Evaluation of the Modulatory Effect of Annona muricata Extracts on the Activity of Some Selected Antibiotics against Biofilm-Forming MRSA

The study investigated the influence of Annona muricata extracts on the action of selected antibiotics against biofilm-forming MRSA. The various parts of the plant were processed into powder and extracted with ethanol or hot water and then screened for the presence of phytochemicals. The modulatory effect of the Annona muricata extract was also tested on some antibiotics against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The findings from this study revealed that the various parts of the Annona muricata extract (ethanolic and aqueous) contained different proportions of secondary metabolites. Varied antimicrobial activities were observed when the extract of the A. muricata was exposed to MRSA strain at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. The stem recorded the highest (17.00 and 18.00 mm) inhibitory activity against MRSA for both the aqueous and the ethanolic extract, respectively, and this was not different from the control, tetracycline. Again, the results on the modulatory action indicated that out of the 10 extracts of A. muricata, 4 of them antagonized the activity of ampicillin against the tested MRSA by a factor of 0.5 folds and the rest potentiated the drug within 1–4 folds, respectively. On the other hand, the various test extracts significantly potentiated the efficacy of streptomycin and tetracycline against the MRSA by a range of 1–32 folds with the aqueous root extract recording the highest synergistic effect and ethanol seed extract with the least effect. The findings of this study support the antibacterial activities of the A. muricata plant parts.

Acute Toxicity, Phytochemical Screening, Analgesic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Aqueous and Methanol Root Extracts of Maerua triphylla A. Rich. (Capparaceae)

Maerua triphylla root extracts are used by Maasai and Kikuyu communities in Kenya to manage headaches, stomachaches, migraines, and rheumatism. However, scientific data on their safety and efficacy are limited. The current study aims to investigate the safety, phytochemical constituents, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities of M. triphylla root extracts. Aqueous and methanol M. triphylla root extracts were prepared by cold maceration, and the extracts’ safety was evaluated using Wistar rats according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (2008) guidelines. Standard qualitative phytochemical screening methods were used for the detection of various phytochemical groups in the extracts. Analgesic activity assay in Swiss albino mice was done using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, while anti-inflammatory activity was determined in Wistar rats using the acetic acid-induced paw edema method. The methanol and aqueous extracts revealed LD50 > 2000 mg/kg bw, classifying them as nontoxic. The presence of cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenols was observed in both extracts. However, saponins were only present in the methanol extract. In the analgesic study, mice that received 100 mg/kg bw and 500 mg/kg bw of aqueous root extract of M. triphylla had significantly lower acetic acid-induced writhing than mice that received acetylsalicylic acid 75 mg (reference drug) ( p < 0.05 ). Additionally, mice that received 500 mg/kg bw of methanol root extract of M. triphylla had significantly lower acetic acid-induced writhing than mice that received the acetylsalicylic acid 75 mg ( p < 0.05 ). In the anti-inflammatory study, there was no significant difference ( p < 0.05 ) between the inhibitory activity of different doses of the aqueous root extract of M. triphylla and a 50 mg/kg dose of diclofenac sodium (reference drug) on acetic acid-induced paw edema in rats. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the inhibitory activity of 100 mg/kg bw and 500 mg/kg bw doses of the methanol root extract of M. triphylla and a 50 mg/kg dose of diclofenac sodium on acetic acid-induced paw edema ( p > 0.05 ). These findings suggest that the roots of M. triphylla may be useful in the safe mitigation of pain and inflammation and therefore support their ethnomedicinal use in the management of pain and inflammation.

Determination of Impact of Acute and Chronic Administration of Aqueous Root Extract of E. Tremula (Burburwa) on some Haematological parameters in Wistar Albino Rats

Eragrostis tremula (Burburwa) is an herbal plant native to tropical Africa, India and Myanmar. It is found in sandy soils and abandoned cultivations. It is used locally for sweeping, used as fodder for cattle and extensively being used in traditional medicine practice without assessing its safety. This study investigated the impact on blood cells (WBCs) on chronic/acute use of aqueous root extract of Eragrostis tremula among males/females wistar rats. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrate, phenols, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and diterpene. Lorke's method was used for oral acute toxicity study (LD50 determination). A total of 20 wistar rats were used, divided into four groups of five rats each. Group I was control and administered with distilled water, Group II, Group III and Group IV were respectively administered with 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg of the extract per kilogram body weight, for 21 days. The result of acute oral toxicity study was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. Total and differential (neutrophil, lymphocyte, and mixed cells) leukocyte counts were analysed. Eragrostis tremula aqueous root extract significantly (p<0.05) decreased lymphocyte and total leukocyte counts, but no significant changes (p>0.05) were observed in neutrophil and mixed cells count when the treated groups were compared with the control group. In conclusion, the findings of the present study have shown that, aqueous root extract of Eragrostis tremula has impact on lymphocyte and total leukocyte count in the wistar rats which is dependent on dose of the extract. The extract at high doses increases the lymphocyte and total leukocyte counts of the treated groups.

In Vivo Anti-Anemic Effect of an Aqueous Root Extract of Phyllanthus Muellerianus (Kuntze) Exell in Model Rats.

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAnemia is a very serious condition in Zambia. One of the plants that has been used traditionally is Phyllanthus muellerianus where different parts of shrub are used to treat a number of diseases in Zambian folklore medicine. Earlier studies have investigated medicinal properties of its aqueous root extracts. This study evaluated the effect of P. muellerianus roots on the hematological indices of albino rats and determined its phytochemical profile. Aim of the studyTo carry out phytochemical screening of the root extract and assess the ant-anemic effect of the aqueous extract on laboratory rats with tail-bled induced anemia Materials and MethodsThirty-six male albino rats placed in six groups were used for the study. The groups comprised the 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg plant extract, Ranferon (200 mg/kg) positive control, anemic non treated control and a normal (non-anemic) control. Anemia, induced through bleeding of the rats, was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) levels less than 12 g/dL. The anti-anemic potential of the plant was determined by comparing its effect on the hematological parameters of rats on treatment to that of the control group.ResultsAfter treatment, rats on the 400 mg/kg plant extract dose showed the greatest increase in the mean values for Hb, Packed cell volume (PCV) and RBC count were 43.3±1.2%, 15.4±0.3 g/dL and 6.3±0.3 x106 /mL respectively, when compared to the negative control group (P < 0.05). Phytochemical screening revealed positive results for alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, steroids, triterpenoids and tannins with varying amounts.Conclusions. The aqueous root extract of P. muellerianus was efficacious against anemia in a dose-dependent manner. The phytochemical compositions seem to be responsible for its hematopoietic properties. Thus, the root decoction of P. muellerianus is useful in alleviating anemia and the results lend credence to its use in traditional medicine in the management of anemia.

Sustainable Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles and its Antidiabetic Activity of Anacardium Occidentale

Nanoparticles are being considered as elemental building blocks of nanotechnology. The green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using the aqueous root extract of Anacardium occidentale by bio-reduction of Auric chloride solution was investigated in the current study. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope. In UV, the absorbance peak was observed at 531nm, FTIR spectrum shows the wavelength range from 464.27 cm-1 to 3364.51cm-1 and SEM image showed that gold nanoparticles are in spherical shape. Then, the biosynthesized gold nanoparticles examined for the antidiabetic and antioxidant activities and the result outcome with better percentage of potential.

Sub-chronic toxicological evaluation of Strophanthus hispidus DC (Apocynaceae) aqueous root extract

Objectives Strophanthus hispidus DC (Apocynaceae) has gained wide and extensive applications in herbal medicine in Africa for the treatment of quite a lot of diseases. Owing to the extensive application and the propensity of persistent consumption of this shrub, this research investigates the sub-chronic toxicological effect of aqueous root extract of S. hispidus (SHP) in laboratory animals (rats). Methods The rats were allotted into four groups of eight rats each (n=8) and orally treated daily for ninety (90) days with SHP extract at 100, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg and the control group received distilled water (10 mL/kg). The rats were weighed at 15 days interval. After 90 days daily oral administration of SHP extract, blood samples were collected from the rats into lithium heparin and EDTA bottles for biochemical and haematological analysis respectively. Vital organs were weighed and histological examination was performed on the liver and kidney Results The SHP extract displayed no significant (p>0.05) alterations in body weight of treated compared to control rats. At doses of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg, SHP-treated rats showed significant (p<0.05) increase in white blood cell (WBC), without significant difference in other haematological parameters. Non-significant (p>0.05) decrease in urea and non-significant (p>0.05) increase Na+, K+ and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were observed. Significant (p<0.05) decrease in liver weight was observed without any alteration in the architecture of the liver and other organs investigated. Conclusions Aqueous root extract of S. hispidus demonstrated a good safety profile in rats. Therefore, S. hispidus is harmless and safe following sub-chronic oral administration.

Novel kinase platform for the validation of the anti-tubercular activities of Pelargonium sidoides (Geraniaceae)

Background Pelargonium sidoides is an important traditional medicine in South Africa with a well-defined history of both traditional and documented use of an aqueous-ethanolic formulation of the roots of P. sidoides (EPs 7630), which is successfully employed for the treatment of respiratory tract infections. There is also historical evidence of use in the treatment of tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to develop a platform of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) kinase enzymes that may be used for the identification of therapeutically relevant ethnobotanical extracts that will allow drug target identification, as well as the subsequent isolation of the active compounds. Results Mtb kinases, Nucleoside diphosphokinase, Homoserine kinase, Acetate kinase, Glycerol kinase, Thiamine monophosphate kinase, Ribokinase, Aspartokinase and Shikimate kinase were cloned, produced in Escherichia coli and characterized. HPLC-based assays were used to determine the enzyme activities and subsequently the inhibitory potentials of varying concentrations of a P. sidoides extract against the produced enzymes. The enzyme activity assays indicated that these enzymes were active at low ATP concentrations. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of an aqueous root extract of P. sidoides against the kinases indicated SK has an IC50 of 1.2 μg/ml and GK 1.4 μg/ml. These enzyme targets were further assessed for compound identification from the P. sidoides literature. Conclusion This study suggests P. sidoides is potentially a source of anti-tubercular compounds and the Mtb kinase platform has significant potential as a tool for the subsequent screening of P. sidoides extracts and plant extracts in general, for compound identification and elaboration by selected extract target inhibitor profiling.