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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Schumanniophyton magnificum is a medicinal plant used to manage many ailments including malaria, skin diseases, parasitic infections, male sexual dysfunctions, female infertility and typhoid fever. However, no scientific investigation has been made for its folkloric use by the "Baka" Pygmies of Cameroon as an aphrodisiac., Aim of the Study: To investigate the aphrodisiac and androgenic activities of the aqueous extract of the roots of Schumanniophyton magnificum in male rats and analyze the phytoconstituents by UHPLC/MS., Materials and Methods: Twenty-five male rats of 16-weeks old were divided into 5 groups and orally treated for 30 days with distilled water (10 ml/kg), or sildenafil citrate (5 mg/kg), or the aqueous extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum (43 mg/kg, 86 mg/kg and 172 mg/kg). The sexual behaviour parameters were monitored on day 1 and 30 by pairing male rats to receptive females. At the end of the experiment, rats were killed and the blood and reproductive organs were collected for histological sectioning, sperm analysis and biochemical analysis. The presence of phytoconstituents and their structures were revealed by UHPLC/MS., Results: The plant extract significantly increased the mount, ejaculation and intromission frequencies in comparison to those in the normal control group; and significantly doubled the serum testosterone levels (2.15 ± 0.70 ng/ml) compared to the normal control group. UHPLC/MS of the aqueous extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum identified 7 major compounds such as Schumanniofioside A, Noreugenin and Rohitukine, with antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The plant extracts significantly increased the penile nitric oxide levels (P <0.05). These results were similar to those obtained after administration of sildenafil citrate., Conclusions: The aqueous extract of Schumanniophyton magnificum could be an alternative for erectile dysfunction management., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: oxidative stress and inflammation remain the main health problems often linked to degenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of onion growth in Cameroon. Methods: Aqueous extracts were produced from two varieties of onion (Violet of galmi; Goudami) and were quantified for their polyphenols content. Concentrations of extracts (0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5 mg/mL) were also prepared, their in vitro antioxidant properties evaluated by using standard methods. Anti-inflammatory effect of onion extracts was assessed by applying carrageenan sub plantar test to Wistar rats, but acetic acid test was used to study analgesic effect. Results: The polyphenols content and antioxidant activities of onion extracts changed significantly (p < 0.05) with variety and increased (p < 0.05) with concentration. Total phenolic (range 58.03–67.43%), Total Reducing power (range 0.27–0.94%), DPPH radical scavenging (range 37.33–202.08%) were higher in Violet of galmi extracts, while Ferrous ion chelating power (range 23.15–97.42%) was higher in Goudami extract. The two varieties of onion extracts reduce (p < 0.05) rat paw edema in a dose dependent manner compared with negative control group. Violet of Galmi variety (1.5 mg/kg) reaches 100% of inhibition after 2 h whereas the Goudami variety (1.5 mg/kg) reaches 100% of inhibition after 3 h. In terms of analgesic activity, aqueous extract of the two varieties of onion exhibited analgesic effect characterized by reduction in writhes. Analgesic activity increased significantly (p < 0.05) with concentration of onion but Violet of galmi extracts has also shown more efficacy than Goudami extracts. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that aqueous extract of violet of galmi and Goudami bulb onions have antioxidant activity and protective effects against inflammation and pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Codiaeum variegatum, grown in many varieties, has been widely used as a houseplant based on its brightly decorative foliage. In addition, a variety of this plant has been used for a long time against bloody diarrhea by the local population in Cameroon. Aim of the study In our previous study, the aqueous extract of this plant and an isolated sub-fraction exhibited significant anti-amoebic activity on axenic culture of Entamoeba histolytica. Due to the medicinal value of these extracts, we promptly initiated to investigate their genotoxic and mutagenic potential in order to assure their safe and rationale usage in traditional healthcare system. Material and methods Both extracts were incubated with L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells, primary hepatic cells and HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and their genotoxicity and mutagenicity were evaluated by quantifying DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations through comet assay, micronucleus assay and mouse lymphoma mutation assay. Results The aqueous extract of Codiaeum variegatum is not cytotoxic up to 2000 µg/mL while the amoebicidal fraction is significantly cytotoxic (≤ 40-55%) on L5178Y mouse lymphoma and HepG2 cells at concentrations higher than 500 µg/mL. Besides, no significant DNA damage and induction of micronucleus formation were identified at concentrations up to 2000 µg/mL. Moreover, the mutagenic potential of these extracts after short (4 h) and long term (24 h) treatment, revealed no significant gene mutation induction. Conclusion The aqueous extract of Codiaeum variegatum and the amoebicidal fraction SF9B are neither genotoxic on non-competent or metabolic competent cell lines, nor mutagenic in mouse lymphoma mutation assay and therefore they could be safely used at lower doses for medicinal purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: The leaves of Crassocephalum bauchiense have long been used in traditional Cameroonian medicine for the treatment of epilepsy, pain, inflammatory disorders, arthritis and intestinal pain. Aim of the study: In this study, we attempted to identify the possible antinociceptive action of the aqueous extract and the alkaloid fraction prepared from the leaves of Crassocephalum baucheiense. Materials and methods: Using acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions, formalin-, capsaisin- and glutamate-induced nociception, and hot plate assay procedures, the antinociceptive effects of the aqueous extract and the alkaloid fraction was assessed after oral administration in mice. Morphine sulfate was used as reference analgesic agent. Mice were submitted to the rota-rod task and open-field test in order to assess any non-specific muscle-relaxant or sedative effects of the extracts of Crassocephalum bauchiense. Male and female Swiss mice were used to assess acute toxicity of these extracts. Results: The aqueous extract and the alkaloid fraction of Crassocephalum bauchiense produced a significant antinociceptive effects in the acetic acid, formalin, glutamate, capsaicin and hot plate tests. These antinociceptive effects of Crassocephalum bauchiense were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with naloxone. The extracts of Crassocephalum bauchiense did not alter the locomotion of animals in the open-field or rotarod tests, which suggest a lack of a central depressant effect. The animals did not exhibit any acute toxicity to the aqueous extract and the alkaloid fraction, so it was not possible to calculate the LD50. Conclusion: The results confirm the popular use of Crassocephalum bauchiense as an antinociceptive, and contribute to the pharmacological knowledge of this species because it was shown that the aqueous extract and the alkaloid fraction of Crassocephalum bauchiense produced dose related antinociception in models of chemical and thermal nociception through mechanisms that involve an interaction with opioidergic pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim of the study: The decoction of the stem bark of Erythrina senegalensis (EAES) is traditionally used in the Western region of Cameroon against liver disorders. The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of this decoction after acute and sub-chronic administration in rodents. Materials and methods: In acute study, a single administration of EAES was given orally to mice at doses ranging from 1.25 to 12.5g/kg. General behaviour, adverse effects and mortality were determined for up to 14 days post treatment. In the sub-chronic study, EAES was given orally as a single administration to Wistar rats at doses of 300, 600 and 1200mg/kg/day for 28 days. Animal body weight was observed throughout the experimental period while haematological and biochemical parameters of blood and urine, as well as kidney and liver tissues histology were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Results: In the acute study in mice, none of the doses used induced mortality or significant behavioural changes. In the sub-chronic study in rats, daily oral administration of EAES at the dose of 600mg/kg resulted in a significant increase in the relative body weight at the last week of treatment. The relative weights of organs were not affected by the treatment. No haematological changes were observed a part of a significant increase in WBC count at the dose of 600mg/kg. Serum AST, ALT, ALP, total protein, total cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly while total and conjugated bilirubin significantly increased. Renal function indices assay in blood showed significant modification in all the treated groups compared to control while, in urine, only urea excretion markedly reduced at a dose of 1200mg/kg. Histological analysis did no show any liver or kidney alteration. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that there is a wide margin of safety for the therapeutic use of EAES and further corroborated the traditional use of this extract as a hepatoprotective agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Combretum molle R.B/G. Don (Combretaceae) is a graceful deciduous shrub, distributed especially in tropical Africa and used in traditional medicine in the treatment of malaria, diabetes, and bacterial, liver and cardiovascular deseases. To our knowledge, no long-term toxicity studies of C. molle has ever been realized yet., Methods: The long-term toxicity study was conducted in accordance with OECD 408 guidelines with slight modifications. In fact, rats were divided in groups and treated orally with CMAE at doses of 62.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg for 6 months. The general behavior and signs of toxicity of the rats were daily observed. Body weight, food and water intake were recorded every 2 months for 6 months. At the end of treatment period, urine and blood samples were collected for hematological, biochemical and antioxidant estimations. Immediately, internal organs were collected and weighed., Results: The results showed that no mortality and visible signs of the toxicity were recorded in all experimental animals. The administration of CMAE had no significant effects on body weight, organ weights, serum electrolyte, and food and water intake. However, all doses of CMAE produced an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol, white blood cells, platelets, glutathione, and a decrease in low density lipoprotein cholesterol and malondialdehyde rate. CMAE at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg decreased in serum proteins and the activity of aspartate amino transferase, and increased the activity of catalase. In addition, CMAE (250 mg/kg) significantly decreased the alanine aminotransferase activity and the level of triglycerides, very low density cholesterol, total proteins and creatinine, and increased in renal clearance, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit and superoxide dismutase activity., Conclusions: At the end of this study, no signs of major intoxication was noted during 6 months of treatment. These results suggest that long-term consumption of CMAE at the therapeutic dose (250 mg/kg) presents low risks to human health.