Anti-ulcer and Analgesic Activities of the Leaves of Capparis sepiaria L. and Maerua angolensis DC. (Capparidaceae)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The leaves of Capparis sepiaria and Maerua angolensis are consumed by some populations in Burkina Faso and are traditionally associated with gastrointestinal uses. This study evaluated the anti-ulcer and analgesic activities of aqueous leaf extracts of both plants in mice. Gastroprotective activity was assessed using ethanol-induced gastric ulcer models under acute and chronic conditions, while analgesic activity was evaluated using acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions. In the acute model, Capparis sepiaria extract at 500 mg/kg produced 92% protection of the gastric mucosa, compared with 96% for sucralfate. The ulcer index decreased from 10 at 300 mg/kg to 4.83 at 500 mg/kg for Capparis sepiaria. In the chronic model, the ulcer index decreased from 0.83 in the ulcer control to 0.08 with selected extract treatments, and extracts of both plants showed a better healing of ulcer lesions at all tested doses after seven days of treatment. Analgesic activity increased with dose. At 500 mg/kg, Maerua angolensis produced 75% inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions, equal to the inhibition observed with paracetamol at 100 mg/kg. These findings indicate that the leaf extracts exhibited gastroprotective, ulcer-healing, and analgesic activities under the experimental conditions used. They provide a scientific basis for further evaluation of these plants for the development of improved traditional medicines or nutraceutical applications for gastrointestinal disorders.

Tentative Phytochemical Profiling of Combretum paniculatum Vent. (Combretaceae) Leaf Extract by FTIR and LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS: Putative Identification of Eight Bioactive Metabolites and Their Pharmacological Relevance

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The phytochemical composition of Combretum paniculatum Vent. leaves remains insufficiently documented, particularly regarding functional-group characteristics and tentative metabolite assignments.

Aim: This study aimed to characterise a 70% ethanolic leaf extract using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS).

Methods: Leaves collected in the Toumodi Department, Côte d’Ivoire, were authenticated and macerated in 70% ethanol. The authenticated plant material carried herbarium number UCJ018534. Maceration was conducted for three hours before the extract was concentrated. The extract was examined using a Perkin Elmer Spectrum BX FTIR spectrometer and an Agilent 1260 HPLC system coupled to a 6530 Q-TOF mass spectrometer operating in positive ionisation mode. Assignments were based on accurate mass, proposed molecular formulae, fragmentation patterns, and comparisons with published information and databases, without authentic reference standards.

Results: FTIR bands at 3287.83, 2926.38 and 1593.11 cm⁻¹, together with bands at 1357.96, 1193.33, 1107.91 and 1041.35 cm⁻¹, indicated functional groups compatible with hydroxylated, aliphatic, aromatic and oxygenated constituents. Eight metabolites were putatively annotated: quisqualic acid, gallocatechin, kaempferol, rhamnocitrin, oleanolic acid, 1-tetracosanol, maslinic acid and O-galloyl-6-O-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy)benzoyl-β-D-glucose.

Conclusion: The findings provide a preliminary phytochemical profile of the leaves. Compound isolation, structural confirmation, quantification and biological assays are required before their pharmacological significance can be established.

International Research Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry

Anti-ulcer and Analgesic Activities of the Leaves of Capparis sepiaria L. and Maerua angolensis DC. (Capparidaceae)

Tentative Phytochemical Profiling of Combretum paniculatum Vent. (Combretaceae) Leaf Extract by FTIR and LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS: Putative Identification of Eight Bioactive Metabolites and Their Pharmacological Relevance