Annual Research & Review in Biology

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Cissampelos pareira Linn.: A Multi Targeted Therapeutic Approach

Shailja Kumari — 2026-02-25

Cissampelos pareira (Patha) in Ayurveda and other traditional medical systems, the climbing shrub Patha (Menispermaceae) is widely used to treat fever, diarrhea, inflammation, pain, gastrointestinal problems, gynecological illnesses, metabolic abnormalities, infections, and toxic situations. Patha is described under several therapeutic groups in classical Ayurvedic books emphasizing its tridosha-shamaka, jwaraghna, atisaraghna, and vishaghna qualities. The plant is rich in structurally diverse phytoconstituents, predominantly isoquinoline and bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, along with flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, pectin, sterols etc. Pharmacological studies conducted using in vitro, in vivo, and clinical models demonstrate a broad spectrum of biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anticancer and antiviral activity against all four dengue virus serotypes. The present review critically compiles and updates the available information on botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and safety aspects of Cissampelos pareira. Relevant literature was systematically collected from major scientific databases covering studies published up to 2025. Although substantial preclinical evidence supports its therapeutic potential, limited clinical trials are available, highlighting the need for further clinical validation.

Changes in B Vitamins in Maize Grains Stored Using a Triple Bagging System in the Presence of Two Aromatic Plants Lippia multiflora Moldenke (Verbenaceae) and Hyptis suaveolens Poit (Lamiaceae)

DIE Gnande Romaric — 2026-02-11

Maize is a vital source of nutrition for rural populations in Côte d’Ivoire. Maize grains are a rich source of many vitamins, particularly B-group vitamins, which play an essential role in overall health and nutrition. Unfortunately, this crop faces the persistent challenge of sustainable storage in rural areas, resulting in significant quantitative and qualitative losses of essential nutrients (vitamins) within a few months of storage. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a triple-bagging system, with or without aromatic plant leaves (Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens), on the B-vitamin content of maize grains during storage. Nine experimental batches (with different proportions/combinations of aromatic plant leaves added) and one control batch were prepared and stored for 9.5 months based on an experimental design. Statistical analyses revealed significant (P < 0.05) variations in the levels of these vitamins during the 9.5-month storage period, depending on the type of packaging. In the control batch (TeSP), average losses of water-soluble vitamins ranged from 32% to 77%. In the TB₀ batch, however, this decrease was less pronounced, with maximum losses of just 33%. The lowest loss rates were recorded in all batches that received different proportions/combinations of leaves, compared to both the control batch and the TB₀ batch. The mean values ranged from 10.47% to a maximum of 25%. Combining triple-bagging technology with aromatic plant leaves appears to be a promising alternative to synthetic pesticides, ensuring the sustainable preservation of the nutritional quality and vitamin content of maize grains in rural areas.

In vivo Evaluation of the Anti-anemic Potentials of Talinum triangulare on Packed Cell Volume and Histopathology in Phenyl Hydrazine-induced Female Wistar Rats

O. G. Dawodu — 2026-03-04

Anemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cells count is less than normal. This study looked at the effect of Talinum triangulare extract (TTE) on phenylhydrazine (PHZ) induced anemic Wistar rats. 30 Female Wistar rats grouped into 5 rats per group were used; group 1 was given 100mg TTE, group 2, 200mg TTE, group 3, 300mg TTE, group 4, 400mg TTE, group 5, administered Bunto blood tonic and group 6, normal saline (control). PHZ was administered to rats intraperitoneally (IP) at a dose of 40 mg/kg of body for two consecutive days. Treatment began after it was certified that the rats were anemic, with packed cell volume (PCV%) of anemic rats taken 24 hours post induction with PHZ. After induction, rats on 400 mg TTE showed the greatest increase in the mean values for PCV count of 41.8%, 41.8% and 45.8% respectively, when compared to the anemic control group with p<0.05. There was increase in PCV% of groups 2 and 3 rats and no increase was shown for groups 1 and 4 on 21^st day and 28^th day of administration of TTE. The mean values of PCV were not significantly different between the groups treated with 400mg TTE, 300mg TTE, 200mg TTE, or 100mgTTE. Histo-pathological changes in the liver and kidney of rats treated with TTE following PHZ induction, revealed kidneys of rats in groups 1-3 showed normal reticulocyte architecture, while those in groups 4 and 5 showed mild degenerative vacuolation. The liver, showed mild necrotic changes in the hepatocytes. This study showed that the mean packed cell volume (PCV) significantly increased after TTE administration, indicating the anti-anemic potentials of TTE noting varied efficacy levels post-treatment. The study showed Talinum triangulare as a futuristic medicinal plant in the management of anaemia.

Inventories of the Main Insect Pests of Stored Corn and Repellent and Insecticidal Effects of Sapwood and Heartwood Extracts from Wood Côte d'Ivoire against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Appolinaire Bley Bley-Atse — 2026-03-07

Background: Cereals play a central and important role globally in food security, nutrition and energy. Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky is without doubt the most devastating insect pest of agricultural stocks and is resistant to synthetic chemical pesticides. The search for botanical products with low toxicity for the environment and for living beings has intensified considerably. Forestry operations produce large quantities of waste that remain under-exploited, posing a real environmental problem. Studies have shown that tropical tree species synthesis biomolecules in their heartwood that are responsible for their natural resistance and could be highly effective against insect pests.

Objectives: The aim of this study was firstly to carry out an inventory of insect pests on stored maize and secondly to assess the repellent and insecticidal activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of Nauclea diderrichii, Mansonia altissima and Milicia excelsa against Sitophilus zeamais.

Method: Stored maize samples were collected, insect pests were identified, and their relative abundance was calculated. Hydroalcoholic extracts of sapwood and heartwood were then tested, in comparison with a synthetic chemical insecticide, Protect DP (1.5% pyrimiphos-methyl and 0.1% deltamethrin), on S. zeamais to evaluate their insecticidal activity (mortality, LD₅₀, TL₅₀) and repellency at different concentrations, using a randomised experimental design with three replicates.

Results. The inventory showed that S. zeamais with a Relative Abundance (Ra) of 51.06% (Ra ≥ 10%) and T. castanenum with an Ra of 43.61% were abundant species. Hydroalcoholic extracts of sapwood from N. diderrichii, M. altissima and M. excelsa resulted in mortality rates of 80-96.67%, 76.67-88.33% and 66.67-81.67% respectively. The mortality of heartwood extracts from these same woods varied respectively from 58.33 to 95%, from 66.67 to 95% and from 36.67 to 78.33%. The LD₅₀ of sapwood extracts was between 0.0093 and 0.0289 and the TL₅₀ranged from 3.5 to 6.2 days. The LD₅₀ of heartwood extracts was between 0.050 and 0.1435 g/mL and the TL₅₀ varied from 1.8 to 0.5 days. The repellency rate ranged from 26.67 to 96.67% after 1 hour and from 50 to 93.37% after 2 hours' exposure to the extracts tested.

Conclusions. The toxicity of the extracts is due to the presence of the main secondary compounds present in hydroalcoholic wood extracts. These results demonstrate the potential of wood extracts for controlling insect pests of stored foodstuffs.