Antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant properties of hydro-alcoholic extracts from Anogeissus leiocarpus (Combretaceae)

Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae): A review of the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of African birch

Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) Guill. & Perr. belongs to the family Combretaceae and is used both by African traditional medical practitioners and livestock rearers to treat diseases such as African trypanosomiasis, animal diarrhoea, asthma, cancer, cough, diabetes, dysentery, erectile dysfunction, fever, giardiasis, helminthiases, meningitis, menstrual disorders, monkeypox, oral infections, poliomyelitis, sickle cell anaemia, snake bites, toothache, urinary schistosomiasis, and yellow fever. Some of these activities have been associated with the presence of polyphenols in the plant which include ellagic acid derivatives, flavonoids, stilbenes, tannins, and triterpenes. Several bioactive molecules have been identified from A. leiocarpus. These include the main active constituents, ellagitannins, ellagic acid derivates, flavonoids and triterpenes. Pharmacological studies have confirmed its antibacterial, antifungal, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, antimalarial, antioxidative, antiparasitic, antitumour and anti-ulcer effects. The stem bark has been investigated mainly for biological activities and phytochemistry, and it is the most mentioned plant part highlighted by the traditional users in ethnomedicinal surveys. In vitro and in vivo models, which revealed a wide range of pharmacological actions against parasites causing helminthiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria and trypanosomiasis, have been used to study compounds from A. leiocarpus. Because of its uses in African traditional medicine and veterinary practices, A. leiocarpus has received considerable attention from researchers. The current review provides a comprehensive overview and critical appraisal of scientific reports on A. leiocarpus, covering its traditional uses, pharmacological activities and phytochemistry.

Antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of total extract and supernatant fraction of the roots of Anogeissus leiocarpus in HFD-fed and Streptozocin -induced diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic properties of hydro alcoholic extract and supernatant fraction of the roots of Anogeissus leiocarpus, a plant used by traditional healers to treat Diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intraperitoneal administration of Streptozocin to Sprague Dawley rats under a fructose-enriched fat diet. Diabetic rats were treated with 500 mg/kg of total extract and 100 mg/kg of supernatant. The antidiabetic activity was assessed by measuring blood glucose level, lipid profile, insulin and biochemical parameters together with the antioxidant potential. The administration of total extract and supernatant exhibited significant decrease (p < 0.01) of the blood glucose level in the diabetic rats after 7 days of treatment compared to the diabetic rats. A significant reduction in the serum concentrations of cholesterol (19.7 %) and triglycerides (56.7 %) was observed in the treated diabetic rats. The levels of insulin did not differ across all the groups. However, compared to diabetic rats, HOMA-IR (Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin-resistance) and HOMA-β (Homeostasis Model Assessment for β cell function) showed a statistical decrease in insulin resistance and an increase in pancreatic β cell function in the treated diabetic rats. Moreover, total extract and supernatant significantly increased GSH level and decreased lipid peroxidation because of their antioxidant properties. In comparison, the supernatant fraction exerted stronger antidiabetic and antioxidant effects than the total extract. Hence, the roots of Anogeissus leiocarpus are a potent antidiabetic agent that can be developed as an alternative medicine for diabetes and its complications.

Genotoxicity Assessment and Protective Effect of Anogeissus leiocarpus Roots against Cyclophosphamide-Induced DNA Damage In Vivo

Background

Belonging to the family of Combretaceae, the roots of Anogeissus leiocarpus are traditionally used to treat diabetes, wounds, infections, pain, and gastrointestinal diseases. To our knowledge, no genotoxicity assessment of the plant was reported. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the potential genotoxic and protective effects of extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus roots using the micronucleus test on mice bone marrow cells in vivo.

Methods

Three different concentrations (250, 500, and 1000 mg·kg⁻¹) of hydroalcoholic extract of roots of A. leiocarpus were administered daily for 7 days per os to mice, and the genotoxicity was induced by the administration ip of cyclophosphamide. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity were evaluated by counting, respectively, the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and polychromatic erythrocytes to total erythrocytes in the bone marrow of mice.

Results

The administration of A. leiocarpus did neither increase the ratio of the polychromatic erythrocyte (PCE) nor the frequency of micronucleated PCE (MNPCE) significantly in the bone marrow cells of the mice, compared to the vehicle control animals. However, a significant increase in the incidence of MNPCE in the bone marrow cell of the cyclophosphamide-treated mice was found. Moreover, in the groups treated with the total extract of A. leiocarpus at different doses plus cyclophosphamide, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.0001) in MNPCEs compared to the positive controls, in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion

This first finding reports that the extract of A. leiocarpus was neither genotoxic nor cytotoxic. However, it shows a protective effect against the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide.