Phytoecdysteroids from the Stem Bark of Vitex doniana and Their Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Abstract

A number of Vitex species have been investigated as a source of potential bioactive compounds such as ecdysteroids [1], diterpenoids [2], iridoids [3], flavonoids, and phenolic compounds [4] demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antihistaminic, anti-implantation, and antiasthmatic activities [5,6]. Generally, ecdysteroids and iridoids have been explored as chemotaxonomic markers for the plants in the family Lamiaceae including Vitex species [7]. Vitex doniana Sweet (Lamiaceae) is a small to medium sized tree growing up to 25 m tall with no phytochemical report in spite of the available ethnopharmacological significance among different African communities [8], including use of water decoctions of different parts for treatment of stomach and rheumatic pains as well as inflammatory disorders [9,10]. Antidepressant effects and potentiation of sodium thiopental sleeping time, muscle relaxant [11], anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities [8] of V. doniana leaf extracts have been reported as well as antihypertensive effects on normative and hypertensive rats, trypanocidal and antidiarrheal activities of the stem bark [12]. Recent indication of anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, and antipyretic properties of ethanol extracts [13] of V. doniana stem bark prompted a phytochemical analysis of the plantʼs stem bark for potential anti-inflammatory compounds. As a result of this study, isolation of three new phytoecdysteroids [21-hydroxyshidasterone (1), 11β-hydroxy-20-deoxyshidasterone (2), and 2,3-acetonide-24-hydroxyecdysone (3)] and four known phytoecdysteroids [shidasterone (4), ajugasterone C (5), 24-hydroxyecdysone (6), and 11β,24-dihydroxyecdysone (7)] with comparable anti-inflammatory activities as diclofenac are reported. Abstract !With reference to the ethnopharmacological significance of Vitex doniana Sweet (Lamiaceae) leaves in the treatment of stomach and rheumatic pains as well as inflammatory disorders, biological studies on its stem bark extracts have also reported anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, with no attempt to identify the active components. Chromatographic and spectroscopic procedures identified three new phytoecdysteroids: 21-hydroxyshidasterone (1), 11β-hydroxy-20-deoxyshidasterone (2), and 2,3-acetonide-24-hydroxyecdysone (3) from the stem bark methanol extracts along with known ecdysteroids shidasterone (4), ajugasterone C (5), 24-hydroxyecdysone (6), and 11β,24-hydroxyecdysone (7). The compounds (1-7) showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) inhibitory effect at 100 mg/kg dose on rat paw oedema development due to carrageenan-induced inflammation in Sprague Dawley rats. These results suggest a possible contribution of ecdysteroids to the anti-inflammatory effect of some V. doniana stem bark extracts. Abbreviations

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION Of VITEX DONIANA SWEET fROM ROOT SEGMENT CuTTINGS

“…Leaves and fruits are sold on local and regional markets (Mapongmetsem et al, 2012a). Young leaves (eaten as spinach) and barks are used in the treatment of several human diseases (Okafor, 1991;Sanogo et al, 2009;Amegbor et al, 2012;Ouattara et al, 2013;KranjacBerisavljevic and Gandaa, 2013;Adetoro et al, 2013;Ochieng et al, 2013) as well as animal diseases (Suleiman and Yusuf, 2008;Tijjani et al, 2012;Njidda, 2012). In addition, there is a great variability in the fruit organoleptic and morphological characteristics according to the local people of the Northern Cameroon.…”

Potential of novel phytoecdysteroids isolated from Vitex doniana in the treatment depression: Involvement of monoaminergic systems

“…We have previously reported the extraction procedures and isolation of phytoecdysteroids from methanol stem bark extract of V. doniana (Ochieng et al, 2013). Briefly, pulverized, dry stem bark (3 kg) was extracted successively with n-hexane and methanol (MeOH) (5 L) in a cold extraction apparatus.…”

“…We have earlier reported the anti-inflammatory property of V. doniana and its phytoecdysteroids constituents. Through chromatographic and spectroscopic procedures, three new phytoecdysteroids were isolated; 11β-hydroxy-20-deoxyshidasterone, 21-hydroxyshidasterone, and 2,3-acetonide-24-hydroxyecdysone from the methanol stem bark extract along with known ecdysteroids; shidasterone, ajugasterone C, 24-hydroxyecdysone, and 11β, 24-hydroxyecdysone (Ochieng et al, 2013). The results obtained from the study suggest a possible involvement of the ecdysteroids in the anti-inflammatory effect of V. doniana stem bark extract (Ochieng et al, 2013).…”

Phytoecdysteroids: A Novel, Non-Androgenic Alternative for Muscle Health and Performance

“…Several PEs have been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory properties in experiments utilizing known pro-inflammatory factors [32,33]. Skeletal muscle exhibits enhanced proteolysis in response to the proinflammatory agent 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) [34].…”

“…Likewise, carrageenan is a known pro-inflammatory agent which negatively affects muscle strength [36]. Ochieng et al have noted a powerful inhibitory effect of isolated PEs on carrageenan-induced inflammation [33], but others have suggested that some PEs do not have anti-inflammatory properties [37,38]. While these results are not definitive proof that PEs can modulate skeletal muscle damage due to inflammation, further research is certainly warranted to explore the potential therapeutic potential of PEs to modulate skeletal muscle inflammation and enhance regeneration.…”