scholarly journals Cytotoxic Activity of Vernonia mespilifolia Less Used in the Folk Medicine in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Author(s):  
Jeremiah Oshiomame Unuofin ◽  
Gloria Aderonke Otunola ◽  
Anthony Jide Afolayan

Vernonia mespilifolia is widely used in folk medicine in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of the acetone, aqueous and ethanol extracts of Vernonia mespilifolia using brine shrimp hatchability and lethality assay. The result showed hatching success in this order: aqueous extract (48.6%) > acetone extract (38.2%) > ethanol extract (26.8%). The LC50 of the lethality assay were in this order: acetone extract (67.8 µg/mL) > aqueous extract (132 µg/mL) > ethanol extract (383 µg/mL). According to Meyer’s toxicity index (using brine shrimps), LC50 < 1000 µg/ mL is toxic. Therefore, the results of the three solvent extracts could be said to be toxic as do have LC50 < 1000 µg/ mL. However, the toxicity of the crude extracts could suggest or confer some antitumor properties, hence further in vitro, in vivo and antitumour assays are recommended to further substantiate these claims.

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cromwell Mwiti Kibiti ◽  
Anthony Jide Afolayan

<p class="Abstract"><em>Bulbine abyssinica</em> is widely used in folk medicine in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal and toxicity potentials of essential oil, acetone and aqueous extracts of this species using standard procedures and brine shrimp test, respectively. The results showed that the species was active against the growth of <em>Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum</em> and<em> Trichophyton rubrum</em> among the evaluated opportunistic fungi. The toxicity results showed that the lowest cysts hatching success was observed with the essential oil, then acetone extract, with aqueous extract exhibiting the highest hatching success. Based on the criterion of toxicity indices of the lethality test, all the plant fractions exhibited LD<sub>50</sub> values greater than 1 mg/mL hence are non-toxic. These findings indicate that <em>B. abyssinica</em> is a good source of antifungal agents.</p><p> </p>


Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 2759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Odeyemi ◽  
Graeme Bradley

The use of medicinal plants for the management of diabetes mellitus is on the rise in the developing countries, including South Africa. There is increasing scientific evidence that supports the claims by the traditional healers. In this review, we compare the families of previously reported anti-diabetic plants in the Eastern Cape by rating the anti-diabetic activity, mode of action and also highlight their therapeutic potentials based on the available evidence on their pharmacology and toxicity. Forty-five plants mentioned in ethnobotanical surveys were subjected to a comprehensive literature search in the available electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Elsevier, by using “plant name” and “family” as the keywords for the primary searches to determine the plants that have been scientifically investigated for anti-diabetic activity. The search returned 25 families with Asteraceae highly reported, followed by Asphodelaceae and Alliaceae. Most of the plants have been studied for their anti-diabetic potentials in vivo and/or in vitro, with most of the plants having a higher percentage of insulin release and inhibition against carbohydrate digesting enzymes as compared with insulin mimetic and peripheral glucose uptake. Almost all the investigated plants also inhibit oxidative stress as part of their hypoglycemic activity with less toxicity. However, the isolation of their bioactive molecules is still lacking. This review provides a resource to enable thorough assessments of the therapeutic profiles of available medicinal plants used for the management of diabetes in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Further studies such as the identification of the active ingredients of potent plants still need to be carried out; this may lead to new molecules in drug discovery and development.


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 965-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Davicino ◽  
Rosario Alonso ◽  
Claudia Anesini

Larrea divaricata is a plant widely used in folk medicine in Argentina. It has been demonstrated that an aqueous extract of L. divaricata possesses a biphasic effect on cell proliferation, at low concentrations exerts a stimulatory action and at high concentrations exerts anti-proliferative effects upon the T lymphoma BW 5147; therefore, we propose in this paper to test the effect of the extract ‘in vitro’ and ‘in vivo’ in another T-cell lymphoma named EL-4. It was analyzed ‘in vitro’ cell proliferation by tritiated thymidine uptake and the effect of the extract on tumors induced in mice analyzing tumor progression and survival.The results showed that the aqueous extract induced the proliferation of tumor cells at all the concentrations studied. The results ‘in vivo’ showed that the aqueous extract stimulated significantly the size of tumors and that untreated mice lived longer than those treated. It is important to be very careful when plant extracts are selected for the treatment of several diseases. Consequently, before using a plant extract, specific scientific studies must be undertaken on different models to certificate therapeutic and adverse effects. Moreover, it can be said that L. divaricata has a specific anti-tumor mechanism of action depending on the targets.


2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Khunkitti ◽  
Y. Fujimaki ◽  
Y. Aoki

AbstractThe in vitro effects of ethanol and aqueous extracts of the medicinal plant Cardiospermum halicacabum on adult worms and microfilariae of Brugia pahangi were investigated. With or without the plant extracts in culture medium, the motility of adult worms, microfilariae and microfilarial release from female worms were monitored daily. After 7 days of culture, viability or tissue damage of adult worms was assessed using the MTT assay. At > 500 μg ml-1, the aqueous extract significantly reduced motility of adult females after 24 h of exposure and adult males after 3 days. The aqueous extract, at > 500 μg ml-1, also significantly reduced microfilarial release from female worms, starting on day 2. The reduction in the motility of adult worms and the pattern of microfilarial release from female worms were concentration and time dependent. The MTT assay results revealed that adult worms cultured in the presence of aqueous extracts at > 500 μg ml-1 were damaged. However, the aqueous extract did not affect the motility of microfilariae with the exception of those in higher concentration extracts. Higher concentrations of ethanol extracts (2 mg ml-1) inhibited both the motility of adult worms and the release of microfilariae from females. Little effect of ethanol extracts was detected by the MTT assay, as only slight damage was caused to worms exposed only to the highest concentration (2 mg ml-1). However, ethanol extract at 500 μg ml-1 rapidly reduced the motility of microfilariae on day 2. The present study revealed that an aqueous extract of C. halicacabum has mild but definite direct macrofilaricidal action on B. pahangi.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hariyadi D M ◽  
Setyawan D ◽  
Suciati D1 ◽  
Widyowati R ◽  
Chang H-I ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of the research was to extract the deer antler velvet from Kalimantan Indonesia and to study physical characteristics between 70% ethanol and aqueous extract. Materials and methods: Ethanol extracts was extracted from deer antler velvet using maceration and modified maceration method. Ethanol extracts were compared to aqueous extract which produced using maceration technique. The extract profiles were determined by screening test and physicochemical properties as preformulation study were characterized using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray diffractometer, differential thermal analysis (DTA), solubility test, BCA protein content, and molecular weight using SDS PAGE assay. Results: Extracts were successfully prepared and determined. Physicochemical properties of 70% ethanol extract and aqueous extract resulted different characteristics in melting point, solubility, crystallinity and protein content. Both ethanol extract and aqueous deer antler velvet extract contained group compounds of terpenoids and steroids and contains high amount of proteins at molecular weight of 17 to 43 kDa. In terms of crystallinity, ethanol and aqueous extracts had different crystal lattices. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of deer antler velvet was then recommended for further in vitro drug formulation and characterization. The molecular weight of majority protein inside aqueous deer antler velvet extract was 17 kDa and this datas will be useful for further drug formulation


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 1934578X2092005
Author(s):  
Yun Niu ◽  
Shengfeng Wang ◽  
Changqin Li ◽  
Jinmei Wang ◽  
Zhenhua Liu ◽  
...  

Caesalpinia sappan L. has been used as an herbal medicine to treat skin damage as a facial cleanser. In this study, 8 known compounds (1-8), (3 R,4 S)-3-(3′,4′-hydroxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydro-2″,3″-dimethyl-3 H-[1,3]dioxolo [4,5-c]chromen-7-ol (1), brazilin (2), protosappanin A (3), protosappanin C (4), protosappanin B (5), caesalpin J (6), sappanone B (7), and sappanchalcone (8), were isolated from the 70% ethanol extract of C. sappan. The effects of 8 compounds and extracts of C. sappan on tyrosinase were assayed in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that compounds 1, 2, 4, and 7 had activating effects on the tyrosinase. The experiments of enzyme kinetics showed that compounds 3 and 6 were competitive inhibitors on tyrosinase, while compound 6 was anticompetitive inhibitor. The 70% ethanol extract of C. sappan could reduce the contents of tyrosinase in rat serum, ie, the 70% ethanol extracts of C. sappan could inhibit the formation of melanin in vivo. Compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 promoted the formation of tyrosinase in rat serum, while compound 7 inhibited the synthesis of tyrosinase in rat serum.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Wiwied Ekasari ◽  
Dwi Widya Pratiwi ◽  
Zelmira Amanda ◽  
Suciati ◽  
Aty Widyawaruyanti ◽  
...  

Background. Each part of H. annuus plants is traditionally used as medicinal remedies for several diseases, including malaria. Antimalarial activity of the leaf and the seed has already been observed; however, there is no report about antimalarial activity of the other parts of H. annuus plants. In this study, we assess in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of each part of the plants and its mechanism as antimalarial agent against inhibition of heme detoxification. Objective. To investigate the antimalarial activity of various parts of H. annuus. Methods. Various parts of the H. annuus plant were tested for in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain (chloroquine-sensitive), in vivo antimalarial activity against P. berghei using Peters’ 4-day suppressive test in BALB/c mice, curative and prophylaxis assay, and inhibition of heme detoxification by evaluating β-hematin level. Results. Ethanol extract of the roots showed the highest antimalarial activity, followed by ethanol extract of leaves, with IC50 values of 2.3 ± 1.4 and 4.3 ± 2.2 μg/mL, respectively and the percentage inhibition of P. berghei of 63.6 ± 8.0 and 59.3 ± 13.2 at a dose of 100 mg/kg, respectively. Ethanol extract of roots produced an ED50 value of 10.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg in the curative test and showed an inhibition of 79.2% at a dose of 400 mg/kg in the prophylactic assay. In inhibition of heme detoxification assay, root and leaf ethanol extracts yielded a lower IC50 value than positive (chloroquine) control with a value of 0.4 ± 0.0 and 0.5 ± 0.0 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion. There were promising results of the ethanol extracts of root of H. annuus as a new source for the development of a new plant-based antimalarial agent.


Author(s):  
Kady Diatta ◽  
William Diatta ◽  
Alioune Dior Fall ◽  
Serigne Ibra Mbacké Dieng ◽  
Amadou Ibrahima Mbaye ◽  
...  

Background : Nowadays with the appearance of diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, free radicals are often singled out. What motivates scientific research in natural antioxidants. Aim/Objective : The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity of the stalks and the fruit of Solanum melongena L. Study Duration : The period of the study was done on 25th July, 2015 at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medecine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University of Dakar, Senegal. Methodology : Antioxidant activity was evaluated through two methods (DPPH and FRAP). Results : For the FRAP test, at the highest concentration (83.3 µg/ml) the aqueous extract of the fruit (0.90±0.08) has a higher reducing power compared to those of ethanol extracts from the fruit (0.77±0.41) and the stalk (0.85±0.004). These results remain inferior to that of tannic acid (0.95± 0.0005). The DPPH test reveals that the ethanolic extract of the fruit is more effective in reducing the free radical DPPH with an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC 50) equal to 3.37±0.03 μg / ml, followed by the ethanolic extract of the stalks (IC 50 = 4.46±0.24 μg / ml) and finally the aqueous extract of the fruit (IC50 = 9.6±0.026 μg / ml). Conclusion : These results make it possible to confirm the in vitro activity of the parts studied, but in vivo studies are necessary in order to know the acute and chronic toxicities. Finally, perform a bio-guided fractionation to determine the molecules responsible for the antioxidant activity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 331-340
Author(s):  
Adebowale Emmanuel Aladejana ◽  
Graeme Bradley ◽  
Anthony Jide Afolayan

The phytochemical contents of the acetone, ethanol, and boiled and cold aqueous whole-plant extracts of Helichrysum petiolare were determined using standard phytochemical reaction methods. ABTS, DPPH, NO and TAC assays were used to evaluate their antioxidant properties. This study reported the highest total phenolic content (212,963 mg/g) in the boiled aqueous extract, while the ethanol had the highest flavonoid (172.393 mg/g) and proanthocyanidin contents (65.855 mg/g). Alkaloids, flavonols, and saponin were highest in the acetone extract, while the cold aqueous extract had the lowest phytochemical content. Among the extracts, the boiled aqueous extract had the highest DPPH•+ (IC50 0.02 mg/mL) and ABTS•+ (IC50 0.07) inhibition capacities, while the ethanol extract exhibited the highest NO• Inhibition (IC50 0.41 mg/mL) and TAC (IC50 0.19 mg/mL). These findings justify the use of H. petiolare in traditional medicine and further recommend the ethanol and boiled aqueous extracts of the plant as more effective extracts for medicinal treatment.


1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Sujon ◽  
M Mostofa ◽  
MS Jahan ◽  
AR Das ◽  
S Rob

A detailed investigation was performed with the aim to find out the indigenous medicinal plants having anthelminthic action. Ten (10) indigenous medicinal plants were primarily selected and the ethanol extracts were prepared for anthelminthic trial and determination of anthelminthic properties in vitro and in vivo against the gastro-instestinal nematodes in goat during the period from July 2006 to December 2006. Screening of ethanol extracts of selected plants showed the anthelmintic activity against gastrointestinal nematodes at lower concentration (50 mg/ml). In vivo screening (by oral administration) of four plant extracts (ethanol) showed variable degree of efficacy in experimentally infected goats, as measured by faecal egg count reduction test. A relatively higher efficacy was recorded in ethanol extract of neem treated animals in comparison to other plants extracts. Ethanol extracts of korolla also showed significant efficacy. The results obtained in this study showed that ethanol extract of Labanga, Neem, Karolla and Pineapple at the dose of 100mg/kg showed a significant and potent antinematodal effect. These findings indicate that the adult gastrointestinal nematodes are more vulnerable to selected indigenous plants. Within these ten (10) plants 4 showed more than 70% efficacy at a concentration of 100mg/mkg. Key words: Medicinal plants, anthelmintics, nematodes, fecal egg count, goat doi: 10.3329/bjvm.v6i2.2333 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2008). 6 (2): 179-183


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