Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine
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Item Medicinal uses, pharmacological activities, and bioactive compounds of Nauclea latifolia and implications in the treatment of tropical diseases(HSI Journal, 2024) Bekoe, E.O.; Lartey M.; Gordon, A.; Asante, B.Nauclea latifolia Sm. is a medicinal plant from the family Rubiaceae which is widely distributed in the tropical regions of Africa and Asia. Different parts of the plant are known to have many ethnomedicinal uses. The aim of this review is to compile knowledge available on the ethnomedicinal uses, pharmacological activities, and bioactive compounds present in different parts of the plant and identify their relevance in the treatment of tropical diseases. This review will preserve traditional knowledge, promote responsible use, and advance scientific and medical research on this plant. N. latifolia is used for the treatment of malaria, skin conditions, pain, hypertension, diabetes, fever, stomach problems, female infertility, gastric ulcer, jaundice, respiratory tract ailments, eye conditions, menstrual disorders, yellow fever, gonorrhoea, haemorrhoids, urine retention, male sexual dysfunction, dysentery, diarrhoea, HIV/ AIDS, measles, typhoid fever, leprosy, oral diseases, hernia, cancer, filariasis (helminthiasis) and central nervous system injuries. This plant has been investigated for its antidepressant, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-ulcer, antipyretic, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective, larvicidal, ovicidal, antidiarrheal, antihypertensive, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, myorelaxant and sedative activities. Scientific justification for its usage in the treatment of viral infections, hypertension, helminthiasis, stomachache, diabetes, backache, fever, cancer, malaria, diarrhoea, measles, conjunctivitis, and gastric ulcer has been established. However, further studies are needed to justify its use in the treatment of urine retention, male sexual dysfunction, HIV/ AIDS, hernia, female infertility, as well as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. The phytoconstituents documented include proanthocyanins, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, steroids, saponins, and terpenoids, with many compounds having been isolated.Item Phytochemical Analysis and Elemental Contents of Varieties of Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites(Journal of Natural Remedies, 2024) Bekoe, E. O.; Lartey, M.; Orman, E.; et alPolyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) is a medicinal plant that belongs to the family Annonaceae, and it is distributed in the tropics. This plant is widely grown in West Africa for its ornamental and medicinal purposes. There are two varieties of P. longifolia which are commonly distinguishable by the direction of their branches. One has spreading perpendicular branches, and the other has drooping pendulous branches. Traditional herbal practitioners believe that one variety (P. longifolia cv. pendula) is more medicinal than the other. This study, therefore, sought to investigate the phytochemical components of the two varieties of P. longifolia by HPTLC, UPLC, and elemental analysis by ICP-EOS. No observable differences were found in the phytochemical and elemental profiles of these varieties that could help distinguish one from the other or could account for its supposed differences in medicinal properties. A total of 22 elements were detected in the samples of the two varieties of the plant. Qualitatively, the elemental content of both varieties was similar. Only Iridium was not detected in all samples. Heavy metals including As, Pb, Cd, and Hg had their levels above the recommended limits.Item Undescribed sesquiterpenoids with NO production inhibitory activity from oleo-gum resin of Commiphora myrrha(Phytochemistry, 2024) Zhang, B.; Chao, W.; Donkor, P.O.; et al.Six undescribed cadinane sesquiterpenoids (1− 6), two undescribed guaiane sesquiterpenoids (7− 8), and an undescribed germacrane sesquiterpenoid (9) were isolated from the oleo-gum resin of Commiphora myrrha. Their structures were determined by the analysis of 1D/2D NMR and HRESIMS data, as well as quantum chemical ECD and NMR calculations. All the sesquiterpenoids were evaluated for their NO production inhibitory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse monocyte-macrophages. The results revealed that commiphone A (1) and commipholide D (7) exhibited significant inhibitory effect on NO generation with IC50 values of 18.6 ± 2.0 and 37.5 ± 1.5 μM, respectively. Furthermore, 1 and 7 dose-dependently inhibited the mRNA expression of in flammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α induced by LPS in the RAW264.7 cells, indicating that 1 and 7 possess potent anti-inflammatory activity in vitro.Item Ethnomedicinal uses, biological activities, and toxicity of Voacanga africana Stapf Ex Scott-Elliot(Advances in Traditional Medicine, 2023) Bekoe, E.O.; Opare, J.A.A.; Lartey, M.; Amoateng, P.Voacanga africana, is a medicinal plant widely used in many African countries. Various parts of this plant are used, but more especially the seeds are held in high esteem for it’s their additional economic value due to the presence of the alkaloids ibogaine, tabersonine, and voacangine. These alkaloids have peculiar medicinal uses in the treatment of psychotic ailments, drug addiction, and also serve as precursors for drug synthesis. V. africana is traditionally used to treat a myriad of diseases including malaria, worm infestation, amoebiasis, ulcers, pain, cardiovascular conditions, depression, fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, gynaecological conditions, delayed labour, kidney conditions, malaria, asthma and convulsions, however not all these have been investigated. Studies have demonstrate possible efficacy in the treatment of worm infestation, amoebiasis, ulcer, pain and inflammation, cardiovascular condition, depression, diarrhoea, onchocerciasis, mental disorder, and microbial infections. The plant also has CNS, neuro-protective, sedative, anti-microbial, anti-tumor and anti-oxidant activities. Further studies is however needed to verify its activity in the treatment of malaria, fatigue, gynaecological and, labour conditions, respiratory conditions and carious teeth. With respect to safety, the ethanolic leaf extract is reported to be relatively non-toxic with an estimated LD50 of ≥ 5000 mg while the aqueous leaf extract had no significant alteration on the blood biochemistry or histopathology of essential organs in murine models. Some isolated alkaloids from this plant: vobtusine, voacangine and voacamine are however known to exhibit toxicity in the form of cardiac depressor activity, asphyxia and convulsions, hypertension and CNS depressant activities. In addition to alkaloids, the plant is also rich in saponins, tannins, terpenes, steroids, flavonoids, phenols, anthranoids, glycosides, and oils. This review therefore suggests the need for further robust and detailed investigations on the activity of the extracts and compounds of this plant and their potential toxicities.Item Towards the development of analytical monograph specifications for the quality assessment of the medicinal plant Phyllanthus urinaria(Phytochemistry, 2023) Orman, E.; Bekoe, S.O.; Bekoe, E.O.; et al.Many people in developing countries rely on herbal remedies for their primary healthcare needs. The challenge however is that several of these products lack proper documentation of quality and safety. To ensure consistent quality, validated methods are needed to establish and control quality attributes associated with identity, purity, and levels of bioactive constituents of the respective herbal materials. The present study focused on Phyllanthus urinaria (PU), a widely used medicinal plant in Ghana and West Africa that lacks the necessary quality control standards. The study aimed to develop an HPTLC identification method, which together with UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS analysis established the identity of PU samples and differentiated PU from other closely related Phyl lanthus species. Quantitative UPLC and HPTLC methods were developed to assess the contents of selected active markers in the PU samples, which invariably led to the proposal of acceptance criteria for the active markers. Prior to the content analyses, the sample extraction procedure was optimized through the use of Design of Experiment method. The effects of harvest time and geographic origin on the content of active compounds were demonstrated in the investigations. PU samples were also found to be contaminated with higher levels of pes ticides like chlorpyrifos and folpet. Essentially, this study provides analytical protocols, insights into the quality status of PU samples in Ghana, and analytical specifications contained in a drafted monograph for future consideration in regional and subregional African pharmacopoeias.Item Phytochemistry, data mining, pharmacology, toxicology and the analytical methods of Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae): a comprehensive review(Phytochemistry Reviews, 2023) Xue, B-X.; He, R-S.; Mireku-Gyimah, N.A.Cyperus rotundus L. has been widely used in the treatment and prevention of numerous diseases in traditional systems of medicine around the world, such as nervous, gastrointestinal systems diseases and inflammation. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), its rhizomes are frequently used to treat liver disease, stomach pain, breast tenderness, dysmenorrheal and menstrual irregularities. The review is conducted to summarize comprehensively the plant’s vernacular names, distribution, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and analytical methods, along with the data mining for TCM prescriptions containing C. rotundus. Herein, 552 compounds isolated or identified from C rotundus were systematically collated and classified, concerning monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavo noids, phenylpropanoids, phenolics and phenolic glycosides, triterpenoids and steroids, diterpenoids, quinonoids, alkaloids, saccharides and others. Their pharmacological effects on the digestive system, nervous system, gynecological diseases, and other bioactivities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti cancer, insect repellent, anti-microbial activity, etc. were summarized accordingly. Moreover, except for the data mining on the compatibility of C. rotundus in TCM, the separation, identification and analytical methods of C. rotundus compositions were also systematically summarized, and constituents of the essential oils from different regions were re-analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis. In addition, the toxicological study progresses on C. rotundus revealed the safety property of this herb. This review is designed to serve as a scientific basis and theoretical reference for further exploration into the clinical use and scientific research of C. rotundus.Item Ethnomedicinal Information on Plants Used for the Treatment of Bone Fractures, Wounds, and Sprains in the Northern Region of the Republic of Benin(Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022) Toafode, N.M.C.; Bekoe, E.O.; Vissiennon, Z.; Ahyi, V.; Vissiennon, C.; Fester, K.Medicinal plants are frequently used in African countries due to their importance in the treatment of various conditions. In the northern Republic of Benin, traditional healers are recognized as specialists in the treatment of fractures, wounds, and sprains. The present study was conducted to document the practices (diagnosis and materials) and traditional knowledge accumulated by healers in this region on their area of specialty. In addition, literature-based research was performed to support the usage of the most cited plants. Sixty traditional healers identifed as “reference persons” from Atakora and Donga departments in the northern Republic of Benin, who specialized in the treatment of fractures, wounds, and sprains, were interviewed in their communities through a semi-structured questionnaire. Information about the practice, age of the healers, medicinal plants used in this treatment, methods of preparation, and administration were collected. Samples of the plant species were also collected, identified, and stored in the national herbarium at the University of Abomey-Calavi, the Republic of Benin. The study enabled the identification of thirty-four (34) species belonging to twenty-three (23) families. Ochna rhizomatosa and Ochna schweinfurthiana (21%) were the most quoted plants among the species, followed by Chasmanthera dependents (12.1%), Piliostigma thonningii (11.3%), and Combretum sericeum (8.1%). These plants were reported to strengthen bones, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote healing in the northern part of the Republic of Benin. Besides their ability to treat fractures, wounds, and sprains, they are also used for multiple purposes in the West African sub regions. According to the available literature, some of the plants will need to be investigated for their phytoconstituents and pharmacological activity to validate their ethnobotanical uses. Tese results confrm the need for documenting traditional knowledge since it represents an opportunity for exploring plant species with potentially good pharmacological effects, which have been barely investigated. Plants identified may constitute a significant source of bioactive compounds in the treatment of various ailments such as skin inflammation and musculoskeletal disorders. They can be further explored to justify their use in traditional Beninese medicine.Item Anthelmintic Agents from African Medicinal Plants: Review and Prospects(Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022) Jato, J.; Orman, E.; Boakye, Y.D.; Bekoe, E.O.; Bekoe, S.O.; Asare-Nkansah, S.; Spiegler, V.; Hensel, A.; Liebau, E.; Agyare, C.Soil-transmitted helminthiasis affects more than 1.5 billion people globally and largely remains a sanitary problem in Africa. These infections place a huge economic burden on poor countries and affect livestock production, causing substantial economic losses and poor animal health. The emergence of anthelmintic resistance, especially in livestock, and the potential for its widespread in humans create a need for the development of alternative therapies. Medicinal plants play a significant role in the management of parasitic diseases in humans and livestock, especially in Africa. This report reviews anthelmintic studies that have been conducted on medicinal plants growing in Africa and published within the past two decades. A search was made in various electronic databases, and only full articles in English were included in the review. Reports show that aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts and polar fractions obtained from these crude extracts form the predominant (80%) form of the extracts studied. Medicinal plants, extracts, and compounds with different chemical groups have been studied for their anthelmintic potential. Polyphenols and terpenoids are the most reported groups. More than 64% of the studies employed in vitro assays against parasitic and nonparasitic nematode models. Egg hatch inhibition, larval migration inhibition, and paralysis are the common parameters assessed in vitro. About 72% of in vivo models involved small ruminants, 15% rodents, and 5% chicken. Egg and worm burden are the main factors assessed in vivo. There were no reports on interventions in humans cited within the period under consideration. Also, few reports have investigated the potential of combining plant extracts with common anthelmintic drugs. This review reveals the huge potential of African medicinal plants as sources of anthelmintic agents and the dire need for in-depth clinical studies of extracts, fractions, and compounds from African plants as anthelmintic agents in livestock, companion animals, and humans.Item Metabolite profiling, antifungal, biofilm formation prevention and disruption of mature biofilm activities of Erythrina senegalensis stem bark extract against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata(PLOS ONE, 2022) Harley, B.K.; Quagraine, A.M.; Neglo, D.; Aggrey, M.O.; Orman, E.; Mireku-Gyimah, N.A.; Amengor, C.D.; Jato, J.; Saaka, Y.; Fleischer, T.C.The antifungal activity of the 70% ethanol stem bark extract of Erythrina senegalensis (ESB) against different strains and drug resistant clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were evaluated in the study. The effect of ESB on biofilms as well as its activity in combination with fluconazole, nystatin or caspofungin against the Candida strains were also evaluated. We then evaluated the antifungal activity of a microemulsion formulation of ESB against planktonic and biofilms of the Candida species. UPLC-QTOF-MS2 analysis was then undertaken to identify the phytoconstituents of the extract and UPLC fingerprints developed for the routine authentication as part of quality control measures. ESB exerted strong antifungal activities against C. albicans ATCC 10231 and SC5314 strains, and C. glabrata ATCC 2001 strain with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from 3.91 to 31.25 μg/mL and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) that ranged from 62.5 to 250 μg/mL. It also exhibited potent antifungal activities (MIC = 4–64 μg/mL) against a collection of C. albicans and C. glabrata clinical isolates that were resistant to either nystatin or azole antifungals. The formulated ESB demonstrated higher antifungal potency against the C. albicans and C. glabrata strains with MIC values of 3.91–31.25 μg/mL which was the same as the MFC values. The extract and its microemulsion formulation were active against biofilms of the strains of the Candida species inhibiting their biofilm formations (SMIC50 = 16–64 μg/mL) and their preformed biofilms (SMIC50 = 128 –>512 μg/mL). ESB also exhibited synergistic antifungal action with fluconazole and nystatin against C. albicans ATCC 10231 and C. glabrata ATCC 2001 strains in the checkerboard assay. Chemical characterization of the extract revealed the presence of phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and their prenylated derivatives, anthracene glycosides and alkaloids. UPLC Fingerprints of the extract was also developed and validated for routine identification and authentication of the stem bark of E. senegalensis. The study findings have demonstrated that the stem bark of E. senegalensis is as a potential source of bioactive compounds that could be developed as novel antifungal agents.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.
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