A Review of the Toxicity and Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plant Species Used by Herbalists in Treating People Living With HIV/AIDS in Uganda

Introduction: Despite concerns about toxicity, potentially harmful effects and herb-drug interactions, the use of herbal medicines remains widely practiced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Uganda. Objective: The objective of the paper was to comprehensively review the literature on the toxicity and chemical composition of commonly used medicinal plant species in treating PLHIV in Uganda. Methods: We reviewed relevant articles and books published over the last sixty years on ethnobotany, antiviral/anti-HIV activity, toxicity, phytochemistry of Vachellia hockii, Albizia coriaria, Bridelia micrantha, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Erythrina abyssinica, Gardenia ternifolia, Gymnosporia senegalensis, Psorospermum febrifugium, Securidaca longipendunculata, Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum chalybeum and their synonyms. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Discussion: Most of the plant species reviewed apart from P. febrifugium, S. longipedunculata and C. sanguinolenta lacked detailed phytochemical analyses as well as the quantification and characterization of their constituents. Crude plant extracts were the most commonly used. However, purified/single component extracts from different plant parts were also used in some studies. The U87 human glioblastoma was the most commonly used cell line. Water, ethanol, methanol and DMSO were the commonest solvents used. In some instances, isolated purified compounds/extracts such as Cryptolepine and Psorospermin were used. Conclusion: Cytotoxicity varied with cell type, solvent and extract type used making it difficult for direct comparison of the plant species. Five of the eleven plant species namely, A. coriaria, C. sanguinolenta, G. ternifolia, P. febrifugium and Z. chalybeum had no cytotoxicity studies in animal models. For the remaining six plant species, the crude aqueous and ethanol extracts were mainly used in acute oral toxicity studies in mice. Herbalists reported only A. coriaria and W. ugandensis to cause toxic side effects in humans. However, selective cytotoxic plant extracts can potentially be beneficial as anticancer or anti-tumour drugs

Antiviral activity of Ugandan medicinal plants against human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)

This data set describes data on the antiviral activity of 11 medicinal plant species used to treat people people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda against-HIV-1. The data was generated from 22 plant extracts were tested against HIV-1 Pseudovirions (PV) HXB2 (IIIB) strain using the human glioblastoma cell line; U87.CD4.CXCR4, transfected with the luciferase firefly reporter gene. The selective inhibition of the growth of HIV-1 PV was measured using the selectivity index. The in vitro cytotoxicity of each of the plant extracts was also evaluated using the AlamarBlue cell viability assay on U87.CD4.CXCR4 cells. The experiments were conducted at the Institute for Medical Microbiology & Virology, University Clinics & Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy & Immunology, Leipzig, German

Data on Indigenous traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by herbalists in treating opportunistic infections among people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda

In Uganda, herbalists widely used medicinal plants for treating people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). Different species are mainly used to treat the opportunistic infections that characterise the disease. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in eight districts of Arua, Dokolo, Mbale, Bushenyi, Iganga, Rakai, Luwero and Kaabong in different parts of Uganda. The data has been disaggregated by district in each column. Each column captures the biodata and number of herbalists interviewed by district. Then a summary of the responses to the key questions asked pertaining to the use of medicinal plants, the signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS and the indigenous traditional knowledge and associated practices of the herbalists. Data from the individual districts is then synthesised to get a representative picture for the whole country. The data generally show that the herbalists treat HIV/AIDS by symptoms patients present with. An analysis of all the opportunistic infections and their frequency of citation by the herbalists is given. The herbalists are knowledgeable on a wide range of opportunistic infections in HIV/AIDS. The herbalists also generally counsel their patients and encourage them to simultaneous their antiretroviral drugs with herbal treatments. The data also show what the herbalists believe to be the cause of AIDS, in addition to the challenges they face in their practice

Cytotoxicity Data for medicinal plants used by herbalists in treating people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda

This data set constitutes of raw data derived from cytotoxicity experiments on 22 plant extracts from 11 plant species commonly used by herbalists in treating people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Both DMSO & Ethanol extracts from Warbrugia ugandensis Sprague, Erythrina abyssinica DC., Cryptolepsis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schltr., Albizia coriaria Oliv, Psorospermum febrifugium Spach, Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes., Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl., Securidaca longipendunculata Fresen., Acacia hockii De Wild., Gardenia ternifolia Subsp. jovis-tonantis (Welw.) Verdc. and Bridelia micrantha (Hochst.) Baill were tested against the human glioblastoma cell line, U87.CD4. CXCR4 using the AalamarBlue® cell viability assay. The values represent readings taken spectrophotometrically at different time intervals using a microplate reader

Cytotoxicity Data for medicinal plants used by herbalists in treating people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda

This data set constitutes of raw data derived from cytotoxicity experiments on 22 plant extracts from 11 plant species commonly used by herbalists in treating people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Both DMSO & Ethanol extracts from Warbrugia ugandensis Sprague, Erythrina abyssinica DC., Cryptolepsis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schltr., Albizia coriaria Oliv, Psorospermum febrifugium Spach, Gymnosporia senegalensis (Lam.) Loes., Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl., Securidaca longipendunculata Fresen., Acacia hockii De Wild., Gardenia ternifolia Subsp. jovis-tonantis (Welw.) Verdc. and Bridelia micrantha (Hochst.) Baill were tested against the human glioblastoma cell line, U87.CD4. CXCR4 using the AalamarBlue® cell viability assay. The values represent readings taken spectrophotometrically at different time intervals using a microplate reader.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Antiviral activity of Ugandan medicinal plants against human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)

This data set describes data on the antiviral activity of 11 medicinal plant species used to treat people people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda against-HIV-1. The data was generated from 22 plant extracts were tested against HIV-1 Pseudovirions (PV) HXB2 (IIIB) strain using the human glioblastoma cell line; U87.CD4.CXCR4, transfected with the luciferase firefly reporter gene. The selective inhibition of the growth of HIV-1 PV was measured using the selectivity index. The in vitro cytotoxicity of each of the plant extracts was also evaluated using the AlamarBlue cell viability assay on U87.CD4.CXCR4 cells. The experiments were conducted at the Institute for Medical Microbiology & Virology, University Clinics & Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany and the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy & Immunology, Leipzig, GermanyTHIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Data on Medicinal Plants used to boost immunity in people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

My data shows the use of various medicinal plant species by herbalists in treating people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. It shows the local names of the plants, which parts are used and how they are prepared and administered. The data show the use of 71 plant species from 37 families and 64 genera. This information was gathered through an ethnobotanical survey in Uganda. Ninety herbalists were interviewed across the countr

A Review of the Toxicity and Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plant Species Used by Herbalists in Treating People Living With HIV/AIDS in Uganda

Introduction: Despite concerns about toxicity, potentially harmful effects and herb-drug interactions, the use of herbal medicines remains widely practiced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Uganda. Objective: The objective of the paper was to comprehensively review the literature on the toxicity and chemical composition of commonly used medicinal plant species in treating PLHIV in Uganda. Methods: We reviewed relevant articles and books published over the last sixty years on ethnobotany, antiviral/anti-HIV activity, toxicity, phytochemistry of Vachellia hockii, Albizia coriaria, Bridelia micrantha, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Erythrina abyssinica, Gardenia ternifolia, Gymnosporia senegalensis, Psorospermum febrifugium, Securidaca longipendunculata, Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum chalybeum and their synonyms. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Discussion: Most of the plant species reviewed apart from P. febrifugium, S. longipedunculata and C. sanguinolenta lacked detailed phytochemical analyses as well as the quantification and characterization of their constituents. Crude plant extracts were the most commonly used. However, purified/single component extracts from different plant parts were also used in some studies. The U87 human glioblastoma was the most commonly used cell line. Water, ethanol, methanol and DMSO were the commonest solvents used. In some instances, isolated purified compounds/extracts such as Cryptolepine and Psorospermin were used. Conclusion: Cytotoxicity varied with cell type, solvent and extract type used making it difficult for direct comparison of the plant species. Five of the eleven plant species namely, A. coriaria, C. sanguinolenta, G. ternifolia, P. febrifugium and Z. chalybeum had no cytotoxicity studies in animal models. For the remaining six plant species, the crude aqueous and ethanol extracts were mainly used in acute oral toxicity studies in mice. Herbalists reported only A. coriaria and W. ugandensis to cause toxic side effects in humans. However, selective cytotoxic plant extracts can potentially be beneficial as anticancer or anti-tumour drugs

A Review of the Toxicity and Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plant Species Used by Herbalists in Treating People Living With HIV/AIDS in Uganda

Introduction: Despite concerns about toxicity, potentially harmful effects and herb-drug interactions, the use of herbal medicines remains widely practiced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Uganda. Objective: The objective of the paper was to comprehensively review the literature on the toxicity and chemical composition of commonly used medicinal plant species in treating PLHIV in Uganda. Methods: We reviewed relevant articles and books published over the last sixty years on ethnobotany, antiviral/anti-HIV activity, toxicity, phytochemistry of Vachellia hockii, Albizia coriaria, Bridelia micrantha, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Erythrina abyssinica, Gardenia ternifolia, Gymnosporia senegalensis, Psorospermum febrifugium, Securidaca longipendunculata, Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum chalybeum and their synonyms. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Discussion: Most of the plant species reviewed apart from P. febrifugium, S. longipedunculata and C. sanguinolenta lacked detailed phytochemical analyses as well as the quantification and characterization of their constituents. Crude plant extracts were the most commonly used. However, purified/single component extracts from different plant parts were also used in some studies. The U87 human glioblastoma was the most commonly used cell line. Water, ethanol, methanol and DMSO were the commonest solvents used. In some instances, isolated purified compounds/extracts such as Cryptolepine and Psorospermin were used. Conclusion: Cytotoxicity varied with cell type, solvent and extract type used making it difficult for direct comparison of the plant species. Five of the eleven plant species namely, A. coriaria, C. sanguinolenta, G. ternifolia, P. febrifugium and Z. chalybeum had no cytotoxicity studies in animal models. For the remaining six plant species, the crude aqueous and ethanol extracts were mainly used in acute oral toxicity studies in mice. Herbalists reported only A. coriaria and W. ugandensis to cause toxic side effects in humans. However, selective cytotoxic plant extracts can potentially be beneficial as anticancer or anti-tumour drugs