Pharmacological evaluation of medicinal plants with antidiabetic activities in Ethiopia: A review

Effect of dawri-damaa (Pentas schimperiana) leaf meal supplementation on performances, carcass characteristics, and economic feasibility of sheep fed native grass hay

With a growing export and local market, sheep farming is critical to the economy of smallholder farmers; however, indigenous sheep breeds usually exhibit low carcass output and live weight due to nutritional constraints. The study aimed to investigate the impact of supplementing local sheep with dawri-damaa leaf meal (DDLM) on their performance, carcass characteristics, and profitability when fed native grass hay. The research used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) to administer four feeding treatments (T1, T2, T3, and T4 at 0%, 30%, 50%, and 70% DDLM, respectively) to 20 local uncastrated male lambs having an average 23.72 ± 0.73 kg body weight and average age of 11.72 ± 0.74 months. Greater doses of DDLM in the diet resulted in greater average daily gain (ADG) of 51.4-83.8 g/day and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of 0.066-0.089 in lambs, compared to 15.0 g/day ADG and 0.025 FCE in lambs under control diet (T1). Additionally, the lambs had increased slaughter body weight (SBW), empty body weight (EBW), and hot carcass weight (HCW) in T4 and T3 compared to other treatments (p < .05). There were no significant differences in dressing percentages (DPs) across any treatment group. The study also discussed the economic viability of supplementing with DDLM, suggesting that feeding 70% daily dry matter of DDLM at 2.5% live weight might be beneficial depending on availability, access, and cost factors. In conclusion, feeding DDLM up to 70% has improved the performance of sheep and is economically feasible. Further research might be required to discover whether such levels of inclusion are harmful and apply different processing methods for feeding animals.

A comprehensive in-vitro/in-vivo screening toolbox for the elucidation of glucose homeostasis modulating properties of plant extracts (from roots) and its bioactives

Plant extracts are increasingly recognized for their potential in modulating (postprandial) blood glucose levels. In this context, root extracts are of particular interest due to their high concentrations and often unique spectrum of plant bioactives. To identify new plant species with potential glucose-lowering activity, simple and robust methodologies are often required. For this narrative review, literature was sourced from scientific databases (primarily PubMed) in the period from June 2022 to January 2024. The regulatory targets of glucose homeostasis that could be modulated by bioactive plant compounds were used as search terms, either alone or in combination with the keyword "root extract". As a result, we present a comprehensive methodological toolbox for studying the glucose homeostasis modulating properties of plant extracts and its constituents. The described assays encompass in-vitro investigations involving enzyme inhibition (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, dipeptidyl peptidase 4), assessment of sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 activity, and evaluation of glucose transporter 4 translocation. Furthermore, we describe a patch-clamp technique to assess the impact of extracts on KATP channels. While validating in-vitro findings in living organisms is imperative, we introduce two screenable in-vivo models (the hen's egg test and Drosophila melanogaster). Given that evaluation of the bioactivity of plant extracts in rodents and humans represents the current gold standard, we include approaches addressing this aspect. In summary, this review offers a systematic guide for screening plant extracts regarding their influence on key regulatory elements of glucose homeostasis, culminating in the assessment of their potential efficacy in-vivo. Moreover, application of the presented toolbox might contribute to further close the knowledge gap on the precise mechanisms of action of plant-derived compounds.

Medicinal Plants Used by Oromo Community in Kofale District, West-Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to record the utilization of medicinal plants by the Oromo people in the Kofale District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, to control human and animal health problems.

Methods

Data regarding the use of medicinal plants were collected using ethnobotanical methods from 84 traditional medicine practitioners and 304 general informants sampled employing purposive and systematic random sampling methods, respectively, in the Kofale District. Data were analyzed using different indices, including a preference ranking exercise, informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL) and relative popularity level (RPL).

Results

In the district, 106 medicinal plants were claimed to be used for the treatment of 43 human and 18 livestock illnesses, of which 75 (71%) were used to manage human health problems, 23 (21.5%) were used to treat both human and livestock ailments and eight (7.5%) were utilized to treat manage livestock health problems. Most (76.4%) plants were harvested from the wild. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part (55.6%) in remedy preparations. Skin diseases scored the highest ICF value (0.97), followed by gastrointestinal disorders (ICF = 0.95), cancer (ICF = 0.93), and hemorrhoids (ICF = 0.91). Medicinal plants that record the highest fidelity level (FL) (100%) and rank order priority (ROP) (100%) values included Justicia schimperiana, Embelia schimperi, Ekebergia capensis and Datura stramonium, which have been used to treat liver disorders, tapeworm infections, babesiosis, and rabies, respectively. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the mean numbers of medicinal plants claimed by different social groups: older, illiterate, and traditional medicine practitioners reported higher mean numbers of medicinal plants than younger, literate, and general informants, respectively.

Conclusion

This study indicated the richness of medicinal plant species in Kofale District. Medicinal plants with the highest FL and ROP values and those used to treat disease categories with the highest ICF values should be prioritized in future phytochemical and pharmacological investigations.

Potential Pharmacological Applications of Nigella Seeds with a Focus on Nigella sativa and Its Constituents against Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Progress and Future Opportunities

The leading cause of death worldwide has been identified as chronic illnesses, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Chronic inflammatory conditions such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity account for three out of every five deaths. Although many people benefit from using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation relief, there are significant adverse effects to using these medications. Medicinal plants possess anti-inflammatory properties with minimal or no side effects. Nigella sativa (NS), also known as black cumin, is one of the plants used in traditional medicine the most. Many studies on the NS have shown that their therapeutic properties are attributed to the seed, oil, and secondary metabolites. This plant has been studied extensively and has many medical uses, such as anti-inflammatory. NS or its phytochemical compounds, such as thymoquinone, can cause cell apoptosis via oxidative stress, block efflux pumps, enhance membrane permeability, and exert potent biocidal effects. Notwithstanding the extensively documented anti-inflammatory effectiveness observed in the experimental model, the precise mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory effects in diverse chronic inflammatory diseases and its multi-targeting characteristics remain largely unexplored. This review examines NS or its secondary metabolites, a valuable source for the therapeutic development of chronic inflammatory diseases. Most clinical studies were done for diabetes and cardiovascular disease; therefore, more studies are required to examine the NS extracts and phytoconstituents to treat cancer, obesity, diabetes, asthma, neurological disorders, and COVID-19. This study will be a significant resource for clinicians and biologists seeking a pharmaceutical solution for inflammatory diseases.

Pharmacologically Active Phytomolecules Isolated from Traditional Antidiabetic Plants and Their Therapeutic Role for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic complication that affects people of all ages. The increased prevalence of diabetes worldwide has led to the development of several synthetic drugs to tackle this health problem. Such drugs, although effective as antihyperglycemic agents, are accompanied by various side effects, costly, and inaccessible to the majority of people living in underdeveloped countries. Medicinal plants have been used traditionally throughout the ages to treat various ailments due to their availability and safe nature. Medicinal plants are a rich source of phytochemicals that possess several health benefits. As diabetes continues to become prevalent, health care practitioners are considering plant-based medicines as a potential source of antidiabetic drugs due to their high potency and fewer side effects. To better understand the mechanism of action of medicinal plants, their active phytoconstituents are being isolated and investigated thoroughly. In this review article, we have focused on pharmacologically active phytomolecules isolated from medicinal plants presenting antidiabetic activity and the role they play in the treatment and management of diabetes. These natural compounds may represent as good candidates for a novel therapeutic approach and/or effective and alternative therapies for diabetes.

Evaluation of Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic Activity of 80% Methanolic Extract of the Root of Solanum incanum Linnaeus (Solanaceae) in Mice

Background

Conventional antidiabetic drugs are linked with a number of contraindications and untoward effects. The root decoction of Solanum incanum L. has traditionally been used to treat diabetes. However, its safety and efficacy have not been scientifically authenticated yet. Hence, the study was conducted in mice to corroborate its antidiabetic potential and safety profile.

Methods

Using normoglycemic, oral glucose-loaded, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice models, the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activities of 80% methanolic root extract were investigated. On streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, the effect of the test extract on diabetic lipid profile and body weight was also investigated. Further, the in vitro α-amylase inhibition activity was assessed.

Results

The test extract was safe at a limit test dose of 2 g/kg. Dose-dependent α-amylase inhibition activity was seen with peak percentage inhibition of 75.95% at 700 μg/mL. In normoglycemic mice, the plant extract showed statistically significant hypoglycemic activity at 200 and 400 mg/kg (P < 0.001) at 6  h and 4 and 6 h of treatment, respectively; in oral glucose-loaded mice, at both the test doses, the glucose level was also significantly dropped at 120 (P < 0.01) and 60 and 120 min (P < 0.001), respectively; whereas, in the third model, the test extract showed significant antihyperglycemic activity at 100 mg/kg (P < 0.05) on the 14^th day and at 200 (P < 0.01) and 400 mg/kg (P < 0.001) on the 7^th and 14^th day of treatment. Similarly, following repeated administration of the test extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg, the body weight was significantly improved on the 14^th day (P < 0.05) and on the 7^th and 14^th day (P < 0.01), respectively, while diabetic dyslipidemia after 14 days (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The study revealed that the test extract showed promising antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity. Thus, the findings back up its use in Ethiopian remedies for diabetes.