Fabaceae: South African Medicinal Plant Species Used in the Treatment and Management of Sexually Transmitted and Related Opportunistic Infections Associated with HIV-AIDS

The use of medicinal plants, particularly in the treatment of sexually transmitted and related infections, is ancient. These plants may well be used as alternative and complementary medicine to a variety of antibiotics that may possess limitations mainly due to an emerging enormous antimicrobial resistance. Several computerized database literature sources such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, Scielo, PubMed, and Google Scholar were used to retrieve information on Fabaceae species used in the treatment and management of sexually transmitted and related infections in South Africa. The other information was sourced from various academic dissertations, theses, and botanical books. A total of 42 medicinal plant species belonging to the Fabaceae family, used in the treatment of sexually transmitted and related opportunistic infections associated with HIV-AIDS, have been documented. Trees were the most reported life form, yielding 47.62%, while Senna and Vachellia were the frequently cited genera yielding six and three species, respectively. Peltophorum africanum Sond. was the most preferred medicinal plant, yielding a frequency of citation of 14, while Vachellia karoo (Hayne) Banfi and Glasso as well as Elephantorrhiza burkei Benth. yielded 12 citations each. The most frequently used plant parts were roots, yielding 57.14%, while most of the plant species were administered orally after boiling (51.16%) until the infection subsided. Amazingly, many of the medicinal plant species are recommended for use to treat impotence (29.87%), while most common STI infections such as chlamydia (7.79%), gonorrhea (6.49%), syphilis (5.19%), genital warts (2.60%), and many other unidentified STIs that may include “Makgoma” and “Divhu” were less cited. Although there are widespread data on the in vitro evidence of the use of the Fabaceae species in the treatment of sexually transmitted and related infections, there is a need to explore the in vivo studies to further ascertain the use of species as a possible complementary and alternative medicine to the currently used antibiotics in both developing and underdeveloped countries. Furthermore, the toxicological profiles of many of these studies need to be further explored. The safety and efficacy of over-the-counter pharmaceutical products developed using these species also need to be explored

Accumulation of Heavy Metals, Yield and Nutritional Composition of Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) Cultivars Irrigated with Fly-Ash-Treated Acid Mine Drainage

This study compared the responses of two potato cultivars, Fianna and Lady rosetta (both determinate and indeterminate), to irrigation with various fly ash: acid mine drainage (AMD) amelioration ratios in two separate seasons. In order to calculate crude protein (CP), the nutritional composition (NC) of potato tuber samples was examined using the combustion method. The results showed that the NC of plants irrigated with AMD mixed with fly ash was significantly affected differently at harvest. In plants exposed to 75% AMD irrigation, the mean moisture content of Lady rosetta was reduced by twice more compared to Fianna. Concisely, our study has demonstrated that irrigation with AMD mixed with fly ash can promote plant growth of potato cultivars and reduce their crude protein (CP) by approximately 4% when irrigated with both 50% FA: AMD and untreated AMD (100% AMD) ratio being applied; nonetheless, it was decreased by 1% when watered with 75% FA: AMD treatment, lipids content, carbohydrates, fresh tuber weight and dry tuber weight. On average, plants from both cultivars irrigated with the 75% AMD had higher fresh tuber weight (FTW), higher dry tuber weight (DTW) and carbohydrates compared to the controls. Furthermore, Lady rosetta cultivar exhibited higher carbohydrate and crude fiber compared to the control at 75 and 50% AMD treatments, respectively. Use of AMD in agriculture is likely to reduce its devastating environmental conditions and assist in irrigation of food crops, thereby alleviating both water and food shortages. Last, all the FA-AMD-treated potatoes had Pb concentrations that were below the minimum standard limits, and this proves that FA was able to adsorb the Pb ions in the tuber samples. Importantly, fly ash reduces a metal’s concentration in AMD. However, presence of heavy metals in such potatoes needs to be explored. It is also important to relate the possible metal intake relative to the standards by World Health Organization (WHO)

Heavy Metal Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) Cultivars irrigated with Fly Ash-Treated Acid Mine Drainage

In water-scant regions, the reuse of (un)treated acid mine drainage effluent (AMD) water for crop irrigation has turned into a prerequisite. The study assesses the levels of heavy metals, and health risk assessment in two potato crop cultivars, namely, Fianna and Lady rosetta (both determinate and indeterminate) when exposed to irrigation with different fly ash: acid mine drainage amelioration ratios. The study investigates the health risk assessment in the potato tissues namely, stem, tubers, new and old leaves of the potato cultivars. The treatments constituted a control, 50% FA: AMD, 75% FA: AMD ratio, and 100% AMD (untreated AMD). The results showed that the heavy metals of plants irrigated with AMD mixed with FA was significantly affected differently at harvest. In summary, the concentration of Cd was over the WHO acceptable standards in untreated acid mine drainage water. Fianna recorded 1.34 mg/kg while a notably decrease was observed in Lady rosetta with (1.01 mg/kg). In any case, FA was proven to significantly lessen the Cd particles in both FA-AMD ratios: Cd content was 0.98 mg/kg and 0.84 mg/kg in 50% FA: AMD treatment for Fianna and Lady rosetta separately, while the recommended maximum limit is 0.1 mg/kg. With the readings recorded, they are slightly high according to the CODEX general standard for food contaminants and toxins in food and feed (CODEX STAN 193-1995). Then again, in 75% FA: AMD ratio, the Cd concentration was 0.04 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg for Fianna and Lady rosetta exclusively. It is in this way obvious that FA adsorbed the Cd ions, and the two cultivars fulfill the CODEX guideline, nonetheless the potato crop irrigated with a 75% FA: AMD ratio can be consumed by humans without causing any detrimental effects

Heavy Metal Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cultivars irrigated with Fly Ash-Treated Acid Mine Drainage

In water-scant regions, the reuse of (un)treated acid mine drainage effluent (AMD) water for crop irrigation has turned into a prerequisite. The study assesses the levels of heavy metals, and health risk assessment in two potato crop cultivars, namely, Fianna and Lady rosetta (both determinate and indeterminate) when exposed to irrigation with different fly ash: acid mine drainage amelioration ratios. The study investigates the health risk assessment in the potato tissues namely, stem, tubers, new and old leaves of the potato cultivars. The treatments constituted a control, 50% FA: AMD, 75% FA: AMD ratio, and 100% AMD (untreated AMD). The results showed that the heavy metals of plants irrigated with AMD mixed with FA was significantly affected differently at harvest. In summary, the concentration of Cd was over the WHO acceptable standards in untreated acid mine drainage water. Fianna recorded 1.34 mg/kg while a notably decrease was observed in Lady rosetta with (1.01 mg/kg). In any case, FA was proven to significantly lessen the Cd particles in both FA-AMD ratios: Cd content was 0.98 mg/kg and 0.84 mg/kg in 50% FA: AMD treatment for Fianna and Lady rosetta separately, while the recommended maximum limit is 0.1 mg/kg. With the readings recorded, they are slightly high according to the CODEX general standard for food contaminants and toxins in food and feed (CODEX STAN 193-1995). Then again, in 75% FA: AMD ratio, the Cd concentration was 0.04 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg for Fianna and Lady rosetta exclusively. It is in this way obvious that FA adsorbed the Cd ions, and the two cultivars fulfill the CODEX guideline, nonetheless the potato crop irrigated with a 75% FA: AMD ratio can be consumed by humans without causing any detrimental effects

A Systematic Review of <i>Curtisia dentata</i> Endemic to South Africa: Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology

The use of traditional medicine in treating a variety of both human and animal infections is ancient and still relevant. This is due to the resistance exhibited by most pathogenic microbial stains to currently-used antibiotics. The current work reports the phytochemistry, ethno-medicinal uses, toxicology, and most important pharmacological activities that validate the use of the plant species in African traditional medicine. Curtisia dendata is used in the treatment of many human and animal infections, including diarrhea, skin and related conditions, sexually transmitted infections, cancer, and a variety of ethno-veterinary infections. Pharmacologically, the plant species exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogens. Further, both extracts and compounds isolated from the plant species exhibited potent antioxidant, anticancer, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, and other important biological activities. Phytochemically, the plant species possess a variety of compounds, particularly triterpenes, that may well explain the various pharmacological activities of the plant species. The toxicological parameters, antimicrobial activities against microorganisms related to sexually transmitted infections, anti-diabetic effects, and inflammatory properties of the plant species are not well studied and still need to be explored. The biological activities observed validate the use of the plant species in African traditional medicine, particularly in the treatment of pulmonary infections associated with Mycobacterium species, and may well be due to the presence of triterpenes prevalent in the leaves

Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized from Pleurotus ostreatus Mushroom

This study aimed to biosynthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Pleurotus ostreatus to achieve a simple ecofriendly method, and further evaluate antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity towards HepG2 and Hek293 cells. The nanoparticles were characterized through UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for antimicrobial activity and MTT assay for cytotoxicity were conducted in vitro. The study revealed an efficient, simple, and ecofriendly method for synthesis of ZnO NPs that have antimicrobial activity. UV-Vis showed peaks at 340 and 400 nm, and the bioactive compounds found in the mushroom acted as capping, reducing, and stabilizing agents. TEM characterized NPs as an amorphous nanosheet, with preferential orientation as projected by SAED patterns. The spherical and agglomerated morphology was observed on SEM, with EDX proving the presence of Zn and O, while XRD indicated a crystallite size of 7.50 nm and a stable nature (zeta potential of &minus;23.3 mV). High cytotoxicity on Hek293 and HepG2 cells was noted for ZnO NPs. The study provides an alternative, ecofriendly method for biosynthesis of ZnO NPs that have antibacterial activity and potential use in cancer treatment

Health Risk Assessment of Metals in African Aphrodisiacs: A Case Study of Aqueous Concoctions from Johannesburg and Durban Herbal Markets, South Africa

Consumption of aphrodisiacs is a common practice in South Africa. Hence, determining the levels of trace metals as potential pollutants is necessary to protect consumers’ health. The current study reports a health risk assessment due to metals in aphrodisiacs collected from herbal markets in Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa. Samples were digested using microwave-assisted digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry analysis. The results showed that the concentrations of common metals (Na, K, Mg, and Ca) were within the guideline limits for human consumption, while the trace metals (Ni, Cr, Co, As, Cd, and Pb) were above the limits, recording values of 0.132–0.268, 0.209–0.308, 0.224–0.405, 0.0884–0.230, 0.0402–1.11, and 0.146–0.207 mg L−1, respectively. The source of the trace metals was traced to the tap water probably collected from dilapidated buildings where the water systems are ailing. A strong correlation for metals with similar sources was observed, notably for Pb and Cd that leach from water pipes. The aphrodisiacs had low consumption rates, and the health risk assessment gave a hazard quotient of 0.225 as a total for all studied metals. The group of aphrodisiacs investigated in the current study therefore poses minimal health risks and can be consumed without fear of metal contamination. More inclusive studies are, however, needed to have a better understanding of aphrodisiacs with the aim of potentially commercializing them like the other commercialized herbal concoctions currently distributed in South African markets and pharmacies