Theophilus C. Fleischer

Chemical Diversity of Lippia multiflora Essential Oils from West Africa

Abstract The essential oil content, composition and the physicochemical properties of Lippia multiflora leaves from twelve different regions in Ghana were characterized in this study. The Ghanaian oils showed a significant variability in their chemical composition and five chemotypes were identified. The oil from Aframso Bridge was yellow with a refractive index (RI) of 1.4853, density (DE) of 0.894 and was dominated by linalool (29%) and germacrene D (28%) with fresh, and slightly medicinal and spicy aroma. Ghanaian samples from Seikwa, Buem Nsuta and Golokwati were characterized by high levels of sesquiterpenes (45–70%). The aroma was medicinal/herbaceous and the color was typically yellow, except the oil from Seikwa which was dark orange-yellow, RI ranging from 1.4920 to 1.5043 and DE 0.893 to 0.93 D. The oils from Nyankpala, Sari, Amantin, Atebubu and Kobre contained high levels of aromatic monoterpenes (p-cymene 14–19%, thymol 30–40%, and thymyl acetate 14–17%). The oils were characterized as spicy and the color ranged from dark yellow (Nyankpala, Sari and Kobre) to yellow (Atebubu and Amantin) (RI 1.4969 to 1.5020, DE 0.9207 to 0.9344). The oil from Ho showed lower levels of aromatic monoterpenes and higher levels of farnesol, the oil was yellow and aroma woody/camphoraceous (1.492 RI, 0.893 D). In contrast, oils from Nsawkaw and Kofiase-Kubesiase were composed of high amounts of 1,8-cineole (43–47%), sabinene (12–15%, respectively), and were light yellow (RI 1.4695 to 1.4712, DE 0.8995 to 0.9002). A cluster analysis was performed for comparison and characterization of L. multiflora oils from Ghana other 33 oils from 10 African countries. The oils from Ghana with these five chemotypes appeared to be the most diverse oils in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Flavonoid glycosides from the stem bark of Margaritaria discoidea demonstrate antibacterial and free radical scavenging activities

One new flavonoid glycoside, along with three known flavonoid glycosides were isolated from the stem bark of Margaritaria discoidea, which is traditionally used in the management of wounds and skin infections in Ghana. The new flavonoid glycoside was elucidated as hydroxygenkwanin‐8‐C‐[α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)]‐β‐glucopyranoside (1) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds demonstrated free‐radical scavenging as well as some level of antibacterial activities. Microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus are implicated in inhibiting or delaying wound healing. Therefore, any agent capable of reducing or eliminating the microbial load present in a wound as well as decreasing the levels of reactive oxygen species may facilitate the healing process. These findings therefore provide some support to the ethnopharmacological usage of the plant in the management of wounds. Copyright

Chemical constituents from Gouania longipetala and Glyphaea brevis

Five compounds were isolated altogether from the two medicinal plants. Glycerol monotricosanoate (1), palmarumycin BG1 (2) and de-O-methyllasiodiplodin (3) were isolated from Gouania longipetala. In addition, epicatechin (4) and its dimer procyanidin B2 (5) were isolated from the stem bark of Glyphaea brevis. Their structures were elucidated by using spectroscopic experiments. They exhibited radical scavenging and moderate antibacterial effects.

Phytochemical Investigations and Nutritive Potential of Eight Selected Plants from Ghana

This is an article published by Journal of Pharmacy and Nutrition Sciences, 2012, 2, 172-177

Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Margaritaria discoidea, a Wound Healing Remedy from Ghana

a B S t r a c t Margaritaria discoidea (Baill.) Mull arg. (euphorbiaceae), has folkloric use in the treatment of wounds and skin infections. We report on the antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the leaves and stem bark of Margaritaria discoidea. A 70% ethanolic extract of the various plant parts were tested for antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion and micro dilution assays. Free radical scavenging, total antioxidant and phenol content were estimated. Using the carrageenan-induced foot pad oedema in chicks, the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was assessed. The bark extract gave the higher activity with a zone of inhibition of 16.33 ± 0.88 mm against Bacillus subtilis. the Mic’s for the bark extracts ranged from 500 µg/mL to over 1000 µg/mL against the test organisms. However, the leaf extract had no activity against all organisms tested. The leaf and bark extracts demonstrated free radical scavenging activity yielding ic 50 values of 0.0185 and 0.0181 mg/mL respectively. In the total antioxidant assay, ascorbic acid equivalents ranged from 0.49 mg/g in the bark to 0.56 mg/g in the leaf. Both extracts had high phenolic content correlating with their antioxidant activity. The extracts showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. The ED 50 s of the leaf and bark extracts were 12.20 and 8.27 mg/kg body weight respectively. The results were comparable to those of diclofenac and dexamethasone, the reference drugs used in this study. on the basis of the antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities observed for both extracts, the ethnomedicinal use of the plant in the mamagement of wounds and skin infections is supported.

Benthaminin 3, a Novel Antibacterial Cassane-Type Furanoditerpenoid from Caesalpinia benthamiana

The roots of Caesalpinia benthamiana (synonym. Mezoneuron benthamianum) are considered to be an effective remedy in Ghana for the management of skin diseases and wounds. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the chloroform extract of the root bark of the plant has resulted in the isolation of a novel cassane-type furanoditerpenoid, designated as benthaminin 3. The structure of the compound was elucidated by the use of spectroscopic techniques. The antibacterial activity of the compound has been assessed using the microdilution assay method. The lowest MIC (63µg/mL) was recorded against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The compound was also observed to have a mild inhibitory effect against resistant strains of bacteria including methicillin-resistant S. aureus, tetracyline-resistant S. aureus and erythromycin-resistant S. aureus with MIC values greater than 1000µg/mL.