The erectogenic potential of alkaloids extracted from Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) was investigated in this study. Fresh leaves obtained from Bitter leaf and Black night shade were air‐dried, pulverized, and extracted for alkaloids. The inhibitory potential of the alkaloid extracts on arginase and phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE‐5) activities in rats penile tissue was determined in vitro. The antioxidant properties were also evaluated and the constituent alkaloids quantified using GC‐MS. The alkaloid extracts inhibited arginase (0–30.51 μg/ml) and PDE‐5 (0–133.69 μg/ml) activities in a concentration‐dependent pattern. Similarly, the alkaloid extracts inhibited Fe2+‐induced lipid peroxidation in rats penile tissues, scavenged DPPH, OH, and NO radicals as a function of concentration. GC‐MS characterization revealed over 20 alkaloid compounds. The inhibition of PDE‐5‐, arginase‐, pro‐oxidant‐induced lipid peroxidative‐, and free radicals‐scavenging activities by the alkaloids is suggestive of putative mechanisms underlying their therapeutic use for managing erectile dysfunction in folklore medicine.
Practical applications
Alkaloids extracted from Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) and Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) were characterized and investigated by standard procedures for inhibitory action against key erectile dysfunction‐linked enzymes and antioxidant activity. The alkaloids inhibited erectile dysfunction‐linked enzymes (arginase and PDE‐5) and showed considerable antioxidant activity in a concentration‐dependent manner. In view of this, we suggest the application of these results in the development of erectile dysfunction drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, with probable minimal or no adverse effect.
Globally, fermented foods form an intricate part of the staple diet of people. This study investigated the hypolipidaemic potential of fermented seeds of Parkia biglobosa (African locust bean/iru), a popular condiment by supplementing (20% w/w) in animal feed. Animals (n=5) in six treatment groups received; standard rat diet (control); iru-supplemented feed; standard rat feed with tyloxapol administered at the end of the experimental period (tyloxapol control); iru supplemented feed and triton at the end of the experimental period; standard feed with administration of fluvastatin sodium (40 and 80 mg/kg body weight) accordingly. Hyperlipidaemia was induced and ascertained by single intraperitoneal injection of 250 mg/kg triton WR 1339 (tyloxapol) constituted in normal saline. It was administered after six weeks experimental period to respective groups. The results revealed that addition of the fermented condiment into animals' feed mitigated increased lipid levels [total cholesterol (TC) and Low-density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C); triglyceride (TG)] triggered by injection of tyloxapol. On the other hand, iru caused a significant decrease in plasma and liver total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL-C (p< 0.05) and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL)-C levels (p< 0.05). The condiment showed a competitive hypotriglyceridaemic and greater hypocholesterolemic activity in the plasma when compared with fluvastatin at both concentrations. The condiment showed reasonable activities for the entire in vitro antioxidant assays done. Histopathologic examination revealed its hepatoprotective capability. Regular consumption of this condiment may represent a good dietary alternative for control of hyperlipidaemia and associated conditions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.