In vitro antibacterial activity of Loxostylis alata extracts and isolated compounds against Salmonella species.

Background: Owing to antibiotic resistance, alternative antimicrobials from medicinal plants are receiving attention as leads for anti-infective agents. This study aimed to investigate selected tree species and their constituents for activity against bacterial foodborne pathogens, particularly Salmonella serovars.

Methods: Antibacterial activity of ten plant species was determined by serial microdilution against bacteria implicated in causing gastrointestinal ailments.

Isolation and characterization of two acaricidal compounds from Calpurnia aurea subsp. aurea (Fabaceae) leaf extract.

The menace caused by ticks and tick-borne diseases is a major limitation to the livestock industry in Africa. The high costs and non-availability of synthetic, chemical acaricides to resource-limited farmers, resistance of ticks to available acaricides and residue problems in meat and milk consumed by humans further complicate matters. The use of plant extracts as a possible source of new acaricides has received much interest in the last decade.

South African medicinal plant extracts active against influenza A virus.

Background: Influenza infection remains a major health threat for animals and humans which crucially requires effective antiviral remedies. The usage of herbal medications as readily available alternatives for their compatibility with the body and fewer side effects compared to synthetic chemical treatments has become popular globally. The aim of this study was to investigate and screen in vitro anti-influenza activity of extracts of five South African medicinal plants, namely Tabernaemontana ventricosa, Cussonia spicata, Rapanea melanophloeos, Pittosporum viridiflorum and Clerodendrum glabrum, species which are used traditionally for the treatment of several diseases such as inflammatory and respiratory diseases.

Polarity of extracts and fractions of four Combretum (Combretaceae) species used to treat infections and gastrointestinal disorders in southern African traditional medicine has a major effect on different relevant in vitro activities.

Ethnopharmacological Importance: Gastrointestinal disorders and infections are the major pathoaetiologies of diarrhoea causing many problems in human health and animal production. Many Combretum species are used in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases including diarrhoea and many other ailments by rural people in Africa and Asia. Much of the work done to date on this genus was on the non-polar or intermediate polarity components.

Evaluation of pharmacological activities, cytotoxicity and phenolic composition of four Maytenus species used in southern African traditional medicine to treat intestinal infections and diarrhoeal diseases.

Background: Microbial infections and resulting inflammation and oxidative stress are common pathogenesis of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders. In South Africa, several species of the genus Maytenus are used in traditional medicine to treat various infectious diseases. Most of the previous work on this genus was focused on nonpolar extracts from the root and bark.

The antimicrobial, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxicity of different fractions of four South African Bauhinia species used traditionally to treat diarrhoea.

Ethnopharmacological Importance: Many Bauhinia species, including those indigenous to South Africa, are used in traditional medicine across the world for treating ailments such as gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders, diabetes, infectious diseases and inflammation.

Aims: Several relevant aspects of different fractions of leaf extracts of Bauhinia bowkeri (BAB), Bauhinia galpinii (BAG), Bauhinia petersiana (BAP), and Bauhinia variegata (BAV) used in South African traditional medicine to alleviate diarrhoea related symptoms were evaluated.

Materials And Methods: The antioxidative activities of the extracts were determined using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS(+)) radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods.