Antagonistic effect of alkaloids and saponins on bioactivity in the quinine tree (Rauvolfia caffra sond.): further evidence to support biotechnology in traditional medicinal plants

Abstract

BackgroundThe Quinine tree (Rauvolfia caffra) is used as a medicinal plant among traditional communities in many countries to manage tumors and other diseases associated with oxidative stress. To validate indigenous knowledge and possibly position this herb for technology uptake and utilization, we established the level of antioxidant activity in R. caffra, and probed for the presence of associated phytochemicals.MethodsAntioxidant activity was determined on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) while major phytochemicals were identified by multiple tests on methanol fractions.ResultsR. caffra showed promise as a cure, with antioxidant activity comparable to the commercially used drug quercetin (R. caffra = 79.7% ±1.9; quercetin = 82.6% ± 2.0). However, we found two phytochemicals with possible antagonistic effect: co-occurrence of alkaloids and saponins significantly reduced antioxidant activity (alkaloids only = 63%; alkaloids plus saponins = 15%; steroids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides = 82%), thus alkaloids and saponins should be exclusive to each other in drug formulations.ConclusionsAntagonistic relationship among phytochemicals would affect the efficacy of crude extracts as used in traditional medicine. Unlike in herbal medicine, use of modern biotechnology in extraction, purification and design of optimal combinations will ensure efficient drug formulations with optimum bioactivity and minimum toxicity. Metabolic pathway engineering under a controlled environment may optimize availability of desired compounds.

Reactive Species Metabolism and Cytotoxicity of Tribulus terrestris L. Alkaloid Extracts in Leukemic Cell Line

“…The antioxidant activity imparted maximums by TTA in FRAP shows that they may act as a safeguard against DNA damage in normal cells by lessening the hydroxyl ion production through Fe 3+ reduction. Alkaloids from leaves and stem bark of quinine tree (Rauvolfia caffra) accessed on DPPH scavenging assay demonstrated competitively strong free radical inhibitory activity than likelihood positive control quercetin [25] .…”

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Bacteria Associated With Marine Sponge (Haliclona Amboinensis) via Reducting No Production and Inhibiting Cyclooxygenase-1, Cyclooxygenase-2, and Secretory Phospholipase A2 Activities

“…At the concentration of 5 µg/ml, higher inhibition was yielded by fraction 2, while the other samples showed low inhibition activity compared to standard Arginine with the percentage of inhibition ranging from 6.104±1.856% to 23.001±0.507%. According to Milugo et al [22], antagonistic relationship among phytochemicals would affect the efficacy of crude extracts. In our present study, antagonistic relationship between chemical constituents in extract HM 1.2 and its first fraction (fr1) could have had an effect on inhibiting COX-2 enzyme activity, thus higher inhibition of its second fraction (F1C2 and F1C4) was obtained.…”

Medicinal Potentials and Toxicity Concerns of Bioactive Principles

“…Anthocyanins are antioxidants [105][106][107][108]. According to Del-Bas et al [109], grape seed procyanidins arrest atherogenesis, induce liver CYP7A1 and small heterodimer partner (SHP) expression in healthy rats.…”