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Prostate cancer is one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths among men globally. Medicinal plants have been explored as alternative treatment options. Herein, we assessed the in vitro cytotoxic effects of 70% ethanolic root extracts of six-month-old micropropagated Prunus africana (PIR) on PC-3 prostate cancer cells as an alternative to the traditionally used P. africana stem-bark extract (PWS) treatment. In vitro assays on PC-3 cells included annexin-V and propidium iodide staining, DAPI staining, and caspase-3 activity analysis through western blotting. PC-3 cells were exposed to PWS and PIR at different concentrations, and dose-dependent antiprostate cancer effects were observed. PC-3 cell viability was determined using CCK-8 assay, which yielded IC50 values of 52.30 and 82.40 μg/mL for PWS and PIR, respectively. Annexin-V and PI staining showed dose-dependent apoptosis of PC-3 cells. Significant ( p < 0.001 ) percent of DAPI-stained apoptotic PC-3 cells were observed in PWS, PIR, and doxorubicin treatment compared with the negative control. PWS treatment substantially elevated cleaved caspase-3 levels in PC-3 cells compared with the PIR treatment. These results provide evidence for the antiprostate cancer potential of PIR and sets a basis for further research to enhance future utilization of roots of young micropropagated P. africana for prostate cancer treatment as an alternative to stem bark. Moreover, micropropagation approach may help provide the required raw materials and hence reduce the demand for P. africana from endangered wild population.

This present study evaluated the effects of processed P. multiflorum on osteogenesis using Sarcoma osteogenic (SaOS-2) cell lines and osteoclastogenesis of bone marrow-derived macrophage cells (BMM) and to elucidate differences in effect on the expression of bone-related proteins between commercially sold P. multiflorum and patented, in vitro-propagated Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) P. multiflorum. Raw P. multiflorum and P. multiflorum that were stir-baked and steamed in black bean juice were compared, and western blotting analysis was performed to investigate the expression of bone remodeling-related proteins in SaOS-2 cells. In the cells treated with P. multiflorum steamed in black bean juice, the expression of RANKL was decreased, whereas that of osteoprotegerin, alkaline phosphatase, Runx2, and osterix was increased. Owing to these results, we conclude that processed P. multiflorum can be used as an alternative treatment for bone diseases such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, periodontitis, and Paget’s disease.

Aspilia africana has been used for generations to treat many diseases in Africa. Its biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, are attributed to a number of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids and polyphenolics. The antioxidant activities of A. africana callus (CA), juvenile in vitro leaf (IL) and root (IR), ex vitro root (SR) and leaf (SL), and wild leaf (WL) dried samples were assessed based on their diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging abilities. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of different plant samples was compared. Further, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantitatively determine chlorogenic acid content in the A. africana plant samples. Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) analysis was also carried out to compare the antioxidant phytochemical content in the A. africana plant tissues. Among the samples, IR, with the highest total phenolic content (167.84 ± 1.057 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid content (135.06 ± 0.786 mg RUE/g), and chlorogenic acid (5.23 ± 0.298 mg/g) content, had the most potent antioxidant activity (IC50 = 27.25 ± 5.028 μg/mL), followed by WL. The lowest polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity were observed in SR. The antioxidant activities of A. africana tissues were positively correlated with the total phenolic and flavonoid content in the samples. The differences in antioxidant activities of A. africana tissues could be attributed to the difference in their polyphenolic content. Our study reports, for the first time, the antioxidant activities of A. africana callus and roots (in vitro and ex vitro). The A. africana samples IR, CA, and WL could be valuable natural sources of antioxidants that could be further exploited for the development of useful pharmaceutical products.

Chronic inflammation is one of the causes of a number of non-infectious diseases in the world. Over the years, Tamarindus indica has played fundamental roles in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug. It is a commercialized biocompatible medicinal plant species with a wide range of therapeutic window and with suggested LD50 greater than 5000 mg kg−1 body weight when administered to the Wistar rats. This review examined the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential and mechanism of various extracts from T. indica pulp, leaves, seeds, stem bark, and roots. The preclinical studies provided strong pharmacological evidence for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the different parts of T. indica and this may be attributed to the various bioactive compounds in it including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, and steroids. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the extracts from the different parts of T. indica may be due to its ability to inhibit a number of biological processes including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), 5-lipoxygenase biosynthesis, and tumor necrosis factor-α. The analgesic activity of T. indica may also be through the activation of the opioidergic mechanism at both the peripheral and central levels. Although further pre-clinical studies still need to be conducted, these results demonstrated that T. indica has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and hence provides justification for its use in traditional medicine to treat body pain and other inflammatory related diseases including arthritis and offers a basis for future clinical studies and possible drug development.

Warburgia ugandensis Sprague (Family Canellacea) commonly known as Ugandan greenheart or pepper bark tree, is a highly valued medicinal plant in traditional medicine with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity whose parts especially the leaves and stem bark have for long been used in the treatment and management of many diseases and health conditions such as stomachache, cough, toothache, fever, malaria, oral thrush, measles and diarrhea in African communities where the plant occurs. This review focused on the phytochemical contents, medicinal uses and antimicrobial activities of W. ugandensis based on published peer reviewed articles. This review established that the high therapeutic value of W. ugandensis is attributed to the abundance of drimane sesquiterpenes in its stem bark and leaves. These chemicals have also made the plant to have potent antibacterial and antifungal activities. However, more pre-clinical and clinical trials need to be done to further validate the traditional medicine applications of W. ugandensis for possible drug discovery. Due to its high demand, W. ugandensis has been over exploited and hence its population is in drastic decline. Consequently, there is need for development of advanced and more rapid propagation techniques to increase its population and distribution in its natural environment to meet the ever-increasing demand. Key words: Antimicrobial, Canellaceae, medicinal uses, phytochemicals, Warburgia ugandensis.

Osteoporosis is one of the main health problems in the world today characterized by low bone mass and deterioration in bone microarchitecture. In recent years, the use of natural products approach to treat it has been in the increase. In this study, in vitro antiosteoporosis activity and hepatotoxicity of P. jamasakura bark extracts were evaluated. Methods. Mouse bone marrow macrophage (BMM) cells were incubated with tartrate-resistant acid phosphate (TRAP) buffers and p-nitrophenyl phosphate and cultured with different P. jamasakura bark extracts at concentrations of 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 μg/ml in the presence of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) for 6 days. The osteoclast TRAP activity and cell viability were measured. Nitric oxide (NO) assay was conducted using murine macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells treated with P. jamasakura ethanolic and methanolic bark extracts at concentrations of 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml. For hepatotoxicity assessment, zebrafish larvae were exposed to P. jamasakura bark extracts, 0.05% dimethyl sulfoxide as a negative control, and 5 μM tamoxifen as a positive control. The surviving larvae were anesthetized and assessed for hepatocyte apoptosis. Results. TRAP activity was significantly inhibited (p P. jamasakura extracts compared to the control treatment. At 50 μg/ml, both ethanolic and methanolic extracts of P. jamasakura exhibited significant (p P. jamasakura ethanolic and methanolic extracts had significant inhibitory (p μg/ml and exhibited significant (p p Conclusion. The TRAP activity of P. jamasakura bark gives a foundation for further studies to enhance future development of antiosteoporosis drug.

Prostate cancer remains one of the major causes of death worldwide. In view of the limited treatment options for patients with prostate cancer, preventive and treatment approaches based on natural compounds can play an integral role in tackling this disease. Recent evidence supports the beneficial effects of plant-derived phytochemicals as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents for various cancers, including prostate cancer. Prunus africana has been used for generations in African traditional medicine to treat prostate cancer. This review examined the potential roles of the phytochemicals from P. africana, an endangered, sub-Saharan Africa plant in the chemoprevention and chemotherapy of prostate cancer. In vitro and in vivo studies have provided strong pharmacological evidence for antiprostate cancer activities of P. africana-derived phytochemicals. Through synergistic interactions between different effective phytochemicals, P. africana extracts have been shown to exhibit very strong antiandrogenic and antiangiogenic activities and have the ability to kill tumor cells via apoptotic pathways, prevent the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, and alter the signaling pathways required for the maintenance of prostate cancer cells. However, further preclinical and clinical studies ought to be done to advance and eventually use these promising phytochemicals for the prevention and chemotherapy of human prostate cancer.

Wounds remain one of the major causes of death worldwide. Over the years medicinal plants and natural compounds have played an integral role in wound treatment. Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams which is classified among substances with low toxicity has been used for generations in African traditional medicine to treat wounds, including stopping bleeding even from severed arteries. This review examined the potential of the extracts and phytochemicals from A. africana, a common herbaceous flowering plant which is native to Africa in wound healing. In vitro and in vivo studies have provided strong pharmacological evidences for wound healing effects of A. africana-derived extracts and phytochemicals. Singly or in synergy, the different bioactive phytochemicals including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, α-pinene, carene, phytol, and linolenic acid in A. africana have been observed to exhibit a very strong anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities which are important processes in wound healing. Indeed, A. africana wound healing ability is furthermore due to the fact that it can effectively reduce wound bleeding, hasten wound contraction, increase the concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) and platelet derived growth factor, and stimulate the haematological parameters, including white and red blood cells, all of which are vital components for the wound healing process. Therefore, these facts may justify why A. africana is used to treat wounds in ethnomedicine.

Background Natural products play a significant role in human health in relation to the prevention and treatment of inflammatory conditions. One of the plants with great medicinal potentials is Diospyros kaki which is mainly cultivated in Asian countries including Korea, Japan, and China. Astringent D. kaki is a wild species with an astringent taste until they are Ripened. kaki calyx is a traditional Korean medicine (TKM) made from the stalks of astringent D. kaki and is used in treating bed-wetting, vomiting, and hiccupping. The present study was designed to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory activities of astringent D. kaki stalks based on cultivar types and stages of maturity. Methods The anti-inflammatory effects of the stalk extracts of local astringent D. kaki cultivar species were evaluated on RAW 264.7 cells. Cell viability was measured using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) method. The anti-inflammatory effects were determined by measuring the nitric oxide (NO) concentration of the supernatant. Cellular signaling pathways were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reactions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Protein expression of iNOS and phospho-p65 was determined using western blot, and the nuclear localization of p65 was determined using confocal imaging in RAW 264.7 cells. Results We found that the stage 1 (8–9 month) samples all showed a high percentage of tannic acid content and Gojongsi (Hamyang) stalks had the highest content. The stage 1 samples also showed the highest inhibition of NO production. Decreases in the expression of iNOS and phosphorylated p65, and in the nuclear localization of p65, were dose-dependent. All the extracts were nontoxic under 100 μg/ml concentration. Conclusion This study provides insight into the changes in tannic acid content in astringent D. kaki and their anti-inflammatory effects, in relation to their stage of maturity. These results are expected to be useful in the verification of the efficacy of oriental medicine and the timing of proper harvest for medical use.

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) plays an integral role in providing health care worldwide. It is based on sound fundamental principles and centuries of practices. This study compared traditional Indian medicine (TIM) and traditional Korean medicine (TKM) basing on data obtained from peer reviewed articles, respective government institutional reports and World Health Organization reports. Despite the fact that TIM and TKM have individual qualities that are unique from each other including different histories of origin, they share a lot in common. Apart from Homeopathy in TIM, both systems are hinged on similar principle of body constitutional-based concept and similar disease diagnosis methods of mainly auscultation, palpation, visual inspection, and interrogation. Similarly, the treatment methods of TIM and TKM follow similar patterns involving use of medicinal herbs, moxibustion, acupuncture, cupping, and manual therapy. Both T&CM are majorly practiced in well-established hospitals by T&CM doctors who have undergone an average of 6–7 years of specialized trainings. However, unlike TIM which has less insurance coverage, the popularity of TKM is majorly due to its wide national insurance coverage. These two medical traditions occupy increasingly greater portion of the global market. However, TIM especially Ayurveda has gained more global recognition than TKM although the emergence of Sasang Constitutional Medicine in TKM is beginning to become more popular. This comparative analysis between TIM and TKM may provide vital and insightful contribution towards constitutional-based concept for further development and future studies in T&CM. Keywords: Constitutional-Based Concept, Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Traditional Indian Medicine, Traditional Korean Medicine, Sasang Constitutional Medicine

Medicinal plants have been an integral part of the healthcare system for centuries. Prunus africana, an evergreen plant of the family Rosaceae in sub-Saharan Africa, has been used to treat numerous diseases and disorders since time immemorial. Over the past decades, several ethnomedicinal surveys were conducted in many communities across Africa which validated the use of P. africana in traditional medicine. The increased interest in P. africana across the globe has led to several pharmacological studies that have further validated the continued use of this plant in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was therefore to review the various evidence based ethnopharmacological studies on the use of P. africana in traditional medicine in treatment and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, diabetes, malaria, chest pain, gastrointestinal conditions, wound healing, and skin infections based on peer-reviewed electronic databases. Scientific studies attributed the effectiveness of P. africana in the treatment and management of these diseases to the class of bioactive compounds contained in it, including tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phytosterols, and fatty acids. The anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiandrogenic, antiangiogenic, antioxidant, anti-dipeptidyl peptidase-4, analgesic, and astringent effects of these phytochemicals makes P. africana very effective in the treatment and management of the above diseases. This review therefore provides the foundation of further preclinical and clinical studies on P. africana to enhance future production of high quality, safe, and efficacious medicines for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, diabetes, malaria, chest pain, gastrointestinal conditions, wound healing, and skin infections.