Ozoroa Insignis Research Articles

Medicinal plants for treatment of diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children: experience from traditional healers in North-eastern Tanzania

BackgroundRight through history, humans have relied heavily on plants for sustenance and the healing of different ailments. One of the long-standing traditions that communities have inherited from earlier generations is the use of herbal medicines for the treatment of paediatric ailments, including diarrhoea. This study showcased medicinal plants used by traditional healers for the treatment of diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children in North-eastern Tanzania.Methods and designA qualitative research approach and a narrative research design were employed. The research was carried out in the districts of Korogwe and Handeni in North-eastern Tanzania, with 52 in-depth interviews performed with participants (traditional healers). Purposive sampling method was used to select participants, and a thematic analysis framework was used to analyze the data.ResultsStudy results indicate that traditional healers had enormous insights and were well informed about medicinal plants that were perceived to be efficacious in treating diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children. A total of 54 medicinal plants were reported by the participants to be effective in healing diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children. However, out of 54 medicinal plants, 15 were predominantly disclosed by the majority of participants. Those medicinal plants include Psidium guajava, Rhus natalensis, Ozoroa insignis, Tamarindus indica, Ocimum suave, Combretum molle, Zanha africana, Solanum incanum, and Ximenia americana. Other medicinal plants mentioned by most participants include, Ochna holstii, Elaeodendron schlechterianum, Albizia anthelmintica, Commiphora pteleifolia, Salacia stuhlmanniana, and Zenkerella grotei.ConclusionAll traditional healers seemed to have a clear understanding regarding the medicinal plants that were used to treat diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children. The participants acknowledged to treating under-five children with diarrhoeal diseases using herbal medications on multiple occasions. The findings of this study should inspire more in-depth botanical research to determine whether the medicinal plants reported in this study have anti-diarrhoeal properties.

Woody species regeneration through exclosure and perception of local community on mountain Damota, Wolaita, Ethiopia

Restoring the degraded lands through the area exclosure has been practiced and promoted widely in different parts of Ethiopia for the past three to four decades. However, the effectiveness of the approach both in terms of supporting woody species regeneration and the socio-economic conditions around the Wolaita area has not been well studied. We assessed the regeneration status of woody species in seven years old exclosure area and the perception of the local community towards the area exclosure on Damota Mountain in Southern Ethiopia. Vegetation inventory was made in 15 (20 × 20 m) quadrats laid following two transect lines running parallel. Systematically selected 71 households from the surrounding villages were interviewed and group discussions were also made. A total of 26 species from 19 families, with a total density of 2864 individuals (DBH ≥ 2 cm) per hectare were recorded. The basal area, Shannon diversity index, and evenness in the area exclosure were 15.84 m2/ha, 2.54, and 0.39, respectively. The importance value index (IVI) revealed that Maesa lanceolata, Ozoroa insignis, Maytenus arbutifolia, Nuxia congesta, Rhamnus prinoides, and Rapanea simensis were the most dominant species. About 87.3% of the respondents support further expansion and management of the area exclosure whereas the remaining 12.7% were against the intervention. All interviewed agree on the improvement of the vegetation cover since the establishment of the exclosure. However, all wanted improved access to the grass in the exclosure area so as to use it in a cut-and-carry system. We conclude that exclosure-biological-social issues need to be handled carefully to make the effort of using area exclosure for degraded land management effective and sustainable.

Anthelmintic Activity and Cytotoxic Effects of Compounds Isolated from the Fruits of Ozoroa insignis Del. (Anacardiaceae).

Ozoroa insignis Del. is an ethnobotanical plant widely used in traditional medicine for various ailments, including schistosomiasis, tapeworm, and hookworm infections. From the so far not investigated fruits of Ozoroa insignis, the anthelmintic principles could be isolated through bioassay-guided isolation using Caenorhabditis elegans and identified by NMR spectroscopic analysis and mass spectrometric studies. Isolated 6-[8(Z)-pentadecenyl] anacardic (1), 6-[10(Z)-heptadecenyl] anacardic acid (2), and 3-[7(Z)-pentadecenyl] phenol (3) were evaluated against the 5 parasitic organisms Schistosoma mansoni (adult and newly transformed schistosomula), Strongyloides ratti, Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Necator americanus, and Ancylostoma ceylanicum, which mainly infect humans and other mammals. Compounds 1–3 showed good activity against Schistosoma mansoni, with compound 1 showing the best activity against newly transformed schistosomula with 50% activity at 1µM. The isolated compounds were also evaluated for their cytotoxic properties against PC-3 (human prostate adenocarcinoma) and HT-29 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma) cell lines, whereby compounds 2 and 3 showed antiproliferative activity in both cancer cell lines, while compound 1 exhibited antiproliferative activity only on PC-3 cells. With an IC50 value of 43.2 µM, compound 3 was found to be the most active of the 3 investigated compounds.

GC-MS Analysis and Antibacterial Activities of <i>Feretia apodanthera</i> Del. (Rubiaceae) and <i>Ozoroa insignis</i> Del. (Anacardiaceae)

Two medicinal plants, <i>Feretia apodanthera</i> and <i>Ozoroa insignis</i>, used in west African folk medicine to treat infectious diseases, were investigated for their antibacterial potential and their biocidal components. Two extractions were processed in water and aqueous-acetone (70%) and further fractionated by column-chromatography. Both extracts and fractions exhibited selective activity against human pathogenic bacteria as assayed by disc diffusion and microdilution methods. The aqueous-acetone extract of <i>F. apodanthera</i> was active against all the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (d ≥ 8 mm; MIC ≤ 2.5 mg/ml) while the same extract from <i>O. insignis</i> got markedly activity on Gram-negative bacteria <i>E. coli</i> and <i>K. pneumonia</i> (d ≥ 11 mm). However, the fractions (20µg) of both two plant species were selectively more active on Gram-negative bacteria (d ≥ 11 mm). Tetramethyl silicate, trifluoroamine oxide and neophytadiene were identified by GC-MS as the main volatile compounds present that enhance the antibacterial effects in synergy with others.

Ethnoveterinary medicinal plants used by the Maale and Ari ethnic communities in southern Ethiopia

Ethnopharmacological relevanceLivestock production is an integral part of the agricultural system in Ethiopia. Medicinal plants are used and are important for rural communities for the treatment of livestock diseases. We studied and analysed the traditional medicinal plants used for the treatment of livestock diseases by the Maale and Ari ethnic communities in southern Ethiopia. Materials and methodsWe used quantitative and qualitative ethobotanical methods, including individual and focus group discussions (n=18), field observations, and individual interviews (n=74) at three study sites. ResultsIn total, 46 plant species (28 families) were used for the treatment of livestock diseases. Leaves with succulent stems were the most used part of the plant. The most frequently cited cattle disease was blackleg, for which 21 plant species were used. Our study showed variation in ethnoveterinary plant species used among sites (Jaccard’s similarity indices <0.25). The number of medicinal plant species used was significantly influenced by gender and site. Knowledge on ethnoveterinary plants was predominantly held by males, who cited more plant uses than females. The most widely used species were Lepidium sativum, Allium sativum, Clausena anisata, Croton macrostachyus, Ozoroa insignis, Sida rhombifolia, Centella asiatica, Cissampelos mucronata, Vernonia theophrastifolia and Vernonia amygdalina. ConclusionsThe study indicated that ethnoveterinary medicinal plants are important for the Maale and Ari ethnic communities. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies should focus on widely used and multi-use species.

A study of antimicrobial activity, acute toxicity and cytoprotective effect of a polyherbal extract in a rat ethanol-HCl gastric ulcer model

BackgroundThe decoction of the aerial parts of Rhynchosia recinosa (A.Rich.) Bak. [Fabaceae] is used in combination with the stem barks of Ozoroa insignis Del. (Anacardiaceae), Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Excell. [Celastraceae] Entada abyssinica Steud. ex A.Rich [Fabaceae] and Lannea schimperi (Hochst.)Engl. [Anacardiaceae] as a traditional remedy for managing peptic ulcers. However, the safety and efficacy of this polyherbal preparation has not been evaluated. This study reports on the phytochemical profile and some biological activities of the individual plant extracts and a combination of extracts of the five plants.MethodsA mixture of 80% ethanol extracts of R. recinosa, O. insignis, M. senegalensis, E. abyssinica and L. schimperi at doses of 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body wt were evaluated for ability to protect Sprague Dawley rats from gastric ulceration by an ethanol-HCl mixture. Cytoprotective effect was assessed by comparison with a negative control group given 1% tween 80 in normal saline and a positive control group given 40 mg/kg body wt pantoprazole. The individual extracts and their combinations were also tested for antibacterial activity against four Gram negative bacteria; Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella typhi (NCTC 8385), Vibrio cholerae (clinical isolate), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (clinical isolate) using the microdilution method. In addition the extracts were evaluated for brine shrimp toxicity and acute toxicity in mice. Phytochemical tests were done using standard methods to determine the presence of tannins, saponins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids in the individual plant extracts and in the mixed extract of the five plants.ResultsThe combined ethanolic extracts of the 5 plants caused a dose-dependent protection against ethanol/HCl induced ulceration of rat gastric mucosa, reaching 81.7% mean protection as compared to 87.5% protection by 40 mg/kg body wt pantoprazole. Both the individual plant extracts and the mixed extracts of 5 plants exhibited weak to moderate antibacterial activity against four G-ve bacteria. Despite Ozoroa insignis being toxic to mice at doses above 1000 mg/kg body wt, the other plant extracts and the combined extract of the 5 plants were tolerated by mice up to 5000 mg/kg body wt. The brine shrimp test results showed the same pattern of toxicity with Ozoroa insignis being the most toxic (LC50 = 10.63 μg/ml). Phytochemical tests showed that the combined extract of the five plants contained tannins, saponins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and terpenoids. Flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids are known to have antioxidant activity.ConclusionThe combined extract of the five plants exhibited a dose-dependent protective activity in the rat ethanol-HCl gastric ulcer model. The extracts also exhibited weak antibacterial activity against four Gram negative bacteria and low acute toxicity in mice and brine shrimps. Although the results support claims by traditional healers who use a decoction of the five plants for treatment of peptic ulcers, more models of gastric ulceration and proper animal toxicity studies are needed to validate possible clinical use of the polyherbal extract. It is also evident that the doses of the crude extracts showing protection of the gastric mucosa are too large for realistic translation to direct clinical application, but further studies using bioassay guided fractionation are important to either identify more practical fractions or active compound/s.

In vitro antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities of five medicinal plants from Burkina Faso

After ethnobotanical surveys in central and western regions of Burkina Faso, five plants namely Lantana ukambensis (Verbenaceae), Xeoderris sthulmannii (Fabaceae), Parinari curatellifollia (Chrysobalanaceae), Ozoroa insignis (Anacardiaceae), and Ficus platyphylla (Moraceae) were selected for their traditional use in the treatment of parasitic diseases and cancer. Our previous studies have focused on the phytochemical, genotoxicity, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities of these plants. In this study, the methanol extract of each plant was tested to reveal probable antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities. Colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods were used for the detection of antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities. Leishmania donovani (LV9 WT) and Trypanosoma brucei brucei GVR 35 were used to test the antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities, respectively. All extracts of tested plants showed a significant antitrypanosomal activity with minimum lethal concentrations between 1.5 and 25 μg/ml, the L. ukambensis extract being the most active. In the antileishmanial test, only the extract from L. ukambensis showed significant activity with an inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 6.9 μg/ml. The results of this study contribute to the promotion of traditional medicine products and are preliminary for the isolation of new natural molecules for the treatment of leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis.

Chemical constituents from the root bark of Ozoroa insignis

The roots of Ozoroa insignis Del. (Heeria insignis Del.) (Anacardiaceae) are used as a remedy for diarrhea, venereal diseases, tapeworm and hookworm, schistosomiasis, kidney trouble, migraine, and malaria (Liu and Abreu, 2007). In previous biological screening of O. insignis extracts, anthelmintic effect, cytotoxic activity, and topoisomerase inhibition were reported (Liu and Abreu, 2006a). The root bark of O. insignis were collected in Masaai land, Rift valley province in Kenya, in January 2005 and authenticated by Simon Mathenge, of Nairobi University, Kenya. A voucher specimen (MM/08/04) is deposited in Nairobi University herbarium, Chiromo Campus.

Tirucallane triterpenes from the roots of Ozoroa insignis

Eight tirucallane triterpenes, methyl 3α,24 S-dihydroxytirucalla-8,25-dien-21-oate ( 2), methyl 3α-hydroxy-24-oxotirucalla-8,25-dien-21-oate ( 3), methyl 3α-hydroxy-25,26,27-trinor-24-oxotirucall-8-en-21-oate ( 4), 3α,25-dihydroxy-24-(2-hydroxyethyl)-tirucall-8-en-21-oic acid ( 5), 3α,24 S,25-trihydroxytirucall-8-en-21-oic acid ( 6), 3α,24 R,25-trihydroxytirucall-8-en-21-oic acid ( 7), 3α,25-dihydroxytirucall-8-en-21-oic acid ( 8), and methyl 3α,25-dihydroxytirucall-8-en-21-oate ( 9), together with α-elemolic acid methyl ester ( 1), were isolated from the roots of Ozoroa insignis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.

Long chain alkyl and alkenyl phenols from the roots of Ozoroa insignis

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic root extract of Ozoroa insignis, collected in Guinea-Bissau, led to the isolation of a 41-member library of alkyl and alkenylphenols, whose structures were determined by ¹H and 13C NMR, and GCMS. Determination of double-bond positions in the side chains of alkenylphenols were established by methylthiolation-GCMS.

Antibacterial activities of medicinal plants used for the treatment of diarrhoea in Limpopo Province, South Africa

The ethnobotanical survey conducted in this study showed that 21 plant species belonging to 14 families are used in traditional medical practice in Limpopo Province, South Africa, for the treatment of diarrhoea. Methanol, ethanol, acetone and hot water extract from different plant parts (leaves, roots, bark and stem rhizome), of several of these plants ( Indigofera daleoides, Punica granatum, Syzygium cordatum, Gymnosporia senegalensis, Ozoroa insignis, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Elephantorrhiza burkei, Ximenia caffra, Schotia brachypetala and Spirostachys africana), were screened for antibacterial activity against Vibro cholera, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp., Salmonella typhi. The antibacterial activity was determined by agar-well diffusion method and expressed as the average diameter of the zone of inhibition of bacterial growth around the wells. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of active extracts was determined by using the micro-plate dilution assay. Most of the extracts showed relatively high antibacterial activity against most of the tested microorganisms with the diameter of inhibition zones ranging between 10 and 31 mm. Of the plants studied, the most active extracts were those obtained from Punica granatum and Indigofera daleoides. All extracts from two plants, namely, Punica granatum and Ozoroa insignis, were active against all bacterial strains while only organic extracts of Indigofera daleoides inhibited the growth of all tested microorganisms. Water extract of Punica granatum were equally active as organic extracts against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri. All extracts of Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Elephantorrhiza burkei and Ximenia caffra and Schotia brachypetala were not active against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. The MIC values for active extracts ranged between 0.039 and 0.6 mg/ml. The results obtained appeared to confirm the antibacterial potential of the plants investigated, and their usefulness in the treatment of diarrhoea.

Ethnobotanical study of some Ghanaian anti-malarial plants

An ethnobotanical study was conducted in the Wechiau Community Hippopotamus Sanctuary area in Ghana, through interviews and quadrate studies, to investigate the range and abundance of species used in the treatment of malaria. Forty-one species belonging to 17 families were encountered during the study. Of the 17 families studied Leguminosae and Anacardiaceae predominated in terms of number of species used to treat malaria. Eight plant species namely, Afraegle paniculata (Rutaceae), Haematostaphis barteri (Anacardiaceae), Indigo era pulchra (Leguminosae), Monanthotaxis sp. (Annonaceae), Ozoroa insignis (Anacardiaceae), Strychnos innocua (Loganiaceae), Strychnos spinosa (Loganiaceae) and Xeroderris stuhlmannii (Leguminosae) have not previously been documented for the treatment of malaria in Ghana. The results are discussed and recommendations made for future research to support the conservation and sustainable harvesting of the species reported to have medicinal properties.

Testing Beyond Ethnomedical Claims: Brine Shrimp Lethality of Some Tanzanian Plants

Extracts of 34 plants that are traditionally used for the treatment of different diseases exhibited various degrees of toxicity on brine shrimp. The concentration killing 50% (LC50) of the shrimps was below 50 μg/ml for 14 (41.2%), 50–100 μ g/ml for 10 (29.4%), and greater than 100 μg/ml for 10 (29.4%) of the plants, respectively. Dalbergia nitidula (LC50 0.87 μg/ml), Ozoroa insignis (LC50 2.21 μg/ml), Markhamia obtusifolia (LC50 8.94 μg/ml), Ximenia caffra (LC50 11.25 μg/ml),Croton macrostachys (LC50 13.40 μg/ml), and Mormodica calantha (LC50 19.38 μg/ml) were the most toxic. The results indicate the possibility that some of the plant extracts may be toxic or contain useful cytotoxic compounds, which was not reported by the traditional healers.

Cytotoxic activity of Ozoroa insignis from Zimbabwe

The crude methanol bark extract of the Zimbabwean medicinal plant, Ozoroa insignis, showed in-vitro cytotoxic activity against Hep-G2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma), MDA-MB-231 (human mammary adenocarcinoma), and 5637 (human primary bladder carcinoma). Bioactivity-directed chromatographic separation led to isolation of anacardic acid and ginkgoic acid as the cytotoxic components.

Activity of 6-Pentadecylsalicylic Acid from Ozoroa insignis Against Marine Crustaceans

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the dichloromethane extract from twigs of Ozoroa insignis using Artemia salina larvae as a model led to the isolation of 6-pentadecylsalicylic acid as the active principle. This is the first report of this so-called antifouling activity for this compound. In addition, this compound may relate to the traditional use of this plant as a herbal remedy for the treatment of urinary schistosomiasis in Africa.

Anthelmintic screening of Zimbabwean plants traditionally used against schistosomiasis

Extracts of 23 plant species used popularly against schistosomiasis in Zimbabwe were screened for their anthelmintic effect. Schistosomules of the trematode Schistosoma mansoni and cysticercoids of the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta were studied in vitro. The material consisted of 58 plant extracts, of which 37 killed the newly excysted cysticercoids within an hour, when incubated in a culture medium. Lethal concentrations varied from 0.8 to 103 mg/ml. All plant extracts showed activity against the tapeworms after 24 h. Ten of the best extracts were also tested against schistosomules. Five of these extracts showed activity. Lethal concentrations varied from 0.6 to 33.8 mg/ml of dry plant material. Extracts of stem and root from Abrus precatorius (Fabaceae), of root bark and leaves from Ozoroa insignis (Anacardiaceae) and of root bark from Zizyphus mucronata (Rhamnaceae) gave the best results against tapeworms. The best results against schistosomules were obtained with stem and root extracts from Abrus precatorius (Fabaceae) and stem bark from Elephantorrhiza goetzei (Mimosaceae). Although the activity of root and root bark extracts commonly used in traditional medicine was verified in this study, our results showed that also extracts from leaf and stem can be effective anthelmintics.

Traditional herbal remedies used for the treatment of urinary schistosomiasis in Zimbabwe

A total of 286 traditional healers, 85% of them registered with the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers' Association (ZINATHA), in five administrative provinces of Zimbabwe, were interviewed to assess their knowledge about the signs and symptoms of urinary schistosomiasis. Information on the names of plants used to treat Schistosoma haematobium infections was solicited. Haematuria was mentioned by 99% of the traditional healers to be the most obvious sign of S. haematobiwn infection. General body weakness, increased urinary frequency and pain on micturition also were reported to be some of the signs of infection. Eight plant materials were identified as the most commonly used for the treatment of S. haematobiwn. The plants were identified and parts collected to investigate their anti-schistosomal properties. The plant materials were prepared according to the guidelines of the traditional healers and their efficacy determined by administering the crude extracts orally to hamsters infected with S. haematobiwn cercariae. The results obtained suggested that plant extracts from Abrus precatorius (Leguminosae), Pterocarpus angolensis (Leguminosae) and Ozoroa insignis (Anacardiaceae) were lethal to adult schistosomes.

The Doctrine of Signatures or Similitudes: A Comparison of the Efficacy of Praziquantel and Traditional Herbal Remedies Used for the Treatment of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Zimbabwe

AbstractThe Doctrine of Signatures or Similitudes simply states that “like cures like” and each medicinal product from nature indicates by an obvious and well-marked character the disease for which it is a remedy or the object for which it can be employed. The Doctrine exerted influence in Europe until late in the 17th century and still does so in most parts of Africa including Zimbabwe. Medicinal plants found, from interviewing traditional healers, to be commonly used for the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium, most of which produce either red seeds, red sap or red extract, were collected and investigated for their anti-schistosoma activities. The plant materials were prepared according to the guidelines of the traditional healers and their efficacy was determined by administering the crude extracts to laboratory animals infected with S. haematobium. The results suggested that plant extracts from Abrus precatorius L., Pterocarpus angolensis DC. and Ozoroa insignis Del. complied with the apparent signat...