International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities from flavonoid fractions of Chromolaena odorata

Bamidele Victor Owoyele^1*, Stephen Olubunmi Oguntoye², Kemi Dare¹, Bolatito Alice Ogunbiyi¹, Elizabeth Adeola Aruboula¹ and Ayodele Olufemi Soladoye¹

¹Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ilorin, P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Accepted 16 September, 2019

Abstract

The ethanolic extract of Chromolaena odorata was fractionated with solvent-solvent extraction technique using the following solvents successively, n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water. The fractions were evaluated for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities using standard experimental models which includes; hot plate and formalin paw licking tests for analgesic activities, carrageenan paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma for anti-inflammatory activities and Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia for antipyretic tests. The dichloromethane (DCF), n-butanol (nBF) and ethyl acetate (EAF) fractions were analyzed using analytical thin -layer chromatography (TLC), and preparative thin -layer chromatography (PTLC). Spectral studies were carried out using ultra-violet (UV) and infra-red (IR) spectroscopy. Phytochemical screening was carried out on the isolated compounds and the R_f values were determined. The result shows that the DCF produced consistent analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities followed by the nBF and EAF. Spectroscopic and phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of flavonoid in DCF. Flavonoids were also detected in nBF and EAF. The biological activities of the extract can therefore be attributed to the presence of flavonoids in the fractions.

Key words: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, Chromolaena odorata, flavonoids, fractions.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Diversity and conservation of medicinal plants in the Bomaa community of the Brong Ahafo region, Ghana

Patrick Addo-Fordjour*, Alexander Kofi Anning, Ebenezer Jeremiah Durosimi Belford and Dorcas Akonnor

Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.

Accepted 12 September 2019

Abstract

The diversity and conservation status of medicinal plants were studied in the Aparapi forest reserve at Bomaa, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana. Information on the medicinal plants was obtained from semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and field excursions involving herbalists and taxonomists. A total of 52 plant species belonging to 47 genera and 22 families were identified by the traditional herbalists as medicinal plants. These were used to treat a variety of diseases. Fabaceae was the most dominant family. The medicinal plants were categorised into four growth forms: trees (63.5%), climbers (15.4 %), herbs (11.5%) and shrubs (9.6%). The most commonly harvested plant parts were leaves (40.3 %). Most of the herbalists (56%) did not replant after harvesting. None of the herbalists had garden(s) where medicinal plants were cultivated. Majority of the traditional practitioners (57%) did not have trainees. Transmission of knowledge to trainees was mainly informal. Most of the herbalists did not keep records on the diseases treated and the plants used. Some of the harvesting methods employed by the herbalists were destructive. The herbalists confirmed a decrease in the richness and abundance of some of plant species including threatened ones. Harvesting of such species should be regulated by the forestry commission of Ghana.

Key words: Conservation, diversity, Ghana medicinal plants, semi-deciduous forest.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro 5-Lipoxygenase inhibition of polyphenolic antioxidants from undomesticated plants of South Africa

Uma Sankar Akula and Bharti Odhav*

Durban University of Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Science and the Built Environment, Department of Biotechnology, ML Sultan Campus, P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa.

Accepted 10 October, 2019

Abstract

Aqueous and methanolic extracts of 18 leafy vegetables from South Africa were investigated for their free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content and anti-inflammatory properties. Amaranthus dubius, Amaranthus hybridus, Amaranthus spinosus, Asystasia gangetica, Bidens pilosa, Centella asiatica, Ceratotheca triloba, Chenopodium album, Cleome monophylla, Emex australis, Galinsoga parviflora, Justicia flava, Momordica balsamina, Oxygonum sinuatum, Physalis viscosa, Portulaca oleracea, Senna occidentalis and Solanum nigrum were used in this study. In the radical scavenging studies using 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate(DPPH), methanolic extracts from six plants almost completely inhibited DPPH absorption (J. flava-96.6%, P. oleracea-96.5%, M. balsamina-94.7%, O. sinuatum-92.1%, S. nigrum-92.0% and A. hybridus-90.5%), whereas methanolic extracts from E. australis-78.6% and G. parviflora-76.5% showed lowest activities among the plants studied. Aqueous extracts were considerably less effective radical scavengers compared to methanolic extracts showing highest activity with J. flava-48.0% and lowest with A. gangetica-36.2%. A correlation between radical scavenging activity of extracts with total phenolic content was observed. Out of 18 plants studied for anti-inflammatory activity, methanolic extracts from eight plants showed significant inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-Lox) activity. Among the plants studied Bidens pilosa (IC₅₀ 21.8 µg/ml) showed maximum anti-inflammatory activity while Emex australis (IC₅₀ 81.4 µg/ml) showed minimum inhibition of 5-Lox activity. Large amounts of phenolic compounds may contribute towards the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties among the plants studied.

Key words: Leafy vegetables, radical scavenging, DPPH, total phenolics, 5-lipoxygenase, anti-inflammatory.