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Plants of Commercial Importance in Lesotho: Ethnobotanical and Pharmacological Insights. COSMETICS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics10010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Several plants have been processed in Lesotho to manufacture various commercial prodcts, ranging from cosmetics and beverages (juice, tea) to traditional herbal mixtures and crafts. Even though plants of commercial importance have been documented in different regions and countries, this is not the case in Lesotho. Therefore, the aim of the study is to record plant species commonly used in the country for development of commercial products. A physical survey was undertaken in different places in the Maseru District of Lesotho between January 2019 and October 2021, taking a record of existing commercial products and identifying plants used in their development. A total of 15 plants of commercial importance in the country are recorded in the current study, namely Agave americana, Aloe ferox, Artemisia afra, Cannabis sativa, Helichrysum odoratissimum, Hemannia depressa, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Leudeboria cooperi, Mentha spp., Merxmuellera spp., Pelargonium sidoides, Opuntia ficus-indica, Rosa rubiginosa and Urtica urens. Most of the plants are used for production of commercial products in the country, whereas some are exported as raw materials, mainly to countries such as Germany, South Africa, Australia and America. The latter are C. sativa, Merxmuellera spp., P. sidoides and R. rubiginosa. Profiling of the plants provides important information about their commercial potential. However, conservation of the plants is encouraged to ensure their sustainable utilisation.
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Matyanga CMJ, Morse GD, Gundidza M, Ndawana B, Reid A, Chitsike I, Nhachi CFB. Impact of acute, oral ingestion of hypoxoside from African potato on hepatic and renal function tests in HIV infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy. J Herb Med 2021; 26. [PMID: 33585170 DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2021.100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Objectives African potato (hypoxis hemerocallidea) is used against HIV to enhance immune-function, although no studies have evaluated its use in HIV infected individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy. The study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of orally administered hypoxoside, a constituent of African potato, on the hepatic and renal function in HIV infected individuals on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/ lamivudine/ efavirenz regimen. Methods This was an open-label, two-period, fixed-sequence, pre-post test study, pilot design. Ethical approval was obtained from Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ A/2045) and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ CT134/2016). Blood samples were collected before and after administration of African potato tablets. Tablets were administered orally once daily at 15mg/ kg hypoxoside for 10 days. Hepatic function tests (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, albumin, total/ direct bilirubin); renal function tests (eGFR, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine), serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) were assayed. STATA was used for statistical analysis. Results Twenty-six participants were enrolled (85% female). Median age (range) was 43 (28-52) years. Most had overweight Body Mass Index (46%) and were married (54%). No statistical difference was noted during hypoxoside for AST/ ALT/ ALP/ GGT/ albumin/ bilirubin. There were no changes in creatinine/ eGFR/ electrolytes. A mean significant increase in total protein (p=0.04) and decrease in blood urea nitrogen (p=0.04) were noted. Conclusion Short-term exposure to hypoxoside from African potato appeared safe and was not associated with clinically significant changes in hepatic, renal function tests/electrolytes. There is further need to evaluate extent of systemic exposure during long-term use in a larger population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia M J Matyanga
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Gene D Morse
- Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences; School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States
| | - Mazuru Gundidza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Harare Institute of Technology, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Billy Ndawana
- Harare Municipality Medical Aid Laboratories (HMMI), 133 Nelson Mandela, Corner 6th Street, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Andrew Reid
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Inam Chitsike
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Charles F B Nhachi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Mwinga JL, Asong JA, Amoo SO, Nkadimeng SM, McGaw LJ, Aremu AO, Otang-Mbeng W. In vitro antimicrobial effects of Hypoxis hemerocallidea against six pathogens with dermatological relevance and its phytochemical characterization and cytotoxicity evaluation. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 242:112048. [PMID: 31265885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Hypoxis hemerocallidea (commonly known as African Potato) is popular in African traditional medicine. It is used in the management of diverse ailments including burns, wounds and skin-related diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY The current study investigated the antimicrobial effects of Hypoxis hemerocallidea against six microorganisms associated with skin diseases. In addition, the antioxidant activity, phytochemical profiles and cytotoxicity of the bulb extracts were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The antimicrobial activity of 50% methanol (MeOH) and petroleum ether (PE) extracts of Hypoxis hemerocallidea bulbs was tested against two bacterial and four fungal strains implicated in causing opportunistic skin-related diseases. Antioxidant potential of the extract was investigated via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and β-carotene linoleic acid model. Phytochemical profiling of the 50% MeOH extract of Hypoxis hemerocallidea was done using spectrophotometric assay and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The extracts were also evaluated for cytotoxicity against African green monkey Vero kidney cell lines based on the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. RESULTS Both 50% MeOH and PE extracts showed considerable inhibitory effects against all six microorganisms. The extracts were potent against Shigella flexneri and Trichophyton tonsurans with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values less than 1 mg/ml. However, there was relatively poor antifungal activity against the other fungal strains. In the DPPH assay, the MeOH extract of the bulb had an EC50 of 29.8 μg/ml while 76.91% antioxidant activity was observed in the β-carotene-linoleic acid model. The extract contained total phenolics (41 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (10 mg CE/g). The GC-MS analysis of Hypoxis hemerocallidea bulb revealed 29 and 160 bioactive compounds for 50% MeOH and PE extracts, respectively. Based on the cytotoxicity, Hypoxis hemerocallidea had LC50 value of 210.9 ± 18.4 and 95.5 ± 13.3 μg/ml for PE and MeOH extracts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The bulb extracts of Hypoxis hemerocallidea exhibited good antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, which could be attributed to the presence of phenolics, flavonoids and the other bioactive compounds identified through GC-MS, making it a potentially effective cosmetic plant. These findings also account for the multi-pharmacological use of Hypoxis hemerocallidea in traditional medicine, especially related to skin diseases. The plant extracts can be considered as safe based on their LC50 values (< 20 μg/ml). However, other form of cytotoxicity studies need to be carried out on Hypoxis hemerocallidea, as well as in vivo tests, to confirm its safety and efficacy as a treatment for skin-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L Mwinga
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - John A Asong
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - Stephen O Amoo
- Agricultural Research Council, Vegetables and Ornamental Plants, Private Bag X293, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Sanah M Nkadimeng
- Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lyndy J McGaw
- Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Adeyemi O Aremu
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa; Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, North West Province, South Africa.
| | - Wilfred Otang-Mbeng
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Private Bag X11283, Mbombela, 1200, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
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Madikizela B, McGaw LJ. Scientific rationale for traditional use of plants to treat tuberculosis in the eastern region of the OR Tambo district, South Africa. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 224:250-260. [PMID: 29870786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem for humans worldwide, and was responsible for 1.4 million human deaths in 2015 alone. Although there is treatment for TB, emerging multi-drug, extensively drug and totally drug resistant forms of this disease, as well as co-infection with human immunodefiency virus (HIV) continue to worsen the situation. South Africa is among countries with reported traditional use and published documentation of such knowledge concerning the use of plants against TB. Based on a previous study where plants used traditionally for treating TB in the eastern region of OR Tambo district, South Africa, were documented, the present study aimed to determine the antimycobacterial effect, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of plants selected from that list. MATERIAL AND METHODS Acetone, 70% ethanol, cold and hot water extracts were tested for antimycobacterial activity against saprophytic Mycobacterium species including M. aurum, M. bovis BCG, M. gordonae, M. fortuitum, and M. smegmatis using a microdilution method. Extracts with MIC values less than 1 mg/ml against at least three Mycobacterium strains were evaluated for antimycobacterial activity against pathogenic Mycobacterium strains including M. tuberculosis H37RV, M. tuberculosis and M. bovis, cytotoxicity (against Vero monkey kidney and bovine dermis cells), and genotoxicity (against Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100). RESULTS The MIC values of the extracts ranged from 0.02 to 2.50 mg/ml, LC50 values of twenty-nine extracts ranged from 0.001 to > 1 mg/ml and the highest selectivity index was 79.50, an extremely promising value. Phymaspermum acerosum roots and leaves (ethanol and water) extracts had the best MIC value (0.02 mg/ml) against at least one Mycobacterium strain. It was interesting to note the lack of cytotoxicity of these extracts with the highest selectivity index value of 39.75. Pterocelastrus echinatus bark acetone and Protorhus longifolia leaf hot water extracts were the most cytotoxic with LC50 = 0.001 and 0.008 mg/ml, respectively, whereas Pittosporum viridiflorum bark water extract was genotoxic. Among non-pathogenic strains, M. gordonae, M. aurum, M. smegmatis showed good correlation of activity with pathogenic M. tuberculosis H37Rv, M. tuberculosis and M. bovis, however, M. aurum was the best predictor with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (correlation coefficient value = 0.73). CONCLUSION The results indicate that Heteromorpha trifoliata and Phymaspermum acerosum should be investigated further for antimycobacterial efficacy against drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Madikizela
- Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 Pretoria, South Africa
| | - L J McGaw
- Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 Pretoria, South Africa.
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Tahrani L, Mehri I, Reyns T, Anthonissen R, Verschaeve L, Khalifa ABH, Loco JV, Abdenaceur H, Mansour HB. UPLC-MS/MS analysis of antibiotics in pharmaceutical effluent in Tunisia: ecotoxicological impact and multi-resistant bacteria dissemination. Arch Microbiol 2017; 200:553-565. [PMID: 29230492 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-017-1467-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The UPLC MS/MS analysis showed the presence of the two antibiotics in the pharmaceutical industry discharges during 3 months; norfloxacin and spiramycin which were quantified with the mean concentrations of 226.7 and 84.2 ng mL-1, respectively. Sixteen resistant isolates were obtained from the pharmaceutical effluent and identified by sequencing. These isolates belong to different genera, namely Citrobacter, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Delftia, Shewanella, and Rheinheimera. The antibiotic resistance phenotypes of these isolates were determined (27 tested antibiotics-discs). All the studied isolates were found resistant to amoxicillin and gentamicin, and 83.33% of isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Multiple antibiotic resistances were revealed against β-lactams, quinolones, and aminoglycosides families. Our overall results suggest that the obtained bacterial isolates may constitute potential candidates for bioremediation and can be useful for biotechnological applications. Genotoxic effects were assessed by a battery of biotests; the pharmaceutical wastewater was genotoxic according to the bacterial Vitotox test and micronuclei test. Genotoxicity was also evaluated by the comet test; the tail DNA damages reached 38 and 22% for concentrated sample (10×) and non-concentrated sample (1×), respectively. However, the histological sections of kidney and liver's mice treated by pharmaceutical effluent showed normal histology and no visible structural effects or alterations as cytolysis, edema, or ulcerative necrosis were observed. Residual antibiotics can reach water environment through wastewater and provoke dissemination of the antibiotics resistance and induce genotoxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Tahrani
- Laboratory of Chemical Residues and Contaminants, Direction of Food Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Laboratory of toxicology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Research Unit of Analysis and Process Applied to the Environment, APAE UR17ES32 Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology Mahdia "ISSAT", Monastir University, 5100, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Ines Mehri
- Laboratoire Traitement et recyclage des eaux, Centre de recherche et technologie des eaux, Borj Cedria, Tunisia
| | - Tim Reyns
- Laboratory of Chemical Residues and Contaminants, Direction of Food Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Roel Anthonissen
- Laboratory of toxicology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Verschaeve
- Laboratory of toxicology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Joris Van Loco
- Laboratory of Chemical Residues and Contaminants, Direction of Food Medicines and Consumer Safety, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hassen Abdenaceur
- Laboratoire Traitement et recyclage des eaux, Centre de recherche et technologie des eaux, Borj Cedria, Tunisia
| | - Hedi Ben Mansour
- Research Unit of Analysis and Process Applied to the Environment, APAE UR17ES32 Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology Mahdia "ISSAT", Monastir University, 5100, Monastir, Tunisia.
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Moteetee A, Seleteng Kose L. Medicinal plants used in Lesotho for treatment of reproductive and post reproductive problems. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2016; 194:827-849. [PMID: 27780751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Reproductive healthcare has been highlighted as a major challenge in Lesotho mainly due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. As a result other reproductive ailments have not received much attention, particularly because healthcare facilities are already limited and many of them are inaccessible. For these reasons, medicinal plants play a major role in primary healthcare system in the country, in addition the plants are easily accessible, more affordable, and their use forms part of the cultural heritage. However, documentation of medicinal plants used for reproductive ailments is scattered, more importantly the biological and pharmacological properties, as well as toxicity of many of these plants are not yet known. AIM OF THE STUDY To document the plants used by both male and female Basotho (residing in Lesotho) for the treatment of reproductive ailments, to explore their recorded biological and pharmacological effects as well as their toxicity, and to establish if these plants are used for similar purposes in other southern African cultures. MATERIALS AND METHODS The results stem from published findings of recent interviews of traditional medicinal practitioners in the Maseru District of Lesotho, first author's own experiences and observations from the Qacha's Nek District as well as comprehensive literature survey including numerous books and unpublished data. Electronic databases such as Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect were also used to search for the chemical compounds, pharmacological activity, and toxicity of the plants. RESULTS A total of 87 plant species are reported to be used for the treatment of several reproductive problems such as infertility, complications associated with pregnancy (twelve plants are used to treat conditions such as colic, heartburn, nausea, and constipation), cleansing and/ or toning of the uterus (with a purpose either to induce pregnancy or to get rid of the placenta, for example Withania somnifera and Zantedeschia albomaculata), difficult childbirth, as well treatment of breast and cervical cancer, cysts, fibroids, and testicular tumours (e.g. Hypoxis hemerocallidea). For the toning of the uterus, it is common to use a combination of plants, e.g. Gunnera perpensa, Scabiosa columbaria, and Eriospermum ornithogaloides. CONCLUSIONS Of the 87 plants used for reproductive healthcare, the highest number (31) is used for the treatment of infertility (in both men and women). The pharmacological effects, active compounds, and toxicology of many of these plants are not yet known.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Moteetee
- Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - L Seleteng Kose
- Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Ncube B, Ndhlala AR, Okem A, Van Staden J. Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) in African traditional medicine. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2013; 150:818-827. [PMID: 24184189 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Hypoxis species (Hypoxidaceae) are popular medicinal plants used in the African traditional medicine to treat numerous ailments and are reported to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. In this paper we reviewed and evaluated the traditional uses, pharmacological, phytochemistry and toxicity aspects of the genus Hypoxis. Potential medicinal prospects and possible knowledge gaps and pitfalls are discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive and systematic review of literature on Hypoxis species was done using numerous resources such as books and scientific databases that include Pubmed, Scopus, Scirus, Google scholar, Web of Science and others. Information on the various pharmacological and chemical properties of Hypoxis extracts was critically analysed and discussed under the various topics. RESULTS The literature indicated a broad range of uses, pharmacological and toxicological properties of different Hypoxis species extracts and their relevance to African healthcare systems. Several compounds, mostly glucosides, sterols and sterolins, have been isolated, identified and tested in various in vitro and in vivo models as well as in a couple of clinical trials with a lot of promising prospects reported in some studies. CONCLUSION A critical analysis of the available literature and studies identifies positive potential for the future use of Hypoxis species in both traditional and modern medicine and concurrently so with possible pitfalls and research gaps in current knowledge. An integrated and holistic approach to addressing research issues, particularly toxicology aspects could be more effectively applied and incorporate conservation strategies for the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhekumthetho Ncube
- Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa
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Ndhlala AR, Stafford GI, Van Staden J. Phytosynergy in some Hypoxis species and pharmacological properties of a Hypoxis-based phytopharmaceutical formula. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2013; 150:492-500. [PMID: 24041457 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 08/31/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE Hypoxis species are used extensively in traditional medicine in southern Africa for several ailments including tuberculosis, chest infections, and nervous and urinary disorders. Several other claims have been made for extracts emanating from Hypoxis species and have led to the production of several commercial products used as immunostimulants mostly for people living with HIV/AIDS and cancer. This study was aimed at investigating the biological activity of four Hypoxis species and a commercial herbal product, 'African potato extract' (APE). MATERIALS AND METHODS Antibacterial, antifungal, cyclooxygenase (COX) and acetylcholineasterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of four Hypoxis species (H. acuminata, H. colchicifolia, H. hemerocallidea and H. rigidula) and a popular Hypoxis-based herbal preparation, APE were tested. The phytoconstituents of the mixture were also profiled using TLC methods. Several combinations of the Hypoxis species were prepared and their synergism, additive, autonomic and antagonism effects investigated. As a quality control measure, batch to batch comparison in the phytoconstituents and biological activity of APE was carried out. RESULTS The results confirmed H. colchicifolia and H. hemerocallidea as the phytoconstituents of APE. The extracts showed a broad spectrum of activities against the bacterial and fungal strains used. Of particular interest were the activities exhibited by the APE and combinations of H. colchicifolia and H. hemerocallidea. The APE mixture exhibited good antibacterial activity (MIC values of 0.78mg/ml each) in all the tested batches against the bacterial strains used. The water extracts of all four Hypoxis species, three batches of APE and the combination (water extracts) of H. colchicifolia and H. hemerocallidea exhibited high COX-1 and moderate COX-2 inhibitory activity except for H. acuminata which showed low activity against COX-2. All the extract, batches of APE and combinations showed low to moderate AChE inhibitory activity. These results provided some evidence of phytosynergy in some extracts of H. hemerocallidea and H. colchicifolia except for a few extracts which act as additive, autonomous and antagonistic when used to inhibit some bacterial and fungal strains. However, this was not the case for COX and AChE inhibition, as only acetone extracts acted in a synergistic way to reduce the activity of the enzyme. CONCLUSION Even though the results give an indication of a positive interaction between some extracts of H. hemerocallidea and H. colchicifolia, the study was carried out on 1:1 v/v combinations only. It is therefore important to carry out isobologram studies, which considers more than one ratio of the combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Ndhlala
- Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3201, South Africa
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