Maerua Subcordata Research Articles

Fluoride in water, health implications and plant-based remediation strategies

Abstract The high prevalence of dental fluorosis and bone mineralization deficiency as a result of exposure to fluorides has increased in Kenya over the years due to consumption of water with elevated levels of fluoride. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a guideline of 1.5 mg/L level of fluoride in drinking water. However, majority of studies carried out in Kenya over the last 40 plus years have indicated very high levels of fluoride in drinking water in various regions, with a prevalence in dental fluorosis observed in children and adults living in Rift valley and central regions due to basaltic and volcanic rocks. Unfortunately, this trend of fluoride-induced enamel changes has been observed in other regions such as Nairobi and Machakos which were originally presumed to contain low fluoride levels. This study sought to analyse the applicability of Maerua subcordata root powder (MSRP) in the removal of fluorides in borehole drinking water. Fresh Maerua subcordata roots were peeled to obtain the white flesh, chopped into small pieces, dried and ground into powder. The process parameters varied were; fluoride ion concentration [F−] (0–12 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (0–200 g/L) and equilibration time (30–240 min) [F−] were hence analysed before and after treatment using ion selective electrode (ISE) fluoride meter. Results indicated that MSRP is a viable plant in fluoride treatment with approximately 68% fluoride ion removal efficiency. An MSRP dosage of 200 g/L was found optimal in [F−] reduction while a 2 mg/L [F−] concentration recorded the highest reduction of [F−]. The optimal equilibration time was found to be 30 min. The results can be used to develop a low-cost column for treatment of high fluoride waters in rural areas using MSRP. Borehole samples were treated with MSRP using the optimized conditions; however their reduction levels were lower than the [F−] standards used. It is envisaged that with further modification and/or doping with zero-valent iron nanoparticles, it’s efficiency will be improved.

Multiple Pathway-Mediated Gut-Modulatory Effects of Maerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf.

BackgroundGastrointestinal disorders are often poorly managed, especially in developing countries, where there are limited resources and therapeutic options. Despite the rich diversity of medicinal plants that offer effective treatment options with fewer side effects, studies that provide scientific verification are lacking. Maerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf is among the plants claimed to have wide traditional medicine, use, including as a remedy against gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the gut-modulatory effects of a crude leaf extract of M. subcordata (MSL.Cr), as well as its possible mechanism of action.MethodsA castor oil (10 mL/kg)–induced diarrheal mouse model was used to evaluate the antidiarrheal effect of MSL.Cr, and the spasmodic/antispasmodic effect of the extract was assessed using isolated rabbit jejunum with and without addition of standard cholinergic agonists/antagonists to predict the possible mechanism of action.ResultsMSL.Cr exhibited 40% and 80% protection against castor oil–induced diarrhea in mice at doses of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg, respectively. In isolated rabbit jejunum, the extract increased spontaneous contractions at low doses (0.01–0.1 mg/mL), and was sensitive to atropine, whereas it showed complete inhibition at higher doses (0.3–1 mg/mL). It was shown that the relaxant effect was possibly mediated by the involvement of phosphodiesterase-enzyme inhibition and K+-channel activation. The extract potentiated the control concentration–response curve of carbachol, shifting it to the left, similarly to the control drug papaverine. The potassium-channel opening–like activity of MSL.Cr was possibly mediated by the involvement of aspecific K+-channels inhibition, since tetraethylammonium, anunselective antagonist of K+ channels, significantly reversed its inhibitory effect.ConclusionThis study showed that the M. subcordata leaf extract demonstrated gut-modulatory effects, possibly mediated by a combination of muscarinic-receptor stimulation, phosphodiesterase inhibition, and aspecific K+-channel activation.

Induction of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor \u03b3 (PPAR\u03b3) mediated gene expression and inhibition of induced nitric oxide production by Maerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf

BackgroundThe health benefits of botanicals is linked to their phytochemicals that often exert pleiotropic effects via targeting multiple molecular signaling pathways such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and the nuclear factor kappaB (NFκB). The PPARs are transcription factors that control metabolic homeostasis and inflammation while the NF-κB is a master regulator of inflammatory genes such as the inducible nitric-oxide synthase that result in nitric oxide (NO) overproduction.MethodsExtracts of Maerua subcordata (MS) and selected candidate constituents thereof, identified by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy, were tested for their ability to induce PPARγ mediated gene expression in U2OS-PPARγ cells using luciferase reporter gene assay and also for their ability to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages. While measuring the effect of test samples on PPARγ mediated gene expression, a counter assay that used U2OS-Cytotox cells was performed to monitor cytotoxicity or any non-specific changes in luciferase activity.ResultsThe results revealed that the fruit, root, and seed extracts were non-cytotoxic up to a concentration of 30 g dry weight per litre (gDW/L) and induced PPARγ mediated gene expression but the leaf extract showed some cytotoxicity and exhibited minimal induction. Instead, all extracts showed concentration (1–15 gDW/L) dependent inhibition of LPS induced NO production. The root extract showed weaker inhibition. Among the candidate constituents, agmatine, stachydrine, trigonelline, indole-3-carboxyaldehyde, plus ethyl-, isobutyl-, isopropyl, and methyl-isothiocyanates showed similar inhibition, and most showed increased inhibition with increasing concentration (1–100 μM) although to a lesser potency than the positive control, aminoguanidine.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated for the first time the induction of PPARγ mediated gene expression by MS fruit, root, and seed extracts and the inhibition of LPS induced NO production by MS fruit, leaf, root, and seed extracts and some candidate constituents thereof.

Ethnomedicine and ethnobotany of Maerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf

BackgroundWild edible plants are valuable resources for improving food and nutritional security. Besides, they may provide important health benefits since the health-promoting components of plant-based foods usually exist at higher levels in wild plants. As a result, they are being sought as under-exploited potential sources of a health-promoting diet or a possible strategy to develop novel foods. In such exploration, ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal data offer a fundamental step. The present study provides ethnomedicinal data on Maerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf (Capparidaceae).MethodsThe ethnomedicinal data was collected from the Kunama ethnics of northern Ethiopia via focus group discussion and oral interview. Supporting ethnobotanical data from relevant literature was also compiled and systematically reviewed.ResultsThe results show that M. subcordata tuber is used by the Kunamas to manage malaria, malaria symptoms (fever, pain, gastrointestinal disorders), and seasonal cough while leaves are used for wound healing. In east Africa, its triple potential use as water purifying agent, food item, and herbal medicine was specified. As a herbal medicine, the tuber is used to manage a wide range of disorders including pain, infections, wounds, diabetes, blood pressure, and loss of appetite. Its use as laxative and abortifacient was also indicated. Leaves are used to treat wounds and ophthalmic and respiratory problems. As a food item, fruits are eaten during times of both food scarcity and food abundance while the tuber is used as a famine food.ConclusionIn East Africa, M. subcordata represents a wild food and medicinal plant, which may be developed into a functional food.

Hazard assessment of Maerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf. for selected endpoints using a battery of in vitro tests

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMaerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf is a medicinal and wild food plant growing mainly in east Africa. Especially its root tuber is widely used in traditional medicine to treat several infectious and chronic diseases but also in some toxicity implications like use as abortifacient. Aim of the studythe present study applied in silico and in vitro tests to identify possible hazards of M. subcordata (fruit, leaf, root, seed) methanol extracts focussing on developmental toxicity. Materials and methodsAmes test, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) assay, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) assay, embryonic stem cell test (EST), and zebrafish embryotoxicity test (ZET) were employed. Besides, a Derek Nexus toxicity prediction was performed on candidate structures obtained from metabolomics profiling of the extracts using liquid chromatography coupled to multistage mass spectroscopy (LC/MSn) and a MAGMa software based structural annotation. ResultsGlucosinolates, which degrade to isothiocyanates, and biogenic amines were among the candidate molecules identified in the extracts by LC/MSn - MAGMa software structural annotation. Isothiocyanates and some other candidate molecules suggested a positive mutagenicity alert in Derek toxicity predictions. All the extracts showed negative mutagenicity in the Ames test. However, the Derek predictions also identified endocrine and developmental toxicity as possible endpoints of concern. This was further assessed using in vitro tests. Results obtained reveal that leaf extract shows AhR and ERα agonist activities, inhibited differentiation of ES-D3 stem cells into contracting cardiomyocytes in the EST (p < 0.001) as well as inhibited hatching (p < 0.01) and showed acute toxicity (p < 0.01) in the ZET. Also, the fruit extract showed toxicity (p < 0.05) towards zebrafish embryos and both fruit and seed extracts showed AhR agonist activities while root extract was devoid of activity in all in vitro assays. ConclusionThe leaf extract tests positive in in vitro tests that may point towards a developmental toxicity hazard. The current evaluations did not raise concerns of genotoxicity or developmental toxicity for the fruit, seed and root extracts. This is important given the use of especially these parts of M. subcordata, in traditional medicine and/or as (famine) food.

Effects of Maerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf on electrophile-responsive element (EpRE)-mediated gene expression in vitro.

Plant extracts and phytochemicals may prevent chronic diseases via activation of adaptive cellular stress response pathways including induction of antioxidant and phase II detoxifying enzymes. The regulatory regions of these inducible genes encode the electrophile-response element (EpRE). This study tested the EpRE induction ability of Maerua subcordata (fruit, leaf, root, seed) methanol extracts and selected candidate constituents thereof, identified by liquid chromatography coupled with multistage mass spectroscopy, employing an EpRE luciferase reporter gene assay using hepa-1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells. A parallel Cytotox CALUX assay using human osteosarcoma U2OS cells was used to monitor any non-specific changes in luciferase activity or cytotoxicity. Results showed that fruit, root, and seed extracts were non-cytotoxic up to a concentration of 30 gram dry weight per litre but the leaf extract exhibited some cytotoxicity and that the leaf (despite some cytotoxicity), fruit, and seed extracts showed strong induction of EpRE mediated gene expression while induction by the root extract was minimal. Selected candidates included glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, and some biogenic amines. Subsequent studies showed that methyl-, ethyl-, isopropyl-, isobutyl- isothiocyanates, and sec-butyl thiocyanate as well as glucobrassicin induced concentration (1–100 μM) dependent EpRE-mediated gene expression while the biogenic amines stachydrine and trigonelline acted as inhibitors of EpRE-mediated gene expression at 100 μM. The identification of glucolepidiin, glucobrassicin, glucocapparin, stachydrine, and trigonelline in all extracts was confirmed using standards and based on multiple reaction monitoring; yet, glucobrassicin level in the root extract was negligible. In conclusion, this study provided a first report on EpRE mediated gene expression effects of M. subcordata; and despite detection of different glucosinolates in all extracts, those containing glucobrassicin particularly displayed high EpRE induction. Because EpRE inducers are cytoprotective and potential chemopreventive agents while inhibitors are suggested adjuvants of chemotherapy, results of this study imply that process manipulation of this plant may result in herbal preparations that may be used as chemopreventive agents or adjuvants of chemotherapies.

Effect of salt solutions on coagulation performance of Moringa stenopetala and Maerua subcordata for turbid water treatment

The objective of this study is to improve the turbidity removal efficiency of Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod and Maerua subcordata (Gilg.) DeWolf using various salt solutions. For this purpose, different coagulant solutions were obtained from solutions of NaCl, NH4Cl and KNO3 in different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 M) and deionized water. The coagulation activity of the extracts was measured in synthetic water made of a kaolin clay suspension. The turbidity removal efficiency was tested using spectrophotometric-based assays. The result of the study indicated that at the optimum dose of 2 µg/mL, 4 µg/mL using 0.5 and 1.5 M of NaCl and NH4Cl salts respectively. Extracts from M. stenopetala coagulated highly turbid water within 0.5 to 1 h. However, M. subcordata extracted with the same salt types showed lower turbidity removal after 0.5 to 1 h settling time. With increasing contact time especially after 3 h, both extracts of salts and deionized water of both the plant coagulants performed as efficient as alum achieving nearly 95% reduction of highly turbid water. Extraction of natural coagulants using salt solutions improve the coagulation efficiency of the plant species. With further optimization, coagulants from M. stenopetala and M. subcordata can be used on wider scale water treatment technologies.

Extraction of natural coagulants from Maerua subcordata and Moringa stenopetala for use in turbid water treatment

Extraction of natural coagulants from Maerua subcordata and Moringa stenopetala for use in turbid water treatment

A Preliminary Evaluation of Locally Used Plant Coagulants for Household Water Treatment

Conventional chemical water treatment systems which involve a series of steps are not feasible in rural areas, where a dispersed population is found. Moreover, it is extremely costly for investment in developing countries. Hence, improving drinking water quality at a household level is believed to be effective in fighting waterborne diseases. For this purpose, we investigated the performance of indigenous plant species locally used for turbid water treatment in Ethiopia. Batch coagulation and microbial reduction experiments were carried out on surface river waters found in Ethiopia having initial turbidities of 20, 45, 46, 80, and 195 nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU) with the flocculent dosages of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 mg/l. Tubers of Maerua subcordata (Gilg.) DeWolf and seeds of Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod. were used for this study, and they were able to achieve appreciable removal efficiency (up to 98 %) of turbidity at an optimum dose range of 20 to 80 mg/l in 6 h of settling time. About 99.9 % of microbial load removal were observed for both M. subcordata and M. stenopetala, which is comparable with chlorine disinfection. The experimental result revealed that these plant coagulants were able to meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards of drinking water quality (<5 NTU). This implies that with further optimization, M. subcordata and M. stenopetala can be used as an alternative to household-level water treatment in low-income countries.

Extraction of natural coagulants from Maerua subcordata and Moringa stenopetala for use in turbid water treatment

Extraction of natural coagulants from Maerua subcordata and Moringa stenopetala for use in turbid water treatment

Ethnomedicinal Knowledge on Water Purification in Selected Rural Areas of Ethiopia

Plants have been used for water purification dating back to perhaps 2000 BC as noted in Egyptian inscriptions. Plant coagulants have the potential to serve as alternative water treatment agents especially in rural areas. Hence this study aimed to examine four promising plants and their uses as local coagulants for purification of turbid water in order to tackle rural quality water problems. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, market surveys, and observation were used to gather information from three rural areas. Jar test experiments were carried out for treatment of high (209 NTU), medium (63 NTU), and low level (26 NTU) turbidity with the flocculent dosages of 0.03 g/L of powdered plant material. The four plant species used for treatment of turbid water were Maerua subcordata (Gilg) DeWolf, Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod., Sansevieria ehrenbergii Schweinf. ex Baker, and Sansevieria forskaliana (Schult. & Schult.f.) Hepper & J.R.I.Wood. The finding shows that societies in each study area still depend on plant species for purification of turbid surface water. Coagulation tests revealed that tubers of M. subcordata and seeds of M. stenopetala were able to remove turbidity up to 97% at high turbidity levels and performance was better than leaves of S. ehrenbergii and S. forskaliana. Complementing traditional water treatment knowledge with coagulation tests and purification of the specific protein coagulant could help to identify appropriate solutions for rural people with difficulty preparing purified water.

&lt;b&gt;Investigation of chemical and biochemical properties of &lt;i&gt;Maerua subcordata&lt;/i&gt;

This paper reports some findings of chemical as well as biochemical studies of Maerua subcordata plant juice extract. The studies include: chemical composition of the juice such as mineral contents, protein and polysaccharide contents. These tests were carried out both in the juice extracts and in the “flocs”. The latter samples were analyzed to establish whether the material that settled as a result of clarification had minerals, protein and/or polysaccharides. While there were no significant amounts of minerals found in the juice or in the flocs, there were significant amounts of polysaccharides in the juice as well as in the flocs. However it was found that there were insignificant amounts of proteins in the settled flocs. This was indication that polysaccharides in the juice were precipitated along with the sediments present in water. Further biochemical experiments on the identity of polysaccharides which apparently aided flocculation indicated that they were of branched type, amylopectin. The paper attempts to explain the mechanism of sediments settling as aided by the plant juice components. KEY WORDS: Turbid surface water treatment, Coagulation, Flocculation, Maerua subcordata plant, Amylopectin polysaccharide Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2008, 22(1), 143-148.

Evaluation of the Bioactivity of Some Traditional Medicinal Plants Using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the bioactivity of extracts of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium Vis Albizia antihelmintica A. Brogn, Maerua edulis (Gilg) De Wolf, Maerua subcordata (Gilg & Bened) De Wolf and Myrsine Africana L. which are used traditionally as antihelmintic by using brine shrimp lethality test. Serial dilutions of 1000&#61549;g/ml, 100&#61549;g/ml and 10 mg/ml of the extracts were put in five test tubes. Ten (10) brine shrimp larvae were immersed into each of the test tubes and the number surviving after 24 hours counted and the percentage mortality and LC&#61493;&#61488; for each extract was determined. C. cinerariaefolium (pyrethrins) was active (LC&#61493;&#61488; < 1000 &#61549;g/ml) at LC50 of 1.3mg/ml while the methanol extract of A. antihelmintica bark was active with LC50 of 18&#61549;g/ml. The methanol extracts of Maerua edulis, Maerua subcordata and Myrsine Africana were not active (LC50 < 1000&#61549;g/ml). The result indicated that C. cinerariaefolium and A. antihelmintica extracts have bioactivity and is the basis for their use as antihelmintic by pastoral communities. Brine shrimp lethality test was found to be a simple and rapid test and is thus recommended for similar studies. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 26 2004: pp. 8-11

In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of crude extracts and powdered dry material from Ethiopian wild plants against economically important plant pathogens

In Ethiopia extracts from specific plants are used traditionally as natural fungicides in small scale farming systems where synthetic chemicals are out of reach of the average subsistence farmer while no scientific base exists for this practice. Subsequently, methanolic crude extracts from Dolichos kilimandscharicus and Maerua subcordata roots as well as Phytolacca dodecandra berries were screened in vitro for antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr., Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend.:Fr., Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn,, Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug.:Fr.) Ces & De Not. and Pythium ultimum Trow, using an agar diffusion method. Compared to the other plants as well as specific standard fungicides for each pathogen, the root extract of D. kilimandscharicus showed the highest broad-spectrum in vitro antifungal activity by inhibiting the mycelial growth of three of the six test organisms. Additionally, in vivo antifungal activity of dry powdered material from these plants against sorghum covered (Sporisorium sorghi) and loose kernel (Sporisorium cruentum) smuts was screened under field conditions by artificially inoculating separate sets of sorghum seed with smut spores before treating with plant material or two traditionally used fungicides, Thiram® and Apron Plus® that served as positive controls. Although the incidence of both loose and covered kernel smuts were significantly reduced by material from all plant species, the dry powdered berries of P. dodecandra were most effective. Compared to the untreated control, treatment with the plant material as well as standard fungicides resulted in significant yield increases. It was concluded that a rationale has been established for further investigation into the structured utilization of natural vegetation indigenous to Ethiopia in the agricultural industry.

Chromium Concentrations in Geobotanical Samples from West Pokot District, Kenya

The study analyses chromium concentration in plants growing around an area of chromite mineralisation, and proposes that the availability of chromium in plants could have adverse health effects when ingested by domestic animals and ultimately by the human population. This geoepidemiological attribute of geobotany has been observed in the form of chromium eczema in humans. The study was undertaken in the Sekerr Sub-location West Pokot District, which is located in the humid tropical region of the Republic of Kenya. As well as having natural vegetation cover, there are no sources of airborne pollutants in the area, which would vitiate trace element analysis in geobotanical research. The assay results show that the species Satureja abyssinica, Protea kilimandischarica, Ficus sycomorus, and Maerua subcordata have high chromium concentrations. These plants are generally browsed by domestic animals and are in turn eaten by humans. It is, therefore, proposed that a detailed analysis of chromium concentration in blood samples of both domestic animals and the human population be undertaken in order to assess its concentration levels in the population living in this geochemical environment.