Triclisinone (2), a new ochnaflavone derivative, was isolated from the aerial parts of Triclisia gilletii, along with known drypemolundein B (1) and eight other known compounds. The chemical shifts of drypemolundein B (1) have been partially revised based on reinterpretation of NMR spectroscopic data. The eight other secondary metabolites are composed of: (+)-nonacosan-10-ol (3); stigmasterol (4), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosylsitosterol (5), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosylstigmasterol (6); oleanic acid (7); myricetin (8), quercetin (9) and 3-methoxyquercetin (10). Their structures were elucidated using IR, MS, NMR 1D and 2D, ¹H and ¹³C and comparison with literature data. Furthermore, compounds 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 and the crude extract were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Compounds 1, 2, 8 and 9 displayed moderate to very good activity against resistant strain (codified AC 45) of M. tuberculosis with minimum inhibitory concentrations MICs ranging from 3.90 to 62.5 μg/mL.

A new C-glycosylflavone, apigenin 7-methyl ether 6-C-[β-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-glucopyranoside] named distemonanthoside was isolated from the stem bark of Distemonanthus benthamianus Baill., Fabaceae, along with six known compounds, sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 4-methoxygallic acid, syringic acid, quercetin, 6"-O-acetylvitexin, quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. The structures of those compounds and others were determined through spectral analyses. Compounds distemonanthoside, sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 4-methoxygallic acid and quercetin were tested against a clinical isolate strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis AC 45; they exhibited good to moderate antitubercular activities with MIC values ranged from 31.25 to 125 µg/ml

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has revolutionized the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS by overall improving their quality of life and increasing life expectancy. However, ART-associated hepatotoxicity and metabolic disorders in HIV/AIDS patients are growing concerns to clinicians, especially due to the long-term use of the drugs. This study reported on the phytochemical and pharmacological profile of hydroethanolic extracts of Piper nigrum stem (PNS) and evaluated its protective effect against tenofovir/lamivudine/efavirenz (TLE)-induced hepatotoxicity and dyslipidemia in Wistar rats. Cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory assays were performed on PNS. Thirty-six rats divided into 6 groups of 6 animals/group were administered: distilled water, 17 mg/kg TLE, 17 mg/kg TLE and 100 mg/kg silymarin, 17 mg/kg TLE, and Piper extract (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, or 800 mg/kg) orally for 28 days. The body weight of animals was recorded every 7 days. On Day 29, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical tests. Portions of the liver and kidneys were collected for histological evaluation, while liver homogenates were prepared from the rest to measure antioxidant enzymes. PNS possessed in vitro cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. A significant decrease in the body weight of rats treated with PNS was observed. A significant high platelet count was observed in the PNS800 mg/kg group. A considerable decrease in alkaline phosphatase and triglycerides was observed in the silymarin and PNS group compared to the TLE-only group. The findings also show a significant increase in catalase and glutathione in the TLE-only group compared to the normal group, while SOD decreased. Histological observations revealed normal hepatic and renal tissues in the silymarin, and PNS-treated groups compared to the normal control, while leucocyte infiltration was observed in the TLE-only group. These results suggest that PNS extract possessed antioxidant activity that alleviated TLE-induced toxicity. Further studies are necessary to understand the pharmacokinetic interactions between ART and PNS.

Context: The roots of Lophira lanceolata Van Tiegh. Ex Keay (Ochnaceae) have numerous medicinal values in the Central African region. Even though the MeOH extract of the roots has shown antimycobacterial activities, the constituents responsible for this inhibitory activity remain unknown. Objective: Phytochemical investigation of the MeOH root extract of L. lanceolata and determination of the antimycobacterial activities of that extract and constituents against the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Materials and methods: Column chromatography was used to provide bioactive phytoconstituents. Those compounds were elucidated using MS and NMR spectroscopic data. Antimycobacterial screening of the extract (4.882–5000 µg/mL in DMSO during 24 h at 37 °C) and isolated compounds (0.244–250 µg/mL in DMSO during 24 h at 37 °C) was performed by microplate alamar blue assay (MABA) against two mycobacterial strains. Results: The investigation of L. lanceolata MeOH roots extract provided of mixture of unseparated biflavonoids with a newly described one, dihydrolophirone A (1a) associated to lophirone A (1b). The bioactive compounds that effectively inhibited the growth of M. tuberculosis AC45 were found to be compounds 1 and 2. They exhibited MIC values of 31.25 and 15.75 µg/mL, respectively, and their MIC was found to be 62.5 µg/mL against resistant strain AC83. Discussion and conclusions: It is clearly evident from the results obtained that the mycobacterial activity of L. lanceolata could be related mainly to its steroid and flavonoid contents. Therefore, this study suggests the potential of the above-mentioned classes of compounds as promising candidate agents for developing new anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) complex, resposible for health problems in developing countries. In Africa, various medicinal plants are traditionally used to treat TB. The aim of this study is to carry out the phytochemical screening, to evaluate the antimycobacterial activity of the crude extracts of three medicinal plants present in Cameroon (Zingiber officinale, Vitellaria paradoxa and Alstonia boonei) and the acute toxicity of hydroethanolic extract of Vitellaria paradoxa. The phytochemical screening was obtained by hydroethanolic extraction and decoction. Inhibitory parameters of antimycobacterial activities were determined using the microplate alamar blue assay against M. tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC 27294) and on one M. tuberculosis clinical strain. The crude extract with the best antimycobacterial activity was used for the acute toxicity assessment according to the OECD protocol. The results of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of triterpenes and steroids in all the extracts, whereas phenols were only present in the decoction of Alstonia boonei. All extracts tested showed antimycobacterial activities. The hydroethanolic extract of V. paradoxa presented the best antimycobacterial activity with MICs of 78.13 and 625 μg/mL and MBCs of 78.13 and 2500 μg/mL respectively on M. tuberculosis H37Rv and on M. tuberculosis clinical strain. The results of the acute toxicity evaluation of V. paradoxa showed a lethal dose 50 greater than 5000 mg/kg compared to control. The antimycobacterial activity of all the plant extracts used in this study justifies the traditional use of these medicinal plants on the treatment of TB. Keywords: Zingiber officinale, Vitellaria paradoxa, Alstonia boonei, Phytochemical screening, Antimycobacterial activity, Acute toxicity.

The chemical investigation of the extract of the dried leaves of Rauvolfia caffra (Sond) (synonym Rauvolfia macrophylla) (Apocynaceae) led to isolation of a new glycoside derivative, rauvolfianine (1) as well as six known compounds: oleanolic acid (2), sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), betulinic acid (4), vellosimine (5), sarpagine (6) and D-fructofuranosyl-β-(2→1)-α-D-glucopyranoside (7). Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 were evaluated for antitubercular activity. Compounds 1 and 2 were the most active (MIC = 7.8125 and 31.25 μg/mL) towards the Isoniazid resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis AC45. Their structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.