The antiviral properties of edible medicinal plants: potential remedies against coronaviruses

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is an unparalleled challenge for the international community. Subsequently, an extraordinary effort has been made to contain SARS-CoV-2. However, this has been largely limited to behavioral changes and vaccination. To make the containment strategies effective, behavioral changes and vaccination need to be complemented with alternative prevention methods and curative treatments. This work reports the antiviral properties of some of the commonly known edible medicinal plants that can be used as potential remedies to suppress coronaviruses. A growing body of evidence substantiates that edible medicinal plants with antiviral properties that have been proven effective against sibling coronaviruses likely contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and they may also suppress the fatality of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). The secondary metabolites found in herbal medicines do not cause pathogens to develop drug resistance, which is a common problem in conventional medicines. The use of edible medicinal plants is much safer and causes less panic, thereby avoiding the fear associated with the use of herbal medicines. Right dosages and mixtures of edible medicinal plants need to be rigorously investigated to circumvent unanticipated side effects and chronic health risks

Ethiopian Medicinal Plants Used for Respiratory Tract Disorders: Ethnomedicinal Review

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) refer to infections in any part of the respiratory tract, which are common, with most of the world’s population contracting at least one infection annually. These infections are becoming important causes of death and morbidity due to the rapid development of antimicrobial resistance that has resulted in reduced efficacy of existing drugs. Different local societies residing in Ethiopia have been reported to use traditional medicinal plants to treat RTIs. Nevertheless, up-to-date summarized data on the diversity of plants used in the traditional medicine system to treat RTIs in Ethiopia are lacking. The purpose of this review was to assess plant species used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory tract infections in Ethiopia. It attempts to compile available data required for undertaking further scientific investigations. The data were collected by searching for published scientific articles and other grey literature. Following this, medicinal plant (MP) diversity, growth forms, plant parts used, modes of remedy preparation and application, sources and distributions, and frequently treated respiratory disorders were examined. An Excel spreadsheet and SigmaPlot software were used to summarize and present the data. Two hundred twenty-nine (229) plant species that have been used to treat respiratory disorders in Ethiopia were documented. Lamiaceae was the most cited family (27 species), followed by Asteraceae (23 species), and Fabaceae (18 species), whereas cough was primarily cited as being treated by MPs and scored the highest frequency of citation (FOC = 243), followed by the common cold (FOC = 151) and asthma (FOC = 63). The top-cited plant species used in the treatment of RTIs were Eucalyptus globulus (6.8%), Allium sativum (5.5%), Zingiber officinale (4.2%), Ruta chalepensis (3.8%), and Ocimum lamiifolium (2.8%). Herbs were the dominant plant growth form (46%) used to treat respiratory diseases, and the most commonly used MP parts were leaves (37%). The leading traditional method used for preparation was decoction (25.5%), and the remedies were usually administered orally (64.6%). The MP origin reported was mainly from the wild (59%). High diversity of medicinal plants was reported as being used to treat various RTIs in Ethiopia. Information obtained from this review could be used as a reference for the selection of plants for further pharmacological, phytochemical, and toxicological investigations for their possible therapeutic applications and the development of new plant-based drugs

Woody Species Diversity and Vegetation Structure of Wurg Forest, Southwest Ethiopia

This study was aimed to determine woody species composition, diversity, and vegetation structure and to investigate major threats to Wurg forest, southwest Ethiopia. In order to collect vegetation data, 64 (400 m2) sample plots from eight transect lines were employed. The distances between transect lines and plots were 400 m and 200 m, respectively. DBH of woody species >2.5 cm and the height >2 m were measured and recorded. Voucher specimens were brought to the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute for identification and deposited there. R program version 12.5.2 software and Microsoft Excel spreadsheet were used to analyze plant community classification and structural analysis, respectively. A total of 76 woody species representing 40 families were recorded. Rubiaceae was the dominant family followed by Asteraceae. The average Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) and the average evenness values of Wurg forest were 3.38 and 0.90, respectively. Four plant community types were identified by using the presence/absence values of each species. The total density of woody species with DBH > 2.5 cm was 1745.3 ha−1. The DBH and height class distributions showed an inverted J-shaped pattern, which indicates a good regeneration potential of the forest. The most frequently observed species (92%) was Syzygium guineense, which contributed 46% of the total basal area. The composition of seedling, sapling, and adult trees/shrubs species was 4966.07 ha−1, 3125.78 ha−1, and 1745.27 ha−1, respectively. However, the major threat to the forest was selective cutting of some woody species for various purposes. Therefore, raising local community awareness on conservation and sustainable use of the forest and exploring various alternatives for local communities’ livelihood and promoting private and community plantations are recommendable

Diversity, challenges and management of enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) by Kembatta people, southern Ethiopia

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is an endemic multipurpose Ethiopian crop with a potential for food security for it grows in areas where there is a high population pressure and scarce cultivable land. Studies indicate that pests and diseases are among the challenges to sustainability of enset agriculture. A survey on diversity, challenges and management of enset was conducted in Kambatta Tembaro Zone. Twelve farmscapes each with 15 sampling sites were randomly selected for the study. The identification of enset landraces and recording of data on criterion for landraces identification and selection, and cultural management practices were conducted with the help of farmers using interviews, questionnaire and group discussion. Shannon Index (H’) and multiple linear regression, and ANOVA were employed to analyze the data. Farmers’ characterization identified a total of 111 named enset landraces, of which 21 had medicinal value. There was high significant difference (P<0.01) in enset landraces among economic classes and agroclimatic zones. Dega agroclimatic areas cultivated twice the number of enset landraces in kola areas (mean = 11.5/HH). The number of enset landraces per farmscapes ranged from 8 to 61 with an average of 27.3 whereas the mean Shannon (H') and evenness (E) indices were 1.84 and 0.64 in the zone, respectively. Multidimensional preference ranking showed that amicho, fiber quality, storability, yield, and earliness were useful in discriminating enset landraces. Enset diversity increased with access to market and wealth status of the households. Wild mammalian pests, enset bacterial wilt, and shortage of farmland were challenges to sustainability of enset agriculture. Apposite attention should be given by the government to incorporate enset in the current extension system. Furthermore, experts in ethnobotany, anthropology, microbiology and other appropriate fields should work together with the local people for a workable solution.Keywords/phrases: Amicho, Characterization, Enset diseases, Landraces, Preference rankin

SOME BIOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON ACACIA DREPANOLOBIUM SJÖSTEDT IN BORANA, OROMIYA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Studies on A. drepanolobium Sjöstedt, including effect of environmental factor, seed production, seed dispersal, soil seed bank, percent seed germination and coppicing capacity were conducted in Borana, Ethiopia. Although there were significant differences on soil properties among sites, pH and EC were within the normal range, and soils were rich in clay. Seed production per plant was 2417 ± 23 (X±SE), and very few trees bore seeds per plot. Seeds were found to disperse mainly by wind and water. Few seeds (<10 seeds/m2) were found in the litter layer and none in the mineral layer. Statistically significant differences were found in percent germination [F(5, 17), P < 0.05]. Fast rate and higher percent germination were achieved by scarification whereas dry (90°C) and moist heat treatments (98°C) resulted in mold outgrowths. Tukey’s HSD indicated that moist heat treatments did not improve the percentage germination. High percent and fast germination of A. drepanolobium in the control suggest the absence of marked seed dormancy. Stumping treatments did not show any significant differences but the coppice number and height tend to increase to the surface. Although Borana rangeland is home to A. drepanolobium, the species is becoming an aggressive invader. The seed sensitivity to high heat and the death of coppices by stumping at heights > 50 cm indicate that the species can be managed by periodic burning and cutting the tree for charcoal/firewood purposes. Further, awareness creation on the impacts of overgrazing and bottomland cultivation could also assist in the management of the species. Therefore, we recommend an integrated approach in the management of A. drepanolobium that should involve the local community

The influence of weather conditions on body temperature, milk composition and yields of the free-ranging dromedary camels in Southeastern rangelands of Ethiopia

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of heat stress and seasons on diurnal body temperature, milk yield, and physicochemical properties of dromedary camel in southeastern rangelands Ethiopia. Twenty lactating camels with 2–3 months postmortem and 3–4 parities were selected for evaluation of milk yield, physicochemical properties, and body temperature measurements. The current finding shows diurnal body temperature was significantly higher in hot weather conditions (dry season). Temperature-humidity index (THImax) showed a strong positive correlation to rectal body temperatures (r = 0.72) and daily milk yield (r = 0.6) of a camel. The mean daily milk yield observed in this study was 6.02, 4.99, 2.38, and 2.57 Liters (L) during autumn, spring, summer, and winter, respectively, and showed higher (P  0.05) across the seasons. The body temperature, milk physicochemical properties, and yield of dromedary camels were varied (p < 0.001) with local weather conditions and seasons. However, further investigation based on animal trials at on-station is needed in order to confirm the on-farm camel milk yield and physicochemical quality observed in this study