Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of 80% Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of the Leaves of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern. (Asteraceae).

Background: The leaves of V. auriculifera has been used traditionally for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, and pain in various parts of Ethiopia. However, to our knowledge, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the crude extract and solvent fractions has never been experimentally studied. Objective: To assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of V. auriculifera leaf extract and solvent fractions in rodent models. Material and methods: Air-dried leaves of V. auriculifera were grounded and macerated using 80% methanol. The air-dried, grounded leaves were also successively extracted with ethyl acetate, and methanol. The residue was then macerated in water for 72 hr. The extract's peripheral analgesic activity, as well as the solvent fractions, were determined using an acetic acid-induced writhing test. The hot plate model was used to assess the central analgesic effect. Carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma models were used to assess the anti-inflammatory effect in rats. Results: The 80% methanol leaf extract and solvent fractions have demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) peripheral and central analgesic activity. Both 80% methanol leaf extract and solvent fractions of V. auriculifera were found to have anti-inflammatory activity in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. In the cotton pellet-induced granuloma model, all concentrations of 80% methanol leaf extract (ME), methanol fraction (MEF), and aqueous fractions (AQF) of V. auriculifera inhibited exudate and granuloma formation. Although all tested doses significantly inhibited granuloma mass formation, only the medium and highest ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) doses significantly inhibited the generation of inflammatory exudate. Conclusion: This study's findings indicate that the solvent fractions and 80% methanol extract of V. auriculifera have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study's findings not only confirm the plants' traditional claim but also provide clues for further investigation of the active principles of this plant for the development of effective and safe analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

In vivo antiplasmodial activity of hydromethanolic leaf extract and solvent fractions of Maytenus gracilipes (Celastraceae) against Plasmodium berghei in mice.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of resistance among currently available antimalarial drugs, as well as the high economic cost of malaria, has prompted researchers to look for novel antimalarial molecules. As a result, the current study was proposed to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity (in vivo) of Maytenus gracilipes based on the plant's traditional claims. METHODS: A cold maceration procedure using 80% methanol as a solvent was employed to obtain a crude extract from M. gracilipes leaves. Chloroform, n-butanol, and pure water were used to fractionate the hydromethanolic extract. Standard procedures were followed for an acute oral toxicity test. The antimalarial effects of the plant at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg doses were investigated using three rodent malaria models (4-day suppressive, rane's, and repository tests). Thirty mice were utilized in each experiment (3 treatment and 2 control groups, each with six mice). Parasitemia, survival time, body weight, temperature, and packed cell volume were all used to assess the extracts' antiplasmodial activity. To compare results between groups, a one-way ANOVA with Post Hoc Tukey's HSD was used. RESULTS: In a 4-day suppressive investigation, all doses of the crude extract and fractions suppressed parasitemia significantly (P < 0.001) as compared to the negative control. The crude extract had the greatest chemosuppressive effect (74.15%) at 600 mg/kg dose. Chloroform had the greatest parasitemia suppression among the fractions; however it was less than the crude extract. In Rane's test, all doses of the crude extract produced substantial (P < 0.001) curative effects as compared to the negative control. CONCLUSION: According to this study, the crude extract and solvent fractions of M. gracilipes leaves contain antimalarial activity with a substantial suppressive effect. The antiplasmodial effects were more active in the chloroform and n-butanol fractions, indicating that the plant's non-polar and medium polar constituents are responsible. Nonetheless, further analysis is required to isolate and characterize the active compounds responsible for the study plant's antimalarial activity.

Efficacy and safety of cinnamon in type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes patients: A meta-analysis and meta-regression.

INTRODUCTION: Cinnamon has been used as a dietary component and in the management of diabetes mellitus. This study systematically reviewed and synthesized evidence on the efficacy of cinnamon for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and pre-diabetes patients. METHODS: Databases of Web of Sciences, the Cochrane library, PubMed, CINAHL and SCOPUS were searched. Stata version 13 (College Station, Texas 77845 USA) and RevMan var. 5.3 software were used for meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using Chi-square and I2 tests. RESULTS: Sixteen randomized controlled studies were included in the meta-analysis. Cinnamon significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) level compared to placebo with weighted mean difference (WMD) of -0.545 (95% CI: -0.910, -0.18) mmol/L, I2 = 83.6% and -0.714(-1.388, -0.04), I2 = 84.4% respectively. There was no significant change in weighted mean difference of glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) % and lipid profiles (mmol/L). Meta-regression did not show any factor significantly affecting the treatment response. CONCLUSION: Cinnamon reduced FBG and HOMA-IR, level in T2DM and pre-diabetes patients compared to placebo. High heterogeneity observed among included studies warrants further clinical trials after standardization of cinnamon formulation.