Indole alkaloids from the roots of an african plantsecuridaca longipedunculata.I. Isolation by column chromatography and preliminary structural characterization by mass spectrometry

Biological activities of African medicinal plants in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a mechanistic perspective

The global incidence of erectile dysfunction is increasingly becoming a significant health concern, as its frequency demonstrates a consistent upward trajectory each year. In recent years, FDA-approved drugs like sildenafil among others has been approved to treat this disorder however the drug is not without its own side effects. In a bid to develop alternative therapeutic option, scientists have now turned to traditional medicine in search of a treatment regimen. Africa is blessed with numerous medicinal plants used in the treatment and management of several diseases including erectile dysfunction. Due to limited access to modern medicine and high-quality medical facilities, a significant number of individuals in Africa continue to depend on traditional medicine as a means of addressing critical health issues. Perhaps one of the grossly explored medicinal properties of plants in Africa is for erectile function. Through years of extensive research in medicinal plants, several plants indigenous to Africa have been identified to show profound ability to mitigate erectile dysfunction. While previous reports have indeed corroborated the ability of this plant to abate erectile dysfunction, there is still a dearth of information regarding the mechanistic aspect of these plants. Hence, the current review aims to provide a comprehensive mechanistic perspective to the major African medicinal plant which have been reported to be effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Muchimangins G-J, fully substituted xanthones with a diphenylmethyl substituent, from Securidaca longepedunculata

Four highly oxygenated xanthones, muchimangins G-J (1-4), have been isolated from the roots of Securidaca longepedunculata collected in Democratic Republic of Congo. Their structures were elucidated by analyses of spectroscopic data to be fully substituted xanthones with a diphenylmethyl substituent at C-2.

Two New Diphenylmethyl-substituted Xanthones from Securidaca longepedunculata

Two new diphenylmethyl-substituted xanthones, named muchimangins K (1) and L (2), have been isolated from the roots of Securidaca longepedunculata (Polygalaceae) collected in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their structures were established by analyses of the spectral data, including 2D NMR spectra, to be l,3,6,8-tetrahydroxy-2,5-dimethoxy-4-[l-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1-phenylmethyl]xanthone (1) and l,3,6-trihydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy-2-[l-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1-phenylmethyl]xanthone (2).

Novel xanthones from Securidaca longepedunculata with activity against erectile dysfunction

AIM OF STUDY

Securidaca longepedunculata is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in South Africa. The aim of the study was to isolate and identify the active constituents and to determine their activity in the relaxation of corpus cavernosal smooth muscle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bioassay guided isolation of the bioactive compounds using a smooth muscle relaxation bioassay and structural elucidation was carried out using different spectroscopic techniques including 2D NMR.

RESULTS

Two new xanthones were isolated; one of them showed potent activity to relax the corpus cavernosal smooth muscle by 97 % in comparison to sildenafil (Viagra) at 1.8 x 10(-5) mg/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

S. longepedunculata's xanthones stimulate the relaxation of corpus cavenosum smooth muscle, which supports the traditional use of its root bark.

Securidacaxanthone A, a heptaoxygenated xanthone from Securidaca longepedunculata

From the root bark of Securidaca longepedunculata, a heptaoxygenated xanthone (1) has been isolated as well as two known xanthones (2) and (3) and two salicylic acid derivatives (4) and (5). The structure of 1 has been elucidated from 1H and 13C-NMR spectral data.

A new sterol glycoside from Securidaca inappendiculata

From the roots of Securidaca inappendiculata, one new sterol glycoside securisteroside (1) has been isolated, along with two known sterols, spinasterol (2) and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-spinasterol (3). The new sterol was characterized by chemical and spectrometric methods, including EIMS, FABMS and one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments.

Xanthone isolated from Securidaca longependunculata with activity against erectile dysfunction

1,7-Dimethoxy-2-hydroxy-xanthone and 1,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-xanthone isolated from Securidaca longependunculata were tested for their activity on rabbit corpus cavernosum in vitro. Only the former relaxed the corpus cavernosum by 63% at 1.8 x 10(-5) mg/ml.

Xanthones from the stems of Securidaca inappendiculata

From the stems of Securidaca inappendiculata, securixanthones A (1,3,7-trihydroxy-2,8-dimethoxyxanthone) and B (3,7-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyxanthone) along with ten known xanthones were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by analysis chemical and spectroscopic evidence, and the chemotaxonomic significance of these findings are also discussed.

Traditional pharmacology and medicine in Africa. Ethnopharmacological themes in sub-Saharan art objects and utensils

Drawing from the general description that ethnopharmacology studies the human use of crude drugs and poisons in a traditional context, ethnopharmacological themes in native art can be defined as themes visualizing different features of traditional medicines and poisons, such as natural sources, methods of preparation, containers, usage and implements, target diseases and effects. This review documents that native African art objects and utensils are a goldmine of such ethnopharmacological themes by focusing on the following subjects: (a) objects related to the use of medicines (sources as well as tools for their collection, preparation and keeping); (b) objects related to the use of poisons (e.g. for ordeals, hunting and fishing); (c) objects related to the use of psychotropic agents (e.g. alcoholic beverages, kola nuts, smoking and snuffing materials); (d) pathological representations (e.g. treponematoses, leprosy, smallpox, swollen abdomen, scrotal enlargement, goiter and distorted faces); and (e) portrayals of certain types of treatment (e.g. topical instillations, perinatal care, and surgery). To avoid the impression that ethnopharmacology has little else to offer than armchair amusement, an epilogue outlines the medical relevance of this interdisciplinary science for Western and African societies.