scholarly journals Anti-mitotic and anti-proliferation potentials of aqueous and methanolic extracts of fermented Citrullus vulgaris (ogiri-egusi) seeds

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
R.A. Ayo-Lawal ◽  
S.O. Azeez ◽  
O. Osoniyi
Keyword(s):  
Allium Cepa ◽  
Methanolic Extract ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Fermented Food ◽  
West African ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Citrullus Vulgaris ◽  
Methanolic Extracts ◽  
Dividing Cells

There is a growing scientific evidence of the health-enhancing benefits of fermented food and beverages, especially in cancer prevention and  treatment. Ogiri-egusi is an indigenously fermented condiment consumed in some West African countries, and prepared mainly from natural fermentation of melon (Citrullus vulgaris) seeds. The condiment has been previously reported to possess anti-oxidative and anti hyperlipid emic properties. In this study, different concentrations of ogiri-egusi extracts were exposed to actively dividing cells from Allium cepa meristematic roots and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the antimitotic and antiproliferative investigations, respectively. There was a statistically significant reduction in mitotic activities of the treated A. cepa meristematic cells compared to the untreated cells. The mitotic index (MI) of the untreated cells was 28.38 ± 4.58. At a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml, the extracts induced a reduction in the MI to 6.02 ± 2.74 and 4.94 ± 0.61 in the aqueous and methanolic extracts- treated cells, respectively. Some chromosomal aberrations were also observed. In addition, proliferation in yeast cells was significantly inhibited at all the concentrations of the aqueous extract examined as well as at the highest concentration of the methanolic extract. These results provide useful insights to the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of fermented Citrullus vulgaris. Keywords: Fermented Citrullus vulgaris, Allium cepa, antiproliferation, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity

Mortality and Inhibitory Effects of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Artemisia annua L. on Biomphalaria pfeifferi (Krauss) and Shedding of Cercariae

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
I.M. Ado ◽  
Z.A. Ali ◽  
M.M. Dogara ◽  
K. Abdullahi ◽  
S.A Luka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methanolic Extract ◽  
Artemisia Annua ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Standard Procedure ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Biomphalaria Pfeifferi ◽  
Artemisia Annua L ◽  
Methanolic Extracts

The search for bioactive plants which can be used as non-conventional anthelmintics has received considerable attention in recent times because of the increasing, worldwide development of resistance to synthetic anthelminthes worm populations. However, scientific evidence to validate the use of raw plants materials remain limited. This study evaluated the mortality and inhibitory effects of the crude aqueous and methanolic extract of Artemisia annua L. against the shedding of cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni from Biomphalaria pfeifferi. The phytochemical screening of the plant was done using standard procedure, after which the mortality effects of the plant extracts and effects on the shedding of cercariae from B. pfeifferi snails were assessed for 24 hour of exposure. Methanolic extract with the highest concentration of 1.77mg/µL had an inhibitory effect of 63.06±1.84 while the least concentration with 0.12mg/µL had 22.41±2.17 inhibitory effect. For the aqueous extract, the highest concentration with 2.73mg/µL had an inhibitory effect of  55.75±1.94 while the least concentration of 0.23mg/µL had 21.80±1.45. Inhibitory effect of cercariae in the snail vector was  concentration dependent, and there was significance difference (P<0.05) between the treatment mean when compared with the control group. This study has shown that this plant material has some inhibitory effect on the shedding of of S. mansoni cercariae and toxicityeffect on the B. pfeifferisnails, and can therefore be used for the control of the disease causing agent as well as the vector. Keywords: Artemisia annua, Inhibitory effects, cercariae, Biomphalaria pfeifferi

The Coin of the African Realm

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Herbst
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
West Africa ◽  
West African ◽  
Regional Economies ◽  
African Countries ◽  
New Strategies

This chapter examines the politics of the currency in West Africa from the beginning of the twentieth century. A public series of debates over the nature of the currency occurred in West Africa during both the colonial and independence periods. Since 1983, West African countries have been pioneers in Africa in developing new strategies to combat overvaluation of the currency and reduce the control of government over the currency supply. The chapter charts the evolution of West African currencies as boundaries and explores their relationship to state consolidation. It shows that leaders in African capitals managed to make the units they ruled increasingly distinct from the international and regional economies, but the greater salience of the currency did not end up promoting state consolidation. Rather, winning the ability to determine the value of the currency led to a series of disastrous decisions that severely weakened the states themselves.

Political Stability in West African States: Problems and Solutions. (Case Studies of Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal)

2018 ◽  
pp. 75-88
Author(s):  
Lyubov Sadovskaya
Keyword(s):  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
West African ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Systems ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
External Threats ◽  
Côte D'ivoire

The article presents a new view on the problems of political stability in West African countries. For the first time was carried out a comparative analysis of the sustainability of the political systems of the two Francophone fastest growing countries in West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. The author analyzes the factors negatively influencing political stability social order, and those that reduce conflict potencial in these States. Internal and external threats to the political systems of Senegal and Сôte d’Ivoire are examined. The response of both countries to internal and external challenges is shown. The study proves that while external threats indanger Senegal’s political stability, such as the penetration of religious extremism, the crisis in Casamance, maritime piracy, drug traffic, for Côte d’Ivoire, on the contrary, main risks are internal: electoral, socio-political crises, the split of elites, arms smuggling, banditry. The study demonstrates that the level of social governance in Senegal is higher than in other West African countries, including Сôte d’Ivoire, due to the dualism of the political system: the coexistence of Western-style political institutions with local faiths (tariqas), as well as policy pursued by President M. Sall. aimed at achieving mutual compromise that ensure the peaceful settlement of conflicts and contradictions. The author concludes that a new approach to the development of a security strategy is required.

Investigating the Antioxidant Potential of Garlic (Allium sativum) Extracts Through Different Extraction Modes

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanza A. Awan ◽  
Masood S. Butt ◽  
Iahtisham Ul Haq ◽  
Hafiz A.R. Suleria
Keyword(s):  
Allium Sativum ◽  
Total Phenolics ◽  
Methanolic Extract ◽  
Antioxidant Potential ◽  
Flavonoid Content ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Methanolic Extracts ◽  
Maximum Extraction ◽  
Acid Potential ◽  
The Ideal

Background: Garlic (Allium sativum) possesses health enhancing abilities due to the presence various phytoceutics moities. The current research was deigned to explore the phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of Pakistani garlic. Methods: Garlic extracts were obtained using methanol, hexane and ethyl acetate at different time intervals (35, 50 and 65 min) followed by their polyphenols and flavonoid content determination. Afterwards, the antioxidant potential was also determined. Results: The outcomes revealed that the methanolic extracts obtained at 50 min extraction time showed maximum total phenolics as 60.38±0.23 mg GAE/100g and flavonoids as 58.45&amp;#177;1.24 mg/100g. Similarly, the highest DPPH activity (61.59±1.58%) and &amp;#946;-carotene and linoleic acid potential (64.96&amp;#177;1.72%) were also observed for methanolic extract. Conclusion: Inferences were made that Pakistani garlic contains myriad of phenolics and flavonoids but the extraction of these components depends upon the solvent/time combination. In this study, methanol proved to be the ideal solvent for the maximum extraction of phytochemicals from garlic.

scholarly journals Chemical compositions, antimicrobial effects, and cytotoxicity of Asia minor wormwood (Artemisia splendens Willd.) growing in Iran

BMC Chemistry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fariba Heshmati Afshar ◽  
Masumeh Zadehkamand ◽  
Zahra Rezaei ◽  
Abbas Delazar ◽  
Vahideh Tarhriz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
Proliferative Activity ◽  
Methanolic Extract ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Flavonoid Glycosides ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Preparative Hplc ◽  
Cytotoxicity Activity ◽  
Methanolic Extracts

Abstract Background Artemisia splendens from the Asteraceae family is a new source of biologically active compounds. The current study investigated to evaluate antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activity of methanolic extracts and their fractions obtained from aerial parts by agar disk diffusion and MTT methods, respectively. The active fractions were subjected to preparative HPLC for isolating the pure compounds, which were structurally elucidated, by 1H and 13C NMR. Results The results showed that the methanolic extract and its 60% SPE fraction have the anti-proliferative activity on A549 cell line in comparison with the control group. Meanwhile, the methanolic extract and its 40% SPE fraction can inhibit the growth of Gram-positive strains as anti-microbial activity. The 60% SPE fraction also illustrated anti-proliferative activity on the HT-29 cell line compared to the control group. Chromatographic separations via preparative HPLC yielded 5 flavonoids and three flavonoid glycosides. Conclusion Based on the results it can be concluded that A. splendens as a potential source of cytotoxic and antimicrobial compounds can be used in pharmaceutics.

scholarly journals Community hygiene against lassa fever disease and its predictors in a Nigerian rural settlement

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A A Gobir ◽  
C L Ejembi ◽  
A A Aliyu ◽  
M B Garba ◽  
C J C Igboanusi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
West African ◽  
World Health ◽  
Food Storage ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Hygiene Measures

Abstract Background Lassa fever disease (LFD) is a viral haemorrhagic fever that is endemic in some West african countries where an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 cases and 5000 deaths occur yearly. The World Health Organization described it as a global health threat. At community level, its prevention relies on promoting good “community hygiene”. This study was conducted to assess practice of community hygiene measures against LFD and its associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional, community based descriptive study conducted during a LFD epidemic in a a rural community of Nigeria. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 556 adult respondents, selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results A majority of the respondents were females (52.9%). Educational attainment was significantly associated with safe food storage at the multivariate level (aOR= 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10-1.54,P= 0.002) while having a good knowledge of LFD was a significant predictor of maintaining good housing standards (aOR= 3.73, 95% CI: 1.09-12.80,P=0.036). Conclusions Predictors of practice of community hygiene against LFD include education and having an excellent knowledge of LFD. To improve community hygiene practices in the community, there is need for a comprehensive LFD behavior change communication intervention. Key messages Cubing the global threat of LFD depends on its effective prevention in endemic West African communities. This study shows that such preventive measures are poor and there is need for more response to address the problem.

Phenolic constituents and inhibitory effects of the leaf of Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel on free radicals, cholinergic and monoaminergic enzymes in rat’s brain in vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olubukola H. Oyeniran ◽  
Adedayo O. Ademiluyi ◽  
Ganiyu Oboh
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Peroxidation ◽  
Free Radicals ◽  
Methanolic Extract ◽  
Array Detector ◽  
Oh Radicals ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Methanolic Extracts ◽  
Phenolic Constituents ◽  
Rauvolfia Vomitoria

AbstractObjectivesRauvolfia vomitoria is a medicinal plant used traditionally in Africa in the management of several human diseases including psychosis. However, there is inadequate scientific information on the potency of the phenolic constituents of R. vomitoria leaf in the management of neurodegeneration. Therefore, this study characterized the phenolic constituents and investigated the effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of R. vomitoria leaf on free radicals, Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation, and critical enzymes linked to neurodegeneration in rat’s brain in vitro.MethodsThe polyphenols were evaluated by characterizing phenolic constituents using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The antioxidant properties were assessed through the extracts ability to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+; inhibit ABTS, DPPH, and OH radicals and Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation. The effects of the extracts on AChE and MAO were also evaluated.ResultsThe phenolic characterization of R. vomitoria leaf revealed that there were more flavonoids present. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts of R. vomitoria leaf had inhibitory effects with the methanolic extract having higher significant (p≤0.05) free radicals scavenging ability coupled with inhibition of monoamine oxidases. However, there was no significant (p≤0.05) difference obtained in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and cholinesterases.ConclusionThis study suggests that the rich phenolic constituents of R. vomitoria leaf might contribute to the observed antioxidative and neuroprotective effects. The methanolic extract was more potent than the aqueous extract; therefore, extraction of R. vomitoria leaf with methanol could offer better health-promoting effects in neurodegenerative condition.

scholarly journals Determinants of Insurance Penetration in West African Countries: A Panel Auto Regressive Distributed Lag Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 350
Author(s):  
Odunayo Olarewaju ◽  
Thabiso Msomi
Keyword(s):  
Banking Sector ◽  
West African ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Distributed Lag ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Short Run ◽  
Auto Regressive ◽  
Insurance Penetration ◽  
The Government

This study analyses the long- and short-term dynamics of the determinants of insurance penetration for the period 1999Q1 to 2019Q4 in 15 West African countries. The panel auto regressive distributed lag model was used on the quarterly data gathered. A cointegrating and short-run momentous connection was discovered between insurance penetration along with the independent variables, which were education, productivity, dependency, inflation and income. The error correction term’s significance and negative sign demonstrate that all variables are heading towards long-run equilibrium at a moderate speed of 56.4%. This further affirms that education, productivity, dependency, inflation and income determine insurance penetration in West Africa in the long run. In addition, the short-run causality revealed that all the pairs of regressors could jointly cause insurance penetration. The findings of this study recommend that the economy-wide policies by the government and the regulators of insurance markets in these economies should be informed by these significant factors. The restructuring of the education sector to ensure finance-related modules cut across every faculty in the higher education sector is also recommended. Furthermore, Bancassurance is also recommended to boost the easy penetration of the insurance sector using the relationship with the banking sector as a pathway.

scholarly journals Mammalian Arginase Inhibitory Activity of Methanolic Extracts and Isolated Compounds from Cyperus Species

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1694
Author(s):  
Kamel Arraki ◽  
Perle Totoson ◽  
Alain Decendit ◽  
Andy Zedet ◽  
Justine Maroilley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Methanolic Extract ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
Vasorelaxant Effect ◽  
Methanolic Extracts ◽  
Phytochemical Investigation ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
First Time

Polyphenolic enriched extracts from two species of Cyperus, Cyperus glomeratus and Cyperus thunbergii, possess mammalian arginase inhibitory capacities, with the percentage inhibition ranging from 80% to 95% at 100 µg/mL and 40% to 64% at 10 µg/mL. Phytochemical investigation of these species led to the isolation and identification of two new natural stilbene oligomers named thunbergin A-B (1–2), together with three other stilbenes, trans-resveratrol (3), trans-scirpusin A (4), trans-cyperusphenol A (6), and two flavonoids, aureusidin (5) and luteolin (7), which were isolated for the first time from C.thunbergii and C. glomeratus. Structures were established on the basis of the spectroscopic data from MS and NMR experiments. The arginase inhibitory activity of compounds 1–7 was evaluated through an in vitro arginase inhibitory assay using purified liver bovine arginase. As a result, five compounds (1, 4–7) showed significant inhibition of arginase, with IC50 values between 17.6 and 60.6 µM, in the range of those of the natural arginase inhibitor piceatannol (12.6 µM). In addition, methanolic extract from Cyperus thunbergii exhibited an endothelium and NO-dependent vasorelaxant effect on thoracic aortic rings from rats and improved endothelial dysfunction in an adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document