The Genus Eriosema (Fabaceae): From the Ethnopharmacology to an Evidence-Based Phytotherapeutic Perspective?

The ethnopharmacological study of plant drugs used traditionally in Djibouti for malaria treatment

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Djibouti was a country where malaria has been endemic for centuries. The local population use the plants as repellents or first aid for uncomplicated malaria.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim was, for the first time, to collect and identify plants used by the local population to treat malaria and select the most interesting plants (those that are more commontly used, more available, and have fewer studies). These plants were evaluated for their antiplasmodial activity as well as their cytotoxicity on human cell lines for the most active ones.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A semi-structured questionnaire was developed for this study to collect information about the use and identity of botanical drugs used to treat malaria. The use-reports (percentage) of each plant were recorded to determine their use importance. Also, the availability status of the plants was assessed; and those in critical condition were discarded excluded from further study. Fifteen plants, out of the 41 listed, were extracted with hydro alcohol, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane for biological testing. Chloroquine-resistant strain FcB-1 of P. falciparum and a human diploid embryonic lung cell line were used for the antiplasmodial test, and to assess the cytotoxicity for human cells respectively. Preliminary analysis of extract constituents was carried out using thin layer chromatography (TLC).

RESULTS

This study identifies 41 plant taxa belonging to 32 families and records their use against malaria. Balanites rodunfolia, belonging to the Zygophyllaceae family, was the most commonly used plant, representing 44 % of use-reports. It was followed by Cadaba rodunfolia (15 %) from the Capparaceae family, and then the three species of Aloe: Aloe djiboutiensis (8.2 %), Aloe ericahenriettae (3.4 %), and Aloe rigens (3.4 %) from the Asphodelaceae family. The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plants to treat malaria, accounting for 76 % of usage. The preparation methods were decoction (52 %), maceration (29 %), and boiling (19 %). The administration routes were by oral (80 %), inhalation 19 %), and bathing (1 %). The best antiplasmodial activities were observed in the dichloromethane extracts of Cymbopogon commutatus and the ethyl acetate extracts of Aloe rigens and Terminalia brownii, with IC50 values of 9.8, 5, and 7.5 μg/mL, respectively. Their toxicity/activity levels were very favorable with selectivity indices of 5.6, 8.1, and 11.8 for C. commutatus, A. rigens, and T. Brownii, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Forty-one species of botanical drugs were listed as being used to treat malaria in Djibouti. All fifteen selected species showed antiplasmodial activity (IC50 < 50 μg/mL). This work will help guide the valorization of botanical drugs used to treat malaria in Djibouti.

Bioactivity of Wild and Cultivated Legumes: Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Properties

The global demand for increased meat production has brought to the surface several obstacles concerning environmental impacts, animals’ welfare, and quality features, revealing the need to produce safe foodstuffs with an environmentally acceptable procedure. In this regard, the incorporation of legumes into animal diets constitutes a sustainable way out that prevents these apprehensions. Legumes are plant crops belonging to the Fabaceae family and are known for their rich content of secondary metabolites., displaying significant antioxidant properties and a series of health and environmental benefits. The study herein aims to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of indigenous and cultivated legume plants used for food and feed. The respective results indicate that the methanolic extract of Lathyrus laxiflorus (Desf.) Kuntze displayed the highest phenolic (64.8 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract) and tannin (419.6 mg catechin equivalents/g extract) content, while the dichloromethane extract of Astragalus glycyphyllos L., Trifolium physodes Steven ex M.Bieb. and Bituminaria bituminosa (L.) C.H.Stirt. plant samples exhibited the richest content in carotenoids lutein (0.0431 mg/g A. glycyphyllos extract and 0.0546 mg/g B. bituminosa extract), α-carotene (0.0431 mg/g T. physodes extract) and β-carotene (0.090 mg/g T. physodes extract and 0.3705 mg/g B. bituminosa extract) establishing their potential role as vitamin A precursor sources. Results presented herein verify the great potential of Fabaceae family plants for utilization as pasture plants and/or dietary ingredients, since their cultivation has a positive impact on the environment, and they were found to contain essential nutrients capable to improve health, welfare, and safety.

Effect of methanol root extract of Eriosema psoraleoides on biochemical and haematological parameters and cyclooxygenase levels in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Eriosema psoraleoides is a remedial plant utilised traditionally in the African continent. It is said to possess a wide range of pharmacological activity. In a previous study, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of its methanol root extract have been scientifically demonstrated. The growing use of medicinal plants by people from low-income countries and the plethora of adverse effects accompanying this increasing use has demonstrated the need for comprehensive toxicological evaluation of these plants which have shown therapeutic activity. However, in the capsule that is Nigeria, these studies are seldom done even though locals continue to patronize these plants for their health benefits.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To establish the repeated dose toxicity profile of the methanol root extract of Eriosema psoraleoides (EPE) in rats and also to investigate a possible mechanism for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats were utilised for the test. All animals used for the test were healthy. The oral repeated dose study was carried out for 28 days with animals being given the following doses daily; 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg orally. The Wistar rats were euthanized afterwards and blood samples were taken. The samples were subjected to serum biochemistry in tandem with haematological testing. After acute induction of inflammation with 1% carrageenan in normal saline, sera samples were obtained from the animals: serum cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 levels (COX 1 and COX 2) were assayed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay kits. Data were analysed utilising the appropriate software and tests.

RESULTS

Oral Repeated dose administration of EPE for 28 days didn't produce any lethality in any animal throughout the duration of the test. Repeated dose administration of EPE showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the serum levels of Alanine Aminotransferase as well as Aspartate Aminotransferase at 250 and 1000 mg/kg dose levels. Total protein and albumin were also significantly (p < 0.01) decreased. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum urea level was also observed compared to the normal saline group (1 ml/kg). Sodium levels also showed a decrease with a statistically significant level only in the group treated with the extract at a dose of 1000 mg/kg (p < 0.05). Haematological parameters were not significantly affected by EPE. The extract demonstrated an ability to down-regulate serum concentration of both COX 1 and 2, though not to a statistically significant level.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that prolonged use of EPE might potentially adversely affect vital organs in the body and EPE may potentially act through its downregulation of COX 1 and 2.

Exploring the Phytochemicals and Anti-Cancer Potential of the Members of Fabaceae Family: A Comprehensive Review

Cancer is the second-ranked disease and a cause of death for millions of people around the world despite many kinds of available treatments. Phytochemicals are considered a vital source of cancer-inhibiting drugs and utilize specific mechanisms including carcinogen inactivation, the induction of cell cycle arrest, anti-oxidant stress, apoptosis, and regulation of the immune system. Family Fabaceae is the second most diverse family in the plant kingdom, and species of the family are widely distributed across the world. The species of the Fabaceae family are rich in phytochemicals (flavonoids, lectins, saponins, alkaloids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids), which exhibit a variety of health benefits, especially anti-cancer properties; therefore, exploration of the phytochemicals present in various members of this family is crucial. These phytochemicals of the Fabaceae family have not been explored in a better way yet; therefore, this review is an effort to summarize all the possible information related to the phytochemical status of the Fabaceae family and their anti-cancer properties. Moreover, various research gaps have been identified with directions for future research.