DOCSLIB.ORG

Evaluation of Antimalarial Activity of Leaves of Acokanthera Schimperi

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Evaluation of Antimalarial Activity of Leaves of Acokanthera Schimperi Mohammed et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014, 14:314 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/14/314 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Evaluation of antimalarial activity of leaves of Acokanthera schimperi and Croton macrostachyus against Plasmodium berghei in Swiss albino mice Tigist Mohammed1, Berhanu Erko2 and Mirutse Giday2* Abstract Background: Malaria is one of the most important tropical diseases and the greatest cause of hospitalization and death. Recurring problems of drug resistance are reinforcing the need for finding new antimalarial drugs. In this respect, natural plant products are the main sources of biologically active compounds and have potential for the development of novel antimalarial drugs. A study was conducted to evaluate extracts of the leaves of Croton macrostachyus and Acokanthera schimperi for their in vivo antimalarial activity. Methods: The plants were selected based on their ethnomedicinal information. Acute and sub- acute toxicity studies of the crude extracts were carried out in Swiss albino mice. To assess the effect of extracts of the plants on the parasite, a 4-day suppressive standard test was performed using Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain). Data were analyzed using paired t-test and ANOVA. Results: In acute toxicity study, the two plants extracts did not show any sign of toxicity up to 2000 mg/kg. In sub-acute toxicity study, both plants did not exhibit any hematological change and mortality throughout the observation period up to the highest dose of 1000 mg/kg given daily. Extracts of the leaves of both plants significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed parasitaemia in dose dependent manner at all dose levels. Conclusions: The findings may support the traditional use of the plants to treat malaria. Further pharmacological, toxicological and phytochemical studies are, however, required to evaluate the potential of the plants towards the development of new antimalarial agent. Keywords: Croton macrostachyus, Acokanthera schimperi, Antimalarials, Plasmodium berghei, in vivo,Ethiopia Background Multi-drug resistant strains of the parasite to antimalar- Malaria is a major public-health problem in the world; ial drugs proved to be a challenging problem in malaria transmission primarily being common in tropical and sub- control in most parts of the world [1]. These recurring tropical regions [1]. According to WHO, globally, there problems render development and promotion of phyto- were about 216 million and 207 million cases of malaria in medicines as alternative solution to malaria control [7]. 2010 and 2012, respectively, and estimated 655,000 and Medicinal plants have been playing a vital role in the treat- 627,000 deaths in 2010 and 2012, respectively [2,3]. ment of malaria for centuries [8] and have always been In Ethiopia, though some improvements were recently considered to be a possible alternative and rich source of achieved, malaria is still the leading cause of morbidity new drugs. Today, herbal products are being used world- and mortality [4,5]. Ethiopia is also one of the most mal- wide in a variety of healthcare settings, and as home rem- aria epidemic-prone countries in Africa where rates of edies [9]. Over 1200 plant species from 160 families are morbidity and mortality increase 3–5 folds during epi- used to treat malaria and fever in endemic countries [10]. demics [6]. It is estimated that about 80% of the population in Ethiopia is still dependent on traditional medicines [11]. * Correspondence: [email protected] 2Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box However, scientific studies on the status of use of phyto- 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia medicine, preparation of crude extracts and isolation of Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © 2014 Mohammed et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. Mohammed et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014, 14:314 Page 2 of 10 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/14/314 active principles is very minimal [12]. Croton macrosta- rotary evaporator (Buchi, Switzerland) in distillation flask to chyus and Acokanthera shimperi are two of the plants that eliminate methanol from the crude extract and concen- are traditionally used for malarial treatment in Ethiopia trated further to dryness in a water bath at 40°C. For aque- [13,14]. A study reported that methanol extracts of the ous extract, residual water was removed by lyophilizer fruits of C. macrostachyus have shown substantial anti- (Heto Power Dry LL3000, Wagtech, Denmark) at −56°C. malarial activities against P. falciparum in vitro with IC50 Then, the extracts were stored in tightly closed bottle con- value of 0.94 μgm/mL [15]. An in vivo study also showed tainers in a refrigerator at 4°C until they were used for the that methanol extract of the fruits of Croton macrostachyus experiment [19-21]. has significant suppressive effect against P. berghei [16]. An in vivo study conducted on Acokanthera oppositifolia in Experimental animals and parasite inoculation Kenya and in vitro study conducted on Croton zambesicus Experimental animals and parasite strain in Cameroon, taxonomically related species to A. schimperi Male Swiss albino mice, 5–7 weeks of age and 23–38 gm and C. macrostachyus, respectively, demonstrated an of weight were obtained from the Ethiopia Health and interesting antiplasmodial activity on P. falciparum Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI). They were kept in [17,18]. The objective of this study, therefore, was to the animal care facility of the Aklilu Lemma Institute investigate antimalarial effect of aqueous and metha- Pathology, Addis Ababa University, for one week prior nol extracts of the leaves of A. schimperi and C. macrosta- to the initiation of the experiments for acclimatization chyus in mice infected with chloroquine sensitive strain of to laboratory conditions. The mice were kept at room P. berghei. The study was conducted at the Endod and temperature in humid environment and were exposed to Other Medicinal Plants Research Unit of the Aklilu 12 hours light and 12 hours darkness. The mice were given Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University. water and standard food pellets every 24 hours. In vivo anti- malarial testing in mice was done using chloroquine sensi- Methods tive strain of Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) obtained Plant material collection sites from EHNRI. On weekly basis, the parasites were main- Young leaves of Acokanthera schimperi were collected tained by serial passage of blood from infected mice having from Bishan Gari Lodge area (Buku Wolda) about 20 km a parasitamia level of 20-30% to non-infected ones. off the Addis Ababa – Hawasa road in December 2012 (reference number TM02-2012) and that of Croton Parasite inoculation macrostachyus from the compound of the Aklilu Lemma Albino mice previously infected with P. berghei were used as Institute of Pathobiology (ALIPB) in October, 2012 (ref- donor animals. The parasitaemia of the donor mice was first erence number: TM01-2012). The plants were identified determined and parasitized erythrocytes were obtained by by the second author, the botanist at the Aklilu Lemma cardiac puncture using ethyl ether as anesthesia and diluted Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, and in physiological saline (0.9%). The dilution was made based voucher specimens were deposited at the Institute. The on the parasitaemia of the donor mice and the RBC count plants were selected based on previous reports of their of normal mice in such a way that 1 mL blood contains traditional use for treating malaria in Ethiopia [13,14]. 5×107 infected erythrocytes [22]. Each mouse was in- oculated by intraperitoneal injection with a blood suspen- Preparation of crude plant extracts sion (0.2 mL) containing 1 × 107 parasitized erythrocytes. The leaves of Acokanthera schimperi and Croton macrosta- chyus were washed thoroughly with running tap water and In vivo toxicity test of the crude plant extracts each plant material was reduced to small fragments. The The crude methanol and aqueous extracts of Croton plant samples were air-dried at room temperature under macrostachyus and Acokanthera schimperi intended for shade, and ground into powder using pestle and mortar. the antimalarial test against P. berghei were evaluated for The powdered plant materials were packed in plastic bags their acute toxicity in non-infected Swiss albino mice until extraction. The coarsely powdered plant materials were aged 6–8 weeks and weighing 23-38 g. For each extract, weighed using sensitive balance and repeatedly extracted in 10 mice were used by randomly dividing them into two water and methanol in maceration flasks. Powdered plant groups of 5 mice per group. The mice were starved 3–4 parts (140 gm of Croton macrostachyus and 155 gm of hours before the experiment began with only water Acokanthera schimperi) were mixed in distilled water and allowed and 1–2 hours after the extract was given [23]. methanol separately in 1:10 (w/v) and placed on orbital Then, the mice in group 1 were given orally 0.2 mL of shaker at 130 rpm for 24 hours in water and for 72 hours in 2000 mg/kg body weight of the extract in single dose in methanol at room temperature. Then, the extracts, were fil- dH2O. The mice in the control groups received 0.2 mL tered through Whatman (no 1, diameter 150 mm, England). of vehicle of the extract (dH2O). Then, the mice were The methanol extract was concentrated at 40°C with a observed continuously for 30 minutes, followed by 4 Mohammed et al.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Vascular Plants of Negelle-Borona Kallos
    US Forest Service Technical Assistance Trip Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia In Support to USAID-Ethiopia for Assistance in Rangeland Management Support to the Pastoralist Livelihoods Initiative for USAID-Ethiopia Office of Business Environment Agriculture & Trade Vascular Plants of Negelle-Borona Kallos Mission dates: November 19 to December 21, 2011 Report submitted June 6, 2012 by Karen L. Dillman, Ecologist USDA Forest Service, Tongass National Forest [email protected] Vascular Plants of Negelle-Borona, Ethiopia, USFS IP Introduction This report provides supplemental information to the Inventory and Assessment of Biodiversity report prepared for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) following the 2011 mission to Negelle- Borona region in southern Ethiopia (Dillman 2012). As part of the USAID supported Pastoralist Livelihood Initiative (PLI), this work focused on the biodiversity of the kallos (pastoral reserves). This report documents the vascular plant species collected and identified from in and around two kallos near Negelle (Oda Yabi and Kare Gutu). This information can be utilized to develop a comprehensive plant species list for the kallos which will be helpful in future vegetation monitoring and biodiversity estimates in other locations of the PLI project. This list also identifies plants that are endemic to Ethiopia and East Africa growing in the kallos as well as plants that are non-native and could be considered invasive in the rangelands. Methods Field work was conducted between November 28 and December 9, 2011 (the end of the short rainy season). The rangeland habitats visited are dominated by Acacia and Commifera trees, shrubby Acacia or dwarf shrub grasslands.
    [Show full text]
  • Herbs, Herbalists, and Healing in the Western Highlands of Kenya
    “IT'S THE FAITH YOU HAVE TOWARDS SOMETHING WHICH HEALS” HERBS, HERBALISTS, AND HEALING IN THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS OF KENYA ____________ A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of California State University, Chico ____________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Anthropology ____________ by © Dayne Anthony Gradone 2019 Fall 2019 “IT'S THE FAITH YOU HAVE TOWARDS SOMETHING WHICH HEALS” HERBS, HERBALISTS, AND HEALING IN THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS OF KENYA A Thesis by Dayne Anthony Gradone Fall 2019 APPROVED BY THE INTERIM DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES: _________________________________ Sharon Barrios, Ph.D. APPROVED BY THE GRADUATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: _________________________________ _________________________________ Carson Medley, Ed.D. Brian Brazeal, Ph.D., Chair Graduate Coordinator _________________________________ Jesse Dizard, Ph.D. _________________________________ Garrett Liles, Ph.D. PUBLICATION RIGHTS No portion of this thesis may be reprinted or reproduced in any manner unacceptable to the usual copyright restrictions without the written permission of the author. iii DEDICATION To Germana and Pierina, For Everything iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Jesse Dizard for his continuous guidance, advice, support, and friendship throughout my graduate and undergraduate career at Chico State. His courses and teaching style spurred my initial interests in cultural anthropology, and have left an intellectual imprint that will last a lifetime. I am also deeply grateful for his comments and suggestions during the writing of this manuscript, and his dedication to helping me reach the finish line. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Brian Brazeal, who also acted as Chair for this thesis, for his expert advice, insightful comments and questions, and supreme teaching ability and professorship throughout my time at Chico State.
    [Show full text]
  • ISOLATION of ACARICIDAL COMPOUNDS from Acokanthera Schimperi with ACTIVITY AGAINST Rhipicephalus Appendiculatus
    ISOLATION OF ACARICIDAL COMPOUNDS FROM Acokanthera schimperi WITH ACTIVITY AGAINST Rhipicephalus appendiculatus OWINO JARED ODHIAMBO SM11/3087/11 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate School in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements of the Award of the Master of Science Degree in Chemistry of Egerton University EGERTON UNIVERSITY FEBRUARY, 2016 DECLARATION AND RECOMMENDATION DECLARATION I, Jared Odhiambo Owino , declare that this researchs thesis is my original work and has not been submitted wholly or in part for any award in any institution. Jared Odhiambo Owino Signature ____________________ Date ____________________ RECOMMENDATION We wish to confirm that this thesis has been prepared under our supervision andis submitted for examination as per the Egerton Universityregulations and with our approval. Prof. J. C. Matasyoh Department of Chemistry, Egerton University Signature___________________ Date ____________________ Prof. A.Y. Guliye Department of animal Sciences, Egerton University Signature___________________ Date ____________________ ii COPYRIGHT [email protected] All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by means, mechanical photocopying and electronic process, recording or otherwise copied forpublic or private use without the prior written permission from Egerton University. iii DEDICATION To My wife Mrs. Caroline Odhiambo and family for the financial and moral support they offered to me throughout my studies. And My former principal, Mr. Elly Owiti Mingusa for having allowed me toproceed for the Master’s program, his constant moral support he always offered me. You are a source of my strength Mr Elly. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I wish to acknowledgethe Egerton University for funding this project, theTeachers Service Commission (TSC) for the opportunity granted to me to undertake Masters of Science studies.Secondly , my sincere gratitude goes to mysupervisors Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea
    Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea Sebsebe Demissew Inger Nordal Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea Sebsebe Demissew Inger Nordal <PUBLISHER> <COLOPHON PAGE> Front cover: Aloe steudneri Back cover: Kniphofia foliosa Contents Preface 4 Acknowledgements 5 Introduction 7 Key to the families 40 Aloaceae 42 Asphodelaceae 110 Anthericaceae 127 Amaryllidaceae 162 Hyacinthaceae 183 Alliaceae 206 Colchicaceae 210 Iridaceae 223 Hypoxidaceae 260 Eriospermaceae 271 Dracaenaceae 274 Asparagaceae 289 Dioscoreaceae 305 Taccaceae 319 Smilacaceae 321 Velloziaceae 325 List of botanical terms 330 Literature 334 4 ALOES AND LILIES OF ETHIOPIA Preface The publication of a modern Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea is now completed. One of the major achievements of the Flora is having a complete account of all the Mono­ cotyledons. These are found in Volumes 6 (1997 – all monocots except the grasses) and 7 (1995 – the grasses) of the Flora. One of the main aims of publishing the Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea was to stimulate further research in the region. This challenge was taken by the authors (with important input also from Odd E. Stabbetorp) in 2003 when the first edition of ‘Flowers of Ethiopia and Eritrea: Aloes and other Lilies’ was published (a book now out of print). The project was supported through the NUFU (Norwegian Council for Higher Education’s Programme for Development Research and Education) funded Project of the University of Oslo, Department of Biology, and Addis Ababa University, National Herbarium in the Biology Department. What you have at hand is a second updated version of ‘Flowers of Ethiopia and Eritrea: Aloes and other Lilies’.
    [Show full text]
  • Utilisation of Indigenous Fruit Tree Species Within the Lake Victoria Basin , Rwanda
    Agricultural Science: An International journal (AGRIJ), Vol.1, No.1, 2016 UTILISATION OF INDIGENOUS FRUIT TREE SPECIES WITHIN THE LAKE VICTORIA BASIN , RWANDA Celestin Bigirimana 1,3* , Francis Omujal 2,6 , Prossy Isubikalu 3, Elias Bizuru 4, Bernard Obaa 3, Michael Malinga 5, Jacob Godfrey Agea 3 & John Bosco Lamoris Okullo 6 1University of Rwanda, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Center for Language Enhancement, Rwanda 2Ministry of Health, Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Institute, Uganda 3Makerere University, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Extension and Innovation Studies, Uganda 4University of Rwanda, College of Sciences and Technology, School of Sciences, Department of Biology, Rwanda 5National Forestry Authority, Kampala, Uganda 6Makerere University, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Department of Forestry, Bio- Diversity and Tourism, Uganda ABSTRACT This study was conducted in Bugesera, Kirehe and Nyamagabe districts of Rwanda within the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) to document the available edible indigenous fruit trees (IFTs), prioritise IFTs, document the determinants for their preferences and examine local uses of the keystone IFTs. A total of 300 farmers familiar with IFTs were interviewed face to face using semi-structured questionnaires. A total of 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted. Questionnaire responses were coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS. Generated themes from qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. A total of 13 IFTs was recorded in the sampled districts. Highly prioritized IFTs were Ximenia caffra, Garcinia buchanani, Parinari curatellifolia, Pappea capensis, Anona senegalensis, Myrianthus holstii, Carisa edulis and Lannea schimperi. Age, occupation and income of the farmers significantly influenced preference of IFTs.
    [Show full text]
  • Trypanocidal and Cytotoxic Effects of 30 Ethiopian Medicinal Plants
    Trypanocidal and Cytotoxic Effects of 30 Ethiopian Medicinal Plants Endalkachew Nibreta,b and Michael Winka,* a Institut für Pharmazie und Molekulare Biotechnologie, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany. Fax: +49 6221 544884. E-mail: [email protected] b College of Science, Bahir Dar University, 79 Bahir Dar, Ethiopia * Author for correspondence and reprint requests Z. Naturforsch. 66 c, 541 – 546 (2011); received March 1/September 15, 2011 Trypanocidal and cytotoxic effects of traditionally used medicinal plants of Ethiopia were evaluated. A total of 60 crude plant extracts were prepared from 30 plant species using CH2Cl2 and MeOH. Effect upon cell proliferation by the extracts, for both bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and human leukaemia HL-60 cells, was assessed using resazurin as vital stain. Of all CH2Cl2 and MeOH extracts evaluated against the trypano- somes, the CH2Cl2 extracts from fi ve plants showed trypanocidal activity with an IC50 value below 20 μg/mL: Dovyalis abyssinica (Flacourtiaceae), IC50 = 1.4 μg/mL; Albizia schimpe- riana (Fabaceae), IC50 = 7.2 μg/mL; Ocimum urticifolium (Lamiaceae), IC50 = 14.0 μg/mL; Acokanthera schimperi (Apocynaceae), IC50 = 16.6 μg/mL; and Chenopodium ambrosioides (Chenopodiaceae), IC50 = 17.1 μg/mL. A pronounced and selective killing of trypanosomes with minimal toxic effect on human cells was exhibited by Dovyalis abyssinica (CH2Cl2 ex- tract, SI = 125.0; MeOH extract, SI = 57.7) followed by Albizia schimperiana (CH2Cl2 extract, SI = 31.3) and Ocimum urticifolium (MeOH extract, SI = 16.0). In conclusion, the screen- ing of 30 Ethiopian medicinal plants identifi ed three species with good antitrypanosomal activities and low toxicity towards human cells.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethiopian Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for the Treatment of Cancer; Part 3: Selective Cytotoxic Activity of 22 Plants Against Human Cancer Cell Lines
    molecules Article Ethiopian Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for the Treatment of Cancer; Part 3: Selective Cytotoxic Activity of 22 Plants against Human Cancer Cell Lines Solomon Tesfaye 1,2 , Hannah Braun 2, Kaleab Asres 1, Ephrem Engidawork 1 , Anteneh Belete 1, Ilias Muhammad 3, Christian Schulze 2, Nadin Schultze 2, Sebastian Guenther 2,* and Patrick J. Bednarski 4,* 1 School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Churchill Street, Addis Ababa 1176, Ethiopia; [email protected] (S.T.); [email protected] (K.A.); [email protected] (E.E.); [email protected] (A.B.) 2 Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany; [email protected] (H.B.); [email protected] (C.S.); [email protected] (N.S.) 3 National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA; [email protected] 4 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany * Correspondence: [email protected] (S.G.); [email protected] (P.J.B.); Tel.: +49-38344204900 (S.G.); +49-38344204883 (P.J.B.) Citation: Tesfaye, S.; Braun, H.; Asres, K.; Engidawork, E.; Belete, A.; Abstract: Medicinal plants have been traditionally used to treat cancer in Ethiopia. However, very Muhammad, I.; Schulze, C.; Schultze, few studies have reported the in vitro anticancer activities of medicinal plants that are collected from N.; Guenther, S.; Bednarski, P.J. different agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia. Hence, the main aim of this study was to screen the cyto- Ethiopian Medicinal Plants toxic activities of 80% methanol extracts of 22 plants against human peripheral blood mononuclear Traditionally Used for the Treatment cells (PBMCs), as well as human breast (MCF-7), lung (A427), bladder (RT-4), and cervical (SiSo) of Cancer; Part 3: Selective Cytotoxic cancer cell lines.
    [Show full text]
  • Wonderful Plants Index of Names
    Wonderful Plants Jan Scholten Index of names Wonderful Plants, Index of names; Jan Scholten; © 2013, J. C. Scholten, Utrecht page 1 A’bbass 663.25.07 Adansonia baobab 655.34.10 Aki 655.44.12 Ambrosia artemisiifolia 666.44.15 Aalkruid 665.55.01 Adansonia digitata 655.34.10 Akker winde 665.76.06 Ambrosie a feuilles d’artemis 666.44.15 Aambeinwortel 665.54.12 Adder’s tongue 433.71.16 Akkerwortel 631.11.01 America swamp sassafras 622.44.10 Aardappel 665.72.02 Adder’s-tongue 633.64.14 Alarconia helenioides 666.44.07 American aloe 633.55.09 Aardbei 644.61.16 Adenandra uniflora 655.41.02 Albizia julibrissin 644.53.08 American ash 665.46.12 Aardpeer 666.44.11 Adenium obesum 665.26.06 Albuca setosa 633.53.13 American aspen 644.35.10 Aardveil 665.55.05 Adiantum capillus-veneris 444.50.13 Alcea rosea 655.33.09 American century 665.23.13 Aarons rod 665.54.04 Adimbu 665.76.16 Alchemilla arvensis 644.61.07 American false pennyroyal 665.55.20 Abécédaire 633.55.09 Adlumia fungosa 642.15.13 Alchemilla vulgaris 644.61.07 American ginseng 666.55.11 Abelia longifolia 666.62.07 Adonis aestivalis 642.13.16 Alchornea cordifolia 644.34.14 American greek valerian 664.23.13 Abelmoschus 655.33.01 Adonis vernalis 642.13.16 Alecterolophus major 665.57.06 American hedge mustard 663.53.13 Abelmoschus esculentus 655.33.01 Adoxa moschatellina 666.61.06 Alehoof 665.55.05 American hop-hornbeam 644.41.05 Abelmoschus moschatus 655.33.01 Adoxaceae 666.61 Aleppo scammony 665.76.04 American ivy 643.16.05 Abies balsamea 555.14.11 Adulsa 665.62.04 Aletris farinosa 633.26.14 American
    [Show full text]
  • Insights Into the Natural History of the Little Known Maned Rat Lophiomys Imhausi Through Examination of Owl Pellets and Prey Remains
    Journal of East African Natural History 107(1): 1–7 (2018) INSIGHTS INTO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE LITTLE KNOWN MANED RAT LOPHIOMYS IMHAUSI THROUGH EXAMINATION OF OWL PELLETS AND PREY REMAINS Darcy Ogada The Peregrine Fund 5668 W. Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, Idaho 83709, USA National Museums of Kenya P.O. Box 40658-00100, Nairobi, Kenya [email protected] ABSTRACT Maned rat Lophiomys imhausi is a highly unusual, but very little known rodent that is endemic to East Africa. A population from the highlands of central Kenya was studied through analysis of owl pellets and prey remains, including one incidental observation. Over 28 months, 40 individual rats were documented, of which two were juveniles. The mean length of time between discovery of rat remains in any one owl territory was once every 5.3 months, and the maximum number of rats found in any single owl territory over one year was five. Maned rat density was low and was estimated at 1 rat/km2. Their lower altitudinal limit in Kenya is c. 1900 m, and eagle owls and humans are important predators. Maned rats are not uncommon in highly altered habitats and they may require poisonous plants in addition to Acokanthera spp. for anti-predator defense. Keywords: maned rat, crested rat, poisonous plant, owl pellet, Mackinder’s eagle owl, anti-predator defense INTRODUCTION The maned (or crested) rat Lophiomys imhausi Milne-Edwards, 1867 is arguably one of Africa’s least known rodents and is the only species in the subfamily Lophiomyinae. It most closely resembles a porcupine due to its large size (adults weigh between 500–1000 g), long hair, bushy tail and black-and-white colouration.
    [Show full text]
  • Essential Oil and Its Antimicrobial Activity from Ethiopian Acokanthera
    https://doi.org/10.33805/2576.8484.159 Volume 3 Issue 1 | PDF 159 | Pages 3 Volume 1 . Issue 1 | PDF 101 | Page 1 of x Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology Research Article ISSN: 2576-8484 Essential Oil and Its Antimicrobial Activity from Ethiopian Acokanthera schimperia Wondwosen A Matebie1,2, Wanchang Zhang1, Shuo Zhang1 and Guangbo Xie1* Affiliation: 1School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China 2Department of Chemical Engineering, Hawassa University Institute of Technology, Hawassa, Ethiopia *Corresponding author: Xie G, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Sichuan, China, Tel: +8613882096798, E-mail: [email protected] Citation: Matebie AW, Zhang W, Zhang S and Guangbo Xie. Essential oil and its antimicrobial activity from ethiopian Acokanthera schimperia (2019) Edelweiss Appli Sci Tech 3: 1-3 Received: Nov 01, 2018 Accepted: Dec 15, 2018 Published: Jan 01, 2019 Copyright: © 2018 Matebie AW et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Abstract Background: Acokanthera schimperia is a medicinal plant, which has been used by traditional healers as a curing agent in Ethiopia. Objective: The constituents of the essential oil, which was extracted from the leaves of A. schimperia, were investigated, and its antibacterial and antifungal activities were studied. Materials and Methods: The essential oil was extracted by an ordinary steam distillation process, and its chemical constituents were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
    [Show full text]
  • Annonated Checklist of Plant Species of Loita Forest (Entim E Naimina Enkiyio Forest Or the Forest of the Lost Child), Narok County, Kenya
    Int. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci. (2019). 6(3): 54-110 International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences ISSN: 2348-8069 www.ijarbs.com DOI: 10.22192/ijarbs Coden: IJARQG(USA) Volume 6, Issue 3 - 2019 Research Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22192/ijarbs.2019.06.03.006 Annonated checklist of plant species of Loita Forest (Entim e Naimina Enkiyio Forest or the forest of the lost child), Narok County, Kenya Musingo Tito E. Mbuvi¹*, James B. Kungu2, Francis N. Gachathi3, Chemuku Wekesa¹ Nereoh Leley 4 and Joseph M. Muthini¹ 1Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Coast Eco- Region Research Programme Gede, P. O Box 1078 - 80200. Malindi, Kenya 2Kenyatta University, Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya 3Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Central Highland Eco- Region Research Programme Muguga, P O Box 20412 - 00200. Nairobi Kenya 4Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Rift Valley Eco- Region Research Programme Londiani, P. O Box 382 - 20203. Londiani, Kenya *Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] Abstract An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken in Loita forest from 2012 to 2015 to document species richness and compile the first comphrensive plant species checklist of Loita forest. The forest is located in Narok County, Loita Sub County, an area occupied by the Loita Maasai community. Purposive sampling using established plots and transects walks was carried out for complete documentation of all plant species existing in the forest. Focused group discussions and key informant interviews were undertaken to confirm the local names of the species. The plants were identified and confirmed at the East Africa Herbarium; National Museusm of Kenya.
    [Show full text]
  • View a Copy of This Licence, Visit
    Girmay et al. Ecological Processes (2020) 9:53 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-020-00257-2 RESEARCH Open Access Ecological and floristic study of Hirmi woodland vegetation in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia Mehari Girmay1,2* , Tamrat Bekele2, Sebsebe Demissew2 and Ermias Lulekal2 Abstract The dryland area in Ethiopia covers a substantial region endowed with diverse plant resources. However, the landmass has received less attention even if it has high ecological, environmental, and economic uses. The present study was conducted in Hirmi woodland vegetation, which is one of the dryland areas in Ethiopia, with the objective of investigating the floristic composition, plant community types, vegetation structure, community- environment relations and its regeneration status. Vegetation and environmental data were collected from 80 sampling plots with a size of 25 m × 25 m designated as the main plots. Diameter at breast height (DBH), height, basal area, density, vertical structure, importance value index (IVI), and frequency were computed. Species diversity and evenness were analyzed using Shannon diversity and evenness indices. The plant community types and vegetation-environment relationships were analyzed using classification and ordination tools, respectively. A total of 171 vascular plant species belonging to 135 genera and 56 families were recorded. About 5.3% of the species were endemic and near-endemic to Ethiopia. The highest number of species was recorded in families Fabaceae (16.4%) and Poaceae (11.7%) followed by Asteraceae (7.0%), Combretaceae, Lamiaceae, and Moraceae (3.5% each). Five plant communities were identified. According to the results from ordination analysis, the floristic composition of these plant communities was significantly affected by altitude, slope, sand, silt, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and disturbance.
    [Show full text]