Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous and Hydroethanolic Extracts from Three Anticancerous Fabaceae of Northern Cameroon Pharmacopoeia

Background: Cancer continues to pose a significant threat to our society, representing one of the most pressing health concerns worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and the antioxidant activity of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts from Acacia nilotica (An), Bauhinia reticulate (Br), and Tamarindus indica (Ti) of Fabaceae family, traditionally used in Northern Cameroon for cancer treatment. Methods: The phytochemical screening of the three plants was conducted using conventional colorimetric methods, followed by the measurement of total phenol content, flavonoids, and tannins. The antiradical and antioxidant activities of both plant extracts were assessed through FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH methods. A principal components analysis was employed to correlate the quantities of the evaluated secondary metabolites with the activities. Results: Both types of extracts from the three plants contain alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, coumarins, anthocyanins, and anthraquinones. The aqueous extracts of Br and An are significantly richer (p Conclusion: The three Fabaceae plants from northern Cameroon, prepared in different solvents, can be utilized for their antiradical properties in cancer treatment.

Acute Oral Toxicity and Vasorelaxant Effects of Hydroethanolic Extract from Lannea microcarpa Engl. & K. Krause (Anacardiaceae) Trunk Barks in Mice Aortas: Possible Involvement of Intracellular Ca 2+ Mobilization

Lannea microcrapa Engl. & K. Krause (Anacardiaceae) is a fruit and medicinal plant widely used in Burkina Faso. This plant is traditionally used in the treatment of hypertension. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the vasorelaxant effects of the hydroethanolic extract from Lannea microcarpa trunk barks (HE_ELM) on the aorta isolated from NMRI mice. Phytochemical screening by HPTLC, assay of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, assessment of antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and LPO), and myography of HE_ELM (1 - 2000 μg/mL) on mice thoracic aortas in the presence and absence of endothelium were carried out. Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independant vasodilation were assessed by cumulative addition of Ach (1 nM - 10 μM) on aortic rings precontracted with the thromboxane analogue A2 agonist, 9,11-dideoxy9α,11α-methanoepoxy PGF2α (U46619). L-NAME was used to verify the involvement of NO production in the relaxation mechanism of the extract. Acute oral toxicity of HE_ELM was also evaluated. A phytochemical study revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, sterols and triterpenes, saponosides, and high levels of total phenolics and flavonoids. These compounds are thought to be responsible for the extract’s antioxidant and vasorelaxant properties. HE_ELM demonstrated significant antioxidant potential and induced aortic relaxation. Indeed, pharmacological parameters gave EC50 values ranging from 596.45 ± 95.82 μg/mL to 749.48 ± 133.40 μg/mL and Emax values from 85.51% ± 9.59% to 96.81% ± 8.60% for the three conditions of vasodilation of the extract (p > 0.05). A complete antagonism of the contractile effect of U46619 was noted with 1 mg/mL HE_ELM. These results suggest that HE_ELM induces aortic relaxation through a concentration-dependent, endothelium-independent mechanism, possibly involving intracellular calcium mobilization of vascular cells. Acute oral toxicity tests of HE_ELM (2000 mg/kg) showed no mortality or adverse effects, suggesting the extract’s safety and potential as a therapeutic agent for hypertension. This discovery scientifically validates the use of the plant in alternative medicine to treat hypertension.

Effect of Poria cocos Hydroethanolic Extract on Treating Adriamycin-Induced Rat Model of Nephrotic Syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Poria cocos(Schw.) Wolf hydroethanolic extract(PHE) against nephrotic syndrome(NS) in rats and to identify the potential active components from PHE. Methods: The high content compounds were isolated and purified by using column chromatography followed by preparative highperformance liquid chromatography(p-HPLC). Forty male Wistar rats with adriamycin(ADR)-induced NS were randomly divided into 5 groups, 8 in each group: model control group, positive control group(with prednisone treatment), PHE low-dose group, PHE middle-dose group and PHE high-dose group. Another 8 rats were recruited as vehicle control group. All rats received the intragastric administration of corresponding drugs or saline for 30 days. During the experimental period, rats’ behavior and appearance were observed and recorded daily, and their body weights were recorded weekly. After treatment, 24-h urine samples were collected to evaluate the urine protein and urine creatinine(Ucr); then the rats were sacrificed to collect carotid blood and to determine the levels of serum total protein(TP), albumin(Alb), globulin(Glo), total cholesterol(TC) and cytokine interlukin-4(IL-4). Results: Six acidic components were isolated and identified from the PHE section: pachymic acid, 15α-hydroxydehydrotumulosic acid, trametenolic acid, dehydropachymic acid, 3β-hydroxy-lanosta-7,9(11), 24-trien-21-oic-acid and dehydroeburicoic acid. Compared with the model control group, the urine protein content were significantly decreased in the PHE treatment groups and positive control group(P<0.05), especially PHE middle-dose group(P<0.01). The Ucr values and serum levels of TP, Glo, TC and IL-4 in PHE low-and middle-dose groups were also presented obvious recover tendency as compared with the model control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, positive control group and all PHE groups indicated no significant therapeutic effect on raising Alb value, although PHE low-and middle-dose treatment groups showed better outcomes than positive control group(P>0.05). Conclusions: PHE showed an encouraging therapeutic effect against ADR-induced NS in a rat model. PHE might be a group of effective substances for the treatment of NS.

Effect of Artemisia annua L. as Substitute to Sulfonamides (Sodium Sulfadimerzine) on Coccidiosis and Growth Performance in Rabbits

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria which seriously affects young rabbits. Treatment based on the use of anticoccidial drugs is increasingly ineffective due to the rapid emergence of resistant strains of coccidia and the high cost of drugs. Consumer demand for rabbit products without chemical residues led to a growing interest in the use of medicinal plants as an alternative treatment for coccidiosis. The present study was carried out during the period of August to December 2020 to assess the anticoccidial effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of leaves of Artemisia annua L., in young rabbits. The antiparasitic efficacy of Artemisia extract was tested on 15 young rabbits (whose age varied between 7 and 9 weeks) divided into 5 lots of 3 animals. The average weight of these animals was 790 g. The results of this study show that the feces samples and the weight of young rabbits before administration of the treatment and the coprological examination (every 7 days for 4 weeks) show a fecal excretion reduction rate (FECRT) of 55.13% in the lot treated by sulfonamide. On the other hand, in animals received treatments extract of the leaves of Artemisia annua L., the average FECRT is evaluated at 69.64%, 79.22%, and 96.36% for respective doses of 400, 800 and 1200 mg/kg bodyweight and proves their anticoccidial effect. Furthermore, the variation in mean Eggs Per Gram (EPG) of coccidia and the average weekly weight gain (AWWG) of each lot were significant in the lots treated with hydro-ethanolic extract (P 0.05). The greatest reductions in oocystal excretion and weight gain obtained were those of lot 5, treated at 1200 mg/kg of hydro-ethanolic leaves extract of Artemisia annua L.

Hepato-Preventive Effects of Hydroethanolic Leaves Extract of <i>Persea</i>Americana, Mill (Lauraceae) “Avocado” against Antouka Super^®Induced Damage in Male Japanese Quail (<i>Coturnix coturnix</i>Japonica)

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of Hydroethanolic leaves extract of Persea americana (HEPA) against Antouka Super®(AS) induced hepatotoxicity in male Japanese quail. In total, 40 immature male Japanese quails aged 28 days were used and divided equally into 5 groups. The groups were designed as the control group (received only a 10 ml/kg of distilled water) and the AS group (75 mg/kg b.w). Other three groups received AS (75 mg of AS/kg b.w) plus HEPA (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b.w/day respectively) by the oral route. After 60 days of the experiment, the crushed liver was performed to obtain homogenate. The protective effects of HEPA on the biochemical parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers and histology changes in the liver were evaluated. The results indicated that AS treatment caused significant alterations in the clinical signs and behavior. It induces the increase in the content of Urea, Creatinine, Protein, AST and ALT in liver tissues and serum. The activities of enzymatic oxidative stress markers such as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD);Catalase (CAT) and Total Peroxidase (POD) also showed significant perturbations in AS-treated quails. Histopathological examination of the liver of AS-treated quails revealed liver lesions characterized by moderate to severe degenerative changes showing a number of hepatocytes undergo fatty changes, focal aggregation of the lymphocytes, multiple necrotic changes and inflammatory infiltrate. The administration of HEPA however, markedly ameliorated the toxicity of AS by protecting the levels of aforesaid biomarkers to near normal levels. These results suggested that HEPA due to its phytochemical constituents with antioxidant properties possesses significant effects against AS-induced toxicity. However, these effects were more pronounced at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw.

Application of solvent pH under pressurized conditions using accelerated solvent extraction and green solvents to extract phytonutrients from wild berries

Berry fruits are known as“superfoods”due to health benefits associated with the high content of bioactive compounds or phytonutrients.Organic extraction solvents are fundamentally volatile compounds acquired from non-renewable resources,i.e petroleum-based solvents are presumed to be harmful to both human health and the environment.Owing to the new emphasis on environmental and safety protections and the development of green chemistry,finding alternative solvents to replace the organic ones has recently become a major concern.Indeed,there is a great interest in the scientific community to develop a suitable green approach to allow the extraction and recovery of the bioactive phytonutrients from berry sources for applications in improving human health and nutrition.In this study,the phytonutrient composition of three popular wild berries:blueberry(Vaccinium angustifolium),partridgeberry(Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.)and Rosehipberry(Rosa canina),were evaluated following extraction using biphasic green solvents at pH 2.5,7.0,and 11.5 under pressurized conditions using Accelerated Solvent Extraction(ASE)system.The total phenolic content and composition,antioxidant activity,vitamin and mineral content of the berry extracts were evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu assay,Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay(FRAP),Ultra-High-pressure Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(UHPLC-MS)and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS),respectively.The highest total antioxidant activity(p≤0.05)and phenolic content were observed in rosehip berry followed by blueberry and partridgeberry in the hydroethanolic extracts at pH 11.5.Nevertheless,the highest extraction efficiency of total fat-soluble vitamins(FSV)and total B vitamins were also observed in the hydroethanolic extract at pH 11.5.Both in rosehipberry and partridgeberry the highest vitamin C content was observed in hydroethanolic extract at pH 11.5,whereas in blueberry it was observed in the pH 2.5 hydroethanolic extract.In the present study,results demonstrated that using the green solvent system(hydroethanolic,70:30 v/v)at alkaline pH(11.5)as a pressurized fluid in the ASE system provided significant recovery of phytonutrients from wild berries.This green environmentally friendly system of extraction could represent a suitable alternative for the preparation of food grade or green solvent-based extracts for applications in the food and nutraceutical industry.