Studies on the Pharmacology of Echitamine, an Alkaloid from the Stem Bark ofAlstonia booneiL. (Apocynaceae)

Abstract

The pharmacological actions of echitamine, an alkaloid obtained from the stem bark of Ahionin boonei Wild. (Apocynaceae), have been investigated in some laboratory animals. The results indicate that the alkaloid possesses a battery of pharmacological activities, the major effects of echitamine included: lowering of systemic arterial blood pressure (i.e. hypotensive activity) in normotensive anaesthetized animals, inductions of negative chronotropic and inotropic responses in isolated atrial muscle strips, relaxation of isolated vascular and extra-vascular smooth muscles, inhibition of electrically-provoked and agonist-induced contractions or relaxations of isolated smooth muscle preparations, paralysis of electrically-evoked skeletal muscle twitches, and induction of diuresis. The pharmacological implications and some plausible folkloric therapeutic significance of the above findings are discussed.

Phytochemical Composition of <i>Tridax procumbens</i> Linn Leaves: Potential as a Functional Food

“…Voacangine has been reported to have cardiovascular toning, central nervous system depressant, anti-convulsive, anti-pyretic, analgesic, local anesthetic, acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory [82], anti-angiogenic [83] and anti-mycobacterial [84] activities. Studies have shown that echitamine has diuretic, hypotensive [85], central nervous system depressant and antiepileptic [86] properties. Augustifoline is a bacteriostatic agent [87] while lupanine is an anti-arrhythmic, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, β-glucosidase inhibitory, bacteriostatic [87], oxytocic and central nervous system depressant [88] agent.…”

beta-Amyrin and alpha-amyrin acetate isolated from the stem bark ofAlstonia booneidisplay profound anti-inflammatory activity

“…Echitamine (main alkaloid) and other alkaloids, and the triterpenes b-amyrin, lupenol, and ursolic acid have all been isolated from leaves and stem bark (Adotey et al, 2012). Some of the alkaloids isolated from the plant have been shown to possess diuretic, spasmolytic, and hypotensive properties (Ojewole, 1984) while the triterpenes demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity (Kweifio-Okai, 1991). There is also a report on the formulation of the extract of the stem bark as tablet dosage form (Majekodunmi et al, 2008).…”

Nephrotoxicity and Nephroprotective Potential of African Medicinal Plants

“…The stem bark is widely used Nigeria Treatment of febrile illness, jaundice, painful micturition, rheumatic conditions, as an antivenom against snake bite and as an antidote against arrow poisoning [144,145] Aqueous stem bark extract used though known to contain saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and cardiac glycosides [146] Nephrotoxic, testicular toxicity [26,32] Callilepis laureola (Compositae) South Africa Nutritional supplement, weight-loss medication, anticancer agent, general cleansing tonic and as a remedy for arthritis [156] Nordihydroguaiaretic acid [157] Oxidant, nephrotoxic [158] Catha edulis (Celastraceae) South Africa Leaves chewed or consumed as tea to achieve a state of euphoria and stimulation [159] S-cathinone [160] Nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic [161] Aloe capensis (Liliaceae) Zimbabwe Laxative [154,162] Aloin, aloinosides [23,154] Nephrotoxic, gastrointestinal inflammation, and bleeding [136,162] for various medicinal purposes [144,145] and has been listed in the African Pharmacopoeia as an antimalarial drug [164]. The stem bark is widely used Nigeria Treatment of febrile illness, jaundice, painful micturition, rheumatic conditions, as an antivenom against snake bite and as an antidote against arrow poisoning [144,145] Aqueous stem bark extract used though known to contain saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and cardiac glycosides [146] Nephrotoxic, testicular toxicity [26,32] Callilepis laureola (Compositae) South Africa Nutritional supplement, weight-loss medication, anticancer agent, general cleansing tonic and as a remedy for arthritis [156] Nordihydroguaiaretic acid [157] Oxidant, nephrotoxic [158] Catha edulis (Celastraceae) South Africa Leaves chewed or consumed as tea to achieve a state of euphoria and stimulation [159] S-cathinone [160] Nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic …”