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Scientific information on antioxidant properties and phenolic content of Nauclea latifolia used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Burkina Faso are limited. Therefore, the quantification of the antioxidant activity of different parts of this specie remains an interesting and useful task, particularly for finding new sources for natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and total polyphenols of Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae) acetonic fractions from Burkina Faso. n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of leaves, barks and root barks were tested for their antioxidant activities using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl3 reagents were used to quantify the polyphenols. n-butanol fraction of barks (58.16 ± 0.76 mg GAE/100 mg), dichloromethane fraction of barks (51.13 ± 0.99; 26.14 mg GAE/100 mg) have presented the best total phenolic contents while the best total flavonoid contents were found in n-butanol fraction of leaves and n-hexane fraction of leaves with 4.85 ± 0.14 mg EQ/100mg and 2.92 ± 0.13 mg EQ/100mg, respectively. It was observed that n-hexane fraction of leaves was scavenge more DPPH free radicals with a value of 1011.98± 17,01 µmol EAA/g. That of n-butanol fractions of barks was showed the best ferric reduction power (3056.37 ± 96.66 µmol EAA/g) and the highest ABTS cation radicals scavenging capacity (7031.52 ± 254.98 µmol EAA/g). Nevertheless, this work encourages investigations on Burkina Faso plant species used in the ethnoveterinary medicine as sources of antioxidants. Keywords: Fraction; Ouagadougou; Barks, Total Polyphenols Contents; Radicals.

lt;bgt;Background and Objective:lt;/bgt; Medicinal plants have been known to cure many diseases due to the presence of active bio constituents, the goal of this study to detect and evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial activity of some Sudanese medicinal plants.lt;bgt;Materials and Methods:lt;/bgt; Methanolic extracts of the following types of local medicinal plantslt;igt;Artemisia herba-albalt;/igt;,lt;igt; Cyperus rotunduslt;/igt;,lt;igt; Cymbopogon schoenanthuslt;/igt;sblt;igt;lt;/igt;sp.lt;igt; Proximuslt;/igt;,lt;igt; Trigonella foenum-graecumlt;/igt;,lt;igt; Nigella sativalt;/igt;,lt;igt; Hyphaene thebaicalt;/igt;,lt;igt; Nauclea latifolialt;/igt; andlt;igt;Ziziphus spina-christilt;/igt; were tested against eight types of bacteria that were isolated from the same plants as their pollutants. Cup-plate method was used and then the inhibition zone of each plant was measured and compared with the inhibitory zone of some antibiotics used for the same isolates.lt;bgt;Results:lt;/bgt; Methanol extracts of some plant species showed antibacterial activity against most of the studied bacterial species.lt;igt;Cymbopogon schoenanthuslt;/igt;ssp.lt;igt; Proximuslt;/igt;showed antibacterial activity against most isolated bacterial species in comparison with commercial antibiotics used.lt;bgt;Conclusion:lt;/bgt; According to the findings of this research, severalmedicinal plants have efficacy and effect on certain types of bacteria and are superior or comparable to certain types of antibiotics. When compared to the other medicinal plants used in this studylt;igt;, Cymbopogon schoenanthuslt;/igt;sbsp.lt;igt;proximuslt;/igt;has the highest activity on most types of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as the superiority of some antibiotics.

Background Malaria still constitutes a major public health menace, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Close to half a million people mainly children in Africa, die every year from the disease. With the rising resistance to frontline drugs (artemisinin-based combinations), there is a need to accelerate the discovery and development of newer anti-malarial drugs. A systematic review was conducted to identify the African medicinal plants with significant antiplasmodial and/or anti-malarial activity, toxicity, as wells as assessing the variation in their activity between study designs (in vitro and in vivo). Methods Key health-related databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, PubMed Central, and Science Direct were searched for relevant literature on the antiplasmodial and anti-malarial activities of African medicinal plants. Results In total, 200 research articles were identified, a majority of which were studies conducted in Nigeria. The selected research articles constituted 722 independent experiments evaluating 502 plant species. Of the 722 studies, 81.9%, 12.4%, and 5.5% were in vitro, in vivo, and combined in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The most frequently investigated plant species were Azadirachta indica, Zanthoxylum chalybeum, Picrilima nitida, and Nauclea latifolia meanwhile Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Annonaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, Meliaceae, and Lamiaceae were the most frequently investigated plant families. Overall, 248 (34.3%), 241 (33.4%), and 233 (32.3%) of the studies reported very good, good, and moderate activity, respectively. Alchornea cordifolia, Flueggea virosa, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Zanthoxylum chalybeum, and Maytenus senegalensis gave consistently very good activity across the different studies. In all, only 31 (4.3%) of studies involved pure compounds and these had significantly (p = 0.044) higher antiplasmodial activity relative to crude extracts. Out of the 198 plant species tested for toxicity, 52 (26.3%) demonstrated some degree of toxicity, with toxicity most frequently reported with Azadirachta indica and Vernonia amygdalina. These species were equally the most frequently inactive plants reported. The leaves were the most frequently reported toxic part of plants used. Furthermore, toxicity was observed to decrease with increasing antiplasmodial activity. Conclusions Although there are many indigenous plants with considerable antiplasmodial and anti-malarial activity, the progress in the development of new anti-malarial drugs from African medicinal plants is still slothful, with only one clinical trial with Cochlospermum planchonii (Bixaceae) conducted to date. There is, therefore, the need to scale up anti-malarial drug discovery in the African region.

This study investigated the effect of African peach (AP) and Uvaria afzelii (UA) extracts on arginase, nitric oxide (NO), angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE), and cholinergic and purinergic enzymes in platelets of complete Freund adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rat model to explain a possible anti-arthritic mechanism of extracts. Sixty adult Wistar female rats (140–280 g) were divided into twelve groups (n = 5). Group I received oral administration of 0.9% NaCl; group II received 10 mg/kg of indomethacin; group III and IV rats received oral administration of 150 and 300 mg/kg of AP extract, respectively; and group V and VI rats received oral administration of 150 and 300 mg/kg of UA extract, respectively. While group VII rats were injected with 0.2 ml CFA (arthritic control rat group), in group VIII, IX, and X, arthritic rats received 10 mg/kg indomethacin, 150 and 300 mg/kg of AP extract orally, respectively, while group XI and XII arthritic rats received 150 and 300 mg/kg of UA extract, respectively. The animals were treated for 21 days. The results revealed decreased NO level, activities of arginase and ACE, and adenosine triphosphate and adenosine monophosphate hydrolyses were significantly decreased while adenosine deaminase activity was significantly decreased in arthritic rat groups administered with different doses of AP and UA extracts. Therefore, AP and UA could be a natural complement and alternative promising anti-arthritic agent.

Background: Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae) is a valuable medicinal plant used in folkloric medicine in the treatment of Typhoid fever. The public health significance of Salmonella typhi, the aetiologic agent in typhoid fever lies in the increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents. Objectives: To determine the antimicrobial potentials of the crude extracts of the leaves of Nauclea latifolia on clinical isolates of Salmonella typhi compared with some conventional antibiotics. Methods: Antibiogram was carried out on 25 biochemically confirmed clinical isolates of Salmonella typhi using disc diffusion method of Kirby Bauer. Nauclea latifolia leaves extracted with ethyl acetate and methanol in a Soxhlet apparatus were screened for secondary metabolites. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts were determined by agar dilution method on the isolates. Results: The antibiogram of Samonella typhi showed the following resistance patterns: Augmentin® (24.0%), amoxicillin (44.0%), chloramphenicol (32.0%), gentamicin (20.0%), cloxacillin (96.0%), ciprofloxacin (8.0%), erythromycin (60.0%), tetracycline (32.0%) and cotrimoxazole (60.0%). The extracts showed good antibacterial activity on the clinical isolates including those resistant to antibiotics. The MIC of methanol extract ranged from1.56mg/ml to 6.25mg/ml and 3.13mg/ml to 25.0 mg/ml for ethyl acetate extract with exception of isolates 11, 12, 19 and 20 with high MIC values as 50mg/ml. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts gave a yield of 11.7% and 3.5% respectively. Bioactive secondary metabolites were detected from the extracts. Conclusion: The crude extracts of the leaves of Nauclea latifolia contained antimicrobial agents that were active on Salmonella typhi which could be used alone and in supportive with conventional antibiotics for therapeutic management of typhoid fever.

Aim: Earlier studies have established the antidiabetic activity of Nauclea latifolia. The aim of this study was to obtain chemical fingerprints of the ethanolic extracts of Nauclea latifolia leaf using Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS), in order to assure proper identification of the plant and to evaluate its phytochemical composition using GC-MS. It was also aimed at unravelling the phytochemical constituents responsible for its antidiabetic activities. Methodology: The phytochemicals in the plant leaves were extracted by cold maceration in ethanol and subjected to GC-MS analysis. Results: Chromatograms showed 51 peaks of identified phytochemical compounds. The GC-MS analysis also revealed sixteen (16) active antidiabetic phytochemicals namely: Pentanoic acid 4-oxo- ethyl ester, 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol, Triethyl citrate, Quinic acid, 3-O-Methyl-d-glucose, 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, Phytol, Hexadecanoic acid, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, Octadecanoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester, Vitamin E, Campesterol, Stigmasterol, Gamma-sitosterol. Conclusion: The GC-MS profile provides a suitable chemical fingerprint to assure proper identification of the Nauclea latifolia plant. Sixteen (16) active phytochemicals of the plant leaf are known to have antidiabetic activities; these could be used as a basis for standardization of the plant preparations for diabetes therapy.

The leaf extracts of Nauclea latifolia (Smith) were investigated for its bioactive constituents to validate it reported ethnomedicinal uses (infectious and oxidative stress related diseases). Isolation of antioxidant compounds from the ethyl acetate fraction was achieved by a DPPH directed fractionation, which resulted in trans-3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (caffeic acid) (1), quercetin (2), quercetin-3-O-β-glycopyranoside (3), 3-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid) (4), and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (5). The extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated for antioxidant activities using five complementary assays: total antioxidant capacity (TAC), inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) radical activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and metal chelating ability (MCA) spectrophotometrically. The total phenolic content (TPC) was also determined. Antimicrobial activities of the samples were evaluated using agar cup plate diffusion and broth microdilution method. Compound (2) was more potent in the DPPH assay [IC50 = 0.59 ± 0.04 to 21.3 ± 1.01 µg/mL] than the ascorbic acid [8.82 ± 0.23 µg/mL] used as a standard. All the isolated compounds exhibited a higher degree of inhibition of NO radical than the standard. The IC50 ranged from 5.17 ± 2.59 to 55.2 ± 0.66 µg/mL compared with the standard, ascorbic acid [IC50 = 69.3 ± 1.78 µg/mL]. In the metal chelating ability (MCA) assay, compound (5) had better activity [IC50 = 105 ± 2.73 µg/mL] than the standard, EDTA [IC50 = 122 ± 1.17 µg/mL]. Compound (2) had the best TAC and FRAP results, 10.9 ± 2.14 mg AAE/g and 1.68 ± 0.09 mg AAE/g respectively. N. latifolia extracts exhibited less antibacterial activities than the isolated compounds. The MIC of quercetin (2) against S. aureus was 0.156 mg/mL while quercetin 3-O-β-glucopyranose exhibited wider spectrum of activities with MIC in the range of 1 mg/mL for most of the bacteria strains. Also, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid had an MIC of 1.25 mg/mL against P. aeruginosa. Compounds 4 and 5 are reported from N. latifolia for the first time. This study concluded that some of the isolated compounds had strong antioxidant and moderate antimicrobial activities.

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.

Background: Anti-plasmodial activities of the methanol stem bark extracts of Nauclea latifolia, and Terminalia glaucescens were investigated in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Methods: A total of 24 Plasmodium berghei infected (P. berghei infected) mice were divided into 8 groups of 3 each. Groups A-F were given 100, 300 or 500 mg/kg of either extracts. Groups G and H received 2 mL normal saline (negative control) and 5 mg/kg of chloroquine (positive control), respectively. The drugs and extracts were administered orally once daily for five days. Results: Alkaloids and flavonoids were the most and abundant metabolites in the extracts, respectively. The extract of Nauclea latifolia (N. latifolia) and Terminalia glaucescens (T. glauscecens) had Median Lethal Dose LD50 of >5000 mg/kg and 3808 mg/kg, respectively. In vivo anti-plasmodial studies revealed that the highest suppression (66.79% and 65.37%) and mean survival days (27.67±1.45 and 30.33±0.33) were recorded for the groups treated with 500 mg/kg N. latifolia or T. glaucescens, respectively. The infected but untreated groups survived only for 9.33±0.88 days while chloroquine treated groups lived for 31.33±0.88 days. The body weight and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of rats treated with 500 mg/kg. N. latifolia or T. glaucescens significantly increased (P

Objective: To explore the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-arthritic activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Nauclea pobeguinii stem bark. Methods: For in vitro assays, the production of reactive oxygen species (chemiluminescence technique), the proliferation of T cells (liquid scintillation counter method), as well as the inhibition of cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, protein denaturation, and free radicals [DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition methods] were evaluated. For in vivo assays, a polyarthritis model was induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant in rats. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Nauclea pobeguinii stem bark were administered orally at 150 and 300 mg/kg. After 28 days of treatment, the total blood was taken to quantify the hematological parameters and the serum was used to evaluate the biochemical parameters (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, phenylalnine ammonialyase, and proteins) and oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and NO), and then the knee joint was removed for histological analysis. Results: The extracts of Nauclea pobeguinii significantly reduced the production of intra- and extracellular reactive oxygen species and decreased T cell proliferation. They had an inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and protein denaturation, and both extracts had antioxidant capacity on DPPH, ABTS and NO. Both extracts alleviated joint inflammation and pain sensitivity after complete Freund’s adjuvant injection, reduced alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, NO and malondialdehyde levels, increased protein concentration, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione activity, and restored the cytoarchitecture of the joint after complete Freund’s adjuvant injection. Conclusions: The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Nauclea pobeguinii have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-arthritic properties.

Liver and kidney diseases are becoming order of the day in both developed and developing countries as a result of environmental pollutants such as lead. Restorative activities of methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts (MPR and MAPR, respectively) of theN. latifoliafruit (NLF) on lead acetate-induced liver and kidney damaged were assessed in Wistar rats. The antioxidant activities of both phenolic-rich extracts of NLF were also carried out using standard methods. Seven groups of Wistar rats comprising of 5 rats each were used for the study and 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of lead acetate solution was administered orally to the 6 groups of animals to induce liver and kidney damage. The high and low dosages of 300 and of 150 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of both MPR and MAPR were administered orally to four groups for 14 days along positive (100 mg/kg bw. of silymarin), negative (treated with the placebo) and naïve control (non-induced). The percentage DPPH radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing antioxidant power and percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation show high antioxidants activities dose-dependently. Furthermore, administration of lead acetate significantly (p > 0.05) reduces the weight gain and elevates the liver and kidney relative weight as well as their respective damage biomarkers with distortions in their histologies. However, treatment with MPR and MAPR resulted in significant (p p N. latifoliafruit can be exploited further for drug development for the management kidney and liver damage arise from lead-induced toxicity.

In recent times there has been a steady increase in researches aimed at searching for plant agents that can be used in the management of diabetes mellitus and its complications with minimal side effects compared with the anti-diabetic drugs in the pharmaceutical market. This work is on the effect of aqueous extracts ofNauclea latifolia plant on serum lipid profile in streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats. Thirty mature male Wistar albino rats were divided into six treatment groups of five rats each. Group A was normal control and group B was streptozotocin-induced diabetic control. Groups C, D and E were streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats treated daily with 500mg / kg. body weight of aqueous extracts of stem-bark, leaves and root-bark of Nauclea latifolia respectively. Group F was streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats treated daily with 5mg / kg. body weight of glibenclamide and the treatment was for 28 days. The serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerol of the rats were determined using assay kits from Agape Diagnostic, Switzerland while very low density lipoprotein cholesterol was determined by calculation according to the method of Burstein and Samaile (1960). The low density lipoprotein cholesterol was estimated using the method of Friedwald, Levy and Fredrickson (1972) which entails differential subtraction of the sum of the cholesterol fractions from the total cholesterol. The parameters were analyzed using One- way Analysis of Variance with the level of significance determined by least significant difference. The streptozotocin-induced diabetic control rats had their serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerol significantly elevated compared with the normal control. Nauclea latifolia aqueous extracts brought about significant reduction of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels in the diabetic treated rats. The outcome of this work indicates that Nauclea latifolia aqueous extracts have ameliorating effect on diabetic complications due to high serum lipid profile levels.

Fruits of Nauclea latifolia (Family Rubiaceae) have been used as food and medicinal plants. The ethnomedicinal reports indicated that it can be traditionally used for the treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, malaria etc. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant, ?–amylase and ?–glucosidase activities of methanol extract of N. latifolia fruits at varying concentrations (20-100 µg/ml) using standard methods. The results of the DPPH and nitric oxide free radical scavenging capacity showed IC50 values 92.0µg/ml and 30.0µg/ml respectively indicating a good inhibitory capacity but lesser when compared to the standard, ascorbic acid which are < 10.0µg/ml and < 20.0µg/ml respectively. The analysis shows total phenolic contents of 147.9±3.35mg/g and ferric reducing antioxidant potential of 1604.1±9.20mg/g supporting the fact that phenolics are highly potent antioxidants. Based on the results obtained from ?–amylase and ?–glucosidase inhibition, the IC50 > 100µg/ml showing a lesser inhibitory activity when compared to the standard Acarbose with IC50 values of 50.1µg/ml and 44.0µg/ml respectively. The results clearly indicate that the methanol extract of N. latifolia has a moderate free radical scavenging activity resulting from various interaction between different components of the plant. It can be concluded that the fruits may provide natural source of bioactive compounds which is beneficial to human health and can be used as basis of folkloric remedies for diabetes.

The continuous search for novel compounds against microbial infections and oxidative stress-induced debilitating diseases like diabetes has intensified in recent years. This study evaluated the phytochemical constituents, time-kill antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic potentials of whole fruit extracts of Nauclea latifolia Smith. The antibacterial potential was evaluated using micro-broth dilution method and the degree of mortality was examined at different concentrations over a period of 2 h against Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella sonnei as representative organisms. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and iron chelating assays. The antidiabetic potential was determined by evaluating the inhibitory effects of the extracts on the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, while the modes of the enzymes inhibition were assessed using Lineweaver-Burk kinetics. The crude extract displayed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging between 0.19 and 1.56 mg/mL. The lowest MIC value displayed by the n-hexane, ethylacetate and n-butanol fraction was 0.19, and 0.39 mg/mL by the chloroform fraction. Total mortality was recorded by n-butanol fraction at 3xMIC (0.57 mg/mL) after 15 min of contact time and ethylacetate fraction after 60 min of contact time against Stapylococcus aureus at the same concentration. Also total mortality was recorded after 60 min of contact time at 3xMIC by n-butanol fraction against Shigella sonnei. The ethyl acetate fraction has the highest total phenol (413.4 mg/g) and total flavonol (8.3 mg/g) contents which is significantly different (p

Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been found to play a major role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by promoting hyperlipidemia. Its inhibition has therefore emerged as a viable drug target for improving the outcome of ASCVD. However, current monoclonal antibody PCSK9 inhibitors are considered cost ineffective and there is the need to discover new effective and cheaper small molecule alternatives. Purpose The methanolic and ethanolic crude extracts of Nauclea latifolia have been shown to possess anti-hyperlipidemic activity, but the chemical component(s) responsible for this activity and the mechanism of action have remained unknown. The objective of this study was therefore to identify N. latifolia constituents with anti-hyperlipidemic activity and to investigate the inhibition of PCSK9 as a probable mechanism of action. Method In the present study, compounds were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the stem of N. latifolia. The alkaloids were evaluated for their DiI-LDL uptake promoting activity in HepG2 cell. The most active compound was further assessed for its effect on low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and PCSK9 protein expressions by western blot. Results 3R-3,14-dihydroangustoline (5), showed a relatively good activity in promoting LDL uptake (1.26-fold). It further increased LDLR protein expression and decreased the protein expression of PCSK9 in a dose dependent manner (1–50 µM). Conclusion Alkaloids from N. latifolia may serve as a source of new PCSK9 inhibitors.

Bioactive peptides are known for health-promoting properties due to several pharmacological effects they modulate in physiological systems. Herein, the presence of peptides particularly cyclic peptides, was investigated in two Rubiaceae members; Nauclea diderichii (De Wild. and T. Durand) Merrill and Ixora brachypoda DC by thin layer chromatography (TLC) chemical detection, and their multifunctional bioactivity evaluated. Crude and pre-purified peptides were obtained from both plants using aqueous and solid-phase extractions, respectively. The peptide fraction of N. diderrichii showed good DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 3.43 µg/mL) compared to the standard Gallic acid (IC50 = 1.44 µg/mL). Peptide fractions of both plants displayed inhibitory effects (MIC = 6.25 μg/mL) against bacteria and fungi strains except Escherichia coli, relative to standard drugs (MIC = 0.31 µg/mL). Both displayed significant toxicity to brine shrimp nauplii (LC50 ≤ 220.8 μg m L−1) as well as MCF-7 and RD cancer cells (IC50 ≤ 34.0 μg m L−1). The enterovirus species B and C tested were remarkably susceptible to the peptide fractions (IC50 ≤ 3.20 μg/mL).

The greatest common and devastating complication of diabetes is painful neuropathy that can cause hyperalgesia and allodynia. It can disturb psychosocial functioning by increasing levels of anxiety and depression. This work was designed to evaluate the antihyperalgesic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic-like effects of the aqueous and methanol extracts of Nauclea pobeguinii stem-bark in diabetic neuropathy induced by streptozotocin in mice. Diabetic neuropathy was induced in mice by the intraperitoneal administration of 200 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to provoke hyperglycemia. Nauclea pobeguinii aqueous and methanol extracts at the doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg were administered by oral route, and their effects were evaluated on antihyperalgesic activity (Von Frey filaments, hot plate, acetone, and formalin tests), blood glucose levels, body weight, serum, sciatic nerve proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and sciatic nerve growth factor (IGF and NGF) rates, depression (open field test, forced swimming test, tail suspension test), and anxiety (elevated plus maze, light-dark box test, social interaction). Oral administration of Nauclea pobeguinii stem-bark aqueous and methanol extracts (150 and 300 mg/kg) produced antihyperalgesic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic-like effects in STZ-induced diabetic neuropathic mice. Extracts also triggered a decrease in glycaemia and increased body weight in treated animals. They also significantly ( p p

Nauclea latifolia root (NLR) extract is one of phytochemicals used to treat various ailments in most of developing countries. This investigation focuses on modelling, optimization and computer-aided simulation of phenolic solid-liquid extraction from NLR. The extraction experiments were conducted at extraction temperature (ET: 33.79-76.21 °C), process time (PT: 2.79-4.21 h) and solid-liquid ratio (SLC: 0.007929-0.018355 g/ml). Regression models (RM) were developed, using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in Design Expert software, for predicting and optimizing total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) and also compared with adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) modelling in Matlab environment. Aspen Batch Process Developer (ABPD) V10 was used to simulate phenolic extract production and perform material balance of the process. Both Coefficients of determination (R2) of RSM (TFC: 0.9996, TPC: 0.9932) and ANFIS models (TFC: 0.99998, TPC: 0.9982) were compared and predicted satisfactorily. Optimization results show: ET (2.79 h), PT (38.8 °C), SLC (0.0198 g/ml), TFC (25.92 25.92 μg RE/g) and TPC (8.47 mg GAE/g). The phenolic extraction base case simulation results gave batch throughput, annual throughput, number of batches per year 0.0089 g/batch, 0.139 g/year and 1019 batches, respectively. The ABPD predicted TPC and experimental TPC results were compared and gave mean relative deviation error of 3.75%. Thus, ABPD simulation model is reasonably reliable for the scale-up design engineering of the phenolic extract production from NLR.

Background: Malaria remains a devastating disease, particularly in the tropics, where it is the highest killer of pregnant women and children under the age of 5 years. Significant efforts and resources have been vested in malaria control and eradication programmes, but the unavailability of malaria vaccine and the emergence of resistance of malaria parasite to existing antimalarial drugs have continued to hamper attempts at controlling or eradicating the disease. This warrants the development of new antimalarial drugs. Nauclea latifolia root is widely applied for malaria treatment in Nigeria. Aim: This study investigated the antimalarial property of N. latifolia roots. Setting: N. latifolia roots were collected from Ikwuano, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Methods: To extract the bioactive constituents, an aqueous infusion of the plant was prepared and fractionated by solvent-solvent extraction with n -hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol, respectively. Antimalarial property was evaluated using suppressive and curative assays in mice infected with chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK-65 strain. Results: The extract and fractions produced significant suppressive and curative antiplasmodial activities ( p < 0.05). The aqueous extract and n -hexane and butanol fractions gave 85.22%, 84.52% and 91.32% chemosuppression, respectively, which were comparable to that of chloroquine used as positive control. The extract and fractions gave considerable curative effects in the range 52.23% – 77.00%. Conclusion: These findings indicate that N. latifolia roots possess antimalarial property and reflect its ethnomedicinal use for malaria treatment. Thus, N. latifolia roots may be exploited for development of herbal formulations and isolation of novel bioactive compounds for malaria treatment.

Background The adulticidal and cercaricidal activities of five Ghanaian medicinal plants, namely, Phyllanthus amarus, Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, Morinda lucida and Nauclea latifolia against S. mansoni were evaluated in this study. Six weeks old ICR mice (n = 25) were percutaneously infected with S. mansoni cercariae. Nine weeks later, infected mice (n = 5) were anaesthetised and perfused for adult S. mansoni. Cercariae were treated with different concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25 μg/mL) of methanolic extracts of the experimenting plants in triplicates. Adult S. mansoni incopula were also treated with same concentrations of each extract or 20 μg/mL praziquantel. The cercariae and adult worms were observed at time intervals for 180 min and 120 h to assess mortality and viability respectively. Additionally, 9-week cercariae-infected mice (4 groups of 5 mice) were treated with either 500 mg/kg po A. indica or V. amygdalina, 400 mg/kg po praziquantel or distilled water for 14 days. The mice were euthanized after adult worms were recovered from them. The liver was processed and histologically examined for granuloma formations. Results All the plants exhibited varying cercaricidal and adulticidal activities against S. mansoni in a time and concentration-dependent manner. A. indica (3 h IC50 = 27.62 μg/mL) and V. amygdalina (3 h IC50 = 35.84 μg/mL) exerted the highest cercaricidal activity. Worm recovery after treatment with V. amygdalina, A. indica and praziquantel in vivo was 48.8%, 85.1 % and 59.9 % respectively (p < 0.05). A. indica and V. amydalina-treated mice recorded lesser mean liver and spleen weights compared to untreated groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion A. indica demonstrated the highest cercaricidal and alduticidal activities in vitro, whereas V. amygdalina exhibited the most potent aldulticidal activity in vivo. This study could provide baseline information which can be used to develop plant-based alternative commercial drugs against S. mansoni.

Traditional herbal medicines are potentially rich sources of new drugs against malaria and other infectious diseases. However, phytochemicals extracted from a medicinal plant is strongly dependent on the nature of the extracting solvent. This study therefore aimed to investigate the antimalarial activity of three plants traditionally used to treat malaria using solvents of different polarities as solvents of extraction. The leaves of Lawsonia inermis, Tithonia diversifolia, and stem barks of Nauclea latifolia were extracted with water, n-hexane, ethanol and dichloromethane: methanol (1:1). The extracts were thereafter investigated for their antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium berghei in infected mice using Peter’s 4-days suppressive test. In N. latifolia stem bark, the aqueous extract showed the highest percentage chemosuppression (79.04%) followed by the dichloromethane: methanol (1:1), ethanolic and hexane extracts with percentage chemosuppressions of 74.66%, 61.47% and 8.81% respectively. The dichloromethane: methanol (1:1) extract of T. diversifolia leaves exhibited moderate antiplasmodial activity with percentage chemosuppression of 43.90% while its other extracts showed weak activity. Only dichloromethane: methanol (1:1) extract of L. inermis showed good antiplasmodial activity with percentage chemosuppression of 61.57% while the other extracts had between weak to inactivity. The antimalarial activity exhibited by these plants, most especially N. latifolia and L. inermis, against P. berghei suggests that these plants have active principles against malarial as claimed by the folklore, and further work is necessary to isolate, identify and characterize the active components of the plants.

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.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Cameroonian medicinal plants are traditionally used to treat many ailments, including cancer and related diseases. Cancer is characterized as a condition with complex signs and symptoms. It has been recommended that ethnopharmacological usages such as immune and skin disorders, inflammatory, infectious, parasitic and viral diseases should be taken into account when selecting plants for anticancer screenings, since these reflect disease states bearing relevance to cancer or cancer-like symptoms. Aim of the study The present study aims at investigating 20 methanol extracts from 15 Cameroonian medicinal plants on a panel of human cancer cell lines, including various drug-resistant phenotypes. Possible modes of action of the of the most active plant were analyzed. Materials and methods Methanol extracts from different plant parts (leaves, bark, roots, fruits or whole plant) were evaluated for their cytotoxicity using resazurin reduction assay on a panel of nine sensitive and multi-drug resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines. Cell cycle, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by flow cytometry. Results Prescreening of extracts at 80 µg/mL showed that 6 extracts out of 20 inhibited more than 50% proliferation of leukemia CCRF-CEM cells; these include extracts from Anthocleista schweinfurthii fruits (ASF; 48.28%), Morus mesozygia bark (MMB; 42.76%), Nauclea latifolia bark (NLB; 38.75%), Tridesmostemon omphalocarpoides bark (TOB; 38.53%), Nauclea latifolia leaves (NLL; 35.17%) and Erythrina sigmoidea bark (ESB; 33.77%). Subsequent investigations revealed IC50 values below or around 20 µg/mL for extracts from MMB, NLB, NLL and ESB towards sensitive CCRF-CEM cells and its resistant P-glycoprotein over-expressing subline CEM/ADR5000. The best extract, ESB also displayed IC50 values below 20 µg/mL colon carcinoma HCT116 (p53+/+) cells with an IC50 value of 19.63 µg/mL and it resistant p53 knockout subline HCT116 (p53−/−) with an IC50 value of 16.22 µg/mL. Conclusion Erythrina sigmoidea, Anthocleista schweinfurthii, Morus mesozygia, Nauclea latifolia, Tridesmostemon omphalocarpoides used in African traditional medicine are good cytotoxic plants that can be exploited to develop phytomedicine to fight cancers including MDR phenotypes.

Researches targeted at understanding and controlling abnormally high level of blood glucose in Diabetes mellitus are ongoing. In spite of many available anti-diabetic drugs in the market, safer and cheaper remedies from plant material are being sought for due to the unwanted side effects of these drugs. In this research work, we looked at the beneficial blood glucose lowering effect of the plant Nauclea latifolia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino Wistar rats. The extracts were first screened for the presence of phytochemicals using standard methods and the result showed the presence of saponins, tannins, reducing sugar, phlobatannins, anthraquinone, flavonoids, steroids and alkaloids. The study design involved 30 male albino Wistar rats which were divided into 6 groups. Groups 1 and 2 represent the Normal Control and Diabetic Control respectively. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were Diabetic rats treated orally with 500mg/kg body weight of aqueous extracts of Stem-bark, Leaves and Root-bark respectively while Group 6 were Diabetic rats treated with 5mg/kg body weight of Glibenclamide. The extracts and Glibenclamide were administered for 28 days. Blood glucose levels were determined on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 by tail tipping method using Glucometer (Accu-Chek, Manheim, Germany). The extracts and Glibenclamide reduced significantly (p

The prophylactic effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Nauclea latifolia, widely used in herbal malarial treatment, was compared against standard drug Coartem® (Artemether/Lumefantrine) in Plasmodium-infected mice was investigated, and thereafter analysed for organosomatic index, parasitemia, histomorphological and immunohistochemical changes in the hippocampus. Twenty male mice about 6 to 8 weeks weighing 20 to 24 g were alloted into four groups of five mice each. Group 1 served as control received placebo; group 2 received extract 500 mg/kg; group 3 received extract 1000 mg/kg; and group 4 received 5 mg/kg of Artemether/Lumefantrine. Extract and drug administrations were performed for 3 days, and thereafter mice were infected with 106 of Plasmodium berghei parasites, and monitored for 4 days, after which the experiment was terminated. Thick blood smear were prepared from lateral tail vein, then under anesthesia via a cocktail of xylaxine and ketamine, intracardiac perfusion was performed first with phosphate buffered saline to clear systemic blood, and then 4% paraformaldehyde to fixed brain for routine histology and immunohistochemistry. Result indicates organosomatic index was not statistically significant, parasitemia in the treated groups were significantly (p

Phytochemical investigation of dichloromethane neutral phase of stem bark of Nauclea pobeguinii led to the isolation of a new monoterpene indole alkaloid, pobeguinine 1 along with 14 known compounds including (−)-naucleofficine D (2a), (+)-naucleofficine D (2b), naucleidinal (3), quafrinoic acid (4), betulinic acid (5), ursolic acid (6), quinovic acid (7), quinovic acid 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (8a), quinovic acid 3-O-β-D-fucopyranoside (8b), β-sitosterol (9), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), benzoic acid (11), lacceroic acid (12) and n-heptacosane (13). The structure of compound 1 was unambiguously assigned on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The Hirshfeld surface analysis was further carried out to quantitatively analyze the role of various types of hydrogen bonding in crystal stability. These structures were elucidated using spectroscopic methods. The isolates were evaluated for their radical scavenging properties as well as inhibitory activities against urease and tyrosinase enzymes with IC50 values ranging from 13.4 to 58.9, 46.0 to 86.7 and 39.4 to 87.1 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 6 exhibited maximum radical scavenging activity with IC50 13.4 μg/mL, while compound 4 exhibited maximum tyrosinase with IC50 39.4 μg/mL. All the isolates showed moderate urease inhibition.

The outline revision of the genus Uncaria published by Ridsdale in 1978 is updated. Two taxa treated as synonyms by Ridsdale (U. ovata R.Br. ex Hook.f. and U. rhynchophylloides F.C.How) are recognised as good species. Three names are considered as synonyms of different taxa from those given by Ridsdale, so U. ovalifolia Roxb. is moved from U. acida (W.Hunter) Roxb. to U. sessilifructa Roxb., Nauclea rotundifolia Bartl. ex DC. and its homotypic synonyms are relocated to U. longiflora (Poir.) Merr. var. longiflora from Uncaria cordata f. insignis (Bartl. ex DC.) Ridsdale, and Uncaria forbesii Wernham is transferred from U. acida to U. callophylla Blume ex Korth. The names Cinchona kattukambar J.Koenig ex Retz., U. rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. and U. scandens (Sm.) Wall. were validated earlier than listed by Ridsdale. Lectotypes and neotypes are designated for various names.

This study is aimed at determining the efficacy of some of the claims and to evaluate the hypocholesterolemic properties of N. latifolia in comparison with metformin in diabetic Albino rats. The objectives are to evaluate the phytochemistry and the effect of N. latifolia on lipid profile in alloxan induced diabetes in comparism with metformin as drug control. Thirty male albino Wister rats weighing 60g-90g were used. The rats were divided into six groups of five animals each. Group 1(normal control, group 2 (-ve control), group 3 (+ve control), group 4, 5 and 6 were given 10%, 30% and 60% of the fruit as feed supplement as treatment. The abnormal lipid profiles and lipoprotein oxidation especially, Low density lipoprotein cholesterol is more common in diabetics and is aggravated with poor glycaemia control. In this study, hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic properties of Nauclea latifolia fruits were investigated. Fruit sample was administered on percentage basis to alloxan - induced diabetic rats once daily for a period of twenty one days. Their blood glucose level was measured every three days while Lipid profile was assayed at the end of the experiment. The fruit sample significantly reduced (p

Fruit juices are liable to spoilage as a result of fermentation by microorganisms. This study is intended to provide information on preservative of fruit juices with plant extracts. The preservative effects of Gmelina arborea fruit and Nauclea latifolia stem bark extracts in apple and pineapple juices were assessed in comparison to chemical preservative (sodium benzoate) as a positive control and refrigeration at 4 °C as a negative control measures. Decrease in microbial load during storage was observed in the prepared juice samples. G. arborea fruit extract in microbial inhibition was more potent followed by sodium benzoate and N. latifolia stem bark extract. G. arborea preserved juices were of better choice in sensory evaluation for acceptability than N. latifolia and sodium benzoate preserved juices. Phytochemical screened from the extracts are saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and steroids. The titratable acidity of the prepared juices evaluated G. arborea of lower titratable acidity value than N. latifolia. The results has provided a partial support for the use of G. arborea fruits and N. latifolia stem bark extracts for preservation of fruit juices. The use of N. latifolia and G. arborea as preservative agents have not been documented and could be potential sources of natural preservative agents for future use in preservation of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.

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.

Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev. (stem bark), Azadirachta indica A. Juss (stem bark and leaf), Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth. (leaf), Crescentia cujete L. (stem bark), Lawsonia inermis L. (leaf), Lophira alata Banks ex C.F. Gaertn. (stem bark), Myrianthus pruessii Engl. (leaf), Nauclea latifolia Sm. (stem bark), Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. (root), and Terminalia glaucescens Planch ex Benth. (stem bark and root) are combined for use in the treatment of malaria in Akure, Southwestern Nigeria. The powdered plant samples were screened for phytochemical constituents, proximate composition and mineral elements according to standard protocols. Plasmodium berghei infected mice were screened for parasitemia and administered with water and ethanol extracts of the combined plant sample. Toxicity and histopathological studies were carried out on the liver and kidney sections of the mice. Data were statistically analyzed. The powdered herbal recipe contained appreciable phytochemicals and important minerals. The concentrations administered for LD50 did not elicit adverse reactions in the experimental animals, and no mortality was recorded. Histological studies revealed some pathology caused by the malaria parasite, as well as side effects of the extracts administered. This is discussed in relation to safety considerations. Key words: Malaria, herbs, phytochemical, histopathology, Nigeria.

The antidiabetic effects of methanol, N-hexane and ethyl acetate leaf fractions of Nauclea latifolia were investigated in diabetic model rats. 150 and 300mg/kg fractions of N. latifolia were administered orally to the experimental animals at two weeks interval, while their blood glucose levels were taken daily. At the end of the experiment, their lipid profiles were assayed using standard methods. The research data indicated significant decreases (P=0.05) of the blood glucose in all the fractions at a dose-dependent manner (ethyl acetate (150 mg/kg = 47.83%; 300 mg/kg = 64.17%), N-hexane (150 mg/kg = 58.45%; 300 mg/kg = 64.18%), methanol (150 mg/kg = 44.5%), except for the 300 mg/kg dose methanol fraction (0.82%) as compared to the increased level in the negative control (33.33%). In the lipid profile assay, there were also a dose dependent significant decrease (P=0.05) of serum Total Cholesterol (TC) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in all the fraction groups (ethylacetate (150 mg/kg- TC = 69.88 ± 8.52 mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol = 8.23±7.76 mg/dl; 300 mg/kg-TC = 51.08±9.93 mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol = 6.44±7.66 mg/dl), N-hexane (150 mg/kg-TC = 73.16 ± 18.62mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol = 33.24±16.19 mg/dl; 300 mg/kg-TC = 69.78±8.41 mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol = 9.29±5.62 mg/dl and methanol (150 mg/kg; TC = 116.86 ± 13.34 mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol = 50.68±14.13 mg; 300 mg/kg-TC = 108.66 ± 12.77 mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol = 42.09±9.93mg/dl) as compared to the high concentration of the negative control group (TC = 383.76 ± 79.68 mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol = 299.46 ± 79.23 mg/dl). Ethylacetate and N-hexane fractions showed significant reductions (P=0.05) of TC and LDL-cholesterol as compared to the positive control (TC=116.36±14.69 mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol = 32.06±13.23mg/dl) also at a dose-dependent manner; thus, portraying a more efficient hypolipidaemic activity than the standard drug. This antidiabetic research on N. latifolia suggest that ethylacetate fraction produces the best effect, followed by N-hexane and lastly by methanol fraction. Key words: Nauclea latifolia, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, methanol, leaf fractions, glibenclamide, antidiabetic, blood glucose, lipid profile.

Some herbal antiplasmodial plants have not been investigated for their hepatotoxic and glycogen lowering effects in experimental malaria models. We investigated the histochemical and immunohistochemical effects of ethanolic leaves extract of Nauclea latifolia (NL) an antiplasmodial plant on the liver of experimental prophylactic malaria mice. Twenty (20) mice (20-24 g) were grouped after acclimatization as follows: group A administered normal saline for 3 days, then inoculated with Plasmodium berghei (Pb); group B received 500 mg per kg body weight extract for 3 days then infected with Pb; group C received 1000 mg per weight extract for 3 days then infected with Pb; group D received 5 mg per kg body weight Artemether/lumefantrine (AL) for 3 days then infected with Pb. Extracts and drug were administered orally via oro-gavage needle. Inoculums of Pb at 1x106 were injected intraperitoneally and were subsequently monitored for 72 hrs, then fasted over night, and humanely sacrificed with liver tissues excised and processed for light microscopy. Result of routine hematoxylin and eosin stain in Figure 1 revealed that group A had the most heptocellular distortions and inflammation with prominent hyperplasia compared to extract and drug treated groups (groups B - D); in figure 2 periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) showed that group A had moderate PAS expression of glycogen stores; extract groups had depleted glycogen stores compared to group D – the AL group had more glycogen stores. In figure 3 the cytokeratin-7 showed that groups A - C had moderate positivity, while group D was mild/lower. In conclusion NL ethanolic leaf extract is moderately hepatoprotective in a dose dependent manner, but decreased periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) expression of glycogen granules and moderately up-regulated cytokeratin-7 in experimental prophylaxis malaria mice.

The purpose of this work is to evaluate antiprolifertive and DPPH radical scavenging activities of aqueous extracts from Morinda lucida Smith, Klainedoxa gabonensis Pierre ex Engl, Tephrosia vogelii Hook f and Nauclea latifolia Sm. The antiproliferative activity of the aqueous extract of each of the four species was evaluated in vitro on a cancer cell line (U87-MG) and a normal cell line (Hek-293) using the MTT assay. The antiradicalar activity was evaluated by measuring the scavenger capacity of the DPPH radical. Phytochemical analyzes of the extract were performed by thin layer chromatography and HPLC-PDA. The aqueous extracts of Klainedoxa gabonenis and Tephrosia vogelii showed antiproliferative activity against U87-MG cancer cells with IC50 values below 90 μg / ml. The aqueous extract of Klainedoxa gabonenis also showed remarkable antiradical activity (IC50 = 4± 0,73 μg/ml). In addition, the treatment of U87-MG cancer cells by both the aqueous extract of Klainedoxa gabonensis (100 μg / ml) and by an MEK protein inhibitor (1 μM) causes a total suppression of U87-cell proliferation. MG (glioblastoma). HPLC-PDA analysis of the aqueous extract Klainedoxa gabonenis showed the presence of gallic acid compounds (41.9%) and Quercetin (2.17%).: Our study identified two medicinal plants with antiproliferative properties among the four Congolese herbal medicines evaluated, one with both anti-proliferative and antiradical properties. Le but de ce travail est d’evaluer les proprietes antiproliferative et antiradicalaire des extraits aqueux de quatre plantes medicinales congolaises dont Morinda lucida, Klainedoxa gabonensis, Tephrosia vogelii et Nauclea latifolia. L’activite antiproliferative de l’extrait aqueux de chacune des quatre especes a ete evaluee in vitro sur une lignee cellulaire cancereuse (U87-MG) et une lignee cellulaire normale (Hek-293) en utilisant le test MTT. L’activite antiradicalaire a ete evaluee en mesurant la capacite de piegeage du radical DPPH. Des analyses phytochimiques des extraits ont ete realisees par chromatographie sur couche mince et par HPLC-PDA. Les extraits aqueux de Klainedoxa gabonenis et de Tephrosia vogelii ont montre une activite antiproliferative contre les cellules cancereuses U87-MG avec des valeurs de CI50 inferieures a 90 µg/ml. L’extrait aqueux de Klainedoxa gabonenis a montre egalement une activite antiradicalaire remarquable (CI50 = 4 ± 0,73 µg/ml) .En plus, le traitement des cellules cancereuses U87-MG a la fois par l’extrait aqueux de Klainedoxa gabonensis (100 µg/ml) et par un inhibiteur de la proteine MEK (1µM) provoque une suppression totale de la proliferation des cellules U87-MG (glioblastome). L’analyse en HPLC–PDA de l’extrait aqueux Klainedoxa gabonenis a montre la presence des composes de type acide gallique (41, 9 %) et quercetine (2,17 %). Notre etude a permis d’identifier deux plantes medicinales aux proprietes antiproliferatives parmi les quatre plantes medicinales congolaises evaluees dont une possedant a la fois les proprietes antiproliferative et antiradicalaire.

International audience

Wound healing occupies a significant and growing field of research in the current trends of biomedical sciences. The wound healing process is highly complicated and becomes more complex in nature when it is linked with the diabetic state, which single-handedly is a global health substantial burden. A prominent feature associated with diabetes complications is diabetic foot ulcer. As a result of diabetic glycation and the associated complications, wound healing remains a therapeutic challenge. Especially in the elderly, the treatment for these wounds is fast becoming a major financial challenge as it consumes a great deal of healthcare resources. Treatments available today for these wounds are very expensive, hence the shift to traditional, complementary, and alternative therapy from plant sources, and has gained wide acceptance rising from the availability of scientific evidences that have continuously confirmed folklore especially in Africa and Asia. This chapter presents an overview of how medicinal plants and other natural products have been used to treat diabetes, and wounds with special focus on Nauclea latifolia and Manihot esculenta.

Nauclea latifolia (Karmadoda) is a shrub, spread throughout tropical and savanna regions of Africa and Asia. It is rich in sugars, fibre and proteins with high lysine. As well as, it is very rich in ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and energy value. Moreover, the mineral profile is high in manganese, calcium and iron, while amino acids are rich in arginine, leucine and valine. In Sudan, the fruit is eaten fresh, as a juice with sugars or dried naturally and used afterward. Traditionally, it is use as medicine for the treatment of malaria, hypertension and diabetes, besides numerous diseases. The medicinal possessions are due to the pharmaceutical compounds like polyphenols, saponin and alkaloids. Nauclea latifolia showed different pharmacological components provide therapeutic alternative to reduction and treatment of several diseases.

Three previously undescribed indole alkaloids, named latifolianine A (1) and latifoliaindoles A and B (2 and 3), along with 10 known compounds (4-13), were isolated from the heartwood of Nauclea latifolia. Their structures were elucidated based on the analysis of their NMR and MS data. Latifolianine A (1) represents an unusual and unprecedented monoterpene indole alkaloid unit condensed with an ursane-type pentacyclic triterpenoid moiety. Plausible biogenetic routes toward latifolianine A (1) and latifoliaindoles A and B (2 and 3) were proposed. All the isolates were assessed in vitro for their inhibitory effects on Haemophilus influenzae. Naucleidinal (7) exhibited potent antibacterial activity (MIC value of 3.1 mug/mL) as compared to a reference drug, ciprofloxacin (MIC value of 1.6 mug/mL).

There are a large number of plants whose anthelmintic activity has been demonstrated under controlled experimentation, either through feeding the whole plant or administering plant extracts to parasitised hosts. However, contrary to traditional expectation, there are also a great number of plants with purported antiparasitic properties, which have not been reproduced under experimental conditions. Studies on the helminthicidal activities of leaf extract of Mangifera indica+root extract of Nauclea latifolia in mice was designed to determine their efficacies against intestinal helmithes. Sixty Swiss albino mice maintained conventionally were selected randomly from laboratory animal house. The collected faecal samples were examined by simple faecal flotation techniques for isolation of parasitic eggs and/or oocysts. 42 (70.0%) of the mice under study were infected with at least one gastro intestinal parasite. The leaf extract of Mangifera indica+root extract of Nauclea latifolia was prepared by boiling in tap water. Graded concentrations (100%, 50%, 25% and 12.5%) of stock that was produce in Tetfund Zoology Laboratory of Osun State University was tested against both mice of different weights and sexes for helminthicidal efficacy. LC50 of the extract value obtained was found to be 75 mg/l in both big and small mice. Prevalence of gastrointestinal infections reduced with increased concentration of extract. Statistical analysis using analysis of variance indicated that there was a significant difference in the means of the treatment concentrations and the rates of prevalence of gastrointestinal infections in the sampled mice. The results of this research showed that the leaf extract of Mangifera indica+root extract of Nauclea latifolia are highly active against intestinal helminths in the sampled mice. The extract action also had significant influence (p>0.05) on the time of exposure of mice and the rate of prevalence. The safety of the leaf extract of Mangifera indica+root extract of Nauclea latifolia on vital organs of humans may need to be investigated to determine its safety on humans.

Lead toxicity is a worldwide problem that needs to be ameliorated with harmless or less toxic medications contrary to available drugs. As such, ameliorated effects of methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts of N. latifolia fruit (NLF) was assessed on haematological parameters and lung histology of lead acetate induced toxicity rats after acute toxicological study and phenolics analysis of the extracts. Seven groups of Wistar rats comprising of 5 rats each were used for the study. Dosages of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of both extracts NLF were administered orally to four of the groups while two groups were administered 100 mg/kg bw. of silymarin and 2 mL/kg bw. of normal saline (Untreated) followed with control group for 14 days. Phenolics contents (mg/g) of both extracts showed the following order; tannins < flavonoids < total phenols (9.29 < 10.02 < 23.82) and (10.72 < 18.09 < 61.39) for both methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts of NLF respectively with LD50 > 2000 mg/kg bw. Significant depression of PCV, RBC, MCHC, HB, MCV, MCH, platelet counts, neutrophils and lymphocytes counts with elevation of WBC were observed in untreated group when compared with non-toxic control group. The administration of both extracts of NLF at 150 and 300 mg/kg bw. were capable of reverting the haematological changes in lead acetate induced toxicity rats with minimal injury to the lung tissues. Therefore, methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts of NLF can restore haematological abnormalities as well as sustain the integrity of the lung tissues of the experimental rats. Hence, phenolics content of N. latifolia fruit can be exploited further for drug development for the management of lead toxicity.