Protective Effect of Aframomum meleguetaphenolics

Protective Effect of Aframomum meleguetaphenolics Against CCl₄-Induced Rat Hepatocytes Damage; Role of Apoptosis and Pro-inflammatory Cytokines inhibition

Abstract

Aframomum melegueta is a commonly used African spice. Through a hepatoprotective bioassay-guided isolation, the chloroform fraction ofA.melegueta seeds yielded one new diarylheptanoid named 3-(S)-acetyl-1-(4′-hydroxy-3′, 5′-di methoxyphenyl)-7-(3″,4″, 5″-trihydroxyphenyl)heptane (1), and two new hydroxyphenylalkanones, [8]-dehydrogingerdione (2) and [6]-dehydroparadol (3), in addition to six known compounds (4–9). The hepatoprotective effect of A. meleguetamethanol extract, sub-fractions and isolated compounds was investigated using carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in a rat hepatocytes model. The methanol, chloroform extracts and compounds 1, 5, 8 and 9 of A. melegueta significantly inhibited the elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), interleukin-1beta (Il-1β), caspase3 and 9 and enhanced the reduced liver glutathione (GSH) level caused by CCl₄ intoxication. These results indicate thatA.melegueta extracts, and isolated compounds play a protective role in CCl₄ induced acute liver injury which might be due to elevated antioxidative defense potentials, suppressed inflammatory responses and apoptosis of liver tissue.

http://www.nature.com/articles/srep05880

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Aframomum sceptrum

http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=tasr.2011.190.197&org=10

http://www.montosogardens.com/aframomum_chrysanthum.htm

Cytotoxicity of four Aframomum species (A. arundinaceum, A. alboviolaceum, A. kayserianum and A. polyanthum) towards multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cell lines

Cytotoxicity of four Aframomum species (A. arundinaceum, A. alboviolaceum, A. kayserianum and A. polyanthum) towards multi-factorial drug resistant cancer cell lines

Background

The search for natural products as potential cytotoxic agents has yielded promising candidates. However multidrug resistance (MDR) is still a major hurdle for patients receiving chemotherapy. In the present study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of the methanol extracts of four dietary Aframomum plant species (A. arundinaceum, A. alboviolaceum, A. kayserianum and A. polyanthum) against nine sensitive and MDR cancer cell lines. We have also identified the bioactive constituents of A. arundinaceum.

Methods

The cytotoxicity of the methanol extracts of the above plants was determined using a resazurin reduction assay. Chromatographic techniques were used to isolate the constituents of A. arundinaceum.

Results

A preliminary experiment on leukemia CCRF-CEM cells at 40 μg/mL showed that the extracts from A. kayserianum and A. alboviolaceum as well as the isolated compounds namely compounds aframodial (1), 8(17),12-labdadien-15,16-dial (2), galanolactone (3), 1-p-menthene-3,6-diol (6) and 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (7) were less active, inducing more than 50% growth of this cell line contrary to A. polyanthum and A. arundinaceum extracts, galanals A (4) and B (5), naringenin (8) and kaempferol-3,7,4’-trimethylether (9). The IC₅₀ values below or around 30 μg/mL were recorded with A. arundinaceumextract against eight of the nine tested cancer cell lines. This extract as well as compound 8 displayed IC₅₀ values below 40 μg/mL towards the nine tested cancer cell lines whilst A. polyanthum extract, compounds 4, 5 and 9 showed selective activities. Collateral sensitivity (hypersensitivity) was observed with A. arundinaceum extract towards leukemia CEM/ADR5000 cells and glioblastoma U87MG.ΔEGFR compared to their respective sensitive counterparts CEM/CEM and U87MG.

More:

http://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-14-340

FRAMOMUM MELEGUETA - ALLIGATOR PEPPER.

FRAMOMUM MELEGUETA - ALLIGATOR PEPPER.

Synonym Aframomum grana-paradisi, Alpinia grana-paradisi, Amomum melegueta.Common name Alligator pepper, atar, graines de paradis, grains of paradise, grana paradise, grani de Meleguetta, grani de paradiso, guinea grains, malagettapfeffer, malaguette, nengrekondre pepre, paradies kõrner, paradijs korrels, poivre de Guinée.
Family Zingerberaceae (Ginger family).

Overview Alligator pepper is an herbaceous tropical perennial growing up to 5' tall; originally from West Africa, brought over to Surinam by the slaves.
It grows now abundantly in Suriname.

This plant has lanceolate leaves up to 9" long. The trumpet-shaped, purple flowers develop into 5 - 7 cm long grayish - brown, wrinkled dried pods (capsules) containing the numerous very small seeds. These are almost oval in shape, hard, shiny, and have a reddish-brown color.
The important parts of this plant are the seeds and rhizomes; the small (3-4 mm =1/8") reddish - brown seeds have a pungent aroma with a pepper - like heat.
This much sought after spice is tempered with, among others, flavors reminiscing of hazelnut, butter and citrus.
The essential oil from grains of paradise consists of two sesquiterpenes, humelene and caryophyllene and the oxides of these.
It has an exotic tropical scent and flavor and is used for the production of beer, wine and spirits, and the flavoring of vinegar.
It is used in the Surinam cuisine to flavor dishes such as vegetables (okra and tomatoes recipes), soups (lentil and chicken) and fish recipes.
The rhizome of the plant is used medicinally and is also is an important part from the diet of Western lowland gorillas in Africa.
Medicinal applications Used as a purgative, galactogogue (to increase production of breast milk), anthelmintic- and hemostatic agent (purifies the blood). It is also effective against schistosomiasis (bilharzia).
Further against intestinal infections, infestations; to calm indigestion and heartburn.
The seeds of Aframomum melegueta possess potent anti-inflammatory activity with a favorable gastric tolerability profile.

Aframomum may successfully be used to treat diseases where inflammation is in play like cardiovascular conditions, arthritis, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease.
There are some reports of the use of this pant as an aphrodisiac and testosterone booster.
It may also have anti estrogenic properties.
Aframomum may have a superior ability to counteract skin irritation.
It is used in West Africa for alleviating stomachache and diarrhea as well hypertension.
Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardio glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, sterols, triterpenes, and oils, while the methanol fraction contains alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, sterols, and resins.
The pungent, peppery taste of the seeds is caused by aromatic ketones such as (6)-paradol; the essential oils occur only in traces.

Hardiness USDA zone 9 - 11.
Propagation Seeds and rhizomes.
Culture Full sun / partial shade; well drained soil.
It needs high humidity.
Plant in frost free spots.

http://www.tropilab.com/nengrekondrepepre.html