Pharmacological investigations of Kedrostis africana (L.) Cogn. and Vernonia mespilifolia Less. used in folk medicine in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Unuofin, Jeremiah Oshiomame
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9231 , vital:34307
- Description: The prevalence of obesity and its co-morbidity is increasing in South Africa. High calorie diet, sedentary lifestyle and the cultural belief that being fat or obese signifies beauty, wellness and wealth are major causative factors. This study was undertaken to scientifically validate two major medicinal plants used traditionally in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality for the mespilifolia Less. were used singly and in combination. According to ethnobotanical studies,these two plants are regarded as wild plants and are only used for medicinal purposes. There has been a dearth of scientific reports on the two plants and to the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the nutritional, antioxidant, antimicrobial, safety and anti-obesity potentials of the two plants and their combination. This study revealed that both plants are rich in nutrients. K. africana had greater ash (16.28 percent), crude fat (1.12 percent), Ca (2505 mg/100g), Mg (485 mg/100g) and Fe (89.95 mg/100g) while V. mespilifolia showed higher crude fibre (29.24 percent), crude protein (10.75 percent), P (400 mg/100g), Na (570 mg/100g), Cu (1.55 mg/100g) and Mn (4.70 mg/100g). K. africana and V. mespilifolia both contributed 223.37 Kcal/kg and 237.37 Kcal/kg of energy respectively. The polyphenolic evaluation of the acetone, aqueous and ethanol extracts of the plants revealed that the acetone extract of the combination of both plants had higher total phenol (144.59 mgGAE/g) and flavonoid (803.93 mgQE/g) contents, the ethanol extract of the combined plant also had the highest tannin contents (1.25 mgTAE/g), while the acetone extracts of K. Africana had the highest proanthocyanidin content (585 mgCE/g). The antioxidant assays revealed that the ethanol extract for V. mespilifolia had higher scavenging potentials of ABTS, DPPH and vinitric oxide radicals while the aqueous extract of the combination of both had higher scavenging potential for hydrogen peroxide radicals. Evaluation of antimicrobial potential of the extracts using the minimial inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay against 6 bacteria (Actinomyces odontolyticus, Lactobacillus sakei, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacteriodes thetaiotomicron) and 4 fungi (Candida albicans, Microsporium gypsum, Penicillium chrysogenum and Trichophyton tonsurans) revealed that the plants possess antimicrobial activity. The MIC of the extracts against the tested bacterial strains ranged from 2.5 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL acetone and ethanol extracts of V. mespilifolia and the combined plants as well as the ethanol extracts of K. africana. However, no activity was observed for the acetone extract of K. africana and aqueous extracts of V. mespilifolia and the combination of both plants. Only three fungal strains (Candida albicans, Microsporium gypsum and Penicillium chrysogenum) were susceptible to the organic extracts with an MIC 0.3125 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL while the aqueous extracts showed no activity against all the fungal strains. None of the plant extracts showed any activity against Trichophyton tonsurans. The brine shrimp toxicity test revealed that all the three extracts of V. mespilifolia, aqueous and ethanol extracts of K. africana and aqueous and acetone extracts of the combination of both plants were toxic in relative to Meyer’s index and other indices of toxicity. The cytotoxic effect of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of V. mespilifolia, K. africana and their combination were also evaluated using HeLa cells. From this study, all the extracts tested had IC50 values were greater than 20 μg/mL which connotes that they are not toxic. According to the American National Cancer Institute, crude plant extracts are considered cytotoxic in an in vitro assay when concentrations 20 μg/mL and below produce 50% inhibition of tumor cells, after an exposure time of 48 hours. In vivo acute evaluation of single oral administration of 2000 and 5000/kg body weight did not produce mortality or significant behavioral changes during 14 days observation. In addition, the sub-acute administration of the aqueous extract at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg/bwt/ day over a period of 28 days revealed no mortality or morbidity. The weekly body and organ weight of the rats were not significantly different from those of the controls and extract treated rats. The aqueous extracts at all doses did not show any significant (p > 0.05) effect on biomarkers of liver and renal damage. Haematological evaluation revealed that oral administration of aqueous extracts of K. africana, V. mespilifolia and the combination of both plants did not induce anaemia or leucocytosis in the animals. Furthermore, histopathological evaluation of the internal organs revealed no detectable inflammation at the the doses administered over a period of 28 days. These results demonstrated that the aqueous extracts of K. africana, V. mespilifolia and the combination of both plants was potentially safe for consumption orally even in chronic administration. Enzyme based in-vitro antiobesity evaluation of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of K. africana, V. mespilifolia and their combination revealed that the ethanol extracts of both plants and their combination exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against α-amylase, α- glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. However, the standards used for the various inhibition assays exhibited much higher inhibitory actions when compared to any of the extracts. This suggests that the mechanism by which these two plants and their combination exert anti-obesity effects are probably not by inhibition of key enzymes of carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Unuofin, Jeremiah Oshiomame
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9231 , vital:34307
- Description: The prevalence of obesity and its co-morbidity is increasing in South Africa. High calorie diet, sedentary lifestyle and the cultural belief that being fat or obese signifies beauty, wellness and wealth are major causative factors. This study was undertaken to scientifically validate two major medicinal plants used traditionally in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality for the mespilifolia Less. were used singly and in combination. According to ethnobotanical studies,these two plants are regarded as wild plants and are only used for medicinal purposes. There has been a dearth of scientific reports on the two plants and to the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the nutritional, antioxidant, antimicrobial, safety and anti-obesity potentials of the two plants and their combination. This study revealed that both plants are rich in nutrients. K. africana had greater ash (16.28 percent), crude fat (1.12 percent), Ca (2505 mg/100g), Mg (485 mg/100g) and Fe (89.95 mg/100g) while V. mespilifolia showed higher crude fibre (29.24 percent), crude protein (10.75 percent), P (400 mg/100g), Na (570 mg/100g), Cu (1.55 mg/100g) and Mn (4.70 mg/100g). K. africana and V. mespilifolia both contributed 223.37 Kcal/kg and 237.37 Kcal/kg of energy respectively. The polyphenolic evaluation of the acetone, aqueous and ethanol extracts of the plants revealed that the acetone extract of the combination of both plants had higher total phenol (144.59 mgGAE/g) and flavonoid (803.93 mgQE/g) contents, the ethanol extract of the combined plant also had the highest tannin contents (1.25 mgTAE/g), while the acetone extracts of K. Africana had the highest proanthocyanidin content (585 mgCE/g). The antioxidant assays revealed that the ethanol extract for V. mespilifolia had higher scavenging potentials of ABTS, DPPH and vinitric oxide radicals while the aqueous extract of the combination of both had higher scavenging potential for hydrogen peroxide radicals. Evaluation of antimicrobial potential of the extracts using the minimial inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay against 6 bacteria (Actinomyces odontolyticus, Lactobacillus sakei, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacteriodes thetaiotomicron) and 4 fungi (Candida albicans, Microsporium gypsum, Penicillium chrysogenum and Trichophyton tonsurans) revealed that the plants possess antimicrobial activity. The MIC of the extracts against the tested bacterial strains ranged from 2.5 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL acetone and ethanol extracts of V. mespilifolia and the combined plants as well as the ethanol extracts of K. africana. However, no activity was observed for the acetone extract of K. africana and aqueous extracts of V. mespilifolia and the combination of both plants. Only three fungal strains (Candida albicans, Microsporium gypsum and Penicillium chrysogenum) were susceptible to the organic extracts with an MIC 0.3125 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL while the aqueous extracts showed no activity against all the fungal strains. None of the plant extracts showed any activity against Trichophyton tonsurans. The brine shrimp toxicity test revealed that all the three extracts of V. mespilifolia, aqueous and ethanol extracts of K. africana and aqueous and acetone extracts of the combination of both plants were toxic in relative to Meyer’s index and other indices of toxicity. The cytotoxic effect of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of V. mespilifolia, K. africana and their combination were also evaluated using HeLa cells. From this study, all the extracts tested had IC50 values were greater than 20 μg/mL which connotes that they are not toxic. According to the American National Cancer Institute, crude plant extracts are considered cytotoxic in an in vitro assay when concentrations 20 μg/mL and below produce 50% inhibition of tumor cells, after an exposure time of 48 hours. In vivo acute evaluation of single oral administration of 2000 and 5000/kg body weight did not produce mortality or significant behavioral changes during 14 days observation. In addition, the sub-acute administration of the aqueous extract at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg/bwt/ day over a period of 28 days revealed no mortality or morbidity. The weekly body and organ weight of the rats were not significantly different from those of the controls and extract treated rats. The aqueous extracts at all doses did not show any significant (p > 0.05) effect on biomarkers of liver and renal damage. Haematological evaluation revealed that oral administration of aqueous extracts of K. africana, V. mespilifolia and the combination of both plants did not induce anaemia or leucocytosis in the animals. Furthermore, histopathological evaluation of the internal organs revealed no detectable inflammation at the the doses administered over a period of 28 days. These results demonstrated that the aqueous extracts of K. africana, V. mespilifolia and the combination of both plants was potentially safe for consumption orally even in chronic administration. Enzyme based in-vitro antiobesity evaluation of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of K. africana, V. mespilifolia and their combination revealed that the ethanol extracts of both plants and their combination exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against α-amylase, α- glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. However, the standards used for the various inhibition assays exhibited much higher inhibitory actions when compared to any of the extracts. This suggests that the mechanism by which these two plants and their combination exert anti-obesity effects are probably not by inhibition of key enzymes of carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
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Development of conservation methods for gunnera perpensa l.: an overexploited medicinal plant in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Chigor, Chinyere Blessing
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Gunnera -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical anthropology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11311 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019832 , Gunnera -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical anthropology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa, many plants which are used in traditional medicines are collected from wild populations. The high demand for trade and use of these medicinal plants place an enormous pressure on their natural populations, especially because they are indiscriminately harvested. The most affected of these plant species are those harvested from their underground parts, among which is Gunnera perpensa L. Gunnera perpensa is of considerable ethnobotanical interest in traditional medicine because of its wide usage. The rhizomes are widely used and indiscriminately collected in large quantities from the wild to meet the ever increasing demand in traditional medicine markets. As a result, this valuable medicinal plant species is being endangered. According to the Red List of South African Plants, the conservation status of G. perpensa has been listed as ‘declining’. The ethnobotanical survey conducted as part of this research confirms the plant species as threatened. It is, therefore, important to develop propagation and conservation strategies for this medicinal plant. Clonal propagation of G. perpensa was conducted using varying lengths of the rhizome (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm) segments as propagules. While regeneration was possible with all the rhizome lengths, most of the growth parameters were significantly higher in the 5 cm rhizomes than the other rhizome segments. The appropriate planting depth for the rhizomes was also determined and 4 or 5 cm planting depths were found appropriate. No significant difference was observed in the growth parameters amongst the planting depths; nevertheless, 4 cm depth gave higher growth and yield. The results of this study show that regenerating G. perpensa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chigor, Chinyere Blessing
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Gunnera -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical anthropology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11311 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019832 , Gunnera -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical anthropology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medical policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa, many plants which are used in traditional medicines are collected from wild populations. The high demand for trade and use of these medicinal plants place an enormous pressure on their natural populations, especially because they are indiscriminately harvested. The most affected of these plant species are those harvested from their underground parts, among which is Gunnera perpensa L. Gunnera perpensa is of considerable ethnobotanical interest in traditional medicine because of its wide usage. The rhizomes are widely used and indiscriminately collected in large quantities from the wild to meet the ever increasing demand in traditional medicine markets. As a result, this valuable medicinal plant species is being endangered. According to the Red List of South African Plants, the conservation status of G. perpensa has been listed as ‘declining’. The ethnobotanical survey conducted as part of this research confirms the plant species as threatened. It is, therefore, important to develop propagation and conservation strategies for this medicinal plant. Clonal propagation of G. perpensa was conducted using varying lengths of the rhizome (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm) segments as propagules. While regeneration was possible with all the rhizome lengths, most of the growth parameters were significantly higher in the 5 cm rhizomes than the other rhizome segments. The appropriate planting depth for the rhizomes was also determined and 4 or 5 cm planting depths were found appropriate. No significant difference was observed in the growth parameters amongst the planting depths; nevertheless, 4 cm depth gave higher growth and yield. The results of this study show that regenerating G. perpensa.
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Investigation of antidiabetic properties, mechanisms of action and toxicology of Strychnos Henningsii (GILG) bark
- Authors: Oyewole, Oyedemi Sunday
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Diabetics -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Loganiaceae , Lamiaceae , Diabetes , Proteins
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11254 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001070 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Diabetics -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Loganiaceae , Lamiaceae , Diabetes , Proteins
- Description: The apparent reversal of trend from modern drugs to herbal medicine is partly due to the fact that synthetic drugs have always shown adverse reactions and other undesirable side effects. Hence, the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases such as diabetes is very common especially in the rural areas. Majority of these plants are used based on the experience and indigenous knowledge without identification of the therapeutic agents. There is enormous wealth of medicinal plants in the world yet many of them have not been discovered or studied scientifically to substantiate their ethno-medicinal usages. Ethnobotanical study has been the method often used to search for locally important plant species for the discovery of crude drugs with low side effects. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted on the medicinal plants commonly used for the management of diabetes mellitus in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape of South Africa. Information was obtained through structured questionnaire administered to traditional healers and herbalists in the region. The study revealed 15 species of plants belonging to 13 families. Strychnos henningsii and Leonotis leonorus among others were repeatedly mentioned by the traditional healers as the two mostly used plants for the management of diabetes mellitus. The infusion and decoction of the roots, leaves and barks of these plants are the methods of preparation. The antioxidant potential of aqueous bark extract of S. henningsii was investigated both in vivo and in vitro using spectroscopic method. The antioxidant activity of the extract against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 2,2′-azinobis[3-ethylbenzothiazoline6-sulfonic acid] diammonium salt (ABTS), as well as reducing power was concentration dependent. The extract exhibited lower and average scavenging activities against 1,1diphenyl2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) radicals with IC50 value of 0.739 and 0.49 mg/ml respectively. The administration of the plant extract at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg significantly increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in the hepatotoxic rats induced with carbon tetrachloride. On the other hand, the stem bark extract had lower effect on lipid peroxidation level except at the dose of 250 mg/kg. The effect of oral administration of S. henningsii extract was evaluated in normal Wistar rats for 28 days. The observed result indicated non- toxic effect of sub-acute administration of plant extract to the animals except at certain doses. This is because, there was no apparent damage to some haematological and biochemical parameters used in assessing organ specific toxicity. However, the alterations observed on platelet, white blood cells and its differentials imply parameter and dose selective toxicity when repeatedly consumed on daily basis at the doses investigated. This study also investigated the antidiabetic activities of the extract at the doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin -nicotinamide for 15 days. The extract appreciably (P <0.05) reduced the blood glucose level, feed and water intake while the best result was obtained at 250 mg/kg. Similarly, the level of triacylglycerol at the three doses investigated was significantly decreased. In addition, the glucose tolerance was reduced to near normal level after 90 min at certain doses. The clinical significance of the extract on some biochemical and haematological parameters lessen both hepatic and renal damages. Anaemic condition in diabetic animals was also improved after plant extract administration. However, no significant effect was observed in white blood cells and some of its differentials. The extract demonstrated strong glucose utilization in 3T3-L1 cells with a response of 278.63 percent of the control at 12.5μg/ml while that of Chang liver cells was 103.54 percent. The cytotoxicity result revealed non toxic effects of the extract to both cell lines. Treatment of 3T3 L1 cells with the extract did not reduce lipid accumulation. The extract inhibited the activity of α- glucosidase and α- amylase in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 38 μg/ml and 60.9 μg/ml respectively. The percentage protein antiglycation of S. henningsii was 18.4, 38.2 and 61.2 perceent for 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml respectively while aminoguanidine a known inhibitor of protein glycation was 87.2 percent at 1 mg/ml. The FRAP assay values of the extract was 357.05 μmol Fe (II)/g. The findings from this study support the folkloric usage of this plant for the management of diabetes mellitus in the region.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Oyewole, Oyedemi Sunday
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Diabetics -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Loganiaceae , Lamiaceae , Diabetes , Proteins
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11254 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001070 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Diabetics -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Loganiaceae , Lamiaceae , Diabetes , Proteins
- Description: The apparent reversal of trend from modern drugs to herbal medicine is partly due to the fact that synthetic drugs have always shown adverse reactions and other undesirable side effects. Hence, the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases such as diabetes is very common especially in the rural areas. Majority of these plants are used based on the experience and indigenous knowledge without identification of the therapeutic agents. There is enormous wealth of medicinal plants in the world yet many of them have not been discovered or studied scientifically to substantiate their ethno-medicinal usages. Ethnobotanical study has been the method often used to search for locally important plant species for the discovery of crude drugs with low side effects. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted on the medicinal plants commonly used for the management of diabetes mellitus in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape of South Africa. Information was obtained through structured questionnaire administered to traditional healers and herbalists in the region. The study revealed 15 species of plants belonging to 13 families. Strychnos henningsii and Leonotis leonorus among others were repeatedly mentioned by the traditional healers as the two mostly used plants for the management of diabetes mellitus. The infusion and decoction of the roots, leaves and barks of these plants are the methods of preparation. The antioxidant potential of aqueous bark extract of S. henningsii was investigated both in vivo and in vitro using spectroscopic method. The antioxidant activity of the extract against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 2,2′-azinobis[3-ethylbenzothiazoline6-sulfonic acid] diammonium salt (ABTS), as well as reducing power was concentration dependent. The extract exhibited lower and average scavenging activities against 1,1diphenyl2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) radicals with IC50 value of 0.739 and 0.49 mg/ml respectively. The administration of the plant extract at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg significantly increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in the hepatotoxic rats induced with carbon tetrachloride. On the other hand, the stem bark extract had lower effect on lipid peroxidation level except at the dose of 250 mg/kg. The effect of oral administration of S. henningsii extract was evaluated in normal Wistar rats for 28 days. The observed result indicated non- toxic effect of sub-acute administration of plant extract to the animals except at certain doses. This is because, there was no apparent damage to some haematological and biochemical parameters used in assessing organ specific toxicity. However, the alterations observed on platelet, white blood cells and its differentials imply parameter and dose selective toxicity when repeatedly consumed on daily basis at the doses investigated. This study also investigated the antidiabetic activities of the extract at the doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin -nicotinamide for 15 days. The extract appreciably (P <0.05) reduced the blood glucose level, feed and water intake while the best result was obtained at 250 mg/kg. Similarly, the level of triacylglycerol at the three doses investigated was significantly decreased. In addition, the glucose tolerance was reduced to near normal level after 90 min at certain doses. The clinical significance of the extract on some biochemical and haematological parameters lessen both hepatic and renal damages. Anaemic condition in diabetic animals was also improved after plant extract administration. However, no significant effect was observed in white blood cells and some of its differentials. The extract demonstrated strong glucose utilization in 3T3-L1 cells with a response of 278.63 percent of the control at 12.5μg/ml while that of Chang liver cells was 103.54 percent. The cytotoxicity result revealed non toxic effects of the extract to both cell lines. Treatment of 3T3 L1 cells with the extract did not reduce lipid accumulation. The extract inhibited the activity of α- glucosidase and α- amylase in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 38 μg/ml and 60.9 μg/ml respectively. The percentage protein antiglycation of S. henningsii was 18.4, 38.2 and 61.2 perceent for 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml respectively while aminoguanidine a known inhibitor of protein glycation was 87.2 percent at 1 mg/ml. The FRAP assay values of the extract was 357.05 μmol Fe (II)/g. The findings from this study support the folkloric usage of this plant for the management of diabetes mellitus in the region.
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The efficacy and toxicological effects of aloe ferox mill. used in the management of constipation in Nkonkobe municipality of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Wintola, Olubunmi Abosede A
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Asphodelaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Aloe -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Constipation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poisonous plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Ethnobotany)
- Identifier: vital:11882 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/485 , Asphodelaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Aloe -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Constipation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poisonous plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Herbal remedies are commonly used in developing countries for the treatment of various diseases, including constipation. The rationale for utilizing medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases rested largely on the belief that they are safe and free of side effects. However, there is limited scientific evidence on the safety and efficacy of these herbal medicines to back up their continued therapeutic application. Aloe ferox Mill. (Aspodelaceae), known as Cape aloe, locally called ikhala is a medicinal plant used by the people of the Eastern Cape Province for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems and constipation. The plant is a perennial shrub with thick succulent leaves bearing brown thorns on the margin and bright orange flowers arranged in oval lanceolate. It occurs in all weather in bush veld, road side, gardens and undisturbed places. According to the ethnomedicinal information, A. ferox is used as purgative. This research project was therefore designed to evaluate its ability in the treatment of constipation and to investigate its possible toxicological property. At the beginning of this programme, a survey of plants used for the treatment of constipation in Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province was carried out using a questionnaire, which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. The study revealed 10 plant species from 8 families that are used for the treatment of constipation in the province. Four plants, Aloe ferox Mill, Boophone distischa L.f Herb, Alepidea amatybica Eckl and Artemisia afra Jacq, were repeatedly mentioned. Based on the frequency of usage, perceived efficacy and availability to the rural dwellers and the traditional healers, Aloe ferox was the most commonly used of the plants for the treatment of constipation. The plant was thus, chosen for the study. The invivo laxative effect of the aqueous extract of Aloe ferox in the treatment of loperamide-induced constipation in Wistar rats was investigated at varying concentrations. The leaf extract at all the dosages investigated (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) improved intestinal motility, increased fecal volume and normalized body weight in the constipated rats. This was an indication of its laxative properties. However, the laxative property of the herb at 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract showed best efficacy and compares favourably well with senokot, a standard laxative drug. These findings have therefore, lent scientific credence to the folkloric use of the herb by the people of the Eastern Cape of South Africa as a laxative agent. Toxicological evaluation of aqueous leaf extract of Aloe ferox in loperamide-induced constipation was studied at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight. The oral administration of the extracts did not show any significant effect on the liver and kidney body weight ratios as well as the kidney and liver function indices. The extracts, at all the dosages investigated, did not alter the levels of creatinine, uric acid, urea, calcium and potassium ions. Similarly, the levels of total protein, albumin, bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were not significantly different from the control. The plant extract appreciably normalized the elevated activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in the untreated constipated rats following treatment with the extract. The extract did not show a significant effect on the hematological parameters except for the increase in the lymphocyte count in the untreated constipated rats, which was attenuated after administering the herb. ThThe available evidence in this study suggests that A. ferox may be safe as an oral remedy for constipation. Generally, the effect of the extract compared favourably well with senokot, a recommended drug for the treatment of constipation. The antioxidant activities against 1, 1 diphenyl- 2 picrylhydrazl (DPPH), 2,2’ – azinobis [3- ethylbenzothiazoline -6- sulfonic acid] diammonium salt (ABTS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Nitric oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation and the ferric reducing agents were investigated spectrophotometrically. Alkaloids, saponins, tannins, total phenols, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidin were also determined to assess their effects on the antioxidants activity of this plant. The phytochemical content of the ethanol and acetone extracts were consistently high compared to other solvents extracts. The level of tannins was not significant (P > 0.05) as compared with other solvent extracts. The free radical scavenging activity of the extracts was high even at lower concentrations (0.025 mg/ml) except in DPPH and lipid peroxidation. The ferric reducing potential of the extracts was concentration dependent and significantly different from Vitamin C and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) that were used as standard drugs. The present study showed a high level of scavenging activity of the leaf extracts of Aloe ferox in all the solvent extracts. Both ethanol and methanolic extract showed potent antioxidant activities than acetone and aqueous extracts. The study indicated that the leaf extracts of Aloe ferox might be a valuable source of natural antioxidant for both medicine and food industries. A. ferox leaf consists of the gel, latex and mesophyll layer; however, the main active constituents of the latex and the leaf exudate of Aloe ferox are anthraquinones which are believed to be responsible for the laxative property. The laxative compound in Aloe ferox leaf extract was isolated and characterized by extracting the plant material in methanol and extract suspended in distilled water. Partitioning was done with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol respectively and was co-spotted with the over-the-counter (OTC) laxative drugs. This led to the successive column chromatography and thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the most active ethyl acetate fraction on silica gel with benzene/ethanol/ammonia hydroxide (BEA: 90:10:1), ethyl acetate/methanol/water (EMW: 40:5.4:5) and chloroform/ethyl acetate/formic acid (CEF: 50:40:10) as the mobile phase. The successive chromatograph and TLC afforded two compounds of Rf 0.420 (blue) and 0.831 (yellow) with the over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. These compounds were not totally elucidated due to their small quantity and instability. However, hydroxyl (OH) and carboxyl groups (COOH) was established as common to the extracted compounds, which might be responsible for the biological activity recorded for the plant extract.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Wintola, Olubunmi Abosede A
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Asphodelaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Aloe -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Constipation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poisonous plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Ethnobotany)
- Identifier: vital:11882 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/485 , Asphodelaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Aloe -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Constipation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poisonous plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Herbal remedies are commonly used in developing countries for the treatment of various diseases, including constipation. The rationale for utilizing medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases rested largely on the belief that they are safe and free of side effects. However, there is limited scientific evidence on the safety and efficacy of these herbal medicines to back up their continued therapeutic application. Aloe ferox Mill. (Aspodelaceae), known as Cape aloe, locally called ikhala is a medicinal plant used by the people of the Eastern Cape Province for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems and constipation. The plant is a perennial shrub with thick succulent leaves bearing brown thorns on the margin and bright orange flowers arranged in oval lanceolate. It occurs in all weather in bush veld, road side, gardens and undisturbed places. According to the ethnomedicinal information, A. ferox is used as purgative. This research project was therefore designed to evaluate its ability in the treatment of constipation and to investigate its possible toxicological property. At the beginning of this programme, a survey of plants used for the treatment of constipation in Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province was carried out using a questionnaire, which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. The study revealed 10 plant species from 8 families that are used for the treatment of constipation in the province. Four plants, Aloe ferox Mill, Boophone distischa L.f Herb, Alepidea amatybica Eckl and Artemisia afra Jacq, were repeatedly mentioned. Based on the frequency of usage, perceived efficacy and availability to the rural dwellers and the traditional healers, Aloe ferox was the most commonly used of the plants for the treatment of constipation. The plant was thus, chosen for the study. The invivo laxative effect of the aqueous extract of Aloe ferox in the treatment of loperamide-induced constipation in Wistar rats was investigated at varying concentrations. The leaf extract at all the dosages investigated (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) improved intestinal motility, increased fecal volume and normalized body weight in the constipated rats. This was an indication of its laxative properties. However, the laxative property of the herb at 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract showed best efficacy and compares favourably well with senokot, a standard laxative drug. These findings have therefore, lent scientific credence to the folkloric use of the herb by the people of the Eastern Cape of South Africa as a laxative agent. Toxicological evaluation of aqueous leaf extract of Aloe ferox in loperamide-induced constipation was studied at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight. The oral administration of the extracts did not show any significant effect on the liver and kidney body weight ratios as well as the kidney and liver function indices. The extracts, at all the dosages investigated, did not alter the levels of creatinine, uric acid, urea, calcium and potassium ions. Similarly, the levels of total protein, albumin, bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were not significantly different from the control. The plant extract appreciably normalized the elevated activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in the untreated constipated rats following treatment with the extract. The extract did not show a significant effect on the hematological parameters except for the increase in the lymphocyte count in the untreated constipated rats, which was attenuated after administering the herb. ThThe available evidence in this study suggests that A. ferox may be safe as an oral remedy for constipation. Generally, the effect of the extract compared favourably well with senokot, a recommended drug for the treatment of constipation. The antioxidant activities against 1, 1 diphenyl- 2 picrylhydrazl (DPPH), 2,2’ – azinobis [3- ethylbenzothiazoline -6- sulfonic acid] diammonium salt (ABTS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Nitric oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation and the ferric reducing agents were investigated spectrophotometrically. Alkaloids, saponins, tannins, total phenols, flavonoids, flavonols and proanthocyanidin were also determined to assess their effects on the antioxidants activity of this plant. The phytochemical content of the ethanol and acetone extracts were consistently high compared to other solvents extracts. The level of tannins was not significant (P > 0.05) as compared with other solvent extracts. The free radical scavenging activity of the extracts was high even at lower concentrations (0.025 mg/ml) except in DPPH and lipid peroxidation. The ferric reducing potential of the extracts was concentration dependent and significantly different from Vitamin C and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) that were used as standard drugs. The present study showed a high level of scavenging activity of the leaf extracts of Aloe ferox in all the solvent extracts. Both ethanol and methanolic extract showed potent antioxidant activities than acetone and aqueous extracts. The study indicated that the leaf extracts of Aloe ferox might be a valuable source of natural antioxidant for both medicine and food industries. A. ferox leaf consists of the gel, latex and mesophyll layer; however, the main active constituents of the latex and the leaf exudate of Aloe ferox are anthraquinones which are believed to be responsible for the laxative property. The laxative compound in Aloe ferox leaf extract was isolated and characterized by extracting the plant material in methanol and extract suspended in distilled water. Partitioning was done with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol respectively and was co-spotted with the over-the-counter (OTC) laxative drugs. This led to the successive column chromatography and thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the most active ethyl acetate fraction on silica gel with benzene/ethanol/ammonia hydroxide (BEA: 90:10:1), ethyl acetate/methanol/water (EMW: 40:5.4:5) and chloroform/ethyl acetate/formic acid (CEF: 50:40:10) as the mobile phase. The successive chromatograph and TLC afforded two compounds of Rf 0.420 (blue) and 0.831 (yellow) with the over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. These compounds were not totally elucidated due to their small quantity and instability. However, hydroxyl (OH) and carboxyl groups (COOH) was established as common to the extracted compounds, which might be responsible for the biological activity recorded for the plant extract.
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Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal and toxicological properties of Hermannia Incana cav.: a South African medicinal plant
- Authors: Appidi, Jaipal Reddy
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sterculiaceae , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Diarrhea , Botany, Medical
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:11304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/259 , Sterculiaceae , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Diarrhea , Botany, Medical
- Description: Hermannia incana Cav. (Sterculiaceae), known as sweet yellow bells, is a medicinal plant used by the people of the Eastern Cape for the treatment of stomach-ache and diarrhoea. It has purgative and diaphoretic effects. It is a prostrate herb with yellow flowers and sparsely hairy and slightly glandular leaves, occurring in grassland and marshes in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Based on the ethnomedical uses of this plant, the research project was designed to evaluate its antidiarrhoeal and toxicological properties. An ethnobotanical study of plants used for the treatment of diarrhoea in the Eastern Cape Province was carried out, using a questionnaire which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. This survey indicated a total of 17 plant species from 14 families. Elephantorrhiza elephantine (Burch.) Skeels, Hermannia incana Cav., Pelargonium reniforme Curt., Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh. and Bulbine latifolia (L.f.) Roem. et Schult. were the most frequently mentioned and highly recommended plants for the treatment of diarrhoea by both the traditional healers and rural dwellers. The root, bark and leaves are the common parts of plants used, while decoctions and infusions are the main methods of preparation. The agar dilution method was used to study the antimicrobial activity. The methanol extracts of the plant showed appreciable activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 7.0 mg/ml. The acetone and water extracts of both the leaves and the roots showed moderate activity against Gram positive bacteria and less activity against Gram negative bacteria. All the extracts inhibited the growth of the fungi Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Mucor hiemalis with growth inhibition ranging from 54.31 percent to 96.67 percent at 0.1-10 mg/ml. None of the extracts suppressed the growth of Candida albicans at the maximum concentration (10 mg/ml) tested. iii In the in vivo antidiarrhoeal evaluation using Wistar rats, the aqueous extract at all the doses tested, significantly prolonged the time of induction of diarrhoea and also reduced the frequency of diarrhoeal episodes and fecal parameters (total number, number of wet, fresh and dry weight and water content of the faeces). The percentage inhibition of defecation and intestinal content (enteropooling) were increased in dose dependent manner. The doses also reduced the intestinal transit time of charcoal, masses and volumes of intestinal fluid (gastrointestinal motility). These results are indications of antidiarrhoeal property of H. incana leaf extract with the 600 mg/kg body weight of the extract being the most effective. In the toxicological evaluation using Wistar rats, the oral administration of the extract did not produce any significant effect on the liver and kidney body weight ratios, RBC, HB, PCV, MCV MCH, MCHC, RCDW, WBC, neutrophils, monocytes and basophils cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic index. The extract also did not affect the levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, inorganic phosphorus, urea, creatinine, total protein, globulin, albumin, total and conjugated bilirubin. The activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase and alanine aminotransaminase in the serum were increased by the extract whereas aspartate aminotransaminase was decreased. The levels of LUC, platelets, lymphocytes and eosinophils were significantly affected at 600 mg/kg body weight. The available evidence in this study suggests that the extract of H. incana leaf is mild, parameter and dose specific. The structure and distribution of foliar appendages on the leaves of this plant were investigated with the JEOL (JSM-6390LV) scanning electron microscope (SEM). Both glandular and non-glandular trichomes were observed. Long stalked glandular trichomes were present on both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces while short stalked glandular trichomes were present only on the adaxial surface. Glandular trichomes were capitate while nonglandular trichomes were stellate with many arms. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopyiv SEM showed that Al, Ca, K, Na, Ti and Si were the major constituents of the crystals analyzed from the leaf surfaces. The phytochemical screening of H. incana revealed the presence of bioactive antidiarrhoeal agents such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, cardenolides and dienolides. Two flavonoids, epicatechin and 3, 5, 7, 2’ tetra-hydroxy flavone-3- O--D-glucopyranoside were isolated from the leaves of the plant through bio-active guided fractionation. Both these compounds were screened against diarrhoea causative organisms (Echerichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 100 μg/ml. The findings from this research have generally justified the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of diarrhoea in this province.
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- Authors: Appidi, Jaipal Reddy
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sterculiaceae , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Diarrhea , Botany, Medical
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:11304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/259 , Sterculiaceae , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Diarrhea , Botany, Medical
- Description: Hermannia incana Cav. (Sterculiaceae), known as sweet yellow bells, is a medicinal plant used by the people of the Eastern Cape for the treatment of stomach-ache and diarrhoea. It has purgative and diaphoretic effects. It is a prostrate herb with yellow flowers and sparsely hairy and slightly glandular leaves, occurring in grassland and marshes in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Based on the ethnomedical uses of this plant, the research project was designed to evaluate its antidiarrhoeal and toxicological properties. An ethnobotanical study of plants used for the treatment of diarrhoea in the Eastern Cape Province was carried out, using a questionnaire which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. This survey indicated a total of 17 plant species from 14 families. Elephantorrhiza elephantine (Burch.) Skeels, Hermannia incana Cav., Pelargonium reniforme Curt., Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh. and Bulbine latifolia (L.f.) Roem. et Schult. were the most frequently mentioned and highly recommended plants for the treatment of diarrhoea by both the traditional healers and rural dwellers. The root, bark and leaves are the common parts of plants used, while decoctions and infusions are the main methods of preparation. The agar dilution method was used to study the antimicrobial activity. The methanol extracts of the plant showed appreciable activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 7.0 mg/ml. The acetone and water extracts of both the leaves and the roots showed moderate activity against Gram positive bacteria and less activity against Gram negative bacteria. All the extracts inhibited the growth of the fungi Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Mucor hiemalis with growth inhibition ranging from 54.31 percent to 96.67 percent at 0.1-10 mg/ml. None of the extracts suppressed the growth of Candida albicans at the maximum concentration (10 mg/ml) tested. iii In the in vivo antidiarrhoeal evaluation using Wistar rats, the aqueous extract at all the doses tested, significantly prolonged the time of induction of diarrhoea and also reduced the frequency of diarrhoeal episodes and fecal parameters (total number, number of wet, fresh and dry weight and water content of the faeces). The percentage inhibition of defecation and intestinal content (enteropooling) were increased in dose dependent manner. The doses also reduced the intestinal transit time of charcoal, masses and volumes of intestinal fluid (gastrointestinal motility). These results are indications of antidiarrhoeal property of H. incana leaf extract with the 600 mg/kg body weight of the extract being the most effective. In the toxicological evaluation using Wistar rats, the oral administration of the extract did not produce any significant effect on the liver and kidney body weight ratios, RBC, HB, PCV, MCV MCH, MCHC, RCDW, WBC, neutrophils, monocytes and basophils cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic index. The extract also did not affect the levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, inorganic phosphorus, urea, creatinine, total protein, globulin, albumin, total and conjugated bilirubin. The activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase and alanine aminotransaminase in the serum were increased by the extract whereas aspartate aminotransaminase was decreased. The levels of LUC, platelets, lymphocytes and eosinophils were significantly affected at 600 mg/kg body weight. The available evidence in this study suggests that the extract of H. incana leaf is mild, parameter and dose specific. The structure and distribution of foliar appendages on the leaves of this plant were investigated with the JEOL (JSM-6390LV) scanning electron microscope (SEM). Both glandular and non-glandular trichomes were observed. Long stalked glandular trichomes were present on both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces while short stalked glandular trichomes were present only on the adaxial surface. Glandular trichomes were capitate while nonglandular trichomes were stellate with many arms. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopyiv SEM showed that Al, Ca, K, Na, Ti and Si were the major constituents of the crystals analyzed from the leaf surfaces. The phytochemical screening of H. incana revealed the presence of bioactive antidiarrhoeal agents such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, cardenolides and dienolides. Two flavonoids, epicatechin and 3, 5, 7, 2’ tetra-hydroxy flavone-3- O--D-glucopyranoside were isolated from the leaves of the plant through bio-active guided fractionation. Both these compounds were screened against diarrhoea causative organisms (Echerichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 100 μg/ml. The findings from this research have generally justified the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of diarrhoea in this province.
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Synergistic potententials and isolation of bioactive compounds from the extracts of two helichrysum species indigenous to the Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Aiyegoro, Olayinka Ayobami
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Helichrysum -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Antibiotics , Antioxidants , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/250 , Helichrysum -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Antibiotics , Antioxidants , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Helichrysum longifolium and H. pedunculatum belong to the Astereceae family and are used extensively in folkloric medicine in South Africa to manage stress-related ailments and as dressings for wounds normally encountered in circumcision rites, bruises, cuts and sores. The in vitro antibacterial time-kill studies, the synergistic potentials, the phytochemical screenings and antioxidant potentials as well as the isolation of the bioactive compounds from the extracts of these two plants were carried out in this study. The in vitro antibacterial activities and time kill regimes of crude extracts of H. pedunculatum was assessed. The extracts was active against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria tested at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.1 – 35 mg/ml. The average log reduction in viable cell count in time kill assay ranged between 0.17 Log10 to 6.37 Log10 cfu/ml after 6 h of interaction, and between 0.14 Log10 and 6.99 Log10 cfu/ml after 12 h interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC of the extract. The effect of the aqueous extract was only bacteriostatic on both reference and environmental strains and the clinical isolates were outrightly resistant to aqueous extract. This is worrisome and this could be one reason why, there is an incidence of high death rate resulting from circumcision wounds infection even after treating such wounds with H. pedunculatum leaf. In vitro antibacterial time kill studies of extracts of H. longifolium was assessed. All test bacteria were susceptible to the methanol extract, while none was susceptible to the aqueous extract. Two of the test bacteria were susceptible to the ethyl acetate extract, while ten and seven were susceptible to the acetone and chloroform extracts respectively at the test concentration of 5 mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged between 0.1 and 5.0 mg/ml, while minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) ranged between 1.0 and >5 mg/ml for all the extracts. Average log reductions in viable cell counts for all the extracts ranged between 0.1 Log10 and 7.5 Log10 cfu/ml after 12 h interaction at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. Most of the extracts were rapidly bactericidal at 2 × MIC achieving a complete elimination of most of the test organisms within 12 h exposure time. The effect of combinations of the crude extracts of H. pedunculatum leaves and eight antibiotics was investigated by means of checkerboard and time-kill methods. In the checkerboard method, synergies of between 45.83-56.81 percent were observed and this is independent of Gram reaction, with combinations in the aqueous extract yielding largely antagonistic interactions (18.75 percent). The time kill assay also detected synergy that is independent of Gram reaction with a ≥ 3Log10 potentiation of the bactericidal activity of the test antibiotics. We conclude that the crude leaf extracts of H. pedunculatum could be potential source of broad spectrum antibiotics resistance modulating compounds. The interactions between crude extracts of H. longifolium in combination with six first-line antibiotics using both the time-kill and the checkerboard methods were carried out. The time-kill method revealed the highest bactericidal activity exemplified by a 6.7 Log10 reduction in cell density against Salmonella sp. when the extract and Penicillin G are combined at ½ × MIC. Synergistic response constituted about 65 percent, while indifference and antagonism constituted about 28.33 percent and 6.67 percent in the time kill assay, respectively. The checkerboard method also revealed that the extracts improved bactericidal effects of the antibiotics. About 61.67 percent of all the interactions were synergistic, while indifference interactions constituted about 26.67 percent and antagonistic interactions was observed in approximately 11.66 percent. The in vitro antioxidant property and phytochemical constituents of the aqueous crude leaf extracts of H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum was investigated. The scavenging activity on superoxide anions, DPPH, H2O2, NO and ABTS; and the reducing power were determined, as well as the flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and phenolic contents of the extracts. The extracts exhibited scavenging activity in all radicals tested due to the presence of relatively high total phenol and flavonoids contents in the extracts. Our findings suggest that H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum are endowed with antioxidant phytochemicals and could serve as a base for future drugs. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the leaves of H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum yielded two known compounds. From the n-hexane fraction of H. longifolium a compound was isolated (Stigmasterol) and from the ethyl acetate fraction of H. pedunculatum another compound (β-sitosterol) was isolated. The compounds were isolated and identified using various techniques. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic and anti-pyretic activities of these compounds have been reported in literatures. In general, the experiments and tests conducted in this study appear to have justified the folkloric medicinal uses of H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum for the treatment of stress related ailments and wound infections and make a substantial contribution to the knowledge base of the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of the microbial infections.
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- Authors: Aiyegoro, Olayinka Ayobami
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Helichrysum -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Antibiotics , Antioxidants , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/250 , Helichrysum -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Antibiotics , Antioxidants , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Helichrysum longifolium and H. pedunculatum belong to the Astereceae family and are used extensively in folkloric medicine in South Africa to manage stress-related ailments and as dressings for wounds normally encountered in circumcision rites, bruises, cuts and sores. The in vitro antibacterial time-kill studies, the synergistic potentials, the phytochemical screenings and antioxidant potentials as well as the isolation of the bioactive compounds from the extracts of these two plants were carried out in this study. The in vitro antibacterial activities and time kill regimes of crude extracts of H. pedunculatum was assessed. The extracts was active against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria tested at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for all the susceptible bacteria ranged between 0.1 – 35 mg/ml. The average log reduction in viable cell count in time kill assay ranged between 0.17 Log10 to 6.37 Log10 cfu/ml after 6 h of interaction, and between 0.14 Log10 and 6.99 Log10 cfu/ml after 12 h interaction in 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC of the extract. The effect of the aqueous extract was only bacteriostatic on both reference and environmental strains and the clinical isolates were outrightly resistant to aqueous extract. This is worrisome and this could be one reason why, there is an incidence of high death rate resulting from circumcision wounds infection even after treating such wounds with H. pedunculatum leaf. In vitro antibacterial time kill studies of extracts of H. longifolium was assessed. All test bacteria were susceptible to the methanol extract, while none was susceptible to the aqueous extract. Two of the test bacteria were susceptible to the ethyl acetate extract, while ten and seven were susceptible to the acetone and chloroform extracts respectively at the test concentration of 5 mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged between 0.1 and 5.0 mg/ml, while minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) ranged between 1.0 and >5 mg/ml for all the extracts. Average log reductions in viable cell counts for all the extracts ranged between 0.1 Log10 and 7.5 Log10 cfu/ml after 12 h interaction at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. Most of the extracts were rapidly bactericidal at 2 × MIC achieving a complete elimination of most of the test organisms within 12 h exposure time. The effect of combinations of the crude extracts of H. pedunculatum leaves and eight antibiotics was investigated by means of checkerboard and time-kill methods. In the checkerboard method, synergies of between 45.83-56.81 percent were observed and this is independent of Gram reaction, with combinations in the aqueous extract yielding largely antagonistic interactions (18.75 percent). The time kill assay also detected synergy that is independent of Gram reaction with a ≥ 3Log10 potentiation of the bactericidal activity of the test antibiotics. We conclude that the crude leaf extracts of H. pedunculatum could be potential source of broad spectrum antibiotics resistance modulating compounds. The interactions between crude extracts of H. longifolium in combination with six first-line antibiotics using both the time-kill and the checkerboard methods were carried out. The time-kill method revealed the highest bactericidal activity exemplified by a 6.7 Log10 reduction in cell density against Salmonella sp. when the extract and Penicillin G are combined at ½ × MIC. Synergistic response constituted about 65 percent, while indifference and antagonism constituted about 28.33 percent and 6.67 percent in the time kill assay, respectively. The checkerboard method also revealed that the extracts improved bactericidal effects of the antibiotics. About 61.67 percent of all the interactions were synergistic, while indifference interactions constituted about 26.67 percent and antagonistic interactions was observed in approximately 11.66 percent. The in vitro antioxidant property and phytochemical constituents of the aqueous crude leaf extracts of H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum was investigated. The scavenging activity on superoxide anions, DPPH, H2O2, NO and ABTS; and the reducing power were determined, as well as the flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and phenolic contents of the extracts. The extracts exhibited scavenging activity in all radicals tested due to the presence of relatively high total phenol and flavonoids contents in the extracts. Our findings suggest that H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum are endowed with antioxidant phytochemicals and could serve as a base for future drugs. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the leaves of H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum yielded two known compounds. From the n-hexane fraction of H. longifolium a compound was isolated (Stigmasterol) and from the ethyl acetate fraction of H. pedunculatum another compound (β-sitosterol) was isolated. The compounds were isolated and identified using various techniques. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic and anti-pyretic activities of these compounds have been reported in literatures. In general, the experiments and tests conducted in this study appear to have justified the folkloric medicinal uses of H. longifolium and H. pedunculatum for the treatment of stress related ailments and wound infections and make a substantial contribution to the knowledge base of the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of the microbial infections.
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Validating the use of Hippobromus pauciflorus (L.f) Radlk for the treatment of eye infections in the Eastern Cape South Africa
- Authors: Pendota, Srinivasa Chary
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use , Eye -- Infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sapindaceae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11303 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001052 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use , Eye -- Infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sapindaceae
- Description: An ethnobotanical survey of plants used for the treatment of eye infections was carried out in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study revealed that 12 plant species are commonly used with Hippobromus pauciflorus (L.f) Radlk being the most frequent. The crude extracts of the leaves, stem bark and roots of the plant were investigated for antimicrobial activity against 10 bacterial and four fungal strains. The methanol extracts of the plant parts were the most active and showed appreciable activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The methanol extracts of the leaves and stem bark inhibited the growth of fungi with activities ranging from 78.70 percent to 100 percent on Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum. The acetone extracts of the leaves and stem bark were active against A. niger (51.76 percent) and P. notatum (77.22 percent). The aqueous extract of Hippobromus pauciflorus leaves at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight doses were evaluated for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in male Wistar rats. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied by using carrageenan-and histamine induced oedema right hind paw volume while the analgesic effect was evaluated using formalin-induced pain and tail flick nociception response. The brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia model was used for the antipyretic investigation. The extract at all the doses used significantly inhibited both the carrageenan- and histamine-induced inflammation in a manner that was not dose dependent. The extract reduced the formalin-induced pain licking as well as prolonged the reaction time in the tail flick-induced pain. The effects of the aqueous extract of the plant leaves at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight doses were investigated for 14 days on some biochemical parameters of male Wistar rats. The extract at all the doses tested did not significantly alter the levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, mean corpuscular volume, platelets, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes and large unstained cells. While the levels of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and basophils increased at specific doses, those of mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and eosinophils decreased. In vitro antiviral activities of the plant against herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) and coxsakie virus B6 were investigated. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay in Vero cells. At concentrations ranging from 165-270/μg/ml there was significant antiviral activity against HSV-1, but toxicity was also noted. There was no antiviral activity against coxsakie virus B6. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the leaves of H. pauciflorus yielded three known compounds. From the ethyl acetate fraction, two compounds were isolated (epicatechin and -sitosterol ) and from the n- hexane fractions, one compound (lupeol) was isolated. They were isolated and identified using various techniques. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic activity of these compounds have been reported in literature. The structure and distribution of foliar appendages on the leaves of H. pauciflorus were examined by scanning electron microscope. The leaves have long unicellular nonglandular trichomes which were distributed over the mid rib and densely populated at the edges of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. In general, the experiments and tests conducted in this study appear to have justified the use of Hippobromus pauciflorus for the treatment of eye infections and make a substantial contribution to the knowledge base of the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of the eye infections.
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- Authors: Pendota, Srinivasa Chary
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use , Eye -- Infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sapindaceae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11303 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001052 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Herbs -- Therapeutic use , Eye -- Infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sapindaceae
- Description: An ethnobotanical survey of plants used for the treatment of eye infections was carried out in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study revealed that 12 plant species are commonly used with Hippobromus pauciflorus (L.f) Radlk being the most frequent. The crude extracts of the leaves, stem bark and roots of the plant were investigated for antimicrobial activity against 10 bacterial and four fungal strains. The methanol extracts of the plant parts were the most active and showed appreciable activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The methanol extracts of the leaves and stem bark inhibited the growth of fungi with activities ranging from 78.70 percent to 100 percent on Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum. The acetone extracts of the leaves and stem bark were active against A. niger (51.76 percent) and P. notatum (77.22 percent). The aqueous extract of Hippobromus pauciflorus leaves at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight doses were evaluated for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in male Wistar rats. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied by using carrageenan-and histamine induced oedema right hind paw volume while the analgesic effect was evaluated using formalin-induced pain and tail flick nociception response. The brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia model was used for the antipyretic investigation. The extract at all the doses used significantly inhibited both the carrageenan- and histamine-induced inflammation in a manner that was not dose dependent. The extract reduced the formalin-induced pain licking as well as prolonged the reaction time in the tail flick-induced pain. The effects of the aqueous extract of the plant leaves at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight doses were investigated for 14 days on some biochemical parameters of male Wistar rats. The extract at all the doses tested did not significantly alter the levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, mean corpuscular volume, platelets, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes and large unstained cells. While the levels of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and basophils increased at specific doses, those of mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and eosinophils decreased. In vitro antiviral activities of the plant against herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) and coxsakie virus B6 were investigated. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay in Vero cells. At concentrations ranging from 165-270/μg/ml there was significant antiviral activity against HSV-1, but toxicity was also noted. There was no antiviral activity against coxsakie virus B6. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the leaves of H. pauciflorus yielded three known compounds. From the ethyl acetate fraction, two compounds were isolated (epicatechin and -sitosterol ) and from the n- hexane fractions, one compound (lupeol) was isolated. They were isolated and identified using various techniques. The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic activity of these compounds have been reported in literature. The structure and distribution of foliar appendages on the leaves of H. pauciflorus were examined by scanning electron microscope. The leaves have long unicellular nonglandular trichomes which were distributed over the mid rib and densely populated at the edges of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. In general, the experiments and tests conducted in this study appear to have justified the use of Hippobromus pauciflorus for the treatment of eye infections and make a substantial contribution to the knowledge base of the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of the eye infections.
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Determination and validation of plants used by resource-limited farmers in the ethno veterinary control of gastro-intestinal parasites of goats in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Maphosa, Viola
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Parasites -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Goats -- Parasites -- Control , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11164 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000997 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Parasites -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Goats -- Parasites -- Control , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maphosa, Viola
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Parasites -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Goats -- Parasites -- Control , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11164 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000997 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Parasites -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Goats -- Parasites -- Control , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
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Effect of processing on the efficacy and safety of Solanum Aculeastrum Dunal berries
- Authors: Aboyade, Oluwaseyi Mayode
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant extracts , Drugs -- Effectiveness , Berries , Solanum , Solanum Aculeastrum -- Effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11302 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001051 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant extracts , Drugs -- Effectiveness , Berries , Solanum , Solanum Aculeastrum -- Effectiveness
- Description: General Abstract There has been a steady increase in the use of medicinal plants in the last two decades in both developed and developing countries for prevention, management and treatment of diseases. This increase has been due to reasons such as ease of access, better cultural acceptability and compatibility, cost effectiveness and also the bid to “go natural”. Unfortunately, the notion that herbal medicines are relatively safe because they are natural has led to serious and potentially fatal consequences in phytotherapy. The lack of rigorous research to prove the effectiveness and safety of many medicinal plants is of great concern to the health care system. This thesis therefore addresses not just the efficacy, but also the safety of the extracts of the berry of Solanum aculeastrum - a medicinal plant used, among other things, for the treatment of breast cancer in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Particular attention was paid to the possible effect of different processing methods of the berry extracts on inflammation, cytotoxicity, and toxicity. In studying the comparative effects of various processing methods, four different preparations of the extracts were investigated. These include fresh, dried, boiled fresh, and boiled dried berries. While the effect of processing on the anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts was not dose dependent, the percentage reduction in inflammation was highly significant and more prominent in both concentrations of the boiled fresh berries than the reference drug, indomethacin. Furthermore, the four extracts varied in their ability to act either centrally or peripherally in their effect on pain. Assessment of the analgesic response using the formalin test showed that, at both concentrations tested, none of the extracts inhibited the first phase of the formalin test. Furthermore, it was observed that boiling had differing results on the activity of the iii fresh and dried extracts. While boiling of the dried berries reduced pain in the rats, the opposite trend was observed with the boiled fresh berries. Results of the influence of processing of the berries on cytotoxicity indicated that the extracts are potent inhibitors of human breast, cervical and colonic carcinoma cells and the non-cancerous cells (both the actively dividing and confluent Chang liver cells). Although, in terms of relative potency, the fresh berries appeared to be the most active of the extracts, processing of the berries caused an increase in apoptotic cells and a subsequent decrease in the necrotic cells. The effect of processing on the safety of the berry of S. aculeastrum on the rats fed for 28 days was also investigated. The various doses (1, 10 and 25 mg/kg body weight) of all the four extracts did not alter the activity and the weight of the animals throughout the period of treatment. A reduction in organ to body weight ratio of the heart, kidney, liver and spleen was observed in all the extracts. Regarding the haematological parameters, different patterns of effect were observed between the extracts and within the treated doses. The observed alterations in the biochemical parameters by the various extract of Solanum aculeastrum berries at all the doses may have consequential effects on the normal functioning of these organs. In conclusion, this study has shown that there is some justification for the traditional use of the berries of Solanum aculeastrum in the treatment of inflammation related ailments and cancer. However, the medicinal use of the plant also poses considerable health risks. Investigation conducted into the plant’s safety revealed that the berry extracts were nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, haematotoxic and at higher doses, fatal. Another concern with regard to the plant’s safety is the non-selectivity of its extracts in the inhibition of carcinoma, actively dividing and un-dividing cells. Assessment of the effect of the processing on the berry’s efficacy and safety as herbal iv remedy produced mixed results. On the one hand, processing seemed to improve the extract’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, while reducing its cytotoxic potential. On the other hand, a reduction in the toxicity was observed on the processed extracts compared to the fresh ones. This may be an indication that processing has an overall beneficial effect on the medicinal properties of the plant and should thus be considered as a method of making the berries of Solanum aculeastrum safer for use as a herbal remedy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Aboyade, Oluwaseyi Mayode
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant extracts , Drugs -- Effectiveness , Berries , Solanum , Solanum Aculeastrum -- Effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11302 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001051 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant extracts , Drugs -- Effectiveness , Berries , Solanum , Solanum Aculeastrum -- Effectiveness
- Description: General Abstract There has been a steady increase in the use of medicinal plants in the last two decades in both developed and developing countries for prevention, management and treatment of diseases. This increase has been due to reasons such as ease of access, better cultural acceptability and compatibility, cost effectiveness and also the bid to “go natural”. Unfortunately, the notion that herbal medicines are relatively safe because they are natural has led to serious and potentially fatal consequences in phytotherapy. The lack of rigorous research to prove the effectiveness and safety of many medicinal plants is of great concern to the health care system. This thesis therefore addresses not just the efficacy, but also the safety of the extracts of the berry of Solanum aculeastrum - a medicinal plant used, among other things, for the treatment of breast cancer in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Particular attention was paid to the possible effect of different processing methods of the berry extracts on inflammation, cytotoxicity, and toxicity. In studying the comparative effects of various processing methods, four different preparations of the extracts were investigated. These include fresh, dried, boiled fresh, and boiled dried berries. While the effect of processing on the anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts was not dose dependent, the percentage reduction in inflammation was highly significant and more prominent in both concentrations of the boiled fresh berries than the reference drug, indomethacin. Furthermore, the four extracts varied in their ability to act either centrally or peripherally in their effect on pain. Assessment of the analgesic response using the formalin test showed that, at both concentrations tested, none of the extracts inhibited the first phase of the formalin test. Furthermore, it was observed that boiling had differing results on the activity of the iii fresh and dried extracts. While boiling of the dried berries reduced pain in the rats, the opposite trend was observed with the boiled fresh berries. Results of the influence of processing of the berries on cytotoxicity indicated that the extracts are potent inhibitors of human breast, cervical and colonic carcinoma cells and the non-cancerous cells (both the actively dividing and confluent Chang liver cells). Although, in terms of relative potency, the fresh berries appeared to be the most active of the extracts, processing of the berries caused an increase in apoptotic cells and a subsequent decrease in the necrotic cells. The effect of processing on the safety of the berry of S. aculeastrum on the rats fed for 28 days was also investigated. The various doses (1, 10 and 25 mg/kg body weight) of all the four extracts did not alter the activity and the weight of the animals throughout the period of treatment. A reduction in organ to body weight ratio of the heart, kidney, liver and spleen was observed in all the extracts. Regarding the haematological parameters, different patterns of effect were observed between the extracts and within the treated doses. The observed alterations in the biochemical parameters by the various extract of Solanum aculeastrum berries at all the doses may have consequential effects on the normal functioning of these organs. In conclusion, this study has shown that there is some justification for the traditional use of the berries of Solanum aculeastrum in the treatment of inflammation related ailments and cancer. However, the medicinal use of the plant also poses considerable health risks. Investigation conducted into the plant’s safety revealed that the berry extracts were nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, haematotoxic and at higher doses, fatal. Another concern with regard to the plant’s safety is the non-selectivity of its extracts in the inhibition of carcinoma, actively dividing and un-dividing cells. Assessment of the effect of the processing on the berry’s efficacy and safety as herbal iv remedy produced mixed results. On the one hand, processing seemed to improve the extract’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, while reducing its cytotoxic potential. On the other hand, a reduction in the toxicity was observed on the processed extracts compared to the fresh ones. This may be an indication that processing has an overall beneficial effect on the medicinal properties of the plant and should thus be considered as a method of making the berries of Solanum aculeastrum safer for use as a herbal remedy.
- Full Text:
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