Antistaphylococcal effects of alcoholic extracts of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn.) (Taub.) against multidrug methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen causing life-threatening hospital and community-acquired infections with high morbidity and mortality rates requiring constant vigilance.Aim: This study aimed at investigating the antistaphylococcal effects of Tetrapleura tetraptera against different strains of multidrug methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) to indicate the need for its use in ethnomedicine in addition to its fruits being used in traditional medicine.Methods: In this study, the susceptibilities of S. aureus were investigated using multi-disc antibiotics and extracts of T. tetraptera by agar diffusion and macrobroth dilution methods.Settings: While attention has been focused on the fruits of this plant, it is necessary to investigate the pharmacological importance of its stem bark.Results: The antibiogram showed that 70% of the isolates were multidrug resistant. Nitrofurantoin and gentamicin antibiotics were the most effective whilst amoxicillin and augumentin were the least effective. The susceptibility of the isolates was concentration dependent as inhibition zones decreased with decrease in the concentrations of each of the extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of acetone extract ranged between 0.019 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL whilst the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) ranged between 0.3125 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL. The MICs of the methanol extract ranged between 0.039 mg/mL and 5.0 mg/mL whilst the MBCs ranged between 0.3125 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL. Both extracts were more bactericidal than being bacteriostatic against all the isolates. The methanol extract was more active than the acetone extract as indicated by the varied inhibition zones and MICs obtained from the different extracts.Conclusion: This study revealed the great therapeutic potentials of T. tetraptera and validated its use in ethnomedicine and would be effective in the treatment of multidrug and MRSA infections.

Effects of Different Extracting Solvents on Non-Phenolic Phytochemical Profiles of Selected Nigerian Spices and Spice-treated Foods

The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of extraction solvents on the non-phenolic phytochemical profiles of selected spices (Ocimum viride, Monodora myristica, Monodora tenuifolia and Tetrapleura tetraptera) and spice-treated foods in southern part of Nigeria. The spice samples were processed into powder for antioxidant screening. The spice extracts were obtained from the samples using 5 extracting solvents [distilled water, 95 % methanol, acetone / hexane (1:1 v/v), n-hexane / methanol / acetone (2:1:1, v/v/v) and acetone / water / acetic acid (70:29.5:0.5, v/v/v)]. Water extracts were obtained from beef, pork and fluted pumpkin leaves. The alkaloid, saponin, oxalate and phytate components of the spice extracts and the spice-treated foods were evaluated using standard methods. The laboratory analyses were performed at analytical laboratory, National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka during the 3rd quarter of 2020. The percentage yield of the extracts were low (0.32 - 0.96 %) and varied widely among extracting solvents, spices and spice-treated foods. M. myristica and T. tetrpleura had the highest yield, 0.96, in methanol extracts. Phytochemical contents differed significantly (p < 0.05) among spices, extracts of the same spice and among spice-treated foods. Spices had high contents of oxalate (2.0 – 7.0 mg/100 g), alkaloid (0.8 – 5.76 mg/100 g) and phytate (2.14 – 3.88 mg/100 g) but relatively low content of saponin (0.03 – 0.736 mg/100g). Methanol alone or in combination with other solvents extracted higher amounts of phytochemicals (0.96 %) than other solvent mixtures from the spices. Phytochemical contents of spice-treated foods were in the order: vegetable > rice > pork > beef.

Cameroonian Spice Extracts Modulate Molecular Mechanisms Relevant to Cardiometabolic Diseases in SW 872 Human Liposarcoma Cells

The molecular pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases is known to be influenced by dysfunctional ectopic adipose tissue. In addition to lifestyle improvements, these conditions may be managed by novel nutraceutical products. This study evaluatedthe effects of 11 Cameroonian medicinal spice extracts on triglyceride accumulation, glucose uptake, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and interleukin secretion in SW 872 human adipocytes after differentiation with 100 µM oleic acid. Triglyceride content was significantly reduced by all spice extracts. Glucose uptake was significantly increased by Tetrapleura tetraptera, Aframomum melegueta and Zanthoxylum leprieurii. Moreover, Xylopia parviflora, Echinops giganteus and Dichrostachys glomerata significantly reduced the production of ROS. Concerning pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, we observed that Tetrapleura tetraptera, Echinops giganteus, Dichrostachys glomerata and Aframomum melegueta reduced IL-6 secretion. In addition, Xylopia parviflora, Monodora myristica, Zanthoxylum leprieurii, and Xylopia aethiopica reduced IL-8 secretion, while Dichrostachys glomerata and Aframomum citratum increased it. These findings highlight some interesting properties of these Cameroonian spice extracts in the modulation of cellular parameters relevant to cardiometabolic diseases, which may be further exploited, aiming to develop novel treatment options for these conditions based on nutraceutical products.

Profile of blood of weaner boars fed Tetrapleura tetraptera pod pulp meal

A study was conducted to determine the effect of Tetrapleura tetraptera pod pulp meal on haematology, red blood cell osmotic fragility and serum chemistry values of weaned boars. A total of 18 weaner boars of Large White x Duroc crossbreeds, aged 6 weeks and weighing 9.4kg on the average, were used for the study, which lasted 56 days. The piglets were divided into 3 equal groups, each of which were assigned 0.0%, 2.5% or 5.0% TPM per kg, respectively, of a basal weaner pig diet, in a completely randomized design. Data sets were collected on haematology, serum chemistry and lipid profile. Red blood cells (6.74, 6.03,12 5.57) x 10 /l, packed cell volume (46.33, 39.33, 37.35) %, haemoglobin concentration 9 (13.77, 11.43, 10.37) g/L and the platelet counts (37.90, 33.97, 33.83) x 10 /L were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the sera of boars fed TPM than in those fed zero TPM. Mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration were significantly (P<0.05) lowered by addition of TPM in a dose-dependent fashion. Addition of TPM increased the fragility of the erythrocytes in sodium chloride solution of varying concentrations. Serum glucose increased progressively (P<0.05) with increase in TPM. Albumin was significantly reduced only at 5.0% TPM while globulin and urea were reduced (P<0.05) at both levels of TPM. Total protein and ALT were significantly reduced with increase in TPM. HDL was progressively lowered (P<0.05) with addition of TPM while the reverse was the case with LDL. VLDL and TG were significantly increased only at 5.0% TPM. It is concluded that TPM depressed the haematological indices, compromised the stability of the erythrocytes even in normal saline solution, reduced serum albumin, globulin, total protein, ALT and HDL but increased serum glucose, LDL, VLDLand TG. Cet étude a été menée pour déterminer l'effet de la farine de pulpe de gousse de aTetrapleuratetraptera sur l'hématologie, la fragilité osmotique des globules rouges et lesvaleurs de chimie sérique des verrats sevrés. Au total, 18 verrats sevrés issus de croisements Large White x Duroc, âgés de 6 semaines et pesant en moyenne 9,4 kg, ont été utilisés pour l'étude, qui a duré 56 jours. Les porcelets ont été divisés en 3 groupes égaux, chacun ayant reçu 0,0%, 2,5% ou 5,0% de TPM par kg, respectivement, d'un régime de base pour porcelet sevré, dans un plan complètement randomisé. Des ensembles de données ont été collectés sur l'hématologie, la chimie du sérum et le profil lipidique. Globules rouges (6,74, 6,03, 5,57) x 1012/l, hématocrite (46,33, 39,33, 37,35) %, concentration en hémoglobine (13,77, 11,43, 10,37) g/L et numération plaquettaire (37,90, 33,97, 33,83) x 109/L étaient significativement plus faibles (P<0,05) dans les sérums de verrats nourris au TPM que dans ceux nourris sans TPM. L'hémoglobine cellulaire moyenne et la concentration moyenne d'hémoglobine cellulaire ont été significativement (P < 0,05) abaissées par l'ajout de TPM d'une manière dose-dépendante. L'ajout de TPM a augmenté la fragilité des érythrocytes dans une solution de chlorure de sodium de concentrations variables. La glycémie a augmenté progressivement (P<0,05) avec l'augmentation de la TPM. L'albumine n'était significativement réduite qu'à 5,0 % de TPM tandis que la globuline et l'urée étaient réduites (P< 0,05) aux deux niveaux de TPM. La protéine totale et l'ALT ont été significativement réduites avec l'augmentation de la TPM. Le HDL a été progressivement abaissé (P<0,05) avec l'ajout de TPM alors que l'inverse était le cas avec le LDL. Les VLDL et les TG n'ont augmenté de manière significative qu'à 5,0 % de TPM. Il est conclu que le TPM a diminué les indices hématologiques, a compromis la stabilité des érythrocytes même dans une solution saline normale, a réduit l'albumine sérique, la globuline, les protéines totales, l'ALT et le HDL mais a augmenté le glucose sérique, le LDL, le VLDLet le TG

The influence of cooking methods on the antioxidant status of Tetrapleura tetrapetra

Africa is blessed with a rich array of local spices such as Tetrapleura tetraptera. The culinary uses of T. tetraptera are many. The seed of Uhiokirihio is majorly used in the preparation of ‘Banga’ (palm fruit) soup, meat pepper soup and other types of soup in the southern part of Nigeria. It is also commonly used in soups of nursing mothers to prevent post-partum contractions. The rich antioxidant activity of this spice has been reported. There is, however, a dearth of information on the effect of different cooking methods on its antioxidant activity. This study, therefore, evaluated the effect of cooking methods on the antioxidant status of the seeds of Tetrapleura tetraptera. The raw seeds of the spice were both toasted and boiled separately for 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes, respectively. The samples were analysed for anti-nutrients, vitamin contents and antioxidant properties. Anti-nutrient evaluation of the ethanolic (80% ethanol) extract revealed that both toasting and boiling time caused significant (p<0.05) variations in all the anti-nutrients studied. Total phenolics increased (p<0.05) from 20.80mg/100g to 28.53mg/100g for toasted samples and from 20.80mg/100g to 30.51mg/100g for boiled samples, respectively. Both cooking methods caused significant reduction in the phytate and tannin levels of the seeds. At the end of the cooking processes, tannin level was reduced by 62.07 % for boiling and 75.68 % for toasting treatment. The cooking methods led to significant reduction in both the vitamin C and β- carotene levels of the samples. Boiling for 20 min caused a 91.98% decrease in vitamin c and a 59.52 % decrease in β-carotene while toasting reduced these nutrients by 86.73 % and 39.88 %, respectively. Antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH scavenging activity and FRAP showed a significant rise with increase in cooking time. The DPPH activity of the toasted samples increased from 22.06μg/ml to 27.64 μg/ml while the boiled samples increased from 22.06μg/ml to 43.26μg/ml. It was observed that boiling led to a greater increase in total phenolics and antioxidant activity than toasting. It could, therefore, be concluded that cooking T. tetraptera seeds would improve its antioxidant properties.

Haematopoeitic potentials of methanolic extract of Tetrapleura Tetraptera pods in male Albino rats

Anaemia constitutes a major challenge in the livestock industry worldwide. This study was carried out to determine the haematopoietic potential of methanol extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (T. tetraptera) in male albino rats. Twenty five rats weighing between 147 and 166 g were used for the study. Anaemia was induced by daily removal of 2ml of blood per 100g body weight for ten days. The extraction was by cold maceration. Thereafter, the animals were administered with the extract for seven days. The rats were treated with graded doses of the extract, 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg for groups A, B and C respectively while groups D (negative control) and E (positive control) received 5 ml/kg of water. Results showed successful induction of anaemia. There was significant (p<0.05) increases in the erythrocytic parameters and plasma protein after administration of the methanoloic extract of T. tetraptera. The concentration dependent increase in the PCV, HBC, RBC, MCH and MCHC in the groups treated with the extract when compared with the untreated groups indicates haematopoietic potentials of T. Tetraptera.

Antiproliferative Activities of Methanolic Extract and Fractions of Tetrapleura Tetraptera Fruit

Most of the current cancer chemotherapeutics are associated with harsh and undesirable side effects, including toxicity and chemoresistance, driving the need for safer and more effective alternatives. In this study, the antiproliferative activities of the methanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruits and nine different fractions (C1–C9) from the column chromatographic separation of the extract against leukemia (Jurkat) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines were investigated using a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay. Phytochemical screening of the extract and fractions found alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids in the methanolic extract. Most of the fractions exhibited antiproliferative activity (>100 μg/mL) with the Jurkat cells being more susceptible than the MCF-7 cells. Four of the collected fractions C4, C3, C5, and C2 had good selective indices in decreasing order of activity, in the case of Jurkat cells. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of all samples (except for C4 and C9) revealed that C1, C2, C3, and C5 each had a single component. More importantly, fractions C2, C3, and C5, which were selective to Jurkat cells, also had the same retention time of 1.846 min. Fractions C6 and C8 had two components, with C7 having four components. This study serves as a basis for further work to isolate and characterize potential anticancer agents from the fractions of extracts of T. tetraptera fruits.

RESPONSE OF SELECTED TREE SEEDLINGS TO ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE (Meloidogyne incognita)

Root-knot nematodes have been implicated in poor growth and death of trees in the nursery and newly established forest plantations. Cultivating resistant tree species is one of the viable methods in the management of nematode pests once they are identified. A pot experiment laid out in completely randomized design was conducted to screen fifteen selected tree seedlings for resistance to Meloidogyne incognita. Each tree seedling was replicated eight times and was grown on a steam-sterilized soil. The seedlings were inoculated each with 7,000 eggs of Meloidogyne incognita at four weeks after planting. Data were collected on plant height and stem girth at 12 weeks after inoculation. At termination, data were also collected on gall index (GI), final nematode population (Pf) and reproductive factor (RF). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Resistance or susceptibility status was assigned with Canto-Saenz host designation scheme. There was variability in the growth of the tree seedlings. Simphonia africana had the highest GI, Pf and RF of 3.3, 54,500 and 22.07, respectively and these values were significantly higher than values from other seedlings. Six tree seedlings; Simphonia africana, Theobroma cacao, Gmelina arborea, Piptadeniastrum africana, Chrysophyluum albidium and Parkia biglobosa were found to be susceptible to M. incognita, while six (Tetrapleura tetraptera, Anacardium occidentale, Annonas muricata, Dinium guinensis and Vitex doniana) were found to be resistant and three (Treculia africana, Mangifera indica and Dacryodes edulis) were tolerant. Resistant tree seedlings should be planted in M. incognita-infested plantation and susceptible species should be treated even in