Biological activities and mechanisms of action of two ethnobotanically selected South African medicinal plants on some bacteria associated with gastrointestinal infections
- Olajuyigbe, Olufunmiso Olusola https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7889-0416
- Authors: Olajuyigbe, Olufunmiso Olusola https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7889-0416
- Date: 2012-08
- Subjects: Medicinal plants , Herbs -- Therapeutic use , Gastrointestinal system
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25439 , vital:64249
- Description: In this study, 36 plant species representing 24 families were found to be commonly used for the treatment of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The family Fabaceae had the highest number of species. Out of these, 47.06percent were used in the treatment of dysentery alone while 46.15percent were used in the treatment of diarrhoea. Acacia mearnsii De Wild and Ziziphus mucronata subsp. mucronata Willd were selected for this research because they are extensively used in folkloric medicine in South Africa and there was lack of scientific reports that documented their biological activities. The phytochemical screening, antioxidant activities, in vitro antimicrobial activities, cytotoxicity, the synergistic potentials and mechanisms of actions of these plants were investigated. The phytochemical screening and the antioxidant activities of the two species showed that the quantity of the phenolic compounds, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins detected differ significantly in the various extracts. Of the aqueous, acetone, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of A. mearnsii, the ethanolic extract had the highest flavonoids while the acetone extract had the highest phenolic contents. The proanthocyanidins were highest in the methanol extract while aqueous extracts had the least phytochemicals. Aqueous extract showed the least ferric reducing power but methanol extract indicated the highest reducing power. The reducing power of the extracts was lower than those obtained from the reference standard such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), rutin and ascorbic acid. 2,2’-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) diammonium salt showed that ethanol extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity at the highest concentration tested. Also, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay indicated that ethanol extract had the highest radical scavenging activity at the lowest concentration and the activities of all the extracts decreased with increase in their concentrations. In Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata, the phenolics were significantly higher than the flavonoids and proanthocyanidin contents in all the extracts investigated. The ethanol extract had the highest antioxidant activity, followed by the acetone extract while the aqueous extract was the least active. Reacting with ABTS, the 50percent inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were (0.0429 ± 0.04 mg/ml) for aqueous, (0.0317 ± 0.04 mg/ml) for acetone and (0.0306 ± 0.04 mg/ml) for ethanol extracts while they inhibited DPPH radical with 50percent inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.0646 ± 0.02 mg/ml (aqueous), 0.0482 ± 0.02 mg/ml (acetone) and 0.0422 ± 0.03 mg/ml (ethanol). The investigation showed that a positive linear correlation existed between the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the extracts and that these plants have strong antioxidant property and free radical scavenging capability. The in vitro antibacterial activities of Acacia mearnsii and Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata showed that their minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged between 0.039 mg/ml and 1.25 mg/ml. With the exception of acetone extract of A. mearnsii having MICs greater than 1.0 mg/ml for Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Bacillus subtilis KZN, all other isolates had MICs less than 0.7 mg/ml. In all the bacteria treated with Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata extracts, Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047 had MIC greater than 1 mg/ml in methanol extract, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 had MICs greater than 1 mg/ml in acetone extract while all other isolates were highly susceptible to the different extracts of Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata and had MICs less than 0.7 mg/ml. While aqueous extract was as active as the alcoholic extracts in A. mearnsii, that of Z. mucronata had no effect. The ethanol extracts exhibited the highest degree of antibacterial activity in both plants. This study, also, showed that the antifungal activity of A. mearnsii ranging 0.3125 – 5.0 mg/ml was higher than those of the different extracts of Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata ranging 1.25 – 10.0 mg/ml. It is evident from the results of the brine shrimp lethality assay that the crude extracts of A. mearnsii with the LC50 equaled 112.36 µg/ml and having the highest levels of toxicity (100percent) death at 500 μg/ml was non toxic (LC50 > 100 μg/ml) while the LC50 for Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata equaled 90.27 µg/ml indicated a low level of toxicity. The effects of combining the crude extracts of these plants with eight antibiotics were investigated by means of checkerboard and agar diffusion methods. On using the methanol extract of A. mearnsii, the agar diffusion assay showed that extract-kanamycin combination had zones of inhibition ≥ 20 ± 1.0 mm in all the bacteria tested (100percent), followed by extract chloramphenicol (90percent) > extract-ciprofloxacin = extract-tetracycline (70percent) > extract amoxicillin (60percent) > extract-nalidixic acid (50percent) > extract-erythromycin (40percent) > extract metronidazole (20percent). The checkerboard showed synergistic interaction (61.25percent), additivity/indifference (23.75percent) and antagonistic (15percent) effects. I, therefore, concluded that the antibacterial potentials of the antibiotics were improved and combining natural products with antibiotic could be a potential source of resistance-modifying agents useful against multi-drug resistant bacteria. The influences of these extracts on the ultrastructures, elemental components, protein and lipid leakages of five different bacteria were determined as the possible mechanisms of action of the extracts investigated. The scanning electron microscopy indicated varied ultrastructural changes in the morphology of bacterial cells treated with the extracts. The X-ray microanalysis showed significant differences between the elemental contents of extract-treated and untreated bacteria while lipids and proteins were leaked to a great extent from the extract-treated bacterial strains in comparison with the untreated ones. The possible mechanisms of action of the extracts may include inhibition of a significant step in peptidoglycan assembly, inhibition of metabolic processes, disruption of cell wall and cell membranes resulting in the efflux of lipid and protein in all the bacteria tested. The possible mechanism of action involved in the lipid and protein leakages in the bacterial cells could be attributed to lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation owing to the antioxidant activities of the extracts that were active beyond the protective levels. I concluded that the morphological changes and the observed leakages showed rapid killing, significant membrane depolarization resulting in leakages and efflux of disintegrated cellular materials. In general, this study has justified the ethnotherapeutic importance of A. mearnsii and Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata in the treatment of microbial infections by indicating the possible mechanisms of action of the crude extracts on the tested bacteria. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-08
- Authors: Olajuyigbe, Olufunmiso Olusola https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7889-0416
- Date: 2012-08
- Subjects: Medicinal plants , Herbs -- Therapeutic use , Gastrointestinal system
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25439 , vital:64249
- Description: In this study, 36 plant species representing 24 families were found to be commonly used for the treatment of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The family Fabaceae had the highest number of species. Out of these, 47.06percent were used in the treatment of dysentery alone while 46.15percent were used in the treatment of diarrhoea. Acacia mearnsii De Wild and Ziziphus mucronata subsp. mucronata Willd were selected for this research because they are extensively used in folkloric medicine in South Africa and there was lack of scientific reports that documented their biological activities. The phytochemical screening, antioxidant activities, in vitro antimicrobial activities, cytotoxicity, the synergistic potentials and mechanisms of actions of these plants were investigated. The phytochemical screening and the antioxidant activities of the two species showed that the quantity of the phenolic compounds, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins detected differ significantly in the various extracts. Of the aqueous, acetone, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of A. mearnsii, the ethanolic extract had the highest flavonoids while the acetone extract had the highest phenolic contents. The proanthocyanidins were highest in the methanol extract while aqueous extracts had the least phytochemicals. Aqueous extract showed the least ferric reducing power but methanol extract indicated the highest reducing power. The reducing power of the extracts was lower than those obtained from the reference standard such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), rutin and ascorbic acid. 2,2’-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) diammonium salt showed that ethanol extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity at the highest concentration tested. Also, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay indicated that ethanol extract had the highest radical scavenging activity at the lowest concentration and the activities of all the extracts decreased with increase in their concentrations. In Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata, the phenolics were significantly higher than the flavonoids and proanthocyanidin contents in all the extracts investigated. The ethanol extract had the highest antioxidant activity, followed by the acetone extract while the aqueous extract was the least active. Reacting with ABTS, the 50percent inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were (0.0429 ± 0.04 mg/ml) for aqueous, (0.0317 ± 0.04 mg/ml) for acetone and (0.0306 ± 0.04 mg/ml) for ethanol extracts while they inhibited DPPH radical with 50percent inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.0646 ± 0.02 mg/ml (aqueous), 0.0482 ± 0.02 mg/ml (acetone) and 0.0422 ± 0.03 mg/ml (ethanol). The investigation showed that a positive linear correlation existed between the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the extracts and that these plants have strong antioxidant property and free radical scavenging capability. The in vitro antibacterial activities of Acacia mearnsii and Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata showed that their minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged between 0.039 mg/ml and 1.25 mg/ml. With the exception of acetone extract of A. mearnsii having MICs greater than 1.0 mg/ml for Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Bacillus subtilis KZN, all other isolates had MICs less than 0.7 mg/ml. In all the bacteria treated with Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata extracts, Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047 had MIC greater than 1 mg/ml in methanol extract, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 had MICs greater than 1 mg/ml in acetone extract while all other isolates were highly susceptible to the different extracts of Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata and had MICs less than 0.7 mg/ml. While aqueous extract was as active as the alcoholic extracts in A. mearnsii, that of Z. mucronata had no effect. The ethanol extracts exhibited the highest degree of antibacterial activity in both plants. This study, also, showed that the antifungal activity of A. mearnsii ranging 0.3125 – 5.0 mg/ml was higher than those of the different extracts of Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata ranging 1.25 – 10.0 mg/ml. It is evident from the results of the brine shrimp lethality assay that the crude extracts of A. mearnsii with the LC50 equaled 112.36 µg/ml and having the highest levels of toxicity (100percent) death at 500 μg/ml was non toxic (LC50 > 100 μg/ml) while the LC50 for Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata equaled 90.27 µg/ml indicated a low level of toxicity. The effects of combining the crude extracts of these plants with eight antibiotics were investigated by means of checkerboard and agar diffusion methods. On using the methanol extract of A. mearnsii, the agar diffusion assay showed that extract-kanamycin combination had zones of inhibition ≥ 20 ± 1.0 mm in all the bacteria tested (100percent), followed by extract chloramphenicol (90percent) > extract-ciprofloxacin = extract-tetracycline (70percent) > extract amoxicillin (60percent) > extract-nalidixic acid (50percent) > extract-erythromycin (40percent) > extract metronidazole (20percent). The checkerboard showed synergistic interaction (61.25percent), additivity/indifference (23.75percent) and antagonistic (15percent) effects. I, therefore, concluded that the antibacterial potentials of the antibiotics were improved and combining natural products with antibiotic could be a potential source of resistance-modifying agents useful against multi-drug resistant bacteria. The influences of these extracts on the ultrastructures, elemental components, protein and lipid leakages of five different bacteria were determined as the possible mechanisms of action of the extracts investigated. The scanning electron microscopy indicated varied ultrastructural changes in the morphology of bacterial cells treated with the extracts. The X-ray microanalysis showed significant differences between the elemental contents of extract-treated and untreated bacteria while lipids and proteins were leaked to a great extent from the extract-treated bacterial strains in comparison with the untreated ones. The possible mechanisms of action of the extracts may include inhibition of a significant step in peptidoglycan assembly, inhibition of metabolic processes, disruption of cell wall and cell membranes resulting in the efflux of lipid and protein in all the bacteria tested. The possible mechanism of action involved in the lipid and protein leakages in the bacterial cells could be attributed to lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation owing to the antioxidant activities of the extracts that were active beyond the protective levels. I concluded that the morphological changes and the observed leakages showed rapid killing, significant membrane depolarization resulting in leakages and efflux of disintegrated cellular materials. In general, this study has justified the ethnotherapeutic importance of A. mearnsii and Z. mucronata subsp. mucronata in the treatment of microbial infections by indicating the possible mechanisms of action of the crude extracts on the tested bacteria. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-08
Contested environmental knowledge: Struggles over meanings and uses of medicinal plants in Kabokweni, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mbeng, Emiline Oben Otang
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Medicinal plants , Ethnobiology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21146 , vital:47143
- Description: The main aim of this study was to examine the meanings attached by locals to medicinal plants in Kabokweni, Mpumalanga and how such meanings tend to shape the character of local struggles over access to, use and even commercial benefits of medicinal plants. This study draws its theoretical schema from political ecology, especially ethnoecology where the goal is to elucidate environmental conflict, most especially in terms of contestations over knowledge, power and practice, as they relate to the meaning and control of medicinal plants in Kabokweni. The study, therefore, recognises the complex interconnections between nature and society through a careful analysis of what one might call the forms of access and control over resources and their consequences for environmental health and sustainable livelihood. In-depth interviews, oral histories and non-participant observation were used to collect data and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data into meaningful themes according to the research questions and objectives of the study. The study found that Swati medicinal plant names are not subjective, but depend on socio-cultural and pragmatic perspectives, and meanings shape local struggles over medicinal plants in Kabokweni. Four underlying discourses were identified from the analysis of local narratives on the meanings and uses of medicinal plants. Each discourse offered a noticeably different concept of medicinal plants and people-plant relationships. Firstly, the ‘sustainability discourse’ referred to the role of foresters and environmentalists in sustainably managing plant resources. Secondly, the ‘livelihood discourse’ was entrenched in the local culture and economy. Thirdly, the ‘knowledge discourse’ conceptualises medicinal plants predominantly in terms of species richness and natural processes, while the ‘economic discourse’ emphasised the economic potential of medicines derived from plants as their major concern. Powerful social actors who influenced decisions about use and management of indigenous medicinal plants controlled these discourses. Finally, the study argues that rural communities would continue harvesting natural resources, even if illegally. Hence, to avert conflicts between indigenous actors and environmental agencies, communities need to be integrated into management programs, so they can be aware of some crucial issues such as sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
- Authors: Mbeng, Emiline Oben Otang
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Medicinal plants , Ethnobiology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21146 , vital:47143
- Description: The main aim of this study was to examine the meanings attached by locals to medicinal plants in Kabokweni, Mpumalanga and how such meanings tend to shape the character of local struggles over access to, use and even commercial benefits of medicinal plants. This study draws its theoretical schema from political ecology, especially ethnoecology where the goal is to elucidate environmental conflict, most especially in terms of contestations over knowledge, power and practice, as they relate to the meaning and control of medicinal plants in Kabokweni. The study, therefore, recognises the complex interconnections between nature and society through a careful analysis of what one might call the forms of access and control over resources and their consequences for environmental health and sustainable livelihood. In-depth interviews, oral histories and non-participant observation were used to collect data and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data into meaningful themes according to the research questions and objectives of the study. The study found that Swati medicinal plant names are not subjective, but depend on socio-cultural and pragmatic perspectives, and meanings shape local struggles over medicinal plants in Kabokweni. Four underlying discourses were identified from the analysis of local narratives on the meanings and uses of medicinal plants. Each discourse offered a noticeably different concept of medicinal plants and people-plant relationships. Firstly, the ‘sustainability discourse’ referred to the role of foresters and environmentalists in sustainably managing plant resources. Secondly, the ‘livelihood discourse’ was entrenched in the local culture and economy. Thirdly, the ‘knowledge discourse’ conceptualises medicinal plants predominantly in terms of species richness and natural processes, while the ‘economic discourse’ emphasised the economic potential of medicines derived from plants as their major concern. Powerful social actors who influenced decisions about use and management of indigenous medicinal plants controlled these discourses. Finally, the study argues that rural communities would continue harvesting natural resources, even if illegally. Hence, to avert conflicts between indigenous actors and environmental agencies, communities need to be integrated into management programs, so they can be aware of some crucial issues such as sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
Evaluation of the toxicity of secondary metabolites in Solanum incanum L. to advance community knowledge
- Authors: Zivanayi, William
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Solanum -- Zimbabwe , Pesticides -- Toxicology , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61018 , vital:69686
- Description: The effects of pests and the need to produce adequate food have influenced small-scale farmers in disadvantaged communities to adopt and utilise natural plant pesticides to improve harvests in many Southern African Development Communities. However, the phytochemistry associated with these indigenous plants’ pesticide activity still needs to be explored. The lack of evidence of scientific knowledge of the plant species has caused a lot of health issues among the users of indigenous plant pesticides. Solanum incanum is among the plants utilised to control cabbage aphids in Mkoba village, Zimbabwe. Solanum species are known for their steroidal compounds which comprise glycoalkaloids and saponins. This study evaluated the knowledge, opinions, and attitudes of the vegetable peasant farming community in Gweru regarding their use of the indigenous plant (S. incanum) as a pesticide. The study also reported the phytochemical profiling, structural characterisation of the isolated compounds, and biological and pesticidal activity evaluation of phytochemicals isolated from S. incanum. A descriptive survey was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of a conveniently sampled group of vegetable farmers in Mkoba village who use S. incanum as a pesticide. Forty-nine respondents comprised of 19 males and 30 females of ages ranging from 15 to above 60 years took part in the study by answering an open and closed-ended questionnaire. The survey revealed that parents and neighbours were instrumental in disseminating pesticidal information in the community. Brassica napus were the most grown.vegetable and vulnerable to cabbage aphids. Mixed opinions amongst the respondents varied regarding the health and environmental impact of S. incanum as a pesticide. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the respondents supported the use of S. incanum as a pesticide whilst 25% claimed that the use of S. incanum was the source of the health problems experienced in the community. The survey demonstrated that (45)91% of the farmers displayed poor practices regarding the disposal of empty pesticide containers and the use of personal protective clothing. The most prevalent symptoms in the community were skin rash, nausea, headache, and poor vision and these symptoms were common in the age group 30 to 60 years. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Zivanayi, William
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Solanum -- Zimbabwe , Pesticides -- Toxicology , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61018 , vital:69686
- Description: The effects of pests and the need to produce adequate food have influenced small-scale farmers in disadvantaged communities to adopt and utilise natural plant pesticides to improve harvests in many Southern African Development Communities. However, the phytochemistry associated with these indigenous plants’ pesticide activity still needs to be explored. The lack of evidence of scientific knowledge of the plant species has caused a lot of health issues among the users of indigenous plant pesticides. Solanum incanum is among the plants utilised to control cabbage aphids in Mkoba village, Zimbabwe. Solanum species are known for their steroidal compounds which comprise glycoalkaloids and saponins. This study evaluated the knowledge, opinions, and attitudes of the vegetable peasant farming community in Gweru regarding their use of the indigenous plant (S. incanum) as a pesticide. The study also reported the phytochemical profiling, structural characterisation of the isolated compounds, and biological and pesticidal activity evaluation of phytochemicals isolated from S. incanum. A descriptive survey was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of a conveniently sampled group of vegetable farmers in Mkoba village who use S. incanum as a pesticide. Forty-nine respondents comprised of 19 males and 30 females of ages ranging from 15 to above 60 years took part in the study by answering an open and closed-ended questionnaire. The survey revealed that parents and neighbours were instrumental in disseminating pesticidal information in the community. Brassica napus were the most grown.vegetable and vulnerable to cabbage aphids. Mixed opinions amongst the respondents varied regarding the health and environmental impact of S. incanum as a pesticide. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the respondents supported the use of S. incanum as a pesticide whilst 25% claimed that the use of S. incanum was the source of the health problems experienced in the community. The survey demonstrated that (45)91% of the farmers displayed poor practices regarding the disposal of empty pesticide containers and the use of personal protective clothing. The most prevalent symptoms in the community were skin rash, nausea, headache, and poor vision and these symptoms were common in the age group 30 to 60 years. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Medicinal properties of Moringa (Moringa Oleifera Lam) leaves and the effect of its use as a supplement on goat growth performance and meat characteristics
- Moyo, Busani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7002-7266
- Authors: Moyo, Busani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7002-7266
- Date: 2011-09
- Subjects: Moringa , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24376 , vital:62662
- Description: The main objective of the study was to determine if feeding goats with Moringa oleifera leaves would lead to an increase in productivity and in value of the meat. The proximate, van Soet, atomic absorption spectrophotometric and soxhlet extraction methods were used to determine the nutritional value M. oleifera leaves of the South African. The in-vitro antimicrobial screening methods were used to determine antimicrobial activities M. oleifera extracts while in vitro and invivo models were used to determine the antioxidant activities of M. oleifera leaves. An evaluation of the potential of M. oleifera leaf meal as a feed supplement in terms of its effect on helminth load, goat growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality attributes, nutritional and consumer sensory characteristics of goat meat was done. A total of 24, eight month old goats were randomly allocated to dietary treatments of M. oleifera leaf meal (MOL), sunflower seed cake (SC) and GH (grass hay) which was the control. All the groups were fed on basal diet of grass hay ad libitum and 200g wheat bran per head per day. The MOL group was given an additional 200 g of dried M. oleifera leaves while the SC group was offered 170 g sunflower seed cake per head/day. The study showed that the dried leaves had crude protein levels of 30.3 percent, polyunsaturated fatty acids (52.21 percent), Saturated fatty acids (43.31), n-3 (44.57 percent), n-6 (7.64 percent), 19 amino acids, vitamin E (77 mg/100 g) and Beta-carotene (18.5 mg/100 g). The M. oleifera leaf extracts showed antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloace, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus kristinae. The supplementation of goats with MOL and SC resulted in decreased feacal larval count and lower Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriforms and Oesophagastum columbianum worm burdens than those in the non-supplemented goats. Goats supplemented with SC and MOL had higher average daily weight gain and heavier carcasses than those in the GH group. Higher pH1 scores were observed in chevon from GH diet than the supplemented ones. The MOL and SC supplemented goats had chevon with higher values for lightness (L*) 24 hr post-mortem than the one from the GH group. The redness (a*) values of chevon 24 hr post mortem was highest in MOL supplemented goats. Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values of SC (30.1 N) and MOL (29.8 N) supplemented goats were lower than those from GH diet (32.6 N). Chevon from goats fed GH diet had significantly higher cooking losses (29.5 percent) than that from MOL (25.4 percent) and SC (25.6 percent) fed groups. It was observed that chevon from MOL and SC supplemented groups had higher crude protein (23.57 and 22.95 percent, respectively) than the one from the GH group (21.20 percent). Cholesterol levels were higher in chevon from SC (42.84) supplemented goats than those from MOL (38.76) and GH (35.63 mg). Chevon from GH and MOL group had higher (P < 0.05) proportions of PUFA, n-3, PUFA/SFA ratio and lower n-6/n-3 ratio. Mean consumer scores for first bite, aroma, flavour and juiceness were higher in the MOL group than in the GH group (P < 0.05). The acetone extract exhibited higher concentrations of total flavonoids, flavonols, phenolics. The acetone extracts depicted higher percentage inhibition against DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide radicals which were comparable with reference antioxidant (vitamin C and BHT). The M. oleifera leaf meal increased the antioxidant activity of GSH, SOD and catalase. Moringa oleifera leaves also exhibited medicinal properties by having anthelmintic, antibacterial activities and showed antioxidant properties. It was also observed that protein supplementation improved the animal growth performance, the physico-chemical characteristics, nutritional and fatty acids composition of meat hence meeting the consumer needs. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011-09
- Authors: Moyo, Busani https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7002-7266
- Date: 2011-09
- Subjects: Moringa , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24376 , vital:62662
- Description: The main objective of the study was to determine if feeding goats with Moringa oleifera leaves would lead to an increase in productivity and in value of the meat. The proximate, van Soet, atomic absorption spectrophotometric and soxhlet extraction methods were used to determine the nutritional value M. oleifera leaves of the South African. The in-vitro antimicrobial screening methods were used to determine antimicrobial activities M. oleifera extracts while in vitro and invivo models were used to determine the antioxidant activities of M. oleifera leaves. An evaluation of the potential of M. oleifera leaf meal as a feed supplement in terms of its effect on helminth load, goat growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality attributes, nutritional and consumer sensory characteristics of goat meat was done. A total of 24, eight month old goats were randomly allocated to dietary treatments of M. oleifera leaf meal (MOL), sunflower seed cake (SC) and GH (grass hay) which was the control. All the groups were fed on basal diet of grass hay ad libitum and 200g wheat bran per head per day. The MOL group was given an additional 200 g of dried M. oleifera leaves while the SC group was offered 170 g sunflower seed cake per head/day. The study showed that the dried leaves had crude protein levels of 30.3 percent, polyunsaturated fatty acids (52.21 percent), Saturated fatty acids (43.31), n-3 (44.57 percent), n-6 (7.64 percent), 19 amino acids, vitamin E (77 mg/100 g) and Beta-carotene (18.5 mg/100 g). The M. oleifera leaf extracts showed antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloace, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus kristinae. The supplementation of goats with MOL and SC resulted in decreased feacal larval count and lower Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriforms and Oesophagastum columbianum worm burdens than those in the non-supplemented goats. Goats supplemented with SC and MOL had higher average daily weight gain and heavier carcasses than those in the GH group. Higher pH1 scores were observed in chevon from GH diet than the supplemented ones. The MOL and SC supplemented goats had chevon with higher values for lightness (L*) 24 hr post-mortem than the one from the GH group. The redness (a*) values of chevon 24 hr post mortem was highest in MOL supplemented goats. Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values of SC (30.1 N) and MOL (29.8 N) supplemented goats were lower than those from GH diet (32.6 N). Chevon from goats fed GH diet had significantly higher cooking losses (29.5 percent) than that from MOL (25.4 percent) and SC (25.6 percent) fed groups. It was observed that chevon from MOL and SC supplemented groups had higher crude protein (23.57 and 22.95 percent, respectively) than the one from the GH group (21.20 percent). Cholesterol levels were higher in chevon from SC (42.84) supplemented goats than those from MOL (38.76) and GH (35.63 mg). Chevon from GH and MOL group had higher (P < 0.05) proportions of PUFA, n-3, PUFA/SFA ratio and lower n-6/n-3 ratio. Mean consumer scores for first bite, aroma, flavour and juiceness were higher in the MOL group than in the GH group (P < 0.05). The acetone extract exhibited higher concentrations of total flavonoids, flavonols, phenolics. The acetone extracts depicted higher percentage inhibition against DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide radicals which were comparable with reference antioxidant (vitamin C and BHT). The M. oleifera leaf meal increased the antioxidant activity of GSH, SOD and catalase. Moringa oleifera leaves also exhibited medicinal properties by having anthelmintic, antibacterial activities and showed antioxidant properties. It was also observed that protein supplementation improved the animal growth performance, the physico-chemical characteristics, nutritional and fatty acids composition of meat hence meeting the consumer needs. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011-09
Molecular characterization, antibiograms and activity of medicinal plants against streptococcus pneumoniae and haemophilus influenzae isolates from clinical samples of patients in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Morobe, Isaac Christopher
- Date: 2015-00
- Subjects: Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6469 , vital:46340
- Description: H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae are important causes of community acquired respiratory tract infections including, pneumonia, acute sinusitis, otitis media, meningitis, bacteremia, sepsis, osteomyelitis, pericarditis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, peritonitis, cellulitis and brain abscesses. The ability to effectively treat bacterial infections has been compromised in recent years due to the acquisition of antibiotic resistance, particularly to β-lactam drugs. The increasing trends in antibiotic resistance have prompted incessant searches aimed at unraveling new effective sources for the management of microbial infections. Plant derived antimicrobial compounds that have no or minimal toxicity to host cells are considered candidates for developing new antimicrobial drugs. Safety is therefore critical in the development and formulation of such antimicrobials. In addition to studies on the structural elucidation of active compounds of selected medicinal plants and determination of their toxicity levels, concerted investigations on the molecular landscape of the designated bacteria, including genes coding for resistance and virulence, the phylogenetic profiles of isolates from different sources and the abilities of isolates to withstand the normal bactericidal activities of human serum samples from different blood groups are critical for a thorough understanding of the management, pathogenetic and clinico- epidemiological trajectories of the pathogens. Therefore, the aims of the various studies were to characterize local H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae isolates by serological and molecular methods; ascertain the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of isolates in order to provide updated data and guide clinicians and other health care workers on the empiric management of patients; determine genes coding for virulence and phylogenetic relatedness of isolates of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae from diverse sources; ascertain the bactericidal activity of human serum samples from different blood groups against H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae and also to determine the activity of active compounds and toxicity levels of selected medicinal plants. In order to achieve these goals, relevant samples were collected and screened using an array of microbiological, serological, molecular and phytochemical methods, which would be espoused in the relevant chapters, presented hereunder. Key findings of the various chapters including their contributions to knowledge are highlighted. The studies are presented in eight chapters and each chapter, with the exception of chapter one (General Introduction and Literature Review) consists of an introduction, materials and methods, results, discussions, conclusions and references. Each chapter is therefore designed as a publishable unit. Chapter 1 gives an account of the background to the study and the literature review. The morphology, cultural characteristics, laboratory diagnosis, pathogenesis, antibiogram and clinical manifestations of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae were reviewed. Furthermore, the activities of medicinal plants and their various applications in the management of infections in different countries, including their possible active compounds and toxicity levels were also explored in order to provide a suitable background for the study. Similar reviews were undertaken for molecular aspects of both pathogens as well as the activities of human serum samples against microbial infections. In Chapter 2 the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profiles of H. influenzae and, S. pneumoniae isolates from clinical samples of patients in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province were investigated. Clinical samples were obtained randomly from individuals attending different hospitals in Mthatha district. Samples were analysed using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion test (antibiotic susceptibility testing) and MIC breakpoints were determined using E-test strips. From a total of 475 clinical samples tested, 323 (68.0%) were positive for both H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. Most of the positive isolates were obtained from children under 9 years. Out of 323 isolates, 187 (57.89%) were positive for H. influenzae and 136 (42.1%) were positive for S. pneumoniae. From 10 hospitals selected for sampling in this study, Mthatha General Hospital recorded the highest number of isolates, 42 (25.15%) and 31 (22.79%) of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae positive isolates respectively, followed by Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital 33 (19.76%) and 26 (19.12%) respectively while ST. Patricks 8 (4.79%) recorded the least number of isolates for H. influenzae and Khotsong 4 (2.94%) recorded the least number of isolates for S. pneumoniae. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed Amoxicillin (MIC50, 0.125μg/ml) and Vancomycin (MIC50,0.12μg/ml) as the most effective antibiotics against S. pneumoniae isolates and Co-amoxiclav (MIC50,0.3µg/ml) and Cefuroxime (MIC50,0.15µg/ml) against H. influenzae isolates. These data highlight the need for education and to consider predominant resistance when choosing empiric therapies to treat bacterial infections. Chapter 3 was designed to investigate the virulence factors of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae isolates from clinical specimens of patients with respiratory tract infections in Mthatha district, the Eastern Cape Province. PCR and sequencing methods were used to verify the genetic determinants responsible for virulence in H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae strains. Results indicated that, of the 187 H. influenzae isolates studied, 26 (13.9%) were typeable, positive by genotypic determination, while 161 (86.1%) were non typeable (NTHi) strains. On the other, out of the 136 S. pneumoniae isolates 24 (17.6%) were typeable while 112 (82.4%) were non typeable strains. All isolates tested contained the metS2 gene for both H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. The phylogenetic clusters identified by maximum-parsimony analysis were also compared to the results of 16S rRNA sequences. Twenty five percent of none typeable strains were typed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The phylogenetic tree yielded 7.7% H. influenzae similarities while S. pneumoniae yielded 25% similarities with other typeable strains. The presence of genes coding for virulence in this study suggest a significant contribution of genes encoding for virulence to antimicrobial resistance among respiratory tract organisms studied. This study underlines the importance of understanding the virulence composition and diversity of pathogens for enhanced clinico-epidemiological monitoring and health care delivery. The findings will also provide a genetic foundation for future research into mechanisms of pathogenesis of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae and may accelerate the development of safe and effective vaccines to prevent and control diseases caused by H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. In Chapter 4, cytotoxic effects and safety profiles of extracts of active medicinal plants from the OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape of South Africa were carried out. The most prominent families of medicinal plants (Solanacea and Euphorbiaceae) were used. Extracts of nine South African medicinal plants were screened for cytotoxic activities against MAGI CC5+ cells using MTT assay. Results indicated that nine plant extracts (methanolic and aqueous) used in the MTT assay revealed Herb 2 (Cyanthula inculata) as the most potent extract identified with activity of 1.4 Cc50 values of 25.6 mg/mL and induced over 50% of cell deaths, followed by herb 3 (Croton grattismus) and Herb 4 (Cassine trasvaalensis) with activity of 0.2 Cc50 values of 3.7 mg/mL each. The herbs that induced the least cell death, were herbs 5 (Capris tomentosa) and 7 (Hypoxis hemerocallidea), with the activity of 0.05 Cc50 values of 0.9 mg/mL each. Of the nine plant extracts 2(22%) exhibited minimal toxicity on MAGI cells and 7(77.8%) exhibited 50% toxicity. Two (22%) of the methanolic extracts exhibited anti-HIV1 IIIB activities and against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) only one medicinal plant extract (Lysium inerme) exhibited 29% activity. Cytotoxicity tests will provide comprehensive reference data bases for the profiling and eventual considerations of medicinal plants as potential templates for drug designs and medical applications. In chapter 5 Chemical Components of the volatile and non-volatile extractives of Croton species and their microbial activities were screened. Isolation of the essential oils from the leaves of Croton pseudopulchellus and C. gratissimus from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces in South Africa were performed using an all glass Clevenger apparatus according to the British Pharmacopeia method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the oils were assessed against the seven different standard strains of bacteria: H. influenzae, Bacillus pimitus, Staphylococcus aureus, S. pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens and Entarobacter cloacae using micro dilution technique on a 96 well microtitre plate. Results showed golden to very light yellow oils obtained with percentage yield of 1.03 -1.25 respectively (w/w). Analysis of the oils was performed using Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrophotometry. The leaf oil of Croton pseudopulchellus had germacrene (24.2%),β-phellandrene (17.4%), myrcene (13.4%) and β-caryophyllene (11.4%) as the prominent compounds identified in the oil. The chemical composition of the leaf oil of C. gratissimus was characterized by sabinene (14.6%), β-phellandrene (12.3%), α-phellandrene (10.7%), α-pinene (6.0%) and germacrene D (5.9%). Chemical profiles of the essential oils of Croton species reported in literatures are specific to their geographical location. The oils from C. pseudopulchellus and C. grattisimus were found to have significant antibacterial activities and therefore could be used as natural antimicrobial agents for the treatment of several infectious diseases caused by pathogenic and antibiotic resistant organisms. Chapters 6 and 7 were designed to isolate two bioactive compounds from the stem bark of Lycium inerme and the leaves of Croton grattisimus and were screened for their biological activities against H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. A qualitative phytochemical screening and bioassay of the plants extracts was carried out. Antimicrobial screening was by broth microdilution and bioautography. Bioassay results showed that compounds with Rf –values between 0.67 to 0.80 were very active against H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. However, the most active of these compounds was observed at 0.70 for H. influenzae and 0.69 for S. pneumoniae from the dichloromethane extract. Column chromatography, Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (PTLC) and Sephadex LH20 were used for isolation, sample clean-up and purification of this extract. Two active compounds: a coumarin (7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-coumarin) and two triterpenoids, Ursolic acid (3-oxo-19-hydroxyl-6-methoxylpomolic acid) and Moronic acid (3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid) were isolated from the dichloromethane fraction. The presence of Coumarins and Terpenoids in this herb was observed from the TLC fingerprints. NMR spectroscopic methods were used for the structural elucidation of the active compounds while the GC-MS was used to determine the presence of essential oils from volatile samples obtained from the leaves of C. grattisimus and L. inerme. C. grattisimus extracts possess strong free radicals with scavenging, antimicrobial and antifungal activities; therefore, further studies are needed to determine their efficacies in vivo or clinical usefulness. L. inerme stem bark can therefore be used as a source of alternative medicine or new pharmaceutical and health care product or as a starting material for synthesis of drugs. In chapter 8, general conclusions and perspectives of various parts of the findings were captured. The multi-drug resistance was observed among the emerging respiratory tract bacterial pathogens. It was recommended that measures should be put in place to control the spread of drug resistance in pathogens through improved and standardized laboratory practices, proper and regular surveillance to help guide against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in empirical treatment. The recognition but cautious use of medicinal plants as alternative sources of therapies and a probable means to solve the emerging resistance problem was recommended. Improved standard of hygiene in hospital settings and the communities is important to prevent the spread of infections. The thesis provides a novel reference document on the genes coding for resistance, antibiograms and phylogenetic profiles of local isolates of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae as well as the activities, active compounds and toxicity levels of medicinal plants investigated in an endeavour to effectively understand the possible therapeutic, molecular and epidemiological trends in respect of the designated pathogens. , Thesis (Phd) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-00
- Authors: Morobe, Isaac Christopher
- Date: 2015-00
- Subjects: Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6469 , vital:46340
- Description: H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae are important causes of community acquired respiratory tract infections including, pneumonia, acute sinusitis, otitis media, meningitis, bacteremia, sepsis, osteomyelitis, pericarditis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, peritonitis, cellulitis and brain abscesses. The ability to effectively treat bacterial infections has been compromised in recent years due to the acquisition of antibiotic resistance, particularly to β-lactam drugs. The increasing trends in antibiotic resistance have prompted incessant searches aimed at unraveling new effective sources for the management of microbial infections. Plant derived antimicrobial compounds that have no or minimal toxicity to host cells are considered candidates for developing new antimicrobial drugs. Safety is therefore critical in the development and formulation of such antimicrobials. In addition to studies on the structural elucidation of active compounds of selected medicinal plants and determination of their toxicity levels, concerted investigations on the molecular landscape of the designated bacteria, including genes coding for resistance and virulence, the phylogenetic profiles of isolates from different sources and the abilities of isolates to withstand the normal bactericidal activities of human serum samples from different blood groups are critical for a thorough understanding of the management, pathogenetic and clinico- epidemiological trajectories of the pathogens. Therefore, the aims of the various studies were to characterize local H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae isolates by serological and molecular methods; ascertain the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of isolates in order to provide updated data and guide clinicians and other health care workers on the empiric management of patients; determine genes coding for virulence and phylogenetic relatedness of isolates of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae from diverse sources; ascertain the bactericidal activity of human serum samples from different blood groups against H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae and also to determine the activity of active compounds and toxicity levels of selected medicinal plants. In order to achieve these goals, relevant samples were collected and screened using an array of microbiological, serological, molecular and phytochemical methods, which would be espoused in the relevant chapters, presented hereunder. Key findings of the various chapters including their contributions to knowledge are highlighted. The studies are presented in eight chapters and each chapter, with the exception of chapter one (General Introduction and Literature Review) consists of an introduction, materials and methods, results, discussions, conclusions and references. Each chapter is therefore designed as a publishable unit. Chapter 1 gives an account of the background to the study and the literature review. The morphology, cultural characteristics, laboratory diagnosis, pathogenesis, antibiogram and clinical manifestations of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae were reviewed. Furthermore, the activities of medicinal plants and their various applications in the management of infections in different countries, including their possible active compounds and toxicity levels were also explored in order to provide a suitable background for the study. Similar reviews were undertaken for molecular aspects of both pathogens as well as the activities of human serum samples against microbial infections. In Chapter 2 the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profiles of H. influenzae and, S. pneumoniae isolates from clinical samples of patients in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province were investigated. Clinical samples were obtained randomly from individuals attending different hospitals in Mthatha district. Samples were analysed using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion test (antibiotic susceptibility testing) and MIC breakpoints were determined using E-test strips. From a total of 475 clinical samples tested, 323 (68.0%) were positive for both H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. Most of the positive isolates were obtained from children under 9 years. Out of 323 isolates, 187 (57.89%) were positive for H. influenzae and 136 (42.1%) were positive for S. pneumoniae. From 10 hospitals selected for sampling in this study, Mthatha General Hospital recorded the highest number of isolates, 42 (25.15%) and 31 (22.79%) of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae positive isolates respectively, followed by Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital 33 (19.76%) and 26 (19.12%) respectively while ST. Patricks 8 (4.79%) recorded the least number of isolates for H. influenzae and Khotsong 4 (2.94%) recorded the least number of isolates for S. pneumoniae. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed Amoxicillin (MIC50, 0.125μg/ml) and Vancomycin (MIC50,0.12μg/ml) as the most effective antibiotics against S. pneumoniae isolates and Co-amoxiclav (MIC50,0.3µg/ml) and Cefuroxime (MIC50,0.15µg/ml) against H. influenzae isolates. These data highlight the need for education and to consider predominant resistance when choosing empiric therapies to treat bacterial infections. Chapter 3 was designed to investigate the virulence factors of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae isolates from clinical specimens of patients with respiratory tract infections in Mthatha district, the Eastern Cape Province. PCR and sequencing methods were used to verify the genetic determinants responsible for virulence in H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae strains. Results indicated that, of the 187 H. influenzae isolates studied, 26 (13.9%) were typeable, positive by genotypic determination, while 161 (86.1%) were non typeable (NTHi) strains. On the other, out of the 136 S. pneumoniae isolates 24 (17.6%) were typeable while 112 (82.4%) were non typeable strains. All isolates tested contained the metS2 gene for both H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. The phylogenetic clusters identified by maximum-parsimony analysis were also compared to the results of 16S rRNA sequences. Twenty five percent of none typeable strains were typed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The phylogenetic tree yielded 7.7% H. influenzae similarities while S. pneumoniae yielded 25% similarities with other typeable strains. The presence of genes coding for virulence in this study suggest a significant contribution of genes encoding for virulence to antimicrobial resistance among respiratory tract organisms studied. This study underlines the importance of understanding the virulence composition and diversity of pathogens for enhanced clinico-epidemiological monitoring and health care delivery. The findings will also provide a genetic foundation for future research into mechanisms of pathogenesis of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae and may accelerate the development of safe and effective vaccines to prevent and control diseases caused by H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. In Chapter 4, cytotoxic effects and safety profiles of extracts of active medicinal plants from the OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape of South Africa were carried out. The most prominent families of medicinal plants (Solanacea and Euphorbiaceae) were used. Extracts of nine South African medicinal plants were screened for cytotoxic activities against MAGI CC5+ cells using MTT assay. Results indicated that nine plant extracts (methanolic and aqueous) used in the MTT assay revealed Herb 2 (Cyanthula inculata) as the most potent extract identified with activity of 1.4 Cc50 values of 25.6 mg/mL and induced over 50% of cell deaths, followed by herb 3 (Croton grattismus) and Herb 4 (Cassine trasvaalensis) with activity of 0.2 Cc50 values of 3.7 mg/mL each. The herbs that induced the least cell death, were herbs 5 (Capris tomentosa) and 7 (Hypoxis hemerocallidea), with the activity of 0.05 Cc50 values of 0.9 mg/mL each. Of the nine plant extracts 2(22%) exhibited minimal toxicity on MAGI cells and 7(77.8%) exhibited 50% toxicity. Two (22%) of the methanolic extracts exhibited anti-HIV1 IIIB activities and against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) only one medicinal plant extract (Lysium inerme) exhibited 29% activity. Cytotoxicity tests will provide comprehensive reference data bases for the profiling and eventual considerations of medicinal plants as potential templates for drug designs and medical applications. In chapter 5 Chemical Components of the volatile and non-volatile extractives of Croton species and their microbial activities were screened. Isolation of the essential oils from the leaves of Croton pseudopulchellus and C. gratissimus from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces in South Africa were performed using an all glass Clevenger apparatus according to the British Pharmacopeia method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the oils were assessed against the seven different standard strains of bacteria: H. influenzae, Bacillus pimitus, Staphylococcus aureus, S. pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens and Entarobacter cloacae using micro dilution technique on a 96 well microtitre plate. Results showed golden to very light yellow oils obtained with percentage yield of 1.03 -1.25 respectively (w/w). Analysis of the oils was performed using Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrophotometry. The leaf oil of Croton pseudopulchellus had germacrene (24.2%),β-phellandrene (17.4%), myrcene (13.4%) and β-caryophyllene (11.4%) as the prominent compounds identified in the oil. The chemical composition of the leaf oil of C. gratissimus was characterized by sabinene (14.6%), β-phellandrene (12.3%), α-phellandrene (10.7%), α-pinene (6.0%) and germacrene D (5.9%). Chemical profiles of the essential oils of Croton species reported in literatures are specific to their geographical location. The oils from C. pseudopulchellus and C. grattisimus were found to have significant antibacterial activities and therefore could be used as natural antimicrobial agents for the treatment of several infectious diseases caused by pathogenic and antibiotic resistant organisms. Chapters 6 and 7 were designed to isolate two bioactive compounds from the stem bark of Lycium inerme and the leaves of Croton grattisimus and were screened for their biological activities against H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. A qualitative phytochemical screening and bioassay of the plants extracts was carried out. Antimicrobial screening was by broth microdilution and bioautography. Bioassay results showed that compounds with Rf –values between 0.67 to 0.80 were very active against H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. However, the most active of these compounds was observed at 0.70 for H. influenzae and 0.69 for S. pneumoniae from the dichloromethane extract. Column chromatography, Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (PTLC) and Sephadex LH20 were used for isolation, sample clean-up and purification of this extract. Two active compounds: a coumarin (7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-coumarin) and two triterpenoids, Ursolic acid (3-oxo-19-hydroxyl-6-methoxylpomolic acid) and Moronic acid (3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid) were isolated from the dichloromethane fraction. The presence of Coumarins and Terpenoids in this herb was observed from the TLC fingerprints. NMR spectroscopic methods were used for the structural elucidation of the active compounds while the GC-MS was used to determine the presence of essential oils from volatile samples obtained from the leaves of C. grattisimus and L. inerme. C. grattisimus extracts possess strong free radicals with scavenging, antimicrobial and antifungal activities; therefore, further studies are needed to determine their efficacies in vivo or clinical usefulness. L. inerme stem bark can therefore be used as a source of alternative medicine or new pharmaceutical and health care product or as a starting material for synthesis of drugs. In chapter 8, general conclusions and perspectives of various parts of the findings were captured. The multi-drug resistance was observed among the emerging respiratory tract bacterial pathogens. It was recommended that measures should be put in place to control the spread of drug resistance in pathogens through improved and standardized laboratory practices, proper and regular surveillance to help guide against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in empirical treatment. The recognition but cautious use of medicinal plants as alternative sources of therapies and a probable means to solve the emerging resistance problem was recommended. Improved standard of hygiene in hospital settings and the communities is important to prevent the spread of infections. The thesis provides a novel reference document on the genes coding for resistance, antibiograms and phylogenetic profiles of local isolates of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae as well as the activities, active compounds and toxicity levels of medicinal plants investigated in an endeavour to effectively understand the possible therapeutic, molecular and epidemiological trends in respect of the designated pathogens. , Thesis (Phd) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-00
Outcomes of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Two Rural District Hospitals, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Lotz, John-D Knipe
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6834 , vital:51018
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is still rampant in South Africa, and drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) forms a significant part of this burden on both the health care system and economy. A number of interventions have recently been introduced to help curb the growing epidemic of DR-TB, including increasing access to novel and repurposed drugs, decentralisation of care, and a new shorter (9-11 month) treatment regimen recently endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Significantly, this new regimen has now also become injectable-free (also known as an all-oral regimen). However, at the time of implementation in 2017, the shorter regimen was yet to be proven effective in a programmatic setting in South Africa. This is a retrospective cohort study to describe the outcomes in patients on short and long DR-TB treatment regimens, over five years, at two treatment sites in a rural setting in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the hope that elucidation of factors involved in affecting outcomes in DR-TB may direct future interventions in these two facilities, and the wider DR-TB program in South Africa , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-02
- Authors: Lotz, John-D Knipe
- Date: 2021-02
- Subjects: Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6834 , vital:51018
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is still rampant in South Africa, and drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) forms a significant part of this burden on both the health care system and economy. A number of interventions have recently been introduced to help curb the growing epidemic of DR-TB, including increasing access to novel and repurposed drugs, decentralisation of care, and a new shorter (9-11 month) treatment regimen recently endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Significantly, this new regimen has now also become injectable-free (also known as an all-oral regimen). However, at the time of implementation in 2017, the shorter regimen was yet to be proven effective in a programmatic setting in South Africa. This is a retrospective cohort study to describe the outcomes in patients on short and long DR-TB treatment regimens, over five years, at two treatment sites in a rural setting in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the hope that elucidation of factors involved in affecting outcomes in DR-TB may direct future interventions in these two facilities, and the wider DR-TB program in South Africa , Thesis (Masters) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-02
Pharmacological, toxicological and phytochemical evaluation of helichrysum petiolare hilliard & b.l. burtt - an indigenous plant traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes in the eastern cape province of South Africa
- Aladejana, Adebowale Emmanuel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1871-926X
- Authors: Aladejana, Adebowale Emmanuel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1871-926X
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Alternative treatment , Traditional medicine , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22787 , vital:52755
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of death in South Africa, and it has already placed significant stress on the country’s health sector and economy. The orthodox hypoglycaemic drugs are not only ineffective in the management of the disease and its complications, but they also possess unwanted side effects. The need for alternative non-toxic drugs is therefore imperative. Various studies have listed several medicinal plants that can be successfully used in the herbal treatment of diabetes and have investigated them for their anti-diabetic potentials in vivo and/or in vitro. Out of the different potential herbal species, plants belonging to the Asteraceae family possess highly potent hypoglycaemic properties with negligible toxicities. Five Asteraceae plants widely used in different parts of South Africa for the treatment of diabetes were reviewed. The review provided an update of scientific evidence on the hypoglycaemic properties of the plants. However, Helichrysum petiolare was studied extensively in this study for its antidiabetic activity H. petiolare has been listed in many ethnobotanical surveys as a plant with potent hypoglycaemic potential, this, however, has not been properly verified in scientific literature and there has hardly been any study on the essential oil and nutritional composition, and antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cytotoxicity potentials of the plant. The effects of hydro-distillation (HD) and solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) methods on the chemical constituents of H. petiolare-derived essential oils were evaluated. The SFME method had a higher yield of essential oil than the HD. There were substantial amounts of monoterpenes, monoterpene alcohols, sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpene alcohols in both essential oils obtained, but these compounds were more profound in the SFME derived essential oil which has 62 compounds compared to the 52 derived through HD. The SFME derived essential oil can therefore be said to be of better quality than the HD method. The compounds obtained in the essential oils have high pharmaceutical and cosmetic value, and as observed in this study, their quantity is dependent on the method of extraction (Ibáñez and Blázquez, 2021; Kaur et al., 2021). The proximate analysis of the whole plant of H. petiolare showed high levels of Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), vitamins (A, C and E), Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), and minerals. The high ADF level is believed to be responsible for the low energy, fat and carbohydrate levels observed in the study. The result showed a high level of oxalate and therefore suggests cooking of the plant before human consumption. Overall nutrition and mineral compositions of the plant showed that H. petiolare is immensely rich in vital nutrients that are of great importance to health and metabolism; these nutrients are suggested to be partly responsible for the plant’s useful medicinal properties. The phytochemical contents of the acetone (ACQ), ethanol (ETQ), and boiled (BAQ) and cold (CAQ) aqueous whole-plant extracts of Helichrysum petiolare were determined using standard phytochemical reaction methods. ABTS, DPPH, NO and TAC assays were used to evaluate their antioxidant properties. The highest total phenolic content (212,963 mg/g) was reported in the BAQ extract, while the ETQ had the highest flavonoid (172.393 mg/g) and proanthocyanidin contents (65.855 mg/g). Alkaloids, flavonols, and saponin were highest in the ACQ extract, while the CAQ had the lowest phytochemical content. Among the extracts, the BAQ had the highest DPPH•+ (IC50 0.02 mg/mL) and ABTS•+ (IC50 0.07) inhibition capacities, while the ETQ exhibited the highest NO• Inhibition (IC50 0.41 mg/mL) and TAC (IC50 0.19 mg/mL). These findings justify the use of H. petiolare in traditional medicine and further recommend the ETQ and BAQ extracts of the plant as more effective extracts for medicinal treatment. The hepatotoxicity (cytotoxicity, mitotoxicity and lipotoxicity) potential of the BAQ, CAQ and ETQ extracts of Helichrysum petiolare was evaluated using standard procedures. The results showed negligible BAQ and CAQ cytotoxicities, which were further, corroborated by stability in the mitochondrial membrane potentials and were congruent with the CAQ and BAQ results for steatosis and phospholipidosis. The data suggested favourable CAQ and BAQ toxicity profiles with limited risks for hepatotoxicity. The ETQ extract, however, showed significantly high levels of cytotoxicity and lipotoxicity, and a low level of mitotoxicity. Our result suggested a potential risk of the ETQ extract for hepatotoxicity but appears partly independent of direct mitochondrial involvement. Glucose uptake assay showed significantly increased glucose uptake in the BAQ and CAQ treated L6 and C3A cell lines. The CAQ extract enhanced glucose uptake more in the L6 myocytes than in the C3A cell-lines hepatocytes. The BAQ extract showed higher levels of inhibition on α–amylase and α-glucosidase activities as compared to CAQ. The BAQ and CAQ extracts of H. petiolare may, therefore, contain pharmacologically active and relatively non-toxic hypoglycaemic chemicals, which may be effective substitutes in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study provides up to date scientific information on the use of H. petiolare in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It justifies the use of this plant in herbal medicine and sheds more light on its previously vaguely understood nutritional and medicinal potentials. More studies, however, need to be done to isolate, identify and purify the constituent bioactive compound(s). Their dosage of application and mode of action also needs to be understood. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Aladejana, Adebowale Emmanuel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1871-926X
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Alternative treatment , Traditional medicine , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22787 , vital:52755
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of death in South Africa, and it has already placed significant stress on the country’s health sector and economy. The orthodox hypoglycaemic drugs are not only ineffective in the management of the disease and its complications, but they also possess unwanted side effects. The need for alternative non-toxic drugs is therefore imperative. Various studies have listed several medicinal plants that can be successfully used in the herbal treatment of diabetes and have investigated them for their anti-diabetic potentials in vivo and/or in vitro. Out of the different potential herbal species, plants belonging to the Asteraceae family possess highly potent hypoglycaemic properties with negligible toxicities. Five Asteraceae plants widely used in different parts of South Africa for the treatment of diabetes were reviewed. The review provided an update of scientific evidence on the hypoglycaemic properties of the plants. However, Helichrysum petiolare was studied extensively in this study for its antidiabetic activity H. petiolare has been listed in many ethnobotanical surveys as a plant with potent hypoglycaemic potential, this, however, has not been properly verified in scientific literature and there has hardly been any study on the essential oil and nutritional composition, and antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cytotoxicity potentials of the plant. The effects of hydro-distillation (HD) and solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) methods on the chemical constituents of H. petiolare-derived essential oils were evaluated. The SFME method had a higher yield of essential oil than the HD. There were substantial amounts of monoterpenes, monoterpene alcohols, sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpene alcohols in both essential oils obtained, but these compounds were more profound in the SFME derived essential oil which has 62 compounds compared to the 52 derived through HD. The SFME derived essential oil can therefore be said to be of better quality than the HD method. The compounds obtained in the essential oils have high pharmaceutical and cosmetic value, and as observed in this study, their quantity is dependent on the method of extraction (Ibáñez and Blázquez, 2021; Kaur et al., 2021). The proximate analysis of the whole plant of H. petiolare showed high levels of Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), vitamins (A, C and E), Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), and minerals. The high ADF level is believed to be responsible for the low energy, fat and carbohydrate levels observed in the study. The result showed a high level of oxalate and therefore suggests cooking of the plant before human consumption. Overall nutrition and mineral compositions of the plant showed that H. petiolare is immensely rich in vital nutrients that are of great importance to health and metabolism; these nutrients are suggested to be partly responsible for the plant’s useful medicinal properties. The phytochemical contents of the acetone (ACQ), ethanol (ETQ), and boiled (BAQ) and cold (CAQ) aqueous whole-plant extracts of Helichrysum petiolare were determined using standard phytochemical reaction methods. ABTS, DPPH, NO and TAC assays were used to evaluate their antioxidant properties. The highest total phenolic content (212,963 mg/g) was reported in the BAQ extract, while the ETQ had the highest flavonoid (172.393 mg/g) and proanthocyanidin contents (65.855 mg/g). Alkaloids, flavonols, and saponin were highest in the ACQ extract, while the CAQ had the lowest phytochemical content. Among the extracts, the BAQ had the highest DPPH•+ (IC50 0.02 mg/mL) and ABTS•+ (IC50 0.07) inhibition capacities, while the ETQ exhibited the highest NO• Inhibition (IC50 0.41 mg/mL) and TAC (IC50 0.19 mg/mL). These findings justify the use of H. petiolare in traditional medicine and further recommend the ETQ and BAQ extracts of the plant as more effective extracts for medicinal treatment. The hepatotoxicity (cytotoxicity, mitotoxicity and lipotoxicity) potential of the BAQ, CAQ and ETQ extracts of Helichrysum petiolare was evaluated using standard procedures. The results showed negligible BAQ and CAQ cytotoxicities, which were further, corroborated by stability in the mitochondrial membrane potentials and were congruent with the CAQ and BAQ results for steatosis and phospholipidosis. The data suggested favourable CAQ and BAQ toxicity profiles with limited risks for hepatotoxicity. The ETQ extract, however, showed significantly high levels of cytotoxicity and lipotoxicity, and a low level of mitotoxicity. Our result suggested a potential risk of the ETQ extract for hepatotoxicity but appears partly independent of direct mitochondrial involvement. Glucose uptake assay showed significantly increased glucose uptake in the BAQ and CAQ treated L6 and C3A cell lines. The CAQ extract enhanced glucose uptake more in the L6 myocytes than in the C3A cell-lines hepatocytes. The BAQ extract showed higher levels of inhibition on α–amylase and α-glucosidase activities as compared to CAQ. The BAQ and CAQ extracts of H. petiolare may, therefore, contain pharmacologically active and relatively non-toxic hypoglycaemic chemicals, which may be effective substitutes in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study provides up to date scientific information on the use of H. petiolare in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It justifies the use of this plant in herbal medicine and sheds more light on its previously vaguely understood nutritional and medicinal potentials. More studies, however, need to be done to isolate, identify and purify the constituent bioactive compound(s). Their dosage of application and mode of action also needs to be understood. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Usage of traditional medicines and other indigenous practices by childbearing women during pregnancy in Makoni District, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chituku, Sibongile
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Traditional medicine -- Zimbabwe , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20142 , vital:45347
- Description: Use of traditional medicinal plants (TMPs) during pregnancy, labour and delivery is common globally although evidence on their therapeutic effectiveness and safety is scarce. Research relating to indigenous practices and utilisation of traditional medicinal plants by childbearing women during pregnancy in Makoni District, Zimbabwe was carried out. The study included identification of culturally important indigenous knowledge (IK) practices and TMPs used by pregnant women in order to understand how such plants and practices may affect maternal, foetal, labour, and infant outcomes. Four hundred questionnaires were distributed to postnatal mothers in Makoni District, aimed at obtaining information on IK practices associated with utilisation of TMPs by childbearing women during pregnancy. In addition to this, five focused group discussions were carried out between September 2016 and December 2017 with 66 traditional healers from Makoni District. Documented information included names of utilised plants, plant parts used, dosage, methods of preparation and administration, and reasons for use. Voucher specimens of the utilised plant species were collected. Brine shrimp lethality test was used to evaluate potential toxicity of the documented plant species. The collected data were analysed used Epi info version 7.1 and SPSS version 16.5. Quantitative data revealed that 168 (42.0percent) of pregnant women in Makoni District use TMPs and 95 (23.8percent) used traditional practices (including elephant dung) for maternal and childcare. Among the women who used TMPs were those who experienced precipitated and prolonged labour. Correlation was found between demographic factors and utilisation of TMPs. For example, being a Christian was significantly associated with using TMPs with relative risk (RR) value of 8.9. Postnatal mothers who used TMPs during their pregnancy were 82.0percent less likely to have their membranes ruptured artificially, RR = 0.2 and more likely to experience late decelerations during active phase (RR = 2.8) than those who did not use TMPs. The differences between those who used TMPs and those who did not during pregnancy and labour, showed no significant differences in infant outcomes. The ethnobotanical survey revealed that a total of 47 plant species from 27 families and 13 non-plant products were used as herbal, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) by pregnant women. More than half of all the documented plant species (59.8percent), belonged to the Fabaceae (19.1), Asteraceae, (8.5percent), Convolvulaceae (6.4percent), Asparagaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Rubiaceae, Vitaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae (4.3percent each) families. The most used plants were shrubs (40.4percent), trees (27.7percent), climbers (17.0percent), herbs (12.8percent) and a grasses (2.1percent). The most used plant parts were roots (61.7percent), leaves (25.5percent), fruits (12.8percent) and bark (10.6percent). A total of 26 medical conditions were treated with the majority of medicinal plants used to dilate or widen the birth canal (55.3percent) and to augment labour or speed up the delivery process (46.8percent). Interviews with traditional healers revealed that 14.9percent of the documented herbal medicines were used to guard against witchcraft and to prevent the infants’ illnesses. Other major uses of herbal medicines during pregnancy included their use to lower blood pressure or hypertension during pregnancy (12.8percent), to prevent caesarean section (10.6percent) and to loosen or relax muscles during pregnancy (8.5percent). Widely used non-plant products included soil of a burrowing mole (relative frequency citation (RFC) value of 0.61), elephant dung (RFC = 0.59), wasp nest (RFC = 0.32) and soap (RFC = 25). The majority of these non-plant products (22.8percent) were used to dilate birth canal (7.6percent) and augment labour (15.2percent). None of the twenty-five species with (RFC) > 0.05 evaluated for potential toxicity were categorised as toxic, but Albizia amara, Datura stramonium and Ricinus communis were categorised as having medium toxicity levels, nine species as having low toxicity levels while 13 species were categorised as non-toxic. This study provides valuable insights into the use of medicinal plants used by women during pregnancy, labour, delivery and post-delivery in Makoni District, Zimbabwe. Medicinal plants play an integral role in the provision of basic health care in Zimbabwe. However, the brine shrimp lethality test results categorised some of the prescribed species such as Albizia amara, Datura stramonium and Ricinus communis as having medium levels of toxicity and this is a cause of concern regarding utilization of TMPs during pregnancy. Therefore, TMPs used during pregnancy should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological experiments aimed at identifying some of the potential toxic compounds and side effects associated with intake of TMPs and associated herbal products. , Thesis (PhD(Nursing)) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
- Authors: Chituku, Sibongile
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Traditional medicine -- Zimbabwe , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20142 , vital:45347
- Description: Use of traditional medicinal plants (TMPs) during pregnancy, labour and delivery is common globally although evidence on their therapeutic effectiveness and safety is scarce. Research relating to indigenous practices and utilisation of traditional medicinal plants by childbearing women during pregnancy in Makoni District, Zimbabwe was carried out. The study included identification of culturally important indigenous knowledge (IK) practices and TMPs used by pregnant women in order to understand how such plants and practices may affect maternal, foetal, labour, and infant outcomes. Four hundred questionnaires were distributed to postnatal mothers in Makoni District, aimed at obtaining information on IK practices associated with utilisation of TMPs by childbearing women during pregnancy. In addition to this, five focused group discussions were carried out between September 2016 and December 2017 with 66 traditional healers from Makoni District. Documented information included names of utilised plants, plant parts used, dosage, methods of preparation and administration, and reasons for use. Voucher specimens of the utilised plant species were collected. Brine shrimp lethality test was used to evaluate potential toxicity of the documented plant species. The collected data were analysed used Epi info version 7.1 and SPSS version 16.5. Quantitative data revealed that 168 (42.0percent) of pregnant women in Makoni District use TMPs and 95 (23.8percent) used traditional practices (including elephant dung) for maternal and childcare. Among the women who used TMPs were those who experienced precipitated and prolonged labour. Correlation was found between demographic factors and utilisation of TMPs. For example, being a Christian was significantly associated with using TMPs with relative risk (RR) value of 8.9. Postnatal mothers who used TMPs during their pregnancy were 82.0percent less likely to have their membranes ruptured artificially, RR = 0.2 and more likely to experience late decelerations during active phase (RR = 2.8) than those who did not use TMPs. The differences between those who used TMPs and those who did not during pregnancy and labour, showed no significant differences in infant outcomes. The ethnobotanical survey revealed that a total of 47 plant species from 27 families and 13 non-plant products were used as herbal, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) by pregnant women. More than half of all the documented plant species (59.8percent), belonged to the Fabaceae (19.1), Asteraceae, (8.5percent), Convolvulaceae (6.4percent), Asparagaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Rubiaceae, Vitaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae (4.3percent each) families. The most used plants were shrubs (40.4percent), trees (27.7percent), climbers (17.0percent), herbs (12.8percent) and a grasses (2.1percent). The most used plant parts were roots (61.7percent), leaves (25.5percent), fruits (12.8percent) and bark (10.6percent). A total of 26 medical conditions were treated with the majority of medicinal plants used to dilate or widen the birth canal (55.3percent) and to augment labour or speed up the delivery process (46.8percent). Interviews with traditional healers revealed that 14.9percent of the documented herbal medicines were used to guard against witchcraft and to prevent the infants’ illnesses. Other major uses of herbal medicines during pregnancy included their use to lower blood pressure or hypertension during pregnancy (12.8percent), to prevent caesarean section (10.6percent) and to loosen or relax muscles during pregnancy (8.5percent). Widely used non-plant products included soil of a burrowing mole (relative frequency citation (RFC) value of 0.61), elephant dung (RFC = 0.59), wasp nest (RFC = 0.32) and soap (RFC = 25). The majority of these non-plant products (22.8percent) were used to dilate birth canal (7.6percent) and augment labour (15.2percent). None of the twenty-five species with (RFC) > 0.05 evaluated for potential toxicity were categorised as toxic, but Albizia amara, Datura stramonium and Ricinus communis were categorised as having medium toxicity levels, nine species as having low toxicity levels while 13 species were categorised as non-toxic. This study provides valuable insights into the use of medicinal plants used by women during pregnancy, labour, delivery and post-delivery in Makoni District, Zimbabwe. Medicinal plants play an integral role in the provision of basic health care in Zimbabwe. However, the brine shrimp lethality test results categorised some of the prescribed species such as Albizia amara, Datura stramonium and Ricinus communis as having medium levels of toxicity and this is a cause of concern regarding utilization of TMPs during pregnancy. Therefore, TMPs used during pregnancy should be subjected to detailed phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological experiments aimed at identifying some of the potential toxic compounds and side effects associated with intake of TMPs and associated herbal products. , Thesis (PhD(Nursing)) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
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