Pennisetum purpureum (Zèb-léfan) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Pennisetum purpureum (Zèb-léfan, Elephant grass, Merker, Herbe-à-éléphant) — family Poacées.

Scientific synonyms : Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) M, Gymnotrix nitens-Andersson, Pennisetum benthamii Steud..

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 5 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The Lapo v2 catalogue records 38 scientific references for this species (full detail in the application).

Important — scientific references on this public page: only a short excerpt of each cited source is shown (selected abstract sentences), kept in the original language of the publication (most often English), without translation. These excerpts are not the full article text and are not a complete bibliography. The full reference records and complete monographic detail are available in the Lapo v2 application (free 30-day trial).

1. 1

   Cancer: chemoprevention of small cell lung cancer

   Plant part used: Sheet.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Flora TM (2018)

     Excerpt Conclusions: Some of the tested plants namely Albizia adianthifolia, Alchornea cordifolia, Alchornea laxiflora, Pennisetum purpureum, Spathodea campanulata represent a potential source of novel anticancer drugs. Results: In the preliminary assay using CCRF-CEM cells, 12 extracts from five plants displayed IC50 values below 80 μg/mL, namely Albizia adianthifolia, Alchornea cordifolia, Alchornea laxiflora, Pennisetum purpureum, & Spathodea campanulata.

   • According to Chen Y (2020)

     Excerpt 2 (NT2) is a new hybrid of napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum S.), & Is commonly added as an ingredient in bioorganic energy soup, a plant-based drink which is thought to have health-promoting effects. The ethanol extracts did not show immunomodulatory activities in macrophages without lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng/ml) treatment, but significantly suppressed the LPS-stimulated production of inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, & tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, & such effects were associated with decreased expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein & cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) mRNA, suggesting that NT2 has anti-inflammatory activities.

   • According to Chinedu O (2010)

     Excerpt The fresh leaf samples of Pennisetum purpureum has been shown to be a potential source of dietary protein & antioxidants.

   • According to Akuru UB (2015)

     Excerpt Phytochemical composition & antidiabetic properties of aqueous stem extract of Pennisetum purpureum on alloxan –induced diabetic wistar-albino rats was assessed. There was significant (p<0.05) reduction in triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein & white blood cell levels while high density lipoprotein level, cholesterol &low density lipoprotein level have no significant difference (p>0.05).

   • According to Bajaj G (2011)

     Excerpt The leukocyte count of calves increased (P<0.01) from 9.68 to 16.92x10/mm3with significantly decrease in packed cell volume from 31.80 to 26.67 & slight increase in haemoglobin from 10.47 to 10.92 g/dl.

2. 2

   Osteoarthritis, arthritis, rheumatism, oedema

   Plant part used: Sheet.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Ali K (2015)

     Excerpt The finding in this study indicates that PG extracts have potential effects as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities against inflammation & free radicals in all tests. The anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous extract of PG (AEPG) was evaluated in rats, using carrageenan induced edema, & indomethacin (10 mg/kg) was used as reference drug.

   • According to Chen Y (2020)

     Excerpt The ethanol extracts did not show immunomodulatory activities in macrophages without lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng/ml) treatment, but significantly suppressed the LPS-stimulated production of inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, & tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, & such effects were associated with decreased expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein & cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) mRNA, suggesting that NT2 has anti-inflammatory activities. In conclusion, ethanol extracts of NT2 possessed in vitro antioxidative activities & exhibited anti-inflammatory activities by decreasing NO, IL-6, & TNF-α production in association with decreased CD14 mRNA expression in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages, indicating its potential roles on health promotion & prentive effects against chronic diseases & such effects were & it’s in vitro antioxidant activities, suggesting its potential roles on health promotion.

   • According to Oluwefemi Adekelo Ojo (2022)

     Excerpt The crude extracts were found to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-cytotoxic, anti-hypertensive, & anti-inflammatory properties. The genus Pennisetum contains remarkable natural bioactive components, & its 140 species are widely distributed in tropical & subtropical countries, where they are frequently used for therapeutic purposes such as the treatment of dysentery, fever, diabetes, & abdominal pain by indigenous people.

   • According to Chinedu O (2010)

     Excerpt The fresh leaf samples of Pennisetum purpureum has been shown to be a potential source of dietary protein & antioxidants. In this study, the anti-gastric acid effect of fresh leaf samples of achara Ibeku was determined by inducing ulcer with ethanol.

   • According to Chinedu O (2015)

     Excerpt There is dearth of information on possible anti-ulcerogenic effect of methanolic extract of edible young leaves of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum). The fresh leaf samples of Pennisetum purpureum has been shown to be a potential source of dietary protein a&antioxidants.

3. 3

   Pain, hyperalgesia

   Plant part used: Sheet.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Igbokwe E (2015)

     Excerpt Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant or Napier grass) is being used in East Africa & some other parts of the world as animal feed & also in pulp industry. The study is aimed at evaluating the analgesic activity of the ethanol extract of PP in experimentally induced acetic acid writhing in mice.

   • According to Oluwefemi Adekelo Ojo (2022)

     Excerpt The genus Pennisetum contains remarkable natural bioactive components, & its 140 species are widely distributed in tropical & subtropical countries, where they are frequently used for therapeutic purposes such as the treatment of dysentery, fever, diabetes, & abdominal pain by indigenous people. Aim of the review: The current review provides a profound perception, enhanced understanding, & comprehensive information on the traditional uses, phytochemical compounds, and biological activities of the genus Pennisetum, as well as toxicological perspectives.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use, and the <strong>full scientific references</strong> (complete records, not only the short excerpts above) are available in the complete monographic record in the Lapo v2 application.