Burantashi
Burantashi (literally "penis get up") is a native Hausa-Fulani powder derived from the bark of the African tree "Pausinystalia johimbe". Burantashi is used as a food additive to barbecued meat (suya) in Nigeria, especially the Northern parts. The extracts contain the alkaloid yohimbine, an alpha- antagonist that has been studied for treating erectile dysfunction, but the whole bark of the tree was not studied until recently. In one recent study, pure Burantashi powder obtained from a local suya vendor in Lagos, Nigeria was extracted aqueously and studied on the renal circulation of Sprague-Dawley rats. In the "in  vivo" study, the extract code-named "CCD-X", caused a rise in mean arterial pressure (MAP), and a rise in renal medullary blood flow (MBF). This systemic vasoconstrictor and renal medullary dilator action was attenuated separately by the endothelin -A receptor blocker - BMS-182874, ET-B blocker -BQ788, but blocked by their combination. Further, the nitric oxide inhibitor (NO), L-Nomega - nitro-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) 10 mg/kg totally inhibited the rise in medullary blood flow due to CCD-X. "In vitro" studies in isolated perfused kidneys (IPK) and in pressurised microvessels (PMV) confirmed the "in vivo" effect to  cause vasoconstriction, which was inhibited by endothelin A and B antagonists. The pressor dose response characteristic of CCD-X on PMV was similar to that of endothelin-1 with EC close to 100 ng. It was concluded from these studies that, the aqueous extract exhibited a vasoconstrictor effect -possibly alpha- mediated like yohimbine. However, it possessed additional effects as an andothelin receptor A and B agonist, and also released nitric oxide. The possibility of a post-receptor cross-talk among ET-B, alpha-2 receptors and NO release was also considered. Thin layer chromatography showed that the bark is rich in sesquiterpenes , and has antifungal and antibiotic properties as well. Whether CCD-X will be useful in sickle cell disease (releasing NO) is unknown. Further basic and clinical research are needed before the effects of Burantashi can be effectively evaluated.