MICROMORPHOLOGY, AND PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF SPIROSTACYS AFRICANA L. LEAF AND BARK.

Background: Spirostachys africana is indigenous to Southern Africa and is often widely used in African traditional medicine. The utilization of this species has been investigated for its medicinal properties. However, the current investigation aimed to analyze the micromorphology of S. africana leaves and at the same time screen for the presence of secondary metabolites in the leaf and latex extracts.  Methods: Stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to study morphological characters of both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces of S. africana leaves. Phytochemistry screening was performed using a standard protocol involving chemical reagents and a series of reactions to determine the presence of the phytochemical compound classes.  Results: It was found that S. africana leaves possess both non-glandular and glandular trichomes on the adaxial surface, and no trichomes on the abaxial surface of the leaves. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the latex crude extract contains six phytochemical classes (alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, coumarins, saponins, terpenoids) while the leaf crude extract contains seven phytochemical classes (alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, coumarins, saponins, terpenoids, tannins).  Conclusion: The micromorphological analysis of Spirostachys Africana leaf and bark provided valuable insights into their structural characteristics, revealing unique features such as thick cuticles, trichomes, and distinctive epidermal cells that are likely to play crucial roles in the plant's defense mechanisms and ecological adaptations. Preliminary phytochemical screening further identified the presence of key bioactive compounds. These findings not only corroborate the traditional uses of S. africana in herbal medicine but also highlight its potential for pharmacological applications.  Recommendations: The identification of the bioactive compounds lays a foundational framework for future studies aimed at exploring the therapeutic potential and bioactivity of S. africana, thereby contributing to the broader understanding of its medicinal properties and promoting the sustainable use of this Indigenous species

A Comprehensive review on the genus Plumbago with focus on Plumbago auriculata (Plumbaginaceae)

Background: The genus Plumbago distributed in warm tropical regions throughout the world is the largest genus in Plumbaginaceae. Medicinal plants are characteristic to the genus Plumbago and are cultivated and utilized worldwide. Plumbago auriculata Lam. is common in South Africa and is often cultivated for its ornamental and medicinal uses throughout the world.Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of the genus Plumbago with focus on Plumbago auriculata was carried out and information was gathered using scientific publications, conference proceedings, the internet and books. Articles based on the morphology, pharmacological and medicinal uses of Plumbago auriculata was analysed thoroughly.Results: Plumbago auriculata plant parts posses a wide range of phytochemicals with plumbagin being the marker compound showing various pharmacological activities. Different plant parts are claimed to be used for the treatment of human and animal ailments, however they do exhibit toxic properties and need to be administered with caution. Salt secreting glands and trichomes are characteristic of Plumbaginaceae.Conclusion: This study reveals new insights on the genus Plumbago and the potential use of species in the genus as medicinal plants. Plumbago auriculata possess the bioactive compound plumbagin and secondary metabolites, thus, it is of high medicinal importance. P. auriculata is a poorly nor favourite studied species in the genus Plumbago and further research needs to be carried out to explore specific details of the species.Key words: Plumbago, salt glands, trichomes, pharmacological activities, plumbagin, micropropagation

Chemical constituents of the essential oil from Syzygium cordatum (Myrtaceae)

Essential oil was extracted from dried leaves of Syzygium cordatum by hydrodistillation. The components were identified by gas chromatography (GC/FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Sixty compounds representing 79% of the S. cordatum oil were identified. The main constituents were 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecane-2-one (14.4%), 2,3-butanediol diacetate (13.3%), n-hexadeconic acid (7.2%), ethane, 2-chloro-1,-bis(2 chloroethoxy) (6.2%), Isopentyloxyethyl acetate (5.03%), methane and bis (2-chloroethoxy) (3.8%).Keywords: Syzygium cordatum, essential oil composition, 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecane-2-one, 2, 3-butanediol diacetat

Understanding Durban University of Technology Students’ Perceptions of Biodiversity Loss

Biodiversity loss has been recognised as a global and local problem of increasing magnitude. As future leaders, university students may play an influential role in alleviating this serious and multifaceted problem. This particular research focuses on a relatively new area of study not yet covered in the literature, that of South African university students’ perceptions and understandings of biodiversity. This paper seeks to describe the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of students at Durban University of Technology towards biodiversity and to consider some of the socio-cultural causal factors. Student opinions were sampled using an appropriate survey modelled after European biodiversity surveys and adapted to meet the unique challenges of South African conditions and rich biodiversity found in Durban’s urban green spaces. The quantitative data were then merged with qualitative data drawn from four focus groups sampled across selected faculties at the institution. The focus groups involved guided discussion on the relevance of biodiversity, viewing of video clips and local field visits to Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve and the Durban Botanic Gardens. The results indicated high levels of concern for biodiversity loss and strong cultural connections with traditional African medicinal plants

Chemical composition of essential oil of Psidium cattleianum var. lucidum (Myrtaceae)

The aim of this study was to investigate the essential oil composition of Psidium cattleianum var. lucidum from South Africa. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and the components were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil. A total of 53 chemical components were identified, accounting for 61% of the essential oil. The major component was caryophyllene oxide (12.43%), while other predominant constituents were identified as bicyclo(4.4.0)dec-l-ene (6.61%), 2,3-butanediol diacetate (4.84%) and patchoulene (4.73%). The presence of many terpenic and ester compounds is thought to contribute to the unique flavor of the P. cattleianum var. lucidum leaves.Keywords: Psidium cattleianum var. lucidum, essential oil, hydrodistillation, caryophyllene oxid

Antioxidant activity of the bioactive compounds from the edible fruits and leaves of Ficus sur Forssk. (Moraceae).

Ficus sur Forssk. (Moraceae) is a medicinal plant species found in Africa and the leaves are used in traditional medicine as a blood builder to boost iron levels for the treatment of anaemia, skin disorders and sexually transmitted diseases. In this study, a phytochemical investigation was conducted on F. sur and the antioxidant properties of the isolates and extracts were evaluated. The major secondary metabolites that were isolated from the fruits and leaves were the triterpenoid (lupeol), sterol (β-sitosterol), phaeophytin (phaeophytin a) and flavonoid (epicatechin). The findings reveal significantly higher (p<0.05) antioxidant activity for the methanol extract of the fruits (IC50 9.06 μg/mL), which may be attributed to the higher phenolic content and presence of epicatechin. The results show the species to be rich in pharmacologically active compounds that are documented to exhibit haematinic effects, stimulate reconstruction and cell proliferation in skin, and inhibit the growth and proliferation of pathogenic agents of sexually transmitted infections. This study therefore validates the ethnomedicinal use of the plant, and its consumption could have a profound influence on nutrition and health, especially amongst indigenous people of Africa.Significance:• In South Africa, the use of indigenous plants for food and medicine, especially by rural populations, has increased due to availability and accessibility.• This study highlights the benefits of the edible fruits of Ficus sur as a nutraceutical.• Ficus sur is shown to contain biomolecules with well-known therapeutic value, which lends scientific credence and validity to its ethnomedicinal use

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON THE GENUS PLUMBAGO WITH FOCUS ON PLUMBAGO AURICULATA (PLUMBAGINACEAE)

Background: The genus Plumbago distributed in warm tropical regions throughout the world is the largest genus in Plumbaginaceae. Medicinal plants are characteristic to the genus Plumbago and are cultivated and utilized worldwide. Plumbago auriculata Lam. is common in South Africa and is often cultivated for its ornamental and medicinal uses throughout the world. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of the genus Plumbago with focus on Plumbago auriculata was carried out and information was gathered using scientific publications, conference proceedings, the internet and books. Articles based on the morphology, pharmacological and medicinal uses of Plumbago auriculata was analysed thoroughly. Results: Plumbago auriculata plant parts posses a wide range of phytochemicals with plumbagin being the marker compound showing various pharmacological activities. Different plant parts are claimed to be used for the treatment of human and animal ailments, however they do exhibit toxic properties and need to be administered with caution. Salt secreting glands and trichomes are characteristic of Plumbaginaceae. Conclusion: This study reveals new insights on the genus Plumbago and the potential use of species in the genus as medicinal plants. Plumbago auriculata possess the bioactive compound plumbagin and secondary metabolites, thus, it is of high medicinal importance. P. auriculata is a poorly nor favourite studied species in the genus Plumbago and further research needs to be carried out to explore specific details of the species

Determination of Cr, Pb and Ni in water, sludge and plants from settling ponds of a sewage treatment works

Wastewater from a sewage treatment works is channelled through a series of inter-connected settling ponds into a stream. Furthermore, leachates from a domestic and industrial landfill site are disposed into the first pond. From the variety of plants growing in the ponds, A. sessilis, P. stratiotes, R. steudelii and T. capensis were investigated for their ability to uptake chromium, lead and nickel (these metals are toxic to humans while nickel is also involved in plant growth). The levels of the metals in the water, plants and sludge were determined using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). For the plants, the amounts of the metals in roots, stems and leaves were also measured. In general it was found that the plants accumulated up to 15% of the level of metals in the water and that accumulation depends on the plant species as well as on the organ of the plant. The concentrations of metals in the water in the last pond were found to be well within the limits set by the South African National Water Act of 1998 for discharge of water into rivers. Furthermore, the results of this study, which involved a real system, were compared with those from model studies where conditions of the system could be controlled by the investigator.Keywords: uptake, heavy metals, plants, wastewater treatmen

IN VITRO CHEMO-PREVENTATIVE ACTIVITY OF STRELITZIA NICOLAI ARIL EXTRACT CONTAINING BILIRUBIN

Background: The discovery of the only animal pigment, bilirubin, in the plant Strelitzia nicolai has triggered a vast number of questions regarding bilirubin’s formation and its role in the human body. Recent studies have confirmed that bilirubin at certain levels have many medical benefits. Various case studies have revealed that bilirubin is a potent antioxidant. Cervical cancer is one of South Africa’s largest womens’ health crises. It is estimated that it affects one out of 41 South African women and kills approximately 8 women in the country every day. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate if the aril extract of Strelitzia nicolai (Regel and Körn.) containing bilirubin possesses anti-cancer activity and to determine its effect on the induction of apoptosis. Materials and methods: The DPPH activity was firstly used to determine the antioxidant effect of the extract. Thereafter, the cytotoxic effect was tested using the XTT assay. Apoptosis was confirmed and quantified using the Annexin V-PE kit and the morphology was studied using acridine orange and ethidium bromide. Results: The aril extract decreased cell viability by 52% and induced apoptosis in HeLa cells; as shown by the Annexin V-PE Apoptosis detection kit and morphological studies with acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. Conclusion: The activity of the extract as a potent antioxidant was immensely enhanced as compared to the bilirubin standard. These results suggest that S. nicolai aril extract containing bilirubin works synergistically as opposed to bilirubin on its own. Furthermore, this extract might be a good candidate for the therapeutic intervention of cervical cancer

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTI-BIOFILM ACTIVITY OF FLAVONOIDS AND TRITERPENES ISOLATED FROM THE EXTRACTS OF FICUS SANSIBARICA WARB. SUBSP. SANSIBARICA (MORACEAE) EXTRACTS

Background: Ficus species are used in African traditional medicine in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments and diseases such as convulsive disorder, wound healing, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, diabetes, diarrhoeal infections, dysentery, malaria and HIV. The aim of this study was to isolate the phytochemical constituents in the plant and test them for their antibacterial activity. Materials and methods: The fruits, leaves and stem bark were extracted with organic solvents and the compounds in the extracts separated and purified by column chromatography before being identified by NMR spectroscopy and by comparison of the NMR data against values reported in the literature. The antibacterial activity of the pure compounds and extracts were tested using the disk diffusion method. Results: Three triterpenes and three flavonoids: lupeol acetate (1); cycloart-23-ene-3,25-diol (2); β-sitosterol (3); 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavan-3-ol (4); epicatechin (5); and isovitexin (6) were isolated in this study. Antimicrobial activity was observed at 8 mg mL-1 for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 with four of the six isolated compounds, with no activity being observed at 1 – 4 mg mL-1 against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, E. coli ATCC 35218 and S. aureus ATCC 43300. Epicatechin (5) was found to decrease adhesion of E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 29213. Decreased adhesion of S. aureus ATCC 29213 was also observed with 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavan-3-ol (4) and isovitexin (6). Conclusions: The results of this study provide baseline information on F. sansibarica’s potential validity in the treatment of infections associated with Gram-positive microorganisms