ABSTRACT
Blighia sapida(B.sapida)K.D.Koenig(Family Sapindaceae)is a branchless straight bole approximately 15 m in length.The study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract and fractions of B.sapida stem-bark using in vitro methods.Ethanol extract and its fractions were investigated for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)radical scavenging activity,ferric reducing anti-oxidant power(FRAP),total antioxidant capacity(TAC),and quantitative phenolic and flavonoid contents.Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation and membrane stabilization as-says.The extract and its fractions exhibited radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties.The ethyl acetate fraction possessed maximum phenolic and flavonoid contents(136.67±1.55 gallic acid equivalent mg/g and 75.76±4.03 quercetin equivalent mg/g,respectively).Antioxidant studies revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction displayed superior activity with an IC50=0.09±0.03 mg/mL DPPH,and values of 146.96±3.81 ascorbic acid equivalent(AAE)mg/g and 359.20±4.98 AAE mg/g for FRAP and TAC,respectively.Furthermore,the anti-inflammatory activity was revealed by inhibition of heat-induced albumin denaturation and red blood cell membrane stabilization at concentrations of 200-1000 μg/mL and 50-250 μg/mL,respectively.The ethanol extract and fractions exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities,with ethyl acetate fraction showing superior activity,which could be attributed to secondary metabolites,mainly phenolic compounds.Overall,the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of B.sapida can be exploited by ethnomedicinal users.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To re-investigate the composition of ackee oil and unequivocally determine its principal fatty acid components. METHODS: Oil was extracted from the edible portion of ackees harvested in three different studies (I - III) by several analysts; studies I and II utilized composite samples from several trees while study III consisted of ackees from seven separate trees. The oils were either saponified and methylated or trans-methylated and the fatty acid methyl ester content analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Relative fatty acid composition was quantified based on chromatographic peak areas while fatty acids were identified by mass spectrometry. The degree of unsaturation of the ackee oils was characterized by determination of the iodine value. RESULTS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data from the three studies were assessed. Relative fatty acid composition for the ackee oils was consistent across the three studies. The major fatty acid components were oleic acid (55.44%), palmitic acid (25.57%) and stearic acid (12.59%); linoleic acid was present in minor to undetectable amounts. An iodine value of 49 was determined which is consistent with the high oleic acid content of the ackee oil. CONCLUSION: The ackee samples analysed were rich in the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) oleic acid.Consideration should be given to potential protective health effects of diets which include ackee.
OBJETIVO: Re-investigar la composición del aceite del seso vegetal (ackee) y determinar de manera inequívoca sus componentes principales de ácidos grasos. MÉTODOS: Se extrajo el aceite de la porción comestible de sesos vegetales de la Blighia sapida (ackee), cosechados como parte de tres estudios diferentes (I - III) por varios analistas. Los estudios I y II utilizaron muestras combinadas de varios árboles de Blighia sapida, en tanto que el estudio III estuvo formado por muestras de siete árboles de Blighia sapida por separado. Los aceites fueron saponificados y metilados o transmetilados, y el contenido de éster metílico de ácidos grasos fue analizado mediante técnicas de cromatografía de gases y espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). La composición relativa de ácidos grasos se cuantificó sobre la base de las áreas cromatográficas pico, mientras que los ácidos grasos se identificaron mediante espectrometría de masas. El grado de insaturación de los aceites de seso vegetal fue caracterizado mediante la determinación del valor de yodo. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron los datos de la cromatografía de gases acoplada con espectrometría de masas de los tres estudios. La composición relativa de ácido grasos de los aceites de seso vegetal, fue constante a través de los tres estudios. Los componentes principales del ácido graso fueron el ácido oleico (55.44%), el ácido palmítico (25.57%), y el ácido esteárico (12.59%). El ácido linoleico estuvo presente en cantidades que fluctuaron de menores a indetectables. Se determinó un valor de yodo de 49, el cual está en correspondencia con el alto contenido de ácido oleico en el seso vegetal. CONCLUSIÓN: Las muestras analizadas de sesos vegetales de la Blighia sapida (ackee) eran ricas en ácidos grasos monoinsaturados (MUFA por sus siglas en inglés) y ácidos oleicos. Debe prestarse atención a los posibles efectos protectores de la salud de dietas que incluyen sesos vegetales.
Subject(s)
Plant Oils/chemistry , Blighia/chemistry , Fatty Acids/analysis , Mass Spectrometry , Palmitic Acid/analysis , Oleic Acid/analysis , Jamaica , Gas Chromatography-Mass SpectrometryABSTRACT
Blighia sapida is a medicinal plant used in Southern Nigeria for the treatment of some eye ailments and headache. The Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM), Ghana, has used this plant for the treatment of diarrhea for over 20 years. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the lethal effect of aqueous, ethanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaf of B. sapida on fourth instar larvae of An. gambiae, Cu. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti. Methods: The lethal effect of aqueous, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of B. sapida at concentrations of 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60 and 0.75% w/v each were investigated in static bioassays on 4th 15 instar larvae of An. gambiae, Cu. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti. Results: The 72hLC50 values of the aqueous extract were 0.393, 0.488 and 0.423%w/v for larvae of An. gambiae, Cu. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti respectively, while the values for the ethanol extract were 0.319, 0.407 and 0.384%w/v for An. gambiae, Cu. quinefasciatus and Ae. aegypti larvae respectively. For the ethyl acetate extract tested against larvae of An. gambiae, Cu. quinquefasciatus and Ae. agypti, the 72hLC50 values were 0.135, 0.177 and 0.133% w/v respectively. As judged by the 72hLC50 values ethyl acetate extract was the most potent of the three extracts. Conclusions: Results obtained demonstrate that the leaves of B. sapida have marked larvicidal potential against mosquito larvae used in this study.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To carry out phytochemical screening and investigate hypoglycemic effect of aqueous Blighia sapida root bark extract (ABRE) on normoglycemic Albino rats. Study Design: Extraction and administration of bioactive extract. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, between June, 2010 and September, 2010. Methodology: Extraction of the air-dried ground root of Blighia sapida (100 g) was done with 80mls distilled water for 2 h. The extract (ABRE) obtained was then administered at concentrations of 100mg/ml and 200mg/ml per 1000g body weight of the rats. The normoglycemic albino rats were employed. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out according to the standard methods of Trease and Evans (2006). The animals were fed ad libitum with vital finisher made up of maize and soya beans mainly.Fasting blood taken after 16h over night fasting was used in this study. Results: The phytochemical screening of ABRE shows the presence of alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, reducing sugar, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenol and tannin; while the test for protein showed negative results. Administration of the aqueous of B. sapida root bark at intervals of 48h for 21 days resulted in decrease in the blood glucose levels of rats. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that consumption of the ABRE exerts significant hypoglycemic effect in normoglycemic rats. These findings support the traditional use of ABRE for controlling diabetes. Further studies to isolate active principle(s) of the extracts as well as to elucidate their exact mechanism(s) of action are recommended.