Ethnobotany of Aromatic Plants used by Phytotherapists in the District of Glazoue, Ouesse and Save in Benin

Aromatic and medicinal plants (AMP) are flora with a fragrant essence. The aim of this study is to identify the aromatic plants used by herbalists in three districts of the Departement des Collines. The method of data collection is based on ethnobotanical surveys of herbalists using the Dagnelli formula and pre-established survey questionnaires. The results of the survey of 300 herbalists identified 22 most commonly used aromatic plants, divided into 17 families and 21 genera. The most represented families are Lamiaceae (15%); Annonaceae (15%). Among the MAPs inventoried, the most cited and used are: Ocimum canum L. Ocimum gratissimum L.; Chenopodium ambrosioides L.; Hyptis suaveolens L.; Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich; Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. MAPs treat 163 conditions identified in this study. Some of the AMP are used alone or in combination with other plants. AMP drugs are: leaves (64%), roots (23%). The ailments treated by the majority of AMP are: fever; tooth decay; conjunctivitis; constipation; haemorrhoids; hernia; inflammation; skin lesion; stomach ache; snakebite; causes of malaria; sores and painful periods. In view of the proven importance and different uses of AMP, it is necessary to study them further (ecology, distribution, and conservation status) in order to better prevent or cure human health.

Effects of Xylopia aethiopica Pod Extract on Reproductive Hormones in Female Wistar Rats

Plants and their metabolites have been used in the treatment of various disease conditions from time immemorial. This study investigated the effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of pods of Xylopia aethiopica on reproductive hormone (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone) in female Wistar rats. Thirty female wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of six animals per group, per cage (n=6). Group A served as the normal control group and was administered distilled water while group B served as positive control and was administered 5 mg of standard drug (Clomid-Clomiphene Citrate). Groups C, D and E served as the treatment group and was administered 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg extract of X. aethiopica respectively for seven days. Administration of drugs and extract was done via oral route. The rats were thereafter copulated with their male counterparts for 72 hours and the female rats were observed throughout their gestation and the numbers of litters produced were recorded. The hormonal assay was carried out using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Result showed a significant increase in FSH and Progesterone level (p<0.05) in treated group when compared with the control group while no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed for the luteinizing hormone in the treated groups. The work thus showed that the plant could exert a positive effect on female fertility by enhancing levels of female reproductive hormones.

In vitro inhibition of multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas efflux pump by Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich

Global health is under constant threat due to antimicrobial drug resistance. Bacterial Infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are of importance because of their antibiotics resistance. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of extracts of Xylopia aethiopica (XA) on multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas isolates. Fresh samples of XA leaf, stem bark and roots were collected from the botanical garden, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Dried and pulverized samples were extracted with methanol and partitioned into n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. Phytochemical screening of the extracts was performed by standard methods. Antimicrobial activity and synergistic interaction were determined using microdilution and checkerboard broth dilution methods, respectively. The results revealed that crude methanol extracts of XA leaf, stem bark and root significantly (p<0.05) inhibited the growth of all tested MDR Pseudomonas isolates at 10 mg/mL. At 1 mg/mL, the ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf, and dichloromethane fraction of the roots produced clear zones of inhibition of 12 – 20 mm, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1 µg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. The modulation factor (MF) of ciprofloxacin, dichloromethane fraction of XA roots and ethyl acetate fraction of XA leaf were 4, 8, and 4 on MDR isolates E01006, OAU058 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, respectively. In all tested isolates, but not E01006 and E01024, the fractional MICs of ciprofloxacin/ethylacetate fraction of XA leaf extract combination was not significantly different (p>0.05) compared with ciprofloxacin/verapamil combination. In conclusion, the root and leaf fractions Xylopia aethiopica that demonstrated antimicrobial activity against MDR P. aeruginosa and synergised with ciprofloxacin have the potential to rejuvenate the antimicrobial activity of ciprofloxacin in MDR P. aeruginosa.

Antimalarial, Antitrypanosomal, Antimicrobial Activities and Volatile Oil Profile of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) Rich (Annonaceae)

The resistance of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) to well-recognized antimalarial drugs is now common in nearly every area of its prevalence; consequently, there is a need to explore therapeutic plants that have bioactive compounds which can be utilized in the manufacture of antimalarial drugs. The in vitro potency of the volatile oil (VO) of Xylopia aethiopica (X. aethiopica) was evaluated against P. falciparum 3D7 strain, a human malaria parasite, a good activity against the parasite P. falciparum was recorded with an IC50 of 14 µg/mL. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the fruit oil of X. aethiopica was determined at a concentration of 50 µg/mL against HeLa cells and was found to show no cytotoxicity effect at this concentration; this could be an indication of the safety of the fruit oil as a targeted drug for mammalian organisms. , The antibacterial property of the VO from the fruit of X. aethiopica, was evaluated in vitro; the fruit oil exhibited good antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms, with Klebsiella pneumoniae having the highest inhibition zone of 19.0 ± 1.4 mm. The result recorded for MBC/MFC confirms that VO of this plant can be used in therapeutic preparations, particularly in the infections brought about by some of these microorganisms as practiced by traditional healers in folkloric medicines. This appears to justify the numerous folkloric therapeutic uses of the aerial parts of this plant. The hydro distilled volatile oil from X. aethiopica was characterized by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), an abundance of monoterpenes hydrocarbon (58.0%), followed by oxygenated monoterpenes (30.13%), sesquiterpene hydrocarbon (8.96%), and fatty acid (0.74%) were well represented. The significant quantitative constituents of the fruit oil are 1, 8-cineole (16.73%), β-pinene (11.59%), sabinene (10.76%), 1R-α-pinene (8.30%), α-phellandrene (8.34%).

Changes Associated with Treatment of Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice with Momordica charantia, Xylopia aethiopica and Entandrophragma angolense Leaf Extract

Aim: Leaves of plants have been useful in the treatment of various diseases and infections. The study aims at determining the nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and hematological effect of Momordica charantia, Xylopia aethiopica, and Entandrophragma angolense on the Plasmodium berghei infected mice. Study Design: The plants’ leaves were air-dried and extracted. Forty-two Swiss male mice, 18 to 25 g, were grouped into six of seven mice each. Group I was uninfected but were administered with normal saline for four days, Group II to VI were all infected with P. berghei and administered with normal saline, 300 mg/b.w. of M. charantia leaf extract, 300 mg/b.w. of E. angolense leaf extract, 300 mg/b.w. of X. aethiopica leaf extract and 40 mg/b.w. of chloroquine injection for four days, respectively. Results: The treatment groups showed a lower level of toxicity when compared with chloroquine treatment. X. aethiopica has the greatest positive impact on the PCV level of the experimental animals of its treated group compared with other groups. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the antimalarial potential of X. aethiopica and thus can be used to treat malaria without anemia as a side effect.

Protective Effects of Xylopia aethiopica Fruit Ethanol Extract on Cadmium-Induced Inflammation and Dyslipidemia in Male Albino Rats

The wide use of cadmium (Cd) in industry causes great environmental health problems to humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Xylopia aethiopica fruit ethanol extract (XAFEE) on cadmium-induced inflammation and dyslipidemia in male albino rats. Thirty albino rats weighing 120&ndash;180 g were randomly selected into six groups (n = 5): control rats (administered distilled water only), Cd alone group (10 mg/ kg bw), Cd + 150 mg/kgbw XAFEE, Cd + 300 mg/kgbw XAFEE, 150 mg/kgbw XAFEE and 300 mg /kgbw XAFEE groups after 2-week acclimatization. The experiment lasted for 21 days, after which blood sample was collected by cardiac puncture. Changes in tumor necrosis factor (TNF-&alpha;), interleukin 10 (IL-10), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TAG), phospholipids and free fatty acids (FFAs) concentrations in serum were determined. The results of the present study indicated that Cd exposure remarkably increased (p &lt; 0.05) the TC, TAG, phospholipids, FFAs and TNF-&alpha; concentrations, and significantly decreased IL-10 concentration (p &lt; 0.05). These findings suggest that inflammatory changes and alterations in lipid metabolism might be one of the mechanisms underlying the subtle effects of Cd toxicity, &ldquo;dyslipidemia.&rdquo; XAFEE expressed protective role against toxic influence of Cd on affected parameters in rats. The results raised the possibility of Xylopia aethiopica fruit being considered as a condiment in soup, local drinks, supplements or herbs preparations in areas where there are chances of Cd exposure, occupationally or environmentally.

Protective Effects of Xylopia aethiopica Fruit Ethanol Extract (XAFEE) on Cadmium-Induced Inflammation and Dyslipidemia in Male Albino Rats

The wide use of cadmium (Cd) in industry causes great environmental health problems to humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Xylopia aethiopica fruit ethanol extract (XAFEE) on cadmium-induced inflammation and dyslipidemia in male albino rats. Thirty albino rats weighing 120&ndash;180 g were randomly selected into six groups (n = 5): control rats (administered distilled water only), Cd alone group (10 mg/ kg bw), Cd + 150 mg/kgbw XAFEE, Cd + 300 mg/kgbw XAFEE, 150 mg/kgbw XAFEE and 300 mg /kgbw XAFEE groups after 2-week acclimatization. The experiment lasted for 21 days, after which blood sample was collected by cardiac puncture. Changes in tumor necrosis factor (TNF-&alpha;), interleukin 10 (IL-10), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TAG), phospholipids, free fatty acids (FFAs) and HDL-TAG concentrations in serum were determined. The results of the present study indicated that Cd exposure remarkably increased (p &lt; 0.05) the TC, TAG, phospholipids, FFAs, HDL-TAG, TNF-&alpha; concentrations, and significantly decreased IL-10 concentration (p &lt; 0.05). These findings suggest that inflammatory changes and alterations n lipid metabolism might be one of the mechanisms underlying the subtle effects of Cd toxicity, &ldquo;dyslipidemia.&rdquo; XAFEE expressed protective role against toxic influence of Cd on affected parameters in rats. The results raised the possibility of Xylopia aethiopica fruit being considered as a condiment in soup, local drinks, supplements or herbs preparations in areas where there are chances ofCd exposure, occupationally or environmentally.

Kinetic Modeling of Essential Oil Extraction by Hydrodistillation of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich Fruits from Congo-Brazzaville

The extraction kinetics of the essential oil of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich by hydrodistillation was studied for modeling its process and optimizing its yield. The oils obtained, analyzed by GC/MS, consists mainly of pinenes, sabinene, myrenal, terpinene-4-ol, limonene. Experimental data were fitted into first and second order kinetics for a 2-steps extraction, washing and diffusion, of the phenomenological model, according to the hypothesis used. The essential oil which moves inner vegetable cells by diffusion and is extracted at the surface of the particle by washing with an extraction solvent. When the washing step is instantaneous compared to that of diffusion, the mechanism, which is under diffusion control, admits first order. Considering both washing and diffusion steps, kinetic order became 2, in agreement with the Peleg model. The Monod and Langmuir models also fitted experimental data. All these models validated by the experimental data with determination coefficients R2> 0.96 can be used for optimizing the extraction of the essential oil of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich.