Antitrypanosomal Effects of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam.) Zepern. & Timler Extracts on African Trypanosomes

The Hepatocurative Effects of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Alkaloids on Tetrachloromethane-Induced Hepatotoxicity on Albino Rats

The study investigated the hepatocurative activity of the bulk alkaloids of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides in a tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity model in rats. The hepatocurative activity of the alkaloids at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg doses was demonstrated by the assay of both enzymic and non-enzymic parameters. Sections of the liver were also subjected to histological examinations. Mapping techniques and data visualization approaches were adopted in finding relationships between the enzymic and non-enzymic parameters and the treatment groups. The bulk alkaloids caused dose-dependent effects on both the enzymic and non-enzymic parameters. The bulk alkaloids elicited a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in all liver and antioxidant enzymes activities compared with the untreated. The 600 mg/kg dose caused the restoration of the ALP, ALT and AST to 76.16, 10.72 and 11.83 iU/L respectively similar to the standard butylated hydroxytoluene. The 600 mg/kg dose also caused a slight increase in the activities of SOD, catalase and GPx to 11.45. 1.37 and 11.66 iU/L respectively when compared with the untreated rats. In the non-enzymic assays, the 600 mg/kg dose elicited a significant (p < 0.05) upregulation in the total bilirubin (1.18 mg/100 mL), total protein (3.75 g/dL), HDL (1.80 mMol/L) and vitamin C (2.41 mg/dL) and decrease in the CHOL (3.35 g/dL), TAG (1.85 mMol/L), LDL (0.67 mMol/L), BUN (39.55 mg/dL) and MDA (1.13 nMol/mL) when compared with the untreated rats. The restoration of the natural histo-architecture of the CCl4-damaged liver by the alkaloids further evidenced the hepatocurative activity of the bulk alkaloids.

Does mangrove vegetation structure reflect human utilization of ecosystem goods and services?

Many coastal communities in developing countries depend on mangrove ecosystem services (ES). A combination of anthropogenic and environmental stresses threatens mangroves globally. This study at the Ankobra catchment communities in Ghana focused on the relation between ES utilization and mangrove forest structure. Through vegetation survey, we observed significant effects of selective logging, branch cutting, density of Acrostichum aureum, and water stress on tree stocking and sapling densities. We observed through interviews in five communities that about 98% and 88% of mangrove wood harvested are used for fuelwood and construction respectively. The vegetation structure of the forest areas receiving high harvesting pressures was less complex, with lower tree and sapling density, as well as lower seed-bearing trees than less-disturbed areas. Existing mangrove harvesting regulations are compromised to accommodate the needs of the surrounding communities. Recognizing these impacts is important to improve management decisions, address community needs, and reduce pressure on mangroves.

Activity of the genus Zanthoxylum against diseases caused by protozoa: A systematic review

Neglected diseases (NDs) are treated with a less varied range of drugs, with high cost and toxicity, which makes the search for therapeutic alternatives important. In this context, plants, such as those from the genus Zanthoxylum, can be promising due to active substances in their composition. This study evaluates the potential of species from this genus to treat NDs. Initially, a protocol was developed to carry out a systematic review approved by Prospero (CRD42020200438). The databases PubMed, BVS, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science were used with the following keywords: "zanthoxylum," "xanthoxylums," "fagaras," "leishmaniasis," "chagas disease," "malaria," and "African trypanosomiasis." Two independent evaluators analyzed the title and abstract of 166 articles, and 122 were excluded due to duplicity or for not meeting the inclusion criteria. From the 44 selected articles, results of in vitro/in vivo tests were extracted. In vitro studies showed that Z. rhoifolium, through the alkaloid nitidine, was active against Plasmodium (IC50 <1 μg/ml) and Leishmania (IC50 <8 μg/ml), and selective for both (>10 and >30, respectively). For Chagas disease, the promising species (IC50 <2 μg/ml) were Z. naranjillo and Z. minutiflorum, and for sleeping sickness, the species Z. zanthoxyloides (IC50 <4 μg/ml) stood out. In the in vivo analysis, the most promising species were Z. rhoifolium and Z. chiloperone. In summary, the species Z. rhoifolium, Z. naranjillo, Z. minutiflorum, Z. zanthoxyloides, and Z. chiloperone are promising sources of active molecules for the treatment of NDs.

In vitro effects and mechanisms of action of Bidens pilosa in Trypanosoma brucei

Background and aim

African trypanosomiasis poses serious health and economic concerns to humans and livestock in several sub-Saharan African countries. The aim of the present study was to identify the antitrypanosomal compounds from B. pilosa (whole plant) through a bioactivity-guided isolation and investigate the in vitro effects and mechanisms of action against Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei).

Experimental procedure

Crude extracts and fractions were prepared from air-dried pulverized plant material of B. pilosa using the modified Kupchan method of solvent partitioning. The antitrypanosomal activities of the fractions were determined through cell viability analysis. Effects of fractions on cell death and cell cycle of T. brucei were determined using flow cytometry, while fluorescence microscopy was used to investigate alterations in cell morphology and distribution.

Results and conclusion

The solvent partitioning dichloromethane (BPFD) and methanol (BPFM) fractions of B. pilosa exhibited significant activities against T. brucei with respective half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of 3.29 μg/ml and 5.86 μg/ml and resulted in the formation of clumpy subpopulation of T. brucei cells. Butyl (compound 1) and propyl (compound 2) esters of tryptophan were identified as the major antitrypanosomal compounds of B. pilosa. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant antitrypanosomal effects with respective IC50 values of 0.66 and 1.46 μg/ml. At the IC50 values, both compounds significantly inhibited the cell cycle of T. brucei at the G0-G1 phase while causing an increase in G2-M phase. The results suggest that tryptophan esters may possess useful chemotherapeutic properties for the control of African trypanosomiasis.

Zanthoxylum Species: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology in Relation to Cancer, Infectious Diseases and Sickle Cell Anemia

The health benefits and toxicity of plant products are largely dependent on their secondary metabolite contents. These compounds are biosynthesized by plants as protection mechanisms against environmental factors and infectious agents. This review discusses the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and health benefits of plant species in genus Zanthoxylum with a focus on cancer, microbial and parasitic infections, and sickle cell disease as reported in articles published from 1970 to 2021 in peer-reviewed journals and indexed in major scientific databases. Generally, Z. species are widely distributed in Asia, America and Africa, where they are used as food and for disease treatment. Several compounds belonging to alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and lignans, among others have been isolated from Z. species. This review discusses the biological activities reported for the plant species and their phytochemicals, including anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-trypanosomal, antimalarial and anti-sickling properties. The safety profiles and suggestions for conservation of the Z. species were also discussed. Taken together, this review demonstrates that Z. species are rich in a wide range of bioactive phytochemicals with multiple health benefits, but more research is needed towards their practical application in the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals and lead compounds for new drugs.

Chemical Derivatization and Characterization of Novel Antitrypanosomals for African Trypanosomiasis

The search for novel antitrypanosomals and the investigation into their mode of action remain crucial due to the toxicity and resistance of commercially available antitrypanosomal drugs. In this study, two novel antitrypanosomals, tortodofuordioxamide (compound 2) and tortodofuorpyramide (compound 3), were chemically derived from the natural N-alkylamide tortozanthoxylamide (compound 1) through structural modification. The chemical structures of these compounds were confirmed through spectrometric and spectroscopic analysis, and their in vitro efficacy and possible mechanisms of action were, subsequently, investigated in Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), one of the causative species of African trypanosomiasis (AT). The novel compounds 2 and 3 displayed significant antitrypanosomal potencies in terms of half-maximal effective concentrations (EC₅₀) and selectivity indices (SI) (compound 1, EC₅₀ = 7.3 μM, SI = 29.5; compound 2, EC₅₀ = 3.2 μM, SI = 91.3; compound 3, EC₅₀ = 4.5 μM, SI = 69.9). Microscopic analysis indicated that at the EC₅₀ values, the compounds resulted in the coiling and clumping of parasite subpopulations without significantly affecting the normal ratio of nuclei to kinetoplasts. In contrast to the animal antitrypanosomal drug diminazene, compounds 1, 2 and 3 exhibited antioxidant absorbance properties comparable to the standard antioxidant Trolox (Trolox, 0.11 A; diminazene, 0.50 A; compound 1, 0.10 A; compound 2, 0.09 A; compound 3, 0.11 A). The analysis of growth kinetics suggested that the compounds exhibited a relatively gradual but consistent growth inhibition of T. brucei at different concentrations. The results suggest that further pharmacological optimization of compounds 2 and 3 may facilitate their development into novel AT chemotherapy.

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Alkaloidal Extract Improves CCl4-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Like Phenotypes in Rats

Background

Despite the enrollment of new small molecules such as Sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC still remains a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides is long suspected of possessing anticancer bioactive compounds that may hold the prospect of adjunctive therapy against inflammation-related cancers such as HCC.

Objective

This study assessed the effects of an alkaloidal extract of the leaves of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides on CCl₄/olive oil (1 : 1 v/v)-induced HCC-like phenotypes in rats.

Materials and Methods

Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides alkaloidal extract (ZZAE) was prepared using Soxhlet and liquid-liquid extraction methods. Subsequently, ZZAE was characterized phytochemically. In the curative method, experimental HCC was established in adult (8-10 weeks old) male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150-300 g by twice-daily administration of CCl₄/olive oil (1 : 1 v/v) (2 mL/kg ip). After confirmation of experimental HCC in rats, the rats were randomly reassigned into seven (7) groups of seven (7) rats each and treated daily for 12 weeks as follows: control (normal saline, 5 ml/kg po), model (CCl₄, 5 ml/kg, ip), ZZAE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg po), carvedilol (6.25 mg/kg po), and 20% Tween20 (1 mL/rat, po). To assess whether ZZAE has a prophylactic (preventive) effect, rats were first treated with ZZAE and later exposed to CCl₄ reconstituted in olive oil.

Results

ZZAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) and carvedilol decreased tumor incidence compared to that of control. Compared to control, ZZAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) improved serum GGT. Compared to control, ZZAE improved hepatohistological distortions induced by CCl₄/olive oil and also improved liver/body weight ratio. Compared to water, ZZAE arrested mitosis in the Allium cepa assay.

Conclusion

ZZAE ameliorated CCl₄/olive oil-induced HCC-like phenotype in rats and demonstrated general hepatoprotective effects by improving liver and kidney function markers. This finding rationalizes the need for further studies on ZZAE as a potential source of bioactive anti-HCC compounds.

Linearolactone and Kaempferol Disrupt the Actin Cytoskeleton in Entamoeba histolytica: Inhibition of Amoebic Liver Abscess Development

Linearolactone (1) and kaempferol (2) have amebicidal activity in in vitro studies. The type of cell death induced by 1 and 2 and their effects on the virulence of E. histolytica were analyzed by transmission and confocal electron microscopy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis, detected by flow cytometry with dichlorofluorescein 2',7'-diacetate and annexin-V binding, respectively, and confirmed by TUNEL. The interaction of 1 and 2 with actin was analyzed by docking, and the in vivo amoebicidal activity was established with the Mesocricetus auratus model; amebic liver abscess (ALA) development was evaluated by magnetic resonance (MR) and validated post mortem. In vitro, compounds 1 and 2 caused chromatin condensation, intracellular ROS, and loss of actin structures. Coupling analysis showed that they bind to the allosteric and catalytic sites of actin with binding energies of -11.30 and -8.45 kcal/mol, respectively. Treatments with 1 and 2 induced a decrease in ALA formation without toxic effects on the liver and kidney. Thus, compound 1, but not 2, was able to induce apoptosis-like effects in E. histolytica trophozoites by intracellular production of ROS that affected the actin cytoskeleton structuration. In vivo, compound 1 was more active than compound 2 to reduce the development of ALA.

Isolation and Antitrypanosomal Characterization of Furoquinoline and Oxylipin from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides

In the absence of vaccines, there is a need for alternative sources of effective chemotherapy for African trypanosomiasis (AT). The increasing rate of resistance and toxicity of commercially available antitrypanosomal drugs also necessitates an investigation into the mode of action of new antitrypanosomals for AT. In this study, furoquinoline 4, 7, 8-trimethoxyfuro (2, 3-b) quinoline (compound 1) and oxylipin 9-oxo-10, 12-octadecadienoic acid (compound 2) were isolated from the plant species Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (Lam) Zepern and Timler (root), and their in vitro efficacy and mechanisms of action investigated in Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), the species responsible for AT. Both compounds resulted in a selectively significant growth inhibition of T. brucei (compound 1, half-maximal effective concentration EC₅₀ = 1.7 μM, selectivity indices SI = 74.9; compound 2, EC₅₀ = 1.2 μM, SI = 107.3). With regards to effect on the cell cycle phases of T. brucei, only compound 1 significantly arrested the second growth-mitotic (G2-M) phase progression even though G2-M and DNA replication (S) phase arrest resulted in the overall reduction of T. brucei cells in G0-G1 for both compounds. Moreover, both compounds resulted in the aggregation and distortion of the elongated slender morphology of T. brucei. Analysis of antioxidant potential revealed that at their minimum and maximum concentrations, the compounds exhibited significant oxidative activities in T. brucei (compound 1, 22.7 μM Trolox equivalent (TE), 221.2 μM TE; compound 2, 15.0 μM TE, 297.7 μM TE). Analysis of growth kinetics also showed that compound 1 exhibited a relatively consistent growth inhibition of T. brucei at different concentrations as compared to compound 2. The results suggest that compounds 1 and 2 are promising antitrypanosomals with the potential for further development into novel AT chemotherapy.