Effects of selected medicinal plant extracts on mitochondrial function

Abstract

Abstract. Achampong AS, Ocloo A, Appiah-Opong R. 2018. Effects of selected medicinal plant extracts on mitochondrial function. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 16: 1-13. Mitochondria are organelles that produce approximately 90% of the energy required by the eukaryotic cell through oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondria also play vital roles in other metabolic processes in the cell. Mitochondria have unique features that make them sensitive to some xenobiotics. Thus, they serve as primary or secondary targets for these xenobiotics. Medicinal plants are the source of phytochemicals which also have the potential to regulate mitochondrial function. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effects of these medicinal plants, especially those in Ghana, on mitochondrial function. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of Taraxacum officinale, Morinda citrifolia, and Millettia thonningii on mitochondrial function. The antioxidant properties, phenolic content, and phytochemicals of the extracts were determined. We determined the effect of the extract on cell viability and mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. All extracts significantly stimulated basal respiration and also caused an increase in complex IV respiration. The extracts exhibit considerable antioxidant activity, and all contain phytochemicals that have been shown to have antioxidant properties. M. thonningii partially blocked the effects of rotenone, while Noni juice partially blocked the effects of antimycin A. The extract, however, had a weak cytotoxic effect on Jurkat leukemia cells and MCF7 breast cancer cells.