First isolation of glutinol and a bioactive fraction with good antiinflammatory activity from n-hexane fraction of Peltophorum africanum leaf

Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of different fractions and glutinol(isolated compound),using nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase(COX) inhibition as an indication of anti-inflammatory activity,Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using an in vitro assay determining the inhibition of the activity of pro-inflammatory enzyme model,Cyclooxygenases and inducible nitric oxide synthase are crucial enzymes involved in the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory conditions,Results: Sub-fraction F3.3 that was derived from n-hexane fraction of PA leaves significantly inhibited(P = 0.01) the catalytic activity of COX-2(IC50 = 0.67 μg/m L) better than isolated compound,glutinol(IC50 = 1.22 μg/m L),compound 2(CP2)(IC50 = 1.71 μg/m L) and sub-fraction F3.3.0(IC50 = 1.30 μg/m L),A similar trend was observed in investigation of the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis in RAW 264.7 cells by F3.3,glutinol,CP2 and F3.3.0,Inducible COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase are among potent signalling enzymes that exacerbate inflammation,Conclusions: Bioactive sub-fractions(F3.3 and F3.3.0) derived from the n-hexane fraction of PA had good anti-inflammatory activity,and the isolated compound,and glutinol may be useful as a template for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs.

Solvent-solvent fractionations of Combretum erythrophyllum(Burch.) leave extract: Studies of their antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and cytotoxicity potentials

Objective: To evaluate the biological activities of Combretum erythrophyllum(C. erythrophyllum) leaf extracts against infectious diseases' pathogenesis and their cytotoxicity potentials. Methods: Powdered leaf material(300 g) of C. erythrophyllum was extracted(1:10 w/v) using acetone to obtain the crude extract. Liquid-liquid fractionation was performed on the crude acetone extract(30 g) using solvents of different polarity. The bioautographic method was used to detect the inhibition of bacterial and fungal growth by active compounds present in the crude and fractions. The extracts were then tested on bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; fungal strains: Candida albicans(C. albicans), Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus, by microtitre dilution method for MIC determination. Results: The extracts MIC values ranged between 0.08–2.50 mg/m L against the tested pathogens. Water fraction had the highest activity against bacteria strains, while the fungal assay revealed crude acetone extract and ethyl acetate fraction to be active against C. albicans(1.25 mg/m L), dichloromethane extract against C. albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus(0.16 mg/m L). Extract fractions showed a good antioxidant activity via DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, in the order: ethyl acetate > water > acetone > dichloromethane > hexane. The toxicity level of crude extract and fractions evaluated in Vero monkey kidney cells ranged from 34–223 μg/m L, while doxorubicin(IC_(50) = 7.19 μg/m L) served as the positive control. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the extracts of C. erythrophyllum are safe for medicinal use in folk medicine for treating infectious and stress related diseases.