Characterization of extracts of Entada africana – a plant traditionally used for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in Benin

The use of plants for the treatment of different diseases is a well-known common practice in African countries [1]. Numerous traditionally used plants have already been investigated and proven to contain pharmacologically active compounds related to their ethnomedicinal usage. In the northern region of the Republic of Benin, people with inflammation associated with musculoskeletal disorders, traditionally use Entada africana, a deciduous tree belonging to the Fabaceae. Pharmacological studies have confirmed the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities of the stem bark extract [2]. However, only a few compounds, which have been characterized from Entada africana, contribute to the observed therapeutic effects. The aim of our study was to perform a chromatographic and phytochemical screening of Entada africana. The extraction was done using the Soxhlet method with solvents of different polarities. The extracts and fractions were analyzed for the presence of polyphenols by HPLC, LC-MS and NMR. The antioxidant activity of the different extracts was evaluated with the TLC-DPPH-test for assessing radical scavenging properties. MPLC-fractionation of the methanolic extract of the leaves led to the identification of naringenin-7-O-glucoside, a potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound [3]. Moreover, methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of leaves, barks und roots of Entada africana showed antioxidant activities in the DPPH assay. Further studies will focus on the isolation of more major compounds and pharmacological tests with extracts and isolated fractions to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities.

References:

[1] World Health Organization. Legal Status of Traditional Medicine and Complementary/Alternative Medicine: A Worldwide Review. Geneva; 2001

[2] Owona B et al. J Ethnopharmacol 2013; 149: 162 – 168

[3] Bodet C et al. J Periodontal Res 2008; 43: 400 – 407