Isolation of volatile compounds of Aloe excelsa (Berger)

Industrial and pharmacological applications of volatile and non-volatile compounds isolated from plants have been dominating the commercial sector over the recent two decades. Attempts in isolation of volatile compounds of aloes have impact on the medicinal as well as the cosmetic industries. Volatile compound isolation and extraction was performed on leaf exudates of Aloe excelsa. Three commercially important compounds, namely: phenylacetonitrile, carvone and limonene were identified using gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS).Key words: Aloe excelsa, phenylacetonitrile, carvone, limonene, volatile compounds

A Foucauldian-Informed Analysis of the ways in which families in London construct their understanding of the August 2011 riots

The events of the August 2011 riots evoked responses from the public, politicians, researchers, the media and members of academia, and tended to focus on explaining the events. Within political rhetoric and media accounts, issues such as poor parenting were raised in relation to the riots, and the behaviour of young people. Subsequently, the ‘Troubled Families Programme’ (TFp) was introduced towards the end of 2011, which included a payment-byresults system to address the issues associated with this pre-defined group. Amidst the riots and the ensuing introduction of the TFp, there appeared to be an absence of consultation with families. The presented study aimed to consult parents and families through exploring how they constructed the 2011 London riots. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents and families together. Participants included nine parents, aged between 26 and 56 years and three young people, aged between 13 and 20 years from a range of ethnic backgrounds and occupations, and from three different London boroughs. A social constructionist stance was adopted and the study was informed by narrative therapy ideas, within systemic theory. A Foucauldian-informed thematic analysis identified five main themes: inequality and exclusion, rioting as a criminal threat, youth as problematic, parenting, the family and morality, and reclaiming normality. These themes highlighted the relevance of socio-political factors, parent-blaming and contradictory constructions of youth as well as community resources, to parent and family constructions of the 2011 London riots. The analysis indicated implications for clinical psychology formulation with parents, families and young people. It also suggested a role for community psychology across London boroughs and ideas for informing contingency plans following riots, as well as the commissioning of resources within local authorities

Traditional information and antibacterial activity of four Bulbine species (Wolf)

Ethnobotanical survey of Bulbine Wolf, (Asphodelaceae) used for various treatment, such as, diarrhea, burns, rashes, blisters and insect bites, was carried out in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Information on the parts used and the methods of preparation was collected through questionnaire which was administered to the herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers which indicated the extensive use of Bulbine species. Most uses of Bulbine species closely resemble that of Aloe. Dried leaf bases and leaf sap are the commonest parts of the plants used. Preparations were in the form of decoctions and infusions. Bulbine frutescens was the most frequently and commonly used of the species collected for the treatment of diarrhoea, burns, rashes, blisters, insect bites, cracked lips and mouth ulcers. The leaf, root and rhizome extracts of B. frutescens, Bulbine natalensis, Bulbine latifolia and Bulbine narcissifolia were screened for antibacterial activities to verify their use by traditional healers.Keywords: Herbal medicine, diarrhea, medicinal plants, Bulbine species, antibacterial activit

Traditional use, antibacterial activity and antifungal activity of crude extract of Aloe excelsa

The fleshy leaves and roots of most species within the Aloe family are used in many traditional treatments (Mabberley, 1987). Traditional healers and indigenous people utilize mainly the leaf sap of this genus widely for the treatment of wounds, burns, rashes, itches, cracked lips and cracked skin(Cera et al., 1980). Antimicrobial activities on the crude extract of Aloe exclesa was carried out in attempts to validate the use by traditional healers in the use of there latex and gel exudates for various medicinal ailments

Antibacterial activity of chrysophanol isolated from Aloe excelsa (Berger)

Extraction of the yellow colour compounds of leaves of Aloe excelsa were performed and 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthracenedione (chrysophanol) was isolated and tested for antibacterial activities against four gram negative and five gram positive bacterial strains. The structures of chrysophanol was determined by chemical spectroscop

Review on herbal remedies used by the 1860 South African Indian settlers

With the current advancement in indigenous knowledge systems in South Africa, traditional remedies are becoming more recognised. The use of these miracle plants has drawn attention to their origins. The 1820 settlers have together with their belongings brought across a wealth of plants which wereused at the time when access to medical practitioners were limited or absent. The use of these plants needs to be noted. In line with the 150 year  commemoration of the 1820 settlers, this paper reviews some of the ayurvedic plants being currently utilized and which were brought  to South Africa along with the settlers.Key words: Ayurveda, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tulsi, Moringa oleifera, Melia azederach, Murraya koenigii

Antibacterial activity of aloe emodin and aloin A isolated from Aloe excelsa

Different extracts of leaves of Aloe excelsa were prepared and two compounds; 1,8-dihydroxy-3-hydromethyl-9,10-antracenedione and 10-C-b-D-glucopyranosyl-1,8-dihydroxymethyl-9-anthracenone, were isolated and tested for antibacterial activities against four Gram negative and five Gram positive bacterial strains. The structures of the two compounds were determined by chemical spectroscop

Variation in the essential oil constituents of Pteronia incana (Asteraceae)

The essential oil of Pteronia incana was collected and was investigated on a monthly basis using GCMS. The oil volume and its constituents vary greatly with different time of sampling and distillation. The oil contains a high percentage of myrcene a-pinene, b-pinene with sabinene, a-terpinene, 1.8 cineole and limonene

SURVEY OF THE STATUS OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT TRADE IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA.

Background This study aimed to identify important plants and parts of medicinally harvested species traded in the Durban medicinal (muthi) market. A better understanding of the extent of the medicinal plant trade is necessary to enable conservationists and municipal managers to better manage threatened species and to take preventative action to protect this valuable resource. Methods Thirty traditional healers from the Durban muthi market in KwaZulu-Natal were interviewed and information was gathered on important plants and parts that were traded. Information was compared to previous data to ascertain whether muthi plants were being exploited. Results Approximately 13 species were widely harvested and sold at the Durban muthi market which includes: Siphonochilus aethiopicus, Hypoxis gerrardii, Aloe aristate, Scilla natalensis, Eucomis autumalis, Senecio serratuloides, Warburgia salutaris, Chrysanthemoides monilifera., Artemisia afra, Bidens Pilosa, Aloe ferox, Haworthia limifolia, Ocotea bullata. These species are sold to cure a wide variety of ailments. The most common plant parts that are traded are the leaves and the stems although other parts are also collected. Single species are preferred rather than a mixture of parts from different plants. Approximately 22% of individuals interviewed indicated that they practiced unsustainable harvesting mainly due to poor harvesting practices and a lack of knowledge of the threatened status of many important species. Conclusion Domestication and mass cultivation may be key strategies to redress exploitation and unsustainable harvesting practices. Recommendation To address these issues, a multifaceted approach is required, including community engagement, improved regulatory enforcement, and initiatives to promote sustainable harvesting and cultivation practices

THE ROLE OF GEO-ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES IN UNDERSTANDING CAUSAL CO-FACTORS OF DISEASES OF UNKNOWN AETIOLOGY AND OTHER ENIGMATIC DISEASES IN AFRICA: A NARRATIVE REVIEW.

Idiopathic diseases (ID) or diseases of unknown aetiology (DUA) are poorly understood diseases. These diseases are widespread in Africa and other regions of the world. In Africa, we also experience occasional outbreaks in a population, or a cluster of diseases appears for which the causes are unclear. Until now, there has been a lack of literature linking geo-environmental variables with DUA, perhaps due to under- and misdiagnosis of these diseases. However, some of the few existing reports have implicated geo-environmental variables as inducers of a wide spectrum of pathophysiological responses including apoptosis, fibrosis, inflammation, molecular damage, and oxidative tissue injuries.  The present review therefore seeks to explore the critical role that these variables may play as co-factors or risk factors in the incidence and progression of a range of DUA in Africa. A comprehensive online search of journal databases (Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and SpringerLink) was mounted to obtain requisite data that would enable tangible deductions to be drawn on the extent to which geo-environmental variables act as co-factors or risk factors in unraveling the mysteries of unknown aetiology; and to demonstrate the importance of including the geo-environmental component in a multi-factor explanation of the disease causative web. The databases were used to obtain reports related to DUA, disease clusters, and geo-environmental variables as disease risk factors in Africa. Findings from the present study help us understand and interpret unexpected DUA aetiological data, which are prerequisites for developing accurate and effective diagnosis, prevention, and improved management strategies for these diseases. It became clear from the present study that for us to fully understand the pathogenesis and progression of DUA, healthcare professionals investigating disease clusters should, perhaps team up with Medical Geologists, a research collaboration that rarely exists in most developing countries today.