Typha capensis (Rohrb.) N.E.Br. (Typhaceae): morphology, medicinal uses, biological and chemical properties

Typha capensis (Rohrb.) N.E.Br. is a robust, monoecious, perennial marshy herb that belongs to the family Typhaceae. The current research aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the biological and chemical properties, botany and medicinal uses of T. capensis. Comparative analysis of literature showed that T. capensis is a medicinal plant that has multiple benefits such as food for humans, feeds for animals and medicines to treat various diseases. All the parts including the leaves, seeds, rhizomes and pollen can be used in making decoction to improve male potency and libido, cures genital problems, boosts circulation, enhance female fertility, strengthens uterine contraction in childbirth and facilitates placenta removal. It is also used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, diarrhoea and dysentery venereal diseases. The plant contains several flavones and phenolic compounds which have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity. Scientific studies have shown that T. capensis has a broad range of biological activities such as antibacterial, antioxidants, fertility-promoting effect and apoptosis effect. T. capensis should be subjected to comprehensive phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological assessments projected at assessing its efficacy and safety as herbal medicine

Anthropometry and Liver Function Parameters in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a metabolic condition commonly associated with central adiposity and altered liver function parameters (LFPs). Several studies have suggested these altered LFPs as a result of fatty liver diseases (e.g., non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases) often prevalent in MS. Since altered LFPs are very common in MS, there is a possibility they can be used as predictors of MS. However, only a few studies have been carried out to evaluate this possibility. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the potential of LFPs as predictors or risk factors of MS. The study groups included 50 individuals diagnosed with MS (case group) and 50 apparently normal individuals (control) from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Anthropometric measurements, phlebotomy, liver function tests, and lipid profile estimations were done using standard procedures. (The result and conclusion section has been omitted)

Kniphofia foliosa Hochst, (Asphodelaceae): Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties

This review gives the first comprehensive appraisal of Kniphofia foliosa Hochst, from the plant family Asphodelaceae: its botany, ethnomedicinal (with particular emphasis on the African communities), phytochemistry, and pharmacological potential. Particular emphasis is given to the biological and chemical properties. Peer review and literature search were done by conducting a logical and inclusive review. Indigenous cultures have used the plant among different ethnic groups in tropical Africa for medicinal and other purposes. The chemical compounds that have been isolated from K. foliosa include monomeric anthraquinones such as chrysophanol, islandicin, laccaic acid, aloe-emodin, and aloe-emodin acetate, which contain antileukaemic properties; dimeric anthraquinones such as asphodelin, knipholone, and chryslandicin; phenyl anthraquinones and anthrones, including knipholone anthrone, isoknipholone anthrone, knipholone, phenylanthrone knipholone anthrone and anthraquinone isoknipholone; oxanthrones such as isofoliosone and foliosone; and rare dimeric phenylanthraqunones joziknipholones A and B. The pharmacological studies on K. foliosa exhibited antimalarial, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-HIV-1, and anti-leukotriene activities. From the above, it can be deduced that K. foliosa contains chemical constituents of pharmacological importance, contributing significantly to the development of new medicines

Acaciella angustissima (Mill.) Brit. & Rose: Botanical Features, Distribution, Medicinal and Pharmacological Properties

Acaciella angustissima (Mill.) Brit. & Rose is a multipurpose deciduous thornless shrub or small tree that belongs to the family Fabaceae and subfamily Mimosoideae. This study aimed to explore A. angustissima, a leguminous shrub with medicinal, ecological and industrial potential. A mixed-method approach, which included consolidating quantitative and qualitative research, was utilized to put together the review with the main focus being on sub-Saharan Africa. However, case studies and literature from South Africa were also utilized. A. angustissima is a good source of phenolic compounds. It is used to relieve painful toothache, rheumatism, skin lesions, bloody diarrhea and mucoid diarrhea. It also displays a mild antimicrobial effect and has the ability to inhibit growth in malignant tumors. The study acknowledged Acaciella angustissima as an important agroforestry tree species that improve the quality of life of resource-poor farmers, reducing poverty and promoting sustainability of the natural resources base and economic growt

Review of Botany, Nutritional, Medicinal, Pharmacological Properties and Phytochemical Constituents of Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam, (Rhizophoraceae)

Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam, popularly known as black Mangroves, is an economical and valuable medicinal plant that is commonly found in relatively distinct zones, which are controlled by factors such as salinity, tidal regime, soil type and seed predators.This study is aimed at reviewing the botany, nutritional and medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of B. gymnorhiza. A comprehensive literature search was done using electronic databases including journal articles, books, theses, scientific reports and internet sources.The most widespread direct use of B. gymnorhiza is for wood and other uses include food, medicines, dyes and environmental services. Different compounds such as β-sitosterol, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, ursolic acid, stigmasterol, lupeol, taraxerol, bruguierol, oleanolic acid, gymnorhizol, bruguiesulfurol, isobrugierol and ellagic acid have been isolated from B. gymnorhiza. The leaves, dried roots,stem and barks of B. gymnorhiza have shown the presence of flavonoids, phenols, hydroquinones, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, gums, reducing sugars,phenolic compounds, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids and glycosides.These compounds are sterols and have shown high anti-inflammatory activity, antidiabetic, antioxidant and angiogenic effects, inducing apoptosis, hypocholesterolemic activity, anthelminthic and antimutagenic activities. B. gymnorhiza plant extract contains chemical constituents of pharmacological importance, which can play a significant role in the production of pharmaceutical products for future use

Effects of wood ash on physicochemical and morphological characteristics of sludge-derived hydrochar pellets relevant to soil and energy applications

Hydrochar is produced through a process called hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and constitutes a carbon-rich solid material with different remarkable applications. This study investigated the effects of wood ash on the physicochemical and morphological properties of biosludge-derived hydrochar in pelleted form relevant to the use of the pellets as a soil nutritional and liming agent and as a biofuel source. The hydrochar was mechanically compressed into uniformly-sized pellets under applied pressures of 4 and 8 kN after blending with varying percentages of wood ash in the order 0, 20 and 50%. The pure and blended pellets were characterized to determine the impact of wood ash on key properties, correlated to the two applications mentioned above. Results demonstrated a strong relationship between key features of the pellets and ash proportion. The wood ash-blended hydrochar pellets showed good hydrophobicity as a consequence of increased contents of alkali and alkaline earth metals, but were low in aromatic functional groups compared to the pure hydrochar pellet. Furthermore, the heating value of the pure hydrochar pellet was about 4% higher than that of its parent material and indicates that this pellet has the capacity to serve as a source of energy. The study generally reveals that blending hydrochar produced from biosludge under HTC conditions with up to 20%–50% of wood ash and mechanically compressing into homogeneous pellets has promising potential for a nutrient-rich material that can enhance soil fertility.Validerad;2022;Nivå 2;2022-07-18 (joosat);Funder: ÅForsk (19-622)</p

Densification of Wood—Influence on Mechanical and Chemical Properties when 11 Naturally Occurring Substances in Wood Are Mixed with Beech and Pine

The need to increase the use of renewable biomasses for energy supply, such as fuel pellets is significant. However, different types of biomasses have different mechanical properties to be pelletized, which entails a limitation in available raw materials for pellet producers. Within this study eleven different pure substances from biomasses were separately mixed with European beech and Scots pine, to identify its impact on the densification process. Beech and pine pellets were used as control materials against their corresponding pellets mixed with substances representing: cellulose, hemicelluloses, other polysaccharides, lignin, protein, and extractives. The mechanical properties were investigated as well as FT-IR and SEM analyses on the pellets. The results showed that the addition of the substances xylan and galactan created the hardest pellets for both pine and beech and that adding extractives to wood affects pine more than beech in relation to hardness. The FT-IR data could not provide clear explanations as to the variation in hardness and springback behavior through the identification of major functional groups in each pellet. It can be concluded that biomass residues rich in xylan and galactan increase pellet quality in terms of strength and durability without affecting the production process