Garcinia kola

In order to find the strategies to ensure the sustainable management of natural's resources and especially woody plants in the Congo Basin, a study was carried out on the floristic diversity of woody plants and the structure of Garcinia kola formations in the Centre and East regions of Cameroon. A total of 39 quadrats of 40 m x 40 m were installed in the Garcinia kola formations in these two regions. In each plot, we identified and counted all individuals with a dbh ≥ 10 cm. Seedlings of G. kola (dbh<10 cm) were also counted in all the plots. The height and diameter of each individual were measured. ANOVA was used to compare the density averages of the different plots, and the DUNCAN test at 5% significance level (XLSTAT 2017) was used to separate these mean values. This study confirms that the Clusiaceae (G. kola) forms the floristic background of the stand studied. The surveys revealed a total of 196 species, 156 species (H '= 2.98) and 68 species (H' = 2.13), respectively, identified in the East and Centre among the population of individuals showing dbh ≥ 10 cm. They were distributed into 124 genera and 46 families. The most diversified families in G. kola formations are Euphorbiaceae, Clusiaceae. The average standing density of G. kola varies from 6.51 (East Region) to 40.72 (Centre Region) stems per hectare. The low density observed in the localities of the eastern region can be explained by the pressure exerted

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Garcinia kola seed is commonly used in African Traditional Medicine as a remedy for liver disorders, hepatitis, bronchitis, throat infections as well as an aphrodisiac and fertility enhancing substance. Owing to the abundance of complex mixture of phenolic compounds in Garcinia kola seed, there is a growing safety concern on its long-term use in folklore medicine. The present study evaluated the hepatic, testicular and spermatozoa antioxidant status in rats chronically treated with Garcinia kola seed. Materials and methods: Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 10 rats each and were orally administered with Garcinia kola at 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 6 consecutive weeks. Clinical observations, serum biochemistry, oxidative stress biomarkers, spermatozoa parameters and histopathological examination of the organs were assessed to monitor treatment-related adverse effects in rats. Results: Long-term treatment of Garcinia kola had no adverse effect on the spermatozoa characteristics but significantly elevated testosterone concentration when compared to the control group. Improvement of antioxidant systems was accompanied by a significant decrease in malondialdehyde level in the liver, testes and spermatozoa of Garcinia kola-treated rats. Histological observation revealed that chronic administration of Garcinia kola had no effect on the liver and testes at all doses when compared with control. Conclusion: Garcinia kola seed boosts the antioxidant status and exhibits no adverse effect on the liver, testes and spermatozoa after a long-term oral exposure in rats.

A rapid, sensitive and simple reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of cleomiscosin A and cleomiscosin B has been developed and validated. The isomeric coumarinolignoids cleomiscosin A (1) and cleomiscosin B (2) were separated on a Waters symmetry C18 column with a solvent system composed of acetonitrile–methanol (1:2) and acetic acid–water (0.5 : 99.5) in a gradient elution mode. The absorption at 326 nm was chosen as the measuring wavelength in which resolution and baseline separation of compounds 1 and 2 could be obtained. The identity of the two isomeric compounds 1 and 2 in the samples were determined on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with ESI interface operating in the positive mode. Calibration curves were linear (r2 > 0.993) over the concentration range 20–200 µg/mL for cleomiscosin A and 10–200 µg/mL for cleomiscosin B with acceptable accuracy and precision, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision were 1.13 and 0.82% for cleomiscosin A and 1.78 and 1.28% for cleomiscosin B, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied for the analysis of the above two compounds in different extracts of Cleome viscosa. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

(−) Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), an active ingredient extracted from the Garcinia cambogia fruit rind, has been commonly used as a dietary supplement for weight management. Given the controversy over HCA related testicular toxicity in animal studies, we investigated changes in serum sex hormones levels as an extension of our previous double-blind placebo-controlled trial in human subjects, in which 44 participants received either G. cambogia extract (1667.3 mg/day equivalent to 1000 mg HCA/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo group, administration of the extract did not significantly alter the serum testosterone, estrone, and estradiol levels. Similarly, hematology, serum triacylglycerol and serum clinical pathology parameters did not reveal any significant adverse effects. The results of this preliminary investigation indicate that ingestion of G. cambogia extract at dose levels commonly recommended for human use does not affect serum sex hormone levels and blood parameters.

Khaya senegalensis Desr & Juss and Garcinia kola Heckel are two medicinal forest trees species that provide as well lots of meaningful Non Timber Forest Products as Forest Timber Products. Those two species are undergoing many threats including climate change and forest pest attack. In order to provide forest resources managers and planted forest promoters with forest pest prevention means, forest species restoration and conservation strategies, this study was aimed at assessing the vulnerability of Khaya senegalensis to climate change and to the invasion of Hypsipyla robusta Moore in Benin over time and space; and analyzing how far climate changes can help to restore and conserve Garcinia kola, an extinct species in the wild in Benin. To this end, MaxEnt approach for Ecological Niche Modelling was used to compute suitable areas for target species under current, and future climates (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 of AfriClim Ensemble mean,). Biodiversity presence data were gathered on the database of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Gap analysis and Spatio-temporal Analysis were performed using Geographic Information System Tools. In the case of K. senegalensis,
projections at horizon 2055 from AfriClim Ensemble mean showed that it can occur in the future with some areas left out and some gained. The loss was assessed at 15-16% of Benin superficies while the gain was 2-3% of the country’s total area. As for Hypsipyla robusta, climate change will provide only habitat loss of about 66% of the country’s total area. So, some plantation sites being currently exposed to biological attack from the pest could no more exist in the future, giving hope for Khaya senegalensis’ high quality wood production. Meanwhile, there will be an ecological imbalance due to the drastic potential habitat loss for the insect. It is worth that future investigations focus on the economics of attacks in plantations. As for Garcinia kola, results revealed that climate change proved to have only positive consequences on its distribution. Considering the High Confidence Projection Areas (HCPA), the percentage of municipalities predicted suitable for the species is far above the percentage of Protected Areas Network (PAN) predicted as such (7.44% versus 0.93%). RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 of AfriClim Ensemble mean indicated respectively 3.00% and 6.27% of PAN as positive climate
change impact zones, predicted respectively 13.60% and 17.60% of the total municipalities’ areas as such. Therefore, it is worth relying not only on PAN but also and mainly on urban forestry and reforestation to restore and conserve the species. Further studies focusing on the
introduction of Garcinia kola in urban areas, and its use for reforestation are compulsory.
Key Words: Khaya senegalensis, Hypsipyla robusta, Garcinia kola, Ecological niche, Modelling, Forest pest outbreak, Climate change.

Background and Aim: Garcinia kola seed (GKS) is used to prevent and cure a number of gastric-related ailments. GKS contain a copious amount of polyphenols and can be utilized as a natural growth promoter in the nutrition of weaned rabbits. This study aimed to determine the dietary effects of GKS meal (GKSM) on the growth performance, hematology and serum biochemical parameters of weaned rabbits. Materials and Methods: GKS were dried and ground into powder. Thirty-two 8-week-old crossbred rabbits with an average weight of 614 g were randomly divided into four dietary groups. The diets were designated as follows: Control (corn-soybean based diet with 0% GKSM) and the GKSM-supplemented diets with 1.5% GKSM, 3% GKSM, and 4.5% GKSM. On the 56th day of the feeding trial, blood was collected from the marginal ear vein of all rabbits and transferred into two separate labeled tubes. The first set of blood was used to determine the hematological indices. The second set of blood was transferre...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ingestion of crude ethanol extract of Garcinia kola seed on erythrocytes. Fifty male Wistar rats with average weight of 200g were divided into 5 treatment groups of 10 rats per group. Group A served as a control, and animals were fed only with standard animal feed, while groups B, C, D and E, which were the treatment group, were in addition, forced-fed, 2g/kg/rat/day, with ethanol extract of Garcinia kola seed for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, respectively, by means of an endogastric tube and syringe. At the end of experimental period, animals in each group were decapitated, and erythrocyte count, park cell volume (PCV), and haemoglobin concentration were determined. The result on analysis showed that, erythrocyte count, PCV, and haemoglobin concentration between group B (week 1) and group A significantly decreased (P< 0.05), but in groups C, D, and E, steady insignificant rises (P> 0.05), compared with group A, were observed. Decreases below normal physiological ranges in experimental animals were not observed. This shows that, Garcinia kola seed, which contains flavonoids as its active constituents, has no long-term significant toxicological implication with respect to the concentration administered to erythrocytes of mammals.

Key words: Garcinia kola, erythrocytes, Wistar rats; flavonoids.

Context: Garcinia kola seeds are widely used in Congolese traditional medicine to treat uncomplicated malaria. While the ethanolic extract of these seeds (GK) is reputed for oral antimalarial activity, some of its constituents have shown poor water solubility, which might compromise further phytopharmaceutical developments. Aims: To develop a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for oral delivery of GK, since SNEDDS are promising vehicles for enhancing drug product solubility. Methods: GK was loaded into liquid SNEDDS (solution and suspension) and solid SNEDDS (S-SNEDDS), and the resultant formulations were characterized using dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. The antimalarial activity of SNEDDS (200 mg/kg × 4 days, oral) was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice using a conventional four-day suppressive test. Results: The characterization of SNEDDS formulations revealed the presence of nanosized structures of spherical morphology and negative surface charge. Data from in vivo study showed reduced parasite growth by 77.9, 73.8 and 74.2% for GK-SNEDDS solution, GK-SNEDDS suspension and GK-S-SNEDDS, respectively. The activity of GK-SNEDDS was found to be greater than that of a licensed GK-based syrup (N'sansiphos®) used at the same dose (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the potential of SNEDDS formulations as a promising alternative for enhancing the antimalarial efficacy of GK following oral administration. The SNEDDS technology holds the promise of improving the oral delivery of herbal-based products for malaria therapy.

The use of antibiotics as growth promoters in food animals has been banned due to the residual effects on final consumers which could lead to human health issues. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of two herbal feed additives with or without grits on hematological and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. One hundred and forty-four, one-day-old, Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned into six treatments (24 birds per treatment) with three replicates (eight bird per replicate). Six dietary treatments were formulated with the inclusion of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal (MOLM), Garcinia kola Seed Meal (GKSM) and grits. The experimental rations contained diet without MOLM, GKSM and grits which served as treatment 1 (control), diet with MOLM at 1000ppm (treatment 2), diet with GKSM at 1000ppm (treatment 3), diet with grits at 1000ppm (treatment 4), diet with MOLM at 1000ppm + grits at 1000ppm (treatment 5) and diet with GKSM at 1000ppm + grits at 1000ppm (treatment 6). Blood samples were collected on 28 and 56 days of age for hematological and biochemical analysis. Data were subjected to analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. At the starter phase, red blood cells (1.15 ×1012 L) and white blood cells were significantly lowest in birds of first treatment. The birds that received treatment 6, had the highest glucose (131.50 g/dl) and high-density lipoprotein level (58.50 mg/dl). At the finisher phase, the lowest white blood cell count (10.95 ×109/L) and lymphocytes (60%) were recorded in treatment 6. Birds in treatment 3 indicated the lowest urea (2.05 mg/dl) and triglyceride (94.50 mg/dl). It can be concluded that diet supplemented with GKSM at 1000 ppm, increased high-density lipoprotein, and reduced triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein levels in serum of broiler chickens.

A rapid, sensitive and simple reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometric method has been developed for the identification and quantification of two isomeric polyisoprenylated benzophenones, isoxanthochymol and camboginol, in the extracts of the stem bark, seeds and seed pericarps of Garcinia indica and in the fruit rinds of Garcinia cambogia. The separation of isoxanthochymol and camboginol was achieved on a Perkin Elmer RP8 column (10 × 2.1 mm with 5.0 µm particle size) using a solvent system consisting of a mixture of acetonitrile–water (80:20, v/v) and methanol–acetic acid (99.0:1.0, v/v) as a mobile phase in a gradient elution mode. The limits of detection and quantification were 5 and 10 µg/mL for isoxanthochymol and 50 and 100 µg/mL for camboginol, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precisions were 2.34 and 3.41% for isoxanthochymol and 3.35 and 3.66% for camboginol. The identity of the two isomeric compounds in the samples was determined on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with ESI interface operating in the negative ion mode. The method was used to identify and quantify isoxanthochymol and camboginol in the different extracts of two Garcinia species, Garcinia indica and Garcinia cambogia. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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In order to find the strategies to ensure the sustainable management of natural’s resources and especially woody plants in the Congo Basin, a study was carried out on the floristic diversity of woody plants and the structure of Garcinia kola formations in the Centre and East regions of Cameroon. A total of 39 quadrats of 40 m x 40 m were installed in the Garcinia kola formations in these two regions. In each plot, we identified and counted all individuals with a dbh ≥ 10 cm. Seedlings of G. kola (dbh&lt;10 cm) were also counted in all the plots. The height and diameter of each individual were measured. ANOVA was used to compare the density averages of the different plots, and the DUNCAN test at 5% significance level (XLSTAT 2017) was used to separate these mean values. This study confirms that the Clusiaceae (G. kola) forms the floristic background of the stand studied. The surveys revealed a total of 196 species, 156 species (H &#39;= 2.98) and 68 species (H&#39; = 2.13), respectiv...

Natural products derived from plants provide a rich source for development of new anticancer drugs. Dulxanthone A was found to be an active cytotoxic component in Garcinia cowa by bioactivity-directed isolation. Studies to elucidate the cytotoxic mechanisms of dulxanthone A showed that dulxanthone A consistently induced S phase arrest and apoptosis in the most sensitive cell line HepG2. Furthermore, p53 was dramatically up-regulated, leading to altered expression of downstream proteins upon dulxanthone A treatment. Cell cycle related proteins, such as cyclin A, cyclin B, cyclin E, cdc-2, p21 and p27 were down-regulated. Some apoptosis correlated proteins were also altered following the drug treatment. Bcl-2 family members PUMA was up-regulated while Bcl-2 and Bax were down-regulated. However, the expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was increased. This resulted in the release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria to the cytosol. Concurrently, Apaf-1 was stimulated with p53 by dulxanthone A. In result, cytochrome C, Apaf-1 and procaspase-9 form an apoptosome, which in turn triggered the activation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and downstream caspase substrates. Lamin A/C and PARP were down-regulated or cleaved, respectively. Moreover, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells induced by dulxanthone A were markedly inhibited by siRNA knockdown of p53. In summary, dulxanthone A is an active cytotoxic component of G. cowa. It induces cell cycle arrest at lower concentrations and triggers apoptosis at higher concentrations via up-regulation of p53 through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway in HepG2 cells. Dulxanthone A is therefore likely a promising preventive and/or therapeutic agent against Hepatoma. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

In Brazilian folk medicine, the leaves of Garcinia brasiliensis are used to treat tumors, inflammation of the urinary tract and arthritis as well as to relieve pain. Nevertheless, scientific information regarding Garcinia brasiliensis is limited; there are no reports related to its possible anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. This study employed in vivo inflammatory and nociceptive models to evaluate the scientific basis for the traditional use of Garcinia brasiliensis.Carrageenan-induced paw edema, peritonitis and fibrovascular tissue growth induced by s.c. cotton pellet implantation were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Garcinia brasiliensis ethanolic extract (GbEE) in rats. Formalin and acetic acid-induced writhing tests were used to investigate the antinociceptive activity in mice.GbEE at test doses of 30–300 mg/kg p.o. clearly demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by reduced paw edema induced by carrageenan, inhibited leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity, and in the model of chronic inflammation using the cotton pellet-induced fibrovascular tissue growth in rats, the GbEE significantly inhibited the formation of granulomatous tissue.The extracts at test doses of 30–300 mg/kg, p.o., clearly demonstrated antinociceptive activity, except for the first phase of the formalin test.GbEE markedly demonstrated anti-inflammatory action in rats and antinociceptive activity in mice, which supports previous claims of the traditional use of species of the Garcinia genus for inflammation and pain.

A new compound, named banganxanthone C (=12-(1,1-dimethylprop-2-en-1-yl)-5,10-dihydroxy-9-methoxy-2-methyl-2-(4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl)-2H,6H-pyrano[3,2-b]xanthen-6-one; 4), together with five known compounds, were isolated from the leaves of Garcinia polyantha. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. Among the known compounds, two were xanthones, one was a pentacyclic triterpene, one sterol, and one benzophenone derivative. Isoxanthochymol (2) and 4-[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl]-1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-9H-xanthen-9-one (3) exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against the leukemia cell line TPH-1 with IC50 inhibition values of 1.5 and 2.8 μg/ml, respectively. The cytotoxic activity was found to be related to apoptosis induction.

The present study was undertaken to assess the neuroprotective effects of aqueous extract of Garcinia kola on neurotoxin administered malnourished mice. The study was carried out using thirty-two adult Malnourished mice which were randomly assigned into four groups (n=8): A, B, C, and D. Group A served as control, while the other groups served as the experimental groups. Animals in group A were fed malnourished diet ad libitum and water given liberally. Animals in group B were administered with 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) (neurotoxin) only (20 mg/kg body weight), group C were given only Garcinia kola extracts, and group D were pre-treated with Garcinia kola extracts for seven days (200mg/kg) prior to administration of neurotoxin (20 mg/kg body weight). After three days of neurotoxins administration in the relevant groups, the brains were excised and fixed in formal calcium for histological processing. The study showed that hippocampal and cerebellar neurons of animals in group B ex...

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of international health priority. The combination of anti-TB drugs (4-Tabs)- isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), pyrazinamide (PZA) and ethambutol (ETB) are effective in the management of the disease, however, their toxic effect is a major concern. PURPOSE The study was designed to evaluate the toxicity of anti-TB drugs in male Wistar rats and possible ameliorative effects of kolaviron (KV), a biflavonoid from Garcinia kola seeds. METHODS Twenty-eight rats were assigned into four groups; Group 1 (Control) received corn oil, Group 2 (4-Tabs) received therapeutic doses of INH (5 mg/kg), RIF (10 mg/kg), PZA (15 mg/kg) and ETB (15 mg/kg) in combination, Group 3 (4-Tabs + KV) received INH, RIF, PZA, ETB and KV (200 mg/kg) and Group 4 (KV) received KV (200 mg/kg) by oral gavage three times per week for 8 consecutive weeks. RESULTS Administration of 4-Tabs caused oxidative stress resulting in significant (p = 0.031, 0.027) increase in ma...

In order to find the strategies to ensure the sustainable management of natural’s resources and especially woody plants in the Congo Basin, a study was carried out on the floristic diversity of woody plants and the structure of Garcinia kola formations in the Centre and East regions of Cameroon. A total of 39 quadrats of 40 m x 40 m were installed in the Garcinia kola formations in these two regions. In each plot, we identified and counted all individuals with a dbh ≥ 10 cm. Seedlings of G. kola (dbh&lt;10 cm) were also counted in all the plots. The height and diameter of each individual were measured. ANOVA was used to compare the density averages of the different plots, and the DUNCAN test at 5% significance level (XLSTAT 2017) was used to separate these mean values. This study confirms that the Clusiaceae (G. kola) forms the floristic background of the stand studied. The surveys revealed a total of 196 species, 156 species (H &#39;= 2.98) and 68 species (H&#39; = 2.13), respectiv...

In humans, many diseases are associated with the accumulation of free radicals. Antioxidants can scavenge free radicals and minimize their impact. Therefore, the search for naturally occurring antioxidants of plant origin is imperative. Here, we aimed to investigate the antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties of methanolic extracts from Tabebuia pallida (T. pallida) stem bark (TPSB), root bark (TPRB), leaves (TPL), and flowers (TPF). The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity were determined by several standard methods using spectrophotomer. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride colorimetric assay methods, respectively. Among the extracts, TPL showed the highest total antioxidant capacity followed by TPRB, TPF, and TPSB. Based on DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, TPL showed strong scavenging activity (91.05 ± 1.10 and 62.00 ± 0.57) with IC50 of 9.20 ± 0.28 and 46.00 ± 2.84 μg/mL, res...