Bioactive compounds in the stem bark of Albizia coriaria (Welw. ex Oliver)

Albizia coriaria was investigated for the bioactive compounds present in its stem bark. The plant was selected on the basis of its widespread use in traditional herbal medicine. Extraction of the plant material was done with ethyl acetate, methanol and water and the bioactivity of each extract was tested against  Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Separation and purification of the compounds in the most active (ethyl acetate) extract was done using a  combination of chromatographic techniques. The compounds were identified by 1D and 2D -1H and 13C NMR techniques as well as Mass spectrometry (MS). Six compounds, namely: Lupeol (1), Lupenone (2), Betulinic acid (3), Acacic acid lactone (4), (+) – Catechin (5) and Benzyl alcohol (6) were identified and  characterized from the ethyl acetate extract. The results of the bioactivity tests carried out in this study indicated that A. coriaria has potential antimicrobial activity. Four of the characterized compounds (1, 2, 3 & 5) have a wide range of biological activity reported in literature. This justifies the use of this plant in traditional medicine and indicates a promising potential for the development of medicinal agents from A. coriaria stem bark.Keywords: Biological activity, Lupeol, Lupenone, Betulinic acid, Acacic acid lactone, (+) – Catechin

Extractives of Millettia ferruginea, Tephrosia vogellii and tephrosia pentaphylla against the bean bruchid, Zabrotes subfaciatus Ethiopain head cabbage field

No Abstract. SINET Vol. 30 (1) 2007: pp. 49-5

The traditional use of plants to manage candidiasis and related infections in Venda, South Africa

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE : This paper presents results of an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for the management of candidiasis and related fungal infections in the Venda area, South Africa. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Ethnobotanical data about the uses of plants were gathered from eleven rural traditional healers using semi-structured interviews. RESULTS : A total of 45 species belonging to 24 different families were identified, of which the dominant family was the Fabaceae with 13 species (28.9%) followed by the Asteraceae and Solanaceae with 3 species each (6.7 %). A total of 28 of these plant species (62.2%) have been shown to have anticandidal activity and 14 species (31%) have been recorded for antifungal uses in the literature. Amongst the 45 species recorded, 51% were trees, 33% were shrubs, and 16% were herbs. The most widely used plant species were Acacia caffra, Clerodendrum glabrum, Croton gratissimus, Elaeodendron transvaalense, Faurea saligna, Hippocratea longipetiolata, Osyris lanceolata, Richardia brasiliensis, Schkuhria pinnata, Schotia brachypetala, Spilanthes acmella, Strychnos potatorum, Vangueria infausta subsp. infausta and Withania somnifera. The plant parts mostly used in the therapeutic preparations were roots (27.7%), bark (23.2%), and a combination of roots, bark (18.7%) and leaves (14.3%). Decoctions (44.4%), infusions (20%), macerations (17.7%), burning (11.4%) and paste (6.5%) were used. Most of the herbal remedies were administered orally. The main factors threatening the conservation status of these plants are unsustainable methods of harvesting, logging for firewood, building materials and crafts. CONCLUSION : The Venda area is rich in plant diversity and local indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants can play an important role as a model for low cost primary health care. Further studies are in progress to validate the indigenous plants recorded as traditional remedies in this area.Netherlands Universities Foundation for International Cooperation (NUFFIC), the National Research Foundation (NRF- IFR2011041300066), The Medical Research Council (SIR JNEloff), University of Pretoria and University of Venda.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jep2016-06-20hb201