Aframomum melegueta (alligator pepper (AP)) and Aframomum danielli (bastered melegueta (BM)) seeds have been known to improve sexual function in folkloric medicine. This study investigates the effects of AP and BM seeds' alkaloid extracts on the activities of enzymes (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), angiotensin-1-converting enzyme (ACE), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), and arginase) relevant to erectile dysfunction (ED). Alkaloids from the seeds were prepared by the solvent extraction method and their interactions with AChE, ACE, PDE-5, and arginase were assessed. Gas chromatographic (GC) analyses of the extracts were also performed. The results revealed that the extracts inhibited the enzymes in a concentration-dependent manner. However, alkaloid extract from AP seed had higher AChE (IC = 5.42 μg/mL) and ACE (IC = 12.57 μg/mL) but lower PDE-5 (IC = 33.80 μg/mL) and arginase (IC = 31.36 μg/mL) inhibitory effects when compared to that of BM extract (AChE, IC = 42.00; ACE, IC = 60.67, PDE-5, IC = 7.24; and arginase, IC = 2.53 μg/mL). The GC analyses revealed the presence of senkirkine, angustifoline, undulatine, myristicin, safrole, lupanine, powelle, and indicine-N-oxide, among others. The inhibition of these enzymes could be the possible mechanisms by which the studied seeds were being used in managing ED in folklores. Nevertheless, the seed of AP exhibited higher potentials.

Carica papaya, commonly known as pawpaw, is a tropical plant cultivated for its edible ripe fruits. However, its leaf is being use traditionally against several life‐threatening illnesses, including Alzheimer disease (AD). This study compared the cholinesterases (ChEs) inhibitory effect and antioxidant property of alkaloid and phenolic [aqueous, acetone and methanol‐HCL (0.1:50 w/v)] rich extracts of Pawpaw leaf. The extracts were prepared to the concentration of 2 mg/mL, thereafter, effect on ChEs [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)] activities, and production of quinolone (QA) and Fe‐induced thiobarbituric reactive acid species (TBARS)] as well as antioxidant [ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP), 2, 2‐diphenyl‐1‐ picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability] properties were determined. Total phenol and flavonoid contents of the phenolic‐rich extracts, as well as gas chromatography analysis of an alkaloid extract, were carried out. Results revealed that hydromethanolic extract had the highest AChE inhibitory effect while aqueous extract had the highest BChE inhibitory potential. Hydromethanolic extract demonstrated highest inhibitory effect on Fe2+‐induced TBARS production, while alkaloid extract had strong inhibition on QA‐induced TBARS production. Aqueous extract had the highest total phenol content, while hydromethanolic extract had the highest total flavonoid content. All the extract exhibited anticholinesterases and antioxidant properties, however, hydromethanolic extract appears to be the most potent and could be as a result of its rich flavonoid content. The biological properties of the studied extract could be the underlying neuromodulatory mechanism of actions of pawpaw leaf in folklore against some neurological disorders.

This study investigated effect of p-coumaric acid (PCA) on erectogenic enzyme activity and non-protein thiol level in the penile tissue of normal and doxorubicin (DOX)induced oxidative stress male rat. Sixty-four (64) adult male rats weighing between 170 and 180 g were used for this work. After 14 days of acclimatisation, the rats were divided into eight groups (n = 8). Rats were orally pre-treated with PCA dose dependently (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight [b.w.t]) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg b.w.t) for 14 days before induction with a single dose of DOX (15 mg/kg b.w.t, via i.p.). The result revealed that arginase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), adenosine monophosphohydrolase (AMPdase) activities were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the DOX-induced rats as against the control, which was significantly p < 0.05) higher when compared to normal rats treated with PCA. PCA also improved non-protein thiol level in the penile tissue of both normal and DOX-induced rats. Hence, this study revealed that PCA is capable of causing inhibitory effects on the activities of enzymes, associated with oxidative stress-induced erectile dysfunction (ED) and could also be used as an aphrodisiac agent in the management/treatment of ED. K E Y W O R D Sdoxorubicin, erectogenic enzymes, non-protein-thiol, oxidative stress, p-coumaric acid

Alzheimer's disease, a lingering neuronal degenerative disease condition that gradually progress and worsens with time (Burns & Iliffe, 2009). About 60% to 70% cases of this dementia has been reported (Burns & Iliffe, 2009). The basal forebrain cholinergic neurons perform an important role in the brain, with far-reaching cortical projections that modulate other neurotransmitters

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