Objective: Malaria is a major public health problem in Ghana and many indigenes, especially those... more Objective: Malaria is a major public health problem in Ghana and many indigenes, especially those in rural areas, resort to the use of medicinal plants to treat the disease. The plants: Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae), Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae) and Tridax procumbens (L.) L. (Compositae) are used solely or in combination with other medicinal plants to manage malaria and its associated conditions. The leaves of the plants which are normally the main parts employed, were studied for their phytochemistry and antiplasmodial activity to establish their chemical profile and verify the antimalarial claim. Methods: Plant materials were subjected to basic phytochemical screening to identify the major secondary metabolites. The aqueous extracts were evaluated against chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 P. falciparum and chloroquine-resistant W2 P. falciparum strains, using the fluorescence-based SYBR® green I method to determine their antiplasmodial activity. Results: Basic phytochemical screening of the leaves revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids in all three plant materials. T. cacao and P. americana, in addition, contained purine base alkaloids, triterpenoids including saponins. The aqueous extracts of the leaves showed antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 P. falciparum (9.50 ± 1.38 ≤ IC 50 ≤ 10.15 ± 0.45 µg/mL) and against chloroquine-resistant W2 P. falciparum strains (6.40 ± 1.94 ≤ IC 50 ≤ 44.94 ± 1.12 µg/mL). The aqueous extract of T. cacao was the most active and was more active against W2 than 3D7 P. falciparum. Only T. procumbens displayed cytotoxicity (CC 50 <25 µg/mL). Conclusion: T. cacao, T. procumbens and P. americana possess antiplamodial activity. The activity illustrates their antimalarial potential, and provides rationale for their use in traditional malaria therapy in Ghana. It thus paves the way for further study of these plants for antiplasmodial lead compound(s).
This work was carried out to determine antihypertensive effect of ethanolic extract of Imperata c... more This work was carried out to determine antihypertensive effect of ethanolic extract of Imperata cylindrical leaves using cat and rabbit models. A freeze dried 70% ethanolic extract was prepared and increasing concentrations from 10 to 320 mg/ml were administered in vivo to anaesthetized cats and in vitro to rabbit jejunum. Adrenaline and phentolamine were used as control drugs. The extract exhibited a significant dose-dependent reduction in amplitude of contraction of smooth muscle cells of rabbit jejunum in comparison with standard antihypertensive drug, adrenaline. The heart pressure of the cats was significantly reduced with 160 and 320 mg/ml of the extract from 266 to 180 mmHg (p = 0.012) but there was no effect on the heart rate. The minimum effective dose EC 50 was 0.013. Ethanolic leaf extract of I. cylindrica exhibited vasodilative antihypertensive properties similar to mechanism of action of adrenaline. The extract could be used to manage hypertension.
Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Erythrophleum suaveolens yielded four new cassane... more Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Erythrophleum suaveolens yielded four new cassane diterpenoids; 6a-hydroxy-cassamic acid, methyl ester, 4b-carbomethoxy-14-methyltotarol, 6ahydroxy-nor-cassamine, and 8,9-dehydro-nor-cassamine, along with four known cassane diterpenoids. All structures were elucidated on the basis of one-and two-dimensional NMR, HRMS and ESIMS analysis.
This work was conducted in order to investigate the hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activity ofthe ... more This work was conducted in order to investigate the hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activity ofthe stem bark of Morinda lucida Benth (Rubiaceae), which has traditionally been used in Ghana for the management of diabetes mellitus. Methods: The powdered stem bark was successively Soxhlet-extracted with petroleum ether and 70% vi ethanol, respectively, and were then evaporated to dryness to produce crude petroleum ether (PML) and ethanolic (EML) extracts. Thehvpoqlvcaernic activity of PML and EML were determined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Five groups of six diabetic rats received oral administrations of 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight of PML and EML once daily for 19 days. Glibenclamide (5 mg per kg body weight) was used as positive control while distilled deionised water (2 ml) acted as the diabetic control. Blood glucose levels were monitored initially for 6 hours and subsequently overthe full 20 days. Results: All extracts exhibited statistically significant (P< 0.001) hypoglycaemic and substantial antioxidant activities throughout the study period. While EML demonstrated the strongest hypoglycaemic activity 6 hours after administration, PML exhibited the highest activity 24 hours after administration and throughout the rest of the study period. Again, both extracts showed antioxidant activities, however EML was more effective. Conclusion: The results of our investigation indicate that the stem bark of M. lucida possesses hypoglycaemic constituents that are well distributed in both petroleum ether and 70% vlv ethanol extracts. In addition, both extracts also showed considerable antioxidant activity. These results give credibility towards the traditional use of the stem bark of M. lucida as an antidiabetic agent.
ABSTRACT Secamone afzelii has been used traditionally for wound healing. To confirm the fokloric ... more ABSTRACT Secamone afzelii has been used traditionally for wound healing. To confirm the fokloric uses of the plant, the methanol extract of the plant was tested for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, since antimicrobial agents and antioxidants facilitate wound healing. The extract showed some level of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The selective antimicrobial and significant antioxidant activities suggest that the folkloric use of the plant as a wound healing may be based on the antimicrobial and antioxidant roles. Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 26 (3) 2003: pp. 81-87
Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae) is a tree mainly present in forest regrowths, swam... more Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae) is a tree mainly present in forest regrowths, swampy places, rocky Background: Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae) have traditional uses in the management of conditions characterized by infections, infl ammatory disorders and oxidative stress. The paper aims to report the comparative data on the leaves and stem bark of Glyphaea brevis with respect to their antibacterial, anti-infl ammatory and antioxidant effects. Materials and Methods: The antibacterial effects of the 70% ethanol extracts of the leaves and stem bark were determined using the agar well diffusion and micro dilution assays. The anti-infl ammatory activity was assessed using the carrageenan-induced oedema model in 7-day old cockerels. Using the DPPH free radical scavenging, total antioxidant and total phenol content assays, the antioxidant potential of the extract was assessed. Results: The bark extract had the higher antibacterial effect against 6 of the 8 microorganisms used. Noteworthy are its activity against Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis with lowest MIC value of 500 μg/mL respectively. In doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg, both extracts reduced the carrageenan-induced oedema in 7-day old cockerels. Based on the ED 50 values, both extracts demonstrated similar potencies (ED 50 =21.00 mg/kg). The stem bark extract exhibited higher free radical scavenging activity (IC 50 = 1.392 mg/mL) compared to the leaf extract (IC 50 = 9.509 mg/mL). In the total phenol content, the bark extract showed higher content (15.91 mg/g of dry mass) compared to the leaf extract (2.68 mg/g dry mass). Both extracts demonstrated equal potencies in the total antioxidant capacity determinations (0.60 mg/g dry weight of extract). Conclusions: The results of this work provide scientifi c evidence for the traditional uses of Glyphaea brevis.
An infusion of the dried root is drunk or used as a bath for general malaise in Senegal. [4J The ... more An infusion of the dried root is drunk or used as a bath for general malaise in Senegal. [4J The aqueous decoction of the roots is used in traditional medicine as aphrodisiacs and the vasorelaxant properties have been reported.l"
African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 2012
Euadenia eminens Hook f. (Capparaceae) has traditional uses in the management of conjunctivitis, ... more Euadenia eminens Hook f. (Capparaceae) has traditional uses in the management of conjunctivitis, iritis, ophthalmia, tuberculosis, otalgia and rectal prolapse. The fruit pulp is also eaten as an aphrodisiac. In this paper, we report on the antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial effects of its roots. A 70 % ethanol extract was tested for anti-inflammatory effect using the carrageenan-induced oedema in chicks. Free radical scavenging, total antioxidant and total phenol content were assessed spectrophotometrically. The extract was tested for antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion method and micro dilution assays. The 70% ethanol extract gave a maximal inhibition of oedema by 74.18 % at 30 mg/kg. The total antioxidant capacity expressed in terms of ascorbic acid was 0.609 mg/g dry weight. The total phenol in terms of tannic acid was 7.25 mg/g dry weight. The extract also demonstrated free radical scavenging activity yielding IC 50 value of 1.175 mg/mL. The root extract however, showed selective antibacterial activity, inhibiting growth of two microorganisms; Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus thurigiensis. The MICs were 500 and 1000 µg/mL respectively. These results may account in part for the ethnopharmacological use of the plant.
La presente Investigación pretende establecer las bases científicas del uso en medicina popular d... more La presente Investigación pretende establecer las bases científicas del uso en medicina popular de dos plantas (Hymenostegia afzelii and Napoleanea vogelii) en el tratamiento de heridas, úlceras, infecciones pulmonares y también como masticatorios. Los extractos metanólico y etéreo de las dos plantas mostraron cierta actividad antimicrobial, sugiriendo que su uso en medicina tradicional esta basado en esta propiedad.
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ethnobotanical survey was performed to document medicinal plants ... more Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ethnobotanical survey was performed to document medicinal plants employed in the management of malaria in the Bosomtwe and Sekyere East Districts of the Ashanti Region (Ghana), in comparison with the plant ingredients in herbal antimalarial remedies registered by the Ghana Food and Drug Administration. Materials and methods: Two hundred and three (203) herbalists from 33 communities within the two districts were interviewed on medicinal plants they use to manage malaria. A literature search was made to determine already documented plants. In addition, 23 finished marketed herbal products indicated for the management of malaria were identified and their labels examined to find out which of the plants mentioned in our survey were listed as ingredients and whether these products are in anyway regulated. Results: Ninety-eight (98) species of plants were cited for the management of malaria. In comparison with literature citations, 12 (12.2%) species were reported for the management of malaria for the first time and 20 (20.4%) others for the first time in Ghana. Twenty-three (23) finished marketed herbal antimalarial products examined contained aerial or underground parts of 29 of the plants cited in our survey as ingredients. Twenty-two (22) of these products have been registered by the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority, four (4) of which were included in the recommended herbal medicine list for treating malaria in Ghana. Conclusion: This study provides new additions to the inventory of medicinal plants used for the management of malaria and reports the commercial availability and regulation of finished marketed labelled herbal products intended for the treatment of malaria in Ghana.
The leaves of Solanum macrocarpon (Solanaceae) was evaluated for its pharmacognostic characterist... more The leaves of Solanum macrocarpon (Solanaceae) was evaluated for its pharmacognostic characteristics and antioxidant properties. Microscopic studies showed the presence of both anomocytic and anisocytic types of stomata on both the upper and the lower epidermis, unicellular and branched clothing trichomes as well as glandular trichomes with unicellular stalk and multicellular heads. The leaf is dorsiventral with the mesophyll cells containing abundant prismatic calcium oxalate crystals. The midrib showed a crescent-shape and bicollateral vascular bundle. Microscopic evaluation established Stomatal index as 11.59±0.63 and 18.69±0.84 for the upper and lower surfaces respectively. The palisade ratio, the vein islet and vein-let termination numbers were determined as 6.22±0.36, 9.09±0.64 and 9.02±0.53 respectively. Physicochemical evaluation yielded extractive values of 1.33±0.33, 4.65±0.66, 8.66±0.32 and 7.34±0.25 for petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol (95%) and water respectively. Total Ash, Water soluble, Acid insoluble Ash were 13.96±0.06, 6.86±0.16 and 2.20±0.09 respectively. Basic phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The alcoholic extract showed radical scavenging activity with IC 50 of 2.42mg/ml. The pharmacognostic standards and the antioxidant activity of the leaf of S. macrocarpon have been established. The pharmacognostic standards are essential for proper identification of the plant.
African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and …, 2005
Topics: i. The pros and cons of isolating antimalarial compounds from plants -Prof. B. T. Ngadjui... more Topics: i. The pros and cons of isolating antimalarial compounds from plants -Prof. B. T. Ngadjui ii. Efficacy models for screening antimalarials -Dr. J. P. Adjimani iii. Quality assurance in the absence of identified active components -Prof. Marian E. Addy Afr. J. Trad. CAM (2005) 2 (2): 177 -205
Topics: i. The pros and cons of isolating antimalarial compounds from plants -Prof. B. T. Ngadjui... more Topics: i. The pros and cons of isolating antimalarial compounds from plants -Prof. B. T. Ngadjui ii. Efficacy models for screening antimalarials -Dr. J. P. Adjimani iii. Quality assurance in the absence of identified active components -Prof. Marian E. Addy Afr. J. Trad. CAM (2005) 2 (2): 177 -205
Background:Hoslundia opposita Vahl. (Lamiaceae), a common local shrub in Ghana, is traditionally ... more Background:Hoslundia opposita Vahl. (Lamiaceae), a common local shrub in Ghana, is traditionally known not only for its pharmacological benefits but also for its insecticidal properties. Its acaricidal property, however, has not been investigated.Objective:To test the acaricidal effects of the crude extract and fractions of H. opposita leaves as well as to isolate and characterize the acaricidal principles.Materials and Methods:The crude methanolic extract, pet. ether, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of the leaves of H. opposita were tested against the larvae of the cattle tick, Amblyomma variegatum, using the Larval Packet Test. A bioassay-guided isolation was carried out to identify the acaricidal principle obtained from the ethyl acetate fraction.Results:The active principle was characterised as ursolic acid, a triterpene previously isolated from the leaves of the same plant. The extract and fractions were less potent than the control, malathion (LC50 1.14 × 10-4 mg/ml). Among the plant samples however the crude methanolic extract exhibited the highest effect against the larvae (LC50 5.74 × 10-2 mg/ml), followed by the ethyl acetate fraction (LC50 8.10 × 10-2 mg/ml). Ursolic acid, pet. ether and aqueous fractions however showed weak acaricidal effects with LC50 values of 1.13 mg/ml, 8.96 × 10-1 mg/ml and 1.44 mg/ml, respectively.Conclusion:Ursolic acid was not as potent as the crude methanolic extract and the ethyl acetate fraction from which it was isolated. The overall acaricidal effect of H. opposita may have been due to synergy with other principles having acaricidal properties.
Objective: Malaria is a major public health problem in Ghana and many indigenes, especially those... more Objective: Malaria is a major public health problem in Ghana and many indigenes, especially those in rural areas, resort to the use of medicinal plants to treat the disease. The plants: Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae), Theobroma cacao L. (Malvaceae) and Tridax procumbens (L.) L. (Compositae) are used solely or in combination with other medicinal plants to manage malaria and its associated conditions. The leaves of the plants which are normally the main parts employed, were studied for their phytochemistry and antiplasmodial activity to establish their chemical profile and verify the antimalarial claim. Methods: Plant materials were subjected to basic phytochemical screening to identify the major secondary metabolites. The aqueous extracts were evaluated against chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 P. falciparum and chloroquine-resistant W2 P. falciparum strains, using the fluorescence-based SYBR® green I method to determine their antiplasmodial activity. Results: Basic phytochemical screening of the leaves revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids in all three plant materials. T. cacao and P. americana, in addition, contained purine base alkaloids, triterpenoids including saponins. The aqueous extracts of the leaves showed antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 P. falciparum (9.50 ± 1.38 ≤ IC 50 ≤ 10.15 ± 0.45 µg/mL) and against chloroquine-resistant W2 P. falciparum strains (6.40 ± 1.94 ≤ IC 50 ≤ 44.94 ± 1.12 µg/mL). The aqueous extract of T. cacao was the most active and was more active against W2 than 3D7 P. falciparum. Only T. procumbens displayed cytotoxicity (CC 50 <25 µg/mL). Conclusion: T. cacao, T. procumbens and P. americana possess antiplamodial activity. The activity illustrates their antimalarial potential, and provides rationale for their use in traditional malaria therapy in Ghana. It thus paves the way for further study of these plants for antiplasmodial lead compound(s).
This work was carried out to determine antihypertensive effect of ethanolic extract of Imperata c... more This work was carried out to determine antihypertensive effect of ethanolic extract of Imperata cylindrical leaves using cat and rabbit models. A freeze dried 70% ethanolic extract was prepared and increasing concentrations from 10 to 320 mg/ml were administered in vivo to anaesthetized cats and in vitro to rabbit jejunum. Adrenaline and phentolamine were used as control drugs. The extract exhibited a significant dose-dependent reduction in amplitude of contraction of smooth muscle cells of rabbit jejunum in comparison with standard antihypertensive drug, adrenaline. The heart pressure of the cats was significantly reduced with 160 and 320 mg/ml of the extract from 266 to 180 mmHg (p = 0.012) but there was no effect on the heart rate. The minimum effective dose EC 50 was 0.013. Ethanolic leaf extract of I. cylindrica exhibited vasodilative antihypertensive properties similar to mechanism of action of adrenaline. The extract could be used to manage hypertension.
Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Erythrophleum suaveolens yielded four new cassane... more Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Erythrophleum suaveolens yielded four new cassane diterpenoids; 6a-hydroxy-cassamic acid, methyl ester, 4b-carbomethoxy-14-methyltotarol, 6ahydroxy-nor-cassamine, and 8,9-dehydro-nor-cassamine, along with four known cassane diterpenoids. All structures were elucidated on the basis of one-and two-dimensional NMR, HRMS and ESIMS analysis.
This work was conducted in order to investigate the hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activity ofthe ... more This work was conducted in order to investigate the hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activity ofthe stem bark of Morinda lucida Benth (Rubiaceae), which has traditionally been used in Ghana for the management of diabetes mellitus. Methods: The powdered stem bark was successively Soxhlet-extracted with petroleum ether and 70% vi ethanol, respectively, and were then evaporated to dryness to produce crude petroleum ether (PML) and ethanolic (EML) extracts. Thehvpoqlvcaernic activity of PML and EML were determined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Five groups of six diabetic rats received oral administrations of 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight of PML and EML once daily for 19 days. Glibenclamide (5 mg per kg body weight) was used as positive control while distilled deionised water (2 ml) acted as the diabetic control. Blood glucose levels were monitored initially for 6 hours and subsequently overthe full 20 days. Results: All extracts exhibited statistically significant (P< 0.001) hypoglycaemic and substantial antioxidant activities throughout the study period. While EML demonstrated the strongest hypoglycaemic activity 6 hours after administration, PML exhibited the highest activity 24 hours after administration and throughout the rest of the study period. Again, both extracts showed antioxidant activities, however EML was more effective. Conclusion: The results of our investigation indicate that the stem bark of M. lucida possesses hypoglycaemic constituents that are well distributed in both petroleum ether and 70% vlv ethanol extracts. In addition, both extracts also showed considerable antioxidant activity. These results give credibility towards the traditional use of the stem bark of M. lucida as an antidiabetic agent.
ABSTRACT Secamone afzelii has been used traditionally for wound healing. To confirm the fokloric ... more ABSTRACT Secamone afzelii has been used traditionally for wound healing. To confirm the fokloric uses of the plant, the methanol extract of the plant was tested for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, since antimicrobial agents and antioxidants facilitate wound healing. The extract showed some level of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The selective antimicrobial and significant antioxidant activities suggest that the folkloric use of the plant as a wound healing may be based on the antimicrobial and antioxidant roles. Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 26 (3) 2003: pp. 81-87
Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae) is a tree mainly present in forest regrowths, swam... more Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae) is a tree mainly present in forest regrowths, swampy places, rocky Background: Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monachino (Tiliaceae) have traditional uses in the management of conditions characterized by infections, infl ammatory disorders and oxidative stress. The paper aims to report the comparative data on the leaves and stem bark of Glyphaea brevis with respect to their antibacterial, anti-infl ammatory and antioxidant effects. Materials and Methods: The antibacterial effects of the 70% ethanol extracts of the leaves and stem bark were determined using the agar well diffusion and micro dilution assays. The anti-infl ammatory activity was assessed using the carrageenan-induced oedema model in 7-day old cockerels. Using the DPPH free radical scavenging, total antioxidant and total phenol content assays, the antioxidant potential of the extract was assessed. Results: The bark extract had the higher antibacterial effect against 6 of the 8 microorganisms used. Noteworthy are its activity against Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis with lowest MIC value of 500 μg/mL respectively. In doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg, both extracts reduced the carrageenan-induced oedema in 7-day old cockerels. Based on the ED 50 values, both extracts demonstrated similar potencies (ED 50 =21.00 mg/kg). The stem bark extract exhibited higher free radical scavenging activity (IC 50 = 1.392 mg/mL) compared to the leaf extract (IC 50 = 9.509 mg/mL). In the total phenol content, the bark extract showed higher content (15.91 mg/g of dry mass) compared to the leaf extract (2.68 mg/g dry mass). Both extracts demonstrated equal potencies in the total antioxidant capacity determinations (0.60 mg/g dry weight of extract). Conclusions: The results of this work provide scientifi c evidence for the traditional uses of Glyphaea brevis.
An infusion of the dried root is drunk or used as a bath for general malaise in Senegal. [4J The ... more An infusion of the dried root is drunk or used as a bath for general malaise in Senegal. [4J The aqueous decoction of the roots is used in traditional medicine as aphrodisiacs and the vasorelaxant properties have been reported.l"
African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 2012
Euadenia eminens Hook f. (Capparaceae) has traditional uses in the management of conjunctivitis, ... more Euadenia eminens Hook f. (Capparaceae) has traditional uses in the management of conjunctivitis, iritis, ophthalmia, tuberculosis, otalgia and rectal prolapse. The fruit pulp is also eaten as an aphrodisiac. In this paper, we report on the antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial effects of its roots. A 70 % ethanol extract was tested for anti-inflammatory effect using the carrageenan-induced oedema in chicks. Free radical scavenging, total antioxidant and total phenol content were assessed spectrophotometrically. The extract was tested for antibacterial activity using the agar well diffusion method and micro dilution assays. The 70% ethanol extract gave a maximal inhibition of oedema by 74.18 % at 30 mg/kg. The total antioxidant capacity expressed in terms of ascorbic acid was 0.609 mg/g dry weight. The total phenol in terms of tannic acid was 7.25 mg/g dry weight. The extract also demonstrated free radical scavenging activity yielding IC 50 value of 1.175 mg/mL. The root extract however, showed selective antibacterial activity, inhibiting growth of two microorganisms; Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus thurigiensis. The MICs were 500 and 1000 µg/mL respectively. These results may account in part for the ethnopharmacological use of the plant.
La presente Investigación pretende establecer las bases científicas del uso en medicina popular d... more La presente Investigación pretende establecer las bases científicas del uso en medicina popular de dos plantas (Hymenostegia afzelii and Napoleanea vogelii) en el tratamiento de heridas, úlceras, infecciones pulmonares y también como masticatorios. Los extractos metanólico y etéreo de las dos plantas mostraron cierta actividad antimicrobial, sugiriendo que su uso en medicina tradicional esta basado en esta propiedad.
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ethnobotanical survey was performed to document medicinal plants ... more Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ethnobotanical survey was performed to document medicinal plants employed in the management of malaria in the Bosomtwe and Sekyere East Districts of the Ashanti Region (Ghana), in comparison with the plant ingredients in herbal antimalarial remedies registered by the Ghana Food and Drug Administration. Materials and methods: Two hundred and three (203) herbalists from 33 communities within the two districts were interviewed on medicinal plants they use to manage malaria. A literature search was made to determine already documented plants. In addition, 23 finished marketed herbal products indicated for the management of malaria were identified and their labels examined to find out which of the plants mentioned in our survey were listed as ingredients and whether these products are in anyway regulated. Results: Ninety-eight (98) species of plants were cited for the management of malaria. In comparison with literature citations, 12 (12.2%) species were reported for the management of malaria for the first time and 20 (20.4%) others for the first time in Ghana. Twenty-three (23) finished marketed herbal antimalarial products examined contained aerial or underground parts of 29 of the plants cited in our survey as ingredients. Twenty-two (22) of these products have been registered by the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority, four (4) of which were included in the recommended herbal medicine list for treating malaria in Ghana. Conclusion: This study provides new additions to the inventory of medicinal plants used for the management of malaria and reports the commercial availability and regulation of finished marketed labelled herbal products intended for the treatment of malaria in Ghana.
The leaves of Solanum macrocarpon (Solanaceae) was evaluated for its pharmacognostic characterist... more The leaves of Solanum macrocarpon (Solanaceae) was evaluated for its pharmacognostic characteristics and antioxidant properties. Microscopic studies showed the presence of both anomocytic and anisocytic types of stomata on both the upper and the lower epidermis, unicellular and branched clothing trichomes as well as glandular trichomes with unicellular stalk and multicellular heads. The leaf is dorsiventral with the mesophyll cells containing abundant prismatic calcium oxalate crystals. The midrib showed a crescent-shape and bicollateral vascular bundle. Microscopic evaluation established Stomatal index as 11.59±0.63 and 18.69±0.84 for the upper and lower surfaces respectively. The palisade ratio, the vein islet and vein-let termination numbers were determined as 6.22±0.36, 9.09±0.64 and 9.02±0.53 respectively. Physicochemical evaluation yielded extractive values of 1.33±0.33, 4.65±0.66, 8.66±0.32 and 7.34±0.25 for petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol (95%) and water respectively. Total Ash, Water soluble, Acid insoluble Ash were 13.96±0.06, 6.86±0.16 and 2.20±0.09 respectively. Basic phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The alcoholic extract showed radical scavenging activity with IC 50 of 2.42mg/ml. The pharmacognostic standards and the antioxidant activity of the leaf of S. macrocarpon have been established. The pharmacognostic standards are essential for proper identification of the plant.
African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and …, 2005
Topics: i. The pros and cons of isolating antimalarial compounds from plants -Prof. B. T. Ngadjui... more Topics: i. The pros and cons of isolating antimalarial compounds from plants -Prof. B. T. Ngadjui ii. Efficacy models for screening antimalarials -Dr. J. P. Adjimani iii. Quality assurance in the absence of identified active components -Prof. Marian E. Addy Afr. J. Trad. CAM (2005) 2 (2): 177 -205
Topics: i. The pros and cons of isolating antimalarial compounds from plants -Prof. B. T. Ngadjui... more Topics: i. The pros and cons of isolating antimalarial compounds from plants -Prof. B. T. Ngadjui ii. Efficacy models for screening antimalarials -Dr. J. P. Adjimani iii. Quality assurance in the absence of identified active components -Prof. Marian E. Addy Afr. J. Trad. CAM (2005) 2 (2): 177 -205
Background:Hoslundia opposita Vahl. (Lamiaceae), a common local shrub in Ghana, is traditionally ... more Background:Hoslundia opposita Vahl. (Lamiaceae), a common local shrub in Ghana, is traditionally known not only for its pharmacological benefits but also for its insecticidal properties. Its acaricidal property, however, has not been investigated.Objective:To test the acaricidal effects of the crude extract and fractions of H. opposita leaves as well as to isolate and characterize the acaricidal principles.Materials and Methods:The crude methanolic extract, pet. ether, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of the leaves of H. opposita were tested against the larvae of the cattle tick, Amblyomma variegatum, using the Larval Packet Test. A bioassay-guided isolation was carried out to identify the acaricidal principle obtained from the ethyl acetate fraction.Results:The active principle was characterised as ursolic acid, a triterpene previously isolated from the leaves of the same plant. The extract and fractions were less potent than the control, malathion (LC50 1.14 × 10-4 mg/ml). Among the plant samples however the crude methanolic extract exhibited the highest effect against the larvae (LC50 5.74 × 10-2 mg/ml), followed by the ethyl acetate fraction (LC50 8.10 × 10-2 mg/ml). Ursolic acid, pet. ether and aqueous fractions however showed weak acaricidal effects with LC50 values of 1.13 mg/ml, 8.96 × 10-1 mg/ml and 1.44 mg/ml, respectively.Conclusion:Ursolic acid was not as potent as the crude methanolic extract and the ethyl acetate fraction from which it was isolated. The overall acaricidal effect of H. opposita may have been due to synergy with other principles having acaricidal properties.
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Papers by Gustav Komlaga