Newman Osafo

Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae) fruit extract suppresses Freund׳s adjuvant-induced arthritis in Sprague-Dawley rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Xylopia aethiopica is used in a decoction of the dried fruit to treat bronchitis, asthma, arthritis, rheumatism, headache, neuralgia and colic pain. The aim of the study is to evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of a 70% aqueous ethanol extract of the fruit of Xylopia aethiopica in a chronic inflammatory model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adjuvant arthritis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by intraplantar injection of Complete Freunds adjuvant into the right hind paw. Foot volume was measured by water displacement plethysmometry. The oedema component of inflammation was evaluated as the percentage change in paw swelling and the total oedema induced calculated as area under the time course curves. In addition to X-ray radiography, histopathology of ankle joints supported by haematological analysis was used to assess the anti-arthritic action of the extract of Xylopia aethiopica (XAE). RESULTS Xylopia aethiopica extract (100, 300 and 600 mg kg(-1)) modified the time course curve significantly reducing hind paw oedema in the ipsilateral paw at all dose levels when administered both prophylactically and therapeutically. In addition XAE significantly suppressed the systemic spread of the arthritis from the ipsilateral to the contralateral limbs. The radiological pictures of the joints particularly metatarsal, phalanges and the ankle joint space of rats in the XAE-treated group showed protective effect against adjuvant-induced arthritis while histopathology revealed significant reduction in mononuclear infiltration, pannus formation and bone erosion. The haematological analysis in the test animals revealed significant improvement relative to the CFA model group. CONCLUSION Xylopia aethiopica XAE suppresses joint inflammation and destruction in arthritic rats.

Aqueous ethanol extract of the fruit of Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae) exhibits anti-anaphylactic and anti-inflammatory actions in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Xylopia aethiopica has been traditionally used in the form of the dried fruit decoction to treat bronchitis, asthma, arthritis and rheumatism in Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. Aim of the study is to evaluate the anti-anaphylactic and anti-inflammatory effects of a 70% aqueous ethanol extract of the fruits of Xylopia aethiopica. MATERIALS AND METHODS Systemic anaphylaxis was induced by the injection of either compound 48/80 or lipopolysaccharide, LPS and survival rates of mice monitored for 1 h or 7 days respectively while IgE-mediated anaphylaxis in a local allergic reaction was studied in the pinnal inflammation model in mice. Clonidine-induced catalepsy in mice was used to evaluate the indirect antihistamine effect of Xylopia aethiopica, XAE. The effects of XAE assessed on the maximal and total oedema responses in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of the extract. RESULTS Administered at 30, 100, 300 and 1000 mg kg(-1) p.o., XAE dose dependently suppressed compound 48/80-induced mouse systemic anaphylactic shock and offered 63% protection to mice against LPS-induced endotoxic shock at a dose of 300 mg kg(-1). In addition, the extract (30-300 mg kg(-1)) in a dose dependent manner significantly inhibited by 23-62% the mouse pinnal inflammation. Clonidine-induced catalepsy in mice was significantly suppressed in a dose and time dependent manner when administered both prophylactically and therapeutically. In the same doses, when administered before the induction of the mouse carrageenan-induced paw oedema, the mean maximal swelling attained during 6 h was reduced to 41.02±6.94%, 35.61±4.30%, and 29.09±4.90% of the inflamed control response respectively and total paw swellings induced over the 6 h were also dose-dependently and significantly suppressed to 74.84±14.84%, 63.95±9.37%, and 48.13±10.90% of the inflamed control response respectively. Administered after the induction of the carrageenan paw oedema the mean maximal swelling attained during 6 h was suppressed to 49.84±3.95%, 43.62±1.01%, and 35.97±1.34% of the inflamed control response respectively while the total paw swellings induced over the 6 h were also dose-dependently and significantly suppressed at 100 and 300 mg kg(-1) to 72.39±4.38% and 60.81±3.25% of the inflamed control response respectively. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that XAE inhibits mast cell-dependent immediate allergic reactions and exhibit anti-inflammatory actions through the inhibition of histamine release from mast cells via stabilizing the cell membrane. Our results contribute towards validation of the traditional use of Xylopia aethiopica in the treatment of bronchitis, asthma, arthritis and rheumatism.

Stigmasterol Modulates Allergic Airway Inflammation in Guinea Pig Model of Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma

We explored the potential benefits of stigmasterol in the treatment of asthma, an airway disorder characterized by immune pathophysiology and with an ever-increasing worldwide prevalence. We assessed the modulatory effect of the intraperitoneal administration of stigmasterol on experimentally induced airway inflammation in guinea pigs. The effect of stigmasterol on inflammatory cell proliferation, oxidative stress, lung histopathology, and remodeling was investigated. The results showed significant suppressive effects on ovalbumin-induced airway inflammatory damage. Stigmasterol at 10–100 mg/kg reduced proliferation of eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes while reducing peribronchiolar, perivascular, and alveolar infiltration of inflammatory cells. Histopathology revealed stigmasterol maintained lung architecture and reversed collagen deposition, an index of lung remodeling. Overexpression of serum vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and ovalbumin-specific immunoglobulin E (OVA sIgE) elicited by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge was significantly controlled with stigmasterol. Taken together, stigmasterol possessed significant antiasthmatic properties and had suppressive effects on key features of allergen-induced asthma.

Margaritaria discoidea (Euphorbiaceae) stem bark extract attenuates allergy and Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rodents

Background: Various parts of Margaritaria discoidea find use in traditional medicine in the treatment of pain and oedema. This study evaluated the anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of a 70% (v/v) aqueous ethanol extract of the stem bark of Margaritaria discoidea, MDE in rodents. Materials and Methods: Systemic anaphylaxis was induced by the injection of compound 48/80 into mice and their survival rate was monitored to evaluate the anti-allergic action of the extract. The effect of MDE assessed on the maximal and total oedema responses in the mouse carrageenan-induced paw oedema was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of the extract while the Freunds adjuvant-induced arthritis model was employed to study the anti-arthritic effects of MDE. Results: MDE dose-dependently increased the time for compound 48/80-induced mortality in mice. MDE suppressed the mean maximal swelling and the total paw swellings induced over 6 h in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema when administered either prophylactically or therapeutically. MDE caused a reduction in serum levels of TNFα and IL-6 and significantly suppressed Freunds adjuvant-induced arthritis. Conclusion: Margaritaria discoidea suppresses allergy and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in mice. In addition it attenuates Freunds adjuvant-induced arthritis through a reduction in serum levels of TNFα and IL-6 in rats.

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of African Medicinal Plants

Over a long period of time, several medicinal plants have been used for the treatment and management of various forms of inflammatory conditions by African traditional healers and herbalists. But most of these plants are not documented as compared to the Chinese or Indian (Ayurveda) traditional medicines. About 5000 plant species have been used for centuries for the treatment of various diseases, including inflammatory diseases, and as food. A few African medicinal plants with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties have been documented in the last two decades. This chapter reviews such plant species and their extracts, fractions, and compounds that have been shown to exhibit experimental or clinical anti-inflammatory or analgesic activity, the possible mechanism of action, and their therapeutic value. In the current review, we identify 50 African medicinal plants belonging to 33 families having anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in the literature over the last 20 years. Two pure compounds, namely pseudo-akuammigine, from the seeds of Picralima nitida (Stapf) T. Durand & H. Durand, and leonotinin, isolated from the aerial parts of Leonotis nepetaefolia (L.) W.T. Aiton, have been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Review of the Ethno-medical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Toxicological Studies on Dissotis rotundifolia (Sm.) Triana

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Dissotis rotundifolia (Sm.) Triana, commonly called ‘pink lady’, is employed in West and Eastern African folkloric medicine for managing a number of infections including dysentery, cough and sexually transmitted infections. The review aims at highlighting the traditional benefits, ethno-medical, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological importance of the plant. Materials and Methods: Excerpta Medica database, Google Scholar, Springer and PubMed Central, were the electronic databases used to search for and filter primary studies on Dissotis rotundifolia. Results: This summary of relevant pharmacological, phytochemical and toxicological data from primary studies on D. rotundifolia gives a telling indication of its potential therapeutic benefits as a chemotherapeutic agent and possibly as a source of compounds with contraceptive potential. Review Article Yeboah and Osafo; JOCAMR, 2(3): 1-11, 2017; Article no.JOCAMR.32212 2 Conclusion: This concise review on D. rotundifolia will be relevant in identification of areas of further research with the focus of identifying biologically active compounds which hold prospect in therapy.

Stigmasterol inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced innate immune responses in murine models

Abstract Stigmasterol is a naturally occurring steroid alcohol which occurs in vegetables, soya and a large variety of medicinal plants. Stigmasterol and other phytosterols have been documented as immunomodulators with huge therapeutic potential. We assessed the mitigating effect of stigmasterol on non‐fatal and fatal innate immune responses in murine models after intraperitoneal challenge with an endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide, LPS. The effect of stigmasterol on LPS‐induced febrile response, inflammatory cell proliferation, multiple organ damage and mortality were respectively investigated. Pretreatment with stigmasterol 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg reduced total LPS‐induced fever response by 39.93 ± 10.52%, 53.05 ± 5.84% and 77.27 ± 6.25% respectively. Neutrophil proliferation both in blood and recovered peritoneal fluid was significantly reversed by stigmasterol at 50 and 100 mg/kg. Lung and liver histopathology showed stigmasterol effectively controlled organ damage. The lung inflammation score of 9.20 ± 0.73 for the polyethylene glycol, PEG‐treated disease control mice was reduced respectively to 6.50 ± 0.54, 4.60 ± 0.40 and 4.10 ± 0.42 with 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg of stigmasterol. Serum levels of liver enzyme markers, alanine transaminase, ALT and aspartate transaminase, AST were consistent with the observed histological changes. Stigmasterol at 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly protected mice from LPS‐induced mortality with 40% survival. Overall, stigmasterol inhibits LPS‐induced innate immune responses in murine models. Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. HighlightsStigmasterol alleviates lipopolysaccharide‐induced pyrexia in Wistar rats.Lipopolysaccharide‐induced multiple organ damage is inhibited by stigmasterol.Neutrophil accumulation in blood and peritoneal fluid is abated by stigmasterol.

Antiallergic and Antiarthritic Effects of Stem Bark Extract of Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae) in Murine Models.

Background. Various parts of Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae) find a use in traditional medicine in the treatment of pain and oedema among others. This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and antiarthritic effects of a 70% (v/v) aqueous ethanol extract of the stem bark of Glyphaea brevis in murine models. Materials and Methods. The effect of the aqueous ethanol extract of Glyphaea brevis extract (GBE) was assessed on the maximal and total oedema responses in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice to evaluate the acute anti-inflammatory actions of the extract. Systemic anaphylaxis was induced with compound 48/80 and survival rates monitored for 1 h in mice with prior treatment with GBE to assess the anti-allergic action of the extract. The indirect antihistamine effect of GBE was evaluated on clonidine-induced catalepsy. Rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model was used to study GBEs antiarthritic action. Results. GBE significantly suppressed the mean maximal swelling and the total paw swellings over 6 h in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema when administered either prophylactically or therapeutically. GBE dose dependently increased the time for compound 48/80-induced mortality. Administered either prophylactically or therapeutically, GBE inhibited clonidine-induced catalepsy while it had no effect on haloperidol-induced catalepsy. GBE caused a significant dose-dependent suppression of Freunds adjuvant-induced arthritis. Conclusion. Glyphaea brevis inhibits the in vivo degranulation of mast cells and thereby suppress allergy. In addition it exhibits anti-inflammatory action and attenuates Freunds adjuvant-induced arthritis. The results of this work contribute to validate the traditional use of Glyphaea brevis in the management of inflammatory disorders.

The acute anti-inflammatory action of xylopic acid isolated from Xylopia aethiopica

Abstract Background Our earlier studies had given evidence of the traditional application of Xylopia aethiopica in the management of inflammation. The principal constituent obtained from its bio-fractionation is xylopic acid. It is a crystalline diterpene that belongs to the class of kauranes. This work sets out to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of the xylopic acid isolated from the dried fruit of X. aethiopica. Methods A preliminary anti-inflammatory study, using the protein denaturation model, and in vivo anti-inflammatory assay were employed in the investigation of acute inflammation. The modulation of the effect of the pro-inflammatory markers histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, and prostaglandin E2 by xylopic acid was investigated by in vivo mice paw oedema models. Results Xylopic acid showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of albumen denaturation with an IC50 of 15.55 μg mL−1. Xylopic acid (10, 30, 100 mg kg−1) inhibited the maximal oedema and the average paw thickness (oedema) over the period of each study considerably for all phlogistic agents employed (i.e. carrageenan, histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, and prostaglandin E2) in the inflammation induction for both prophylactic and therapeutic protocols. Conclusion This study establishes that xylopic acid has anti-inflammatory action in acute inflammation.

Antipleuritic and Vascular Permeability Inhibition of the Ethyl Acetate-Petroleum Ether Stem Bark Extract of Maerua angolensis DC (Capparaceae) in Murine

Maerua angolensis has been used traditionally in the management of pain, arthritis, and rheumatism in Ghana and Nigeria but no scientific evidence is currently available to give credence to its folkloric use. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of a stem bark extract of Maerua angolensis DC (MAE) in acute inflammatory models. The effects of MAE (30-300 mg kg−1) on neutrophil infiltration, exudate volume, and endogenous antioxidant enzymes in lung tissues and lung morphology were evaluated with the carrageenan induced pleurisy model in Sprague Dawley rats. The effects of MAE (30-300 mg kg−1) on vascular permeability were also evaluated in the acetic acid induced vascular permeability in ICR mice. MAE significantly reduced neutrophil infiltration, exudate volume, and lung tissue damage in carrageenan induced pleurisy. MAE increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in lung tissues. The extract was also able to reduce myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation in lung tissues in carrageenan induced rat pleurisy. Vascular permeability was also attenuated by the extract with marked reduction of Evans blue dye leakage in acetic acid induced permeability assay. The results indicated that Maerua angolensis is effective in ameliorating inflammation induced by carrageenan and acetic acid. It also has the potential of increasing the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes.