This study investigated the importance of mangrove to dwellers of Ouidah and Grand-Popo Districts, Southern Benin and focused on the medicinal exploitation of mangrove plant species. Data were collected through individual and group interviews on forty respondents. The respondents comprised traditional healers, fishermen, salt preparation specialists and students since medicinal plants harvesting can be done by all categories of the mangrove dwellers. They were required to provide details on mangrove plant species used as medicine details of the plant parts used, the preparation technique and availability of the species. Fourteen species belonging to thirteen genera and eleven families were recorded as medicinal plants in the study area. These species were used by the locals in the region to treat nine diseases and disorders. Malaria was ranked as the most important disease for which mangrove plant species are used. The most important plant parts collected were leaves (64% of plants) and roots (21% of plants). Species such as Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) Kuntze, Rhizophora racemosa (G. Mey.), Avicennia africana (L.) are on the verge of extinction because of overexploitation of their roots. Long-term conservation strategies of the mangroves are needed.
In traditional Cameroonian medicine, to relieve many inflammations, parts of Vernonia guineensis, are very widely used. This study considered the evaluation of acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of the hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Vernonia guineensis. In an acute toxicity study, 250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg were administered orally to mice in a single dose, and general behavior, adverse effects, and mortality were monitored. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory tests were performed, and then histological, serum, hematological, and oxidative stress parameters have been evaluated. In an acute toxicity, all groups revealed neither mortality nor any significant alteration in behavior; only drowsiness, sedation, and lethargy were observed at 5000 mg/kg. For in vitro tests, the extract inhibited anti-inflammatory activity. In the formalin test, at 250 mg/kg, the extract inhibited edema with a percentage of 56.41% (4th hour) in an acute treatment and 74.44% (10th day). Joint edema was reduced by 67.24% (24th hour) in a single treatment and by 74.25% (7th day) in repeated treatment. The extract caused an increase in red blood cell, hemoglobin, and serum protein levels and reduced the white blood cells as well as the activities of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase. The extract modulated oxidative stress parameters in the brain, spinal cord, liver, and kidneys. The extract protected the joint by reducing the bone and cartilage erosion. The present work highlights the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antianemic properties of the hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Vernonia guineensis, which supports its empirical use in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory pathologies.
Background and aim: Kalanchoe pinnata is an herbal medicine used in Cameroon against cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension and myocardial infarction are among key risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. This research aimed to investigate antihypertensive effect of Kalanchoe pinnata in salt loaded myocardial infarcted rats and possible mechanism of action on vascular smooth muscle. Experimental procedure: Thirty rats were equally distributed into six groups: neutral, negative and positive controls and three test groups (administered extract 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg). Hypertension was induced by salt loading (18%) meanwhile myocardial infarction was by injection of 100mg/kg isoproterenol. The 28 day-In vivo treatment was followed by evaluation of systolic and diastolic arterial pressures, and troponin level. Ten untreated rats were used for the in vitro study, to investigate vasorelaxant mechanism. Results and conclusion: Treated rats showed significant increase of systolic (46.3%) and diastolic (73.5%) pressures. Troponine level increased by 400%. Extract at highest dose (150mg/kg) reduced these increases by 29.1%, 41.3% and 52% respectively. Extract (1.5mg/mL) caused a vasorelaxation (62.79%) in the presence of endothelium. Endothelium removal did not significantly modify the effect of the extract in KCl pre-contracted rings. In the same way, in rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine, the extract (1.5mg/mL) did not significantly modify the relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside. However, methylene blue, a NO-cGMP inhibitor significantly reduced (P<0.001) the vasorelaxant effect of K. pinnata extract (1.5mg/mL). This indicated that the extract exhibits its antihypertensive activity by relaxing vascular smooth muscle, partially through endothelium mediators.
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