Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken (Crassulaceae) is used traditionally to treat many ailments.This study characterizes the constituents of B. pinnatum flavonoid-rich fraction (BPFRF) and investigate...

Schumanniophyton magnificum Harms (Rubiaceae) is used traditionally in Nigeria for the treatment of snake bites. Snake venom contains phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) which plays a key role in causing inflammation and pain. To assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the methanol extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum (MESM) leaves through the inhibition of PLA₂ and investigate the compounds responsible for the effect. PLA₂-inhibitory activity of MESM was assessed at concentrations of 0.1–0.8 mg/mL using human red blood cells as substrate. Prednisolone was used as the standard control. MESM was subsequently partitioned using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and aqueous-methanol (90:10 v/v), after which PLA₂-inhibitory activity of the partitions was determined. The best partition was subjected to chromatographic techniques and the fractions obtained were assessed for PLA₂ inhibition at 0.4 mg/mL. Compounds in the most active fraction were determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). MESM significantly inhibited PLA₂ activity at 0.8 mg/mL (44.253%) compared to prednisolone (35.207%). n-Hexane partition (SMP1) proved more active with inhibition of 55.870% observed at 0.1 mg/mL. Fraction 1 (SMF1) showed the highest PLA₂-inhibitory activity of 58.117%. FTIR studies revealed the presence of some functional groups in SMF1, and GC-MS confirmed the presence of 9 compounds which are first reported in this plant. Hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester was identified as the major compound (24.906%). The PLA₂-inhibitory activity of MESM suggests that its compounds may be explored further in monitoring anti-inflammatory genes affected by the venoms.

Lasianthera africana P. Beauv. (Icacinaceae) is a traditional Nigerian medicinal plant used for treatment of ulcers, diarrhea, parasitic infections and diabetes. This study was aimed at characterizing the bioactive principles extractable from the flavonoid-rich fraction of L. africana leaves (LAFRF), and to evaluate its effects on renal and cardiac functions. Isolation, and purification of the LAFRF was achieved using standard methods. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated on DPPH∗ and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). The total flavonoids (281.05 ± 7.44 mg QE/g), were identified, structurally characterized and quantified using high resolution ultra-performance liquid chromatography, in tandem with quadrupole-time-of-flight electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (UPLC-PDA-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS). Fifty Wistar rats of both sexes (110–130 g), were distributed into 10 groups (n = 5). Groups 1 and 2 served as the normal and CCl4 controls respectively. Groups 3A-6B constituted the preventive and curative studies. The effects of the LAFRF at 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg body weight on urea and creatinine concentrations, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) activities of CCl4-intoxicated rats were assessed. The LAFRF displayed remarkable in vitro antioxidant property by scavenging the DPPH∗, with an IC50 of 5.40 ± 0.00 μg/ml which is more potent than the scavenging activity of the ascorbic acid (IC50 of 7.18 ± 0.00 μg/ml), and also effectively reduced Fe3+ to Fe2+ when compared to gallic acid. The UPLC-PDA-QTOF-ESI-MS/MS fingerprint of the LAFRF indicated presence of quercetin (758983.6 mg/kg), rutin (17540.4 mg/kg), luteolin (126524.3 mg/kg), isorhamnetin (197949.0 mg/kg), and other non-phenolic compounds. The LAFRF significantly (p < 0.05) improved renal function, and normalized cardiac enzyme activities in vivo. The ability of the LAFRF to scavenge the DPPH and Fe3+ radicals, improve renal and cardiac functions following CCl4 intoxication shows its potential in the development of alternative therapy for combating oxidative stress-related complications.

Background: Datura stramonium L.(Solanaceae) is used traditionally in west Africa to treat asthma, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, filariasis microbial infections and conjunctivitis. This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of aqueous seed extract ofD. stramonium L.(ASEDS) on Wistar rats.Methods: Thirty Wistar albino rats (180–200 g) were randomized into 6 groups (n = 5). Group 1 received distilled water only. Rats in groups 2–6 were pretreated with 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) Cyclophosphamide orally for 27-days to induce immunosuppression. Thereafter, they received treatment orally for 28 days as follows: Group 2 (distilled water), group 3 (5 mg/kg b.w. Levamisole), groups 4–6 (60, 90 and 120 mg/kg b.w. ASEDS, respectively). HPLC was used to determine major compounds in ASEDS. The effects of ASEDS on immune cells, immunoglobulins A, G and M levels, lipoproteins, and antioxidant status of rats were evaluated.Results: ASEDS indicated high content of Acutumine, Quinine, Catechin, Chlorogenic acid, Gallic acid, Quercetin, Vanillic acid, Luteolin, Formosanin C, Saponin, Cyanidin, Tannic acid, 3-Carene, Limonene and α-terpineol. Cyclophosphamide triggered significant (p < 0.05) reduction in total leucocyte count and differentials, IgA, IgG, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, vitamins A, C and E levels of untreated rats. Administration of ASEDS led to significant (p < 0.05) improvement in immune cell counts, immunoglobulin synthesis, high-density lipoprotein concentration, and antioxidant status of rats in the treated groups.Conclusions: The results obtained from the study showed the immunomodulatory activity of ASEDS, thereby indicating its potential in immunostimulatory drug discovery.

The aim of this research was to investigate the phytochemical composition and antimalarial effects of the methanol extract of Erythrina senegalensis leaves (MEES) and its ameliorative effects on some haematological and biochemical alterations in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Thirty Swiss mice, 18–22 grams were placed in 6 groups of 5 mice. Group 1 served as normal control. Groups 2–6 were infected with P. berghei. Group 2 was untreated while group 3 was treated with 5 mg/kg body weight of chloroquine. Groups 4–6 were treated orally with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.w. of the MEES for 4 days. The percentage parasitaemia, haematological and biochemical parameters were investigated. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of a number of phyto-constituents. The acute toxicity test of the MEES showed no toxicity up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg b. wt. P. berghei infection triggered marked increases in percentage parasitaemia, lipid peroxidation, liver enzymes, kidney function and lipid profile, while the antioxidant and haematological parameters declined in the untreated group. Treatment with the MEES led to significant (p < 0.05) reduction in percentage parasitaemia, lipid peroxidation, liver enzymes, kidney function and lipid profile, and a corresponding increase in antioxidant and haematological parameters, indicating that the MEES reversed complications associated with P. berghei infection.