Biologic propensities and phytochemical profile of Vangueria madagascariensis J. F. Gmelin (Rubiaceae): an underutilized native medicinal food plant from Africa

Biomed Res Int. 2014:2014:681073. doi: 10.1155/2014/681073. Epub 2014 Apr 10.

Abstract

Vangueria madagascariensis (VM), consumed for its sweet-sour fruits, is used as a biomedicine for the management of diabetes and bacterial infections in Africa. The study aims to assess the potential of VM on α -amylase, α -glucosidase, glucose movement, and antimicrobial activity. The antioxidant properties were determined by measuring the FRAP, iron chelating activity, and abilities to scavenge DPPH, HOCl, (∙) OH, and NO radicals. Leaf decoction, leaf methanol, and unripe fruit methanol extracts were observed to significantly inhibit α -amylase. Active extracts against α -glucosidase were unripe fruit methanol, unripe fruit decoction, leaf decoction, and ripe fruit methanol, which were significantly lower than acarbose. Kinetic studies revealed a mixed noncompetitive type of inhibition. Leaf methanolic extract was active against S. aureus and E. coli. Total phenolic content showed a strong significant positive correlation (r = 0.88) with FRAP. Methanolic leaf extract showed a more efficient NO scavenging potential and was significantly lower than ascorbic acid. Concerning (∙) OH-mediated DNA degradation, only the methanol extracts of leaf, unripe fruit, and ripe fruit had IC50 values which were significantly lower than α -tocopherol. Given the dearth of information on the biologic propensities of VM, this study has established valuable primary information which has opened new perspectives for further pharmacological research.

MeSH terms

  • Africa
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Biphenyl Compounds / metabolism
  • Carbohydrates
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Kinetics
  • Methanol / chemistry
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Phytochemicals / pharmacology*
  • Picrates / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plants, Edible / chemistry*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Rubiaceae / chemistry*
  • Rubiaceae / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • alpha-Amylases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • alpha-Amylases / metabolism
  • alpha-Glucosidases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Carbohydrates
  • Phytochemicals
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
  • alpha-Amylases
  • alpha-Glucosidases
  • Glucose
  • Methanol