@article {1241, title = {Phytotherapeutic Evidence Against Coronaviruses and Prospects for COVID-19}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {September 2020}, pages = {1252-1267}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1252}, abstract = {

The emergence of the novel β-coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and subsequent outbreak of COVID-19, is a global health challenge with no known treatment to date and has culminated in significant morbidity and mortality. This article highlights current understanding on SARSCoV- 2 based on the available scientific evidence on human coronavirus (HCoV) infections, which could offer novel insights and therapeutic targets for SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Specifically, the paper presents available phytotherapeutic evidence against pathogenic HCoVs with a view to identifying potent plant-derived antiviral agents that could be developed to aid the fight against coronaviruses and the current COVID-19. Evidently, elucidation of CoV integral proteins such as the spike protein, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, 3C-like cysteine protease and papain-like protease, as good targets for drug developments has lent credence to the use of medicinal plants or their metabolites as prophylaxis or treatment interventions in CoV infections and holds promising ground for SARS-CoV-2. While some promising phytocompounds are currently under clinical trials for COVID-19, increased research into plants and in-depth characterization of their metabolites could reveal more interesting results that would benefit humanity in its fight against emerging and re-emerging viral infections including the current COVID-19. Overall, given the current body of evidence on the potential development of phytotherapeutics for COVID-19, fears need to be allayed while clinical trials continue. Conclusively, the lockdown and other preventive measures which have been implemented in most parts of the world should be humanely exercised and supported to ensure compliance and safety of lives.

}, keywords = {Antivirals, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Drug target, Natural products, Plant metabolites, Plants, SARS-CoV-2}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2020.12.174}, author = {Abdullahi Temitope Jamiu and Christiana Eleojo Aruwa and Ismail Abiodun Abdulakeem and Abdulwakeel Ayokunnun Ajao and Saheed SABIU} } @article {228, title = {Evaluation of Lens Aldose Reductase Inhibitory and Free Radical Scavenging Potential of Fractions of Lonchocarpus cyanescens: Potential for Cataract Remediation}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {December 2016}, pages = {62-69}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {62}, abstract = {

Introduction: Current research effort at discovering effective anticataract agent is focus on evaluating Aldose reductase inhibition (ARI) capacities of medicinal plants and plant extracts. The present study was aimed at investigating the in vitro ARI activity of fractions of Lonchocarpus cyanescens leaves on partially purified AR from goat lens. Methods: Phytochemical constituents of the leaves were screened for using aqueous and methanolic extract while in vitro free radical scavenging and ARI activities of the fractions were evaluated using partially purified aldose reductase. Kinetics of the enzyme in the presence of fractions of the leaves was then compared using Lineweaver-Burk plot. Results: Phenol, flavonoid, tannins and phlobatannins were detected in both extracts. All the fractions inhibited AR significantly but this was strongest with aqueous (IC50, 0.06 \± 0.02 mM-1 and chloroform fractions (IC50, 0.09 \± 0.01 mM-1). Ethyl acetate, hexane and methanol fraction showed competitive inhibition whereas the aqueous and chloroform fractions showed mixed inhibition with a different Vmax and Km when compared with DL-glyceraldehyde. All the fractions also showed antioxidant capacities but this was also strongest with aqueous fraction. Conclusion: The study confirms the ARI and antioxidant capacity of Lonchocarpus cyanescens which may be attributed to its phenolic constituents and whose extraction is solvent dependent. The plant may therefore serve as a base for the development of anticataract agent.

}, keywords = {Aldose reductase, Cataract, Free radical, Medicinal plant, Phytochemical constituents.}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.1.12}, author = {Emmanuel Oladipo AJANI and Saheed SABIU and Kuburat Temitope ODUFUWA and Taiwo Bashir Ibrahim and Bamidele Adewale Salau} }