Antioxidant and toxicological studies of ethanolic root extract of Byrsocarpus coccineus

Abstract

Byrsocarpus coccineus (syn. Rourea coccinea) Schum. and Thonn. (Connaraceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat several ailments in which reactive oxygen species are involved. This study aims to investigate the in vivo antioxidative properties and moreover the toxicological potential of ethanolic root extract of B. coccineus (EEBc). Antioxidant activity was measured using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and nitric oxide (NO) assays, respectively on serum and on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and moreover by quantifying malondialdehyde (MDA) in rat model ovalbumin-induced airway inflammatory. Toxicological screening was performed using single oral administration at 5000 mg/kg and sub-chronic (4 weeks) administration at 400 and 800 mg/kg to rats. Results indicated that EEBc increases antioxidant potential in the blood. EEBc significantly reduced the NO level (P < 0.05) and MDA concentration (P < 0.01). The extract at a single dose did not produce the signs of toxicity or mortality during 14 days. The sub-chronic tests showed no alterations in animals. The results did not show any biochemical and hematological abnormalities. This study shows that EEBc may be used as natural antioxidant and may help to prevent pathological conditions related to oxidative stress.

Traditional medicinal plants used for treating emerging and re-emerging viral diseases in northern Nigeria

“…Bark is used to treat malaria and yellow fever in Africa [99] Induced total inhibition of poliovirus, astrovirus and 75% inhibition of HSV1 and equine HSV [31] The LD 50 of aqueous stem bark extract was > 3000 mg/kg [100] Poliomyelitis, yellow fever Bridelia ferruginea Benth Used to treat diarrhea, fever, headache, stiffness and boils in Africa [ 101 , 102 ] Acute and sub-chronic toxicity study at 5000 mg/kg did not induce any death or significant alteration of biochemical and histological parameters [101] Poliomyelitis Byrsocarpus coccineus Schumach & Thonn. Used to treat measles, jaundice, anemia, and skin disorders [103] Ethanol root extract acute toxicity at 5000 mg/kg and subchronic toxicity at 800 mg/kg did not cause mortality or biochemical and hematological abnormalities [104] Hepatitis, meningitis, lassa fever, yellow fever, smallpox, poliomyelitis Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand Used to treat boils, malaria, fever, pain, respiratory disease, cough, skin infection, cold and pneumonia, eczema in Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, India, Yemen and Saudi Arabia [55] Induced antiviral effect against HIV, white spot syndrome virus and foot and mouth disease virus [55] It is a toxic plant and induced dose dependent toxicity and nephrotoxicity in vivo [55] . Consumption of leaf can cause death [62] Smallpox, COVID-19, monkey pox, poliomyelitis Carica papaya Used as part of herbal mixture to treat malaria, fungal and helminthic infection in Nigeria, and as antimalarial in Cameroun [105] .…”

Determination of Proximate Composition, Phytochemical Contents, Amino Acid Profile, and Functional Characteristics of Landolphia togolana Root Bark as a Potential Functional Food

“…Some of these properties of the plant have been validated scientifically, though some are particular to a specific place. Another prominent functional food is Landolphia togolana, known for its nutritional and antioxidant potential (Kossivi et al, 2015). However, little or no scientific information exists on the nutritional composition of this plant.…”

Exploration of the Chemical Potential and Antioxidant Activity of Some Plants Used in the Treatment of Male Infertility in Southern Benin

“…Concerning R. coccinea, although none in vitro antioxidants activities from the leaves of the plant have been investigated, two scientific studies referring to the antioxidant properties in vivo of the leaves of the plant have been identified[50,51]. Moreover, several studies showed that R. coccinea roots have in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potentials[37,52]. These observations indicate that the R. coccinea plant has antioxidant potential, which would probably justify its effectiveness in treating diseases where oxidative stress is involved such as diabetes, hypertension, etc.…”