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Introduction: Oxidative stress, through the increased bioavailability of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a major cause of hypertension. The resulting endothelial remodeling promotes the production of vasoconstrictor substances leading to an increase in blood pressure. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and vasorelaxant properties of the decoction (PAD), ethyl acetate (EAP), and residual aqueous (ARP) fractions of immature Phaseolus vulgaris pods on NMRI mice thoracic aorta rings. Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum trichloride colorimetric methods were used to quantify total polyphenol compounds (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC), respectively. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined by 2,29-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic (ABTS●), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH●), and ferric ion (FRAP) radical reduction methods. The DMT 620M ADInstruments myograph technique was used to evaluate the ex-vivo vasodilatory effects of Phaseolus vulgaris extracts on aortic rings. Results: Chromatographic fingerprints showed the presence of flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, steroids, triterpenes, and saponins in the extracts studied. The TPC (61.07±0.04 mgGAE/g) and TFC (6.16±0.03 mgQE/g) of EAP were statistically significant compared to that of PAD and ARP (p

Lazare Belemnaba,1 Mathieu Nitiéma,1 Sylvain Ilboudo,1 Gueswindé Geoffroy Ouédraogo,1 Noufou Ouédraogo,1 Mohamed Bonewendé Belemlilga,1 Souleymane Compaoré,1,2 Salfo Ouédraogo,1,2 Sylvin Ouédraogo1 1Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (IRSS/CNRST), 03 BP 7047, Ouagadougou, 03, Burkina Faso; 2Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou, 03, Burkina FasoCorrespondence: Lazare BelemnabaResearch Institute for Health Sciences (IRSS), Department of Medicine and Traditional Pharmacopeia (MEPHATRA/Ph), National Centre for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST), 03 BP 7047, Ouagadougou, 03, Burkina FasoTel +226 25 36 33 64/25 36 32 15Fax +226 25 36 28 38/25 36 03 94Email lbelemnaba2@gmail.comBackground: The present study investigates the effect of an aqueous extract of Anogeissus leiocarpa (AEAL) on normotensive Wistar rats and its chronic antihypertensive effects in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats by using a non-invasive tail-cuff model.Methods: The effects of AEAL (50mg/kg) and NaCl 0.9% on blood pressure were investigated by daily oral administration in normotensive Wistar rats over four weeks. L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats were produced by L-NAME (40mg/kg) daily oral administration for two weeks. For chronic antihypertensive effects, induced hypertensive rats have received L-NAME in combination with AEAL (10 or 50mg/kg/day) for two following weeks.Results: In normotensive rats, daily administration of AEAL (50mg/kg) has no significant effect on their blood pressure, which was similar to that of the control group. L-NAME’s daily oral administration induces a progressive increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) from 115.8 ± 7.9mmHg to 153.5 ± 4.6mmHg after two weeks, which was maintained to the end of the treatment. In L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats, AEAL (50mg/kg/day) significantly decreases the SPB from 160.0 ± 5.8 mmHg to 108.8 ± 2.7mmHg after only four days of administration. However, the lower dose of AEAL (10mg/kg) also normalized the SBP of L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats but only evident after seven days of administration. Moreover, AEAL does not effect on the serum biochemical parameters (ALAT, ASAT, CREAT, etc.) and any macroscopic adverse effect was detected on the sensible organs involved during hypertension. In the aorta rings from treated rats, AEAL (50mg/kg/day) alone or in combination with L-NAME has enhanced the vasodilation effect of acetylcholine. However, the vasodilation effect of AEAL alone or in association with L-NAME has enhanced the sodium nitroprusside effect in treated rat aorta rings after autopsy.Conclusion: These findings suggest that AEAL affords significant antihypertensive effects against L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats without modification of serum parameters and deleterious effects.Keywords: Anogeissus leiocarpa, non invasive, L-NAME-induced hypertension, vasorelaxation

Sickle cell disease remains a major public health problem in Burkina Faso and Africa. For the management of this pathology in young children, the Institute for Research in Health Sciences has developed an herbal drug called FACA® syrup. The objective of this study was to verify the safety and pharmacological efficacy of this formulation for its use in the management of sickle cell disease. Acute and subacute oral toxicity tests were performed on Wistar rats in accordance with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development test guidelines and anti-sickling activity of FACA® syrup was evaluated according to the Emmel test. In the acute test, FACA® syrup didn’t cause mortality or any behavioral change at dose of 2000 mg/kg/b.w suggesting that the test product estimated LD50 is 5000 mg/kg b.w. The results of subacute toxicity study indicate that the daily administration of FACA® syrup during 28 days did not result in significant change on physical, haematological and biochemical parameters up to dose of 1000 mg/kg b.w. The evaluation of effect of FACA® syrup in vitro on sickling revealed that, FACA® syrup possesses a real antisickling activity. Regarding these results FACA® syrup would be considered as safe in both acute and subacute exposure and could be used in the management of sickle cell diseases. Keywords: FACA® syrup, oral toxicity, sickle cell anemia, Antisickling activity

Diabetes, has become a public health problem whose prevalence is increasing in subsahelian Africa. The present study aimed to determine the consensus level of plant use and their antidiabetic potentiality. Thus, a semi-structured interview carried out from May 2014 to April 2018 with 120 traditional healers allowed retaining nine species after selection according to the frequency of citation and the bibliographic review: Crescentia cujete L., Ficus ingens (Miq.) Miq. Ficus platyphylla Delile, Lannea acida A. Rich., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel, Feretia apodanthera Delile, Cassia italica (Mill.) Lam. ex F.W. Andrews and Boscia angustifolia A. Rich. Phytochemical screening of methanolic and aqueous extracts was performed by high performance thin layer chromatography and the total flavonoids, hydrolyzable and condensed tannins were determined by spectrophotometer method. Results showed that thirty-seven, fifty-five and sixty-five species were inventoried in the provinces of Bazega, Zounweogo and Sanmatenga respectively but the Informant Consensual Factor related to the plant use remains low (FIC

The side effects prediction is a regulatory requirement prior the effective use of a new product as drug or pesticide constituent is allowed. The handling hazards of Cymbopogon schoenanthus essential oils (CSEO) were determined by investigating their acute and subacute toxicities as well as irritancy potential for eye and skin in compliance with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines. In mice, the essential oils did not induce mortality at the limit single dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w., meaning that the test product estimated LD50 is 5000 mg/kg b.w. In the 28 days sub-acute oral toxicity study in rats, there was no mortality observed for all tested doses in both sex. Furthermore, besides body weight gain that slightly dropped, there was no significant difference observed in food and water consumption, relative organs weight, and blood biochemical proi¬le in test animals, compared to the control. No eye irritant reaction was shown in the rabbits exposed to CSEO. To assess dermal irritation, rabbits were dermally exposed to CSEO for 4 h. The results showed that no adverse reactions such as erythema and edema were observed throughout the test. Based on these i¬ndings, CSEO do not cause either oral toxicity up to 28 days in repeated administration, nor dermal and eye irritation, and seems to be safe for animal in the study conditions. These results constitute a new scientific support for the safe use of C. scheonanthus essential oils as alternatives to synthetic pesticides. However, for further clinical relevance of the results and complete toxicological profile elucidation, toxicity studies must be extended to long term toxicity test as subchronic and chronic toxicities, reprotoxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and mutagenicity investigations. Key words: Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Wistar rat, essential oils, sub-acute toxicity, blood chemistry, naturel insecticide.

Chronic inflammation is a deleterious process occurring in several pulmonary diseases; it is a driving force promoting tumorigenesis. By regulating local cyclic nucleotide concentration, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE) govern important biological processes, including inflammation and proliferation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects of NCS 613, a specific PDE4 inhibitor, on TNFα-treated human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and on human lung adenocarcinoma explants. PDE4 isoforms and inflammatory pathways mediated by p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and IκBα were analyzed by Western blot and immunostainings. Proliferation were performed using [3H]-thymidine incorporation under different experimental conditions. TNFα-stimulation increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation and NF-κB translocation into the nucleus, which was abolished by NCS 613 treatment. Concomitantly, NCS 613 restores IκBα detection level in human adenocarcinoma. An IC50 value of 8.5 μM was determined for NCS 613 on anti-proliferative properties while ERK1/2 signaling was down-regulated in A549 cells and lung adenocarcinoma explants. These findings shed light on PDE4 signaling as a key regulator of chronic inflammation and cancer epithelial cell proliferation. It suggests that PDE4 inhibition by NCS 613 represent potential and interesting strategy for therapeutic intervention in tackling chronic inflammation and cell proliferation.

Background:Anogeissus leiocarpusis a Sahel tree traditionally used by the residents of Burkina Faso for its antihypertensive properties. In this study, experiments were conducted to evaluate whether an aqueous extract of theAnogeissus leiocarpus(AEAL) trunk bark induces a vasorelaxant effect on porcine coronary artery rings and to investigate the underlying mechanism.Methods:AEAL-induced relaxations were assessed using porcine coronary artery rings suspended in organ chambers. The phosphorylation levels of Src, Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were assessed in a primary endothelial cell culture by Western blot. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was assessed using dihydroethidine.Results:In porcine coronary artery rings, AEAL at 0.1–300 μg/mL induced endothelium-dependent relaxations, which were inhibited in the presence of inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) and the endothelium-derived hyperpolarization pathways. Moreover, the AEAL-induced NO-mediated relaxations were significantly reduced by the inhibitors of Src and PI3-kinase as well as by the membrane-permeant ROS scavengers. In cultured porcine coronary artery endothelial cells, treatment with AEAL is associated with an intracellular generation of ROS. Moreover, the AEAL induced the phosphorylations of Akt (Ser473), eNOS (Ser1177) and a transient phosphorylation of Src (Ser17) in a time-dependent manner.Conclusions:These findings indicate that AEAL is a potent inducer of endothelium-dependent NO-mediated relaxations in porcine coronary arteries through the redox-sensitive Src/PI3-kinase/Akt pathway-dependent activation of eNOS.

Background The present study investigates the effect of AEAL on normotensive Wistar rats and its chronic antihypertensive effects in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats by using a non-invasive tail-cuff model. Methods The effects of AEAL (50 mg/kg) and NaCl 0.9% on blood pressure were investigated by daily oral administration in normotensive Wistar rats over four weeks. L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats were produced by L-NAME (40 mg/kg) daily oral administration for two weeks. For chronic antihypertensive effects, animals were treated with L-NAME for two weeks and then, L-NAME was administrated in combination with AEAL (10 or 50 mg/kg/day) and compared with a control group receiving only NaCl 0.9% for two following weeks. The blood pressure was measured daily by a Blood Pressure Recorder system. Results In normotensive rats, daily administration of AEAL (50 mg/kg) had no significant effect on their blood pressure, which was similar to that of the control group. Daily oral administration of L-NAME induced a progressive increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) from 115.8 ± 7.9 mmHg to 153.5 ± 4.6 mmHg after two weeks of treatment, which was maintained to the end of the treatment. In L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats, AEAL (50 mg/kg) significantly decreased SPB from 160.0 ± 5.8 mmHg to 108.8 ± 2.7 mmHg after only four days of administration. In addition, the lower dose of AEAL (10 mg/kg) also normalized the SBP of L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats, however this was only evident after eight days of administration. Conclusion These findings suggest that AEAL affords significant antihypertensive effects against L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats.