Crude Ethanolic Stem Bark Extract of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Its Fractions: In-Vitro and In-Vivo Antiplasmodial Activity

Malaria is a global problem, as treatment failure has hampered the efficacy of most anti-malarial medications. The goal of this study was to see if stem bark extract from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides had antiplasmodial properties that could be used to treat both susceptible and resistant parasites. The stem bark of Z. zanthoxyloides (500g) was crushed and extracted with ethanol. The extract was tested for antiplasmodial activity in vitro against the chloroquine-sensitive (CQS) strain NF54 and chloroquine-resistant strains (CQR) K1 of P. falciparum, as well as in vivo against the CQS(NK65) strain of P. berghei at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg bw. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract was performed. The crude extract had an in vitro activity of 1076.4 56.4 and 1315.1 121.6 ng/ml against chloroquine sensitive and resistant parasites, respectively while standard drugs (chloroquine and artesunate) were 10.94 nM (3478.92 ng/ml) and 9.24 nM (3215.52ng/ml) for CQS and 310.68 nM (98796 ng/ml) and 10.94 nM (3650.52 ng/ml) for CQR respectively. At Day 7, mice treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg bw crude extract had parasite densities of 1159, 928, and 869 parasites/ µl, respectively (compared to positive control that had 123 parasites /µl). In vitro antiplasmodial activity was best in the K2, K4, and K6 fractions (IC50 were 6670, 6890, and 6480 ng/ml), but in vivo antiplasmodial activity was best in the K4 fraction (1183 parasites/ µl).The stem bark extract of Z. zanthoxyloides have remarkable antiplasmodial activity against both chloroquine sensitive and drug resistant P. falciparum supporting it ethnomedicinal use in malaria treatment.The extract of Z. zanthoxyloides has promising antiplasmodial activity and could be used to generate therapeutic leads against the multidrug-resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum, in addition to providing an alternative allopathic antiplasmodial medication.

Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Total Phenols from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Leaves Treated Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Aims: Ethyl acetate fraction of total phenols from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides leaves was evaluated for its effects in alloxan-induced diabetic male albino rats. Methodology: Diabetes was induced in rats by administrating alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 130 mg/kg body weight. The ethyl acetate fraction was administered to rats at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. daily for 15 days. Blood glucose, lipid profile and pancreatic histopathology were monitored using standard methods. Results: Results indicated that two weeks after treatment with Z. zanthoxyloides, significant (p<0.05) reductions in hyperglycemic blood glucose, total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were recorded; with lowest values recorded in the group treated with the highest concentration of the extract. Histopathological examination of pancreatic tissues supported the protective effect of Z. zanthoxyloides phenol extract against diabetic damage. Conclusion: In conclusion, total phenols of Z. zanthoxyloides exerted antidiabetic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and protected pancreatic tissues from diabetic damage.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Plant Materials for the Control of Flea Beetles Podagrica spp on Okra Abelmoschus esculentus L

The efficacy of the Senegal prickly-ash Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) roots and the African locust bean tree Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) pod back was study for their efficacy in the control of okra pest, Podagrica spp. The study was carried out in the laboratory and on the field in the farming season of 2018. Z. zanthoxyloides roots were obtained from Jima-Doko forest and P. biglibosa fruit back from Takunpara. Both plant materials were air-dried under shade for 120 hours. Both plant parts were pounded separately in wooden mortar with the aid of wooden pestle until the materials turns to fine particles. Determined weight of 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 grams were taken for each plant materials and soaked in water for 24 hours and stirred at intervals of an hour. The mixture were then sieved with a muslin cloth and filtered with Whatman filter paper to eliminate all finest particles of varying sizes. These concentrations were applied individually on 10 adults of Podagrica spp. in the laboratory. It was observed that the concentration of 200 – 300g performed better for both plant materials in the control of okra flea beetle. These resulted to the death of above 50% of the insect within 2 hours. These significant laboratory trials were then formulated and taken to the field. Both plant materials acted as anti-feedants and repellants against Podagrica spp. It was also revealed that Z. zanthoxyloides performed significantly (p<0.05) better than the P. biglibosa. Furthermore, short interval applications (<or=3days) of these plant materials could be a good replacement for synthetic chemicals, hence bio-pesticides that could be adopted for organic agriculture.

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Alkaloidal Extract Improves CCl4-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Like Phenotypes in Rats

Background. Despite the enrollment of new small molecules such as Sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC still remains a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides is long suspected of possessing anticancer bioactive compounds that may hold the prospect of adjunctive therapy against inflammation-related cancers such as HCC. Objective. This study assessed the effects of an alkaloidal extract of the leaves of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides on CCl4/olive oil (1 : 1 v/v)-induced HCC-like phenotypes in rats. Materials and Methods. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides alkaloidal extract (ZZAE) was prepared using Soxhlet and liquid-liquid extraction methods. Subsequently, ZZAE was characterized phytochemically. In the curative method, experimental HCC was established in adult (8–10 weeks old) male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150–300 g by twice-daily administration of CCl4/olive oil (1 : 1 v/v) (2 mL/kg ip). After confirmation of experimental HCC in rats, the rats were randomly reassigned into seven (7) groups of seven (7) rats each and treated daily for 12 weeks as follows: control (normal saline, 5 ml/kg po), model (CCl4, 5 ml/kg, ip), ZZAE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg po), carvedilol (6.25 mg/kg po), and 20% Tween20 (1 mL/rat, po). To assess whether ZZAE has a prophylactic (preventive) effect, rats were first treated with ZZAE and later exposed to CCl4 reconstituted in olive oil. Results. ZZAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) and carvedilol decreased tumor incidence compared to that of control. Compared to control, ZZAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly ( P < 0.05 ) improved serum GGT. Compared to control, ZZAE improved hepatohistological distortions induced by CCl4/olive oil and also improved liver/body weight ratio. Compared to water, ZZAE arrested mitosis in the Allium cepa assay. Conclusion. ZZAE ameliorated CCl4/olive oil-induced HCC-like phenotype in rats and demonstrated general hepatoprotective effects by improving liver and kidney function markers. This finding rationalizes the need for further studies on ZZAE as a potential source of bioactive anti-HCC compounds.

Biopesticidal Effect of Partitioned Extracts of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) Zepernick & Timler on Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.)

Botanicals have become the focus for discovery of novel bioinsecticides for protection of crops most especially because of their biodegradability, non-toxicity, target organism specificity and environmental friendliness. Partitioned extracts of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides were investigated for biopesticidal effect on Callosobruchus maculatus with aim of identifying the most active components and increase ease of handling when compared to bulk crude plant material used by farmers. Crude powder of rootbark of Z. zanthoxyloides was made as well as partitioned extracts using Kupchan partition extraction methods with methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate and n-hexane as solvents. Analysis of the rootbark of the plant showed 19.87% ash content, 24% crude protein, 24.85% crude fibre, 3.13% oil extract, 15.42mg/100g alkaloids, 45.90mg/100g tannins, 1039.14mg/100g saponins, 26.47mg/100g flavonoids, 150.0mg/100g iron, 244.70mg/100g calcium, 36.65mg/100g magnesium, 449.00mg/100g potassium and 128.30mg/100g of phosphorus. The crude powder and extracts were bioassayed on C. maculatus in stored cowpea. Insecticidal activities of the partitioned extracts increased with increasing concentration; toxicity test revealed that n-hexane at 1%, 2% and 3%, acetone extract at 3%, and crude powder at 1.5g all have same effect on the insect as the positive control, achieving 100% mortality at 24 hours post treatment, number of adult emergence of 63.57 was recorded with 1% methanol extract against 28 in 3% of the extract. There was a significant difference in weight loss by the cowpea in the different fractional treatments while positive and negative controls also differed significantly (P>0.05) with all the partitioned treatments. Partition extracts from Z. zanthoxyloides were more bioactive than the crude powder, and n-hexane fractions contain the most active compounds against C. maculatus. n-hexane extract contain most active biomolecules to be explored for bioinsecticide formulation with high potency for development of new biopesticide, eliminate toxic components and increase ease of handling when compared to bulk crude plant material used by farmers.

Utilization of plant species in mangrove swamp: ruminant herders’ perception of treats and strategies for mangrove sustainable restoration in Benin (west-Africa)

In Benin, mangroves are an important resource for the coastal populations who use them for firewood, salt preparation but also for feeding ruminants in the surrounding meadows. However, the pressure exerted by exploitation on fodder in the mangroves has not been quantified. This study aims to understand the relationship between mangroves and ruminants in the coastal zone of Benin. Ethno-botanical data were collected from ninety (90) ruminant breeders in fifteen (15) villages close to mangroves along the coastal belt, using individual interviews and group discussions combined with a tourist guide and a semi-structured questionnaire. The herders provided, among other things, mangrove species used as food and for ruminant health. Cross-tabulations, with calculation of chi-square statistics, were used as well as means and standard deviation values of continuous variables calculated and compared between mangrove trends observed using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Rhizophora racemosa , Avicennia africana , Paspalum vaginatum , Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and Blutaparon vermiculare were the species mentioned. Local communities are aware of the need to restore and ensure the sustainable conservation of mangrove ecosystems. The main restoration and conservation measures indicated by the pastoralists are the planting of mangroves, rational logging through the control of logging, no fires after logging. These measures vary according to ethnicity and depend significantly (p < 0.001) on the type of mangrove. However, these modes of exploitation of mangroves by livestock breeders have no effect on their dynamics. However, the involvement of farmers is dispensable for the conservation of mangroves.