ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Antiinflammatory properties of betulinic acid and xylopic acid in the carrageenan‐induced pleurisy model of lung inflammation in mice

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of betulinic acid (BA) and xylopic acid (XA) extracted from Margaritaria discoidea and Xylopia aethiopica, respectively. M. discoidea and X. aethiopica are plants native in Ghana and the West‐African region and used traditionally to treat different pathologies including inflammatory conditions. The anti-inflammatory effect of BA and XA was established by an in vivo assay using the carrageenan‐induced pleural inflammation model in mice. Also, the ability of BA and XA to increase catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione levels and decrease lipid peroxidation level in reactive oxidative assays was assessed. In addition, the ability of XA and BA to prevent potential lung tissue damage was quantified. Pretreatment with BA and XA reduced significantly, signs of inflammation: neutrophil infiltration, oedema, and alveoli septal thickening in carrageenan‐treated lung tissue. Additionally, BA or XA pretreatment lowered the degree of lipid peroxidation in the lung tissue while increasing the levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione in vivo. Comparatively, XA was more efficacious than BA in the prevention of lung tissue damage. BA and XA derived from X. aethiopica and M. discoidea possess anti-inflammatory and in vivo antioxidant activities in mice pleurisy model. The effect of these compounds gives credence to the traditional use in the management of inflammatory conditions of the airway.

Source: UCC
Antimicrobial activity of Nigerian medicinal plants

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently one of the major threats facing mankind. The emergence and rapid spread of multi- and pan-drug-resistant organisms (such as vancomycin-, methicillin-, extended-spectrum β-lactam-, carbapenem- and colistin-resistant organisms) has put the world in a dilemma. The health and economic burden associated with AMR on a global scale are dreadful. Available antimicrobials have been misused and are almost ineffective with some of these drugs associated with dangerous side effects in some individuals. Development of new, effective, and safe antimicrobials is one of the ways by which AMR burden can be reduced. The rate at which microorganisms develop AMR mechanisms outpaces the rate at which new antimicrobials are being developed. Medicinal plants are potential sources of new antimicrobial molecules. There is renewed interest in antimicrobial activities of phytochemicals. Nigeria boasts of a huge heritage of medicinal plants and there is avalanche of researches that have been undertaken to screen antimicrobial activities of these plants. Scientific compilation of these studies could provide useful information on the antimicrobial properties of the plants. This information can be useful in the development of new antimicrobial drugs. This paper reviews antimicrobial researches that have been undertaken on Nigerian medicinal plants.

Source: UCC
Antimicrobial activity of six selected plants against some strains of pathogenic organisms

Crude ethanolic extracts selected six Nigerian plants based on ethnobotanical reports of their antifungal and antibacterial actions were subjected to phytochemical and antimicrobial screening. All the six plants namely Acalypha fimbriata, Glaphae brevis, Vernonia amygdalina, Struchium sparganophora, Celosia argentea and Amaranthus spinosus were screened against strains of Candida albicans, Trichophyton metagophyte, Malassezia furfur, Aspergillus flavus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. The seventy percent (70%) aqueous ethanolic extract of A. finbriata was found to possess greatest activities against the pathogenic fungi; C. albicans, T. metagophyte, M. furfur and A. flavus at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 mg/ml. While V. amygdalina and S. sparganophora showed better antibacterial activity of MIC values of 25 to 50 mg/ml than A. finbriata which exhibited wider spectrum of activity against the three pathogenic bacteria of MIC 100 mg/ml. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins and combined anthraquinones in A. finbriata which justifies its antimicrobial activities as portrayed in this test. The results of this work justify the ethnobotanical uses of these plants in traditional medicine in Nigeria.

Source: UCC
Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of helical antimicrobial peptide sequences incorporating metal-binding motifs

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent alternative strategies to combat the global health problem of antibiotic resistance. However, naturally occurring AMPs are generally not sufficiently active for use as antibiotics. Optimized synthetic versions incorporating additional design principles are needed. Here, we engineered amino-terminal Cu(II) and Ni(II) (ATCUN) binding motifs, which can enhance biological function, into the native sequence of two AMPs, CM15 and citropin1.1. The incorporation of metalbinding motifs modulated the antimicrobial activity of synthetic peptides against a panel of carbapenem-resistant enterococci (CRE) bacteria, including carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KpC+) and Escherichia coli (KpC+). Activity modulation depended on the type of ATCUN variant utilized. Membrane permeability assays revealed that the in silico selected lead template, CM15, and its ATCUN analogs increased bacterial cell death. Mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that coordinating ATCUN derivatives with Cu(II) ions did not increase the helical tendencies of the AMPs. CM15 ATCUN variants, when combined with Meropenem, streptomycin, or chloramphenicol, showed synergistic effects against E. coli (KpC+ 1812446) biofilms. Motif addition also reduced the hemolytic activity of the wild-type AMP and improved the survival rate of mice in a systemic infection model. The dependence of these bioactivities on the particular amino acids of the ATCUN motif highlights the possible use of size, charge, and hydrophobicity to fine-tune AMP biological function. Our data indicate that incorporating metal-binding motifs into peptide sequences leads to synthetic variants with modified biological properties. These principles may be applied to augment the activities of other peptide sequences

Source: UCC
Antimicrobial examinations of cymbopogon citratus and adiatum capillus-veneris used in Ghanaian folkloric medicine

The antimicrobial activity and Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extracts of Cymbopogon citratus and Adiatum capillus-veneris were evaluated against four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a fungus (Candida albicans). These plants are used in Ghanaian folk medicine to treat infections of microbial origin. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were tested using agar diffusion technique. The ethanol extracts of the two plants showed appreciable antimicrobial and antifungal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans with MIC of 0.78mg/ml and 12.5mg/ml for C. citratus and A. capillus-veneris respectively. However, the aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus showed no activity against the tested organs but that of Adiatum capillus-Veneris had activity against Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumonia. All the plants show different kinds of phytochemicals. The phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of sugars, flavanoids, triterpenoids, and steroids for A. capillus-veneris and flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkaloids, saponins, phenols and steroids for C.citratus. Statistical analysis using student t-test showed no statistical difference between MICs of the two plants and chloramphenicol

Source: UCC
Antimicrobial Profile and Asymptomatic Urinary Tract Infections among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Ghana

Urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnancy is associated with significant morbidity for both the mother and the baby. Proper investigation and prompt treatment are needed to prevent the serious life-threatening condition and morbidity associated with UTI in pregnant women. Aim: This study was designed to detect common uropathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern among asymptomatic pregnant women attending antenatal care in the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. Methodology: Mid-stream urine samples were collected from 200 individuals and inoculated onto cysteine lactose electrolyte deficient (CLED) agar media. Colony counts yielding bacterial growth of ≥ 105 CFU /ml was regarded as significant bacteriuria. Pure isolates of bacterial pathogens were characterized by colony morphology, Gram-stain and standard biochemical procedures. Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of all identified isolates. Results: The overall prevalence of bacteria-associated asymptomatic UTI was 17.5%. Escherichia coli (42.9%) was the most isolated organism followed by Staphylococcus aureus (34.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.4%), Staphylococcus saprophyticoccus (5.7%) and Proteus mirabilis 2 (5.7%). Yeast cells and Schistosoma haematobium were also recorded in 2% of the women. Isolates showed significant sensitivity to commercially prepared antibiotic discs. However, higher level of resistance was recorded with tetracycline, nitrofurantoin and nalidixic acid. Conclusion: Early screening for UTI should be done for all pregnant women and those found to be infected need to be treated with appropriate antimicrobial agents to avoid complications.

Source: UCC
Antimicrobial Profile and Asymptomatic Urinary Tract Infections among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Ghana

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnancy is associated with significant morbidity for both the mother and the baby. Proper investigation and prompt treatment are needed to prevent the serious life-threatening condition and morbidity associated with UTI in pregnant women. Aim: This study was designed to detect common uropathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern among asymptomatic pregnant women attending antenatal care in the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. Methodology: Mid-stream urine samples were collected from 200 individuals and inoculated onto cysteine lactose electrolyte deficient (CLED) agar media. Colony counts yielding bacterial growth of ≥ 105 CFU /ml was regarded as significant bacteriuria. Pure isolates of bacterial pathogens were characterized by colony morphology, Gram-stain and standard biochemical procedures. Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of all identified isolates. Results: The overall prevalence of bacteria-associated asymptomatic UTI was 17.5%. Escherichia coli (42.9%) was the most isolated organism followed by Staphylococcus aureus (34.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.4%), Staphylococcus saprophyticoccus (5.7%) and Proteus mirabilis 2 (5.7%). Yeast cells and Schistosoma haematobium were also recorded in 2% of the women. Isolates showed significant sensitivity to commercially prepared antibiotic discs. However, higher level of resistance was recorded with tetracycline, nitrofurantoin and nalidixic acid. Conclusion: Early screening for UTI should be done for all pregnant women and those found to be infected need to be treated with appropriate antimicrobial agents to avoid complications.

Source: UCC
Antinociceptive activity of the ethanolic extract of the root bark of Cassia sieberiana (Fam. Caesalpinaceae)

The aqueous ethanolic extract of the root bark of C. sieberiana, a plant widely used in Ghanaian traditional medicine for pain relief of abdominal origin, dysmenorrhea, ulcers and general body pains, was investigated for antinociceptive effect in a thermal model for pain and anti-colitic actions in rats. Algesia in the form of thermal stimuli was induced using the hotplate model and colitis by intra-colonic instillation of 2, 4, 6-tri-nitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS). Both morphine (1 - 5 mg/kg, i.p.) and C. sieberiana extract (10 - 40 mg/kg, p.o.) caused dose dependent anti-nociceptive effects in rats on the hotplate. The mean maximal analgesic effects occurred 30 minutes after administration of either morphine (1 - 5 mg/kg, i.p.) or extract. There was no statistical difference between the analgesic potency of the extract (EC50: 9.7±3.9) and that of morphine (EC50: 6.5±0.5). However, the analgesic action of C. sieberiana (40 mg/kg, p.o.) was less sensitive than that of morphine to the effect of naloxone (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) which caused 14.7% and 75.3% reductions of the effects of C. sieberiana and morphine respectively. In rats with TNBS-induced colitis, whereas treatment with both Prednisolone (10 mg kg-1 p.o.) and 5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) (100 mgkg-1 i.r.) significantly reduced the inflammatory features of the damaged colons, the extract (160 mg kg-1 p.o.) effect was less obvious. We conclude that the aqueous ethanolic extract of C. sieberiana possesses potential analgesic compounds but lacks compounds with promise for anticolitic actions

Source: UCC
Antinociceptive and Antioxidant Activity of an Aqueous Root Bark Extract of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel (Fam: Leguminosae [Fabaceae]) in ICR Mice

Daniellia oliveri stem bark is used traditionally by the people of Northern Ghana to manage pain. This study therefore sought to validate the antinociceptive property of an aqueous stem bark extract of Daniellia oliveri (DOE) using murine hot plate and paw pressure pain models as well as its antioxidant property. Groups of ICR mice were pre-treated with DOE (250, 500, 1000 or 2000 mg kg-1 , p.o), morphine (3 mg kg-1 , i.p), diclofenac (3 mg kg-1 , i.p) or normal saline (2 ml/kg) respectively for 0.5 - 1 h, prior to pain induction. Pain latency period were measured at 0.5 h intervals for 1.5 h. To establish the possible mode of analgesic activity, nociceptive activity of DOE was antagonized by naloxone (2 mg kg-1), glibenclamide (8mg kg-1), and theophylline (5mg kg1). The extract was screened for antioxidant property by its effect on DPPH radical scavenging activity. DOE in both pain models produced significant (P ≤ 0.001) dose and time - dependent antinociceptive effect comparable to morphine, and diclofenac. The antinociceptive effect of DOE was significantly (P ≤ 0.001) attenuated by naloxone, glibenclamide, and theophylline. DOE caused a concentration dependent percentage increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity. The aqueous stem bark extract of Daniellia oliveri therefore has antinociceptive and antioxidant effect with antinoception possibly mediated through activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, as well as opioidergic and adenosinergic receptor pathways.

Source: UCC
Antinociceptive Ecdysteroids and Other Constituents of Palisota hirsuta K. Schum (Commelinaceae)

The root of Palisota hirsuta is used in Ghana and other West African countries for the treatment of various disease conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (also in other inflammatory and painful conditions), infertility in females, anaemia, and dysentery. The current study sought to evaluate the anti-nociceptive effect of the hydroethanolic root extract and compounds isolated from Palisota hirsuta. Mice were used for studying the antinociceptive activity of P. hirsuta extracts and isolates at doses of 10-300 mgkg-1p.o and 10- 30 mgkg-1 respectively using the Formalin Induced paw licking model. The total crude extract, methanolic and petroleum ether fractions showed analgesic activity in a dose-dependent manner for both the early and late phases. Three isolates, a fatty acid mixture, 20-hydroxyecdysone and an uncharacterized ecdysteroid (PH V) were obtained from the methanol fractions with significant activity. 20-hydroxyecdysone exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of the nociception for both the early and late phases; 71.39±9.19% and 89.19±3.81% respectively. PH V showed significant activity between the early and late phases of inhibition as compared to the reference drug morphine. The present study has given scientific credence to the use of the roots of P. hirsuta for the mitigation of pain and established its antinociceptive constituents.

Source: UCC
Antioxidant activity and the estimation of total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the root extract of Amaranthus spinosus

Amaranthus spinosus (204.84g) roots were extracted successively with petroleum ether (80-100 and methanol by Soxhlet process. All the extracts were subjected to Total phenolic content, Total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity using DPPH assay and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay (FRAP). Ethyl acetate extract showed the highest antioxidant activity with 61.47 ± 4.8 % inhibitions at a higher concentration. The three solvents; Methanol, ethyl acetate and Pet-ether extracts showed moderate activity when compared with the standard. The total phenol content was 48.01 ± 2.0, 135.22 ± 3.7 and 46.01± 1.3 mg g -1 in the methanol, ethyl acetate and pet-ether extracts respectively. In all, ethyl acetate extract generally, exhibited the highest values of antioxidants. The potency of radical scavenging effect of A. spinosus extract was about 2 times less than the synthetic antioxidant Ascorbic acid. The greater amount of phenolic compounds leads to more potent radical scavenging effect as shown by A. spinosus extract

Source: UCC
Antioxidant and toxicological effects of crude extracts from calotropisprocera leaves

Many plants and plant parts have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, yet their possible toxic effects associated with their use have not been studied. In this study, we tested the in vitro antioxidant ability of Calotropisprocera leaf extracts by β-carotene bleaching assay, ferric reducing assay andhydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Methanolic extracts of the leaf showed the highest potency. The toxicity of the methanolic extract was tested in albino rats. All the concentrations administered to the rats showed acute and subacute toxicity manifested by hair and weight loss, sluggishness and significant elevation in serum activities of glutamate oxaloacete transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, alanin aminotransferase and serum bilirubin level relative to a control group. These results indicate that, though the crude extracts contain antioxidant factors, they also contain plant toxins that may be injurious when consumed

Source: UCC
Antioxidant and wound healing properties of some selected plants from kpando traditional area: Isolation of flavonoids from Anogeissus Leiocarpus (dc) Guill and Perr (combretaceae)

Twenty-six wound healing plants have been identified in the Kpando Traditional Area in Ghana. The methanol extracts of six of these plants showed some level of antimicrobial activity against wound causing infectious microorganisms. Similarly, four of these plants exhibited significant wound healing properties. Free radical scavenging activity by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) indicated a concentration dependent activity with no significant difference from Ascorbic acid (P<0.05) except for Amaranthus spinosus. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power showed a similar concentration dependent antioxidant activity and reducing potentials respectively. The high antioxidant activities of the extracts significantly correlated with the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The high correlation between the values of DPPH and TAC indicates the viability of the two models for evaluating antioxidants from medicinal plants. Further investigation on Anogeissus leiocarpus yielded two different flavonoid glycosides whose structures were identified through spectral analysis (1DNMR, FTIR and UV) as quercetin rhamnoglucoside (rutin) and isoflavonoid glucoside. The findings revealed that the plants possess considerably wound healing, antimicrobial and high antioxidant properties which may provide protection against free radicals induced damage to biomolecules. The study therefore supports the traditional use of these plants and recommends further investigation into the mechanism of action on the isolated compounds for possible drug development.

Source: UCC
Antioxidant and wound healing studies on the extracts of Corchorus olitorius leaf

The methanol extract of Corchorus olitorius leaves was subjected to antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The extract exhibited a high degree of antioxidant activity. From the FRAP assay absorbance increased with increasing concentration of plant extract indicating a strong reduction potential of the plant. Phytochemical screening on both methanol and aqueous extracts revealed the following constituents’ common to both solvent extracts except alkaloids which were absent in the methanol extract: Alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides. The plant powder and aqueous extracts were taken through screening for wound healing activity by excision model. Both the powder and the aqueous extract showed significant activity when compared with control and standard. Percentage of wound contraction on 18th day was found to be 100% for the powdered plant ointment, 5% powdered plant ointment and100mg/ml aqueous extract respectively. The results have significantly demonstrated the wound healing activity and the antioxidant activity of the leaves of Corchorus olitorius.

Source: UCC
Antioxidant and wound healing studies on the extracts of Corchorus olitorius leaf

The methanol extract of Corchorus olitorius leaves was subjected to antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The extract exhibited a high degree of antioxidant activity. From the FRAP assay absorbance increased with increasing concentration of plant extract indicating a strong reduction potential of the plant. Phytochemical screening on both methanol and aqueous extracts revealed the following constituents’ common to both solvent extracts except alkaloids which were absent in the methanol extract: Alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides. The plant powder and aqueous extracts were taken through screening for wound healing activity by excision model. Both the powder and the aqueous extract showed significant activity when compared with control and standard. Percentage of wound contraction on 18th day was found to be 100% for the powdered plant ointment, 5% powdered plant ointment and100mg/ml aqueous extract respectively. The results have significantly demonstrated the wound healing activity and the antioxidant activity of the leaves of Corchorus olitorius

Source: UCC