A significant antihypertensive effect of Holarrhena floribunda supported by an exploratory phytochemical study

Introduction: Holarrhena floribunda (G.Don) T.Durand & Schinz is a tree that can grow up to 25 m with white latex in its organs. The bark of this plant is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, malaria, and high blood pressure. In this study, phytochemical groups were widely investigated on trunk bark as well as on leaves of H. floribunda harvested in Danyi (Togo). Antioxidant activity and antihypertensive properties of the plant extracts were also evaluated on sound guinea pigs. Methods: The hydro-ethanolic extract of the trunk bark was prepared and antioxidant activity was evaluated via the DPPH radical-scavenging and the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods, and via the determination of the total phenolics content. This hydro-ethanolic extract was used to assess the plant extract effect on blood pressure of sound guinea pigs. Results: So, phytochemical screening revealed that H. floribunda contained most of the phytochemical groups. The 50% inhibitive concentration of that extract by DPPH was 29.80 ± 0.001 μg/mL. The equivalent of Fe2+ by FRAP was 1009.9 ± 0.6 μmol/g of dry extract. The content of phenolic compounds was 139 ± 0.053 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalents)/g of dry extract. Intravenous injection of the extract (10, 20, 40, 80 mg/kg) via the invasive method in guinea pigs under normal strain caused a decrease in diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and so in mean arterial pressure (MAP) by dose cumulative and time-dependent. Conclusion: The results show that hydro-ethanolic extract of H. floribunda trunk bark has antihypertensive and antioxidant properties. This might be the reason for the use of that extract for the treatment of hypertension in traditional medicin

Effect of Hydromethanolic Extract of Stem Bark of Lannea kerstingii on Anemia and Hepcidin Production

Introduction: Stem bark of Lannea kerstingii is used in Togo for its anti-anemic effect. The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of extracts of L. kerstingii’s bark in the treatment of anemia and to explore its mechanism of action. Materials and Method: L. kerstingii stem bark was collected in the city of Kpalimé, located at 120 km northwest of Lomé. Hydromethanolic extract was obtained by evaporation. Two protocols were carried out and 20 twelve-week-old rats that had an average weight of 175.17±16.8 grams were used. The first protocol consisted of inducing anemia in rats by intraperitoneal injection of phenylhydrazine, then force-feeding them with L. kerstingii extract and measuring the effect of this extract on their hemoglobin levels.  The second protocol investigated the effect of the extract on the serum hepcidin level, after oral administration of carbon tetrachloride to rats. Hepcidin levels were measured by the ELISA technique. Results: L. kerstingii stem bark extract significantly corrected the anemia induced by phenylhydrazine use: in fact, the anemia of rats that received L. kerstingii extracts was corrected. Control rats that received folic acid had a correction of their anemia too. But, rats that received only saline remained anemic. However, no correlation between the level of extract consumption and the level of hepcidin was established. Conclusion: L. kerstingii bark hydroethanolic extracts increase hemoglobin levels in anemic rats. The main challenge that needs to be solved is determining the minimum dose to be consumed to ensure its effectiveness. Keywords: Lannea kerstingii, anemia, hepcidin, wistar rat

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Extract Mixture of Annona senegalensis Pers. and Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.)

Introduction: Annona senegalensis Pers (Annonaceae) and Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) (Leguminoseae)  are two medicinal plants used, often in combination, in traditional Togolese medicine for the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory component. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the hydro-ethanolic extract (EHEM) of the combination of A. senegalensis and P. thonningii (1: 1, m: m). Methods: The ovalbumin-induced allergic airway asthma model was used. Animals made asthmatic were treated with EHEM at doses of 250 and 500 mg / kg. Inflammation markers including histamine, nitric oxide (NO), vascular leakage, leukocyte infiltration in the airways, and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured. Results: Compared to the SNT group, EHEM inhibits the infiltration of the airways by leukocytes (850,00 × 103 ± 50 cells / mL vs 1830 × 103 ± 53,85 cells / mL for ST500 mg / kg, P <0,05). It inhibited vascular permeability to Evans Blue (10,40 ± 0,270 μg / mL vs ST500, p<0,05). It inhibited histamine release (13,95 ± 0,937 μg / mL vs 32,78 ± 1,044 μg / mL, p<0,05) and NO production (0,211 ± 0,008 Μm vs 0,315 ± 0,022 μM, p<0,05). It finally inhibited MDA production (14,66 ± 0,533 nM / mL vs 9,014 ± 0,366 nM / mL and 7,149 ± 0,300 nM / mL, p<0,05) in lung tissue. Conclusion: Our results suggest that EHEM inhibits OVA-induced inflammation. These results justify the use of this combination of plants in traditional Togolese medicine. Keywords: Inflammation, malondialdehyde, Annona senegalensis, Piliostigma thonningii

Diuretic effects and subacute toxicity of Trema orientalis Linn leave extract in wistar rats

Trema Orientalis is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. The present study was undertaken to investigate phytochemical compounds, diuretic activity and subacute toxicity of the hydromethanolic leaf extracts of Trema orientalis. Phytochemical analysis carried out through color and precipitation reactions revealed the presence of many metabolites. The measurement of diuretic activity carried out by saline overload with 0.9% NaCl at a dose of 50 mL/kg in wistar rats showed that the hydromethanolic extract of Trema orientalis leaves had diuretic activity at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight. However, this diuretic activity was relatively low compared to the action of the reference molecule, furosemide. The study of the subacute toxicity of the extract took place over 28 days. No significant difference was recorded in the body weights during the 28 days of the study.  Likewise, the weight of the organs collected after sacrifice of the rats and their macroscopic aspects did not show any significant difference with those of the control group. The extract increased the count of white and red blood cells as wells as platelets, practically at the two doses used and caused a decrease in ALT at the dose of 500 mg/kg. The extract could have a beneficial effect like a boosting immunity and would not present any toxicity at these doses. Keywords: phytochemical, diuretic, subacute toxicity, Trema orientali

A significant antihypertensive effect of Holarrhena floribunda supported by an exploratory phytochemical study

Introduction: Holarrhena floribunda (G.Don) T.Durand & Schinz is a tree that can grow up to 25 m with white latex in its organs. The bark of this plant is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, malaria, and high blood pressure. In this study, phytochemical groups were widely investigated on trunk bark as well as on leaves of H. floribunda harvested in Danyi (Togo). Antioxidant activity and antihypertensive properties of the plant extracts were also evaluated on sound guinea pigs. Methods: The hydro-ethanolic extract of the trunk bark was prepared and antioxidant activity was evaluated via the DPPH radical-scavenging and the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods, and via the determination of the total phenolics content. This hydro-ethanolic extract was used to assess the plant extract effect on blood pressure of sound guinea pigs. Results: So, phytochemical screening revealed that H. floribunda contained most of the phytochemical groups. The 50% inhibitive concentration of that extract by DPPH was 29.80 ± 0.001 μg/mL. The equivalent of Fe2+ by FRAP was 1009.9 ± 0.6 μmol/g of dry extract. The content of phenolic compounds was 139 ± 0.053 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalents)/g of dry extract. Intravenous injection of the extract (10, 20, 40, 80 mg/kg) via the invasive method in guinea pigs under normal strain caused a decrease in diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and so in mean arterial pressure (MAP) by dose cumulative and time-dependent. Conclusion: The results show that hydro-ethanolic extract of H. floribunda trunk bark has antihypertensive and antioxidant properties. This might be the reason for the use of that extract for the treatment of hypertension in traditional medicine