Bioactivity-directed evaluation of fruit of Kigelia africana (Lam.) benth. Used in treatment of malaria in Iwo, Nigeria

Indigenous medicinal plants used in folk medicine for malaria treatment in Kwara State, Nigeria: an ethnobotanical study

BACKGROUND

Folk medicine is crucial to healthcare delivery in the underdeveloped countries. It is frequently used as a primary treatment option or as a complementary therapy for malaria. Malaria is a deadly disease which greatly threatens global public health, claiming incredible number of lives yearly. The study was aimed at documenting the medicinal plants used for malaria treatment in folk medicine in Kwara State, Nigeria.

METHODS

Ethnobotanical information was collected from selected consenting registered traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) through oral face-to-face interviews using in-depth, semi-structured interview guide. The ethnobotanical data were analysed, and descriptive statistical methods were used to compile them.

RESULTS

Sixty-two indigenous medicinal plants, including 13 new plants, used for malaria treatment were identified in this study. The TMPs preferred decoction in aqueous solvent (34%) and steeping in decaffeinated soft drink (19%) for herbal preparations. Oral administration (74%) was the main route of administration, while leaves (40%) and stem barks (32%) were the most dominant plant parts used in herbal preparations. The most cited families were Fabaceae (15%) and Rutaceae (6%), while Mangifera indica (77.14%), Enantia chlorantha (65.71%), Alstonia boonei (57.14%) followed by Cymbopogon citratus (54.29%) were the most used plants. Besides, the antimalarial activities of many of the plants recorded and their isolated phytocompounds have been demonstrated. Furthermore, the conservation status of 4 identified plants were Vulnerable.

CONCLUSION

The study showed strong ethnobotanical knowledge shared by the TMPs in the State and provides preliminary information that could be explored for the discovery of more potent antimalarial compounds.

Antioxidant, Anti-Cancer Activity and Phytochemicals Profiling of Kigelia pinnata Fruits

Over the past few years, research studies on the therapeutic benefits of medicinal plants with potent antioxidant activity and few side effects have grown significantly. This has sparked interest in determining whether naturally occurring antioxidants could take the place of synthetic antioxidants, which are currently being constricted because of their toxic and carcinogenic properties. The identification and quantification of phytochemicals in the methanolic extract of Kigelia pinnata fruits was measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) techniques. Additionally, the methanolic extract of fruits was used to determine antioxidant activity. Free radical-scavenging (DPPH) and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power were measured using spectrophotometry, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was compared with two common antioxidants, vitamin C and α-tocopherol. Moreover, mature fruits have high DDPH, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power and total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, mature fruits have high levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content; these compounds are thought to be the sources of the antioxidant activity. The major constituents of the methanolic extracts from the mature fruits of K. pinnata were found to be larixinic acid, 3,5-Dihydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-one (DMDP), and 5-Hydrxoymethylfurfural. We performed the elemental analysis of the whole fruit. Huh-7 (liver cancer), PANC-1 (pancreatic cancer), Colo-205 (colorectal cancer), HT-29 (colorectal cancer), SNU-16 (gastric carcinoma), SW620 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) and HCT116 (colon carcinoma) were tested in vitro for anticancer activity. Both methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of mature fruits had a positive effect on all cancer cell lines as compared to the doxorubicin drug. In addition, the methanolic extracts of mature fruits showed more potent cytotoxic effects than the ethyl acetate extracts. Moreover, the most pronounced cytotoxic effects of the methanolic extract were detected in SW620 (colorectal adenocarcinoma), with an IC50 value of 6.79 μg/mL, SNU-16 (gastric carcinoma), with and IC50 value of 8.69 μg/ ml, and in PANC-1 (pancreatic cancer) with an IC50 value of 10.34 μg/mL. Moreover, the results show that the water, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of mature fruits have antioxidant capacity, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power, DPPH scavenging activity and also anticancer activity. Therefore, the present study suggests that the phytochemical profiles of mature fruits of K. pinnata may be used as potential natural antioxidants and anti-cancer cell lines.

Peimine inhibits variants of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry via blocking the interaction between viral spike protein and ACE2

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been approved; however, variants of concern (VOCs) can evade vaccine protection. Therefore, developing small compound drugs that directly block the interaction between the viral spike glycoprotein and ACE2 is urgently needed to provide a complementary or alternative treatment for COVID-19 patients. We developed a viral infection assay to screen a library of approximately 126 small molecules and showed that peimine inhibits VOCs viral infections. In addition, a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay showed that peimine suppresses the interaction of spike and ACE2. Molecular docking analysis revealed that peimine exhibits a higher binding affinity for variant spike proteins and is able to form hydrogen bonds with N501Y in the spike protein. These results suggest that peimine, a compound isolated from Fritillaria, may be a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 variant infection. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this study, we identified a naturally derived compound of peimine, a major bioactive alkaloid extracted from Fritillaria, that could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) viral infection in 293T/ACE2 and Calu-3 lung cells. In addition, peimine blocks viral entry through interruption of spike and ACE2 interaction. Moreover, molecular docking analysis demonstrates that peimine has a higher binding affinity on N501Y in the spike protein. Furthermore, we found that Fritillaria significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. These results suggested that peimine and Fritillaria could be a potential functional drug and food for COVID-19 patients.

Relationship between mysticism and severe odontogenic infections in Africa: what to do?

OBJECTIVE

This study is a case report of a severe odontogenic infection treated at Huambo Provincial Hospital, Angola. The case was made worse by local mysticism.

CASE REPORT

A pregnant woman was treated for a severe odontogenic infection that caused descending mediastinitis and even a lumbar abscess. The patient died of this infection. A delay in attendance was crucial in this death.

DISCUSSION

Patients from the African continent commonly experience life-threatening head and neck infections. These critical infections are rarely found in Europe or North America. The clinical situation is aggravated by local mysticism, along with poverty, lack of access to health facilities, and a shortage of skilled workers. Religious habits and the use of local herbs without scientific evidence can create difficult-to-manage situations.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors believe this is the first report of an association between life-threatening odontogenic infection and mysticism. International collaboration, including teledentistry and continuing education, are critical to transforming this scene.