Protective effect of rhamnopyranosyl vanilloyl isolated from Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl (Scrophulariaceae) root against acute liver injury in mice

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of rhamnopyranosyl vanilloyl (RV) from Scrophularia ningpoensis root against tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice. Methods: RV was isolated from S. ningpoensis by column chromatography. ALI model of mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. Liver index, liver function indices, as well as serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) were evaluated. Lipid peroxidation (LPO)-related indices, including malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3) in liver tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. Results: After treatment with RV (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg), liver index (5.65 - 5.21 vs. 6.68 %), ALT (90.18 - 79.68 vs. 112.47 U/L), AST (64.44 - 57.63 vs. 75.41 U/L) and TBIL (2.68 - 1.95 vs. 3.21 U/L) activities, as well as MDA (3.58 - 2.88 vs. 4.13 μmol/g), Bax and caspase-3 levels significantly (p < 0.05 or 0.01) decreased, compared with those in control group. After treatment with RV (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg), GSH (16.58 - 22.14 vs. 12.34 μmol/g), Bcl-2, SOD (86.45 - 107.61 vs. 68.43 U/mg) and GSH-Px (295.64 - 329.47 vs. 268.49 U/mg) levels or activities significantly (p < 0.05 or 0.01) increased, compared with those in control group. Conclusion: RV has protective effect against CCl4-induced ALI in mice, and the mechanisms involve the inhibition of LPO and apoptosis in liver cells. Thus, RV is a potential drug for the treatment of liver injury

EFFECT OF FARMING PRACTICES AND FARM HISTORY ON INCIDENCE OF COCONUT LETHAL YELLOWING IN MOZAMBIQUE

Management of coconut ( Cocos nucifera ) lethal yellowing disease (CLYD), which has killed about eight million coconut trees in Mozambique, has proved challenging. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of farming practices and related history, on the CLYD incidence in Mozambique. The methodology included a socioeconomic questionnaire to the households and direct observations on the palm farms. The collected data were analysed using logistic regression. Five out of 11 explanatory variables tested, namely farm age, availability of other palm species on the coconut farm, type of coconut varieties grown, root cut practices, and intercropping had a significant (P< 0.05) effect on CLYD incidence. Coconut farms <10 years had higher odds of higher disease incidence compared to the farms between 10 to 40 years old. The presence of other palm species in the coconut farms had two times higher odds of having higher disease incidence levels compared to farms without other palm species. Tall coconut varieties were likely to be more tolerant to CLYD compared to dwarf varieties. Coconut farms with some kind of intercropping had two times higher odds of having higher disease incidence levels compared to pure stands. The practice of cutting coconut roots had three times higher odds of having high disease incidence levels compared to non-practicing farms. Farm age, availability of other palm species on the coconut farm, type of coconut varieties grown, root cut practices and intercropping need to be considered for integrated CLYD management.

Antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extract of root bark of Acacia jacquemontii Benth (Fabaceae) in experimental animals

Purpose: To investigate the ethnomedicinal claims regarding the use of Acacia jacquemontii Benth. (Fabaceae) in fever, pain and inflammation. Methods: The methanol root bark extract (AJRBM) of the plant was used in the studies. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out according to established methods. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities were evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing, carrageennan-induced rat paw edema and Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia models, respectively. The extract was administered at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Aspirin (300 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a reference drug in all models. Normal saline (10 mL/kg p.o.) was used as negative control. Results: Phytochemical screening results indicate the presence of cardioactive glycosides, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. In the acetic acid-induced writhing model, the methanol extract exhibited significant (p < 0.05) analgesic effect with 58.98 % reduction in writhing response at a dose of 100 mg/kg, compared with untreated control group. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced carrageenan-induced edema at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg to 36.84 and 47.36 %, respectively, after 1 h of extract administration. The extract exhibited predominantly dose-dependent antipyretic effect in Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia model. Maximum reduction in body temperature to 37.07 and 38.29 ºC at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, was observed, compared with untreated group (38.90 ºC) after 1 h, but this was not significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The plant extract exerts inhibitory effect on peripheral pain stimuli, edema and dosedependent anti-pyrexia, and thus justifies the ethnomedicinal use of Acacia jacquemontii Benth. in the management of pain, fever and inflammation.