Methyl Ganoderate E (MGE) is a triterpenoid derived from Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), an edible mushroom, commonly processed into food forms such as soups, drinks, culinary dishes, and supplements. MGE has been shown to inhibit 3T3-L1 murine adipocyte differentiation when combined with other G. lucidum triterpenes. However, the specific effect of MGE on biological processes remains unknown. In this study, we present the first evidence of MGE's anti-aging effect in Caenorhabditis elegans. Through our screening process using the UPRER regulation ability, we evaluated a library of 74 pure compounds isolated from G. lucidum, and MGE exhibited the most promising results. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that MGE extended the lifespan by 26% at 10 μg ml-1 through daf-16, hsf-1, and skn-1-dependent pathways. MGE also enhanced resistance to various molecular stressors, improved healthspan, increased fertility, and reduced the aggregation of alpha-synuclein and amyloid-beta. Transcriptome data revealed that MGE promoted processes associated with proteolysis and neural activity, while not promoting cell death processes. Collectively, our findings suggest that G. lucidum MGE could be considered as a potential anti-aging intervention, adding to the growing list of such interventions.

Quantitative analysis of heavy metals and nutrients in food helps indicate the safety and quality of food for final consumers. The present study was conducted to assess the presence of heavy metals (arsenic, copper, mercury, chromium, and lead) and the nutritional value of calcium in branded milk and yogurt to evaluate health risks for consumers. Ten (10) samples of branded milk and dairy products manufactured in Nigeria were purchased. The metal contents of the samples were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of calcium in the milk samples were between 9.33 ± 0.0023 and 18 ± 0.0071 ppm and were detected in all samples. Arsenic concentrations ranged from 0.45 ± 0.00042 to 2.48 ± 0.00064 ppm in eight branded samples but were undetected in two samples. Chromium levels were undetected in most samples, except for two with concentrations of 0.12±0.00049 ppm and 0.23±0.00021 ppm, respectively. Copper ranged from 0.032±0.00021 ppm to 0.129±0.00021 ppm in six samples. Mercury levels were detected in six samples at a concentration of 1.0±1.0 ppm. Lead concentrations ranged from 0.15±0.00064 to 0.29±0.00028 ppm in three samples. The study found heavy metals above the ideal concentration in branded milk and dairy products in Nigeria, highlighting the need for quality control measures during production to prevent contamination.

Ethnobotanical relevance: Malaria is a serious public health problem especially in sub-Saharan African countries such as Nigeria. The causative parasite is increasingly developing resistance to the existing drugs. There is urgent need for alternative and affordable therapy from medicinal plants which have been used by the indigenous people for many years. Aim of study: This study was conducted to document the medicinal plant species traditionally used by the people of Nsukka Local Government Area in south-eastern Nigeria for the treatment of malaria. Methods: A total of 213 respondents, represented by women (59.2%) and men (40.8%), were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results were analysed and discussed in the context of previously published information on anti-malarial and phytochemical studies of the identified plants. Results: The survey revealed that 50 plant species belonging to 30 botanical families were used in this region for the treatment of malaria. The most cited families were Apocynaceae (13.3%), Annonaceae (10.0%), Asteraceae (10.0%), Lamiaceae (10.0%), Poaceae (10.0%), Rubiaceae (10.0%) and Rutaceae (10.0%). The most cited plant species were Azadirachta indica (11.3%), Mangifera indica (9.1%), Carica papaya (8.5%), Cymbopogon citratus (8.5%) and Psidium guajava (8.5%). Conclusion: The present findings showed that the people of Nsukka use a large variety of plants for the treatment of malaria. The identified plants are currently undergoing screening for anti-malarial, toxicity and chemical studies in our laboratory.

Streptomyces species are the most prolific producers of antibiotics within the group actinobacteria. The in-vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the methanol (MeOH) extract and vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) fractions of a soil bacteria Streptomyces canus ATCC 12647 were evaluated. Agar well diffusion method was used for the antimicrobial assay, while phosphomolybdate and DPPH radical scavenging methods were used for the antioxidant assay. The antimicrobial assay showed remarkable activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Also, the extract and fractions showed good in-vitro antioxidant activities in both models. Our results showed that extract and VLC fractions from bacterial isolate had good antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

A bibliographic ethno-botanical survey was carried out on the medicinal plants used for the treatment of gyneco-obstetric problems in some regions of Cameroon by traditional medical practitioners and the indigenous people since the dawn of time. This survey gives a summary of medicinal plant species used in some regions of Cameroon. The data represent Cameroonian medicinal plants including their sources, families, species, local names and parts of plant used for specific treatments. From this investigative study, 73 plant species belonging to 33 families were identified. Asteraceae, Mimosaceae and Moraceae were the most recorded families of the plant. The plants are used as leaves, fruits, roots, barks or whole plant to prepare recipes for the treatment. The chemical structures of some of the isolated compounds from these plants are also presented. Since there are unexploited traditional medicinal plants that need to be utilized by the indigenous people and pharmaceutical industries, there is a need for the experimental integration of traditional medicine to determine the active phytochemical present in these plants.

The leaves of Sida acuta Burm. f. (Malvaceae) has been reported to possess potent anti- inflammatory, anti- plasmodial and anti-microbial activities. The relationship of these bioactivities and immune responses lead to the evaluation of the immunomodulatory activity of Sida acuta Burm. f. leave extract and fractions. This our study was done to determine the immunomodulatory activity and chemical study of methanol leave extract and fractions of Sida acuta Burm. f. The immunomodulatory evaluation was done by invivo Delay Type Hypersensitivity reaction (DTHR) in the body and in vitro measurement of phagocytosis of killed Candida albicans by the phagocyte polymorphonuclear leucocytes using slide method. Acute toxicity, phytochemical and GC-MS analysis were also performed. The DTHR tested in the blood with T-cells in mice showed that the extract and its fractions caused a delayed hypersensitivity response in 24hrs which was very significant (P ? 0.05) in the n- hexane fraction of the extract when compared to the control group at the dose of 100mg/kg. The in vitro studies showed a very significant difference (P ? 0.05) in the positive control group (LEVA) at concentration of 50, 100 and 200µg/ml, in crude extract (SrE) at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200µg/ml, n- hexane fraction 50, 100 and 200µg/ml, Ethyl acetate fraction at 200µg/ml and Absolute methanol fraction at 100µg/ml and also have high percentage phagocytic stimulation (PPS). The acute toxicity test did not cause clinical signs or death within 24hours post treatment in all doses tested and highest dose of 5000mg/kg. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, tannins, steroids and cardiac glycosides. GC-MS analysis of fraction with highest activity was carried out on n-hexane fraction which showed the presence of some compounds like hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1 (hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester, 3,4-seco-5alpha-cholestan-3-oic acid,4-hydroxy-4-methyl epsilon-lacto

Medicinal plants have served as a source of ‘lead’ compounds for novel drug discovery. Notably ‘lead’ compounds from natural origin include the alkaloid morphine from poppy, quinine from the cinchona tree and colchicine from meadow saffron. Most of these plants have been screened for their antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities. Some striking results showed that the screened plants could boost the immune system and scavenge free radicals, thus ameliorating numerous diseases caused by oxidative stress. This chapter discusses the antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of Cameroonian medical plants.

In the forms of either herbs or functional foods, plants and their products have attracted medicinal, culinary, and nutraceutical applications due to their abundance in bioactive phytochemicals. Human beings and other animals have employed those bioactive phytochemicals to improve health quality based on their broad potentials as antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-aging effects, amongst others. For the past decade and half, efforts to discover bioactive phytochemicals both in pure and crude forms have been intensified using the Caenorhabditis elegans aging model, in which various metabolic pathways in humans are highly conserved. In this review, we summarized the aging and longevity pathways that are common to C. elegans and humans and collated some of the bioactive phytochemicals with health benefits and lifespan extending effects that have been studied in C. elegans. This simple animal model is not only a perfect system for discovering bioactive compounds but is also a research shortcut for elucidating the amelioration mechanisms of aging risk factors and associated diseases.

: The antidiabetic properties of the methanol root extract of Strophanthus hispidus DC (Apocynaceae) was evaluated on normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic rats. Diabetes was induced in rats using alloxan (150mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally). Normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic rats were administered orally with single doses of (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) the root extract of Strophanthus hispidus, 5mg/kg of Glibenclamide (positive control) and distilled water (negative) control for 14 days. The blood sugar level was determined using Glucometer. The acute toxicity (LD 50 ) test of methanol root extract was determined. The effect of the extract on some pathological parameters and the phytochemical constituents were also investigated. The root extract produced a dose reduction (P < 0.05) in blood sugar levels of both normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic rats. When doses of 200, 400 and 800mg/kg of the extract were administered orally to alloxan induced diabetic rats, significant reduction in blood sugar level occurred (64.72, 67.69 and 69.43 % respectively) while Glibenclamide caused a 67.74% reduction. In normal rats, the extract (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) exhibited a significant reduction of the blood sugar level of 27.59, 34.28 and 41.92% respectively, while Glibenclamide caused a 39.78% reduction. Phytochemical analysis on Strophanthus hispidus showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, tannins, terpenoids, reducing sugars, steroids, proteins, glycosides and saponins. Acute toxicity test carried out in mice using Lorke’s method showed that the root extract was relatively safe, since no death was recorded at the dose 5000mg/kg. There was significant (p< 0.05) increase in the liver enzymes level in the diabetic rats on day 0 before the administration of the extract. At day 14 in the alloxan-induced diabetic rats, there was a significant (p< 0.05) decrease in the liver enzymes at studied doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) when compared to the normal. There was significant (p< 0.05) difference in the AST level at day 14 when compared to day 0 in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. At the doses extract, there was a significant decrease in the ALP level when compared to the normal at day 0. Also, the extract has the effect of decreasing the urea level at a dose of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg from 36.35, 40.95 and 41.00 mg/dl at day 0 to 17.60, 16.31 and 14.60 mg/dl at day 14. The level was similarly reduced for the positive group (Glibenclamide). At day 14 there was a decrease in the urea level in the diabetic rats when compared to day 0. The methanol root extract has no significant effect in the creatinine level. The study shows that the root extract of Strophanthus hispidus has a significant hypoglycaemic activity in normoglycaemic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Similarly, the extract does possess hepatoprotective effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. and The study was to determine the anti-diabetic activity of the root of Strophanthus hispidus on alloxan-induced diabetic rats and its effect on some biochemical parameters associated complications of diabetes. This study reveals the effect of the methanol root extract on pathological parameters. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a liver specific and kidney specific enzyme while aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is found in the skeletal muscle and kidney. Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is found mainly in the and bones. was significant

Alchornea floribunda is an evergreen plant that grows up to 32 feet tall and belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae. It is found mainly in African forest undergrowth. In Nigeria, its leaves, stems and roots are widely used in folkloric medicine to manage ailments and diseases. The pharmacological activity of A. floribunda depends mainly on the part used. A previous study showed that the leaves have antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-cancer activities, while its roots and stem possess antibacterial activity. Thus, this review takes a critical look at previously reported findings and information about the phytochemistry, biological activities and various isolated bioactive constituents from the leaf, root and stem of Alchornea floribunda. Keywords: Alchornea floribunda, Phytochemistry, Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-cancer

Purpose: To isolate the anti-cancer and anti-trypanosomal principles of Zanthoxylum leprieurii, a medicinally versatile wild tropical plant used for managing tumours, African trypanosomiasis, and inflammation in southeastern Nigeria. Methods: The pure compounds were isolated using chromatographic methods. The structural elucidation of the pure compounds was based on their NMR (1D and 2D) and mass spectral data as well as chemical test results. Structure-activity relationships were based on the structural differences among the compounds. The cytotoxicity of the extracts and compounds (1, 2, 3, and 4) was evaluated in HeLa (human cervix adenocarcinoma) cell line while the trypanocidal activities were evaluated on Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Results: Two acridone alkaloids, 1-hydroxy-3-methoxy-10-methylacridin-9 (10H)-one, named fabiocinine (1), and 1-hydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-10-methylacridin-9 (10H)-one (arborinine, 2), together with a furoquinoline alkaloid, skimmianine (3), and a chelerythrine derivative, 6-acetonyl-5,6-dihydrochelerythrine (4) were isolated from the root bark of Zanthoxylum leprieurii. Skimmianine (3) exhibited cytotoxicity and anti-trypanosomal IC50 of 12.8 and 13.2 mu g/mL respectively (p < 0.05). Compound (1) and arborinine (2) were selectively cytotoxic to HeLa cells with cytotoxicity IC50 of 28.49 and 62.71 mu g/mL, respectively, while (4) did not show significant activity (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Zanthoxylum leprieurii root bark contains cytotoxic and trypanocidal compounds, and is thus a potential source of anti-cancer and anti-trypanosomal leads.

The aim of this study is to investigate the oxytocic activity of the methanol leaf extract of Carica papaya Linn (Caricaceae) and its effect on haematological parameters. Phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity also studied using standard methods. The Carica papaya leaves were extracted with 10 liters of methanol. The Carica papaya methanol leaf extract (CPMLE) was given at dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg once daily. The oxytocic effect was done using in-vitro method of isolated rat uterus tissue. Oxytocin and acetylcholine used as standard drugs. The weight and blood samples were taken from animals every seven days for twenty- one days while being fed. Haematological study was done using in-vivo method on pregnant and non-pregnant Swiss albino rat. The studied doses of CPMLE cumulatively applied to the bath-fluid caused dose related, significant increase in baseline tone and induced spontaneous, rhythmic, myogenic contractions of the uterine muscle strips taken from stilbesterol-pretreated, non-pregnant female and pregnant rats. There was significant (p< 0.05) increase in mean haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and packed cell volume as compared to control receiving distilled water. There was a significant (p< 0.05) decrease in the white blood cell count in the test groups relative to that observed in the control group. The preliminary phytochemical analysis showed that CPMLE contained saponins, carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides etc. The extract caused no deaths up to 5000 mg/kg showing the extract is relatively safe. In conclusion, the results show that CPMLE do possess oxytocic and hematological effect.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Anthocleista vogelii Planch (Loganiaceae) is used in African Traditional Medicine for the treatment of pain and inflammatory disorders as well as sleeping sickness. Aim of the study: To determine the in vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro anti-trypanosomal activities of the extracts of A. vogelii stem bark and identify the phytochemical classes of the fractions responsible for the activities. Materials and methods: The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated using the egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema model while the in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity was assessed on Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The in vitro cytotoxicity was assessed on HeLa (human cervix adenocarcinoma) cell line. Results: The methanolic extract of A. vogelii stem bark, with 11.2% yield, gave LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. The n-hexane fraction of the extract contains steroids, terpenes and fatty acids and yielded non-cytotoxic terpenoidal column fraction with anti-trypanosomal IC50 of 3.0 mu g/mL. The ethylacetate fraction at 100 mg/kg dose significantly (p < 0.05) provoked 37.8, 62.5 and 69.7% inhibition of oedema induced by egg-albumin at the second, fourth and sixth hours respectively. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory and anti-trypanosomal activities of A. vogelii are probably due to non-cytotoxic terpenoids and validated the traditional use of A. vogelii in the treatment of inflammation and sleeping sickness.

Purpose: To formulate Cannabis sativa-based syrup and investigate its anti-inflammatory potential and the stability of the formulation under stress conditions. Methods: The syrup was prepared using different combinations of crude C. sativa resin, propylene glycol, aspartame, sucrose, sodium metabisulphite (SMBs) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The stability of the formulations was determined under accelerated temperature conditions. The anti-inflammatory activity of the resin and different formulations were evaluated by the egg albumin induced paw edema model in rats. Biochemical assay was determined by Reitman and Frankel colorimetric assay method while hematological assay was evaluated by standard protocols. Results: EDTA-containing syrup (CE) was the most stable with estimated shelf-life of 2204 days (K-25 degrees C, 4.78 x 10(-5)/day). Higher propylene glycol levels significantly improved anti-inflammatory activity compared to those containing a lower amount. All the formulations showed anti-inflammatory activity higher than the crude resin with a dose-dependent inhibition of paw edema compared with the control. There was no significant difference (p < 005) between the serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT, 13.821 +/- 0.190 - 16.008 +/- 1.012), serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT, 19.241 +/- 1.027 - 22.901 +/- 1.093) and urea (9.812 +/- 0.252 - 10.054 +/- 0.252) levels of the treated and 16.856 +/- 1.053, 24.960 +/- 0.101 and 10.654 +/- 0.925 units/L of the control animals respectively. With the exception of eosinophil that disappeared from the blood in the third week, all the hematological parameters showed a gradual increase in lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, packed cell volume (PCV), white and red blood cell counts in the third week compared to control. Conclusion: Formulation of C. sativa as syrup using efficient carriers improves the pharmacological activity of the crude extract. SMBs and EDTA significantly enhance the stability of the syrup with no observable biochemical and hematological changes in treated animals

Anti-inflammatory activity study involves developing a model that mimics, or provokes the production or release of, the biochemical mediators of inflammation, and monitoring the response of these biochemicals to the test drugs. This report constitutes an updated review of the in vitro and in vivo study models for assessing anti-inflammatory activity in plant extracts and synthetic drugs. The materials, instrumentation, and methods involved, as well as the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity tested in each model, are extensively described. The merits and limitations of each method have also been discussed. A comparative assessment of the in vivo animal models vis-à-vis, the in vitro enzyme models have been made to assist scientists and researchers in the choice of assay method in terms of sensitivity, reliability, duration of test, ethical, and cost considerations.

Purpose: To evaluate the in vitro anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the most potent and abundant metabolite, 3-methoxy quercetin (3-MQ), from extract fractions of mistletoe, Loranthus micranthus Linn (Loranthaceae) parasitic on Kola acuminata Schott & Endl, (Malvaceae), also known as Garcinia kola Heckel, (Clusiaceae). Methods: Compounds isolated through a combination of chromatographic techniques were screened for in vitro antioxidant potential using the diphenyl picrazyl hydrazine (DPPH) radical-based model. Cell viability at 1–1000 μM 3-MQ in 24 h was evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (n = 5) five (5) replicates. Results: Ten (10) known compounds including 3-MQ (1) were isolated and characterized. 3-MQ exhibited highly significant (p < 0.05) antioxidant activity with 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 15.0 μM; concentrations ≤ 100 μM did not exert cytotoxic effect. 3-MQ, at 25 and 125 μM concentrations, significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the production of TNF-α by 82 and 100 %, respectively, compared to controls. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the potent anti-inflammatory activity of 3-MQ and suggests its use as a potential alternative therapy for inflammation and related diseases. Keywords: Loranthus micranthus , Kola acuminata , Garcinia kola , Anti-inflammatory, Cytotoxicity, Chemiluminescence, Antioxidant, TNF-α

The fungal extract as well as the 3 biosynthetic compounds, (S)-(+)-2-cis-4-trans-abscisic acid (1), , 7'-hydroxy-abscisic acid (2) and 4-des-hydroxyl altersolanol A (3) from the endophytic fungus, Nigrospora oryzae, isolated from Combretum dolichopetalum leaf were investigated for their antidiabetic potential.The antidiabetic activity was determined in alloxan-induced diabetic mice by monitoring their fasting blood sugar for 9 h.The extract and the compounds (1-3) significantly (p<0.001) reduced the fasting blood sugar of the diabetic mice.The present study has shown that the biosynthetic products of the endophytic fungus, N. oryzae, exhibited strong antidiabetic activity. It has further shown that endophytic fungi could be an alternative source of novel compounds for management of diabetes.

Antimicrobial studies were carried out on the aqueous methanolic extracts of stem bark of Zanthoxylum leprieurii, Anthocleistha vogelli, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum and leaves of Milletia aboensis. These plants find wide applications in African Traditional Medicinal Practice (ATMP). The plant materials were subjected to cold maceration using 95% methanol and the extracts concentrated in a rotary evaporator at 40 °C. Acute toxicity studies revealed that the plants have high safety margin with LD50 > 5000 g/Kg except M. Crystallinum which shows LD50 of 2900 g/Kg. Qualitative phytochemical analysis confirms the presence of most of the secondary plant metabolites on all the plants tested. Antimicrobial screening was carried out using agar diffusion method. All the extracts, except that of M. aboensis showed fairly good inhibitory zone diameters on most of the tested organisms with the activities residing mainly on the n-hexane fractions.