Traditional medicinal plant species belonging to Fabaceae family in Ethiopia: A systematic review

There are approximately 213 families of flowering plants in Ethiopia and among them 92 families contain species with medicinal properties. However, there is no compiled information that comprehensively expresses which plant species belong to each family. In the present review, a total of 127 medicinal plant species belonging to Fabaceae family and used to treat various human and livestock diseases were reported from 62 articles (53 published and 9 unpublished journals). Calpurnia aurea (26.7%) and Millettia ferruginea (11.8%) were among the most frequently cited species of Fabaceae followed by Trigonella foenumgraecum (11.02%). The highest numbers of species of Fabaceae (62 species) were reported from Southern Nation Nationalities Peoples (SNNP) region, and 58 species were from Oromia region. Regarding growth habit, the majority were shrubs (43 species) followed by tree (39 species) and herbs (38 species). The frequently used plant parts were leaves (19.7%) roots (17.3%) and the whole plant (16.5%). 40.5 % of the prepared medicinal plant remedies of Fabaceae were administered through the oral methods in different regions of the country. The most commonly treated health problems by species of Fabaceae were: snake bites (25 species), evil eye (19 species) and wounds (18 species) in various regions of the country. From the finding, it was concluded that Fabaceae family is providing a diverse medicinal plant species for the treatment of different human and livestock health care systems in Ethiopia. Thus, further research activities on phytochemical characterization and conservation would be suggested for better utilization from this family.

Phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of the ethanol extract of Byttneria pilosa Roxb.

Background Traditionally, the herb Byttneria pilosa Roxb. is used for bone fractures, boils, scabies, rheumatalgia, snake bites, syphilis, elephantiasis, poisoning, and eye infection. Scientific reports suggest that it has significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diarrheal, anxiolytic, locomotion, sedative and anti-obesity effects. This study aims at the investigation of the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the ethanol extract of this herb. Methods Fresh whole plant was extracted with absolute ethanol. A preliminary phytochemical investigation was followed by the evaluation of thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive activities by applying human clotted blood lysis, egg albumin, and acetic acid-induced writhing models, respectively. Results Phytochemical investigation suggests that B. pilosa possesses alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, and reducing sugars. The extract exhibited clot lysis and anti-inflammatory effects in a concentration-dependent manner. B. pilosa extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg also showed significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent anti-nociceptive activity in Swiss albino mice. Conclusion The B. pilosa ethanol extract contains many important secondary metabolites and has thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive activities. More research is necessary on this hopeful medicinal herb.

Description of Snakebite's Prevention Efforts Towards Farmers in Panti Sub-District

The knowledge toward snakebite prevention was related to preventive measures taken by farmers. Besides, a lack of farmer’s awareness about the importance of using personal protective equipment and a lack of public understanding regarding the level of danger and the types of venomous snakes were factors that cause snakebites. This study aimed to describe the efforts to prevent snakebite on farmers in Panti sub-district. The method used a quantitative descriptive with survey research design. This research was conducted on farmers in Panti with a sample of 100 respondents using cluster sampling technique. The results of this study showed respondents have known tree crevices, earthen holes, piles of wood, garbage, and twigs that are at risk of becoming snake habitats, use boots and trousers while working, maximize lighting using a lamp or flashlight, regularly mow grass and shrubs, clean up scattered leaves, and rest on higher ground when at home or in the fields. While only a few respondents participated in health education and counselling regarding snake bites. This study concluded that the majority of respondents conducted efforts to prevent snakebites.

Health Problems Among Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) Admitted To The Medicine Ward of Cox’s Bazar Medical College Hospital

Background Forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (FDMNs) or Rohingya refugees are one of the vulnerable groups suffering from different kinds of health problems but have been less reported yet. Therefore, the study was designed to delineate the health problems among FDMNs admitted to Cox’s Bazar Medical College Hospital. Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Medicine ward, Cox’s Bazar Medical College Hospital, for a six-month period following approval. Rohingya refugees who were admitted during the study period were approached for inclusion. Informed written consent was ensured prior to participation. A structured questionnaire was used during data collection. Collected information was recorded in case record form. A total of 290 subjects were interviewed. Analysis was performed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20. Results The mean age of the participants was 48.76±18.67 years (range: 16-91), with a clear male predominance (60.7%). Family size ranged 6-8. All of the participants reported at least one of the illnesses. Of all, 29.66% patients reported disease of the respiratory system, and 26.9% reported disease of the gastrointestinal disease and hepatobiliary system. Accidental injury or injury due to electrocution or thin falls or snake bites was present in 10.4% of the cases. Among the single most common diseases, COPD (20%) was the most frequently observed, and the rest of them were chronic liver disease (13.1%), pulmonary TB (5.5%), ischemic stroke (5.5%), CAP (4.1%), acute coronary syndrome (3.4%), thalassaemia (3.4%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (3.4%). Among the top 6 reported diseases, PTB was more common in elderly individuals (p=0.29). The disease pattern was similar across the sexes among the refugees except community acquisition pneumonia (CAP), which was commonly observed among males (p=.004). Considering different age groups, genitourinary problems were more common in males aged >60 years, and rheumatology and musculoskeletal problems were equally affected in females aged between 40-60 years. Conclusion COPD, CLD and CAP were the most prevalent diseases in FDMN patients who attended the medicine ward of Cox’s Bazar Medical College Hospital. Further exploration is warranted before any policy making and comprehensive plan.

Simultaneous Determination of Four Marker Compounds in Lobelia chinensis Lour. Extract by HPLC-PDA

Lobelia chinensis Lour. (L. chinensis) has traditionally been used as a treatment for snake bites, high fever, jaundice, edema, and diarrhea, and modern studies have reported its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral activities. L. chinensis contains various compounds, such as flavonoids and coumarins, and its flavonoid components have been identified in many studies. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with a photodiode array (PDA) detector and an Aegispak C18-L reverse-phase column (4.6 mm × 250 mm i.d., 5 μm) was used to simultaneously analyze four marker components in L. chinensis for standardization purposes. HPLC-PDA (detection at 340 nm), performed using a 0.1% formic acid-water/0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile gradient, separated the four marker compounds: luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl (1→2)-O-β-d-glucuronopyranoside, clerodendrin, chrysoeriol-7-O-diglucuronide, and diosmin. The developed analytical method showed excellent linearity values (r2 > 0.9991), limits of detection (LODs: 0.376–2.152 μg/mL), limits of quantification (LOQs: 1.147–6.521 μg/mL), intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD < 1.96%), and analyte recoveries (96.83–127.07%; RSD < 1.73%); thus, it was found to be suitable for the simultaneous analysis of these four marker compounds in L. chinensis.

Rehabilitation program for acute poisoning in a toxicological hospital

BACKGROUND: Diagnostics and treatment of acute poisoning, as well as the rehabilitation measures carried out in relation to them, including the stationary stage, are aimed at the most complete restoration of the lost capabilities of the body. AIMS: Increasing the efficiency of medical rehabilitation of acute poisoning (AP) in a toxicological hospital through a combination of drug therapy and non-drug treatment with preformed physical factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of 1,207 patients with AP psychopharmacological agents (pPFA), neurotoxicants (pNT), cauterizing agents (pCA) and snake bites (SB), who were in the toxicology department of the N.V. Sklifosovsky, 421 patients with an unfavorable course of AP were subjected to an in-depth examination. Intravenous laser hemotherapy (LGT), hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO), mesodiencephalic modulation (MDM), wave biomechanotherapy (WBMT) and ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (EP) were used in cases of 291 patients of the main groups. RESULTS: The unfavorable course of AP was accompanied by an increase in the duration of treatment by 2.26.8 times due to the addition of pneumonia (pPFA), toxicohypoxic encephalopathy (pNT), severe burns of the gastrointestinal tract (pCA) and local edematous-inflammatory changes (SB). There was a syndrome of high blood viscosity and moderate endotoxicosis. The best clinical and laboratory results were obtained with a combination of LHT (90 minutes) with EP (pPFA), HBO and EP (pCA), HBO, MDM, EP (heavy pNT), HBO, EP (moderate pNT) and WBMT (SB). The adaptive capabilities of the organism, the state of the autonomic nervous system (pNT), neuropsychological indicators and electrical activity of the brain (pNT) improved. CONCLUSION: Programmed rehabilitation made it possible to achieve a noticeable reduction in the incidence of symptoms of the studied poisoning (by 54.693.4%), the time to resolve their manifestations (by 9.175%), as well as inpatient treatment (by 16.159.3%), improving functional performance.

CONCEPT OF ANTIDOTES V/S PRATIVISHA IN AYURVEDA - A REVIEW ARTICLE

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the most technical medical systems in the world with an extended record of scientific experience. Ayurveda tells the way of life and how to live healthily and stay happy. It has eight prime branches of medicine. Agada tantra is one of the specialized divisions of Ayurveda that offer scrupulously thorough information about animate and non-animated poisons and methods of removal of these poisons from the body. It chiefly advocates different antidotes for equip- ment that are poisonous to the human body. There are various ancient books which have relation regarding the Toxicology Agada tantra in which we can get references regarding the above mentioned and treated as such with Antidotes. Antidotes are the substances used to counteract or deactivate the effects of poison. Poison may be by plant, or through animal bites like snake bites etc., agricultural poisons, poisonous metals and minerals etc. There are mainly two types of poison mentioned in Ayurveda, are Sthavar visha and Jangham visha., Common antidote in Ayurveda is Swarna, Ghrita, Godudha and Madhu etc. antidote plays important role in the treatment of poisoning which we can see in the current paper, the main moto of doctor is to save the patient's life. In Ayurveda, our Achar- yas mentioned the different types of poisonous substances and their antidote under Visha Chikitsa references. The concept of Prativisha which is existed since ancient time needs to be supplemented, explained, refurbish and narrate for proper treatment. So, this article aims to collect the references of curative and preventive measures of poisoning. Keywords: Visha, Antidotes, Vagbhatta, Vishavaidyajyotsnika

Exhaustive Plant Profile of “Dimocarpus longan Lour” with Significant Phytomedicinal Properties: A Literature Based-Review

Background: “Dimocarpus longan Lour” is a tropical and subtropical evergreen tree species mainly found in China, India, and Thailand; this plant, found naturally in Bangladesh, even locally, is used as “kaviraj” medication for treating different diseases, such as gastrointestinal disorders, wounds, fever, snake bites, menstrual problem, chickenpox, bone fractures, neurological disorders, and reproductive health. Different parts of this plant, especially juice pulp, pericarp, seeds, leaves, and flowers, contain a diverse group of botanical phytocompounds, and nutrient components which are directly related to alleviating numerous diseases. This literature-based review provides the most up-to-date data on the ethnomedicinal usages, phytochemical profiling, and bio-pharmacological effects of D. longan Lour based on published scientific articles. Methodology: A literature-based review was conducted by collecting information from various published papers in reputable journals and cited organizations. ChemDraw, a commercial software package, used to draw the chemical structure of the phytochemicals. Results: Various phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenols were collected from the various sections of the plant, and other compounds like vitamins and minerals were also obtained from this plant. As a treating agent, this plant displayed many biologicals activities, such as anti-proliferative, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-tyrosinase, radical scavenging activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-microbial, activation of osteoblast differentiation, anti-fungal, immunomodulatory, probiotic, anti-aging, anti-diabetic, obesity, neurological issues, and suppressive effect on macrophages cells. Different plant parts have displayed better activity in different disease conditions. Still, the compounds, such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, corilagin acid, quercetin, 4-O-methyl gallic acid, and (-)-epicatechin showed better activity in the biological system. Gallic acid, corilagin, and ellagic acid strongly exhibited anti-cancer activity in the HepG2, A549, and SGC 7901 cancer cell lines. Additionally, 4-O-methyl gallic acid and (-)-epicatechin have displayed outstanding antioxidant activity as well as anti-cancer activity. Conclusion: This plant species can be considered an alternative source of medication for some diseases as it contains a potential group of chemical constituents.