Marius Mbiantcha

Jateorhiza macrantha (Menispermaceae) is used in folk medicine in Africa for gastrointestinal and inflammatory disorders. However, its efficacy against inflammatory pain and associated neuro‐oxidative stress remains uncharacterized. This study evaluated the antihypernociceptive, anti‐inflammatory, and antipyretic properties of J. macrantha aqueous (AEJM) and methanolic (MEJM) leaf extracts in a rat model of complete Freund′s adjuvant (CFA)–induced persistent inflammation. Chronic inflammatory pain was induced in male Wistar rats by intraplantar injection of CFA (50 μ L). The test extracts were administered orally (100–400 mg/kg) for 14 days. Mechanical, cold, and thermal nociception were evaluated using Von Frey filaments, acetone test, and hot‐plate assay, respectively. Paw edema and rectal temperature were monitored to assess anti‐inflammatory and antipyretic effects. Serum levels of TNF‐ α , IL‐1 β , and IL‐6 were quantified, whereas oxidative stress markers (MDA, CAT, SOD, and GSH) were measured in brain and spinal cord tissues. Moreover, qualitative phytochemical profiling was performed. AEJM and MEJM significantly ( p < 0.05– p < 0.001) reduced paw edema and fever, increased paw withdrawal thresholds and thermal latencies. These improvements correlated with a significant downregulation of serum TNF‐ α , IL‐1 β , and IL‐6. Furthermore, both extracts significantly lowered MDA levels and increased antioxidant defenses (SOD, CAT, and GSH) in the brain and spinal cord. Notably, AEJM restored the locomotor performance compared with diclofenac. Phytochemical analysis showed flavonoids, saponins, steroids and tannins. AEJM and MEJM exert noteworthy anti‐inflammatory, antihypernociceptive, and antipyretic effects mediated through the concurrent suppression of proinflammatory cytokines and reinforcement of central antioxidant systems. These scientifically validate its traditional use.

Background: Allium cepa (Onion) is widely used as a flavored vegetable in various types of foods and against urinary system disorders, ear disorders, and injuries. Syzygium Aromaticum (clove) is used as a local anesthetic, also used against pain, rheumatological, and antioxidant problems. This study aimed to show the protective effects of the aqueous extract of the mixture of Onion and clove in the occurrence of a joint pathology such as osteoarthrosis. Methods: The animals were previously treated for two weeks with the aqueous extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) with the mixture of Allium cepa bulbs and Syzygium aromaticum spices, osteoarthrosis was induced with monoiodacetate (50 µL, intraarticular). Clinical, oxidative stress, inflammation, hematological and histological parameters were evaluated. Results: The mixture of Allium cepa bulbs and Syzygium aromaticum spices (200 mg/kg) protected the animals against the increase of sensitivity (80.78 %) and the swelling in the paw (85.27 %). Pre-treatment with the mixture of Allium cepa bulbs and Syzygium aromaticum spices has significantly protected animals by improving their locomotion. This mixture has prevented the negative variation of hematological parameters. Antioxidant effects were observed with an increase in SOD, CAT activity, GSH concentration, and reduction of MDA, NO levels. The mixture administered orally, preventively showed an anti-inflammatory effect by significantly reducing TNF-α, IL-1β, MMP9 concentrations, and MPO activity. In animals pretreated with the mixture, the knee joint appears healthy, thus showing a protective effect of the extract. Conclusion: The mixture of Allium cepa bulbs and Aromaticum syzygium spices is a constituent worthy of more in-depth study to determine whether it effectively modulates the complex inflammatory pathology of osteoarthritis according to its multiple multi-component actions.

Objectives: Ulcerative colitis, with a complex and poorly understood aetiology, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon. Current therapies present many side effects and lack efficiency. This study aimed to assess the healing properties of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the roots of Dracaena arborea on ulcerative colitis induced in rats. Methods: Acetic acid (4 %) was injected (intrarectal) to induce colitis. Prednisolone (20 mg/kg), aqueous (500 mg/kg) and ethanolic (100 mg/kg) extracts were administered orally. Clinical parameters were measured through stool consistency, relative body mass, mass-to-length ratio, macroscopic alterations of the colon, and serum and haematological parameters. Oxidative stress markers (in both serum and tissue) and anti-inflammatory parameters were evaluated. Results: The results showed that both extracts significantly reduced diarrhea severity, ulcer scores, and prevented the reduction in the colon mass/length ratio. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts significantly increased red blood cell count and haematocrit percentage, as well significantly reducing white blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte, and granulocyte counts. Regarding oxidative stress markers, in both serum and tissue, the extracts significantly reduced MDA concentrations while increasing GSH concentrations, SOD and catalase activities. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts also significantly reduced NO concentrations and MPO activity. Only the ethanolic extract significantly inhibited TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β production. Additionally, both extracts exhibited reparative effects on intestinal epithelium by activating tissue regeneration mechanisms. Conclusions: These findings suggest that D. arborea possessed anti-colitis effects in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats.

Objectives This work was carried out with a view to determining the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties of the aqueous lyophilized extract of Markhamia lutea. Methods In vitro proteinases inhibition, albumin denaturation, hemolysis of red blood cells by heat, inhibition of the proton pump H⁺/K⁺ATPase, FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays were performed. In vivo, cold water immersion-induced ulceration and methylene blue-induced ulceration was used to determine the anti-ulcer properties of the lyophilizate (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg). Results In vitro, the lyophilizate (400 μg/mL) significantly inhibited protein denaturation (66.65 %), hemolysis of red blood cells (56.54 %), proteinase activity (69.22 %); then the IC₅₀ was 26.31 μg/mL on proton pump activity. It has also developed a strong ferric reducing antioxidant power (EC₅₀=52.96 mmol FeSO₄/g) as well as free radicals scavenging activity (EC₅₀=22.38 μg/mL). In vivo, the aqueous lyophilizate (200 and 300 mg/kg) protected the gastric mucosa (70.68 and 79.00 % protection respectively) and reduced (pM. lutea protected the gastric mucosa from the deleterious effects of stress. Conclusions The aqueous lyophilizate of M. lutea has anti-ulcer properties thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-secretory properties.

Cissus quadrangularis Linn. (C. quadrangularis, Vitaceae) is a plant reported to treat injured tendons, broken bones, asthma, stomach ache, scurvy, and digestive disorders. The present study evaluated the antihyperalgesic effects of ethanolic extract of C. quadrangularis Linn. Vincristine sulfate (100 μg/kg, i.p.) was administered in rats for 10 days with 2 days break to induce painful peripheral neuropathy. Mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia tests were performed to assess the threshold of painful neuropathy. Calcium levels in the sciatic nerve, oxidant stress markers, and levels of GABA and 5‐HT were also determined in the brain and spinal cord after 15 days. Ethanolic extract of C. quadrangularis (180 and 360 mg/kg) and pregabalin (50 mg/kg) were administered for 15 consecutive days. The results revealed that the extract significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited hyperalgesia and allodynia in animals after vincristine administration. The extract decreased total calcium levels in the sciatic nerve, MDA levels while increasing GSH activity, 5‐HT level, as well as GABA levels in the brain and spinal cord. The results of this study suggest that the ethanolic extract of C. quadrangularis uses antioxidant capacity, calcium inhibitory action, and neuromodulation of GABA and 5‐HT to prevent the development of painful neuropathy after vincristine administration. This demonstrates that C. quadrangularis is a promising molecule for the management of peripheral neuropathic pain induced by anticancer drugs.

Objectives: In this study, we determined the gastroprotective and ulcer-healing effects of extracts (aqueous and methanolic) of Nauclea pobeguinii stem-back. Methods: Gastroprotective and healing activity were evaluated following a HCl/ethanol and an indomethacin-induced acute ulcers models; acetic acid, pylorus-ligature, pylorus ligature/histamine and pylorus ligature/acetylcholine-induced chronic ulcers models. Results: It emerges from this study that, at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, the extracts significantly reduced the various ulceration parameters. Compared to negative control male rats, the aqueous (100 mg/kg) and methanolic (400 mg/kg) extracts of Nauclea pobeguinii inhibited the ulcers induced by HCl/ethanol by 80.76 % and 100 % respectively, as well as ulcers induced by indomethacin by 88.28 % and 93.47 % respectively. Animals that received 200 mg/kg of both extracts showed a significant reduction in the levels of monocytes, lymphocytes, nitric oxide, MDA and a significant increase in the activities of SOD and catalase. Histological analysis showed repaired mucous epithelium at all doses of both extracts. Aqueous and methanol extracts inhibited ulceration indices by 89.33 % and 88.53 % for pylorus ligature, 83.81 % and 61.07 % for pylorus ligature/acetylcholine and 87.29 % and 99.63 % for pylorus ligature/histamine respectively. Both extracts protected the stomach lining with percentages inhibition of 79.49 % and 81.73 %, respectively in the ethanol test. The extracts induced a significant increase in mucus mass (pNauclea pobeguinii healed ulcers thanks to their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-secretory and cytoprotective properties.

Objectives: Markhamia lutea ( M. lutea , Bignoniaceae) is mainly found in tropical/neotropical regions of America, Africa and Asia. The plant’s leaves, stems or roots are used to treat anaemia, bloody diarrhoea, parasitic and microbial infections. This study evaluates anti-inflammatory properties ( in vitro ) of Markhamia lutea and their curative effects on paclitaxel-induced intestinal toxicity ( in vivo ). Methods: The anti-inflammatory potential of Markhamia lutea was tested over cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enzymes (cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase). While in vivo , intestinal toxicity was induced for 10 days by oral administration of paclitaxel (3 mg/kg, 0.05 mL). Animals in each group were further treated with aqueous (300 mg/kg) and ethanolic (300 mg/kg) leaves extracts of Markhamia lutea during 7 days and clinical symptoms were recorded, hematological, biochemical and histological analysis were subsequently performed. Results: In vitro , aqueous (250 μg/mL) and ethanolic (250 μg/mL) extracts of Markhamia lutea inhibited the activities of cyclooxygenase 1 (56.67 % and 69.38 %), cyclooxygenase 2 (50.67 % and 62.81 %) and 5-lipoxygenase (77.33 % and 86.00 %). These extracts inhibited the production of intracellular ROS, extracellular ROS and cell proliferation with maximum IC ₅₀ of 30.83 μg/mL, 38.67 μg/mL and 19.05 μg/mL respectively for the aqueous extract, then 25.46 μg/mL, 27.64 μg/mL and 7.34 μg/mL respectively for the ethanolic extract. The extracts also inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6) and stimulated the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10). In vivo , after administration of paclitaxel, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Markhamia lutea significantly reduced the weight loss, the diarrheal stools and the mass/length intestines ratio of the treated animals compared to the animals of the negative control group. Biochemically, the extracts lead to a significant drop in serum creatinine and alanine aminotransferase levels, followed by a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase. In addition to bringing the haematological parameters back to normal values after disturbance by paclitaxel, the extracts caused tissue regeneration in the treated animals. Conclusions: In vitro , aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Markhamia lutea showed anti-inflammatory properties (inhibition of COX1, COX2, 5-LOX activities, inhibition of ROS production and cell proliferation); in vivo , the same extracts showed curative properties against intestinal toxicity caused by paclitaxel.

In traditional Cameroonian medicine, to relieve many inflammations, parts of Vernonia guineensis, are very widely used. This study considered the evaluation of acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of the hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Vernonia guineensis. In an acute toxicity study, 250, 2500, and 5000mg/kg were administered orally to mice in a single dose, and general behavior, adverse effects, and mortality were monitored. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory tests were performed, and then histological, serum, hematological, and oxidative stress parameters have been evaluated. In an acute toxicity, all groups revealed neither mortality nor any significant alteration in behavior; only drowsiness, sedation, and lethargy were observed at 5000mg/kg. For in vitro tests, the extract inhibited anti-inflammatory activity. In the formalin test, at 250mg/kg, the extract inhibited edema with a percentage of 56.41 (4^th hour) in an acute treatment and 74.44 (10^th day). Joint edema was reduced by 67.24 (24^th hour) in a single treatment and by 74.25 (7^th day) in repeated treatment. The extract caused an increase in red blood cell, hemoglobin, and serum protein levels and reduced the white blood cells as well as the activities of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase. The extract modulated oxidative stress parameters in the brain, spinal cord, liver, and kidneys. The extract protected the joint by reducing the bone and cartilage erosion. The present work highlights the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antianemic properties of the hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Vernonia guineensis, which supports its empirical use in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory pathologies.

Cissus quadrangularis Linn. (Vitaceae) is a plant used to treat injured tendons, broken bones, asthma, stomach ache, scurvy and digestive disorders. The present study purposed to evaluate the antihyperalgesic effects (in vivo) and the immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (in vitro) of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Cissus quadrangularis (C. quadrangularis). Immunomodulatory (chemiluminescence, cytokines and cell proliferation), anti-inflammatory (protein denaturation, 5-lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase 1 and 2) and antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS and NO) tests were performed in vitro, while the anti- hyperalgesic (vincristine) investigations were conducted in vivo on Wistar rats. The results revealed that extracts developed immunomodulatory activity by inhibiting the production of ROS (intracellular/extracellular), of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 as well as inhibiting cell proliferation, and by stimulating the production of IL-10. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was demonstrated by an inhibition of 5-LOX, protein denaturation and cyclooxygenases 1 and 2. In addition, extracts showed interesting scavenging effects, attesting their antioxidant potential. The extracts administered to the animals (180 and 360 mg/kg) inhibited (p < 0.001) hyperalgesia and allodynia in animals. These extracts also led to the reduction in serum and sciatic nerve levels of TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6, as well as to an increase in cell growth factors (NGF and IGF) production of treated animals. These results suggest that extracts of C. quadrangularis use immunomodulatory, anti-infammatory and antioxidant capacity to prevent and/cure painful neuropathy after vincristine administration. C. quadrangularis is therefore a promising natural substance for the management of neuropathic pain.