Experiments were carried out to validate the use of F. glumosa extract as a diuretic in the treatment of hypertension as claimed by traditional healers. The experiments were performed under the same conditions with two synthetic pharmacological diuretics considered as check (Furosemide and Amiloride hydrochlorothiazide). The aqueous extract leaves of F. glumosa accelerated the elimination of overloaded fluid. At the maximum of diuretic response, urinary osmolarity decreased significantly when compared with controls. The single dose treatment of the aqueous extract leaves of F. glumosa has significantly increased urine volume 24 h after administration of the extract. The stability of aldosterone level, the absence of correlation with the plasma levels of sodium, and the increased clearance of free water in the animals receiving the extract show that increased diuresis and natriuresis moderate elevation are tubular in origin. The increase in Na+, K+, and Cl− induced by the extract caused alkalinization of the urine and showed a strong inhibitory effect of carbonic anhydrase and saluretic. These effects were mainly observed at the dose of 375 mg/kg. These observations confirm the traditional use in the treatment of hypertension and support the importance of the conservation of local knowledge as well as the conservation of Cameroonian biodiversity.

These observations strongly suggest that stem bark aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum heitzii has anti-atherosclerogenic properties, at least partly mediated by antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects.

No abstract

Les radicaux libres étant impliqués dans la genèse de plusieurs maladies, l’intérêt scientifique porté à la recherche d’antioxydants naturels à partir des plantes médicinales a considérablement augmenté ces dernières années. La présente étude vise à déterminer les métabolites secondaires sur la base des réactions de coloration et/ou de précipitations, doser quantitativement ces métabolites secondaires. Les feuilles de Commelina benghalensis ont été utilisées pour les différents tests. Les métabolites secondaires ont été dosés par les méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives. L’activité antiradicalaire a été évaluée par les tests de réduction du DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl) et de l’ABTS (acide 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-éthylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonique)). Le pouvoir réducteur vis-à-vis de l’ion ferrique a été également évalué. Les potentiels anti-inflammatoires ont été évalués par la méthode d’inhibition de la dénaturation de l’albumine, l’inhibition de l’hémolyse induite par la chaleur, l’inhibition de l’activité de la protéinase et celle de la lipo-oxygénase. Les tests ont mis en évidence la présence des flavonoïdes, des phénols, des anthraquinones et les glycosides (forte concentration), des saponines (concentration modérée), et alcaloïdes (assez présents) et une absence des tanins et des terpénoïdes. Le dosage quantitatif a mis en évidence une dominance des polyphénols totaux (74,13mgEAG/g d’extrait) et des flavonoïdes (61,27mgER/g d’extrait). L’extrait a montré une importante activité antioxydante à piéger le radical libre DPPH (PI = 65,03%) et à réduire le fer ferrique Fe3+ en fer ferreux Fe2+ (PI = 50,68%). Le présent travail a également prouvé l’activité anti-hémolytique (126,79±1,28 pour l’extrait aqueux contre 82,49±1,35 pour le Diclofenac) et anti-dénaturante des protéines des différents extraits des feuilles de C. benghalensis (62,32±1,02 pour l’extrait aqueux contre 53,29±0,46 pour le Diclofenac). L’activité antioxydante et anti-inflammatoire de l’extrait aqueux des feuilles de Commelina benghalensis mise en évidence dans cette étude pourrait justifier l’utilisation de cette plante dans le soin de l’hypertension artérielle. As free radicals are involved in the genesis of several diseases, scientific interest in the search for natural antioxidants from medicinal plants has increased considerably in recent years. The present study aims to determine the secondary metabolites on the basis of staining and/or precipitation reactions, to quantitatively assay these secondary metabolites. The leaves of Commelina benghalensis were used for the different tests. The secondary metabolites were determined by qualitative and quantitative methods. The free radical scavenging activity was evaluated by DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) reduction tests.) The reducing power towards ferric ion was also evaluated. Anti-inflammatory potentials were evaluated by the method of inhibition of albumin denaturation, inhibition of heat-induced hemolysis, inhibition of proteinase activity and lipo-oxygenase activity. The tests showed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, anthraquinones and glycosides (high concentration), saponins (moderate concentration), and alkaloids (quite present) and an absence of tannins and terpenoids. The quantitative assay showed a dominance of total polyphenols (74.13mgEAG/g extract) and flavonoids (61.27mgER/g extract). The extract showed significant antioxidant activity in scavenging DPPH free radical (PI = 65.03%) and reducing ferric iron Fe3+ to ferrous iron Fe2+ (PI = 50.68%). The present work also proved the anti-hemolytic (126.79±1.28 for aqueous extract versus 82.49±1.35 for Diclofenac) and protein denaturant activity of the different extracts of C. benghalensis leaves (62.32±1.02 for aqueous extract versus 53.29±0.46 for Diclofenac). The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Commelina benghalensis highlighted in this study could justify the use of this plant in the care of arterial hypertension.