Saburi A. Adesanya

Clinical effects of Garcinia kola in knee osteoarthritis.

ObjectivesOver the past years, there has been a growing number of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients who are not willing to comply with long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) treatment and wish to use herbal anti- rheumatic medicine. This study assessed the clinical effects of Garcinia kola (GK) in KOA patients.Patients and methodsProspective randomized, placebo controlled, double blind, clinical trial approved by the institutional medical ethics review board and written informed consent obtained from each patient. All KOA patients presenting at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital complex were recruited into the study. The patients were grouped into four (A = Placebo, B = Naproxen, C = Garcinia kola, D = Celebrex). The drugs and placebo were given twice a day per oral route. Each dose consisted of 200 mg of G. kola, Naproxen (500 mg), Celebrex (200 mg) and Ascorbic acid (100 mg). The primary outcome measure over six weeks study period was the change in mean WOMAC pain visual analogue scales (VAS). Secondary outcome measures included the mean change in joint stiffness and physical function (mobility/walking).Results143 patients were recruited, 84 (58.7%, males – 24, females – 60) satisfied the selection criteria and completed the study. The effect of knee osteoarthritis bilateralism among the subjects was not significant on their outcome (p > 0.05). The change in the mean WOMAC pain VAS after six weeks of G. kola was significantly reduced compared to the placebo (p < 0.001). Multiple comparisons of the mean VAS pain change of G. kola group was not lowered significantly against the naproxen and celebrex groups (p > 0.05). The onset of G. kola symptomatic pain relief was faster than the placebo (p < 0.001). However, it was slower than the active comparators (p > 0.05). The duration of therapeutic effect of Garcinia kola was longer than the placebo (p > 0.001). G. kola period of effect was less than naproxen and celebrex (p < 0.001). G. kola subjects had improved mean change mobility/walking after six weeks better than the control group(p < 0.001). The mean change in mobility of the G. kola group when compared to the active comparators was not significantly better (p < 0.05). The mean change of knee joint stiffness (p < 0.001) and the change of mean WOMAC score (p < 0.001) were improved on Garcinia kola as compared to the placebo. The mid term outcome of eleven Garcinia kola subjects after cessation of use had a mean pain relief period of 17.27 +/- 5.15 days (range: 9–26 days). There was no significant cardiovascular, renal or drug induced adverse reaction to Garcinia kola.ConclusionGarcinia kola appeared to have clinically significant analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects in knee osteoarthritis patients. Garcinia kola is a potential osteoarthritis disease activity modifier with good mid term outcome. Further studies are required for standardization of dosages and to determine long-term effects.

Pyrazole alkaloids from Newbouldia laevis

Abstract Phytochemical analysis of the root bark of Newbouldia laevis revealed the presence of four pyrazole alkaloids. These were characterized using various spectroscopic data as withasomnine, and the novel 4′-hydroxy-withasomnine, newbouldine and 4′-hydroxynewbouldine.

Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of some selected Nigerian medicinal plants

As plantas podem ser uteis para estimular a memoria, bem como serem usadas para combater o envelhecimento. Vinte e duas plantas, de dezesseis familias, foram investigadas in vitro oara verificar sua atividade inibidora das enzimas acetilcolinesterase (AChE) e butirilcolinesterase (BuChE) pelo metodo espectrofotometrico de Ellman in situ e metodos de bioautografia utilizando fisostigmina como padrao. Pelo menos tres partes morfologicas de cada planta foram analisadas e a concentracao de ensaio foi de 42,5 µg/mL. Algumas plantas foram ativas em ambas as enzimas, embora com algumas partes mais ativas que outras. A casca da raiz de Spondias mombin apresentou a maior atividade as duas enzimas, 64,77% para AChE e 83,94% para BuChE. Outras partes das plantas selecionadas apresentaram boa seletividade em suas acoes. As plantas seletivamente ativos contra AChE foram as casca do caule e casca da raiz de Alchornia laxiflora (41,12%), e casca da raiz de Callophyllum inophyllurn (56,52%). As folhas de C. jagus (74,25%), folhas de Morinda lucida (40,15%), folhas e casca do caule de Peltophorum pterocarpum (49,5% e 68,85%, respectivamente), physiostigmine inibiu 90,31%. Em geral, atividades melhoras foram apresentadas contra BuChE. Folhas, casca da raiz e casca do caule Bombax bromoposenze foram particularmente ativos. A inibicao foi acima de 80%. Outras partes de algumas especies tambem foram seletivas, como as partes aereas de Antiaris africana, Cissampelos owarensis (78,96%), folhas e casca do caule de Combretum molle (90,42% e 88,13%, respectivamente), casca da raiz e de tuberculos de Dioscorea dumentorum (mais de 87%), folhas de G cola, cascas de raiz de Markhamia tomentosa, casca do caule de Pycnanthus angolensis e folhas de Tetrapleura tetraptera. A maioria destas plantas sao utilizadas como alimentos ou ingredientes alimentares na Nigeria e podem ser responsaveis pela baixa incidencia da doenca de Alzheimer no pais e desempenhar determinadas funcoes na mediacao da doenca.

Dihydrostilbene phytoalexins from Dioscorea bulbifera and D. dumentorum

Abstract Analysis of the ethyl acetate extract of the buibil of Dioscorea bulbifera and the tuber of Dioscorea dumentorum infected with Botryodiplodia theobromae gave demethylbatatasin IV and a new dihydrostilbene, 3,5,4′-trihydroxybibenzyl (dihydroresveratrol) respectively, as their major phytoalexins.

Dihydrostilbene phytoalexins from Dioscorea rotundata

Abstract 2′,3-Dihydroxy-5-methoxybibenzyl (Batatasin IV), its demethyl derivative and 3,5-dihydroxybibenzyl (dihydropinosylvin) were isolated only from flesh of Dioscorea rotundata infected with Botryodiplodia theobromae and may therefore be considered phytoalexins. These compounds were found to be antifungal using bioassays with Cladosporium cladosporioides, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium schlerotgenum . Dihydro-pinosylvinin also exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli .

Isoflavonoids from Pycnanthus angolensis and Baphia nitida

Abstract The heartwood of Pycnanthus angolensis furnished a new isoflavone 7,4′-dimethoxy-2′-hydroxyisoflavone in addition to the known 2′-hydroxyformononetin, while that of Baphia nitida gave known isoflavonoids sativan and medicarpin.

The effect of β-sitosterol on spore germination and germ-tube elongation of Aspergillus niger and Botryodiplodia theobromae

The effect of beta-sitosterol on spore germination and prevention of elongation of germ-tube of Aspergillus niger and Botryodiplodia theobromae was studied. The antifungal activity of the compound showed a percentage inhibition, of the fungal spore germination, of about 40% at a concentration of 50 micrograms/ml while inhibition on the elongation of germ-tubes was as high as 65% at the same concentration. The ED50 for inhibition of germ-tube elongation in A. niger was about 31 micrograms/ml. The role of the compound in disease resistance is discussed.

Antifungal properties of yam (Dioscorea alata) peel extract

The extraction of natural antifungal compounds from the peels of yam (Dioscorea alata) and the effect of these compounds on both the vegetative and reproductive structures of some yam rot pathogens were studied. Four prominent antifungal components were obtained; one of the components was fully characterized and identified as β-sitosterol. The antifungal activity of the compounds toward the germination of spores of two yam pathogens showed an inhibition of less than 57% at a concentration of 50 mg/L while inhibition on the elongation of germ-tubes ofFusarium moniliforme was as high as 82% at the same concentration. However, the ED50 for inhibition of germ-tube elongation in the yam compounds for the same organism was below 32 mg/L. The role of the yam compounds at high concentrations in disease resistance is discussed.

Prieurianoside, a protolimonoid glucoside from the leaves of Trichilia prieuriana

The ubiquitous glycolipid 1,2-dilinolenoyl-3-galactopyranosylglycerol and a new protolimonoid glucoside, named prieurianoside, were isolated from the leaves of Trichilia prieuriana. The structure of the latter was established, by spectroscopic techniques, as 12beta,21-diacetoxy-29-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-23zeta -hydroxytirucalla-7,24-dien-3-one.

Effect of Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides and some substituted benzoic acids on glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases in Hbss red blood cells.

The ether fraction of the aqueous extract of the roots of Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides (antisickling fraction), vanillic acid, parahydroxybenzoic acid and paraflurobenzoic acid possess antisickling inhibitory activity at low concentrations. Paraflurobenzoic acid was the most active. When the activities of NADP+-linked glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases in washed Hbss blood specimens treated with these agents (6 mg/ml for antisickling fraction and 6 micrograms/ml for the acids) were compared with controls in vitro, there were no significant differences in either normal or sickled states. The media were devoid of enzyme activity. These agents neither affect the activities of these enzymes while exhibiting antisickling activity nor disrupt the cell membrane to the extent of causing leakage to the media.