM and velocity at maximal concentration of substrate (Vmax) of 4444 μM/min. Conclusion: These results support the use of C. molle leaf in the Pharmacopoeia of Ivory Coast as an anti-asthmatic, in view of its inhibitory effect on breathing disturbances

Assessments of serum copper and zinc concentration, and the Cu/Zn ratio determination in patients with multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract Background In Côte d’Ivoire, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a serious public health problem with a prevalence estimated at 2.5% in 2006. Zinc and copper are essential Trace element needed to strengthen the immune system and also useful in the fight against tuberculosis. The Cu / Zn ratio is a good indicator of oxidative stress. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate the serum concentration of some trace element and determine the Cu / Zn ratio in patients with multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-TB) before and after second line treatment of TB. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 100 MDR-TB patients after confirmation of their status through the microscopic and molecular diagnosis of resistance to Isoniazid and Rifampicin by GeneXpert. The concentration level of zinc and copper were determined using flame air / acetylene atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) Type Varian Spectr AA-20 Victoria, Australlia. Results A significant decrease in zinc levels (P < 0.05) and an increased Cu / Zn ratio (P < 0.05) was observed in MDR-TB patients compared to controls TB free. During treatment a significant reduction in Cu / Zn ratio (P < 0.05) was observed compared to the initial result. Conclusions The decrease in serum zinc level and the high Cu / Zn ratio could explain the immune system dysfunction and the high level of oxidative stress in patients with MDR-TB. Therefore the evaluation of the zinc and copper status could represent essential parameters in monitoring of TB second line treatment for better treatment management