Herbal medicine in the Marquesas Islands.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: This manuscript reports data on medicinal plants used in Marquesas Islands traditional medicine. The subject is interesting due to the extreme geographical isolation of this archipelago and the scarcity of data on this subject. The hypothesis of the authors was that traditional knowledge in this area should be consequently largely preserved. The usual ethnobotanical collection of use/symptom was completed by an additional quantitative ethnobotany analysis providing two indices: the relative frequency of plant uses for a given affliction (RF) and the Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our ethnopharmacological study was carried out between 2009 and 2012 in several parts of the archipelago by collecting the accurate names of the medicinal plants, their uses, the methods of preparation of the remedies and the associated traditional nosology. Two methods were applied: ex situ focus groups with scientists and local association partners, using fresh plant specimens, dried specimens, and photographs, guided by an outline of simple questions, and in situ semi-structured interviews of informants during walk in the woods or homegarden sampling. RESULTS: 96 plant species were pointed out as medicine for which we collected 1774 use reports; 77 of these species cited by more than 1 informant are listed with their frequency of use. Three species account for one-third of use reports: Cocos nucifera (coconut), Gardenia taitensis (tiare Tahiti) and Microsorum grossum. Native species (either indigenous or endemic) represent only one quarter of all used species. The Polynesian introductions (plants introduced during Polynesian migrations) represent 42% of the Marquesan medicinal plants. On the other hand, one-third are modern introductions, introduced, for most of them, less than 200 years ago. Diseases are analyzed according to Marquesan concepts. In the present study, a special attention was focused on the descriptions of the local diseases. Their translation in French was discussed and verified in focus groups involving both scientists and Marquesan language specialists from the "Académie des Marquises". 40 plant species showed a high frequency of citation for a given affliction (RF>20). Despite the complex nosology the ICF to Marquesan traditional illness categories showed generally high ICF values, suggesting their strong coherence. CONCLUSIONS: An overview of the Marquesan pharmacopoeia, linked with ethnomedicinal practices, is presented in this paper. Marquesan traditional medicine survived until now despite the culture shock faced by the Marquesan population switching to numerous introduced plants commonly found in their close environment and easily gathered. Marquesan herbal medicine appears to draw its inspiration from a common Polynesian root. However further investigations on Marquesan nosologies are necessary to appreciate the originality of the Marquesan pharmacopoeia. Finally, the crossing of ICF and RF indices shows that 36 species have at least one significant use (frequencies>20%) with high ICF value (>0.5). This suggests that some key phytochemical ingredients may be present in these plants which require further phytopharmacological studies to a better knowledge of their medicinal properties.

In vitro antileishmanial, antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of a new ventiloquinone and five known triterpenes from Parinari excelsa.

CONTEXT: Parinari excelsa Sabine (Chrysobalanaceae) is an indigenous tree from West and Eastern Africa. This tree is used in Ivory Coast as an antimalaria remedy. OBJECTIVE: The in vitro antiplasmodial and antileishmanial activities of the stem bark, the leaf and the major compounds from the stem bark were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The leaves and stem bark from P. excelsa were separately collected, air-dried and powdered. Two extracts (methylene chloride and methanol) were realized for both powders. Every extract was tested for its antiplasmodial and antileishmanial activities. Only the stem bark crude extracts were fractionated by column chromatography and their major components were analyzed by NMR, HRESIMS and IR methods. The compounds were tested for their antiplasmodial and antileishmanial activities. RESULTS: The comparison of the IC(50) values of the crude extracts were in this order: 3.41 (IC(50) of PeBMc) <4.10 (IC(50) of PeBMc) <4.42 (IC(50) of PeLMe) against P. falciparum and 5.19 (IC(50) of PeBMc) <12.32 (IC(50) of PeBMe) <19.33 (IC(50) of PeLMc) <32.37 (IC(50) of PeLMe) against L. donovani. The stem bark crude extracts were the most active against both parasites. Their fractionation leaded to a new ventiloquinone, five triterpenes and one chlorogenic acid. All these compounds were isolated for the first time from P. excelsa. High activities were observed with (3ß)-3-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (IC(50) = 8.2 µM) and 3ß-hydroxyolean-5,12-dien-28-oic acid (IC(50) = 7.7 µM) against L. donovani. With the antiplasmodial activity, the best activity was observed with 16ß-hydroxylupane-1,20(29)-dien-3-one (IC(50) = 28.3 µM). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that the constituents of P. excelsa stem bark have in vitro antiplasmodial and antileishmanial activities.

Structure elucidation of new acacic acid-type saponins from Albizia coriaria.

Three new acacic acid derivatives, named coriariosides C, D, and E (1-3) were isolated from the roots of Albizia coriaria. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR studies and mass spectrometry as 3-O-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-ß-D-fucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-2-(acetamido)-2-deoxy-ß-D-glucopyranosyl]-21-O-{(2E,6S)-6-O-{4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl- 6-O-(ß-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(ß-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-ß-D-quinovopyranosyl}-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl}acacic acid 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1), 3-O-{ß-D-fucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-[ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-ß-D-glucopyranosyl}-21-O-{(2E,6S)-6-O-{4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(ß-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(ß-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl]-ß-D-quinovopyranosyl}-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl}acacic acid 28-O-α-L-rhamno pyranosyl-(1 → 2)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), and 3-O-[ß-D-fucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl]-21-O-{(2E,6S)-6-O-{4-O-[(2E,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-O-(ß-D-quinovopyranosyl)octa-2,7-dienoyl)-ß-D-quinovopyranosyl]octa-2,7-dienoyl}acacic acid 28-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl ester (3).

Senna alata.

A review is made of chemical, ethnopharmacological and pharmacological papers dealing with Senna alata (L.) Roxb., a plant that belongs to the Creole traditional system of medicine and that has recently been introduced in the French Pharmacopoeia. The proofs existing for its various usages are presented. The species is mainly used against constipation and skin diseases. The laxative activity is supported by scientific findings. In contrast the dermatologic use requires further investigation. The species can be considered as safe for short-term or topical use.

Leishmanicidal and cholinesterase inhibiting activities of phenolic compounds from Allanblackia monticola and Symphonia globulifera.

In a preliminary antiprotozoal screening of several Clusiaceae species, the methanolic extracts of Allanblackia monticola and Symphonia globulifera showed high in vitro leishmanicidal activity. Further bioguided phytochemical investigation led to the isolation of four benzophenones: guttiferone A (1), garcinol (2), cambogin (3) and guttiferone F (4), along with three xanthones: allanxanthone A (5), xanthone V1 (6) and globulixanthone C (7) as active constituents. Compounds 1 and 6 were isolated from S. globulifera leaves, while compounds 2-5 were obtained from A. monticola fruits. Guttiferone A (1) and F (4) showed particulary strong leishmanicidal activity in vitro, with IC50 values (0.2 microM and 0.16 microM, respectively) comparable to that of the reference compound, miltefosine (0.46 microM). Although the leishmanicidal activity is promising, the cytotoxicity profile of these compounds prevent at this state further in vivo biological evaluation. In addition, all the isolated compounds were tested in vitro for their anticholinesterase properties. The four benzophenones showed potent anticholinesterase properties towards acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butylcholinesterase (AChE). For AChE, the IC50 value (0.66 microM) of garcinol (2) was almost equal to that of the reference compound galanthamine (0.50 microM). Furthermore, guttiferone A (1) and guttiferone F (4) (IC50 = 2.77 and 3.50 microM, respectively) were more active than galanthamine (IC50 = 8.5) against BChE.

Biflavones of Decussocarpus rospigliosii as phosphodiesterases inhibitors.

A phytochemical study of an ethyl acetate extract of Decussocarpus rospigliosii leaves led to the isolation of six 3'-8''-biapigenin derivatives identified as amentoflavone (1), podocarpusflavone A (2), sequoiaflavone (3), podocarpusflavone B (4), 7,7''-di-O-methylamentoflavone (5) and heveaflavone (6). Biflavones 1-4 showed strong inhibitory activity on several PDE isoforms. Biflavone (5) showed selective and potent inhibition of the PDE4 isoform (IC50=1.48+/-0.21 microM) and was almost as active as the reference drug Rolipram (IC50=1.1+/-0.2 microM).

Anthraquinones from the stem bark of Stereospermum zenkeri with antimicrobial activity.

Two anthraquinones, zenkequinones A and B were isolated from the stem bark of Stereospermum zenkeri together with known sterequinone-F, p-coumaric acid, sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 3beta-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods. The antimicrobial activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against six multiresistant strains of pathogens. Zenkequinone B showed the best antibacterial activity (MIC 9.50 microg/ml) against gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Antioxidant activity of isoflavones and biflavones isolated from Godoya antioquiensis.

Two biflavones, ochnaflavone (1) and 2",3"-dihydroochnaflavone (2), and two isoflavones, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyisoflavone (piscigenin) (3) and 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,3',5'-trimethoxyisoflavone (4), a new natural compound, were isolated from the leaves of Godoya antioquiensis (Ochnaceae). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral data and by comparison with data reported in the literature. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their radical scavenging activity using the NBT (nitrobluetetrazolium)/hypoxanthine superoxide and the .OH/luminol chemiluminescence methods. The isolated isoflavones were found to exhibit a strong hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and a moderate inhibition of the superoxide anion, whereas the two biflavones were inactive in the superoxide anion assay and showed a low hydroxyl radical scavenging activity.

Bioactive triterpenoids from Vochysia pacifica interact with cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozyme PDE4.

Several species of the genus Vochysia (Vochysiaceae) are used by traditional communities in South America to relieve ailments linked to inflammation, such as skin sores, asthma and pulmonary congestion. As the cAMP phosphodiesterase 4 isozyme (PDE4) is currently considered as an intracellular target for new antiinflammatory drugs, several constituents of Vochysia pacifica Cuatrec., an endemic tree from the Western coast of Colombia, were tested for their ability to inhibit PDE4. Purification of the methanol extract of the stem bark of this species led to the isolation of seven known triterpene derivatives: betulinic acid, sericic acid, 24-hydroxytormentic acid, trachelosperogenin B, 24-hydroxytormentic acid glucosyl ester, quadranoside I and niga-ichigoside F1. One triterpene glycoside, quadranoside I, and two triterpenes, betulinic and sericic acids, exhibited mild inhibitory activity on the isolated PDE4 isozyme.

Evaluation of ethnobotanically selected Benin medicinal plants for their in vitro antiplasmodial activity.

Twenty extracts from nine Benin medicinal plants, traditionally used to treat malaria, were screened for in vitro antiplasmodial activity towards Plasmodium falciparum K1 chloroquine resistant and 3D7 chloroquine sensitive strains. All plants showed antiplasmodial activity below 10 microg/ml. Nine extracts exhibited IC50 values below 5 microg/ml towards one or both of the two strains. The most active extract towards the sensitive 3D7 strain was the methanolic extract of Croton lobatus aerial part, with an IC50 value of 0.38 microg/ml. The best inhibition of the growth of Plasmodium falciparum resistant K1 strain was observed with the methylene chloride extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus and with the methanolic extract of Croton lobatus roots (IC50=2.57 and 2.80 microg/ml, respectively).

New coumarins from Cedrelopsis grevei.

Two new coumarins, 7-methoxy-5-prenylcoumarin (isocedrelopsin) (1) and 3',4'-dihydrobraylin (2), were isolated from the trunk bark of Cedrelopsis grevei, along with five known coumarins, microfolicoumarin (6,7-dimethoxy-5-prenylcoumarin, (3), obliquin (4), 8-methoxyobliquin (5), aesculetin (6), cedrelopsin (7) and scoparone (8).

In vitro antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of ethnobotanically selected Ivorian plants.

Eight extracts from four Ivorian medicinal plants, traditionally used to treat malaria, were tested for their antiplasmodial activity in vitro by assessing their ability to inhibit the uptake of [3H]hypoxanthine into the Plasmodium falciparum K1 chloroquine-resistant strain. The most active extract was the methylene chloride extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus which exhibited an IC(50) value of 3.8 micro g/ml. Inhibition of the growth of Plasmodium falciparum was also observed with the methylene chloride extract of Cochlospermum planchonii and Microdesmis keayana as well as with both methylene chloride and methanolic extracts of Hymenocardia acida.

A new dicaffeoylquinic acid butyl ester from Isertia pittieri.

A new 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid butyl ester (1) was isolated from an ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Isertia pittieri stems, along with three known compounds, 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (2), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3) and 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (4).