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Ethnopharmacological relevance Piptadeniastrum africanum is widely used in treating oxidative stress related diseases. Oxidative stress, defined as the disturbance in the balance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant defenses, is the root cause of many pathophysiological conditions. Based on the dual properties of prooxidants as toxic and beneficial compounds, both prooxidants and antioxidants may be effective in the treatment of these conditions when the right dose is given to the right subject at the right time for the right duration. Aim of the study This study was aimed at investigating the in vitro and ex vivo anti- and pro-oxidative effects of P. africanum. Materials and methods Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of methanol and aqueous extracts of P. africanum stem back were quantified spectrophotometrically. The methanol extract, ascorbate radicals and reactive oxygen species in brain and liver homogenates of mice treated with the methanol stem bark extract were analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Free radical scavenging of DPPH was determined by spectrophotometric and EPR assays. Results The methanol extract was richer in both phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to the aqueous extracts and also showed better DPPH radical scavenging capacity. The EPR spectroscopy in vitro analysis exhibited high DPPH scavenging capacity before and after UV irradiation (99.5% and 98.76%) at 40 μg/ml extract. The ex vivo EPR spectroscopy studies demonstrated increased levels of ascorbate radicals (•Asc) in liver and brain homogenates of healthy mice treated with P. africanum in comparison with those of the non treated controls (0.6141 ± 0.026 vs 0.1800 ± 0.0073 arb. units for liver homogenates and 0.9605 ± 0.0492 vs 0.3375 ± 0.0062 arb. units for brain homogenates, correspondingly). Considerably, higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured in mice liver and brain homogenates after treatment with P. africanum extract compared to the control group, as well (1.9402 ± 0.1200 vs 0.6699 ± 0.062 arb. units for liver homogenates and 1.7325 ± 01503 vs 0.3167 ± 0.0403 arb.units, respectively). Conclusion Therefore, P. africanum exhibited antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties which may explain its broad spectrum use in a wide variety of ailments.

Background Senecio serratuloides DC is used in folk medicine for treating hypertension, skin disorders, internal and external sores, rashes, burns and wounds. This study aimed at investigating the antihypertensive effects of the hydroethanol extract of S. serratuloides (HESS) in N-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced hypertension in rats. Methods: Acute toxicity of HESS was first determined to provide guidance on doses to be used in this study. Lorke’s method was used to determine safety of the extract in mice. Female Wistar rats were treated orally once daily with L-NAME (40 mg/kg) for 4 weeks and then concomitantly with L-NAME (20 mg/kg) and plant extract (150 and 300 mg/kg), captopril (20 mg/kg) or saline as per assigned group for 2 weeks followed by a 2-week period of assigned treatments only. Blood pressure was monitored weekly. Lipid profile, nitric oxide, renin and angiotensin II concentrations were determined in serum while mineralocorticoid receptor concentration was quantified in the kidney homogenate. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was determined in serum and cardiac histology performed. Results HESS was found to be non-toxic, having a LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg. Blood pressure increased progressively in all animals from the second week of L-NAME treatment. HESS treatment significantly and dose-dependently lowered systolic blood pressure (p

BackgroundHypertension is a silent killer with no obvious signs and symptoms; thus, it is crucial to prevent its development. Oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia are associated risk factors for developing hypertension. This study aimed at investigating the role of a crude extract of Senecio serratuloidesin preventing the development of hypertension, oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia in a rat model of nitric oxide deficiency.MethodsFemale Wistar rats were co-treated with Nω-Nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (40 mg/kg) and the hydroethanolic extract ofS. Serratuloides(HESS150 or HESS300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Twenty-hour urine samples were collected weekly during the study. At the end of the study serum, heart and kidneys were harvested for biochemical and histopathological analysis.ResultsThe higher dose (300 mg/kg) of the extract was more effective in preventing increase in systolic (pConclusionThese findings demonstrate the potential ofS. Serratuloidesin protecting rats from developing hypertension, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress.

Senecio serratuloides commonly referred to as “two day cure” is used in folk medicine for treating hypertension and wounds in South Africa. This study was aimed at isolating and testing the antihypertensive effects of bioactive compounds from S. serratuloides. Senecio serratuloides was serially extracted using solvents of increasing polarity. Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant capacity and antihypertensive properties of fractions were investigated. Bioactive compounds were isolated from ethyl acetate and methanol fractions, their antihypertensive effects and effect on urine norepinephrine concentration were determined. Ethyl acetate and methanol fractions had all eight phytochemicals tested, better antioxidant capacity and significantly (p < 0.001) prevented the increase in blood pressure induced by Nω-Nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride. The isolated bioactive compounds were phytosteroids and Estran-3-one, 17-(acetyloxy)-2-methyl-, (2à,5à,17á) – which was isolated from methanol fraction had significantly (p < 0.001) better antihypertensive effects through the 4-h period of the study. Senecio serratuloides may be a potential source of antihypertensive lead compounds.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies suggest a strong relationship between obesity and hypertension. This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension in 10- to 14-year-old boys and girls in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and to determine the association between blood pressure parameters and selected measures of adiposity. METHODS: A cross-sectional, school-based study of 540 10- to14-year-old children from seven schools in the Eastern Cape Province was carried out. Anthropometry and blood pressure parameters were determined. RESULTS: All measures of adiposity and blood pressure were significantly higher in the girls (p < 0.05). The prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension was over 20 and 12%, respectively. Systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were associated (r > 0.27; p < 0.05) with increasing levels of adiposity. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of weightcontrol strategies for the prevention of hypertension in these adolescents and later on in life.

Background: Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Proper management of oxidative stress requires antioxidants from external sources to supplement that of the body. Plants are considered as a major source of antioxidants because of their natural origin and therapeutic benefits. Objectives: This study was aimed at investigating the renoprotective and antioxidant capacity of hydroethanolic extract of Senecio serratuloides (HESS). Materials and Methods: In vitro and ex vivo antioxidant capacity of the extract was investigated. Female Wistar rats were treated with Nw-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (40 mg/kg) for 4 weeks and then cotreating with L-NAME (20 mg/kg) and extract (HESS150 or HESS300 mg/kg) for 2 weeks and finally with plant extract or normal saline only for 2 weeks making a total of 8 weeks. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected during the study, and at the end of the study; blood and kidneys were harvested for biochemical and histological assays. Results: HESS exhibited high antiradical activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals with IC50values of 0.1 and 0.4 mg/ml, respectively. HESS significantly (P

Purpose: To investigate the in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oil of dried flowers of Chamaemelum nobile (Asteraceae L. All) in Swiss mice and Wistar rats, respectively.Methods: The volatile oil of the dried flowers of C. nobile obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Animals were assigned to the following experimental groups: C. nobile (180 mg/kg), ibuprofen (100 mg/kg) and vehicle-treated groups. Chemical and thermal pain models were used for the antinociceptive study in mice while fresh egg albumin-induced acute inflammation model in rats was used for anti-inflammatory study of the essential oil.Results: The most abundant components of the oil were α-bisabolol (50 %) and farnesene (5.35 %). Oral administration of essential oil (180 mg/kg, po) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced pain and prevented inflammation in the different test models used in this study.Conclusion: The essential oil of the dried flowers of C. nobile shows in vivo analgesic and antiinflammatory activities in rodents, and therefore, possesses potentials for development into effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.Keywords: Chamaemelum nobile, Asteracea, essential oil, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive

Purpose: To determine the phytochemical content, toxicity and hypertension prevention effects of Osteospermum imbricatum leaf and root extracts.Methods: Phytochemical screening of leaf and root extracts of O. imbricatum was performed by colorimetric procedure. Acute toxicity of leaf and root extracts was conducted in two phases; phase I consisted of three groups of mice (n = 3) for each dose level of 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg while phase II had three mice that received 1600, 2900 or 5000 mg/kg. Wistar rats were grouped into 7 groups that were co-treated with L-NAME and normal saline or L-NAME and hydroethanolic leaf extract (150 and 300 mg/kg) or L-NAME and hydroethanolic root extract (150 and 300 mg/kg) or L-NAME and amlodipine (5 mg/kg) or normal saline only for 4 weeks. Treatment was carried out via the oral route while blood pressure was measured weekly for 4 weeks by non-invasive tail cuff method.Results: The phytochemical profile of the leaf and root extracts revealed the presence of phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, steroids and saponins. Both the leaf and root extracts were toxic at 5000 mg/kg with an LD50 of 3807.89 mg/kg. In the fourth week of the study, only the leaf extract significantly (p < 0.01) prevented the progression of L-NAME induced hypertension; systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the group treated with L-NAME and leaf extract (300 mg/kg) were 183 ± 1 and 140 ± 1 mmHg, respectively, compared to the group that was treated with L-NAME and normal saline which produced systolic and diastolic BP values of 213 ± 3 and 172 ± 4 mmHg, respectively. The extracts, especially OIR300, exhibited diuretic effects in the second and third week of study by promoting excretion of 16 and 19 ml urine, respectively, compared to 11 and 14 ml for LN group.Conclusion: The results suggest that O. imbricatum is moderately toxic at a high dose and contains a wide range of phytochemicals which offer partial protection against the development of nitric oxide deficiency hypertension.Keywords: Hypertension, Phytochemicals, Acute toxicity, Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), Osteospermum imbricatum