Browsing by Author "Amponsah, I.K."
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Item Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Guibourtia ehie on Human Prostate (PC-3) and Breast Cancer (MC-7) Cell Lines and in silico Studies on Its Metabolite 7,4′-Dihydroxyflavone(Springer, 2022) Amponsah, I.K.; Ramos, G.F.; Harley, B.K.; Sarkodie, J.A.; Ekuadzi, E.; Ampofo, E.K.; Ben, I.O.Guibourtia ehie (A. Chev.).Léonard (leguminosae), is a forest tree of Africa used traditionally for tumours, wound cleansing and diarrhoea. However, some of these ethnomedical uses have not been validated scientifically. The present study aimed at investigating the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of the plant extract. The study further evaluates the contribution of its metabolite 7,4′-dihydroxyflavone to these effects. Anti-inflammatory activity of the 70% ethanol extract of the stem bark of G. ehie was established using the carrageenan induced foot oedema in 7-day-old chicks at 30–100 mg/kg body weight with diclofenac as reference drug. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was used for the antioxidant test whereas cytotoxic effect was done using prostate cancer (PC-3) and breast cancer (MC-7) cell lines with MTT as a measure of cell viability. In silico analysis of the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of the compound isolated from the plant was also performed. The extract and reference drug diclofenac inhibited foot pad oedema by 28.58% and 61.99% respectively over the 5-hour period. The isolate showed a marginally higher activity than the extract (32.64%). The extract was cytotoxic against breast (MC-7) and prostate (PC-3) cancer cell lines with respective IC50 values of 67.43 and 61.12 µg/mL but showed poor selectivity index (SI < 2). The isolate 7,4′-dihydroxyflavone was non-cytotoxic and this was also confirmed from the in-silico studies. G. ehie and its isolate exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect as suggested by folklore medicine. The extract was cytotoxic to breast and prostate cancer cell lines but was nonselective.Item Hypoglycaemic activity of Oleanonic acid, a 3-oxotriterpenoid isolated from Aidia Genipiflora (DC.) Dandy, involves inhibition of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes and promotion of glucose uptake(Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2022) Harley, B.K.; Amponsah, I.K.; Ben, I.O.; Mireku-Gyimah, N.A.The present study evaluated the antidiabetic activities of the 70% ethanol stem bark extract of Aidia genipiflora (AGB) and one of its constituents, oleanonic acid in streptozotocin (40 mg/kg)-induced diabetic rats. In vitro assays of glucose uptake and inhibition of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes were then used to investigate their mechanism(s) of hypoglycaemic action. In silico evaluation of the pharmacokinetic and toxicity properties of the compound was also carried out. Administration of AGB (100–400 mg/kg) and oleanonic acid (15 – 60 mg/ kg) resulted in significant reductions (p < 0.001) in the blood glucose and considerable decrease (p < 0.05) in the elevated lipid parameters of the diabetic animals. AGB activity at 200 and 400 mg/kg; and oleanonic acid at 60 mg/kg were comparable to glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). The extract and its isolate strongly inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity with IC50 values of (10.48 ± 1.39 µg/mL and 14.51 ± 1.26 µg/mL) and (36.52 ± 1.95 µM and 105.84 ± 1.08 µM) respectively. The glucose uptake assays showed that AGB and oleanonic acid exerted both insulin-dependent and independent promotional effect of glucose transport into the periphery by upregulating the expression of PI3K and PPARγ transcripts with a concomitant increase in GLUT-4 transcripts. Although oleanonic acid was predicted to be teratogenic, it was found to be generally non-lethal with favourable pharmacokinetics properties making it suitable for further studies. The study has shown that the stem bark of A. genipiflora is a source of new hypoglycaemic agents and that oleanonic acid possesses hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic activities.Item Knowledge, perception, and pesticide application practices among smallholder cocoa farmers in four Ghanaian cocoa-growing regions(Toxicology Reports, 2023) Boateng, K.O.; Dankyi, E.; Amponsah, I.K.; Awudzi, G.K.; Amponsah, E.; Darko, G.Pesticides are widely used in Ghana, especially in cocoa farming. However, the practice is suboptimal and un supervised. Incorrect use of these chemicals can seriously harm human health, the environment, and economies that rely on these farmers’ output. The study assessed cocoa farmers’ pesticide knowledge, practices, and risk perception. Four hundred and four cocoa farmers were chosen randomly from 26 communities in four cocoa growing regions of Ghana to answer questions about their risk knowledge, awareness, and practices, including personal protective equipment, storage and disposal of leftover pesticides, and used containers. The study revealed that 87% of the respondents belonged to cooperatives and certification groups. There was a significant positive relationship between group membership and benefits derived from inputs and training in pesticide use. About 70% of insecticides used were approved by the Ghana Cocoa Board, with neonicotinoids and pyrethroids being the most highly used insecticide classes in cocoa farms. Although farmers claimed adequate pesticide knowledge, this did not translate into practice, with the majority exhibiting improper pesticide storage, application, and disposal practices. Farmers appeared to know a lot but lacked the skills and attitude to put their knowledge to use. The improper practices appear to manifest in a variety of health symptoms experienced by farmers as a result of chemical exposure. The findings from this study suggest that cocoa farmers in Ghana require adequate practical training and support on pesticide use to reduce their associated health risks, protect the environment and ensure sustainable cocoa production in the world’s second-largest cocoa bean exporter.Item Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Mental and Neurological Disorders in Ghana(Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018-12) Amoateng, P.; Quansah, E.; Karikari, T.K.; Asase, A.; Osei-Safo, D.; Kukuia, K.K.E.; Amponsah, I.K.; Nyarko, A.K.Ethnopharmacological Relevance. Mental and neurological disorders are a serious public health challenge globally, particularly in developing countries where cultural factors and limited access to standard healthcare have led to a reliance on traditional medicines. However, ethnopharmacological characterization of traditional medicines used to treat these diseases is lacking. In this study, an ethnobotanical description of plant species used in treating mental and neurological disorders in Ghana and an update of their experimentally validated pharmacological relevance are provided. Materials and Methods. Two hundred herbalists agreed to participate but sixty-six specialized in treating mental and neurological disorders were interviewed on their traditional medical practice. Literature review was conducted to verify the experimentally validated pharmacological importance of the reported plants. Results. Thirty-two plant species belonging to twenty-eight families were identified. Most plant species had either analgesic (50%), anxiolytic (18.8%), or anticonvulsant (15.6%) properties. Others had reported sedative, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, motor coordination, antipsychotic, antidepressant, cognitive enhancement, and neuroprotective properties. While Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) and Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) were the most commonly mentioned species with analgesic properties, Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) was the most-reported anxiolytic product, with Cymbopogon citratus DC. (Gramineae), Mangifera indica L., Tetrapleura tetraptera Schum Taub. (Fabaceae), and Persea Americana Mill (Lauraceae) being the most studied anticonvulsants. Conclusions. This study provides the first report specifically on medicinal plants used in treating mental and neurological disorders in Ghana. Most of the identified plants have been scientifically confirmed to possess neuro- and psychopharmacological properties and may serve as templates for drug development.