Advancement in Medicinal Plant Research

Number 4, 2015

137-150
Traditional medicinal plants for ethnoveterinary medicine used in Kilte Awulaelo District, Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Authors: Abraha Teklay

Abstract

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Ethnoveterinary is the scientific study of the relationships between livestock and plants. Traditional medicine is still remaining the main resource for livestock treating health problems. Hence, the purpose of the study was to conduct ethnoveterinary study on medicinal plant species used to treat diseases of livestock in Kilte Awulaelo District, Tigray, Ethiopia. An ethnoveterinary study of medicinal plants was conducted in the District. The study employed common ethnoveterinary methods including semi-structured interviews, field observations, preference ranking exercises and paired comparisons. A total of 72 informants were purposefully selected, with the help of local administrators, elders and other members of the local community. A total of 50 species belonging to 44 genera and 27 families in which family Solanaceae is represented by 8 species (16%), followed by family Euphorbiaceae with 5 species (10%) were used as medicine. Present survey reveals that some plants have multiple medicinal uses, while some were being used to cure only one disease. Likewise some of the diseases are being treated by many plants while some diseases are treated by one plants species. The males above 40 years were found to be more knowledgeable regarding uses of medicinal plants than women and youngsters. Mostly, leaves of the plants are used as medicine. The major threats were found to be drought followed by over grazing. In conclusion, Kilte Awulaelo District is relatively rich in medicinal plant knowledge and practice. It is concluded that the plant resources in this area are used to treat different diseases of livestock. The medicinal plants were exposing to various anthropogenic and natural factors. The participation of the local people, awareness rising through training or education on sustainable utilization and management of plant resources, establishment of forest protected areas should be encouraged. Conservation of medicinal plants, conservation and promotion of indigenous knowledge by promotion of research activities are required. Keywords: Traditional medicine, livestock, medicinal plants, diseases, species.

151-154
Antibacterial activity of the leaf extract of Piliostigma thonningii against Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae

Authors: Ewansiha J. U., Okafor A. C., Doughari J. and Busari M. B.

Abstract

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The cold maceration, qualitative phytochemical analysis and agar well diffusion methods were applied to investigate the antibacterial activity of Piliostigma thonningii using hexane and water as extracting solvents. The phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of tannins, terpenines, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and phenol while glycosides were absent. Tannins, terpenes, alkaloids and phenol were present in both solvent extract while flavonoids, glycosides and steroids were absent in the hexane extract. Sensitivity result shows that the aqueous and hexane extracts had activity against the test organisms with mean zones of inhibition in millimeter of 17.33 ± 0.57 and 15.33 ± 1.15 at 30 mg/ml against Salmonella typhi, while the mean zone of inhibition against Shigella dysenteriae were 14.33 ± 0.57 and 11.00 ± 1.0 at 30 mg/ml for aqueous and hexane extracts, respectively. The least inhibition zones, 9.66 ± 1.15 and 11.00 ± 1.0 at 20 and 30 mg/ml respectively of the hexane extract were recorded against S. dysenteriae. The leaf extract exhibited the lowest MIC (1.8 mg/ml) against S. dysenteriae as compared to 15 mg/ml against Salmonella typhi. Summarily, the activity of the plant extract might be concentration dependent and therefore, based on the result of this research work a higher concentration and purification of the crude extract is recommended to achieve a considerable antimicrobial activity. Keywords: Piliostigma thonningii, terpenines, cold maceration, Salmonella typhi, hexane.

155-161
Antiamoebic activity and cytotoxicity of ethanolic extract of Cyperus rotundus L.

Authors: Ahmed S. Kabbashi, El-badri E. Osman, Amel M. Abdrabo, Nadir Abuzeid, Mohammed I. Garbi, Waleed S. Koko and Mahmoud M. Dahab

Abstract

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Cyperus rotundus L. (Family: Cyperaceae), has a number of pharmacological and biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal, cytoprotective, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and apoptotic, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica is a major cause of morbidity worldwide, causing approximately 50 million cases of dysentery and 100,000 deaths annually. Intestinal amoebiasis due to the infection of E. histolytica is ranked third on the list of parasitic protozoan infections leading to death behind malaria and schistosomiasis. The purpose of the paper was to investigate the in-vitro antiamoebic activity and cytotoxicity (MTT assay) of ethanol extract of C. rotundus L. (whole plant). The ethanol extract of C. rotundus (whole plant), with different concentration (500, 250 and 125 ppm) and metronidazole concentration (312.5 μg/ml) was investigated in vitro against E. histolyica trophozoites. The result was obtained from C. rotundus whole plant ethanol extract which exhibited 100% mortality within 96 h, at a concentration 500 ppm; this was compared with Metronidazole which gave 96% inhibition at concentration 312.5 µg/ml at the same time In addition cytotoxicity (MTT assay) with different concentration (500, 250 and 125 ppm) in comparison to triton-x100 (the reference control) which verified the safety of the examined extract with an IC50 less 100 µg/ml. In conclusion, these studies prove the potent activity of C. rotundus against E. histolyica trophozoites in vitro with verified safety evidence for use. Keywords: In vitro, antiamoebic, Entamoeba histolyica, Metronidazole, cytotoxicity (MTT-assay), C. rotundus (whole plant).

162-165
Guar - A nutrimental potent ethnomedicinal cultivated forage

Authors: T. P. Mall and S. C. Tripathi

Abstract

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Number of views: 493

Bahraich U.P., India is blessed with diversified flora of more than 1200 plant species with Tharu tribals inhabiting inside as well as around the forests. The tribals have strong belief in magico therapeutic properties of plants for treatment of their ailments. The vegetation of the areas is mainly characterized by member of herbaceous plants growing on a variety of habitats along with scattered occurrence of many indigenous and exotic species of trees and shrubs in open areas or cultivated in gardens and along the road sides. The North Western Tarai belt in which Bahraich is situated is next to Himalaya which represents one of the thirty four hot spots of the World mega biodiversity. In spite of all, the wealth of traditional knowledge is being lost, as the traditional culture is gradually disappearing. Cyamopsis tetragonaloba (L.) Taub. belongs to Leguminosae, commonly known as cluster bean, guar, gvar, gwar or guwar bean, is an annual legume. This plant is cultivated for forage, to improve soil fertility, in mixed cropping as well as in crop rotation. It grows well in arid and semi arid soil, is drought tolerant and sun loving but susceptible to frost. There are a large number of health benefits of this bean. It is a good source of fiber protein and other nutrients. Lowers LDL bad cholesterols, improves heart health, and lowers risks of heart attack. The presence of fiber, folic acid and protein prevents heart complications. It improves haemoglobin, calcium and phosphorus strengthens bone. It has laxative property. It has low hypoglycemic property. It improves mental health, prevents birth defects in the foetus and vitamin K promotes foetal development. In addition it has a large industrial uses. Keywords: Cluster bean, Guar, nutrimental, ethnomedicinal, forage.