1
|
Osei-Owusu J, Aidoo OF, Eshun F, Gaikpa DS, Dofuor AK, Vigbedor BY, Turkson BK, Ochar K, Opata J, Opoku MJ, Ninsin KD, Borgemeister C. Buruli ulcer in Africa: Geographical distribution, ecology, risk factors, diagnosis, and indigenous plant treatment options - A comprehensive review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22018. [PMID: 38034712 PMCID: PMC10686891 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Buruli ulcer (BU), a neglected tropical disease (NTD), is an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. The disease has been documented in many South American, Asian, and Western Pacific countries and is widespread throughout much of Africa, especially in West and Central Africa. In rural areas with scarce medical care, BU is a devastating disease that can leave patients permanently disabled and socially stigmatized. Mycobacterium ulcerans is thought to produce a mycolactone toxin, which results in necrosis of the afflicted tissue and may be involved in the etiology of BU. Initially, patients may notice a painless nodule or plaque on their skin; as the disease progresses, however, it may spread to other parts of the body, including the muscles and bones. Clinical signs, microbial culture, and histological analysis of afflicted tissue all contribute to a diagnosis of BU. Though antibiotic treatment and surgical removal of infected tissue are necessary for BU management, plant-derived medicine could be an alternative in areas with limited access to conventional medicine. Herein we reviewed the geographical distribution, socioeconomic, risk factors, diagnosis, biology and ecology of the pathogen. Complex environmental, socioeconomic, and genetic factors that influence BU are discussed. Further, our review highlights future research areas needed to develop strategies to manage the disease through the use of indigenous African plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Osei-Owusu
- Department of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Owusu Fordjour Aidoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Fatima Eshun
- Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - David Sewordor Gaikpa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Aboagye Kwarteng Dofuor
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Bright Yaw Vigbedor
- Department of Basic Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Bernard Kofi Turkson
- Department of Herbal Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kingsley Ochar
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso, Ghana
| | - John Opata
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Maxwell Jnr. Opoku
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Kodwo Dadzie Ninsin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana
| | - Christian Borgemeister
- Centre for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Genscherallee 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Antifungal Activities of Phytochemically Characterized Hydroethanolic Extracts of Sclerocarya birrea Leaves and Stem Bark against Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans Strains. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:4261741. [PMID: 35711520 PMCID: PMC9197620 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4261741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The study evaluated the antifungal activities of the 70% ethanol extracts of Sclerocarya birrea leaves (SBL) and stem bark (SBB) against C. albicans strains and fluconazole-resistant isolates, their antifungal effects in combination with conventional antifungals as well as their effects on the biofilms of the C. albicans strains and isolates. UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis was then carried out to investigate the metabolite profile of the extracts and UPLC fingerprints developed for their routine identification as part of quality control measures. The extracts exhibited considerable antifungal activity with MIC ranging from 12.21 to 97.66 μg/mL and MFC from 12.21 to 390.63 μg/mL against the C. albicans strains and isolates. The antifungal activity of the stem bark extract was higher than the leaf extract. SBL and SBB also significantly inhibited biofilm formation (IC50 = 12.49 to 164.42 μg/mL) and the mature biofilms (IC50 = 91.50 to 685.20 μg/mL) of the strains and isolates of the C. albicans and demonstrated potential for their use in combination therapies with currently used antifungals especially the stem bark extract with nystatin. Metabolite profiling identified the presence of polyphenolic compounds in both leaves and stem bark mostly flavonoids, their derivatives, and proanthocyanidins, which contribute in part to the bioactivity of the plant. Whereas flavonoids like quercetin, myricetin, and their derivatives were abundant in the leaves, epicatechin monomers with their condensed tannins, including procyanidin B2 and procyanidin C, were abundant in the stem bark. Fingerprints of SBL and SBB were developed and validated and could be used as qualitative tools to authenticate the plant. The outcomes of the study show the promise of the leaf and stem bark extracts of S. birrea to be studied further and developed as antifungal agents.
Collapse
|