Alkaloid extracts from Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) inhibit phosphodiesterase‐5, arginase activities and oxidative stress in rats penile tissue
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Date
2019-04-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Abstract
The erectogenic potential of alkaloids extracted from Bitter leaf (Vernonia amyg‐
dalina) and Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) was investigated in this study. Fresh
leaves obtained from Bitter leaf and Black night shade were air‐dried, pulverized, and
extracted for alkaloids. The inhibitory potential of the alkaloid extracts on arginase
and phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE‐5) activities in rats penile tissue was determined in
vitro. The antioxidant properties were also evaluated and the constituent alkaloids
quantified using GC‐MS. The alkaloid extracts inhibited arginase (0–30.51 μg/ml) and
PDE‐5 (0–133.69 μg/ml) activities in a concentration‐dependent pattern. Similarly,
the alkaloid extracts inhibited Fe2+‐induced lipid peroxidation in rats penile tissues,
scavenged DPPH, OH, and NO radicals as a function of concentration. GC‐MS char‐
acterization revealed over 20 alkaloid compounds. The inhibition of PDE‐5‐, argin‐
ase‐, pro‐oxidant‐induced lipid peroxidative‐, and free radicals‐scavenging activities
by the alkaloids is suggestive of putative mechanisms underlying their therapeutic
use for managing erectile dysfunction in folklore medicine.
Practical applications
Alkaloids extracted from Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) and Bitter leaf (Vernonia
amygdalina) were characterized and investigated by standard procedures for inhibi‐
tory action against key erectile dysfunction‐linked enzymes and antioxidant activity.
The alkaloids inhibited erectile dysfunction‐linked enzymes (arginase and PDE‐5) and
showed considerable antioxidant activity in a concentration‐dependent manner. In
view of this, we suggest the application of these results in the development of erec‐
tile dysfunction drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, with probable minimal or no
adverse effect.
Description
Staff Publication
Keywords
Alkaloids, Arginase, Erectile dysfunction, Phosphodiesterase‐5,, Solanum nigrum, Vernonia amygdalina
Citation
: Omojokun OS, Famurewa AJ, Jaiyeoba OA, Oboh G, Agbebi OJ. Alkaloid extracts from Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) inhibit phosphodiesterase‐5, arginase activities and oxidative stress in rats penile tissue. J Food Biochem. 2019;43:e12889. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.12889