Anti-Stress Potential of Aqueous Root Extract of Cnestis ferruginea

Evaluation of Dermal Toxicity and Wound Healing Activity of Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC

Cnestisferruginea is a tropical plant, which is traditionally used in the treatment and management of various conditions including skin infections and wounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the dermal toxicity and wound healing potential of C. ferruginea. Ten millimeter full-thickness mucosal wounds were created on the dorsal midportion of the Sprague Dawley rats. Wounds were treated with 10, 5, and 2.5% w/w aqueous creams, prepared from the methanol extract of the root bark of C. ferruginea (CFM). The wound tissues were harvested on day 21 for histology studies. Compared with the untreated group, 10, 5, and 2.5% w/w CFM-treated wounds significantly reduced the wound size over the study period ( $P<0.0001$ ). Tissue histology revealed a healed wound with well-regenerated collagen and skin appendages with no pus cells. A skin irritation test was conducted on CFM, as well as the dermal toxicity of CFM was determined in the repeated dose and acute dermal toxicity bioassays. These tests revealed that CFM showed no toxic effect on the skin and showed that CFM was not a skin irritant. C. ferruginea exhibited wound healing activity, which gives credence to its folkloric use.

A review on anti-peptic ulcer activities of medicinal plants used in the formulation of Enterica, Dyspepsia and NPK 500 capsules

Peptic ulcer disease affects many people globally. With the increasing resistance to some orthodox antibiotics such as Clarithromycin and Metronidazole, it is important that new acceptable, safer and effective therapies are developed to manage this disease. Various herbal medicines have been used traditionally for the remedy of peptic ulcer disease (PUD), however scientific information with regards to their anti-peptic ulcer both in-vivo and in-vitro as well as clinical studies supporting their use is still inadequate. The Centre for Plant Medicine Research, (CPMR) Mampong-Akuapem, Ghana manufactures three herbal Products namely Enterica, Dyspepsia and NPK 500 capsules which are currently used for the remedy of PUD as a triple therapy at its out-patient clinic with promising effects. The aim of this review is to gather information from literature on the anti-ulcer properties, pharmacological, phytochemical constituents and related activities of herbal plants used at the CPMR for formulation of the triple herbal therapy. This review may, provide some scientific bases for the use of Enterica, Dyspepsia and NPK 500 capsules in the management of Peptic ulcer at the CPMR out-patient clinic.

METHODS

Organization for the review involved the on and/or offline search for information from available literature using electronic data and scientific research information resources such as PubMed, Science Direct and Google scholar.

RESULTS

In this review, fifteen ethno-medicinal plants used for the formulation of Enterica, Dyspepsia and NPK capsules have been discussed, presenting the description of the plants, composition and pharmacological activity.

INTERPRETATION

Tables with the summary of reviewed medicinal plants with their anti-ulcer models and inference on possible mechanisms of action were drawn up. The mechanism(s) of action of individual plants and products (Enterica, Dyspepsia and NPK 500 capsules) must be further investigated and established experimentally in-vitro in addition to in-vivo pharmacological and clinical activity studies to confirm their use in the remedy of PUD.

Evolution of the adaptogenic concept from traditional use to medical systems: Pharmacology of stress- and aging-related diseases

Adaptogens comprise a category of herbal medicinal and nutritional products promoting adaptability, resilience, and survival of living organisms in stress. The aim of this review was to summarize the growing knowledge about common adaptogenic plants used in various traditional medical systems (TMS) and conventional medicine and to provide a modern rationale for their use in the treatment of stress-induced and aging-related disorders. Adaptogens have pharmacologically pleiotropic effects on the neuroendocrine-immune system, which explain their traditional use for the treatment of a wide range of conditions. They exhibit a biphasic dose-effect response: at low doses they function as mild stress-mimetics, which activate the adaptive stress-response signaling pathways to cope with severe stress. That is in line with their traditional use for preventing premature aging and to maintain good health and vitality. However, the potential of adaptogens remains poorly explored. Treatment of stress and aging-related diseases require novel approaches. Some combinations of adaptogenic plants provide unique effects due to their synergistic interactions in organisms not obtainable by any ingredient independently. Further progress in this field needs to focus on discovering new combinations of adaptogens based on traditional medical concepts. Robust and rigorous approaches including network pharmacology and systems pharmacology could help in analyzing potential synergistic effects and, more broadly, future uses of adaptogens. In conclusion, the evolution of the adaptogenic concept has led back to basics of TMS and a new level of understanding of holistic approach. It provides a rationale for their use in stress-induced and aging-related diseases.

Isolation of Antimicrobial Compounds From Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex. DC (Connaraceae) Leaves Through Bioassay-Guided Fractionation

Different parts of Cnestis ferruginea are used in traditional African medicine for treating infectious diseases such as dysentery, bronchitis, eye troubles, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Despite its long traditional use in the treatment of infections, this plant is not well studied for its in vitro antimicrobial properties. Therefore, the present study aims to establish the antimicrobial activity profile of extracts from this plant, as well as to isolate and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the most abundant bioactive compound in C. ferruginea leaves through bioassay-guided purification, using Staphylococcus aureus as a target organism. Although both methanol and water extracts of the plant leaves proved active against S. aureus, a water extract was pursued, and subjected further to liquid-liquid partitioning (ethyl acetate, butanol, and water). The ethyl acetate fraction was found to be the most potent and was subjected to silica gel chromatography. In total, 250 fractions were obtained, and those with similar TLC profiles were clustered into 22 major groups, of which pooled fraction-F6 (83 mg) was the most potent. Additional purification by HPLC resulted in two active peaks, which were identified, using a combination of NMR and mass spectrometry, as hydroquinone and caffeic acid methyl ester. Their antimicrobial activity was confirmed using a microdilution protocol on S. aureus, where hydroquinone had a stronger activity (MIC50 = 63 μg/mL) compared to caffeic acid methyl ester (>200 μg/mL). Traditionally this plant is used as an aqueous preparation to treat many infections, and the present study also demonstrated antimicrobial activity in the aqueous extract, which appears due mainly to two major water-soluble compounds isolated through bioassay-guided purification. This supports the clinical use of the aqueous extract of C. ferruginea leaves as a phytotherapeutic for bacterial infections.

Protective effect of Cnestis ferruginea and its active constituent on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice: a behavioral and biochemical study

CONTEXT

Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) (CF) is used in traditional African medicine in the management of CNS disorders. The degeneration and dysfunction of cholinergic neurons is closely associated with the cognitive deficits of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and oxidative stress has been implicated in its pathogenesis. However, the influence of C. ferruginea on the cholinergic system and oxidative stress parameters has not been explored.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigates the effect of methanol root extract of C. ferruginea and its active constituent amentoflavone (CF-2) on memory, oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in scopolamine-induced amnesia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were orally treated with CF (25-200 mg/kg), CF-2 (6.25-25 mg/kg) for three days and memory impairment was induced by intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (3 mg/kg). Memory function was evaluated by passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress and cholinergic function were estimated in brain after the completion of behavioral studies.

RESULTS

Scopolamine caused memory impairment along with increased AChE activity and oxidative stress in mice brain. Oral administration of CF and CF-2 significantly prevented scopolamine-induced memory impairment, inhibited AChE and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity in the brain following scopolamine injection as compared to vehicle administration in scopolamine (i.p.)-treated mice that were comparable to the effect of tacrine.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated that C. ferruginea and its constituent have significant protective effect against scopolamine-induced memory deficits in mice that can be attributed to their antioxidant and antiAChE activity.

Sub-chronic toxicity study of the methanol root extract of Cnestis ferruginea

CONTEXT

Cnestis ferruginea (CF) Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) is a shrub abundant in West Africa. Root preparations are used in traditional medicine to treat diverse conditions.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the sub-chronic toxicological effects of the methanol root extract of CF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Groups of adult rats of both sexes were treated daily with distilled water (DW) and CF at doses of 80 (sub-therapeutic dose), 400 (therapeutic dose), and 1000 (supra-therapeutic dose) mg/kg orally for 90 days. Animals were weighed weekly and observed for behavioral and morphological changes. At the end, rats were sacrificed and blood samples collected for hematological and biochemical analysis. Vital organs were harvested, weighed, and assessed for in vivo antioxidants and histopathological changes. Sperm analysis and reversibility study were done, and mortality was recorded.

RESULTS

CF at the therapeutic dose did not produce any significant irreversible deleterious effects on the weight of animals and vital organs, in vivo antioxidants, histopathological presentation, hematological, biochemical, and sperm parameters. Platelet anomaly was elicited as a delayed effect. Effects at the sub- and supra-therapeutic doses were similar but with delayed anemia in females and weight reduction and sterility in males as possible side effects. CF generally showed a potential to induce in vivo antioxidants.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that CF given over an extended period possess the potential to cause induction of in vivo antioxidants especially in the ovary. Possible side effects identified with CF, which necessitate caution, include delayed platelet anomaly and anemia in females, weight reduction, and sterility in males.

Bioactivity guided isolation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory constituents of Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) root

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cnestis ferruginea (CF) Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) is a shrub widely used in Traditional African Medicine (TAM) for the treatment of various painful and inflammatory conditions.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To isolate the active pharmacological constituents responsible for the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of the methanolic root extract of C. ferruginea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The crude methanolic root extract of CF was sequentially fractionated into four sub extracts (chloroform, ethylacetate, n-butanol and the remaining aqueous fraction). The aqueous-butanol fractions, having showed significant inhibition of inflammation and pain, were subjected to fractionation through successive column chromatography on silica gel 60-120 mesh, eluted with a gradient of CHCl(3)-MeOH. Sixty five fractions were collected; fractions with similar TLC profiles were grouped into seven major fractions (1-7). Fraction 4 being the most active in bioassay was rechromatographed to obtain CF-2. Analgesic activity was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests in mice while carrageenan induced paw oedema test was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory actions of the fractions obtained.

RESULT

Amentoflavone (CF-2) was isolated from the aqueous/n-butanol fraction. CF-2 (12.5, 25 and 100 mg/kg; p.o) produced significant (P<0.05) dose dependent inhibition of pain response elicited by acetic acid and increased nociceptive reaction latency in hot plate test. In addition it produced significant (P<0.05) dose-dependent inhibition of oedema in the carrageenan-induced inflammation.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that amentoflavone is responsible for the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Cnestis ferruginea.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) methanolic root extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) is a shrub widely used in traditional African Medicine (TAM) for the treatment of various painful and inflammatory conditions.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study was to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the methanolic root extract of Cnestis ferruginea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Analgesic activity was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, tail clip, and hot plate tests in mice. The carrageenan- and egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema, formaldehyde-induced arthritis inflammation, and xylene-induced ear oedema tests were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory actions of Cnestis ferruginea.

RESULTS

The methanolic root extract of Cnestis ferruginea (100, 200, and 400mg/kg; p.o.) produced significant (P<0.05) dose-dependent inhibition of pain response elicited by acetic acid and formalin while also increasing the nociceptive reaction latency in the tail clip and hot plate tests. In respect of anti-inflammatory activity, Cnestis ferruginea caused significant (P<0.05) dose-dependent inhibition of oedema development in the carrageenan, egg albumin, formaldehyde, and xylene-induced inflammation tests. The effects of the extract in the various models were generally comparable to those of the standard drugs used.

CONCLUSION

The findings in this study suggest that the methanolic root extract of Cnestis ferruginea possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities possibly mediated through peripheral and central mechanisms involving inhibition of release and/or actions of vasoactive substances (histamine, serotonin and kinins) and prostaglandins. The results justify the use of the extract in TAM for the treatment of painful and inflammatory conditions.