@article {72, title = {Ghanaian Herbal Medicines for Malaria: An Evaluation of the Clinical Safety and Effectiveness of {\textquotedblleft}Time Herbal Mixture{\textquotedblright} in Uncomplicated Malaria}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {February 2020}, pages = {71-75}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {71}, abstract = {

Background: Herbal antimalarials have become a popular source of treatment for most Ghanaians. The significant increase in patronage is of public health concern due to the lack of quality, safety, and efficacy data. Aim: In this report, we evaluated the clinical safety and effectiveness of a Ghanaian commercial product named {\textquotedblleft}Time Herbal Mixture{\textquotedblright} (THM). The product is formulated from the leaves of Solanum torvum and Vernonia amygdalina and the stem bark of Spathodea campanulata and Bombax buonopozense. Methods: Participants of 40 patients diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria were recruited, treated, and followed up for a period of 28 days. This population comprised 25 (62.50\%) females and 15 (37.50\%) males, with a mean age of 42.29 (12.35) years. Outcome of primary interest was the ability of the product to clear blood parasites by day 7 of the study, resolution of cardinal symptoms of malaria, and an absence of adverse effects from the use of the product. Results and Discussion: A total of 33 (82.50\%) participants achieved clearance of all parasites by day 7 (complete cure). Partial clearance was attained by 6 (15.0\%) and treatment failure in 1 (2.50\%). Resolution of the cardinal symptoms was also observed in most participants by day 7. The product also had a good safety profile as none of the participants reported any adverse effects. Liver, kidney, and hematological profiles were also normal after the study. Conclusion: {\textquotedblleft}THM,{\textquotedblright} therefore, has the potential to be used in cases of uncomplicated malaria.

}, keywords = {Bombax buonopozense, Clinical studies, Herbal antimalarials, Solanum torvum, Spathodea campanulata, Vernonia amygdalina}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_23_19}, author = {Andrews W Tetteh and Kwesi P Thomford and Merlin L Mensah and Kwame O Boadu and Ama K Thomford and Isaac K Amposah and Godfred Amofa and Benard K Turkson and Michael O Agyemang and Emmanuel DJ Owusu-Ansah} } @article {66, title = {Novel Phytocompounds from Vernonia amygdalina with Antimalarial Potentials}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {February 2020}, pages = {53-59}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {53}, abstract = {

Background: Malaria, one of the diseases predominant in the African continent, has been reported to be treated with plants and also some in vitro and in vivo tests have supported this. Vernonia amygdalina belonging to the family of Asteraceae is one of the plants widely used in Nigeria and studied for treatment of malaria and some scientific researchers have validated this claim. Objectives: In the present study, we aimed at isolation of possible compounds from the methanolic stem-bark of V. amygdalina, elucidation and characterization of the isolated compounds, and carry out antimalarial evaluations of the isolated compounds. Materials and Methods: Isolation of compounds was done using column chromatography technique, elucidation and characterization were done based on infrared, Mass, 1H, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The in vitro antimalarial activity was carried out on the ring stage of the malaria parasite cycle of chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (Dd2) strains. Results: Five novel compounds were isolated; 4α-Hydroxy-n-pentadecanoic acid (CC7), 11α- Hydroxyurs-5,12-dien- 28-oic acid-3α, 25-olide (CC10), 1-Hen eicosanol-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (CC19), 10-Geranilanyl-O-β-D-xyloside (AC2A), 6β,10β,14β-Trimethyl heptadecan-15α-olyl-15-O-β-D-glucopyrano syl-1,5β-olide (CC14), and one new compound; Glucuronolactone (CC3). The compounds CC10, CC19, AC2A, CC14, and CC3 recorded schizont inhibition at different percentages. Compounds CC19, AC2A, and CC14 recorded half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 10.55 μg/ml, 12.56 μg/ml, and 11.68 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The IC50 values obtained are much higher than that of chloroquine, which is 0.02 μg/ml. These compounds showed antimalarial activity at different levels. The presence and effect of these compounds validate the use of this plant for the treatment of malaria in the traditional medicinal practice of Nigeria.

}, keywords = {Antimalarial, Half-maximal inhibitory concentration, Isolation, Phytocompounds, Vernonia amygdalina}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_81_19}, author = {InnocentMary IfedibaluChukwu Ejiofor and Aparoop Das and Showkat R Mir and Mohammed Ali and Kamaruz Zaman} } @article {667, title = {Protective Effects of Vernonia Amygdalina Against Sodium Arsenite-induced Genotoxicity in Rat}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {5}, year = {2013}, month = {May 2013}, pages = { 207-211}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {207}, abstract = {

Objectives:\ Contamination of the environment with arsenic (As) from both human and natural sources is known as a global problem. This study investigated the chemoprotective potential of\ Vernonia amygdalina\ leave extract against sodium arsenite-induced genotoxicity and hepatotoxicity.\ Materials andMethods\ : Genotoxic effects were evaluated in the rat bone marrow using micronuclei. The gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were assayed in rat serum.\ Results\ : Pre-treatment with extract of\ V. amygdalina\ at doses 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg significantly decreased the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs). The GGT and ALP activities were elevated more than fourfold, in the liver of rats treated with sodium arsenite, while it was reduced almost to half when the sodium arsenit-treated rats were fed fresh\ V. amgdalina\ leave extracts The phytochemical constituents of\ V. amygdalina\ assayed in this study may be responsible for high radical scavenging of the DPPH free radical observed.\ Conclusion\ : The present results indicate that\ V. amygdalina\ extract is capable of suppressing the chromosomal aberration induced by sodium arsenite in rat. Thus,\ V. amygdalina\ may be a potent chemoprotective agent against the toxicity of sodium arsenite in rats.

}, keywords = {Anticlastogenicity, Micronuclei Test, Rat, Sodium arsenite, Vernonia amygdalina}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.112431}, author = {Adewale Adetutu and Emmanuel Bukoye Oyewo and Ayoade A Adesokan} } @article {854, title = {Studies on the Effect of Processing Methods on the Antihyperglycemic activity of Herbal Teas from Leaves of Vernonia amygdalina Del}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {1}, year = {2009}, month = {January 2010 }, pages = {256-260}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {256}, abstract = {

The leaves of Vernonia amygdalina Del (Asteraceae) was processed into herbal tea using the black and green tea processing techniques. The green tea obtained was used as such while a portion of the black tea was flavored with O. basilicum or O. gratissimum. Methanol extracts of the flavored and unflavored herbal teas, obtained by cold maceration, were subjected to pharmacological studies for antihyperglycemic activity in alloxan diabetic rats and pytochemical analysis. Results showed that single oral administration of the tea extracts reduced blood glucose level of diabetic rats to varying the extents. Extract of green tea (GTE) caused a moderate reduction in blood glucose levels while black tea (BTE) evoked a mild dose-related effect. Extracts of the flavored tea caused significant (P\<0.05) reductions in blood glucose levels. While the effect of extract of O. basilicum flavored tea (BTOBE) was dose-related, that of O. gratissimum flavored tea (BTOGE) was non-dose-related. A comparison of the magnitude of reduction in blood glucose level showed the order of potency: BTOBE\>BTOGE\>GTE\>BTE. Phytochemical analysis showed relative presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids with GTE having the highest concentration of these constituents. These findings suggest that black tea technique may be preferred for processing leaves of V. amygdalina into herbal tea since it preserved the antihyperglycemic activity. Green tea method may reduce the antihyperglycemic effect even though it preserves the phytochemical constituents better than black tea technique. Flavoring of black tea with Ocimum spp enhances the antihyperglycemic effect due to their inherent hypoglycemic activity.

}, keywords = {Antihyperglycemic, Black tea, Green tea, Herbal tea, Ocimum spp, Vernonia amygdalina}, doi = {Nil}, author = {Okafor G.I and Okoli C.O and Odo A.S and Kelechi N.R} }