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Direct effects of Nauclea latifolia extracts on different gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep is described. In vivo and in vitro studies were conducted to determine possible anthelmintic effect of leaf extracts of Nauclea latifolia toward different ovine gastro intestinal nematodes. A larval development assay was used to investigate in vitro, the effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of N. latifolia towards strongyles larvae. The development and survival of infective larvae (L3) was assessed and best-fit LC50 values were computed by global model of non-linear regression analysis curve-fitting (95% CI). Twenty sheep harbouring naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematodes were treated with oral administration of ethanolic extracts at a dose rate of 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg to evaluate therapeutic efficacy, in vivo. The presence of the extracts in the cultures decreased the survival of larvae. The LC50 of aqueous and ethanolic extract were 0.704 and 0.650 mg/ml respectively and differ significantly (P 0.05). The effect of doses is extremely significant; the day after treatment is sometimes significant while interaction between dose and day after treatment is insignificant (2-way ANOVA). N. latifolia extract could therefore find application in the control of helminth in livestock, by the ethnoveterinary medicine approach.

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

Aqueous, ethanolic and hexane extracts of the leaves of Nauclea latifolia (Rubiaceae) were assessed for their fasting blood glucose lowering effect in normoglycaemic and streptozotocin – diabetic rats. Wistar strain albino rats were given different doses of the extracts after 18 hrs fast and their blood glucose measured at 0,1,2,4 and 6 hours after treatment. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts significantly lowered the fasting blood glucose levels of the STZ–diabetic rats in a dose–dependent manner. The highest dose administered (400mg/kg) lowered the fasting blood glucose of the diabetic rats by 31.7% (aqueous) and 36.1% (ethanolic) extracts. The aqueous extract did not significantly lower the glucose levels of normoglycaemic rats (maximum 6.6%), nor was any significant decrease seen in the rats administered with the hexane (maximum of 4.0% for normoglycaemic and 2.4% for diabetics) extract. The hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic potentials of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts were comparable to that of glibenclamide (1mg/kg).These results further support the traditional use of the plant in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

The effect of plant preservatives on the microbial load and shelf life stability of Raphia hookeri brand of palm wine was determined. These traditional plant preservatives include Saccoglottis gabonensis, Vernonia amygdalina, Euphobia sp, Nauclea sp and Rubiacea sp. Microbial identification tests revealed the presence of Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus specie and yeast identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Heterotrophic count and pH were observed to decrease with increased fermentation days. It was proved that the effect of the preservatives on the sensory properties of palm wine was dependent on the type of plant preservation used. Palm wine preserved with Vernonia amygdalina and Saccoglottis gabonensis was the best in terms of microbial inhibition and organoleptic acceptability, respectively. The level of CO 2 as well as the effect of extracts from the plant preservatives on the isolates from the palm wine samples was also investigated, with percentage loss of CO 2 for each successive fermentation day being observed. Keywords : Plant preservatives, microbial load, shelf life, palm wine IJOTAFS Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 68-75

Cephalanthus orientalis Linnaeus, Species Plantarum 1: 95. 1753. "Habitat in India & Africa." RCN: 1350. Basionym of: Nauclea orientalis (L.) L. (1762). Lectotype (Merrill in J. Washington Acad. Sci. 5: 533. 1915): Herb. Hermann 5: 338, No. 53 [icon] (BM). Current name: Nauclea orientalis (L.) L. (Rubiaceae). Note: Bakhuizen van den Brink (in Taxon 19: 473. 1970) rejected Merrill’s typification in favour of 226.1 (LINN). However, the General Committee (l.c. 22: 155. 1973) ruled that Merrill’s typification was reasonable and not to be set aside. See also Hansen & Fox Maule (in Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 67: 202, pl. 5. 1973) on the material in LINN and its provenance., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part C), pp. 370-473 in Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Types and their Types, London :Linnaean Society of London in association with the Natural History Museum on page 403, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

A new method was developed and validated for the quantification of strictosamide in the extract of the stem bark of Nauclea pobeguinii. This plant belongs to the Rubiaceae family and is widely used in the African traditional medicine against malaria and malaria-like symptoms. Alkaloids are suspected to be responsible for the antimalarial activity. One of these alkaloids is strictosamide, already reported to be the major constituent in the root bark of this plant. Because strictosamide was not commercially available another alkaloid, ajmalicine HCl, with comparable properties was used as a secondary standard. The samples of the dried 80% ethanol extract from the stem bark of N. pobeguinii were purified on C(18) solid phase extraction cartridges and analysed using HPLC-UV. The strictosamide used for the validation of the correction factor for response was isolated and purified by means of preparative HPLC and TLC. Although the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of 2.6% was still acceptable, the response factor was determined for every analysis based on the ratio of the peak area of strictosamide compared to the peak area of ajmalicine HCl in a concentration of 0.01 mg/ml. The precision of the method according to the time and the concentration, had a R.S.D. value of 2.2% and 2.6%, respectively. The recovery of the method was 92.2% (R.S.D. of 9.4%) which was acceptable. The method has been proven to be suitable for the determination of alkaloids in the extract of the stem bark of N. pobeguinii, according to the ICH guidelines on the validation of analytical methods.

Methanolic extracts of the stem bark of Enantia chlorantha and Nauclea latifolia were investigated in rats and mice for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The activities of the extracts were tested on egg white-induced oedema, acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate models. Methanolic extract of Nauclea latifolia was found to be very toxic with an LD50 of 0.852 g/kg. The LD 50 Enantia chlorantha was 2.588 g/kg. At low concentrations, Nauclea latifolia (150 mg and 500 mg) extract was found to have weak analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Enantia chlorantha extract was found to possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, at higher doses (400 mg and 1100 mg/Kg). Higher dose was not used for Nauclea latifolia because of its toxicity in experimental animals. Phytochemical tests revealed that both extracts contain mainly flavonoids, tannins and low concentration of glycosides. The results from this study support the claims by traditional healers that these plants have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Keywords : Enantia chlorantha; Nauclea latifolia ; Analgesic activity, Anti-inflammatory activity; Phytoconstituents Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 111-115

Adequate management of forest plantations requires estimation of biomass yield as well as functions for estimating biomass. This paper presents biomass yield and functions for estimating total above ground biomass (TAGB), stem, branch and foliage biomass for even-aged plantations of Nauclea diderrichii (Opepe) in Nigeria. Data were obtained from 81 trees, harvested from stands of different ages. TAGB of Opepe ranged from 32.5 t ha -1 (5 years) to 287.5 t ha -1 (30 years). While 84.5% of TAGB was allocated to stem, 13.5 and 3% were allocated to branch and foliage respectively. All functions had good fits, with very high adjusted R2 (over 0.97) and very low standard error of estimate. Diameter at breast height (dbh) alone as predictive variable accounted for over 97% of the variation in biomass. Little improvement in the ability of the functions to explain variations in biomass was achieved by including total height variable in the functions. In addition, the plot of residuals showed that the functions with only dbh performed generally better than those that included height variable in their predictions. Consequently, the functions with only dbh as independent variable were recommended for use in estimating biomass of Opepe in Nigeria. Keywords : above-ground-biomass, Nauclea , indigenous species, plantation, predictive functions Ghana Journal of Forestry Vol. 15&16 2004: 30-39

The antibacterial activities of the plants, Mitragyna inermis, Morinda lucida, Khaya senegalensis and Nauclea latifolia were investigated using an indicator-based microdilution technique. The extracts of the plants in water, methanol, chloroform and petroleum ether inhibited growth of bacteria in broth cultures. M. inermis with the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.03g/ml was the bacteriologically most active plant. The chi-square value (10.25) and F-statistic value (4.36) were significant at less than 0.05 level and implied that inhibition of bacterial growth was significantly associated with the type of plant investigated. The R value obtained on regressing bacterial inhibition on the independent variables – type of plant, plant part (leaf or stem bark) and extraction solvent used - was 0.57 (p < 0.01 level), and means that the independent variables put together influenced inhibition of bacterial growth . The findings of this study suggest the effectiveness of the microdilution technique in the phytochemical screening of plants for antibacterial activities. Key words: indicator-based, microdilution technique, antibacterial, Mitragyna inermis, Morinda lucida, Khaya senegalensis, Nauclea latifolia Afr. J. Trad. Comp. Alt. Med. Vol.2(3) 2005: 238 – 243

The antimalarial activities of crude extracts and 17 fractions from the partition of 80%-methanolic extracts of three plants (the stem bark of Croton mubango, the stem bark of Nauclea pobeguinii and the leaves of Pyrenacantha staudtii) used as antimalarial remedies in the Democratic Republic of Congo were studied both in vitro (against Plasmodium falciparum) and in mice infected with Pl. berghei berghei. The toxic effects of dried aqueous extracts of the plants were also investigated, in uninfected mice. The most active crude extracts in vitro, with median inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) of1 microg/ml, were found to be the methanolic and dichloromethane extracts of C. mubango, and the dichloromethane extracts of N. pobeguinii and Py. staudtii. The aqueous extract with the most antimalarial activity in vitro was that of C. mubango (IC(50) = 3.2 microg/ml), followed by that of N. probeguinii (IC(50) = 5.3 microg/ml) and then that of Py. staudii (IC(50) = 15.2 microg/ml). Results from the in-vivo tests of antimalarial activity showed that, at a daily oral dose of 200 mg/kg, all the dichloromethane extracts, the petroleum-ether, chloroformic, ethyl-acetate and residual water-soluble fractions from C. mubango, and the chloroformic, ethyl-acetate and n-butanolic fractions from Py. staudtii produced80% chemosuppression of the parasitaemias by day 4. The aqueous extracts of C. mubango and N. probeguinii produced a slightly lower but still significant inhibition of parasitaemia (60%-80%) whereas that of Py. staudtii only suppressed the day-4 parasitaemias by 37%. The dried aqueous extract of the stem bark of C. mubango showed some signs of toxicity in mice, with median lethal doses (LD(50)) of 350 mg/kg in the female mice and 900 mg/kg in the male. The extract significantly increased the serum concentrations of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in mice of both sexes, but had no effect on the blood levels of creatinine or urea. No significant toxic effect was observed for the dried aqueous extracts of N. pobeguinii and Py. staudtii (LD(50)5 g/kg). Neither of these extracts affected the serum concentrations of GPT or the blood concentrations of creatinine and urea, although the N. pobeguinii extract did increase the serum concentration of GOT.

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 novel indole alkaloid, nauclefolinine ( 1 ) and five known triterpenic compounds, rotundic acid ( 2 ), a -L-rhamnoquinovic acid ( 3 ), 3- O - b -D-glucopyranosyl- b -sitosterol ( 4 ), squalene ( 5 ) and sitosterol-3- O -6’-stearoyl- b -D-glucopyranoside ( 6 ) have been isolated from the roots of Nauclea latifolia . KEY WORDS: Nauclea latifolia , Rubiaceae, Indole alkaloid, Triterpenic acids, Rotundic acid, Rhamnoquinovic acid Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2003 , 17(2), 173-176.

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.

Whole root preparations of three Nigerian medicinal plants, Anthocleista djalonensis, Nauclea latifolia and Uvaria afzalii, used traditionally in combination treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), were extracted by maceration in ethanol, cold and hot water, respectively. The extracts were tested, by agar diffusion and macrobroth dilution methods, for activity against five strains of Staphylococcus aureus and two of Escherichia coli isolated from cases of STD and or urethritis. Four typed bacterial strains, S aureus ATCC 12600, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145 and Escherichia coli ATCC 117755 were included as reference organisms. Ethanolic and cold-water extracts of Anthocliesta djalonensis exhibited activity against 9 and 7, respectively, of the 11 test organisms. They were bacteriostatic at minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) to the Gram positive strains but bactericidal to the Gram negative strains. Similar crude extracts of Uvaria afzalii showed bactericidal activity restricted to Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) strains. Nauclea latifolia extracts were bacteriostatic to both Gram positive and Gram negative strains. No test strain was susceptible to the hot water extracts of Nauclea latifolia but five and seven strains, were respectively susceptible to similar extracts of Anthocliesta djalonensis and Uvaria afzalii. Of the seven column chromatographic fractions of the ethanolic extract of Uvaria afzalii, F(ua-1) exhibited a bactericidal activity restricted to the Gram negative Escherichia coli strains, which were not susceptible to the crude extract. Fractions, F(ua-2), F(ua-3) and F(ua-4), like the crude extract, were bactericidal against the Gram positive strains only. Thus, partial purification seems to broaden the spectrum of activity and generally improve the potency of Uvaria afzalii. These results apparently justify the use of the three plants in treatment of STD.

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.

Purpose: To determine the dose – toxicity profile of the aqueous extract of Nauclea latifolia stem bark (AQE). Methods: Oncin France Souche A (OFA) rats were orally administered with AQE at doses of 1.8, 18 and 180 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. In parallel, oral acute toxicity test in Swiss mice was performed with AQE at doses of 2, 4, 8 and 18g/kg body weight. Blood, urine and other biochemical markers were assessed for the rats. Results: No death was observed after 14 days of single oral administration, and hence the LD50 was > 18g/kg body weight. For sub-acute toxicity in OFA rats, an elevation of some blood parameters (platelets and erythrocytes but also eosinophils) in contrast to the low serum concentrations of biochemical markers such as aminotransferases (ALT, AST) and creatinine were recorded in rats treated with 18 and 180 mg/kg body weight. Urine analysis showed high depletion of sodium and potassium ions coupled with high loss of water. Conclusion: Known for its diuretic property, the AQE could be beneficial against anemia and may favor blood coagulation but unfortunately may exhibit allergenic properties and cause inflammatory reactions. This study suggests the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of AQE range between 1.8 and 18 mg/kg body weight in OFA rats.

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.

Three major extracts from some traditional preparations, based on medicinal plants, used as antidiarrhoeal agents were investigated for their putative antiamoebic and spasmolytic activities in vitro. Results indicated that both biological activities are concentrated in the polyphenolic fraction, and not in the saponin or alkaloid containing fractions. The most active polyphenolic extracts were those from Euphorbia hirta whole plant, leaves of Alchornea cordifolia, Crossopteryx febrifuga, Nauclea latifolia, Psidium guajava, Tithonia diversifolia, stem bark of Harungana madagascariensis, Mangifera indica, Maprounea africana and Psidium guajava, inhibiting Entamoeba histolytica growth with MAC < 10 micrograms/ml. The same extracts, at a concentration of 80 micrograms/ml in an organ bath, also exhibited more than 70% inhibition of acetylcholine and/or KCl solution-induced contractions on isolated guinea-pig ileum.

Aqueous extracts from Nauclea latifolia S.M. (Rubiaceae), a plant commonly used in Ivory Coast by traditional healers for the treatment of malaria, were tested on two strains of Plasmodium falciparum: FcB1-Colombia (chloroquine-resistant) and a Nigerian strain (chloroquine-sensitive). The extracts were obtained from stems and roots of the plant in two forms, infusion and decoction, both methods used by most traditional healers. The in vitro activity of N. latifolia extracts on P. falciparum was assessed both visually and by a radioactive method. The visual analysis allowed determination of the time of extract action on the erythrocytic cycle, as well as the parasitic stage of most inhibitory effect. Similar results were obtained applying fresh, frozen or lyophilized extracts. The IC50 values determined were within the range already reported for other antimalarial plants such as Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae) or Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae). Aqueous extracts of N. latifolia inhibited P. falciparum (FcB1 strain) mainly at the end of the erythrocytic cycle (32nd to 48th hour).

In most developing tropical countries, 80 per cent of the population use traditional medicine, in particular against parasitic diseases. Among these infections, malaria is very widespread. In most tropical countries, 500 million people are attacked annually by this disease, resulting in 1 million deaths in the world. In Africa the ethnobotanical studies show that in addition to the well known quinquina, different plants from the Rubiaceae family are used such as Gardenia ternifolia, Morinda lucida, Pavetta crassipes, Nauclea latifolia and Nauclea diderrichii. In the search to find new antimalarial compounds, we have studied Nauclea diderrichii (de Wild) Merr.

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 use of synthetic anthelminthics is confronted with the development of resistant strains, high cost and unavailability. Available local resources which are efficient and less expensive are an alternative to the limits of these anthelminthics. This study evaluated the ovicidal and larvicidal efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Nauclea latifolia. The eggs of the parasite were obtained from faeces of artificially infected mice, and after 3 and 4 to 5 days incubation at 25°C, L1 and L2 larvae were obtained respectively. The different stages were exposed to 5 concentrations and exposition periods were 48 and 24 hours for eggs and larvae respectively. Distilled water and 1.5% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) were included in the assay as negative control for aqueous and organic extract respectively. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of N. latifolia had a negative effect on development of embryo, hatching rate and larval survival of Heligmosomodes bakeri. At the concentration 5000 μg/ml, the embryonation rate of 62.7, 21.7 and 17.4% were obtained respectively for hot, cold water and ethanolic extract. 22.4, 18 and 14.5% hatching rate were obtained with hot, cold water and ethanolic extract at 5000 μg/ml. The mortality rate of L1 for the high concentration was 77.3, 89.3 and 73.9% for hot, cold water and ethanolic extract respectively while for L2 larvae, 82.7, 77.5 and 83.3% mortality rate were obtained respectively with hot, cold water and ethanolic extract. These in vitro results suggested that extracts of N. latifolia possess ovicidal and larvicidal properties. Further experiment incorporating in vivo and toxicological studies is required.

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.

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.

Baboon dung was collected in the Shai Hills, Ghana at 4—wk intervals from November 1975 to January 1977, and was planted in sterilized soil in order to estimate the viable seed content of the dung. A total of 6,465 seedlings germinated, belonging to 59 species, although 70% of the seedlings belonged to 2 fleshy—fruited species. The species composition varied from month to month as did the relative importance of dry fruits. Germination of ingested seeds (removed from dung) was significantly improved over that of fresh seeds in 3 of 4 species tested (Securinega virosa, Azadirachta indica, and Nauclea latifolia). The 4th species, Diospyros mespiliformis, showed no significant improvement. See full-text article at JSTOR

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.

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, are potentially useful intermediates in a number of syntheses. Particular attention has been paid to more highly substituted derivatives of 4-pyridineacetic acid, and the experimental limitations associated with their synthesis and use in subsequent reactions such as the Bischler–Napieralski cyclization have been described and explained. A synthesis of decarbomethoxynauclechine from 4-methylnicotinaldehyde avoiding these difficulties was then designed and executed. Both diastereoisomers, (±)-decarbomethoxy-3α-nauclechine and (±)-decarbomethoxy-3β-nauclechine, were obtained; the structure and stereochemistry of each was rigorously established, but it was not possible to demonstrate which corresponded to the natural alkaloid, decarbomethoxynauclechine, reported previously.

The revision of the Naucleeae for the Malesian flora entailed, besides a taxonomic survey, nomenclatural evaluation and typification of the genera. Unfortunately there has been a great deal of confusion, since the time of Linnaeus's Species Plantarum, as the material then available was extremely scrappy and the nature of the head-like inflorescences in this group were not properly understood. Hence these plants were all lumped under a few generic names such as Nauclea, Cephalanthus, and Sarcocephalus. Merrill correctly pointed out in 1917 that the evaluation by Haviland (1897) in his monograph of Malesian Naucleeae was incorrect; but, again, a closer study of the conclusions reached by Merrill, who was mainly concerned with the nomenclature and systematics of Nauclea versus Sarcocephalus, cannot be fully approved. The situation is extremely complicated. I have tried to cover all generic names involved and have reached the conclusion that

Wood samples of a number of Cinchoneae and Naucleeae sensu Schumann were studied, and the results compared with data found in the literature. On the whole the representatives of the Cinchoneae appeared to show a rather high degree of similarity among each other with the exception, however, of the genera Coutarea, Exostemma, Corynanthe, Crossopteryx, and Hymenodictyon. The creation of the tribe Coptosapelteae and its inclusion in the Ixoroideae seem to be corroborated by the particular character of the wood anatomy. The restriction of the Naucleeae to Nauclea L. ( Sarcocephalus Afzel.) is not supported by the anatomy of the wood.

Objective To investigate the traditional antidiabetic uses of some indigenous Sudanese plants on streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. Methods Diabetic rats were treated with a 400 mg/kg dose of aqueous extracts of five plant species orally for 2 h (acute) or 14 days (chronic). In acute model blood glucose levels were monitored at specific intervals. In the chronic model blood samples were collected from overnight fasted diabetic rats on day 15 to estimate blood glucose level. And the body weight, serum lipid profile and activities of liver and kidney enzymes were measured. Histopathological observations of liver sections were also studied. Results In the case of acute treatment, aqueous extracts of Tinospora bakis ( T. bakis ), Nauclea latifolia ( N. latifolia ) and Randia nilotica ( R. nilotica ) at 400 mg/kg significantly lowered ( P 0.05) blood glucose levels in diabetic rats whereas, chronic treatment of diabetic rats with 400 mg/kg of T. bakis, N. latifolia, R. nilotica and Mitragyna inremis proved to have significant ( P 0.05) antihyperglycemic effect and have the capacity to correct the metabolic disturbances associated with diabetes. Histopathological studies showed that the aqueous extracts of these four plants reinforced the healing of liver. However, Striga hermonthica aqueous extract did not exert any antihyperglycemic effect to diabetic rats. Conclusions This study demonstrated that T. bakis, N. latifolia, R. nilotica and Mitragyna inremis have therapeutic value in diabetes and related complications and thus supporting the traditional uses of these plants in Sudanese traditional medicine.

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.

In the first part important natural products registered as or transformed into registered antimalarial drugs are reviewed together with their mechanisms of action. The mentioned compounds are quinine alkaloids, artemisinin and its derivatives, fosmidomycins, tetracyclines, lincosamide, and naphthoquinones. The latter part is a review of traditional medicines marketed as antimalarial drugs such as Agemone mexicana , Artemisia annua , Artobotrys uncinatus , Cinchona bark, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta , Curcuma longa , and Nauclea probeguinii. Clinical evidence for the effect of the herbal drugs is given.

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.