International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany

International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany ISSN 4536-1835 Vol. 2 (4), pp. 041-043, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

A study of sustainable use of medicinal plants in national health care delivery system in Nigeria

Ehiagbonare J. E.

Department of Biological Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada. Nigeria. E-mail:[email protected].

Accepted 22 July, 2015

Abstract

Vegetative propagation studies on some key medicinal plants for malaria treatment in Nigeria were carried out. The identified plants are Azadirachta indica, venonia amygdalina and Ageratum conyzoides. Methods of harvesting plant parts by the enthomedicinal practitioners were observed to be injurious and could create enabling environment for plant pathogens. Result from vegetative propagation using 50 ppm indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) showed significant difference in response to the effect of IBA in rooting stem cuttings. From A. indica 70% cuttings rooted, 30% died in treatment and in the control 10% rooted, while 90% died. From A. conyzoides 23.3% rooted and 76.7% died in treatment while none rooted in the control. V. amygdalina had 60% rooted and 40% died in treatment respectively. The control had 13.3%.

Key words: Malaria, medicinal plants, conservation, Vernonia amygdalina, Ageratum conyzoides, Azadirachta indica.

International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany ISSN 4536-1835 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 044-050, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of some medicinal plants in Nigeria

D. Kubmarawa¹*, G. A. Ajoku², N. M. Enwerem³ and D. A. Okorie⁴

¹Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, P. M. B. 2076, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

²Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development Abuja, Nigeria.

³Department of Medicinal Plant Research and Traditional Medicine, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 03 March, 2015

Abstract

Ethanolic extracts of 50 plant species were screened for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The results indicated that of the 50 plant extracts, 28 plant extracts inhibited the growth of one or more test pathogens. Four plant extracts showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and essential oils.

Key words: Medicinal plant, antimicrobial activity, phytochemical, ethnomedicinal.

International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany ISSN 4536-1835 Vol. 2 (3), pp. 037-040, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A protocol for extracting genomic DNA from the fresh and dry roots of some important medicinal plants

Salim Khan, M. Irfan Qureshi, Kamaluddin, Tanweer Alam and M. Z. Abdin*

Centre for Transgenic Plant Development, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi – 110062.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 April, 2015

Abstract

A simple and efficient protocol for isolating genomic DNA from fresh and dry roots of medicinal plants was developed. It involves a modified CTAB procedure using 3% CTAB, 4% b-mercaptoethanol, 2 M NaCl and 5% PVP. The extraction was carried out at 70°C. A slight increase in the concentrations of these chemical components and temperature helped in the removal of secondary metabolites and polysaccharides from the DNA preparation. The quantity and purity of isolated DNA was higher when compared with DNA extracted by the methods of Dellaporta et al. (1983) and Doyle and Doyle (1990). The DNA yield ranged from 33 to 68 µg per g of root samples and it was 1.47 times greater in dried than fresh samples. The DNA samples were found suitable for analysis with restriction enzyme digestion and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The total duration for DNA extraction from roots of medicinal plants using this protocol was 135 min as compared to 225 min with existing protocols.

Key words: DNA isolation, roots, medicinal plants, secondary metabolite, PCR amplification, restriction digestion.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 2 (2), pp. 032-036, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of some medicinal plant extracts used in the control of Sitophilus zeamais

S. T. Arannilewa¹*, T. Ekrakene² and J. O. Akinneye¹

¹Food Storage Technology Programme, Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 704, Akure, Nigeria.

²Basic Science Department, Benson Idahosa University, P.M.B 1100, Benin City, Nigeria.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 02 April, 2014

Abstract

The petroleum ether extract of four medicinal plants; Aristolochia ringens (Vahl), Allium sativum (L), Ficus exasperata (L) and Garcinia kola (H), were evaluated as grain protectant against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Mots) in the laboratory at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% (w/v) concentrations. Parameters assessed were adult mortality, rate of adult emergence, grain damage effect and weevil peforation index (WPI). There was increase in adult mortality with days of exposure in all concentrations. Ar. ringens followed by Al. sativum were most potent both in adult mortality and adult emergence. This study reveals Ar. ringens to be a potent bioinsecticide for protecting maize grains from S. zeamais infestation and damage. The details of the bioassay procedure used and the results obtained are reported.

Key words:  Medicinal plants, bioinsecticide, Aristolochia ringens, Sitophilus zeamais, weevil perforation index.

International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany ISSN 4536-1837 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 030-031, March, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Important  medicinal plants with Anti-cancer properties in Mahabubnagar district, Telangana State

Amina Mumtaz, Qamar Shajahan, S.Suresh and N. Ramamurthy*

Department of Botany, MVS Govt. UG & PG College, Mahabubnager -509 001 Telangana, India.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 30 January, 2015

Abstract 

The present paper documents revealed the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants that are used by the indigenous villagers residing in remote areas of Mahabubnagar district of household remedies. An ethno botanical survey was conducted to gather information about utilization of Plant resources for a treatment of cancer prevalent in tribal habitations of Mahabubnager district, Telangana state. In the present paper ten Plant species belongs to nine different families were used to treat in Cancer have been enumerated with vernacular names, scientific names, families, useful parts and habitats. These ten plant species were also used in ayurvedha, siddha, unani, homoeo and naturopathic medicines.

Key words: Medicinal plant, vernacular name, leaves, anti cancer, Mahabubnagar.

International Journal of Phytotherapy and Ethnobotany Vol. 1 (1), pp. 004-007, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the antibacterial activities of selected Australian medicinal plants

T. Smyth¹, V. N. Ramachandran¹, P. Brooks²* and W. F. Smyth¹ 

¹School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland. 

²Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 61 7 54302828. Fax: 61 7 54302887.

Accepted 15 October, 2013

Abstract

The antibacterial activities of twenty six extracts from ten selected plants used in traditional Australian Aboriginal medicines have been investigated. The extracts were tested for growth inhibition of broth cultures of four gram-positive bacteria (S. Aureus, MRSA, B. subtilis and M. luteus), two gram-negative bacteria ( S. typhimurium and E. coli) bacteria and yeast (C. albicans). Twenty three of the extracts displayed antibacterial activities against one or more bacterial strain. The majority of the extracts showed greater activity against gram-positive bacteria. In particular, the extracts of the fruit and bark of Petalostigma pubescens and the extract of the bark of Euodia vitiflora displayed bioactivity against all of the tested organisms. Traditional Australian medicinal plant extracts were shown to have antibacterial activity against mutli-drug resistant MRSA bacteria.

Key words: Antibacterial activity, traditional medicine, medicinal plants.