Protective Effect of Alkaloid-rich Extract of Brimstone Tree (Morinda lucida) on Neurotoxicity in the Fruit-fly (Drosophila melanogaster) Model

Afr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 24 (May, 2021); 257- 263 Research Article Protective Effect of Alkaloid-rich Extract of Brimstone Tree (Morinda lucida) on Neurotoxicity in the Fruit-fly (Drosophila melanogaster) Model Nwanna E.E. Functional Food, Nutraceutical and Phytomedicine unit Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology Akure PMB 704, Nigeria ABSTRACT Brimstone plant is one of the medicinal plants found in Nigeria used in fore-lore medicine with little scientific information on its alkaloid constituents. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of alkaloid-rich compounds from the plant in manganese- induced (MgCl2) neurotoxicity in the fruit fly. In addition, alkaloid compounds will be characterized using gas chromatograph coupled with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Alkaloid-rich extract was prepared by solvent extraction method, fruit flies were pre-treated with the extract (0.5 ­ 1.0mg/ml) in a fortified diet before induction with MgCl2. The survival rate and negative geotaxis were observed. Thereafter, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme, antioxidantive potentials in in -vivo reactive oxygen species (ROS) thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), total thiol content, nitric oxide (NO*), hydroxyl oxide (OH*) scavenging ability, ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) and 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6- sulphonic acid) (ABTs*) radical scavenging ability were carried out on the flies' homogenate. Results obtained revealed that the alkaloid-rich extract regulated the neuro-protective activity of AchE, reduced the reactive oxygen species level in the induced flies with an increased in antioxidantive potential, higher survival rate and increases in the life span of the flies with 50% reduction in the mortality rate. The GC-MS showed a total of (1.55/100mg) of different plant-derived alkaloids such as dicentrine, atropine, aporphine. These alkaloids-rich compounds were found to have anti-oxidative, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti- cholinergic activities. In conclusion, this study suggests that alkaloids from brimstone plant could be the reason for the observed biological activities for the prevention of neuronal related complications.

Proximate and phytochemical compositions of leaf and root of (cattle stick) Carpolobia lutea G. Don

ABSTRACT: Carpolobia lutea is a medicinal plant commonly utilized in Nigeria to boost libido. The ethnomedicinal importance of any plant lies in some secondary metabolites. Hence, the present study was carried out to investigate the proximate and phytochemical composition of roots and leaves of this plant using standard methods. The proximate composition of leaves and roots showed moisture, ash, fibre, protein, fat and carbohydrate contents with values that ranged between 8.84-9.55, 3.48-3.65, 1.10-1.06, 6.64-8.39, 1.80-1.80 and 76.16-77.47% respectively. The leaves contained higher amount of ash, crude protein and fat than the roots. The results of ethanolic extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, steroids, saponins, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, anthocyanin, carotenoids and flavonoids in both the leaves and roots. These phytochemicals were found to be significantly higher in roots except for anthraquinones, flavonoids and steroids which were significantly higher in the leaves. Among the phytochemicals, alkaloids were found to be highest in concentration followed in decreasing order by saponins, steroids, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, anthocyanin, terpenoids, phenols and carotenoids. The results indicated that, C. lutea leaf and root have high nutritive and medicinal values and this could be explored for pharmaceutical purposes

Phytochemical Screening and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of the Fruits and Leaves of Allanblackia floribunda Oliv (Guttiferae)

Purpose: To compare the phytochemical constituents in the leaves and fruits of Allanblackia floribunda and determine their free radical scavenging activity. Methods: The fruit and leaves of AF collected from the uncultivated farmlands of Okeigbo; Ondo State; Nigeria; were dried; milled and extracted with methanol. Phytochemical screening was carried out according to standard procedures. Free radical scavenging activity was determined by measuring the decrease in the visible absorbance of 2;2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) on addition of the plant extract. The mean inhibitory concentration (IC50); which is the concentration of extract needed to decrease the initial absorbance of DPPH by 50was determined graphically. Total phenolic; flavonoids and proanthocyanidin contents were determined by spectro-photometric methods. Results: Alkaloids; anthraquinones; tannins; saponins; steroids; terpenoids; flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were found to be present in both the fruits and leaves. Only AF fruit contained phlobatannins. IC50 values of 0.01; 0.02 and 0.1 mg/ml were recorded for Vitamin E; AF leaves and AF fruits respectively. Total phenolic; total flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents were 65; 0.07 and 2.38 mg/g of powdered plant material for AF fruits; and 12; 51.35; 19.5 mg/g of powdered plant material for AF leaves as gallic acid; rutin and catechin equivalents respectively. Conclusion: AF leaves are five times more potent as a free radical scavenger compared to the fruits though the fruit was found to contain a higher phenolic content

Mise en evidence de l'activite antitussive des alcacoides totaux de Gueira Senegalensis Lam. chez le cobaye

Introduction : L'activite antitussive des feuilles de Guiera senegalensis a deja fait l'objet d'etudes scientifiques. Cependant; a notre connaissance; les principes actifs responsables de cette activite n'ont pu etre identifies a ce jour. C'est pour pallier cette insuffisance que nous avons effectue cette etude afin d'evaluer l'effet des alcaloides totaux des feuilles de la plante; sur la toux provoquee chez le cobaye; par inhalation de vapeurs d'ammoniac. Materiel et Methodes : Les cobayes repartis en 5 lots de 10 ont ete gaves avec de l'eau distillee (temoins); les alcaloides totaux aux doses de 15; 25 et 30 mg/kg et la codeine a 50 mg/kg. Ils ont ete ensuite exposes a des vapeurs d'ammoniac et le nombre d'acces de toux est compte toutes les heures; apres le gavage; pendant 5 min. Resultats : Il ressort de l'etude qui aura dure 5 heures; qu'aux doses de 15 mg/kg; 25 mg/kg et 30 mg/kg de poids corporel; par voie orale; les alcaloides totaux provoquent une diminution significative du nombre des acces de toux par rapport au temoin; des la deuxieme heure de mesure (p0;01) ; cette difference est restee significative aux troisieme; quatrieme et cinquieme heures (p0;001). Ces effets des alcaloides totaux sont comparables a celui de la codeine utilisee comme antitussif de reference. Conclusion : Les alcaloides totaux des feuilles de Guiera senegalensis presentent une activite antitussive et seraient responsables de l'effet antitussif de la plante

Screening phytochimique de deux especes de plantes : crotalia retusa L (Papilionaceae) et hallea ciliata Aubrev et Pellegr. (Rubiaceae) recoltees au Gabon

Notre etude qui a porte sur la determination de la composition en substances chimiques organiques de deux especes vegetales : Crotalaria retusa et Hallea ciliata recoltees au Gabon a comporte : Un rappel sur les travaux anterieurs qui a permis d'obtenir des renseignements sur les utilisations traditionnelles de Hallea ciliata et de Crotalaria retusa (en plus de la toxicite de cette derniere) ;Des reactions de caracterisation qui ont permis d'identifier differents groupements chimiques que renferment ces deux especes qui sont : les alcaloides; les tanins; les flavonoides; les sterols et terpenes; les saponosides; les composes reducteurs; les mucilages; les derives anthraceniques; les heterosides cardiotoniques et les coumarines. Les trois derniers cites etant en quantites moins importantes.Une chromatographie sur couche mince des alcaloides totaux au cours delaquelle; apres revelation avec la reactif de Dragendorff; nous avons obtenu pour Crotalaria retusa un spot pour les feuilles et deux pour chacun des quatre autres organes etudies (fleurs; tiges; graines; racines). Et pour les ecorces de Hallea ciliata nous avons egalement obtenu deux spots

An outbreak of acute toxicity caused by eating food contaminated with datura stramonium

The authors report methods used to characterize an outbreak of food-borne acute toxicity among the labour force of a cotton plantation in Middle Awash Agricultural Development Enterprise in July and August 1984. Among 1492 patients seen at the Enterprise and Ministry of Health clinics during this period; 688 (46.1 per cent) exhibited unusual signs and symptoms. Thirty three patients required hospitalization for intensive medical care while nine patients were reported to have died due to this condition.Contamination of corn flour with pesticides was initially suspected and laboratory animal tests were carried out which failed to show any signs of acute toxicity. Investigation of the source of the corn and its processing was simultaneously conducted and revealed the contamination of the corn with seeds of an indigenous plant identified as Datura stramonium; an antimuscarinic alkaloid. These alkaloids contain hyoscine and hyoscyamine which is known to have toxic effect on the exocrine glands; heart; and the autonomic nervous system in man. Signs and symptoms observed in the patients and preventive measures implemented are discussed