Aim of study: Inflammation was associated with many diseases in humans. Crinum species have a considerable medicinal reputation as potent folkloric remedies. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of Crinum scillifolium bulbs in in vivo models. Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory effect of Crinum scillifolium extracts was also evaluated in carrageenan-induced paw edema models and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was measured. Two doses 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight for each extract, were tested. The results obtained were compared with those of the standard drug (Diclofenac at 25 mg/kg body weight) and those of the control (normal saline). Results: The results showed a highly significant decrease in the edema size (p < 0.01) and significant decrease in CRP values (p < 0.01) compared to control group when the animals were treated with diclofenac at 25 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts. Conclusion: The study suggests that the extracts possess enough potential to reduce inflammation on rat model and directs the importance of further research and development of novel anti-inflammatory agents.

Two sterols namely β-sitosterol (1) and stigmasterol (2) were isolated from methanolic extract of the fruit barks of Coelocaryon klainei Pierre ex Heckel (Myristicaceae). They were isolated for the first time from this species. It is the first isolation of compounds in this genus Coelocaryon. The structures were elucidated on the basis of one and two-dimensional NMR, SM, IR and UV.Akoubet et al., International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, August 2017, 6(9): 49-52http://www.icpjonline.com/documents/Vol6Issue9/01.pdf

The hepatoprotective properties of Alchornea cordifolia, a medicinal plant was studied in hepatotoxicity induced animal model with a high dose of paracetamol or carbon tetrachloride. Knowing that antituberculosis drugs also represent a risk factor for hepatotoxicity, could A. cordifolia play a key role to limit their hepatotoxicity? The objective of this study was to assess the histological changes of antituberculosis drugs in rat livers and their evolution after administration of an aqueous and a methanolic leaf extracts of A. cordifolia and therefore estimate their polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Rats were divided into three (3) groups: group 1 was treated with isoniazid; group 2 received the combination of isoniazid and rifampicin and group 3 was given the combination of isoniazid, rifampicin and pyraziamide. For each group of rats, the hepatotoxicant was either administered alone or two hours before administration of an aqueous (200, 400, or 800 mg/kg) or a methanolic (200, 400, or 800 mg/kg) leaf extracts of A. cordifolia each day for 10 days. Animals were sacrificed on day 11 and their livers removed for histolopathological analysis. In addition, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were estimated in both extracts. Antituberculosis drug combinations caused peliosis lesions, steatosis and hepatocyte necrosis. The liver histology of rats that received extracts after administration of antituberculosis drug combinations showed the ability of extracts to annihilate or alleviate hepatocellular damage caused by such drugs. The methanolic extract, richer in total polyphenols (0.55 ± 0.02 mg EGA) than the aqueous extract (0.35 ± 0.01 mg EGA) demonstrated a greater hepatoprotective effect. Thus, according to liver histological analysis, the aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of A. cordifolia could attenuate the hepatotoxicity induced by antituberculosis drugs in rats.

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Alchornea cordifolia has been shown to be hepatoprotective against hepatotoxicity induced by high dose paracetamol in a model animal. However, its hepatoprotective effects against the hepatotoxicity induced by anti-tubercular drugs have not yet been studied, whereas anti-tubercular drugs are known to be hepatotoxic at therapeutic dose. The aim of this work was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of a methanol extract of A. cordifolia leaves in order to overcome hepatotoxicity induced by antitubercular drugs. Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Pyrazinamid have been used to induce hepatotoxicity in rats. The animals were administered hepatotoxic agent. Two hours later they were given methanol extract of A. cordifolia (MEAC) leaves or silymarin. One group of animals received only the antitubercular drugs, one group received MEAC only and another group received physiological saline. The animals were thus treated for 10 consecutive days. Blood sample was taken on the 11th day for evaluation of the biochemical parameters, as well as markers of hepatotoxicity. Isoniazid increased transaminases (ALT and AST), MEAC and silymarin reduced these biochemical parameters, Isoniazid + Rifampicin increased ALT and AST levels, MEAC reduced alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels, Isoniazid + Rifampicin + Pyrazinamid combination resulted in significant ALT elevation and MEAC reduced the ALT levels. MEAC alone did not significantly alter ALT and AST values. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, saponosides and alkaloids. A. cordifolia leaves would thus have a protective effect against anti-tubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity in rats.