An Investigation of the Stem Bark ofBersama abyssinica

Abstract

The barks of two subspecies of BERSAMA ABYSSINICA, subspecies ABYSSINICA and subspecies PAULLINIOIDES have been shown to contain two bufadienolides: 5beta, 14beta-dihydroxy-3,6-diacetoxy-Delta (6)-bufa-20,22-trienolide ( 1) and 3-acetoxy-14beta-hydroxy-bufa-20,22-dienolide ( 2). Three sterols : beta-sitosterol, Delta (4)-stigmasten-3alpha-ol ( 3) and 4-methyl-Delta (5,23)-stigmast-dien-3beta-ol ( 4) have also been isolated. 3 is a new compound and 3 and 4 are reported for the first time from the Melianthaceae. The presence of the xanthone mangiferin is a possible taxonomic marker for the genus within this family. Differences between the two subspecies were seen on examining the glycoside fractions. The alcoholic extracts did not exhibit any anti-tumour activity in the standard test.

Antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2) of ethnobotanically selected Ethiopian medicinal plants

“…The fruits have yielded a series of bufadienolides with anti-tumour activity (Kupchan et al, 1969;Kupchan et al, 1971). The alcohol extract of the stem bark was reported to be devoid of anti-tumour activity although two bufadienolides together with sterols and a xanthone have been isolated from it (Bowen et al, 1985). The leaf extracts possessed cardiogenic (Lock, 1962) and spasmolytic (Makonnen and Hagos, 1993) activities, but failed to show any antibacterial activity (Taniguchi and Kubo, 1993).…”

Pharmacogenomics of Cameroonian traditional herbal medicine for cancer therapy

“…Ficus ovata Moraceae Infectious diseases, gastrointestinal infections, 1 diarrhea, 1,3 anti-poison, 6 and also used in combination with Setaria megaphylla to facilitate birth delivery 5 (Berhaut, 1979) 85 Cylicodiscus gabunensis Mimosaceae Stomach disorders, 3 rheumatism, 4 migraine 6 (Tchivounda et al, 1991) 84 Bersama engleriana Melianthaceae Infectious diseases, 1 cancer, 2 diabetes, 3 male infertility, 5 spasms 6 (Bowen et al, 1985;Iwu, 1993;Makonnen and Hagos, 1993) (Dalziel, 1955) 76 Carapa procera Meliaceae Wounds infections, 1 laxative, 3 psoriasis, bruises, arthritis and rheumatism, 4 coughs 6 (http://www.naturalstandard.com/indexabstract.asp?createabstract=/monographs/herbssupplements/andiroba.asp) 75…”

Antitumor, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bersama engleriana (Melianthaceae)

“…This plant as well as many plants of the genus Bersama is traditionally used in the treatment of cancer, spasms, infectious diseases, male infertility and diabetes (Kupchan et al, 1971;Bowen et al, 1985;Makonnen and Hagos, 1993;Iwu, 1993). The hypoglycemic activity as well as the sexual stimulant effects of the extract from the leaves of this plant was previously reported on rats (Njike et al, 2005;Watcho et al, 2007).…”