Antidiarrheal activity of Bridelia ferruginea bark methanolic extract involves modulation ATPases in mice and inhibition of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3) and prostaglandin E2 receptor 3 (EP3) in silico

Objectives Diarrhea, an abnormal state in which the individual has about three or more daily bowel movements, is now considered one of the most challenging global public health problems. Using plant products, such as Bridelia ferruginea is an alternative treatment option. The objective of this study was to investigate the antidiarrheal activity of B. ferruginea bark methanolic extract (BfME) and the mechanisms involved. Methods BfME antidiarrheal activity was evaluated in mice model of castor oil-induced diarrhea and enteropooling. To evaluate motility, gastrointestinal transit time was carried out using phenol red meal, while intestinal activities of selected ATPases were also evaluated. Furthermore, the active components in BfME were detected by GC-MS analysis, while molecular docking of the most abundant compounds with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3) and prostaglandin E2 receptor 3 (EP3) were conducted. Results BfME at 400 and 800 mg/kg showed antidiarrheal activity by delaying onset of diarrhea, reduced gastrointestinal transit and increased intestinal activities of Na+ K+-ATPase, Ca2+ Mg2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase. Molecular docking revealed that γ-sitosterol, α-amyrin, and stigmasterol have outstanding binding affinity for M3 and EP3. Conclusions In view of these results, the observed antidiarrheal activity possibly occurs via the activation of ATPases activities and inhibition of M3 and EP3.

The use of microstructures in the authentication of powdered drug plants

Adulteration and substitution of herbal drugs are trending issues in the herbal industry, posing a serious threat to commercial natural product research. The anatomy of powdered and non-powdered samples of plant species were compared to ascertain their similarities. Air dried powdered leaf samples and unground or intact leaves, flowers and barks of eight medicinal plant species, namely, Vernonia amygdalina, Ocimum gratisimum, Trichilia monadelpha, Bridelia ferruginea, Lophira alata., Alstonia boonei, Dialium guineense and Enantia chlorantha were studied anatomically with the aim of identifying the original plant parts used in the preparation of the drugs. The microscopic studies of leaves of V. amygdalina and O. gratisimum revealed the presence of similar stomatal complex types and trichomes in both ground and unground samples. The anatomy and palynology of T. monadelpha flower revealed that bipolar, inaperturate, monopolar, monoporate, tetracolporate and triporate pollens are present in both the ground and unground samples. The microscopic study of the barks of L. alata, B. ferruginea, A. boonei, D. guineense and E. chlorantha also showed similar cells in ground and unground samples. The anatomical features are, therefore, elucidated for authentication of the originality of the medicinal plants studied.

Feminine intimate hygiene plants from Kinshasa / DR Congo: Potential source of contraceptive compounds

This study is part of the promotion of local medicinal plants by highlighting their spermicidal activity. An ethnobotanical survey carried out in Kinshasa made it possible to identify the plants used in female intimate hygiene. On the one hand, the aqueous extracts of the organs of ten (10) plants on the inventoried species were subjected to a phytochemical analysis. On the other hand, the recipes as applied by women as well as the total extracts of these plants have come into contact with human sperm. The analysis of the mobility and the evaluation of the viability of the sperm of the ejaculates, of good quality according to the WHO, were carried out according to the methods of Sander-Cramer and that of Williams, respectively. Thus, the concentration (EC100) capable of killing 100% of sperm within 30 minutes of exposure was detected. Thirty-eight (38) plant species have been identified. From thirteen sought-after phytochemical groups, extracts of Mangifera indica and Bridelia ferruginea contain twelve and eleven respectively. Four (4) groups of metabolic compounds with a contraceptive effect are present in all ten extracts of feminine hygiene plants. Three (3) herbal recipes (Abrus precatorius, Bridelia ferruginea and Ocimum basilicum) out of the ten studied resulted in the cancellation of sperm mobility after 3 hours of exposure. And, the EC100 is defined at 200 mg/mL for A. precatorius and 25 mg / mL for B. ferruginea. The results of this study show that feminine intimate hygiene plants contain compounds with spermicidal potential, which can be used for the development of vaginal contraceptives.

Ethnopharmacological survey of six medicinal plants used in the traditional treatment of urinary tract infections and other infectious diseases

Benin has attractive ethnobotanical potential with a vast diversity of medicinal plants widely used to treat human diseases. Urinary tract infections are among the diseases traditionally treated by medicinal plants. Mangifera indica, Bridelia ferruginea, Alstonia boonei, Morodora myristica, Xylopia aethiopica and Zanthoxylum zantoxyloides are six plants used in the traditional treatment of urinary infections in Benin. The general objective of this study was to identify the ethnopharmacological uses of these six plants used in traditional medicine in South Benin. To this end, an ethnopharmacological survey was conducted using the semi-structured interview method among herbalists in the markets of South Benin. The ethnobotanical data collected were analyzed using the use-value, the informant consensus factor and the medicinal plant fidelity index. A total of 98 herbalists participated in this study. The six plants studied were involved in 15 different diseases divided into seven disease categories. The most mentioned disease categories are infectious diseases, blood and digestive diseases. Malaria, ulcers, anemia and urinary tract infections are the pathologies most commonly treated by these plants. Informants agreed on the use of these plants in these disease categories. Bark, leafy stems and roots are the parts of the plants most used to treat diseases. Decoction and maceration are the two main methods of preparation, and the oral and cutaneous routes are the main routes of administration. These data constitute ethnopharmacological documentation that can be used for further pharmacological and toxicological studies.

Enquête Ethnobotanique Sur Les Plantes Médicinales Utilisées Dans La Prise En Charge Traditionnelle Des Maladies Infectieuses Dans La Région Sanitaire Lomé-Commune Du Togo

Afin de promouvoir la Médecine traditionnelle togolaise (MTT), préserver/conserver des savoirs et savoir-faire endogènes, une enquête ethnobotanique a été menée de Mai 2018 à Juillet 2019 pour recenser les recettes de plantes aux propriétés anti-infectieuses vendues dans les marchés de la Région Sanitaire Lomé-Commune du Togo. ATRM(Achat en Triplet de Recettes Médicinales) a été la méthode de collecte des données. Les données recueillies qui portent sur les caractéristiques ethnopharmacologiques de ces recettes, ont été traitées et analysées avec des logiciels ethnobotaniques et statistiques appropriés afin de sélectionner quelques plantes pour de futurs tests de laboratoire. Cent deux (102) recettes d’association de plantes constituées par 68 espèces appartenant à 37 familles, ont été recensées. Annonaceae et Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae (5 espèces chacune), Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae, et Leguminosae-Papilionoideae (4 espèces chacune), ont été les familles les plus représentées. Anacardiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, et Leguminosae-Mimosoideae, avec respectivement 129, 75 et 63 citations, ont été les familles dont les espèces sont plus citées. Arbres (39,71%), herbes (38,24%), arbustes (14,7%), lianes (2,94%), arbrisseaux (2,94%) et palmiers (1,47%) ont été les types biologiques d’appartenance de ces espèces. Suivant les valeurs usuelles (VU), Lannea kerstingii (VU=2,29), Bridelia ferruginea(VU=2,00) et Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides(VU=1,82) ont été les espèces plus usuelles. Ecorce de tronc (53,57%), racine (16,13%), tige feuillée (6,9%), plante entière (6,65%), fruit (6,28%), et écorce de racine (6,04%) ont été les parties les plus utilisées des espèces recensées qui sont préparées par décoction (93.14%) et macération (6,86%) puis administrées exclusivement par voie orale. Bridelia ferrugiea et Chamaechrista rotundifolia ont été sélectionnées pour de futurs tests antimicrobiens. Ces résultats illustrent la richesse de la MTT en connaissances endogènes sur les plantes aux propriétés anti-infectieuses. In order to promote traditional Togolese medicine, to preserve and conserve endogenous knowledge and expertise, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out from May 2018 to July 2019 to record the recipes of plants with anti-infectious properties sold in the markets of the Lomé-Commune Health Region of Togo. ATRM (Achat en Triplet de Recettes Médicinales) was the data collection method. The data collected about the ethnopharmacological ethnobotanical and statistical software for selection some plants for future laboratory tests. One hundred and two associations of plant’s recipes composited by 68 species belonging to 37 families were identified. Annonaceae and Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae(5 species each), Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Leguminosae-Papilionoideae(4 specie each) were the most represented families while Anacardiaceae(129 citations), Euphorbiaceae(75 citations) and Leguminosae-Mimosoideae(63 citations) were family of the most cited species. Trees(39.71%), grasses(38.24%), shrubs(14.7%), lianas(2.94%), bushes(2.94%) and palms(1.47%) were the different biological types to which these species belonged. According to the Used value(UV) Lannea kerstingii(UV=2.29), Bridelia ferruginea(UV=2.00) and Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides(UV=1.82) were the most usual species. Stem bark(53.57%), root(16.13%), leafy stem(6.9%), whole plant(6.65%), fruit(6.28%), and root bark(6.04%) were the most commonly used parts of the listed species. These recipes which are prepared by decoction (93.14%) and maceration(6.86%) are administered exclusively by oral route. Bridelia ferrugiea and Chamaechrista rotundifolia were selected for laboratory tests to evaluate their antimicrobial activities in future. Conclusion: These results illustrate the richness of traditional Togolese medicine in endogenous knowledge about anti-infectious’ medicinal plants.

Traditional African Medicine

African traditional medicine is defined as one of the holistic health care system comprised of three levels of specializations namely divination, spiritualism, and herbalism. The traditional healer provides healing services based on culture, religious background, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that are prevalent in his community. Hence the current chapter focuses on the different types of african healing system, traditional healers, traditional practices and modern herbalism and also describes the phytochemical and pharmacological evidences of the traditional african herbs like Acanthus montanus (Acanthaceae), Amaranthus spinosus (Amaranthaceae), Bridelia ferruginea (Euphorbiaceae) etc.

Pharmacological Potential and Chemical Characterization of Bridelia ferruginea Benth.—A Native Tropical African Medicinal Plant

To avail the possible pharmacological actions of Brideliaferruginea Benth., the present investigation was designed to quantitatively analyze the total flavonoid and phenolic contents and assess the various antioxidant and enzyme inhibition properties of leaf and stem bark extracts (ethyl acetate, water and methanolic) of B. ferruginea. Anti-proliferative effect was also investigated against human colon cancer cells (HCT116) as well as the antimicrobial potential against multiple bacterial and fungal (yeasts and dermatophytes) strains. The methanolic and water extracts of the stem bark demonstrated the highest phenolic content (193.58 ± 0.98 and 187.84 ± 1.88 mg/g, respectively), while the leaf extracts showed comparatively higher flavonoid contents (24.37–42.31 mg/g). Overall, the methanolic extracts were found to possess the most significant antioxidant potency. Compared to the other extracts, methanolic extracts of the B. ferruginea were revealed to be most potent inhibitors of acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterases, tyrosinase α-amylase, except α-glucosidase. Only the ethyl acetate extracts were found to inhibit glucosidase. Additionally, the stem bark methanolic extract also showed potent inhibitory activity against E. coli and gram-positive bacteria (MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration): 2.48–62.99 µg/mL), as well as all the tested fungi (MIC: 4.96–62.99 µg/mL). In conclusion, B. ferruginea can be regarded as a promising source of bioactive compounds displaying multifunctional pharmacological activities and thus is a potential candidate for further investigations in the endeavor to develop botanical formulations for pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries.