DOCSLIB.ORG

Phytochemistry and Antibacterial Activity of Entanda Abyssinica Leaf Extracts

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Phytochemistry and Antibacterial Activity of Entanda Abyssinica Leaf Extracts December 30, 2020 Archives • 2020 • vol.3 • 370-396 PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ENTANDA ABYSSINICA LEAF EXTRACTS Eleazar, Clara Idara1*; Eze, Chukwuemeka Cornelius2; Dibua, Marie Uju3; Ndefo, Chinedum Joseph4 1, 2&3Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 4Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka * [email protected] Abstract The leaf of the plant Entanda abyssinica was studied to determine its antibacterial activity using the methanolic and ethyl acetate fractions. The two fractions were tested on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginonsa and Escherichia coli for their antibacterial activity using agar well diffusion assay method. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined graphically by plotting the square of the diameter of the zones of inhibition against the logarithm of the fraction concentration. Its active constituents were determined using phytochemical analysis. The extraction was done with methanol and ethyl acetate of analytical grade as solvents using the Soxhlet extraction method. Acute toxicity test was also carried out. The phytochemical analysis revealed high content of alkaloids and flavonoids, with other active ingredients appearing in low concentration. Crude protein content of the leaf assayed revealed the presence of about 8.75% protein. The LD50 was 2154.1. The antimicrobial assay revealed a concentration-dependent level of activity on the test organisms. The mean IZD recorded for Escherichia coli on methanol and ethyl acetate fractions were 7.33 and 6 mm respectively while Staphylococcus aureus gave the mean IZD of 10.33 and 6mm for methanol and ethyl acetate fractions respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ranged from 3.54mg/ml (for the most susceptible test organism) to 7.08mg/ml. Pseudomonas showed no susceptibility pattern with methanol extract. The statistical results showed no significant difference (P=0.675) in the susceptibilities of the E.coli and S. aureus using methanol extract but ethyl acetate and methanol extracts susceptibilities of S. aureus and E.coli showed significant different (p =0.013). Analysis findings suggest that the leaf of Entanda abyssinica, though slightly toxic, have antibacterial activity and are potential source of alternative medication. Keywords: Entanda abyssinica; Antibacterial; Toxicity; Phytochemistry http://pharmacologyonline.silae.it ISSN: 1827-8620 PhOL Eleazar, et al. 371 (pag 370-396) Introduction small percentage of phytochemical In the ancient times mineral, plant and properties have been investigated and animal products were used as drugs. even a smaller percentage has been Since the origin of man, plants have properly studied in terms of their been used to alleviate and treat pharmacological properties. It is diseases. In the recent past also, natural estimated that only 5000 species have products from plants with therapeutic been studied for medical use [1]. But properties have become useful. [1]. recently, there has been an interest in Researches involving medicinal plants folk medicine. have yielded many valuable products The Entanda is a small to medium sized, and new compounds with good low branching deciduous tree, up to 7- biological activity are discovered often, 15m high, with a narrow open crown. almost on a daily basis [2]. The plant bark is fibrous and its leaves Notwithstanding, many problems were are large alternate, bi-pinnate up to 15 to encountered by the use of plant 45 cm long, with 10-20 pairs of pinnate. materials to treat illness. One is that the Leaves are sometimes pubescent. knowledge regarding the plants and Flowers are light-yellow or creamy in their specific use in treatment were color and appear in racemes 7 to 15 cm reserved for only the traditional long(Fig. 1). Entanda abyssinica produces medicine-men and handed down only pods containing 12 to 15 two-winged orally to the next generation. Another seeds per pod(Fig. 2). There is a problem encountered in the ancient resemblance of the tree with an acacia times is that of improper identification. tree but it can be differentiated by its bi- Owing to the fact that many plants of pinnate leaves and also the absence of the same genus generally look alike but thorns. Leaves serve as food for animals, are different when it comes to their while the wood which is soft is easy to chemical composition, plants of the work on. Its fibers are used for making same genus but different species can be bands, ropes and storage baskets. The misidentified and can cause severe leaves have been employed for many problems due to differences in active medicinal uses in the past. It has been compounds. Also, crude forms of these dried, ground and used as tonic tea, for plants which were taken in arbitrary wound healing, and possess antidotal dosages and not in combination with effects against various toxic agents and other synthetic products were not so fish poison. It is a tree widely spread in effective. Some plants could also cause tropical Africa. It is mostly found in irritations and allergic reactions to the African countries including Nigeria and processers and the users. Most of these prefers sandy loam soils for its growth. plants were aimed at treating the Its flowering takes place during the rainy symptoms and not the actual disease season, and the pods ripen towards the condition and because of this, some of end of the rainy season but sometimes them were considered safe only on the may extend into the dry season. basis that they did not cause any Entanda abyssinica has been studied in apparent harm [1]. Parts of plants that the past for its antimicrobial activity. have been implicated in therapeutic Traditionally, it is used to treat ailments activities include the root, leaves, bark, like rheumatism, bronchitis coughs, seed, flower and fruits. Of the estimated abdominal pains, diarrhoea and fever. It 250,000 to 500,000 plant species, only a has also been claimed to prevent http://pharmacologyonline.silae.it ISSN: 1827-8620 PhOL Eleazar, et al. 372 (pag 370-396) miscarriage [3]. Some pharmacological The plant Entanda abyssinica was properties of E. abyssinica have been collected and confirmed by Mr. Ozioko previously reported, including anti- of Department of Botany, University of inflammatory, antimicrobial and Nigeria Nsukka. A large quantity of the antioxidant [4, 5, 6]. The leaves of Entanda plant leaf (Fig 1 and 2) was collected abyssinica was screened for its inhibitory from Nsukka in Nsukka Local effect on ten strains of Escherichia coli Government Area of Enugu State 0157:H7 (EHEC) using the agar gel Eastern Nigeria. diffusion assay method. It was seen that ethanol extract of Entanda abyssinica Extraction inhibited all the ten strains used, showing variable antibacterial activities The leaves were dried under a shade which is dependent on the extract during the dry season, ground into concentration [7]. Another conducted powder and packed into air tight revealed that the stem bark of Entanda containers. They were then taken to the abyssinica exhibited fungistatic and laboratory for extraction. fungicidal activity against Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. It also revealed that The extraction of crude extract was the extracts contain compounds with done using the Soxhlet extraction high antifungal potency [8]. procedure. The Soxhlet extraction Entanda abyssinica like other medicinal procedure involves the extraction of fats plants might be an alternative treatment and oil from solid materials by repeated in some cases of mild infectious washing (percolation) with organic diseases. They may also be a possible solvents under reflux in special source for new potent antibiotics as glassware. In this method, the sample alternatives to the ones the was dried, ground into small particles microorganisms have been resistant to and placed in a porous cellulose thimble. [9]. The terpenoid and flavonoid The thimble was placed in an extraction compounds of Entanda abyssinica were chamber, suspended above the flask studied and were found to possess good containing the solvent and below the antibacterial activity against S. condenser. When the flask was heated typhimurium [10]. Salim and his the solvent evaporated and moved into colleagues [11] also reported its use in the the condenser where it was converted treatment of miscarriage in women of into a liquid that trickled into the childbearing age. Methanol extract extraction chamber containing the method has also been used to present sample. When the solvent surrounding the antioxidant properties of the plant the samples exceeded a certain level, it [6]. This present work therefore is overflowed and trickled back down into focused on the scientific study of the the boiling flask. At the end of the antibacterial properties of Entanda extraction the flask containing the abyssinica leaf fractions while elucidating solvent and lipid was removed, its toxicity and to see the urgent need evaporated and the mass of the for natural products as alternative for remaining lipid measured. the use of antibiotics. Methods Phytochemical Analysis for the Active Ingredients Plant Identification http://pharmacologyonline.silae.it ISSN: 1827-8620 PhOL Eleazar, et al. 373 (pag 370-396) The test was carried out in order to precipitate indicates presence of reveal the presence and abundance of glycosides. some active agents. The presence of the following active compounds was Test for Saponins (Frothing Test) investigated according to the Harbone method [12]. About 10mls of the extracts were taken and diluted with 20 mL of distilled water Test for Carbohydrate (Molisch’s Test) and shaken vigorously for 15 minutes. A stable froth (foam) on standing indicates An amount of 0.1g of the extract was the presence of saponins. mixed with 2ml of water and boiled and filtered., Few drops of naphtol solution Test for Tannins in ethanol (Molisch’s reagent) were added to the filtrate. Concentrated About 10 mg of the extracts were Sulphuric acid was then gently poured dissolved in 45% of ethanol.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Agronomy of Medicinal Plants: Amburana Cearensis, an Interdisciplinary Study
    17 Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Agronomy of Medicinal Plants: Amburana cearensis, an Interdisciplinary Study Kirley M. Canuto, Edilberto R. Silveira, Antonio Marcos E. Bezerra, Luzia Kalyne A. M. Leal and Glauce Socorro B. Viana Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil 1. Introduction Plants are an important source of biologically active substances, therefore they have been used for medicinal purposes, since ancient times. Plant materials are used as home remedies, in over-the-counter drug products, dietary supplements and as raw material for obtention of phytochemicals. The use of medicinal plants is usually based on traditional knowledge, from which their therapeutic properties are oftenly ratified in pharmacological studies. Nowadays, a considerable amount of prescribed drug is still originated from botanical sources and they are associated with several pharmacological activities, such as morphine (I) (analgesic), scopolamine (II) atropine (III) (anticholinergics), galantamine (IV) (Alzheimer's disease), quinine (V) (antimalarial), paclitaxel (VI), vincristine (VII) and vinblastine (VIII) (anticancer drugs), as well as with digitalis glycosides (IX) (heart failure) (Fig. 1). The versatility of biological actions can be attributed to the huge amount and wide variety of secondary metabolites in plant organisms, belonging to several chemical classes as alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, xanthones, etc. The large consumption of herbal drugs, in spite of the efficiency of
    [Show full text]
  • The Descent of the Flowering Plants in the Light of New Evidence from Phytochemistry and from Other Sources
    The descent of the flowering plants in the light of new evidence from phytochemistry and from other sources. I. General discussion A.D.J. Meeuse Hugo de Vries-laboratorium en Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam SUMMARY Accumulated phytochemical data partially compiled by Kubitzki in 1969, and evidence from various other sources point to a fundamental heterogeneity of the Flowering Plants, which is interpretedby the present author as an unmistakable indication of a multiple descent of the Angiosperms. The consequences of this viewpoint for taxonomic classifications and for phy- In logenetic speculations must be faced. view of the possible misunderstandingof some poin- ters, and in order to avoid erroneous interpretations of the accumulated evidence, a survey of the relevant data be indicated. Some tentative future appears to proposals concerning a classification of the will be made in the second of this Angiosperms part paper. 1. INTRODUCTION 1 Recently, Kubitzki (1969) pointed out that cogent phytochemical evidence renders a close relationship between the Polycarpicae or Ranales(s.l.) and sever- The of his discus- al other groups of the Dicotyledons most unlikely. corollary sion is that the Dicots (and, by inference, the Angiosperms) are rather hetero- geneous and did not all arise from a ranalean ancestral group, and that, in point kind of of fact, the ranalean alliance is more likely to represent a phylogenetic cul-de-sac. Most hesitatingly, Kubitzki admits the possibility of a multiple to statement descent of the Flowering Plants, referring a made over fifteenyears ago by Metcalfe (who suggested that the assumption of a polyphyletic origin of the Angiosperms may well provide the best explanation of the great diversity of their anatomicalfeatures) but, strangely enough, not mentioning more recent contributions dealing with the question of a single versus a multiple descent.
    [Show full text]
  • Anatomical and Phytochemical Studies of the Leaves and Roots of Urginea Grandiflora Bak
    Ethnobotanical Leaflets 14: 826-35. 2010. Anatomical and Phytochemical Studies of the Leaves and Roots of Urginea grandiflora Bak. and Pancratium tortuosum Herbert H. A. S. Sultan, B. I. Abu Elreish and S. M. Yagi* Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum, P.O. Box 321, Khartoum, Sudan *Corresponding author E-mail address: [email protected] Issued: July 1, 2010 Abstract Urginea grandiflora Bak. and Pancratium tortuosum Herbert are bulbous, medicinal plants endemic to the Sudan. The aim of this study was to provide information on the anatomical properties of the leaves and roots of these two bulbous plants. Anatomical studies include cross sections of the leaves and roots. In addition, phytochemical screening methods were applied for identifying the major chemical groups in these species. This study provides referential botanical and phytochemical information for correct identification of these plants. Key words: bulbous plants; Urginea grandiflora; Pancratium tortuosum anatomy; phytochemistry. Introduction To ensure reproducible quality of herbal products, proper control of starting material is utmost essential. Thus in recent years there have been an emphasis in standardization of medicinal plants of therapeutic potential. According to World Health Organization (WHO) the macroscopic and microscopic description of a medicinal plant is the first step towards establishing its identity and purity and should be carried out before any tests are undertaken (Anonymous. 1996). Correct botanical identity based on the external morphology is possible when a complete plant specimen is available. Anatomical characters can also help the identification when morphological features are indistinct (David et al., 2008). Urginea grandiflora Bak. (Hyacinthaceae) and Pancratium tortuosum Herbert (Amaryllidaceae) are perennial, herbaceous and bulbous plants, distributed in the Red Sea Hills in Eastern Sudan (Andrews, 1956).
    [Show full text]
  • Proposal for Revival of the Phytochemistry Section at BSA
    Proposal for revival of the Phytochemistry section at BSA Phytochemistry is a broad field encompassing the molecular biology, genetics, physiology, ecology, evolution, and applications of plant-associated compounds and their biosynthetic pathways. This area has become an integral part of organismal studies in plant science, as plant chemical diversity plays a central role in ecology and evolution. Moreover, advances in metabolomics and genomics have allowed plant biochemistry to expand into many non-model species. Many of these advances have come in the last decade, during which time the Phytochemistry section of BSA has been inactive. We propose to reinstate the Phytochemistry section to recognize and support the growth in biochemical research across the diversity of plant lineages. The various existing sections of BSA house many areas of expertise that can synergistically function with a new, rejuvenated phytochemistry section. We are especially excited about the cross-pollination of ideas that would be made possible when a greater number of phytochemists attend the BSA meetings, interact with students and faculty from existing sections, and help generate innovative research projects and grant proposal ideas. We thus strongly believe that a revived Phytochemistry section would be timely and very useful for the botanical community moving forward. We imagine the new Phytochemistry section as a home for a broad array of researchers interested in plant physiology, biochemistry, biochemical genomics, metabolic evolution, biotic interactions, chemical ecology and medical ethnobotany. Having this section at BSA would not only provide a home to many existing society members and entice more phytochemists to join BSA, but also provide networking and recognition opportunities for students working in this field.
    [Show full text]
  • An Update Review on Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis Phytochemistry and Wounds
    Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine 2018; 4(3): 135-146 Review Article An update review on Hibiscus rosa sinensis phytochemistry ISSN: 2454-5023 and medicinal uses J. Ayu. Herb. Med. 2018; 4(3): 135-146 Asmaa Missoum © 2018, All rights reserved Department of Biological and Environmemntal Sciences, College of Arts and sciences, Qatar University (QU), Doha, www.ayurvedjournal.com Qatar Received: 14-08-2018 Accepted: 10-10-2018 ABSTRACT Hibiscus rosa sinensis is known as China rose belonging to the Malvaceae family. This plant has various important medicinal uses for treating wounds, inflamation, fever and coughs, diabetes, infections caused by bacteria and fungi, hair loss, and gastric ulcers in several tropical countries. Phytochemical analysis documented that the main bioactive compounds responsible for its medicinal effects are namely flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and alkaloids. Experiment from recent studies showed that various types of extracts from all H. rosa sinensis parts exhibited a wide range of beneficial effects such as hypotensive, anti-pyritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, wound healing, and abortifacient activities. The few studies on toxicity exhibited that most extracts from all parts of this plant did not show any signs of toxicity at higher doses according to histological analysis. However, some of the extracts did alter biochemical and hematological parameters. Therefore, further research must be conducted to isolate the phytochemicals and explore their specific mechanism of action. This review summarizes the phytochemistry, pharmocology, and medicinal uses of this flower with the purpose of finding gaps demanding for future research and investigating its therapeutic potential through clinical trials.
    [Show full text]
  • Plant Hormone Conjugation
    Plant Molecular Biology 26: 1459-1481, 1994. © 1994 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in Belgium. 1459 Plant hormone conjugation Gtlnther Sembdner*, Rainer Atzorn and Gernot Schneider Institut far Pflanzenbiochemie, Weinberg 3, D-06018 Halle, Germany (* author for correspondence) Received and accepted 11 October 1994 Key words: plant hormone, conjugation, auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin, abscisic acid, jasmonate, brassinolide Introduction (including structural elucidation, synthesis etc.) and, more recently, their biochemistry (including Plant hormones are an unusual group of second- enzymes for conjugate formation or hydrolysis), ary plant constituents playing a regulatory role in and their genetical background. However, the plant growth and development. The regulating most important biological question concerning the properties appear in course of the biosynthetic physiological relevance of plant hormone conju- pathways and are followed by deactivation via gation can so far be answered in only a few cases catabolic processes. All these metabolic steps are (see Conjugation of auxins). There is evidence in principle irreversible, except for some processes that conjugates might act as reversible deactivated such as the formation of ester, glucoside and storage forms, important in hormone 'homeosta- amide conjugates, where the free parent com- sis' (i.e. regulation of physiologically active hor- pound can be liberated by enzymatic hydrolysis. mone levels). In other cases, conjugation might For each class of the plant hormones so-called accompany or introduce irreversible deactivation. 'bound' hormones have been found. In the early The difficulty in investigating these topics is, in literature this term was applied to hormones part, a consequence of inadequate analytical bound to other low-molecular-weight substances methodology.
    [Show full text]
  • Wood Contains a Cell-Wall Structural Protein (Immunocytolocalization/Loblolly Pine/Extensin/Xylem/Xylogenesis) WULI BAO*, DAVID M
    Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 89, pp. 6604-6608, July 1992 Plant Biology Wood contains a cell-wall structural protein (immunocytolocalization/loblolly pine/extensin/xylem/xylogenesis) WULI BAO*, DAVID M. O'MALLEY, AND RONALD R. SEDEROFF Department of Forestry, Box 8008, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695 Communicated by Joseph E. Varner, April 20, 1992 (received for review February 17, 1992) ABSTRACT A pine extensin-like protein (PELP) has been the proteins themselves (7-10) demonstrate tissue-specific localized in metabolically active cells of differentiating xylem expression in several different species of plants. Some struc- and in mature wood of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). This tural proteins are associated with vascular systems (7, 9, 10). proline-rich glycosylated protein was purified from cell walls of For example, proline-rich proteins are found by immunocy- differentiating xylem by differential solubility and gel electro- tochemical localization to be associated with xylem vessel phoresis. Polyclonal rabbit antibodies were raised against the elements in soybean (7). Glycine-rich proteins in bean are deglycosylated purified protein (dPELP) and purified antibody located specifically in the tracheary elements of the protox- was used for immunolocalization. Immunogold and alkaline ylem (9). However, there have been no reports of cell-wall phosphatase secondary antibody staining both show antigen in structural proteins in wood cell walls (1). secondary cell walls ofearlywood and less staining in latewood. Hydroxyproline, the major amino acid of extensin, has Immunoassays of milled dry wood were developed and used to been measured in cell walls of cultured cells from Gingko show increased availability of antigen after hydrogen fluoride biloba, Cupressus sp., and Ephedra sp., suggesting the or cellulase treatment and decreased antigen after chlorite presence of extensin-like proteins in gymnosperms (11).
    [Show full text]
  • Lannea Discolor: Its Botany, Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Properties
    Online - 2455-3891 Vol 11, Issue 10, 2018 Print - 0974-2441 Review Article LANNEA DISCOLOR: ITS BOTANY, ETHNOMEDICINAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES ALFRED MAROYI* Medicinal Plants and Economic Development (MPED) Research Centre, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa. Email: [email protected] Received: 25 May 2018, Revised and Accepted: 25 June 2018 ABSTRACT Lannea discolor is an important component of the traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine health-care systems in several countries. This study is aimed at reviewing the botany, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical and biological activities of L. discolor. Information on its botany, medicinal uses, chemistry and pharmacological properties was undertaken using electronic databases such as Pubmed, SCOPUS, Medline, SciFinder, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, EThOS, ProQuest, OATD and Open-thesis. Pre-electronic literature was sourced from the University Library. The species is used as herbal medicine for 24 human diseases. The major diseases and ailments treated using concoctions prepared from L. discolor include gastrointestinal problems, gonorrhea, infertility in women, convulsions, dizziness, injury, and wounds. Different aqueous and organic extracts of L. discolor exhibited anthelmintic, antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, and nematicidal activities. Detailed studies on the phytochemistry, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of L. discolor are required
    [Show full text]
  • Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Datura Species—A Review
    antioxidants Review Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Datura Species—A Review Meenakshi Sharma 1, Inderpreet Dhaliwal 2, Kusum Rana 3 , Anil Kumar Delta 1 and Prashant Kaushik 4,5,* 1 Department of Chemistry, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834001, India; [email protected] (M.S.); [email protected] (A.K.D.) 2 Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, India; [email protected] 3 Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Sector 25, Chandigarh 160014, India; [email protected] 4 Kikugawa Research Station, Yokohama Ueki, 2265 Kamo, Kikugawa City 439-0031, Japan 5 Instituto de Conservación y Mejora de la Agrodiversidad Valenciana, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain * Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected] Abstract: Datura, a genus of medicinal herb from the Solanaceae family, is credited with toxic as well as medicinal properties. The different plant parts of Datura sp., mainly D. stramonium L., commonly known as Datura or Jimson Weed, exhibit potent analgesic, antiviral, anti-diarrheal, and anti-inflammatory activities, owing to the wide range of bioactive constituents. With these pharmacological activities, D. stramonium is potentially used to treat numerous human diseases, including ulcers, inflammation, wounds, rheumatism, gout, bruises and swellings, sciatica, fever, toothache, asthma, and bronchitis. The primary phytochemicals investigation on plant extract of Citation: Sharma, M.; Dhaliwal, I.; Datura showed alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, amino acids, and Rana, K.; Delta, A.K.; Kaushik, P. phenolic compounds. It also contains toxic tropane alkaloids, including atropine, scopolamine, and Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and hyoscamine. Although some studies on D. stramonium have reported potential pharmacological Toxicology of Datura Species—A effects, information about the toxicity remains almost uncertain.
    [Show full text]
  • Cotyledon Orbiculata
    Alfred Maroyi /J. Pharm. Sci. & Res. Vol. 11(10), 2019, 3491-3496 A review of botany, medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of Cotyledon orbiculata Alfred Maroyi Department of Biodiversity, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa. Abstract Cotyledon orbiculata is a succulent shrub widely used as herbal medicine throughout its distributional range in southern Africa. This study is aimed at providing a critical review of the botany, biological activities, phytochemistry and medicinal uses of C. orbiculata. Documented information on the botany, biological activities, medicinal uses and phytochemistry of C. orbiculata was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Elsevier, Pubmed and Web of Science. Additional information on the botany, biological activities, phytochemistry and medicinal uses of C. orbiculata was obtained from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles and scientific publications sourced from the University library. This study showed that the leaves, leaf sap and roots of C. orbiculata are mainly used as herbal medicines for earache, epilepsy, infertility, respiratory problems, sexually transmitted infections, skin problems, sores and wounds, toothache, ulcers and worms. Phytochemical compounds identified from C. orbiculata include cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, gallotannin, phenols, reducing sugar, saponins, tannins and triterpene steroids. Pharmacological research revealed that C.
    [Show full text]
  • PHYTOCHEMISTRY the International Journal of Plant Chemistry, Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    PHYTOCHEMISTRY The International Journal of Plant Chemistry, Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. AUTHOR INFORMATION PACK TABLE OF CONTENTS XXX . • Description p.1 • Audience p.2 • Impact Factor p.2 • Abstracting and Indexing p.3 • Editorial Board p.3 • Guide for Authors p.5 ISSN: 0031-9422 DESCRIPTION . Phytochemistry is a leading international journal publishing studies of plant chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics, structure and bioactivities of phytochemicals, including '-omics' and bioinformatics/computational biology approaches. Phytochemistry is a primary source for papers dealing with phytochemicals, especially reports concerning their biosynthesis, regulation, and biological properties both in planta and as bioactive principles. Articles are published online as soon as possible as Articles-in-Press and in 12 volumes per year. Occasional topic-focussed special issues are published composed of papers from invited authors. Article types Full papers are original research papers reporting new discoveries that lead to a deeper understanding of any aspect of plants covered by the journal. Full papers are invited in the following sections, but these are not exclusive. Molecular Genetics and Genomics contains papers which demonstrate novelty and/or biological significance in relation to all aspects of gene structure and expression, and their role in plant function, regulation, comparative genomics, and reconstitution of biochemical pathways. This section may also contain studies of genetically modified plants that have been analysed for changes in their profiles of phytochemical production. Protein Biochemistry and Proteomics contains reports on plant proteins, including their purification directly from the organism or as a result of heterologous expression. This section includes studies of the macromolecular structure of proteins, protein function, enzyme mechanism, and proteomics, including in relation to changed genetics, environment or metabolism.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Tree Phytochemistry on the Interactions Among Endophloedic Fungi Associated with the Southern Pine Beetle
    Journal of Chemical Ecology, Vol. 31, No. 3, March 2005 (C 2005) DOI: 10.1007/s10886-005-2035-4 EFFECTS OF TREE PHYTOCHEMISTRY ON THE INTERACTIONS AMONG ENDOPHLOEDIC FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE R. W. HOFSTETTER,1,∗ J. B. MAHFOUZ,2 K. D. KLEPZIG,2 and M. P. AYRES 1Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College Hanover NH 03755, USA 2Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service Pineville LA 71360, USA (Received July 8, 2004; accepted November 8, 2004) Abstract—We examined the interaction between host trees and fungi asso- ciated with a tree-killing bark beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis. We evaluated (1) the response of four Pinus species to fungal invasion and (2) the effects of plant secondary metabolites on primary growth of and secondary coloniza- tion of three consistent fungal associates. Two of these fungi, Entomocorticium sp. A and Ophiostoma ranaculosum, are obligate mutualists with D. frontalis, and the third associate is a blue-staining fungus, O. minus, that is commonly introduced by beetles and phoretic mites. O. minus negatively affects beetle larvae and in high abundance can impact D. frontalis population dynamics. Size of lesions formed and quantity of secondary metabolites produced in re- sponse to fungal inoculations varied significantly among Pinus species. How- ever, monoterpene composition within infected tissue did not significantly vary across treatments. While all eight tested metabolites negatively affected the growth rate of O. minus, only 4-allylanisole, p-cymene, and terpinene reduced the growth of the mycangial fungi. Surprisingly, growth rates of mycangial fungi increased in the presence of several secondary metabolite volatiles.
    [Show full text]