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This study was carried out to assess the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects of Nauclea latifolia (Sm.) leaf extracts. Ethanolic (NLE) and aqueous (NLA) extract of N. latifolia leaves were prepared and assessed for their anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant potential, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, and the mechanism of enzyme inhibition in vitro using standard established methods. From the results, phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, and tannins were detected in both extracts of N. latifolia with NLE having a significantly (p<0.05) higher phytochemical content. NLE displayed significantly (p<0.05) better total antioxidant capacity, reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activities. For anti-inflammatory activities, 70.54±2.45% albumin denaturation inhibition was observed for NLE while 68.05±1.03% was recorded for NLA. Likewise, 16.07±1.60 and 14.08±1.76% were obtained against hypotonic solution and heat-induced erythrocyte haemolysis, respectively, for NLE while 20.59±4.60 and 24.07±1.60% were respective NLA values. NLE (IC50: 4.20±0.18 and 1.19±0.11 mg/mL) and NLA (IC50: 11.21±0.35 and 2.64±0.48 mg/mL) α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities were dose-dependent with uncompetitive and competitive inhibition elicited, respectively, by the extracts. A significant positive association (p<0.01 and 0.05) was identified between antioxidant activity and carbohydrate-metabolising enzyme inhibitory activity. The obtained result suggests N. latifolia leaf could serve as an alternative candidate for managing diabetes mellitus due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory association with diabetes-linked enzymes.

Nauclea pobeguinii is traditionally used for treatment of malaria. Previous studies on the plant extract and strictosamide, the putative active constituent, showed a profound in vivo activity of the extract but no in vitro activity of strictosamide. This might indicate that one or more compounds present in the extract, most likely alkaloids, act as prodrugs undergoing biotransformation after oral administration resulting in the active compounds. The phytochemical composition of a N. pobeguinii extract was characterized using UHPLC-UV-HRMS (Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Ultraviolet-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry) data. An in vitro gastrointestinal model was used to simulate biotransformation of the extract allowing monitoring of the relative abundances of individual constituents over time on one hand, while antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of the biotransformed extract could be evaluated on the other hand. A diversity of compounds was (tentatively) identified in the extract, mainly saponins and alkaloids, including 32 compounds that have not been reported before in N. pobeguinii. The automated data analysis workflow used for unbiased screening for metabolites showed that glycosylated compounds decreased in intensity over time. Alkaloids containing no sugar moieties, including angustine-type alkaloids, showed no gastrointestinal biotransformation. In vitro gastrointestinal biotransformation of strictosamide did not result in a major metabolite. Moreover, multivariate data analysis using Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) showed no in vitro activity of strictosamide or its metabolites suggesting that other compounds or metabolites present in the extract are responsible for the antiplasmodial effect of the N. pobeguinii extract. The OPLS-DA proposes alkaloids with a β-carboline moiety as active principles, suggesting that antiplasmodial activity of N. pobeguinii derives from an additive or synergistic effect of multiple minor alkaloids and their metabolites present in the bark extract of N. pobeguinii.

Background The resistance of some medico-veterinary parasite strains as well as the unavailability and toxicity of synthetic anthelminthics on humans, animals and the impacts of their residues in the environment have pushed scientists to turn to plants with anthelminthic properties. Hence, the aim of this work was to contribute to the fight against helminths of medical and veterinary importance in general, and also to clear the environment of their free living stages. Methods Fresh eggs of Heligmosomoides bakeri were obtained from the faeces of experimentally infected mice. L1 and L2 larval stages were obtained after 48 and 72 h of coproculture respectively. Methylene Chloride-Methanol (1:1) extracts of Annona senegalensis and Nauclea latifolia were diluted in DMSO or Tween 80 to prepare the following concentrations: 625, 1250, 2500, 3750 and 5000 μg/ml. The effects of extract solutions were evaluated on the embryonation of eggs, egg hatching and on L1 and L2 survival after 48, 10 and 24 h of incubation. Negative controls were 1.5% DMSO, 4% Tween 80 and a mixture of these solvents. The TLC was carried out and the profiles of secondary metabolites were made. Results Negative controls had no effect on the embryonation, eggs hatching and on larval mortality. However, it was found that, the extracts affected the free living stages of H. bakeri in a concentration-dependant manner. At the highest concentration (5000 μg/ml), the rate of inhibition of embryonation obtained were 20.80%, 38.15% and 84.83% for Methylene Chloride-Methanol of Annona senegalensis (MCM As), Nauclea latifolia (MCM Nl) extracts and mixture of Annona senegalensis and Nauclea latifolia (MCM As-Nl) extract respectively. For egg hatch, the inhibition rate was 16.10%, 46.24% and 87.07% for the above three extracts respectively at the same concentration of 5000 μg/ml. On L1 and L2 larval stages after 24 h of exposure to extracts, the mortality rates of 100%, 54.76% and 96.77% against 98%, 51.44% and 100% were obtained for MCM As, MCM Nl and MCM As-Nl respectively at the highest concentration. The Methylene Chloride-Methanol of A.senegalensis, N. latifolia extracts showed the presence of alkaloids except in N. latifolia extract, flavonoids, sterols, triterpens, tanins, polyphenols, anthraquinons, saponins and terpenoids. Conclusion These findings suggest that, the mixture of the two plant extracts showed an additive (synergetic effect) ovicidal effect and a slight larval mortality on L1 as compared to the effect of MCM As extract alone. These effects were due to the presence ao secondary metabolites identifies in the plant extracts. Thus, they may be used as possible «disinfectants» for soil transmitted nematodes.

Aim: Trypanosomiasis is a pathological condition that requires serious attention. The dried root of Nauclea latifolia was investigated to determine the anti-trypanosomal activity on groups of Wistar rats. Methods: A 1000 mg/kg body weight of methanol extract was administered for 7 consecutive days by intraperitoneal route (ip) to Group II while Group I received a 3.5 mg/kg of Samorinil® through the same route. The phytochemical constituents were also determined. Parasitaemia level, body weight, temperature and packed cell volume (PCV) were monitored and determined before and after the commencement of the experiment. Results: The packed cell volume (PCV) increased significantly (P = .05) in Group I and II post infection from an average of 35.0 ± 0.68 to 38.05 ± 0.32% when compared to the infected - untreated group (Group III) with a PCV value of 30.0 ± 1.11%. The methanol extract at a concentration of 1000 mg/kg of the plant reduced the parasitaemia level from 7.8 to 2.53 trypanosomes per ml at the end of the experiment. In Group I, the positive group, that received commercial drug (diminazene diaceturate (Samorinil®) was aparasitic before the end of the experiment. There was significant weight improvement (p =.05) in the entire Group (I and II) from 22 ± 0.01 to 4.4 ± 0.30 g and 2.4 ± 0.20 to 4.1 ± 0.04 g respectively except the Group III that was untreated with 2.4 ± 0.34 to 6.6 ± 0.18 g that kept depreciating postinfection. First death was recorded in Group III on 12-day post-infection. Temperature of G III continued to increase slowly as the parasitaemia level increased from 35.22 to 42 .36°C which significantly varied (p =.05) from the rectal temperature of GI and II from 35.85°C and 35.17 to 35.53°C and 34.40°C. Conclusion: The experiment showed that a 1000 mg/kg methanol extract of Nauclea latifolia exhibited promising trypanocidal activity against T. brucei.

Aims: This study comparatively evaluated the radical scavenging activity of the methanolic extracts of five indigenous plants, namelyZingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae), Nauclea latifolia (Rubiaceae), Phyllantus spp (Euphorbiaceae), Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae) and Camellia sinensis (Theaceae) and their polyherbal extract referred to as Gingered Polyherbal Tea (GPHT). Study Design: Experimental. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria in July 2015. Methodology: The extract of each plant and their polyherbal combination were studied for antiradical activity using 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Hydroxyl ion, Nitric oxide and Super Original Research Article Adejoh et al.; IJBCRR, 11(1): 1-10, 2016; Article no.IJBCRR.23974 2 oxide free radical scavenging assays. Results: The following trend was observed in the anti-radical activity of the extracts: GPHT > Ascorbic acid/Gallic acid> Zingiber officinale> Camellia sinensis> Nauclea latifolia>Khaya senegalensis>Phyllantus spp. Conclusion: The extracts showed varying levels of anti-radical activity individually and contributed synergistically to the anti-radical activity of their polyherbal extract. This observation could be employed in designing new drug combinations that will provide better therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of many oxidative stressrelated diseases.

The emergence of resistant strains of the malaria parasite has necessitated the continued search for other effective, safe and cheap plant-based anti-malarial agents. This study was carried out to evaluate in vivo the anti- plasmodial effect of the extract of a combination of three plants as used in traditional medicine in South-east, Nigeria. Dried and ground roots of the three plants: Anthocleista nobilis, Nauclea latifolia and Napoleona imperialis were extracted in 70% methanol as a combination of equal weight and individually. The extracts were thereafter administered singly and in combination to albino mice of both sexes. From the result, N. latifolia extract exhibited the highest potency, in the curative test, with 78.7±0.7 mean parasite inhibition (p

This study was aimed at evaluating the acute and subchronc toxicities of aqueous extracts of Newbouldia laevis stem bark and Nauclea latifolia roots, used extensively, in Nigerian herbal medicine. Acute toxicity study was carried out on Swiss albino mice. The extracts mixed (1:1) in the doses ranging between 1.0 g to 20.0 g/kg body weight (bwt) were administered orally to the mice (22.52.5 g) and observed continuously for the first 4 h and hourly for the next 12 h, then 6 hourly for 56 h. In subchronic toxicity study, wistar rats (15020 g) were fed with 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg bwt daily of the extract mixture (1:1) combination and 500 mg/kg bwt dose of the respective extracts for 30 days. The effects on the biochemical and haematological parameters were evaluated and also the effects on some vital organs were histologically examined. The results showed that all the animals that received 20 g/kg bwt of the extracts (1:1) combination survived beyond 24 h. Significant (p

Aims: This work is aimed at assessing the dye and colouring potentials of the extracts from the bark of whistling pine and the root of African peach. It is intended to apply these extracts for textile dyeings, drink and food colourings. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Chemistry, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria, between October, 2012 and March, 2013. Methodology: The bark of the plant, whistling pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) and the root of African Peach (Nauclea latifolia) were collected, chopped, dried and pulverized. The dye extracts were obtained using ethanol (absolute) as extracting solvent. The crude dye extracts were recrystallized in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for purification. The percentage yields, melting points, pH and Rf values, UV/visible absorptions and IR spectra were determined. Textile (cotton) dyeings, wash and light fastness tests, drink (local gin) and food (pap) colourings were performed. Results: Whistling pine bark yielded reddish brown colour while the root of African peach yielded brown colour. They gave respectively 13.67% and 9.26% yield, pH values of 5.93 and 5.67, M.pt. of 194oC and 210oC, Rf values of 0.84 and 0.64. The dyeings showed varied colour shades, poor wash and light fastness on cotton fabrics. Conclusion: The two dye plants produced fine colours on textile, food and drink. The poor wash and light fastness of dyed fabrics improved with mordanting. Original Research Article British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 4(20): 2921-2930, 2014 2922

Nauclea latifolia (NL) is widely used as decoctions or concoctions by indigenous tribes in Africa, particularly in Nigeria where it has been reported for its antiplasmodial activities among other properties. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of ethanolic extracts of the leaves on the haematological parameters and histomorphology of the liver of male Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei (Pbb). Thirty five mice weighing about 28g were divided into seven groups of five mice each. Group 1(control) was given normal saline 0.3 ml, Group 2 was passaged with Pbb, Group 3 was passaged with Pbb and treated with Coartem®, Group 4 was administered NL500mg/kg only, Group 5 was administered NL1000mg/kg only, Group 6 was passaged with Pbb then treated with NL500mg/kg, while Group 7 was passaged with Pbb then treated with NL1000mg/kg. Pbb was passaged intraperitoneally, while the test drug and extracts was given via orogavage once daily. On the 12th day, animals were humanely sacrificed; whole blood collected for haematological investigation, while the liver was processed for light microscopy. The result revealed that the extract exhibited a hepatoprotective and reversibility effects at a dose dependent level on the histological architecture of treated groups administered compared with the control, and also caused a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in the RBC parameters in a dose dependent manner especially in non-parasitized mice. In conclusion, acute toxicity test of ethanolic extract of Nauclea latifolia up to 5000mg/kg may be considered as relatively safe if mortality alone is the yardstick. However, at a dose of 1000mg/kg, it is severely hepatoxic in non-parasitized mice, yet the extract at 500mg/kg had beneficial effects in both the haematological indices and liver cytoarchitecture of parasitized host via a possible synergistic mechanism of its rich bioactive ingredients comparable with Coartem®.

Background: Conavir, an immunostimulant from aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata (AP) and Niprd-AM1, an antimalarial from roots of Nauclea latifolia (NL), are dry water extracts for capsulation. AP and NL have been in use in Asia and Africa for centuries. Purpose: The study aimed to ascertain the criteria for quality assured production of Conavir and Niprd-AM1. Experimental Details: Procedures of World Health Organization (WHO) were applied to evaluate quality parameters of AP/Conavir and NL/Niprd-AM1. Results and Discussion: Conavir is granular, greenish brown, intensely bitter and practically odourless. Tests on AP and Conavir revealed alkaloids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids, but cardiac and cyanogenic glycosides (considered toxic) were not detected. Normal phase TLC of AP and Conavir yielded 5 principal spots each, while the reverse phase TLC yielded 6. HPLC fingerprints of AP, Conavir and a reference standard were reproducible but differed from each other. The GC-MS data of Conavir were consistent with the phytochemical profile of AP. Effect of storage suggested that both AP and Conavir were stable for up to 21 months or more. Niprd-AM1 is granular, yellowish brown and faintly aromatic, with an exciting bitter taste. Both NL and Niprd-AM1 contained alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and terpenoids, but cardiac and cyanogenic glycosides were not detected. Normal phase TLC of NL yielded 9 principal spots, while Niprd-AM1 yielded 5, but the reverse phase TLC yielded 9 for each. HPLC fingerprints of NL, Niprd-AM1 and a reference standard were reproducible but differed from each other. The GC-MS data of Niprd-AM1 were consistent with the phytochemical profile of NL. Most of the quality variables of NL and Niprd-AM1 remained unchanged up to the 39th month of storage. Conclusion: The results are consistent with NIPRD’s intention to file for the registration of Conavir and Niprd-AM1 for use in Nigeria.

Background Multi-drug resistance of Gram-negative bacteria constitutes a major obstacle in the antibacterial fight worldwide. The discovery of new and effective antimicrobials and/or resistance modulators is necessary to combat the spread of resistance or to reverse the multi-drug resistance. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial and antibiotic-resistance modifying activities against 29 Gram-negative bacteria including multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes of the methanol extracts from Nauclea pobeguiinii leaves (NPL), Nauclea pobeguiinii bark (NPB) and six compounds from the bark extract, identified as 3-acetoxy-11-oxo-urs-12-ene (1), p-coumaric acid (2), citric acid trimethyl ester (3), resveratrol (4), resveratrol β-D-glucopyranoside (5) and strictosamide (6). Methods The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of crude extracts and compounds as well as the antibiotic-resistance modifying effects of MPB and 4. Results MIC determinations indicate values ranging from 32-1024 μg/mL for NPB and NPL on 89.7 % and 69.0 % of the tested bacterial strains respectively. MIC values below 100 μg/mL were obtained with NPB against Escherichia coli ATCC10536, AG100 and Enterobacter aerogenes CM64 strains. The lowest MIC value for crude extracts of 32 μg/mL was obtained with NPB against E. coli ATCC10536. Compound 4 was active all tested bacteria, whilst 1, 3 and 6 displayed weak and selective inhibitory effects. The corresponding MIC value (16 μg/mL) was obtained with 4 against Klebsiella pneumoniae KP55 strain. Synergistic effects of the combination of NPB with chloramphenicol (CHL), kanamycin (KAN) as well as that of compound 4 with streptomycin (STR) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) were observed. Conclusion The present study provides information on the possible use of Nauclea pobeguinii and compound 4 in the control of Gram-negative bacterial infections including MDR phenotypes. It also indicates that NPB and 4 can be used as naturally occurring antibiotic-resistance modulators to tackle MDR bacteria. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1173-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

International audience; Today, ethno-pharmacology is a very important resource in order to discover new therapies for the current diseases. Moreover, another good justification for the ethno-pharmacological approach is to obtain new, effective, less expensive and simple therapies, limiting at the same time the cost of pharmaceutical research. Two major anti-malarial drugs widely used today, i.e. quinine and artemisinin, came respectively from Peruvian and Chinese ancestral treatments reported in the traditional medicines. In this contest, there is an urgent need for the discovery of new drugs, due to the critical epidemiological situation of this disease and to the growth of resistances. In Mali, malaria and liver diseases remain one of the leading public health problems. Many medicinal plants are often used, in local traditional medicine, for the treatment at the same time of malaria and liver diseases, including hepatic syndromes, jaundice, hepatitis and other hepatic disorders. Moreover, in the local language Bamanan, the word "Sumaya" is used both for malaria and some liver diseases. In addition, we noted that some of the improved traditional phytomedicines produced by the Department of Traditional Medicine are prescribed by modem doctors both for malaria and liver diseases. In this review, pharmacological, toxicological and phytochemical data on Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae), Cochlospermum tinctorium Pen. ex A. Rich (Cochlospermaceae), Combretum micranthum G.Don (Combretaceae), Entada africana Guillet Pen. (Mimosaceae), Erythrina senegalensis A. DC (Fabaceae), Mitragyna inermis (Willd) Kuntze (Rubiaceae), Nauclea latifolia Smith syn. Sarcocephalus latifolius (Smith) Bruce (Rubiaceae), Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen (Polygalaceae), Trichilia emetica Vahl. (Meliaceae), and Vernonia colorata (Willd) Drake (Asteraceae) are reported. Some of the collected data could be used to improve the actual herbal drugs and to propose new phytomedicines for the management of malaria and liver diseases.

We investigated the antioxidant ability, phenolic contents and cytotoxic effects of seven widely edible Nigerian medicinal plants, as a means of validating their ethnomedicinal use. Standard antioxidant assays assessed the capability of the extracts in scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl ( OH), and superoxide anion ( O 2 - ) radicals, as well as in inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The extracts possessed significant antioxidant activity compared to standards and the 7-amino actinomycin and WST-1 cytotoxicity assays proved that they were non-toxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the A2.01 cell line. Landolphia owariensis and Irvingia gabonensis had the most antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay, compared to ascorbic acid. They also significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation. I. gabonensis and Nauclea latifolia powerfully quenched the OH radical compared to α-tocopherol. The extracts’ antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory potencies correlated with their phenolic and flavonoid contents. Thus, the antioxidant activities could be factors contributing substantially to their traditional medicinal use.

Seven methanol extracts of seven plants from seven plant families were screened for antimalarial properties. The plants were identified and selected from Gboko and Kastina-Ala local government areas in the Tivland ethnobotany in the Middle Belt Zone of Nigeria. Methanol plant extracts were evaluated for in vitro. antimalarial properties using the lactate dehydrogenase technique, with a multiresistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. K1. Quantification of activity was by estimation of the concentration of extracts that inhibited 50% growth of parasite (IC50) in µg/ml. Of the seven plants screened, Erythrina senegalensis. DC (Leguminosae), Pericopsis elata. Harms (Papilionaceae), and Bridelia micrantha. Benth (Fabaceae) had IC50 values of 99.7, 124.8, and 158.7 µg/ml, respectively. Nauclea latifolia. SM (Rubiaceae) extract exhibited the least activity in the assay with an IC50 value of 478.9 µg/ml.

This work focuses primarily on the comparative response of rat liver enzymes to oral administration of the watersoluble fraction of 95% ethanol extract of Nauclea latifolia Sm. (Rubiaceae) leaves with 10% coconut oil meal and normal rat chow fed for 8 weeks. Forty-eight mature male albino rats of the Wistar strain weighing between 200 and 230 g were divided into two experimental groups. In experiment 1, group 1 (n ¼ 6) was fed normal rat chow for 8 weeks, and groups 2, 3, and 4 (n ¼ 6) were on normal rat chow for 8 weeks before treatment with 170, 340, and 510 mg=kg body weight, respectively, of oral dose of the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract of N. latifolia leaves. In experiment 2, group 1 (n ¼ 6) was fed the 10% coconut oil meal as the experimental control, and groups 2, 3, and 4 (n ¼ 6) were fed the 10% coconut oil meal for 8 weeks before commencing treatment for 2 weeks with the extract of N. latifolia leaves. The effects of the N. latifolia leaf extract on some marker enzymes were analyzed. There was a significant increase ( p 0:05) in experiment 1 animals when compared with control. Increase in ALT activity was however observed in experiment 2 (p 0:05) change in c-GT activity in experiment 1, but in experiment 2 glutamyl transferase (GGT) decreased in the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract. N. latifolia leaf extract is capable of reducing the activity of c-GT if raised by other factors. We also concluded that feeding animals with 10% coconut oil meal predisposes them to more adverse effects by the extract of N. latifolia leaves.

This study was carried out to investigate thein vitroantioxidant potentials of the leaves and fruits ofNauclea latifolia, a straggling shrub or small tree, native to tropical Africa and Asia. Hot water extracts of the leaves and fruits ofNauclea latifoliawere assessed for their total polyphenolic, flavanol, and flavonol contents as well as 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Trolox equivalence antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. The aqueous extract of the leaves was found to contain higher level of total polyphenols (11.63±0.023 mg GAE/g), flavanol (1.45±0.10 mg CE/g), and flavonol (2.22±0.37 mg QE/g) than the extract of the fruits with values of1.75±0.02 mg GAE/g (total polyphenol),0.15±0.01 mg CE/g (flavanol), and1.00±0.13 mg QE/g (flavonol). Similarly, the aqueous extract of the leaves also exhibited higher DPPH (IC5020.64 mg/mL), FRAP (86.10±3.46 μmol AAE/g), TEAC (94.83±3.57 μmol TE/g), and ORAC (196.55±0.073 μmol TE/g) than the extract of the fruits with DPPH (IC50120.33 mg/mL), FRAP (12.23±0.40 μmol AAE/g), TEAC (12.48±0.21 μmol TE/g), and ORAC (58.88±0.073 μmol TE/g). The present study showed thatNauclea latifoliahas strong antioxidant potentials with the leaves demonstrating higherin vitroantioxidant activities than the fruits.

The methanol extracts of Clematis papuasica leaves and stem bark and of Nauclea obversifolia leaves, stem and root barks showed awide spectrum of antibacterial activity which was increased on fractionation (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate), the ethyl acetate fractions being in all cases the most effective. None of the extractives was active against tested moulds.

Background Nauclea latifolia Smith, a shrub belonging to the family Rubiaceae is a very popular medicinal plant in Cameroon and neighboring countries where it is used to treat jaundice, yellow fever, rheumatism, abdominal pains, hepatitis, diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, as well as diabetes. The ethno-medicinal use against yellow fever, jaundice and diarrhea prompted us to investigate on the antiviral activity of the root bark of N. latifolia. In this study, HSV-2 was chosen as a viral model because of its strong impact on HIV transmission and acquisition. Methods The crude extract under study was prepared by maceration of air-dried and powdered roots barks of N. latifolia in CH2Cl2/MeOH (50:50) mixture for 48 hours, then it was subjected to filtration and evaporation under vacuum. A phytochemical analysis of the crude extract was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with a photodiode array and mass spectrometry (HPLC-PDA-ESI-qMS). The anti-HSV-2 activity was assayed in vitro by plaque reduction and virus yield assays and the major mechanism of action was investigated by virucidal and time of addition assays. Data values were compared using the Extra sum of squares F test of program GraphPad PRISM 4. Results The main components detected in the extract belong to the class of indole alkaloids characteristic of Nauclea genus. Strictosamide, vincosamide and pumiloside were tentatively identified together with quinovic acid glycoside. N. latifolia crude extract inhibited both acyclovir sensitive and acyclovir resistant HSV-2 strains, with IC50 values of 5.38 μg/ml for the former and 7.17 μg/ml for the latter. The extract was found to be most active when added post-infection, with IC50 of 3.63 μg/ml. Conclusion The results of this work partly justify the empirical use of N. latifolia in traditional medicine for the treatment of viral diseases. This extract could be a promising rough material for the development of a new and more effective modern anti-HSV-2 medication also active against acyclovir-resistant HSV-2 strains.

Chemical studies on the crude MeOH extract of stems and barks of Nauclea latifolia resulted in the isolation of five new indole alkaloids, latifoliamides A-E (1-5, resp.), along with one known alkaloid, angustoline (6). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by means of extensive NMR spectral studies. Compound 1 has a 20-ethylidenetetrahydrofuran ring incorporated in its structure and represents the first example of this class of indole alkaloids. All of the isolates exhibited moderate in vitro renin inhibitory activities.

treated groups. A significant (p < 0.05) decreased in Aspartate aminotransferases (AST) and Aminotransferases (Al T) levels was observed in all treated groups especially in the group treated with the mixture at a high dose. The photomicrographs of the organs — liver, kidney and heart- treated with 500 mg/kg body weight of the combination indicated no abnormalities while the liver of the animals treated with N. laevis extract (500 mg/kg body) showed slight hypertrophy of hepatocytes with apparent congestion at the sinusoidal spaces otherwise no other changes occurred. Also the renal corpuscles of the kidney treated with the same dose of N. laevis appeared partially shrunken with increase in bowman’s space. Cellular changes were not apparent while no abnormalities were observed in the heart and testes. There were no abnormalities observed in the photomocrographs of the testes, heart, liver and kidney of the animals treated with Nauclea latifolia (500mg/kg bodyweight) root extract. No significantly (p≥0.05) increase in the hb, RbC and PCV values were observed in animals treated with the extract combination compared to the control.

International audience; CONTEXT: Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae) is a small tree found in tropical areas in Africa. It is used in traditional medicine to treat malaria, epilepsy, anxiety, pain, fever, etc. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Nauclea latifolia roots decoction on the peripheral and central nervous systems and its possible mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analgesic investigation was carried out against acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced pain, hot-plate and tail immersion tests. The antipyretic activity was studied in Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in mice. Rota-rod test and bicuculline-induced hyperactivity were used for the assessment of locomotor activity. RESULTS: Nauclea latifolia induced hypothermia and had antipyretic effects in mice. The plant decoction produced significant antinociceptive activity in all analgesia animal models used. The antinociceptive effect exhibited by the decoction in the formalin test was reversed by the systemic administration of naloxone, N(ω)-L-nitro-arginine methyl ester or glibenclamide. In contrast, theophylline did not reverse this effect. Nauclea latifolia (antinociceptive doses) did not exhibit a significant effect on motor coordination of the mice in Rota-rod performance. Nauclea latifolia protected mice against bicuculline-induced behavioral excitation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Overall, these results demonstrate that the central and peripheral effects of Nauclea latifolia root decoction might partially or wholly be due to the stimulation of peripheric opioid receptors through the action of the nitric oxide/cyclic monophosphate guanosin/triphosphate adenosine (NO/cGMP/ATP)-sensitive- K(+) channel pathway and/or facilitation of the GABAergic transmission.

Based on a biogenetic consideration, a Nauclea alkaloid, naucleidinal (6), and its 3-epimer (7) were stereoselectively prepared from the aglycones of strictosamide and the vincoside lactam, and their absolute stereochemistry was confirmed.

A new monoterpene indole alkaloid, naucleamide F (1), has been isolated from the bark and wood of Nauclea latifolia, and the structure and stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of the spectral data. Naucleamide F (1) is a new monoterpene indole alkaloid consisting of a tetrahydro-β-carboline ring fused to a pyridone ring, and a 1,3,5-trioxepane ring fused to a dihydropyran ring and a glucose unit.

The hepatoprotective activity of the root bark extract of Nauclea latifolia was tested in vivo. The root bark was defatted with diethyl ether and then extracted with methanol and the methanolic extract was recovered on a 9.3 % w/w yield. The LD50 of the methanolic extract in rats was 300 mg/kg (i.p). It showed no significant effect on pentobarbital-induced sleep in rats after i.p. injection. The extract significantly reduced pentobarbital-induced sleep in paracetmol and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxicated rats. The elevataion of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) induced by paracetamol and CCl4 intoxication in rats was also significantly (P Agro-Science Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 72-77

Based on a biogenetic consideration, a Nauclea alkaloid, naucleidinal (6), and its 3-epimer (7) were stereoselectively prepared from the aglycones of strictosamide and the vincoside lactam, and their absolute stereochemistry was confirmed.

Three monoterpenoid gluco-indole alkaloids, 3beta-isodihydrocadambine, cadambine, and 3alpha-dihydrocadambine, were isolated from Nauclea cadamba ROXB. growing in Thailand. The stereochemistry at C19 in 3beta-isodihydrocadambine was elucidated to be R by spectroscopic analysis. Treatment of 3alpha-dihydrocadambine with beta-glucosidase in aqueous ammonium acetate solution gave an indolopyridine alkaloid, 16-carbomethoxynaufoline, and an unusually rearranged compound.

Five new monoterpene indole alkaloids, naucleamides A-E (1-5), were isolated from the bark and wood of Nauclea latifolia, and the structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated from the spectroscopic data. Naucleamide E (5) is a unique monoterpene indole alkaloid possessing a pentacyclic ring system with an amino acetal bridge.

Three monoterpenoid gluco-indole alkaloids, 3beta-isodihydrocadambine, cadambine, and 3alpha-dihydrocadambine, were isolated from Nauclea cadamba ROXB. growing in Thailand. The stereochemistry at C19 in 3beta-isodihydrocadambine was elucidated to be R by spectroscopic analysis. Treatment of 3alpha-dihydrocadambine with beta-glucosidase in aqueous ammonium acetate solution gave an indolopyridine alkaloid, 16-carbomethoxynaufoline, and an unusually rearranged compound.

Five new monoterpene indole alkaloids, naucleamides A-E (1-5), were isolated from the bark and wood of Nauclea latifolia, and the structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated from the spectroscopic data. Naucleamide E (5) is a unique monoterpene indole alkaloid possessing a pentacyclic ring system with an amino acetal bridge.

In Mali, where malaria is endemic, plants are extensively used for treating periodic fevers and malaria. According to the advice of traditional medicine, plants are often mixed during the preparation of febrifugal decoctions. In previous studies, we demonstrated the potent in vitro antimalarial activity of extracts isolated from four plants commonly used in traditional remedies: Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) O. Kuntze, Rubiaceae, Nauclea latifolia (Sm.), Rubiaceae, Guiera senegalensis (Gmel.), Combretaceae, and Feretia apodanthera (Del.), Rubiaceae. In the present work, we evaluate the potent in vitro synergistic antimalarial interaction between these extracts, using standard isobologram analysis. Then, we evaluate their cytotoxicity on human monocytes and their mutagenic activity on an in vitro system of two beta-carboline alkaloids isolated from Guiera senegalensis (harman and tetrahydroharman). Three combinations demonstrate a strong, synergistic, inhibitory effect on in vitro plasmodial development and are devoid of cytotoxicity towards human cells. These results justify their use in association in traditional medicine. Moreover, tetrahydroharman, isolated from G. senegalensis, presents interesting antimalarial activity, no cytotoxicity and is not genotoxic in the Salmonella Ames test with and without metabolic activation.

The anthelmintic efficacy of Nauclea latifolia stem bark aqueous extract was studied in sheep with natural acute/sub-acute parasitic gastro-enteritis due primarily to mixed nematode species. Graded doses of the extract (400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg, p.o for 5 consecutive days) significantly reduced faecal egg counts in infected animals. The percentage reduction (93.8%) by 1600 mg/kg of the extract was comparable to that of 5 mg/kg of albendazole (94.1%). The administration of the extract resulted in improved haemoglobin and leucocytosis values in worm-infected sheep.

The structure of a Nauclea indole alkaloid, nauclefidine, was revised as formula 12 based on synthetic studies and the biomimetic transformation of the vincoside lactam ( 14 ) based on the suggested biogenetic route.

The crude ethanolic extract of Nauclea latifolia yielded five known compounds, strictosamide (1), naucleamides A (2), naucleamide F (3), quinovic acid-3-O-β-rhamnosylpyranoside (4), and quinovic acid 3-O-β-fucosylpyranoside (5). Microbial reactions, using a whole cell culture of Rhizopus circinans on compound (1), yielded three analogues, 10-hydroxystrictosamide (6), 10-4bT-glucosyloxyvincoside lactam (7) and 16,17-dihydro-10-β-glucosyloxyvincoside lactam (8). Compounds 1-8 were identified with the aid of extensive NMR spectral studies. Compound 8 was found to be a new metabolite. Compounds 1-8 exhibited different levels of anti-GST and antifungal activities.

Angustine and related alkaloids have been identified in extracts from species of Mitragyna Korth., Nauclea L. Uncaria Schreb. (Rubiaceae), and from African and Asian species of Strychnos L. (Loganiaceae). The chemotaxonomic significance of the occurrence of these alkaloids is discussed.

The bark of Nauclea parva contains several alkaloids, the most abundant of which, parvine, is of the corynanthe-type. The proof of structure of this alkaloid is given and its synthesis from harmalan and nicotinoyl chloride is described.

From the root bark of Nauclea latifolia several indoloquinolizidine alkaloids were isolated. Two are known compounds: angustine and angustoline. The other two, nauclefine and naucietine, are new products.

Synthese a partir d'harmalane et d'ester de methyle de l'acide methoxy-2 isophtalique via la photocyclisation de la [methoxy-2' methoxycarbonyl-3' benzoyl]-2 methylene-1 tetrahydro-1,2,3,4 β-carboline

Synthetic routes to a number of 3,4-disubstituted and 3,4,5-trisubstituted pyridines have been explored. These pyridines, designed to be used in the synthesis of Nauclea indole-pyridine alkaloids, ...

Background Bacterial Infections involving multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes constitute a worldwide health concern. The present work was designed to assess the antibacterial properties of the methanol extracts of six medicinal plants (Anthocleista schweinfurthii, Nauclea latifolia, Boehmeria platyphylla, Caucalis melanantha, Erigeron floribundus and Zehneria scobra) and the effects of their associations with antibiotics on MDR Gram-negative bacteria over-expressing active efflux pumps. Methods The antibacterial activities and the ability to potentiate antibiotic effects of the methanol extracts the tested plants were evaluated in vitro against twenty eight Gram-negative bacteria expressing MDR phenotypes, using broth microdilution method. The phytochemical screening of these extracts was also performed using standard methods. Results All tested extracts displayed moderate to low antibacterial activity on at least 14.3 % of the 28 tested bacteria, with MIC values ranged from 128 to 1024 μg/mL. The best antibacterial spectrum was observed with Naulcea latifolia bark extract. Extracts from A. schweinfurthii fruits, N. latifolia stem bark, Z. scobra and N. latifolia leaves showed synergistic effects with many antibiotics against MDR bacteria. Conclusion The overall results of the present study provide information for the possible use of the studied plants, especially Nauclea latifolia in the control of Gram-negative bacterial infections including MDR species as antibacterials as well as resistance modulators. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1105-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

International audience; BACKGROUND: Populations in Africa mostly rely on herbal concoctions for their primarily health care, but so far scientific studies supporting the use of plants in traditional medicine remain poor. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic effects of Picralima nitida (seeds), Nauclea latifolia (root and stem) and Oxytenanthera abyssinica (leaves) commonly used, in diabetic pregnancy. METHODS: Pregnant wistar rats, rendered diabetic by multiple low injections of streptozotocin, were treated with selected plant extracts based on their antioxidant activities. Vitamin C concentrations, fatty acid compositions and phytochemical analysis of plants extracts were determined. Effect of selected plant extracts on human T cell proliferation was also analysed. RESULTS: All analysed plant extracts exhibited substantial antioxidant activities probably related to their content in polyphenols. Picralima nitida exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity. Ethanolic and butanolic extracts of Picralima nitida, butanolic extract of Nauclea latifolia and ethanolic extract of Oxytenanthera abyssinica significantly decreased hyperglycemia in the diabetic pregnant rats. Butanolic extract of Picralima, also appeared to be the most potent immunosuppressor although all of the analysed extracts exerted an immunosuppressive effect on T cell proliferation probably due to their linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) and/or alkaloids content. Nevertheless, all analysed plants seemed to be good source of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. CONCLUSION: By having antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and immunosuppressive activities, these plants could be good candidates in the treatment of diabetes and diabetic pregnancy.

Background Malignacies are still a major public concern worldwide and despite the intensive search for new chemotherapeutic agents, treatment still remains a challenging issue. This work was designed to assess the cytotoxicity of six selected Cameroonian medicinal plants, including Nauclea pobeguinii and its constituents 3-acetoxy-11-oxo-urs-12-ene (1), p-coumaric acid (2), citric acid trimethyl ester (3), resveratrol (4), resveratrol β-D-glucopyranoside (5) and strictosamide (6), against 8 drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines. Methods The resazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the crude extracts and compounds, whilst column chromatography was used to isolate the constituents of Nauclea pobeguinii. Structural characterization of isolated compounds was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data. Results Preliminary experiments on leukemia CCRF-CEM cells at 40 μg/mL showed that the leaves and bark extracts from Tragia benthamii, Canarium schweinfurthii, Myrianthus arboreus, Dischistocalyx grandifolius and Fagara macrophylla induced more than 50 % growth of this cell line contrary to the leaves and bark extracts of N. pobeguinii. IC50 values below or around 30 μg/mL were obtained with leaves and bark extracts of N. pobeguinii towards two and five, respectively, of the 8 tested cancer cell lines. The lowest IC50 value was obtained with the bark extract of N. pobeguinii against HCT116 (p53−/−) colon cancer cells (8.70 μg/mL). Compounds 4 and 6 displayed selective activity on leukemia and carcinoma cells, whilst 1–3 were not active. IC50 values below 100 μM were recorded with compound 5 on all 9 tested cancer cell lines as well as with 4 against 7 out of 8 and 6 against 2 out of 8 cell lines. Collateral sensitivity was observed in CEM/ADR5000 leukemia cells, MDA-MB-231-BCRP breast adenocarcinoma cells (0.53-fold), HCT116 (p53+/+) cells, human U87MG.ΔEGFR glioblastome multiforme cells to the methanolic bark extract of N. pobeguinii, as well as in MDA-MB-231-BCRP cells and HCT116 (p53+/+) cells and U87MG.ΔEGFR cells (0.86-fold) to compound 5. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate the cytotoxicity of six Cameroonian medicinal plants, Canarium schweinfurthii, Dischistocalyx grandifolius, Tragia benthamii, Fagara macrophylla, Myrianthus arboreus and Nauclea pobeguinii. We also demonstrated the antiproliferative potential of Nauclea pobeguinii against drug-resistant cancer cell lines. Resveratrol and its glucoside are the major cytotoxic constituents in the bark of Nauclea pobeguinii. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0841-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.