Characterization and Quantification of Phenolic Compounds of Hydroethanolic Extracts and Fractions of Leaves Gnetum africanum (Welv.) and Gnetum buchholzianum (Engl.) (Gnetaceae)

Research for bioactive molecules and not resistant to infectious agents remains topical for science. The total polyphenols (TPP) and total flavonoids (TFv) of the hydroethanolic extracts and fractions obtained were quantified according to the spectrophotometric method described in the literature using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and the colorless solutions of sodium nitrite 2.5% and aluminum chloride 10% respectively. The characterization of chemical compounds was made by coupling liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectroscopy (MS). Thus, 15 chemical compounds were characterized, seven from Gnetum africanum (EBa) and eight from Gnetum buchholzianum (EBb). The majority of which were stilbens, such as Gnetupendin D, Dimethoxygnetulin, Methoxyparvifolol D, Isorhaponcitin from Eba and Gnetuhaidin P, Gnetupendin D, Gnetuhainin C, phenols (Alcohol Homovanillyl, Alcohol Erythro guaiacylglycerol-β-O-4'-coniferyl, and Alcohol Homovanillyl from EBb. The minority were flavonoids such as Dimethoxydihydropyraneriodictyol, Dimethoxyeriodictyol (EBa) and Dimethoxydihydropyraneriodictyol, Trimethoxyluteolin (EBb). The levels of total polyphenolics and total flavonoids content were respectively 14.520 ± 0.557 mg EAA/g Extract and 29.870 ± 2.485 mg EQ/g Extract for EBa. The levels of total polyphenolics and total flavonoids content for EBb were respectively 4.560 ± 0.010 mg EAA/g Extract and 2.233 ± 0.251 mg EQ/g Extract. The high levels of flavonoids content respectively 220.200 ± 35.500 and 335.300 ± 57.810 mg EQ/g Extract were shown in Dichlorometan fraction from EBa and EBb. These bioactive compounds identified and total phenolics compounds quantified can be exploited in pharmacological and pharmacokinetical activities to fight against multi-resistant infectious agents and as well as oxidative stress and antiinflammatory diseases.

Evaluation of Subacute Toxicity of Hydroethanolic Extracts Combinations from Gnetum africanum (Welv.) and Gnetum buchholzianum (Engl.) (Genetaceae) Leaves: Two Botanical with Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Potential

This study was conducted to assess the toxic effect of hydroethanolic extract combinations of Gnetum africanum Welv. leaves and Gnetum buchholzianum Engl. (Gnetaceae) in experimental rats to test the validity of the treatment of liver disorders related to oxidative stress. The Combinations (m/m) 50-50 for E2 and 75-25 for E3 of ethanol-water extracts from plant leaves at the respective doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of body weight were used for 32-day toxicity. They were obtained after harvesting leaves, sorting, drying in the air cover for three weeks, and grinding. The resulting powder was doubly macerated with 70% ethanol for 48 hours and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated with the Heidolph-brand rotary rotavapor and each extract obtained was preserved. The administrations were carried out by gavage to wistar, male and non-pregnant female albino rats. In the end, the animals were sacrificed. The serum and organ homogenates were obtained for biochemical, tissue, and histopathological analyses respectively. The analyses revealed insignificant variations at the 5% probability threshold of the weight growth of experimental animals. These variations were found to be statistically significant at the same probability for biochemical and tissue parameters based on the dose of plant extracts and compared to control animals. Histopathological analysis of liver tissue showed leukodate infiltration that indicates extract-induced inflammation of the hepatocytes at the 400 mg/kg dose of body weight in females. However, this infiltration of the cells would have improved the regeneration of hepatocytes justified by the normal rate of transaminases. These results showed that combinations of hydroethanolic extracts of G. africanum and G. buchholzianumare non-toxicand may be potential candidates in the Cameroonian flora medicinal plant database shown in the monitoring of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Comparative Assessment of Phytochemicals, Proximate and Elemental Composition of <i>Gnetum africanum</i>(Okazi) Leaves

The leaves of Gnetum africanum were studied for their proximate (nutrient), mineral (elemental) and phytochemical constituents. All analyses were done using standard analytical procedures and the results obtained showed a moisture content, crude protein, ash content, crude fibre, crude lipids and carbohydrates of 10.9%, 20.12%, 6.70%, 7.10%, 2.79% and 52.39% respectively. The mineral (elemental) analysis showed the presence of sodium, magnessium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganesse, potassium and copper in that order of decreasing concentration while notably absent was chromium and lead in the examined leaves. The phytochemicals detected in the leaves using various selected solvents were alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and tannins with various concentrations while flavonoids, phenols and steroids were totally absent. From the results of the aforementioned analyses, it could be concluded that the leaves of Gnetum africanum contain some beneficial nutrients, mineral elements and secondary metabolites justifying the medicinal status and possible potency of the plant part.

Dynamic Activity of the Ethanolic and Water Extracts of the Leaf of Gnetum africanum, Repeated Treatment on Uterine Muscle Morphology of Rats

Objective To investigate the effect of ethanolic and water extracts of the leaves of Gnetum africanum on the morphology of uterine smooth muscles of rats. Methods Three tolerated doses of the extracts, 10 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 700 mg/kg per day, were obtained from the results of acute toxicity test and administered orally to three respective groups of female rats for 3 d and saline group of rats served as the negative control （0 mg/ml）, 17β-estradiol group of rats served as the positive group, 5 rats per group. Rats from each of the groups were sacrificed on the 4th day and their uteri were carefully isolated and examined. Results The study revealed that both extracts of the leaves of Gnetum africanum influenced the uterine muscle weight and growth of both adult and immature female rats in a similar manner as 17β-estradiol. Conclusion The leaves of Gnetum africanum may be phytoestrogenic and could influence fetal implantation or ova fertilization, therefore, abuse in the use of the leaves of Gnetum africanum as vegetable in some Nigerian meal. Meanwhile this effect is reversible, the plant-extracts could be possibly developed as a female contraceptive to control birth rate.