International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 14 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Efficacy of Vitex negundo Extracts from Leaf and Bark in Similipal Biosphere Reserve, India

S. K. Panda1, H. N. Thatoi2 and S. K. Dutta1*

1Post Graduate Department of Zoology, North Orissa University, Baripada -757003, India.
2Post Graduate Department of Biotechnology, North Orissa University, Baripada -757003, India.

Accepted 6 January, 2025

The antimicrobial activity and phytochemicals of the leaves and bark of Vitex negundo L. was evaluated against three Gram-positive bacteria viz. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and five Gram-negative bacteria viz. Escherchia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio alginolyteus. Both polar and nonpolar extracts viz. petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts were prepared and studied for antibacterial activity using disc diffusion, agar cup and broth dilution methods. Results showed promising antibacterial activity of all the extracts of both leaf and bark against E. coli, followed by S. aureus. Ethanol and methanol extracts of the leaf showed inhibition activity against both Gram- positive and Gram-negative bacteria where as petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of bark had better antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. MIC showed that 5% of the extracts were active in a concentration of 0.312 mg/ml; 27.5% in a concentration of 0.625 mg/ml and 88.75% in a concentration of 1.25 mg/ml; were active against different human pathogenic bacteria. At concentration about 2.5 mg/ml, 100% of inhibition was recorded against both Gram- positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The result obtained with ethanol and methanol extracts of leaves; petroleum ether and chloroform extract of bark exhibited significant antibacterial activity, a property that supports traditional use of the plant in the treatment of some diseases as broad spectrum antibacterial agents.

Key words: Antibacterial activity, similipal biosphere reserve, MIC, Vitex negundo, phytochemical, medicinal plant activity.
 

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 14 (2), pp. 001-014, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants for Reproductive Health in Ndop Central, Cameroon

Focho D. A.1, Nkeng E. A. P.2, Lucha C. F.1*, Ndam W, T.1 and Afegenui A.1

1Department of Plant Biology, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
2Department of Chemistry, University of Dschang, Cameroon.

Accepted 6 December, 2024

Ethnobotanical investigations and chemosystematic analyses of plants were carried out in Ndop Central Sub-division to identify medicinal plants that treat diseases of the reproductive system and to know the characteristic compounds in the family Malvaceae that have chemotaxonomic value. A total of 88 plant species belonging to 77 genera and 42 families were sampled treating about 24 different reproductive ailments. Their scientific names, vernacular names, parts used, modes of preparation and administration are presented. Chemical screening involved 8 species and 4 families. From the chemical analyses, alkaloids and phenolic compounds are characteristic compounds of the family Malvaceae indicating that they have chemotaxonomic value in the family. Ecdysterone and ajugasterone are not present in the plants tested, indicating that they are not the characteristic ecdysones in that family.

Key words: Ethnobotany, chemosystematics, malvaceae, medicinal plants, reproductive system, Ndop.
 

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 14 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In Vitro Evaluation of Antiparasitic Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants Against Trypanosoma evansi

Adeiza, A. A.*, Maikai, V. A. and Hassan, F. B.

College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 2134, Mando Road, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Accepted 15 November, 2024

In an attempt to search for new eco-friendly trypanocidal drugs, water and methanol extracts were prepared from three medicinal plants used by herbalists in Nigeria for the treatment of malaria and other ailments. The different portions of the extracts were incubated at various concentrations, 2, 4, 8, 10 mg/ml with Trypanosoma evansi. The results revealed that Khaya senegalensis and Anonna senegalensis were able to immobilize the parasites at 10 mg/ml while Prosopis africana did not show any activity. Phytochemical profile of the plants showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponnins and cardiac glycosides. The results obtained with these crude extracts showed that these plants are potential sources of trypanocidal drugs/chemical leads.

Key words: Antitrypanosomal activity, Khaya senegalensis, Anonna senegalensis, Prosopis africana, Trypanosoma evansi.
 

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring Anti-Diabetic Plants in the Traditional Medicine of Iran

Fattaneh Hashem Dabaghian¹*, Mohammad Kamalinejad², Asieh Shojaei¹ and Mehri Abdollahi Fard¹

¹Research Institute for Islamic and Complementary Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
²Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Accepted 7 August, 2024

Abstract

The high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its complications, increase in usage of complementary therapies (especially herbal therapies), and need of developing countries for indigenous medical methods inspired us to introduce some plants in Iranian traditional medicine that are used in the treatment of diabetes. By studying the topic of “ziabetes” (the synonym of diabetes) mentioned in some Iranian traditional medical texts, we collected the text related to the anti-diabetic edible plants and identified their scientific names. Pub-med and Scopus databases were used to search the hypoglycemic effects of these medicinal herbs on laboratory animal or human. Many medicinal herbs and minerals in single or compound form have been used in Iranian traditional medicine. Plants such as Punica granatum, Rosa damascene, Plantago psyllium, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Coriandrum sativum, Portulaca oleracea, and Rumex patientia are the most popular among them. The hypoglycemic effects of some of these plants on laboratory animal or human have been presented from different published articles. The effects of some anti-diabetic plants used in Iranian traditional medicine were evaluated and their efficacies were mainly demonstrated on animals. However, we need more clinical trials to prove the safety and efficacy of these herbs on human.

Key words: Traditional medicine, phytotherapy, herbal medicine, diabetes mellitus, Iran.
 

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of Toxic Metal Contamination in Selected Medicinal Plants Available in Kumasi, Ghana

K. Sarpong¹, E. Dartey¹*, G. O. Boateng² and H. Dapaah³

¹Faculty of Science and Environment Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
²Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
³Faculty of Agriculture Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

Accepted 04 October, 2024

Abstract

Twenty (20) medicinal plant samples purchased from the Kumasi Central Market, Ashanti Region, Ghana, were studied in order to ascertain the concentration of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc in them. These plant samples are medicinal plants commonly employed in the treatment and management of diseases by the inhabitants. Dry Ashing method of digestion and analysis was adopted from the protocol of Perkin-Elmer manual for atomic absorption spectrophotometry and content of metals per sample was expressed in µg/g. The study revealed that all the samples contained arsenic and zinc. The range of concentration of arsenic in the medicinal plant samples was 0.001µg/g to 0.051µg/g. The highest concentration of arsenic was found in the bark of P. biglobosa roots, and the lowest was recorded in the fruits of X. aethiopica. The levels of arsenic in the samples were lower than the WHO maximum permissible limits (MPL) of 10 µg/g. Forty percent (40%) of the samples contained trace amounts of lead, while sixty percent (60%) contained lead with concentration ranging from 0.090 µg/g to 6.280 µg/g. These concentrations were higher than the WHO maximum permissible limits (MPL) of 0.01 µg/g. Forty –five percent (45%) of the medicinal plant samples contained trace amounts of cadmium. The remaining fifty-five percent (55%) contained varying concentrations of cadmium ranging from 0.010µg/g to 2.500 µg/g. Three of the samples had cadmium concentrations above the WHO permissible limit (MPL) of 0.300 µ/g. The levels of zinc in the samples ranged from 0.020 µg/g to 32.50 µg/g. The concentration, 0.020 µg/g was in F. asperifolia (Leaves) and A. conyzoides, and 32.50 µ/g in Z. Officinale (Rhizome).Though high, the zinc concentration was lower than the WHO recommended level of 100 µg/g. Although the levels of the hazardous metals were not high, continuous use of these medicinal plants can lead to bioaccumulation, which can be harmful to consumers.

Keywords: Hazardous metals, concentration, medicinal plants.
 

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 13 (9), pp. 001-013, September, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of the factors influencing utilization of medicinal plants among Hausa communities in Makurdi metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria

L.N. Sambe¹*, P.U Ancha², M.A. Aondoakaa³, Z. Ali⁴, Akighirga, A.T⁵

^1,2,3,4Department of Social and Environmental Forestry, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.
⁵Department of Forestry and Environmental Technology, Federal Polytechnic Kazaure, Jigawa State.

Abstract

Received May 11, 2024; Revised June 23, 2024; Accepted June 24, 2024 and Published 25 October, 2024

The study was conducted to assess the factors influencing the utilization of medicinal plants among Hausa Communities in Makurdi metropolis, Benue State. The population for the study comprised the Hausa communities. A purposive sampling technique was used to select Hausa residential areas, thus, 120 adults each were sampled in the North Bank and Wadata areas giving a total of 240 respondents. Data for the study was obtained through a semi-structured questionnaire, interview, and personal observation. The study data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Likert scale rating, logistic regression models, and Spearman rank correlation.  The analysis of the field data shows that most (83.9%) of the respondents utilized medicinal plants to treat ailments. The respondents’ main reasons for utilizing medicinal plants were; the plants' efficacy (46.9%), affordability (20.6%), and availability (20.2%). Correlation analysis between the ages of respondents and utilization of medicinal plants had non-significant positive correlation (rs=0.08, p>0.22), a significant positive correlation between years of schooling and utilization of medicinal plants among the respondents in the study area (rs=0.18, p>0.01) and a non-significant negative correlation between the income of the respondents and utilization of medicinal plants in the study area (rs= -0.08, p>0.10). The result also shows that male and female respondents do not differ significantly (U=5946, P>0.05) in using medicinal plants in the study area. On the extent of utilization of medicinal plants, the result showed a moderate level of utilization of medicinal plants in the study area. The logistic regression analysis shows that age, years of residence, and annual income, had no significant influence (p>0.05) on the utilization of medicinal plants while the educational status of the respondents in terms of years of schooling had a significant positive influence (p<0.05) on utilization of medicinal plants. The most important factor influencing medicinal plant utilization in the study area based on Exp (B) values was education (1.78) followed by age (1.05) years of residence (1.02) and annual income (0.18). Therefore, the conservation of the preferred medicinal tree species should be encouraged by the Government, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private individuals to enhance the sustainability of the resource.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, utilization, factors, influence, Hausa community.