A Review of Ethnomedicinal Plants as Potential Anthelmintic Agents to Alternatively Control Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Ruminants in South Africa.

Small ruminant production is one of the most important animal productions for food security in the world, especially in the developing world. Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection is a threat to this animal's production. Conventional drugs that are used to control these parasites are losing their efficacy due to the development of resistant parasites.

New 21-nordammarane saponins with anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities from Lavigeria macrocarpa Oliv.

Chemical investigation of the ethanol extract from the stems and roots of the medicinal plant Lavigeria macrocarpa led to the isolation and structure elucidation of three previously unreported 21-nordammarane-type saponins namely 6α,27-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxo-21-nordammar-24-(Z)-ene 27-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (1), 6α,27-dihydroxy-3-oxo-21-nordammar-24-(Z)-ene 27-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), and 2α,3β,6α,27-tetrahydroxy-21-nordammar-24-(Z)-ene 27-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3) trivially named lavigemacrocarposide A-C, along with eight known secondary metabolites. Acid hydrolysis of lavigemacrocarposide A yielded a new prosapogenin namely 6α,27-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxo-21-nordammar-24-(Z)-ene 27-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1a) and the previously unreported artefactual aglycones 1b and 1c. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including mass spectrometry, 1D and 2D NMR as well as chemical evidence.

Leaf extract of ameliorates biomarkers of neuroinflammation, memory loss, and neurobehavioral deficit in N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) treated rats.

Purpose: commonly known as Cashew is a plant that is widely used in African traditional medicine. It is endowed with phytochemical constituents that are responsible for its medicinal properties.

Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were grouped as follows: Control (Group A), Group B (L-NAME 40 mg/kg), Group C (100 mg/kg extract plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME), Group D (200 mg/kg extract plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME) and Group E (10 mg/kg of Lisinopril plus 40 mg/kg L-NAME).

L-arginine and lisinopril supplementation protects against sodium fluoride-induced nephrotoxicity and hypertension by suppressing mineralocorticoid receptor and angiotensin-converting enzyme 3 activity.

Sodium fluoride (NaF) is one of the neglected environmental toxicants that has continued to silently cause toxicity to both humans and animals. NaF is universally present in water, soil, and atmosphere. The persistent and alarming rate of increase in cardiovascular and renal diseases caused by chemicals such as NaF in mammalian tissues has led to the use of various drugs for the treatment of these diseases.

Anti-Biofilm, Antibacterial, and Anti-Quorum Sensing Activities of Selected South African Plants Traditionally Used to Treat Diarrhoea.

The development of resistance of microorganisms to conventional antibiotics is a major global health concern; hence, there is an increasing interest in medicinal plants as a therapeutic option. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-quorum activities of crude extracts prepared using various solvents of nine indigenous South African plants used locally for the treatment of diarrhoea. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth microdilution method and the crystal violet assay was used to test the anti-biofilm activity of the extracts against a panel of bacteria.

Lichens: An update on their ethnopharmacological uses and potential as sources of drug leads.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Lichens, a unique symbiotic association between an alga/cyanobacterium and a fungus, produce secondary metabolites that are a promising source of novel drug leads. The beauty and importance of lichens have not been adequately explored despite their manifold biological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and antiparasitic.

Aim Of The Study: The present review collates and discusses the available knowledge on secondary metabolites and biological activities of lichens (in vitro and in vivo).

Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Oxidant and Cytotoxicity Assays of South African Herbal Teas and Bush Tea Blends.

South Africa is home to a variety of herbal teas, such as bush tea ( DC.), honeybush tea ( E. Mey and Vogel), special tea ( Planch.

Anthelmintic, antimycobacterial, antifungal, larvicidal and cytotoxic activities of acetone leaf extracts, fractions and isolated compounds from Ptaeroxylon obliquum (Rutaceae).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ptaeroxylon obliquum (Thunb.) Radlk, sneezewood, is a commonly used medicinal plant in South Africa for the treatment of parasitic infections in animals, tuberculosis (TB) and related symptoms, and other microbial infections.

Aim Of The Study: In this study anthelmintic, antifungal, antimycobacterial, larvicidal and cytotoxic activities of the acetone leaf extract of P.

Clofibrate, a Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Alpha (PPARα) Agonist, and Its Molecular Mechanisms of Action against Sodium Fluoride-Induced Toxicity.

Sodium fluoride (NaF) is one of the neglected environmental pollutants. It is ubiquitously found in the soil, water, and environment. Interestingly, fluoride has been extensively utilized for prevention of dental caries and tartar formation, and may be added to mouthwash, mouth rinse, and toothpastes.

Potential health benefits of zinc supplementation for the management of COVID-19 pandemic.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The COVID-19 pandemic has created unimaginable and unprecedented global health crisis. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, millions of dollars have been spent, hospitalization overstretched with increasing morbidity and mortality.

Novel antihypertensive action of rutin is mediated via inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme/mineralocorticoid receptor/angiotensin 2 type 1 receptor (ATR1) signaling pathways in uninephrectomized hypertensive rats.

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease that affects approximately 26% of adult population, worldwide. Rutin is one of the important flavonoids that is consumed in the daily diet, and found in many food items, vegetables, and beverages. Uninephrectomy (UNX) of the left kidney was performed, followed by induction of hypertension.

Antihypertensive power of Naringenin is mediated via attenuation of mineralocorticoid receptor (MCR)/ angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/ kidney injury molecule (Kim-1) signaling pathway.

Hypertension is a condition with chronic elevation of blood pressure and a common preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease with attendant global morbidity and mortality. The present study investigated the novel antihypertensive and neuroprotective effect of Naringenin on L-N-Nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced hypertension together with possible molecular mechanism of action. Rats were divided into four groups.

Sensory Characteristics and Volatile Compounds of Herbal Teas and Mixtures of Bush Tea with Other Selected Herbal Teas of South Africa.

South Africa has a traditional heritage of using indigenous herbal teas, and the demand for herbal teas motivated by the functional health benefits has far exceeded global supply. This has led to worldwide interest in the sensory characteristics and volatile compound characterisation of herbal drink formulations. The objective of this study was to investigate the descriptive sensory analysis and volatile compounds of bush, special, honeybush and rooibos tea and the blend of bush tea with special, honeybush and rooibos, respectively.

A comprehensive study of the potential phytomedicinal use and toxicity of invasive Tithonia species in South Africa.

Background: Tithonia diversifolia and T. rotundifolia belong to the Asteraceae family and are native to Mexico and Central America. These plants have become invasive in parts of tropical Africa and Asia where they have become an ecological, agricultural and economic burden.

In vitro bioassays used in evaluating plant extracts for tick repellent and acaricidal properties: A critical review.

Ticks are haematophagous arthropods which rank closely with mosquitoes in their capacity to transmit disease pathogens of importance to animals and humans. Current control of ticks is based on the routine use of synthetic chemicals administered to animals or their environment. However, years of use and overuse of these chemicals have resulted in the development of resistance in these parasites and negative environmental impacts, hence the need for cheaper, safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives with alternate modes of action.

Isolation and characterization of the compounds responsible for the antimutagenic activity of Combretum microphyllum (Combretaceae) leaf extracts.

Background: Mutations play a major role in the pathogenesis and development of several chronic degenerative diseases including cancer. It follows, therefore that antimutagenic compound may inhibit the pathological process resulting from exposure to mutagens. Investigation of the antimutagenic potential of traditional medicinal plants and compounds isolated from plant extracts provides one of the tools that can be used to identify compounds with potential cancer chemopreventive properties.

Phytochemical analysis with free radical scavenging, nitric oxide inhibition and antiproliferative activity of Sarcocephalus pobeguinii extracts.

Background: Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse metabolic disorders including cancer. Therefore, fighting against free radicals has become an important strategy in the prevention or treatment of such diseases, in addition to direct or indirect anticancer chemotherapy. Sarcocephalus pobeguinii has been used traditionally to treat various diseases in which excess production of free radicals is implicated, warranting investigation of its free radical scavenging, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity.

The antibacterial activity of extracts of nine plant species with good activity against Escherichia coli against five other bacteria and cytotoxicity of extracts.

Background: The development of antibiotic resistant bacteria stems from a number of factors, including inappropriate use of antibiotics in human and animal health and their prolonged use as growth promoters at sub-clinical doses in poultry and livestock production. We were interested in investigating plants that could be useful in protecting humans or animals against diarrhoea. We decided to work on extracts of nine plant species with good activity against Escherichia coli based on earlier work in the Phytomedicine Programme.

The correlation between antimutagenic activity and total phenolic content of extracts of 31 plant species with high antioxidant activity.

Background: Antimutagenic activity of plant extracts is important in the discovery of new, effective cancer preventing agents. There is increasing evidence that cancer and other mutation-related diseases can be prevented by intake of DNA protective agents. The identification of antimutagenic agents present in plants presents an effective strategy to inhibit pathogenic processes resulting from exposure to mutagenic and/or carcinogenic substances present in the environment.

The anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity and relationships with total phenolics and total flavonoids of nine South African plants used traditionally to treat arthritis.

Background: Oxidative stress predisposes the human and animal body to diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and chronic inflammatory disorders. Hence, this study seeks to determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of acetone leaf extracts of nine South African medicinal plants that have been used traditionally to treat arthritis and inflammation.

Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was determined by investigating inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide activated RAW 264.

Antifungal and antibacterial activity and chemical composition of polar and non-polar extracts of Athrixia phylicoides determined using bioautography and HPLC.

Background: Athrixia phylicoides DC. (Asteraceae) is used medicinally in South Africa to treat a plethora of ailments, including heart problems, diabetes, diarrhoea, sores and infected wounds. It is also prepared in the form of a tea (hot decoction) taken as a refreshing, pleasant-tasting beverage with commercialization potential.