Selected Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Solvents Act as Key Factor for Availability of Phytoconstituents from Selected Medicinal Plants

Solvents Act as Key Factor for Availability of Phytoconstituents from Selected Medicinal Plants

Qualitative Phytochemical Screening of Some Selected Medicinal Plants of Shivpuri District (M.P.)

Qualitative Phytochemical Screening of Some Selected Medicinal Plants of Shivpuri District (M.P.)

Assessment of Anti-Proliferative Activities of Selected Medicinal Plant Extracts Used for Management of Diseases around Lake Victoria Basin

The devastating effect of cancer is a worldwide concern. Unfortunately current chemotherapeutic and radio therapeutic modalities have been found to possess side effects coupled with the emergence of drug resistance. This has necessitated the search for novel therapeutic products with better efficacy, safety and affordability through identification of anti-tumor agents from natural products. In this study the antineoplastic activity and phytochemical screening of methanol extracts of four medicinal plants that are native to Lake Victoria Basin, including Piptadiniastrum africanum, Kigelia africana, Centella asciatica and Chaemocrista nigricans was investigated. Extraction and concentration of the collected and dried plant samples to obtain crude extracts as well as phytochemical screening of the crude extracts was done following standard procedures. Lung adenocarcinoma cell line, from American type cell culture (ATCC), was exposed to the extracts and antiproliferative analysis using 3-(4, 5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay was performed. Phytochemical analysis of each of the four plants showed presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins and steroids. Steroids were higher in the bark of P. africanum and the fruits of K. africana. Flavonoid was absent only in extracts of C. nigricans and coumarins present only in the extracts of K. africana. The methanolic extracts of the fruits of K. africana, bark of P. africanum, leaves of C. asciatica and leaves C. nigricans had inhibitory effects with IC50 28.86 ug/ml, 26.57 ug/ml, 15.69 ug/ml and 8.07 ug/ml (p values of 0.079, 0.069, and 0.042 and 0.055, ANOVA) respectively. Statistical differences among fractions of the extract were determined by one way ANOVA and considered significant at P<0.05. The MTT assay results indicated that all of the extracts had the capacity to inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. The Phytochemical compounds which were tested are antioxidant and shown to trigger morphological changes, such as blebbing pattern and cell shrinkage, associated with apoptosis in the lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. The varying inhibitory activities against tested human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines justify the traditional use of these plants in the management of cancers and other illnesses. These extracts have a potential to be further developed into anti-tumor agents. However, further phytochemical characterization of the extracts is necessary for more extensive biological evaluation of the active ingredients and to exhaustively describe the mechanisms of cancer cell apoptosis of these four plant extracts.

Combination Effect of Antituberculosis Drugs and Ethanolic Extract of Selected Medicinal Plants against Multi-Drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates.

Adverse drug reaction and resistance to antituberculosis drugs remain the causes of tuberculosis therapeutic failure. This research aimed to find the combination effect of standard antituberculosis drugs with Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Kaempferia galanga L., and Piper crocatum N.E. Br against multi-drug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. Two MDR strains (i.e., isoniazid/ethambutol resistant and rifampicin/streptomycin resistant) of M. tuberculosis were inoculated in Löwenstein–Jensen medium containing a combination of standard antituberculosis drugs and ethanolic extracts of H. sabdariffa calyces, K. galanga rhizomes, and P. crocatum leaves using various concentration combinations of drug and extract. The colony numbers were observed for 8 weeks. The effect of the combination was analyzed using the proportion method which was calculated by the mean percentage of inhibition reduction in a number of colonies on drug–extract containing medium compared to extract-free control medium. The results showed that all three plant extracts achieved good combination effects with rifampicin against the rifampicin/streptomycin resistant strain. Antagonistic effects were, however, observed with streptomycin, ethambutol and isoniazid, therefore calling for caution when using these plants in combination with antituberculosis treatment.

Characterisation of Antimicrobial Properties of Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants.

The scope of the experiments included analysis of the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts against bacterial and fungal cultures and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration of plant extracts tested microbial growth. Analysis of the antifungal and antibacterial activity was carried out by the disc diffusion method using paper discs. In the experiment 11 species of microorganisms - 8 bacterial and 3 fungal strains were used. The highest antimicrobial activity against the tested strains was demonstrated by black elder (Sambucus nigra L.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) extracts. The study showed the diverse morphological activity of specific parts of elderberry and quince, which is the effect of different polyphenolic profile of these plants. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus subtilis showed the highest sensitivity to the effect of extracts of the analysed plants. As a positive control three antibiotics - amphotericin B, vancomycin and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid were used.

Validation of the Ability of Selected Medicinal Plants to Control Bacterial Diseases as Applied by Local Herbalists in Kaya Tsolokero and Kaya Kauma of Kenya

An ethnobotanical study was carried out in the sacred Kaya forests of Kauma and Tsolokero of Kilifi County in Kenya. Ethnobotanical data on useful and medicinal plants was collected. Communities living around these two forests depend on the diversity of flora for their livelihood. The local herbalists use indigenous trees and shrubs to heal a variety of diseases. The communities have knowledge to prepare a variety of medicinal formulations to treat diseases which have been passed down through generations. In this study, twelve medicinal plants were selected and tested to validate their ability to control conditions caused by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Formulations from these twelve plants were prepared using a protocol that was adopted from the local medicinal practitioners. The formulations were used in the laboratory to inhibit the growth of S . aureusand E. coli using the dual plating method. Some of the perceived medicinal plants by the practitioners and the community exhibited medicinal properties with very clear growth inhibition zones. Mildbraedia carpinifolia (Mfundiran'gambi), Vernonia homilantha (Mlazakoma), Solanun incannun (Mtondo) and Senna siamea (Mchilifi) against S . aureuswhile, Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Mdungu) and Croton pseudophulchellum (Myama wa nyika) had activity against Escherichia coli. Results in this study validated the medicinal properties of the local formulations of some of the tested plants as applied by the local herbalists.

Qualitative Analysis for Phytochemicals of Selected Medicinal Plants from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Qualitative Analysis for Phytochemicals of Selected Medicinal Plants from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Antibacterial Evaluation and Phytochemical Analysis of Selected Medicinal Plants against Some Pathogenic Enteric Bacteria in Gozamin District, Ethiopia

Antibacterial activity evaluation and Phytochemical Analysis of aqueous, chloroform, methanol and ethanol crude extracts of thirteen medicinal plants species that were selected based on ethno botanical information on their traditional use were tested for treatment of enteric disease in Gozamin District. The study has been carried out from January 5, 2014 to February 15, 2015. All of these plants were extracted following standard methods (Soaking extraction method and agar-well diffusion) to screen of potential anti-microbial substance. All crude extracts of those medicinal plants were tested against standard reference strains including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sonnei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium. The highest antibacterial activity (17 mm) was observed from chloroform leaf extract of Eucalyptus globules against E. coli and leaf extract of Verbena officinalis (13.6 mm) extract against Shigella sonnei, followed by methanol leaf extract of Cordia africana (12.8 mm) against E. coli. More over Eucalyptus globules was positive for all bioactive compounds tested except saponins and Verbena officinalis was positive for all bioactive ingredients tested except alkaloids. In general extracts of Eucalyptus globules leaves exhibited the highest potency against E. coli and extract Verbena officinalis showed highest potency against Shigella sonnei. Thus, this study confirmed the alternative sources of medicine for pathogenic enteric bacteria tested.

Antibacterial and Anti HIV 1 Reverse Transcriptase Activity of Selected Medicinal Plants from Phalaborwa, South Africa

Antibacterial and Anti HIV 1 Reverse Transcriptase Activity of Selected Medicinal Plants from Phalaborwa, South Africa

Antidermatophytic Potential of Selected Medicinal Plants against Microsporum Species

Antidermatophytic Potential of Selected Medicinal Plants against Microsporum Species

Cardiovascular Protective Effects Of Standardized Extracts And Isolated Compounds Of Selected Medicinal Plants From The Tropical Rainforest

Compounds with diverse chemical structures including phenols, xanthones, prenylflavonoids, benzophenones, alkaloids and triterpenoids, isolated from several Malaysian plants, were investigated to discover leads for development of new cardiovascular protective agents. The compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit platelet aggregation in human whole blood using an electrical impedance method and their ability to inhibit human LDL oxidation using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay. Standardized extracts of several plants were evaluated for their cardiovascular protective effects against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats and effects on serum lipid profiles of rats fed with high cholesterol diet (HCD) and their platelet-mediated antithrombotic effects. Among the compounds tested, xanthones from Guttiferae species showed strong inhibitory activities against platelet aggregation and LDL peroxidation. 2-(3-Methylbut-2-enyl)-1,3,5,-trihydroxyxanthone and 2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxyxanthone showed strong inhibition on platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA), macluraxanthone and 1, 7 dihydroxyxanthone showed significant and selective inhibitory activity against ADP-induced aggregation while rubraxanthone showed inhibitory activity against aggregation caused by all three inducers [1]. Recently we reported the isolation of a new xanthone, 1, 3, 6-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-(3′-methyl-2′-oxo-but-3′-enyl) xanthone and 1, 3, 5, 7-tetrahydroxyxanthone from Garcinia cantleyana var. cantleyana, with strong ability to inhibit LDL oxidation [2]. The standardized extracts of Zingiber officinale, Curcuma domestica and Labisia pumila var alata significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL levels and helped in improving high density lipoprotein (HDL) and oxidase enzymes levels on HCD rats in a dose-dependent way. The extracts also exhibited protective effects on biochemical and histopathological alterations of the cardiac muscle cells in Isoproterenol-induced MI rats [3, 4].

Seasonal Variations of Mercury Levels in Selected Medicinal Plants Originating from Poland

The presence of mercury in the living cells may be caused by environmental pollution with this element, which is referred to as a toxic xenobiotic. Many literature reports have provided evidence for toxic effects of low levels of mercury in the human body. Therefore, it seems essential to investigate mercury content in food and in natural environment, particularly its seasonal variations. The objective of this study was to determine trace amounts of mercury in 45 samples of 20 medicinal plant species collected in northern Poland, in various seasons of the year, i.e., in autumn 2012 and then spring 2013. The results obtained showed that the levels of mercury in the herbs were lower in spring (3.66–34.89 ng/g) than in autumn (4.55–81.54 ng/g). The statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) between the levels of mercury in herbs collected in spring and autumn indicates hazardous accumulation of the element in plants in autumn. The highest levels of mercury were found in leaves and plants growing in the vicinity of busy streets. Perennials plants have a significantly higher mercury levels as compared to those of monocarpic plants. Furthermore, commonly used herbal plants have a significantly higher mercury levels as compared to those less common.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Five Selected Medicinal Plants in Tanzania against Gram Negative Bacteria

Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Five Selected Medicinal Plants in Tanzania against Gram Negative Bacteria

In vitro Anti-candidal Activity of Extracts of Some Selected Medicinal Plants on Clinical Isolate of Candida albicans and Its Standard ATCC 10231 Strain

In vitro Anti-candidal Activity of Extracts of Some Selected Medicinal Plants on Clinical Isolate of Candida albicans and Its Standard ATCC 10231 Strain

Cytotoxicity and Anti - Herpes Activity of Selected Medicinal Plants Cited for Management of HIV Conditions in Kakamega County – Kenya

Cytotoxicity and Anti - Herpes Activity of Selected Medicinal Plants Cited for Management of HIV Conditions in Kakamega County – Kenya

Antimicrobial Potency of Methanolic Leaf Extracts from Selected Medicinal Plants against Staphylococcus aureus

The main aim of the study was to test for the antimicrobial potency of Aloe secundiflora, Bulbine frutescens, Tagetes minuta and Vernonia lasiopus against Staphylococcus aureus. All the plants showed a pronounced antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with Tagetes minuta being the most active at low concentrations (MIC 8.9 mg/ml; MBC 10.0 mg/ml) whereas Vernonia lasiopus showing less activity (MIC 12.2 mg/ml; MBC 14.2 mg/ml). The efficacy test was carried out using the disc diffusion method. The standard antibiotics used were ciprofloxacin (5 μg/ml) and vancomycin (3 μg/ml) showed significant antimicrobial activity by producing zones of inhibition of 22 mm and 25 mm respectively. Dimethyl sulphoxide and distilled water were used as negative control. The extracts from the plants were also screened for the presence of phytochemicals with the results showing the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and saponins in all the extracts. The study suggested that the selected medicinal plants can be used effectively in the treatment of bacterial infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Profile of Trace Elements in Selected Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Diabetes in Eritrea.

This study was designed to investigate the profile of certain trace elements having therapeutic properties related to diabetes mellitus. The investigated plants were Aloe camperi, Meriandra dianthera, Lepidium sativum, Brassica nigra, and Nigella sativa. These plants are traditionally used in the management of diabetes in Eritrea. The elemental analysis was conducted using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) techniques. The accuracy of the methods was verified using in-house reference materials (CRMs) and no significant differences were observed between the measured and certified values. The analysis displayed variable concentrations of the different trace elements including Zn, Cr, V, Mn, and Se in the plants. Moreover, the levels of major elements, such as Mg, Ca, K, Na, and Ba, and heavy metals, such as Fe, Cu, Ni, Co, As, and Pb, were determined and found to be in the permissible limit defined by WHO. Among the plants, Meriandra dianthera showed the highest levels of Mn, Cr, V, and other elements and the values were significantly different (P < 0.05).

Antimicrobial Evaluation of Crude Methanolic Leaf Extracts from Selected Medicinal Plants Against Escherichia coli

This study was aimed at determining the antibacterial effects of the selected plant leaf extracts of Tagetes minuta, Aloe secundiflora, Vernonia lasiopus and Bulbine frutescens against clinical isolate of Escherichia coli. The plants materials were obtained from Kenyatta University arboretum and identified by University taxonomist and voucher specimen deposited in the University. Methanol was used as the solvent for the extraction process and the antimicrobial activity test carried out using the disc diffusion method. All the plants extracts analysed had antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli with Tagetes minuta extract being the most active at low concentrations (8.7 mg/ml). The standard antibiotic used for positive control was ciprofloxacin (5 μg/ml) while distilled water and dimethyl sulphoxide were used as negative control. Screening of phytochemical showed the presence of four phytochemicals; saponins, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids.

Combined Effect of Crude Leaf Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants against Selected Enteric Bacterial Pathogens and Candida albicans

The main aim of the study was to determine the antimicrobial potency of the plant extracts from leaves of Aloe secundiflora, Bulbine frutescens, Tagetes minuta and Vernonia lasiopus when used in combinations. The extracts were used against Gram negative bacteria (Shigella flexineri, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis), Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and fungal pathogen Candida albicans by Kirby Bauer method. The combination were determined using the permutation formula of P=N! / (N-R)! Producing six combinations. The combining of the plant extracts from Bulbine frutescens and Vernonia lasiopus with the others showed improved antimicrobial activity especially against Escherichia coli. A decrease in antimicrobial activity was observed when all the plant extracts were used in combinations against Candida albicans. The standard antibiotics used were Ciprofloxacin (Gram negative bacteria), Vancomycin (Gram positive bacteria) and fluconazole against Candida albicans. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts confirmed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. Our study revealed that, some of the plant extracts can be used in combination in improving their effectiveness in treating the diseases caused by the bacterial pathogens and fungus Candida albicans.

Evaluation of the Efficacies of Selected Medicinal Plants on Pathogenic Escherichia Coli Strains

Evaluation of the Efficacies of Selected Medicinal Plants on Pathogenic Escherichia Coli Strains