Advancement in Medicinal Plant Research

39-47

Authors: S. M. Naim Uddin, Abdllah Ripon, Nilufar Sultana and Minhajur Rahman

The ginger family (Zingiberaceae), one of the most versatile medicinal plants, is also a popular flavoring component in a variety of foods and drinks. The objective of the current study is to examine the phytochemistry and evaluate the biological effects of methanolic extracts from a unique ginger family plant (Zingiber salarkhanii Rahman et Yusuf). The analgesic (acetic acid-induced writhing method), CNS anxiolytic (Hole-cross method), cytotoxic (brine shrimp lethality method), and antioxidant (DPPH scavenging method) effects of the plant extract were studied. Then the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test using SPSS (version 20). The result obtained assures that Z. salarkhanii root extract has a variety of active compounds and showed significant analgesic (58%) and CNS anxiolytic activity (22.7 ± 2.22), as well as this plant, exhibited strong cytotoxic (LC50 = 0.784 µg/ml) and free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 1.322 µg/ml).

30-38

Authors: Mindédé Assih, Badjabaïssi Essotolom, Bescond Jocelyn, Mouzou Aklesso, Pakoussi Tcha, Sanvee Sabrina Chris Janiba, Yérima Mouhoudine, Diallo Aboudoulatif, Dossou-Yovo Komla Mawubedjro, Kaboua Komla, Patrick Bois and Potchoo Yao

Herbal medicines have been used for human health management, prevention, and cure of human diseases since ancient civilizations. In recent days, the use of herbal medicines has increased significantly in various forms such as herbal formulations, dietary supplements, and nutraceuticals in the global market. This growing demand undoubtedly improves the therapeutic claims of herbal medicines as biomedicines and/or functional foods. However, the safe use of herbal products and herbal drugs remains a challenge due to toxicity and regulatory issues. This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxicity of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum on the larvae of Artemia salina in vitro and in-vivo acute and subchronic toxicity study in Wistar rats. The test on A. salina showed that the hydroalcoholic extract of O. gratissimum did not show any toxicity. The LC50 values of O. gratissimum on brine shrimp were 0.60 ± 0.19 mg/ml. The acute toxicity study revealed no behavioral disturbances or death in rats. The extract lethal dose (LD50) is greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. Subchronic toxicity results showed a significant increase in abdominal fat at 1000 mg/kg. As for the hematological parameters, there was a significant decrease in the number of platelets at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg. Some biochemical parameters were affected by repeated administration of O. gratissimum extract for 28 days. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was increased at 500 and 1000 mg/kg. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and urea decreased at 500 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. Blood electrolytes showed no significant change. Histological sections showed no organ damage. In conclusion, aqueous extract of O. gratissimum caused no adverse effects in rats after acute and subchronic treatment at 500 and 1000 mg/kg. However, specific hematological and biochemical parameters should be monitored during chronic use.

1-16

Authors: Temave S. Ndzingane, Michael T. Masarirambi, Kwanele A. Nxumalo, Emmanuel N. Kunene, Diana M. Earnshaw, Molyn Mpofu, Daniel V. Dlamini and Sifiso Sihlongonyana

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the major essential oil-producing species used in culinary and fragrance applications. However, there is a dearth of information pertaining to its organic production in the country. A field study laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was conducted at the Horticulture Farm, Luyengo Campus, University of Eswatini to assess the effects of organic fertilisers on the growth, yield and nutritional content of basil. This study consisted of four treatments replicated four times. The organic fertilisers used were chicken manure, kraal (cattle) manure and compost. The rates of application were 40 t/ha for the manures. Chemical fertilizer 2:3:2 (22) + 0.5 Zinc (Zn) and limestone ammonium nitrate (LAN 28%) were included at application rates of 150 kg/ha basal dressing and 100 kg/ha LAN top dressing, respectively. The results showed that the type of organic fertilizer applied affected the growth and yield of sweet basil. A trend in the superiority of the different types of organic fertilisers was observed as chicken manure exhibited higher values of the number of leaves (134.2), branches (78.6), leaf area (30.2 cm2)) and chlorophyll content (68.2 CCI), fresh leaf mass (355g), and fresh mass of basil plant (691 g). Kraal manure was the second, followed by chemical fertilizer and lastly compost. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in P, K, Mn, Cu, and Zn content due to the application of different organic fertilisers. Calcium, Mg and Fe showed significant (p < 0.05) differences among the treatments. The use of chicken manure in the production of basil should be encouraged because its application resulted in relatively higher growth and yields compared to the other fertilisers.