Extracts from the roots of Ononis spinosa L. (restharrow roots) are traditionally used for the treatment of patients with urinary tract infections due to its mild diuretic activity, caused by the inhibition of renal human hyaluronidase-1 by isoflavonoids. Preliminary studies also indicated anti-inflammatory effects. The following study aimed at investigating potential anti-inflammatory effects of restharrow extracts, prepared with solvents of different polarity. A dichloromethane extract (OS1), mainly composed of isoflavonoids and triterpenes as characterized by LC-MS, showed a concentration-dependent (25–100 μg/ml) inhibition of IL-8 and TNF-α release from LPS-stimulated human neutrophils. Significant inhibition was also found for the triterpene α-onocerin and the norneolignan clitorienolactone B, isolated from OS1. Further, OS1 and both compounds significantly decreased the expression of the adhesion molecules CD11b/CD18 and conversely increased the expression of CD62L in LPS-stimulated human neutrophils. This finding corresponds to a reduced inflammatory response by the inhibition of adhesion and migration of immune cells. As all of the observed effects are potentially mediated via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling, TLR4 transfected HEK293 cells were incubated with OS1. LPS-induced IL-8 secretion was significantly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner, confirming TLR4 antagonism. This inhibition, however, was in part caused by an interaction of OS1 with LPS. In addition, also an aqueous extract containing high amounts of isoflavonoid glycosides and saponins from the roots of O. spinosa showed anti-inflammatory effects by interacting with the TLR4 signaling pathway. This study rationalizes the traditional use of extracts from O. spinosa for therapy of urinary tract infections, due to its potential anti-inflammatory effects that are mediated via TLR4 receptor antagonism.

Diabetes is a disease characterized by high post-prandial glucose levels, which lead to other complications such as peripheral end organ damage. The use of enzyme inhibitors in the management of Type-2 diabetes ensure the control of blood glucose levels via the control of carbohydrate metabolism. The use of standard agents such as acarbose is associated with unwanted side effects hence the need to investigate other sources of antihyperglycemic agents. Propolis, a natural substance from bees, possesses diverse biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties. However, the phytochemical content of propolis and its extracts may vary depending on the geographical area, the solvent of extraction and type of bees. This study represents the first attempt to compare different extracts of propolis from the same source in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, the effect of solvent and source of Ghanaian propolis on parameters such as the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, chromatographic profile, antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory effects were investigated with the aim of identifying and characterizing the most promising extract, which could be of direct or indirect benefit in the management of Type-2 diabetes. Combinations of water, ethanol-water and ethanol extracts were prepared from propolis from three regions. Phytochemical screening was performed on the extracts after which the Folin Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride colorimetric assay were used to estimate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents respectively. Antioxidant potential of extracts was estimated using DPPH and phosphomolybdenum assays. In-vitro α-amylase inhibition assay was used to investigate hypoglycemic effect of the extracts. Statistical tools such as ANOVA, principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis employed to determine sources of variations within the data obtained, to classify the extracts based on activity and to predict the most effective extract. This extract was then subjected to UHPLC-Q-TOF MS/MS and GC–MS techniques to characterize the constituents. Chemometric analysis of the data obtained showed that the variations in the data could be explained by both propolis source and extraction solvent. Though ethanol extracts generally contained more constituents, the more notable activities were in the ethanol-water extracts. The ethanol-water extract of Bono East propolis (EWBE) was the most potent DPPH radical scavenger (IC₅₀ of 149.37 ± 2.90 µg/mL as compared to 116.60 ± 0.93 µg/mL GAE standard). It was also one of the three extracts which were more potent than acarbose (369.89 µg/mL) in the α-amylase inhibition assay. The predominant constituents from the LC-MS dereplication of EWBE were caffeic acid and flavonoid derivatives whilst 5,5-dimethyl-1-oxa-5 silacyclononanone-9 was the most significant active constituent identified through the GC–MS analysis. The identified constituents are known to have strong antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. The effects of source and solvent of extraction on the biological and physicochemical properties of propolis in Ghana have been quantified using statistical tools. The combined biological effects of propolis suggest a possible role in their usage in the management of type-2-diabetes and its related complications. Ethanol-water extracts were the most promising with EWBE showing the strongest antihyperglycemic activity. Such extracts represent leads towards further research into toxicity and formulation in order to develop safe and useful products for the management of type-2 diabetes.

Tomato paste is the most consumed tomato product on the Ghanaian market, the majority of which are imported into the country. This food product is easily adulterated, and thus, routine quality checks are necessary. Therefore, the current study is aimed at assessing the quality of eight tomato paste products on the Ghanaian market and checking for the presence of starch and artificial colourant erythrosine as possible adulterants. Routine quality metrics such as the pH, titratable acidity, total solids, and total soluble solids were assessed using standard methods. An HPLC method was employed to detect the presence of the colourant erythrosine, whereas starch content was determined by an enzymatic method using α‐amylase and then amyloglucosidase. Fifty percent of the products did not qualify to be called tomato paste based on total solid estimation. All the sampled products contained some amount of starch, with three having more than 10 g/100 g of this thickener. Additionally, the banned colourant erythrosine was detected in two of the products. All other parameters were consistent with regulatory standards. The present study has shown that some tomato paste products on the Ghanaian market contain additives that are not permitted under any circumstance and fall short of regulatory standards.

Background: Ischuria is a health and social problem, having a negative impact on sufferers. This study therefore was a preliminary investigation of the ischuretic property and safety for use of a hydro-ethanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus used traditionally in managing ischuria. Methods: Phytochemical screening, thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography were performed on the extract to establish fingerprints for identification. Acetylcholine, Nicotine, and the extract were applied to an isolated rat urinary bladder to ascertain contractile response. The possible receptor site(s) of action was also investigated using isolated rabbit jejunum, and guinea-pig ileum preparations. In-house observation, hematological analysis, and liver and kidney function tests were performed on Sprague-Dawley rats, in acute and sub-acute toxicity studies. Results: The extract had contractile effects on the rat urinary bladder (similar to acetylcholine and nicotine) and rabbit jejunum. Its contractile effect of the guinea-pig ileum was significantly inhibited by hexamethonium (77.50 ± 8.50 %; P ≤ 0.001) and to a lesser extent by mepyramine (49.2 ± 6.80 %; P ≤ 0.001) and Atropine (22.45 ± 5.22 %; P ≤ 0.01). The extract (80-800 mg kg-1) was not lethal and a 160 and 240 mg kg-1 dose had no adverse effect on blood, liver, kidney metabolic function. Conclusions: The hydro-ethanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus has ischuretic activity possibly mediated via nicotinic, histaminic and muscarinic receptor stimulation and is safety to use in ischuria. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2013; 2(5.000): 517-527