Antimicrobial Bioactivity and GC-MS Analysis of Different Extracts of Corchorus olitorius L Leaves.

Results: Crude extracts of Corchorus olitorius L leaves and their TLC-separated components demonstrated bioactivity against Staphylococcus aureus (14 mm), Streptococcus pneumoniae (16 mm), and Escherichia coli (11 mm) but neither against Candida albicans nor Mycobacteria tuberculosis. However, the overall zones of inhibition were smaller compared to the positive control (≥18 mm). GC-MS analysis of the active components revealed the presence of methyl esters. Conclusion: Corchorus olitorius L is bioactive against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria but neither against fungi nor mycobacteria. The bioactivity is attributable to the presence of methyl esters. Since methyl esters already have proven bioactivity in some studies, they could be further studied and optimized for possible pharmaceutical use. Further, to provide a more comprehensive antimicrobial spectrum of Corchorus olitorius L in Uganda, purified active components could be investigated using a wider range of organisms.

Phytochemical Analysis, Acute Toxicity, as well as Antihyperglycemic and Antidiabetic Activities of Corchorus olitorius L. Leaf Extracts.

Backgroundand Aim. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that has no known cure with continuous endeavors to find a therapy for the condition. According to some studies, traditional leafy vegetables could prevent and manage diabetes by modifying the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In this study, a phytochemical analysis, acute toxicity, as well as antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activity testing of the methanolic, diethyl ether, and aqueous leaf extracts of Corchorus olitorius L. was performed. Materials and Methods. Methanolic, diethyl ether, and aqueous leaf extracts of Corchorus olitorius L. were prepared by serial extraction. Phytochemical analysis was performed following standard methods. 52 mice were separated into 13 groups (A-M) of 4 and received extracts' doses ranging from 1000 mg/kg to 5000 mg/kg for the acute toxicity testing. For the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activities testing, 48 rats were divided into 8 groups of 6 and received 500 mg/kg of each extract. 10 mg/kg of glibenclamide and distilled water were used as controls. Data were analyzed using Prism GraphPad version 8.0.2 (263). Results. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, reducing sugars, saponins, and terpenoids. There were no acute toxicity signs observed in this study. Corchorus olitorius L. extracts demonstrated moderate antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activities. The methanolic extract exhibited the highest degree of antihyperglycemic activity. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the extracts and the negative control (p > 0.05), but with glibenclamide (p < 0.01). Conclusion. Corchorus olitorius L. is a safe and potential postprandial antidiabetic vegetable that could minimize the rise in blood glucose after a meal. We therefore recommend further investigations into the antidiabetic properties of the vegetable using purified extracts.

Traditional Medicinal Vegetables in Northern Uganda: An Ethnobotanical Survey.

BACKGROUND: A wide range of indigenous vegetables grow in Uganda especially during rainy seasons but scarcely during droughts, except those that are commercially grown. Although a number of these vegetables have medicinal values, they have not been satisfactorily studied besides conservation. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey in Northern Uganda in order to document traditional medicinal vegetables and their uses. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection and analysis were employed using semistructured, interviewer-administered questionnaires as well as key informant interviews following international ethical codes. Fidelity levels and informant consensus factors were also calculated. RESULTS: 13 traditional vegetables belonging to 10 families were reported to serve as folk medicines. The most dominant families were Fabaceae (23.08%) and Solanaceae (15.38%). The most often used vegetables were Corchorus spp., Hibiscus spp., and Asystasiagangeticafor musculoskeletal (51%), gastrointestinal (34.3%), and malaria (31.8%). The vegetables were cultivated in the backyard and the leaves stewed for the different ailments. The informant consensus factor was the highest for Corchorus spp., in the treatment of joint pain/stiffness (0.92-1) while the highest fidelity level was (60.42%) for Amaranthus spp., in the management of anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Northern Uganda has numerous traditional vegetables with medicinal benefits. Diseases treated range from gastrointestinal to reproductive through musculoskeletal abnormalities. The community obtains vegetable leaves from the backyard and stews them regularly for the medicinal purposes with no specific dosage. Therefore, we recommend studies to verify in laboratory models the efficacy of these vegetables and standardize the dosages.

Acute and repeated-dose toxicity of Echinops kebericho Mesfin essential oil.

Echinops kebericho Mesfin is used for the management of various diseases and fumigation during child birth. This study investigated acute and repeated-dose toxicity of E. kebericho M. essential oils (EOs). The study was conducted in Swiss albino mice. Organ weight, histopathology and clinical chemistry were analyzed. The dose and duration of treatment were defined in accordance with Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guideline. No mortality was observed in acute oral dose toxicity study up to 2000 mg/kg per body weight. Compared to control group, treated groups did not show significant abnormalities in body weight and most parameters of clinical chemistry parameters and relative organ weight in repeated-dose toxicity study. However, urea, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and relative organ weight of right kidney showed variations in treated groups compared to control group. All treated groups and control group showed normal histology except lymphocytic infiltrates observed on the kidney with 200 mg/kg treated female group. The current study revealed that EO of E. kebericho M. could be considered well tolerated in acute and repeated-dose exposure. Further, teratogenic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, and sub-chronic and chronic toxicity studies are warranted.

Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Echinops kebericho Mesfin: An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Echinops kebericho is an endemic medicinal plant in Ethiopia widely used in the treatment of infectious and noninfectious diseases. Essential oils are known for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the antifungal activity of essential oil from E. kebericho against four common pathogenic fungi and two standard strains. METHODS: The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation. The antifungal screening was done by agar well diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by broth microdilution. Minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were determined by subculturing fungal strains with no visible growth onto a Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) plate. RESULTS: Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans were highly sensitive while Aspergillus flavus did not show sensitivity up to 1 mg/ml of essential oil; MICs ranged from 0.083 mg/ml to 0.208 mg/ml. Concentration and fungal species showed significant dose-dependent associations (p < 0.0001) with antifungal activity. The MICs of essential oil were comparable to those of the standard drug (fluconazole) against C. glabrata and C. krusei. The lowest MFC of the essential oil was observed against Candida parapsilosis (0.145 mg/ml) while the highest MFC was against Candida krusei (0.667 mg/ml). CONCLUSION: Echinops kebericho essential oil showed noteworthy antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata and could be a potential candidate for further antifungal drug development.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity of Echinops kebericho decoction in rats.

BACKGROUND: Echinops kebericho is widely used for treatment of a variety of diseases including infectious, non-infectious disease and fumigation during child birth. Antibacterial, antimalarial, anti-leshimania, anti-diarrheal and insect repellent activities have been elucidated. Its toxicity profile is not yet investigated and thus this study was to investigate acute and sub-acute toxicity of E. kebericho decoctions. METHODS: Acute toxicity study was performed in female Wistar albino rats with single oral dose and followed up to 14 days. The sub-acute oral dose toxicity studies were conducted in rats of both sexes in accordance with the repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study in rodent OECD guidelines. Physical observations were made regularly during the study period while body weight was measured weekly. Organ weight, histopathology, clinical chemistry and hematology data were collected on the 29th day. Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed if assumptions were met; otherwise Kruskal-Wallis analysis was performed. RESULT: Oral administration of E. kebericho decoction showed no treatment-related mortality in female rats up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg. In sub-acute toxicity studies, no significant treatment-related abnormalities were observed compared to negative controls. Food consumption, body weight, organ weight, hematology, clinical chemistry, and histopathology did not show significant variation between controls and treatment groups. However, creatinine, relative lung weight, triglycerides, and monocytes were lower in treated compared to control groups. Significant variations between male and female groups in food consumption, relative organ weight, hematology, clinical chemistry were observed. Histolo-pathology of high-dose treated groups showed fatty liver. CONCLUSION: Echinops kebericho showed LD50 of greater than 5000 mg/kg in acute toxicity study and is well tolerated up to the dose of 600 mg/kg body weight in sub-acute toxicity study.

Antibacterial Activities of Echinops kebericho Mesfin Tuber Extracts and Isolation of the Most Active Compound, Dehydrocostus Lactone.

Echinops kebericho Mesfin is traditionally used for the treatment of various infectious diseases. This study investigated antibacterial activity of the essential oil (EO) and the different fractions of ethanol extract. The most active component was isolated and identified. Isolation and purification was accomplished using chromatographic techniques while identification was done by spectroscopic method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth micro-dilution method. In bioactive-guided isolation, percent inhibition was determined using optical density (OD) measurement. The MICs of the essential oil ranged from 78.125 µg/ml to 625 µg/ml, and its activity was observed against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, NCTC 12493). Ethyl acetate fraction showed high activity against MRSA (NCTC 12493), MIC = 39.075 µg/ml followed by Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 49532), MIC = 78.125 µg/ml and was least active against Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603), MIC = 1,250 µg/ml. MIC of hexane fraction ranged from 156.2 µg/ml to Escherichia coli (ATCC 49532) to 1,250 µg/ml to E. coli (NCTC 11954). The MICs of chloroform fraction ranged from 312.5 to 2500 µg/ml; while butanol fraction could be considered pharmacologically inactive as its MIC value was 2,500 µg/ml for all and no activity against E. coli (NCTC 11954). Dehydrocostus lactone was successfully isolated and identified whose MIC was 19.53 µg/ml against MRSA. Dehydrocostus lactone isolated from E. kebericho M. showed noteworthy antibacterial activity which lends support to ethnopharmacological use of the plant. Further optimization should be done to improve its antibacterial activities and pharmacokinetic profile.

Essential oils as topical anti-infective agents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study summarized evidence on the efficacy and safety of essential oils (EOs) in the treatment of topical infections. DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic review of clinical trials conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guideline. Electronic databases of the Cochrane, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception to November 2018. INTERVENTION: Essential oil of any type, standard treatment and placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes of the study include total acne count, acne severity index, reduction in total acne surface area, number of non-inflammatory acne lesions and inflammatory acne lesions, microbial cure rate, microbial decolonization rate, and new microbial emergence. RESULTS: Non-significant but higher proportion of MRSA was cleared in EOs group (69% [95%CI: 34%, 96%]) compared to routine care (45% [95%CI: 36%, 53%]). Essential oils significantly lowered level of new MRSA emergence (9% [95% CI: 5%, 14%], I2 = 86.59%) compared to routine care (53% [95%CI: 30%, 75%], I2 = 86.59%). Four of the five studies on acne treatment showed equal or superior efficacy of EOs and the remaining one showed inferior efficacy to a control. In treatment of topical fungal infections, efficacy of essential oils were non-inferior compared to a standard treatment but superior to a placebo. CONCLUSION: Essential oils could be considered as alternative treatment for acne, decolonization of MRSA, and topical fungal infections, yet the low quality and heterogeneity among the studies calls for further studies.

Antifungal activity of Cleome gynandra L. aerial parts for topical treatment of Tinea capitis: an in vitro evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Cleome gynandra L. (Capparaceae) is an edible weed used in Uganda topically for its presumed antifungal activity against Tinea capitis. The goal of this study was to determine if this plant possesses antifungal activity in vitro, since T. capitis is a pervasive infection among especially rural children. METHODS: Antifungal activity assay was performed by Broth dilution method, and testing done on clinical isolates of three common Tinea capitis-causing fungal strains. Evaluation of in vitro antifungal activity of the ethanol and water extracts of C. gynandra was done to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and the minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) of the extracts. RESULTS: The MIC of C. gynandra ethanol extract ranged from 0.0313 to 0.0625 mg/ml for Trichophyton rubrum, and from 0.25 to 0.5 mg/ml for both Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The MICs of C. gynandra aqueous extract ranged between 0.125 to 0.25 mg/ml for T. rubrum, and 0.25 to 0.5 mg/ml for both M. canis and T. mentagrophytes. T. rubrum was more sensitive than M. canis (p < 0.002) and more sensitive than T. mentagrophytes (p < 0.035) to the antifungal activity of C. gynandra. T. rubrum was 6.9 times (95 % CL: 1.15 - 41.6) more likely to have a better outcome (more sensitive) than T. mentagrophytes. Cleome gynandra aqueous extract had MFC of ≥0.0313 mg/ml for M. canis, ≥0.0156 mg/ml for T. mentagropyhtes, and ≥0.0625 mg/ml for T. rubrum. Cleome gynandra ethanol extract showed MFCs of ≥0.5 mg/ml for M. canis and T. mentagrophytes, and ≥0.125 mg/ml for T. rubrum. CONCLUSION: Both plant extracts demonstrated antifungal activity, shown by the MIC and MFC for the different extracts, which varied with the type of organism of the clinical fungal isolates. The ethanol extract exhibited comparable antifungal activity to the aqueous extract indicated by the MIC values seen. Conversely, after subculturing the fungal isolates, MFCs were lower for the aqueous than for the ethanol extract.

Anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activity of the leaf aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Melanthera scandens in a rat model.

Modern drug therapy of epilepsy is complicated by the inability of drugs to control seizures in some patients and side effects that range in severity from minimal impairment of the central nervous system to death from aplastic anemia or hepatic failure. Medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for the treatment of epilepsy have been scientifically shown to possess promising anticonvulsant activities in animal models for screening for anticonvulsant activity and can be a source of newer anticonvulsants. The aim of this study was to investigate the preliminary phytochemical properties, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activities of Melanthera scandens aqueous and ethanolic extracts. Phytochemicals from the aqueous and ethanolic extracts were screened by standard methods. Anticonvulsant activity was evaluated against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure model in rats. The effect of the extract at oral dose levels of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg was evaluated in an experimental rat model, using diazepam (5 mg/kg) as positive control. Anxiolytic activity was performed using elevated plus maze method. Phytochemical screening revealed that M. scandens extracts contain carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, tannins, terpenoids, phenols and phytosterols. The aqueous extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg significantly increased seizure latency (P=0.0023), while the ethanolic extract did not have a significant effect on seizure latency. Both extracts significantly reduced the seizure severity (P= 0.0155), and provided up to 100% protection against PTZ induced death at 1000 mg/kg. Both extracts had no significant effect on the duration of PTZ induced seizures. Both extracts were found to increase the number of entries and the time spent in the open arms of the maze at a dose of 250 mg/kg, indicating anxiolytic activity, which was not seen at higher doses (500 and 1000 mg/kg). The total numbers of entries into the closed arm were significantly reduced at 500 and 1000 mg/kg oral doses of both extracts, indicating a reduction in locomotor activity of the rats. The results obtained in this study suggest that both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of M. scandens possess anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activities in a rat model.

Safety and antidiarrheal activity of Priva adhaerens aqueous leaf extract in a murine model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Priva adhaerens (Forssk.) Chiov., a wildly growing plant, is reported in central Uganda to be an effective traditional remedy for diarrhea. The objective of this study was to provide a scientific basis for the ethnopharmacological utility of this plant whose aqueous leaf and shoot extract was evaluated for acute toxicity and antidiarrheal activity using a murine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute toxicity of the aqueous leaf and shoot extract was assessed after determining the major phytochemicals present in the extract. The aqueous leaf and shoot extract was assayed against castor oil-induced diarrhea, transit time, and enteropooling, in comparison to loperamide, a standard drug. RESULTS: The oral LD50 value obtained for Priva adhaerens aqueous extract was greater than 5000mg/kg in rats; the aqueous leaf and shoot extract possessed several important phytochemicals. Furthermore, the aqueous extract significantly, and dose-dependently, reduced frequency of stooling in castor oil-induced diarrhea, intestinal motility, and castor oil-induced enteropooling in rats. CONCLUSION: This murine model shows that it is relatively safe to orally use the aqueous leaf and shoot extract of Priva adhaerens. The aqueous extract contains phytochemicals that are active for the treatment of diarrhea in a rat model.

Prevalence and factors associated with use of herbal medicine among women attending an infertility clinic in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a public health problem associated with devastating psychosocial consequences. In countries where infertility care is difficult to access, women turn to herbal medicines to achieve parenthood. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with herbal medicine use by women attending the infertility clinic. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 260 women attending the infertility clinic at Mulago hospital. The interviewer administered questionnaire comprised socio-demographic characteristics, infertility-related aspects and information on herbal medicine use. The main outcome measure was herbal medicines use for infertility treatment. Determinants of herbal medicine use were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The majority (76.2%) of respondents had used herbal medicines for infertility treatment. The mean age of the participants was 28.3 years ± 5.5. Over 80% were married, 59.6% had secondary infertility and 2/3 of the married participants were in monogamous unions. In a multivariable model, the variables that were independently associated with increased use of herbal medicine among infertile patients were being married (OR 2.55, CI 1.24-5.24), never conceived (OR 4.08 CI 1.86-8.96) and infertility for less than 3 years (OR 3.52 CI 1.51-8.821). Factors that were associated with less use of herbal medicine among infertile women were being aged 30 years or less (OR 0.18 CI 0.07-0.46), primary and no education (OR 0.12 CI 0.05-0.46) and living with partner for less than three years (OR 0.39 CI 0.16-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of herbal medicine use among women attending the infertility clinic was 76.2%. Herbal medicine use was associated with the participants' age, level of education, marital status, infertility duration, nulliparity, and duration of marriage. Medical care was often delayed and the majority of the participants did not disclose use of herbal medicines to the attending physician. Health professionals should enquire about use of herbal medicines. This may help in educating the patients about the health risks of using herbal medicine and may reduce delays in seeking appropriate care. Collaboration of health professionals with herbal medicine practitioners would help identify the common herbal medicines used for infertility treatment, their potential benefits and harm.

Khat (Catha edulis) and ethanol co-dependence modulate seizure expression in a pentylenetetrazol seizure model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Khat is a plant with psychostimulant properties whose parts, mainly leaves and twigs, are chewed for its euphoriant effects. Khat use and ethanol abuse are increasingly becoming global health concerns especially among many disadvantaged social groups. The present studies were undertaken to investigate seizure susceptibility and responses following chronic co-administration of khat and ethanol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Juvenile male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were administered khat, ethanol or combined khat and ethanol twice daily for 28 days by gavage. Khat-treated animals received 2 g/kg or 4 g/kg body weight continuously for the study period. Ethanol-treated animals received 20% ethanol at a dose of 4 g/kg body weight. The convulsant, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight. Seizure responses were recorded. RESULTS: Twice-daily dosing of khat did not produce inhibition of weight gain. Khat alone, combined khat and 20% ethanol, but not 20% ethanol alone, significantly reduced the latency to seize. Khat treatment at 2 g/kg but not 4 g/kg body weight also significantly increased the duration of seizures. Conversely, combined khat and ethanol reduced the duration of seizures compared to controls. Ethanol alone reduced the seizure severity while khat alone, and combined khat and ethanol, produced close to the maximum seizure severity. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that combined moderate to high dose khat and ethanol co-dependence produce a greater deleterious CNS effect than either drug alone. Future studies will address neurochemical effects, in addition to neuroadaptations, resulting from coabuse of these drugs.

Plants used to treat malaria in Nyakayojo sub-county, western Uganda.

AIM OF STUDY: We performed an ethnobotanical study of plants used to treat malaria in Nyakayojo sub-county in south western Uganda because malaria in this region, and in Uganda at large, is still the single most important reason for ill health and mortality. Two of the most vulnerable groups affected by malaria are young children and pregnant women and plants are commonly used in their treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight traditional birth attendants were interviewed about how they used plants to treat malaria. Review of the literature available on all species identified was undertaken. RESULTS: Altogether 56 plant species were used by the informants, 48 of which have been identified to species level. Thirty-two (67%) of the species used by the respondents are documented for antimalarial use in other studies, and nearly half (44%) have documented anti-plasmodial activity. Fifty-five percent of the species were used by 2 or more of the respondents. The most commonly used species were Vernonia amygdalina, the indigenous Aloe species, Justicia betonica, Vernonia adoensis and Tithonia diversifolia. It was common to use more than one plant in a recipe (43%). The respondents had good knowledge of the symptom of malaria, and fairly good understanding of the causes. CONCLUSION: The interviews show that the group of traditional birth attendants has an extensive and diverse knowledge on plants used in the treatment of malaria. The literature survey may indicate a possible explanation for the use of several plants.