Nutritive value, biological properties, health benefits and applications of Tetrapleura tetraptera: An updated comprehensive review.

Due to the health benefits that medicinal plants present, they are applied in traditional healthcare in developing and developed countries alike. Tetrapleura tetraptera, a flowering plant mostly found in the western part of Africa has an essential chemical composition that gives it nutritive value and medicinal capacities. This review aims to highlight the nutritional attributes, biological properties, health benefits, and applications of T. tetraptera. The fruit of the plant has been revealed to possess about 58.48-63. 86% carbohydrates, 251.22-288.62 mg/g potassium, 182.11-200.02 mg/g calcium, 322.00-342.00 mg/g manganese, and 0.02-4.69 mg/g vitamins. Also, active phytochemical compounds including phenols (3.51 ± 0.03 mgGAE/g), flavonoids (0.87 ± 0.03 mgQE/g), saponins (4.27 ± 0.03 mgDE/g), tannins (23.87 ± 0.44 mg/100 g), and alkaloids (5.03 ± 0.15% w/w) have been discovered in the fruit of T. tetraptera. The plant's abundant phytochemicals account for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-parasitic, and anti-proliferative activities. These biological properties in turn translate to health benefits including lower blood pressure, enhanced immune system, malaria treatment, diabetes and hypertension management, and cancer prevention. The health-promoting assets of T. tetraptera underscore its applications in beverage production, food preservation and flavoring, feed supplementation, and pharmaceutical formulations. The data gathered in this piece is crucial for industrial food processing and the creation of potent pharmaceutical products and functional foods with superior health attributes.

Aridanin and oleanane-3- O-ß-D-glucoside-2'-acetamide obtained from Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumach. & Thonn) Taub. (Fabaceae) induces potent apoptotic activity in human prostate cancer cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumach. and Thonn.) Taub. (Fabaceae) is a tropical plant that is used in Cameroon pharmacopeia for the treatment of many cancers including prostate cancer (PCa), which is a major cause of men's death worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anticancer properties as well as underlying mechanisms of isolates from T. tetraptera on DU145, PC3 and LNCaP cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight (8) compounds were purified from T. tetraptera stem bark extract through silica gel column chromatography (CC) and characterized using spectroscopic techniques (1D and 2D NMR), HRESIMS. Cell growth was assessed by a well-characterized MTT assay, while BrdU and clonogenicity assays provided information on the cell proliferation index. Further, the impact of the compounds on cell cycle progression and cell death were performed through Flow cytometry. Cell adhesion, cell migration and chemotaxis along with some proteins of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were assayed. RESULTS: Out of the eight (1-8) isolates from T. tetraptera only oleanane-3-O-ß-D-glucoside-2'-acetamide and aridanin showed potent cell growth arrest with an estimated CC50 of 15, 23, 16 and 17, 26, 16 µg/mL on DU145, PC3 and LNCaP cells, respectively. A 15% (DU145) and 25% (LNCaP) increase in apoptotic cells induced by oleanane-3-O-ß-D-glucoside-2'-acetamide and aridanin at 10 µg/mL were noticed. Oleanane-3-O-ß-D-glucoside-2'-acetamide and aridanin at 2.5 and 10 µg/mL reduced the number of cells in S-phase and raised cells in G2/M phase. At the same concentrations, they decreased the number of invading DU145 cells and increased the adherence of DU145 cells to fibronectin and collagen matrix at tested concentrations, accompanied by an increase in integrin ß-1 (10 µg/mL) and integrin ß-4 (2.5 µg/mL) expression. Furthermore, a down-regulation of pcdk1, cdk2, Bcl-2, N-Cad, vimentin and cytokeratine 8-18 was noticed while, p19, p27, p53 pAKT, Bax, caspase-3 and E-Cad were up-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: This study outlines for the first time, the anticancer ability of compounds oleanane-3-O-ß-D-glucoside-2'-acetamide (4) and aridanin (6) from Tetrapleura tetraptera and proposes their putative mechanisms of action.

Production of herbal toothpaste: Physical, organoleptic, phyto-compound, and antimicrobial properties.

Objective: To investigate the possibility of producing dental antimicrobial toothpaste from Allium cepa L skin chaff, Azadirachta indica A. seed, and Tetrapleura tetraptera pod extracts. Methods: Ethanolic extracts of the three plant materials were obtained. These were subjected to phytochemical and GC-MS analyses. The different extract combinations were used for the production of various toothpaste. The toothpaste's physical, organoleptic, and antimicrobial properties were determined. Results: From the phytochemical analysis, Allium cepa has the highest phenolic (1.20 mgGAE/g), saponin (14.80%), tannin (0.11 mg/g) and DPPH (82.80%), Tetrapleura tetraptera has the highest flavonoid (0.33 mg RE/g), and alkaloid (20.50 mg/g) while, Azadirachta indica has the highest oxalate (77.50 mg/g). The GC-MS revealed significant chemical components of Allium cepa as 1-heptatriacotanol, germacra-1(10),4,11(13)-trien-12-oic acid, 6-alpha-hydroxy-,gamma-lactone, (E,E)-, 11H-Indeno [1,2b] quinoxaline, 2-methyl- while Azadirachta indica have butyl benzoate, benzoic acid, hexyl ester, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester and Tetrapleura tetraptera have the following 15-hydroxypentadecanoic acid, cis-9-hexadecenal, and 11,13-dimethyl-12-tetradecen-1-ol acetate. All the produced toothpaste has a brown colour and a pleasant smell, with pH from 7.30 to 8.10 and foamability from 19.23% of stand-alone toothpaste to 44.44% of Allium cepa-based. Amongst the produced toothpaste Allium cepa-based toothpaste has the best antimicrobial activities against the tested bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca) and fungi (Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis). The stand-alone toothpaste has the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.25 mg/mL against bacteria and fungi. Clinical significance: The study provides information on the production of human health-friendly dental antimicrobial toothpaste from plant materials.

Optimized pressurized hot water extraction, HPLC/LC-MS characterization, and bioactivity of Tetrapleura tetraptera L. dry fruit polyphenols.

Despite the global preference for green extraction methods in the recovery of plant bioactives, Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit polyphenols (TTP) are yet to receive considerable attention. For the first time, pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) of TTP was optimized for total phenol content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA) using the Box Behnken design of response surface methodology. Predictor variables were time, temperature, and liquid-to-solid ratio. An optimum solution with a desirability of 0.805 was selected and parameters were 43 min, 220°C, and 60 ml g-1 liquid-to-solid ratio, yielding TPC of 8.92 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of sample on dry weight basis (GAE g-1  dw-1 ) and AA of 70.35%. Purified, optimized TTP were characterized and quantified using HPLC/LC-MS. PHWE mainly extracted rutin (379.04 µg g-1 ), cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (chloride) (299.55 µg g-1 ), naringenin 7-O-glucoside (240.11 µg g-1 ), p-coumaric acid (177.28 µg g-1 ), isorientin (150.43 µg g-1 ), and gallic acid (118.06 µg g-1 ) whereas cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (chloride) (83.27 µg g-1 ), protocatechuic acid (61.37 µg g-1 ), rutin (28.03 µg g-1 ), and gallic acid (22.62 µg g-1 ) were mainly extracted by hot water extraction, which was a control. PHWE-obtained TTP showed higher cellular antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity in human liver cancer cell lines (HepG2), and antimicrobial property against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis than control. The potential mechanisms underlying the biological activities of some of the major polyphenols extracted were briefly discussed. Considering the wide use of the T. tetraptera (TT) fruit in Africa in foods and medicine, the use of more efficient green extraction methods such as PHWE is recommended. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study serves as a baseline for optimizing pressurized hot water extraction, purification, identification, and quantification of Tetrapleura tetraptera polyphenols (TTP) and their biological activities, being the first of its kind. The varied biological effects shown can be exploited further for applications of TTP as nutraceutical agents and preservatives in foods in different forms. Also, the high amounts of gallic acid and other phenolic acids and flavonoids confirmed in this study make TTP good candidates for the development of metal-phenol network nanoparticles to enhance adequate solubility and distribution in food systems in light of the above proposed applications.

Cytotoxicity, acute and sub-chronic toxicities of the fruit extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumm. & Thonn.) Taub. (Fabaceae).

BACKGROUND: Tetrapleura tetraptera is a medicinal spice traditionally used to treat cancer, diabetes, and several other ailments. This study analyzed the cytotoxicity of the dichloromethane methanol extract of T. tetraptera fruits (TTF) and its constituents. The toxicity profile of the TTF extract was also evaluated in rats. METHODS: The Cytotoxicity of this extract was evaluated using the resazurin reduction assay (RRA). Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies were performed according to the protocol described by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation, and Development (OECD). Hematological, serum, and urine biochemical parameters, as well as histological sections of the liver and kidney, were also evaluated based on standard methods. RESULTS: The TTF extract, compound 5, and the reference drug doxorubicin were active in all 9 tested cancer cell lines. The recorded IC50 ranged from 18.32 µM (against B16-F1 murine melanoma cells) to 36.18 µM (against SKMel-505 BRAF wildtype melanoma cells) for TTF, from 10.02 µM (towards MaMel-80a BRAF-V600E homozygous mutant melanoma cells) to 31.73 µM (against SKMel-28 BRAF-V600E homozygous mutant melanoma cells) for compound 5, and from 0.22 µM (against B16-F1 cells) to 9.39 µM (against SKMel-505 cells) for doxorubicin. The study of acute toxicity test showed that the lethal dose (LD50) of this extract was greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. In the sub-chronic toxicity studies, variations were observed in some biochemical parameters, especially at higher doses. CONCLUSION: TTF and its most active compound (5) are found to be potential cytotoxic agents, meanwhile, TTF was safe when given a single oral dose of 5000 mg/kg. However, caution is necessary in case of prolonged oral administration due to potential alterations of renal function at high doses (> 1000 mg/kg).

Flavanols from Tetrapleura tetraptera with cytotoxic activities.

Tetrapleura tetraptera is a medicinal plant used in East and West Africa to treat inflammation and related diseases. From the stem bark of the plant, three previously undescribed flavan-3-ol derivatives named (2R,3S)-3,3',5',7-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxyflavane (1), (2R,3S)-3',5',7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavane-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2), and (2R,3S,4S)-3,3',4,5',7-pentahydroxy-4'-methoxyflavane (3) were isolated with three known analogues. The structural elucidation of the compounds was performed based on NMR spectroscopy and HRMS data analyses. The absolute configurations around the stereogenic carbons were determined using Circular Dichroism (ECD) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was tested using resazurin reduction assay. Compound 1 was moderately active against both recalcitrant leukemia cell lines with IC50 values of 21.90 µM towards CCRF-CEM and 50.80 towards CEM/ADR5000. Similar level of activity was observed for compound 3 against CCRF-CEM cell line, IC50 = 35.50 µM. All the tested compounds were not cytotoxic compared with the standard drug, doxorubicin, with IC50 values of 0.0075 against CCRF-CEM and 24.30 µM against CEM/ADR5000.

Aqueous extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit peels influence copulatory behavior and maintain testicular integrity in sexually mature male Sprague-Dawley rats: Pro-fertility evaluation and histomorphometry evidence.

Tetrapleura tetraptera (TT) has been used as a spice, dietary supplement and medicine for various ailments. This study evaluate influence of Tetrapleura tetraptera extract on testis and copulatory behavior in sexually mature male rats. Thirty-two male and sixty-four virgin female rats weighing 150-200 g were used for this study. Male rats randomly divided into four groups of eight (n = 8) rats each. Group A: Control given 2 ml distilled water, group B, C and D received 50, 300 and 700 mg/kg bwt TT for 56 days through oral gavage. The female rats were used for fertility test. Testicular histology, histomorphology, copulatory behavior, sperm parameters, testosterone (TET), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and fertility test were investigated. Tetrapleura tetraptera significantly increase sperm count, motility, normal morphology, daily sperm production, efficiency of sperm production, sperm (average path velocity, straight line velocity and curvilinear velocity), TET, LH, FHS, SOD, GPx, CAT, number of pregnant females, number of fetuses, seminiferous diameter, epithelium thickness and decrease abnormal morphology, seminiferous height, tubule lumen and MDA across the group as compared with control group. Improved testicular histological integrity, sexual behaviour and libido by increased frequencies of mount, intromission, ejaculation and ejaculatory latency. Latencies of mount, intromission and post-ejaculation were significantly reduced. Also, observed increase spermatocytes and spermatids showed no significant difference in spermatogonia cell counts. Tetrapleura tetraptera therefore, enhance steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, and improved testicular histological integrity and boost sexual competence in male rats.

Abatement of neurobehavioral and neurochemical dysfunctions in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tetrapleura tetraptera Taub. (family Fabaceae), is generally found in the lowland forest of tropical Africa. Its leaves and fruits are traditionally used in West Africa for the management of brain disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study evaluated the effect of Tetrapleura tetraptera methanol fruit extract (TT) on bilateral common carotid artery occlusion-induced cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in male Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats pretreated with TT for 7 days before a 30 min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion for 24 h were assessed for neurobehavioural deficits. Cortical, striatal and hippocampal oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory events, electrolyte imbalance and neurochemical dysfunctions, as well as hippocampal histopathological alterations, were also evaluated. HPLC-DAD analysis was performed to identify likely compounds contributing to the bioactivity of the extract. RESULTS: TT reduced I/R-induced behavioral deficits and ameliorated I/R-induced oxidative stress by restoring reduced glutathione level, increasing catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, and also reducing both lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase activity in the brain. TT attenuated I/R-increased myeloperoxidase and lactate dehydrogenase activities as well as disturbances in Na+ and K+ levels. Alterations elicited by I/R in the activities of Na+/K+ ATPase, complex I, glutamine synthetase, acetylcholinesterase, and dopamine metabolism were abated by TT pretreatment. TT prevented I/R-induced histological changes in the hippocampus. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of aridanin, a marker compound for Tetrapleura tetraptera, and other phytochemicals. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit has a protective potential against stroke through modulation of redox and electrolyte imbalances, and attenuation of neurotransmitter dysregulation and other neurochemical dysfunctions. Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit could be a promising source for the discovery of bioactives for stroke therapy.

Anti-trypanosomal and anthelminthic properties of ethanol and aqueous extracts of Tetrapleura tetraptera Taub.

Trypanosomosis and helminthosis, considered as part of neglected tropical diseases, are parasitic infections of public health importance, especially in Africa. Medicinal plants have been used in most parts of Africa, to treat these parasitic infections. The study aims to determine the anti-trypanosomal and anthelminthic properties of Tetrapleura tetraptera (fruit and stembark). The aqueous extracts of T. tetraptera fruit (TTFaq) and stembark (TTSaq), as well as ethanol extracts of T. tetraptera fruit (TTFe) and stembark (TTSe), were screened for their in vitro anti-trypanosomal and anthelminthic activities against T. b. brucei and Pheretima posthuma worms, respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening of all extracts and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of most active extracts were conducted. TTFaq exhibited anti-trypanosomal activity with IC50 of 18.18 µg/mL. TTSe and TTFe had moderate anti-trypanosomal activity with IC50 of 34.76 and 34.84 µg/mL, respectively. TTSaq had relatively low activity against the parasite with IC50 of 55.03 µg/mL. The SI of T. tetraptera extracts was between the range of 0.14-2.09. TTFaq showed dose-dependent activity causing paralysis and death of the adult worms at all concentrations. At the least concentration of 0.625 mg/mL, TTFaq induced paralysis and death after 101.88 ± 0.8 and 242.64 ± 0.38 min of exposure, respectively compared with the negative control (p < 0.0001). TTFe, TTSe and TTSaq caused paralysis of worms after 318.32 ± 0.74, 422.5 ± 0.72, 422.20 ± 0.55 min of exposure at minimum concentrations of 2.5, 10 and 5 mg/mL, respectively (p < 0.0001). However, no death was observed in worms treated with TTFe, TTSe and TTSaq at all test concentrations. In the presence of sub-minimal inhibitory concentration of the extracts, TTFaq potentiated the anthelminthic activity of albendazole whiles TTFe, TTSaq and TTSe inhibited the activity of albendazole. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, triterpenoids, reducing sugars, flavonoids (absent in TTFe), steroids (absent in TTFaq) and tannins (absent in TTSe and TTFe) in the extracts. GC-MS revealed the presence of 9-octadecenamide and betulic acid in TTFaq. Hence, there was evidence provided here that Tetrapleura tetraptera may be effective. This gives credence to their folkloric use. However, further study might be necessary to ascertain safety use in both humans and animals.

Reduction of anoxia-induced bioenergetic disturbance in astrocytes by methanol fruit extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera and in silico evaluation of the effect of its antioxidative constituents on excitotoxicity.

Oxidative stress and excitotoxicity are some of the pathophysiological abnormalities in hypoxia-induced brain injury. This study evaluated the intrinsic antioxidant property of methanol fruit extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (TT), traditionally used for managing brain diseases such as cerebral infarction in West Africa, and its ability to protect primary astrocytes from anoxia-induced cell death. The effect of the phytochemicals present in TT on excitotoxicity was assessed in silico, through docking with human glutamate synthetase (hGS). Chromatographic and spectrophotometric analyses of TT were performed. Primary astrocytes derived from neural stem cells were treated with TT and its effect on astrocyte viability was assessed. TT-treated astrocytes were then subjected to anoxic insult and, cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated. Molecular docking of hGS with detected phytochemicals in TT (aridanin, naringenin, ferulic acid, and scopoletin) was performed and the number of interactions with the lead compounds, aridanin, analyzed. HPLC-DAD analysis of TT revealed the presence of various bioactive phytochemicals. TT demonstrated notable antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. TT also protected astrocytes from anoxic insult by restoring cell viability and preventing alteration to mitochondrial membrane integrity. Aridanin, naringenin, ferulic acid, and scopoletin demonstrated good binding affinities with hGS indicating that Tetrapleura tetraptera is a potential source of new plant-based bioactives relevant in the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.

Cytotoxic phytochemicals from the crude extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruits towards multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tetrapleura tetraptera is an African medicinal spice used in traditional medicine to treat several ailments including cancer. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1) extract of the fruits of Tetrapleura tetraptera (TTF) and its constituents: (3R, 4S)-3,4-dimethyloxetan-2-one (1), luteolin (2), stigmasterol (4), 3-O-[6'-O-undecanoyl-ß-D-glucopyranosyl]stigmasterol (6), olean-12-en-3-ß-O-D-glucopyranoside (7), 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 6)-ß-D-glucopyranosylurs-12-en-28-oic acid (8), 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-27-hydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid (9), methyl-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (10), ß-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 â†’ 1)-ß-D-glucopyranoside (11) towards a panel of cancer cell lines including MDR phenotypes. The cellular mode of induction of apoptosis by TTF and compound 7 was further investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The resazurin reduction assay (RRA) was applied to determine the cytotoxicity of the studied samples. The cell cycle (PI staining), apoptosis (annexin V/PI staining), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; JC-1) and reactive oxygen species (ROS; H2DCFH-DA) were measured by flow cytometry. Column chromatography was used for the purification of TTF, whilst nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis was applied for structural elucidation. RESULTS: The botanical, TTF and the phytochemicals, 2, 7, 8 and 9 as well as doxorubicin exerted cytotoxicity against 9 cancer cell lines including drug-sensitive and drug resistant phenotypes. TTF, compound 7 and doxorubicin were the most active samples, and displayed IC50 values ranging from 10.27 µg/mL (in CCRF-CEM leukemia cells) to 23.61 µg/mL (against HCT116 p53-/- colon adenocarcinoma cells) for TTF, from 4.76 µM (against CCRF-CEM cells) to 12.92 µM (against HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells) for compound 7, and from 0.02 µM (against CCRF-CEM cells) to 122.96 µM (against CEM/ADR5000 cells) for doxorubicin. TTF induced apoptosis in CCRF-CEM cells through MMP alteration and increased ROS production while compound 7 induced apoptosis mediated by caspases activation, MMP alteration and increased ROS production. CONCLUSION: Tetrapleura tetraptera and some of its constituents, mostly compound 7 are good cytotoxic natural products that should be explored in depth to develop new drugs to fight cancers.

Optimisation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity extraction conditions of a roasted mix of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumach & Thonn.) and Aframomum citratum (C. Pereira) fruits using response surface methodology (RSM).

The therapeutic abilities of Tetrapleura tetraptera and Aframomum citratum fruits used as spices are attributed to their bioactive molecules, including polyphenols. Sometimes used together and heated, they can undergo denaturation. The aim of the current study is to optimize the extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant potential of a roasted mix of Tetrapleura tetraptera and Aframomum citratum (95/5: w/w) fruits using RSM in a home food consumption context. The mix of spices was chosen according to the highest content of TPP and preliminary studies were performed to select the influencing variables. Roasting temperatures (130-170 °C), roasting times (10-15 min) and brewing times (8-15 min) were investigated with a rotatable central composite design. Experimental results were fitted to the second-order polynomial model where multiple regressions and ANOVA were used to determine the coefficients of the model and the optimal conditions for the considered responses. The two spices are good sources of phenolic compounds, and they also show significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent radical scavenging activities (DPPH assay and inhibition of ß-carotene discoloration) and reductive activities (FRAP assay and Phosphomolybdenum method). They significantly inhibit bovine serum albumin and 5-LOX denaturation. Brewing time and roasting time significantly (p < 0.05) influence the responses and there is a strong (R2 = 0.93) correlation between the TPP and TAC of the beverage. The quadratic model fit well and the different factors used to test its accuracy and fitness were in satisfactory ranges. For TPP extraction (38.90 mgGAE/g dw) and TAC (50.75 mg TE/g dw) expression, the optimal conditions were reached at a roasting temperature of 150 °C, roasting time of 12.62 min, brewing time of 11.91 min and a desirability of 0.95. The novel information on the optimisation of the process can be further used by scientists, consumers and herbalists for effective handling of fruits during the extraction process.

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and metal chelating capacity of Tetrapleura tetraptera.

Tetrapleura tetraptera, claim to be beneficial for curing of human ailments. In this study, we determined phytochemicals, antioxidant and metal chelating capacity in the pulp, seeds and whole fruit (mixture of pulp and seeds) of T. tetraptera. Phytochemicals (flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, steroids, saponins and phenols) were examined in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the pulp, seeds and whole fruit. The recovery of all compounds was satisfactory, in the range of 90%-108%. The screening test revealed the presence of many phytochemicals in either one or both extracts. After the qualitative analysis, UV-Spectrophotometer was used to quantify phenols, flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids where higher phytochemical concentrations were recorded in the pulp followed by whole fruit and then the seeds. The metal chelating capacity was determined using EDTA standard, and was in the order of pulp>whole fruit>seeds. Also, the pulp was established to exhibit much antioxidant activity as compared to the whole fruit or seeds. This study therefore supports the use of T. tetraptera in traditional systems of medicine owing to its active chemical compounds, and has given many vital insights on which part of T. tetraptera fruit to consume as concentrations of these compounds varies in the pulp, seeds and whole fruit.

Aqueous extracts of two tropical ethnobotanicals (Tetrapleura tetraptera and Quassia undulata) improved spatial and non-spatial working memories in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats: Influence of neuronal cholinergic and antioxidant systems.

BACKGROUND: Tetrapleura tetraptera (TT) and Quassia undulata (QU) are two predominant tropical ethnobotanicals with various medicinal values but are commonly used in folklore for the treatment of mental illness without justifiable mechanisms of action. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effects of aqueous extracts from TT fruits and QU leaves on the spatial and non-spatial working memory, antioxidant status and activities of neuronal marker enzymes of scopolamine-induced amnesic rats and thus, understand the possible mechanism of action of these plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five albino rats were divided into eleven groups. Group I (normal rats) received normal saline (p.o), Group II-V (normal rats) administered with 50 and 300 mg/kg of each extract group VI (induced rats) received 2 mg/kg of scopolamine (i.p.), groups VII-X (induced rats) pretreated with 50 and 300 mg/kg of TT and QU extracts (p.o) before scopolamine administration, group XI (induced rats) treated with 2.5 mg/kg of donepezil. The treatment lasted for 14 days and amnesia was induced by a single dose of 2 mg/kg of scopolamine on the last day. Spatial (Y-maze) and non-spatial (novel objectect recoginiton test) working memories of the rats were tested. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and homogenates of isolated brain samples were assayed for cholinesterase activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The phenolic characterisation of the samples was also carried out using HPLC-DAD chromatography. RESULTS: Administration of 2 mg/kg of scopolamine brought about a decrease in spatial and non-spatial memory indeces, increase in acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities, as well as increased MDA content compared to the control. However, pretreatment with both extracts improved both spatial and non-spatial working memories and ameliorated the increased enzyme activities and MDA contents. Furthermore, the HPLC-DAD characterization of the extracts revealed the presence of p-coumaric acid, rutin, catechin, ellagic acid, quercetin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and galic acid. CONCLUSION: The ability of the extracts to improved cognitive function and ameliorate impairment in cholinergic enzyme activities and antioxidant status in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats could help justify the possible neuroprotective properties of TT and QU and also explain possible mechanism of action of these ethnobotanicals as obtained in folklore medical practices.

Schistosomiasis: Snail-vector control, molecular modelling and dynamic studies of bioactive N-acetylglycoside saponins from Tetrapleura tetraptera.

Schistosomiasis, a chronic neglected tropical disease caused by the Schistosoma spp. parasite, is associated with disabling patient symptoms. The new focus of the WHO roadmap on 'transmission control, wherever possible' offers drug development opportunities for intermediate-host control to prevent human-to-snail-to-human parasite transmission. Reports on the analysis of the impact of 'chemical-based mollusciciding' have concluded that constant application of molluscicides may contribute significantly towards the elimination of schistosomiasis in endemic areas. In South-Western Nigeria, Tetrapleura tetraptera is a tree whose fruit has been widely used in snail vector control. The presence of molluscicidal N-acetyl triterpene glycosides in the fruit has been reported. In this study, a bioactivity-directed fractionation of the fruit extract was performed to isolate the most potent molluscicidal saponin from the fruit. In an attempt to provide mechanistic insight into the observed activity, in silico screening was performed, profiling the molluscicidal N-acetyl triterpene glycosides reported from the fruit against two potential therapeutic targets in the mollusk used, NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NAD1) and retinoid X receptor. The docking predicted binary complexes of the saponins, which were subjected to explicit solvent conformational sampling from which patterns of structural stability were obtained. The binding energies alone did not account for the potency of the saponins indicating the influence of other factor like pharmacokinetic parameters. The study concluded that there is a preferential suitability of ND1's MWFE site for the rational design and development of novel molluscicidal agents.

Topically applied Tetrapleura tetraptera stem-bark extract promotes healing of excision and incision wounds in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the in vivo wound healing effect of water extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera in stem-bark. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The healing activity was studied in 40 male rats using excision and incision wounds on normal and dexamethasone-suppressed wound healing. For each model, rats were divided in four groups as follows: control, dexamethasone, T. tetraptera and dexamethasone combined with T. tetraptera. RESULTS: Data recorded exhibited a significant effect by the extract in the epithelialization time within 14 and 18 days of the normal and dexamethasone-induced healing delay rats, respectively (P < 0.05). The extract also significantly increased the wound tensile strength in dexamethasone treated rats. Histological examination of incision wounds of the extract-treated group showed many fibroblasts and the same rats presented significant cutaneous tensile strength, suggesting important collagen crosslinkage. CONCLUSION: This study illustrated an excellent potential of the bark of T. tetraptera therapy on dermal wound healing with a possible mechanism of action related to epithelialization, contraction, and tensile strength improvement.

Effect of methanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taub leaves on hyperglycemia and indices of diabetic complications in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ameliorative role of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taub (T. tetraptera) leaf in hyperglycemia with associated conditions like oxidative stress, kidney damage and disorders in lipid metabolism. METHODS: Five groups of five rats each intraperitoneally received the following treatment schedules for 7 d: untreated normal control, untreated alloxan-diabetic control, diabetic treated with glibenclamide, normal rats treated with extract (50 mg/kg) and diabetic rats treated with the extract. Evaluations were made for fasting blood sugar, body weight changes, malondialdehyde, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, lipid profile, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, urea and creatinine in all the rats. RESULTS: Whereas the untreated diabetic rats showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in packed cell volume, superoxide dismutase, catalase and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol with a concomitant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde, fasting blood sugar, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, urea and creatinine, administration of methanolic extract of T. tetraptera leaf or glibenclamide alleviated these altered parameters in the treated rats. CONCLUSIONS: Methanolic extract of T. tetraptera leaves possesses a potent capacity for treatment of diabetes and the accompanying complications, including oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia.

Effect of methanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taub leaves on hyperglycemia and indices of diabetic complications in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Objective: To investigate the ameliorative role of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taub (T. tetraptera) leaf in hyperglycemia with associated conditions like oxidative stress, kidney damage and disorders in lipid metabolism. Methods:Five groups of five rats each intraperitoneally received the following treatment schedules for 7 d: untreated normal control, untreated alloxan-diabetic control, diabetic treated with glibenclamide, normal rats treated with extract (50 mg/kg) and diabetic rats treated with the extract. Evaluations were made for fasting blood sugar, body weight changes, malondialdehyde, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, lipid profile, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, urea and creatinine in all the rats. Results:Whereas the untreated diabetic rats showed a significant decrease (P Conclusions:Methanolic extract of T. tetraptera leaves possesses a potent capacity for treatment of diabetes and the accompanying complications, including oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia.

Effect of methanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taub leaves on hyperglycemia and indices of diabetic complications in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the ameliorative role of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taub (T. tetraptera) leaf in hyperglycemia with associated conditions like oxidative stress, kidney damage and disorders in lipid metabolism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five groups of five rats each intraperitoneally received the following treatment schedules for 7 d: untreated normal control, untreated alloxan-diabetic control, diabetic treated with glibenclamide, normal rats treated with extract (50 mg/kg) and diabetic rats treated with the extract. Evaluations were made for fasting blood sugar, body weight changes, malondialdehyde, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, superoxide dismutase, catalase, lipid profile, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, urea and creatinine in all the rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Whereas the untreated diabetic rats showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in packed cell volume, superoxide dismutase, catalase and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol with a concomitant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde, fasting blood sugar, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, urea and creatinine, administration of methanolic extract of T. tetraptera leaf or glibenclamide alleviated these altered parameters in the treated rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Methanolic extract of T. tetraptera leaves possesses a potent capacity for treatment of diabetes and the accompanying complications, including oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia.</p>

Tetrapleura tetraptera: molluscicidal activity and chemical constituents.

Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumach. And Thonn) Taub, Mimosaceae, commonly known as Aridan (fruit), A single stemmed, robust, perennial tree of about 30 m. It has a grey/brown, smooth/rough bark with glabrous yound branchlets. The flower is yellow/pink and racemes white the fruit has dark brown, four winged pods 12-25 x 3.5-6.5 cm. It is generally found in the lowland forest of tropical Africa. The fruit consists of a fleshy pulp with small, brownish-black seeds. The fruit possesses a fragrant, characteristically pungent aromatic odour, which is attributed to its insect repellent property. It is used as spices and aroma (exotic tropical scents) and fish poisoning. It is one of the molluscicidal medicinal plants of Nigeria, also useful in the management of convulsions, leprosy, inflammation and/or rheumatoid pains. The documented biological and-or pharmacological activities are found to be molluscicidal, cardio-vascular, neuromuscular, hypotensive, anti-convulsant, trypanocidal, hirudinicidal, schistosomiasis control, anti-ulcerative, ectoxicity, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, anti-microbial, emulsifying property, birth control, food value and the control of intestinal parasites. Activity-guided fractionation of the methanol extract of the fruits of T. tetraptera led to the isolation of a saponin glycoside with an oleanolic acid aglycone, a monodesmosidic diglycoside of the rare sapogenin 27-hydroxyolean-12 (13)-en-28-oic acid; echinocystic acid-3-0-sodium sulfate from the stembark, umbelliferone and ferulic acid from the leaves and branches respectively. Also isolated from the fruits were aridanin and three of its olean-12-en-28-oic acid derivatives. All the compounds isolated either from the fruits or other parts were found to exhibit strong molluscicidal properties against the schistosomiasis-transmitting snails Biomphalaria glabrata.