Protective activity of Ruta chalepensis methanolic extract against nephrotoxicity and testicular damage induced by Carbon tetrachloride on albino male mice

Herbal medicinal products can contain whole or partially prepared plant components from plant leaves, bark, stems, flowers and seeds.They are administered orally, inhaled or directly applied in the skin. Ruta chalepensis is a wild herb of the Mediterranean region used by many countries in herbal medicine. The existence of bioactive molecules responsible for their pharmacological properties has been shown by phytochemical screening. Results of kidney protective activity of plant. Showed that: for total cholesterol, the effect was dose dependant (50 and 100 mg\kg) in which the plant decreased it in compared to positive and negative groups (162.1±1.83 and 154.6±1.11 mg\dl) compared to (202.1±1.13 and 167.5±2.96 mg\dl) respectively. For total protein, creatinin and albumin the plant also had the ability to keep it near control groups compared to CCL4group.While the results of interaction groups indicated the ability of plant to provide protection against CCL4 damage. the plant possessed the ability to keep testosterone, progesterone and estrogen hormones level near normal in compared to CCL4 treated group (2.96±0.03, 1.93±0.01 and 3.63±0.04 ng\dl); (11.51±4.12, 9.85±2.18 and 11.78±3.42 ng\ml); (29.07±7.21, 30.11±9.11 and 30.67±8.98 ng\ml) for 50,100 mg\kg and negative control respectively. While for interaction group the results showed the ability of plant to counteract the damaged caused by CCL4 (1.67±0.01, 2.54±0.02); (10.42±2.21, 13.65±4.37); (39.74±10.13, 35.45±9.91) for testosterone, progesterone and estrogen hormones in Ruta chalepensis +CCL4 at dose (50 +0.02%) and (100+0.02%) respectively. All results of histo-architecture for kidney and testis showed the ability of plant to counteract any necrosis and abnormality caused by CCL4.

Prehospital Use of Herbal Medicine in the Southwestern Ethiopia: Prevalence, Associated Factors and Safety Concern

Background In Ethiopia, despite the frequent reports that demonstrate the use of herbal medicine for treatment of many ailments, there is no finding that describes the prevalence and associated factors with prehospital use of herbal medicine. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the prevalence of the prehospital use of herbal medicine and associated factors as well as safety concern in the South western Ethiopia. Methodology: A Hospital based cross-sectional study design was employed among patients admitted to Medical wards in Jimma Medical Center (JMC) (n=217) from June to September, 2021. The pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. Moreover, literatures were reviewed to identity the potential toxicity and/or drug interactions (if any,) associated with the herbal medicine used before admission by patients. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0 (Chicago, SPSS Inc.) was used for data analysis. The results were summarized using descriptive statistics. The bivariate logistic regression was used to check the association between the outcomes and independent variables. Then, multivariate logistic regression was employed for independent variables possessing p-value of less than 0.05 to identify the strength of association between variables at 5% level of significance. Results The current study revealed that about 34% of respondents revealed the prehospital use of herbal medicine. The majority respondents (78.7%) did not discuss with their health care providers about prehospital use of herbal medicine. The factors like age (AOR: 0.281, 95% CI: 0.115, 0.683), educational level (AOR: 2.672, 95% CI: 1.101, 6.485) and insurance coverage (AOR: 2.082, 95% CI: 1.083, 4.004) were significantly associated with prehospital use of herbal medicine. Moreover, ‘Dammakese’ (Ocimum gratissimum L), ‘Tenadam’ (Ruta chalepensis L), ‘Makkanisa’ (Croton macrostachyus), ‘Jinjibli’ (Zingiber officinale), ‘Barzaafi Adii’ (Eucalyptus globulus Labill), ‘Qabarichoo’ (Echinops kebericho, Mesfin) and ‘Papaya’ (Carica papaya L) were the most commonly used herbs before admission to hospital. From published literatures review we revealed that the Zingiber officinale, Carica papaya L, Eucalyptus globulus Labill and Ruta chalepensis L possess the potential interaction with many conventional medicines as well as toxic effects. Conclusions The present study revealed that the prehospital use of herbal medicine was relatively high in which majority of patients did not disclose to the health care providers. Its use was significantly associated with age, educational level and insurance coverage. In addition, some of herbs used are associated with safety issues. Therefore, health care providers should thoroughly discuss with their patients regarding the prehospital use of herbal medicine.

Ruta Essential Oils: Composition and Bioactivities

Ruta L. is a typical genus of the citrus family, Rutaceae Juss. and comprises ca. 40 different species, mainly distributed in the Mediterranean region. Ruta species have long been used in traditional medicines as an abortifacient and emmenagogue and for the treatment of lung diseases and microbial infections. The genus Ruta is rich in essential oils, which predominantly contain aliphatic ketones, e.g., 2-undecanone and 2-nonanone, but lack any significant amounts of terpenes. Three Ruta species, Ruta chalepensis L., Ruta graveolens L., and Ruta montana L., have been extensively studied for the composition of their essential oils and several bioactivities, revealing their potential medicinal and agrochemical applications. This review provides a systematic evaluation and critical appraisal of publications available in the literature on the composition and bioactivities of the essential oils obtained from Ruta species and includes a brief outlook of the potential applications of nanotechnology and chitosan-based products of Ruta essential oils.

Furanocoumarins from Ruta chalepensis with Amebicide Activity

Entamoeba histolytica (protozoan; family Endomoebidae) is the cause of amoebiasis, a disease related to high morbidity and mortality. Nowadays, this illness is considered a significant public health issue in developing countries. In addition, parasite resistance to conventional medicinal treatment has increased in recent years. Traditional medicine around the world represents a valuable source of alternative treatment for many parasite diseases. In a previous paper, we communicated about the antiprotozoal activity in vitro of the methanolic (MeOH) extract of Ruta chalepensis (Rutaceae) against E. histolytica. The plant is extensively employed in Mexican traditional medicine. The following workup of the MeOH extract of R. chalepensis afforded the furocoumarins rutamarin (1) and chalepin (2), which showed high antiprotozoal activity on Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites employing in vitro tests (IC50 values of 6.52 and 28.95 µg/mL, respectively). Therefore, we offer a full scientific report about the bioguided isolation and the amebicide activity of chalepin and rutamarin.

Potentials of Medicinal Plant Extracts as an Alternative to Synthetic Chemicals in Postharvest Protection and Preservation of Horticultural Crops: A Review

Horticultural crops undergo various physiological and biochemical changes that lead to undesirable physiological disorders, decay and subsequent economic losses during storage. Quality degradation of horticultural crops is mainly caused by postharvest pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium spp., etc. The application of synthetic fungicides remains the most effective method to control postharvest pathogens. However, their use is becoming increasingly restricted internationally due to health concerns and consumers’ requests for safe and natural alternatives. This has led researchers to investigate natural flora as one of the alternatives to be used in crop protection and preservation. Various medicinal plant parts have different phytochemicals and antioxidants that can be used in crop protection and preservation. Extracts from plants such as Ruta chalepensis, Eucalyptus globulus, etc., have proven to be effective in controlling postharvest pathogens of horticultural crops and increased their shelf life when used as a substitute for synthetic chemicals. Furthermore, extracts from neem and other medicinal plants contain a predominant and insecticidal active ingredient. The application of medicinal plant extracts could be a useful alternative to synthetic chemicals in the postharvest protection and preservation of horticultural crops. This review paper details the application of medicinal plant extracts for postharvest protection and preservation of horticultural crops.

Effect of Drying Method and Storage Days on Essential Oil Yield and Quality of Rue (Ruta Chalepensis) leaves

The genus Rue (Ruta chalepensis) is an aromatic medicinal plant used in the folk as an herbal remedy medicine for the treatment of a variety of disorders in Ethiopia. Information about the effects of drying methods and storage days on essential oil physical properties is limited. The fresh leaf of rue was collected from the Wondo Genet Agriculture research center and was subjected to sun and shade drying methods and four storage days (0,5,10, and 15) days for each day's moisture content and essential oil extraction using hydro distillation. The obtained essential oils were analyzed for physical properties (specific gravity and refractive index). The highest value of moisture content in percent was recorded at 0-day storage days with the value of 73.533 and the lowest one was recorded at 15-day sundry with the value of 8.400. The highest and lowest value of essential oil content in volume by weight in percent was 0.673 and 0.174 at 0 day and 10-day sun, respectively. The highest and lowest value of essential oil content weight by weight in percent was 0.996 and 0.287 at 0 day and 15-day sun, respectively. The results showed that the rue dried under shade had a higher level of moisture content, essential oil content, volume by weight and weight by weight, specific gravity, and refractive index compared to the rue leaf dried under sun-drying methods. In the case of storage days in all parameters except refractive index and specific gravity, the rue fresh leaf (0 days) was higher in moisture content and essential oil contents compared to others storage days. This study provides evidence that drying herbs for different storage days and different drying methods affect the essential oil content and physical properties of essential oil.