Undervalued Spiny Monkey Orange (Strychnos spinosa Lam.): An Indigenous Fruit for Sustainable Food-Nutrition and Economic Prosperity

Strychnos spinosa Lam. is among the top nutrient-dense indigenous fruit species that are predominant in Southern Africa. It is a highly ranked indigenous fruit based on the nutrition and sensorial properties, which make it an important food source for the marginalized rural people. On the basis of the high vitamin C, iron, and zinc content, it has the capacity to improve the food- nutrition and the socioeconomic status of individuals, especially those in the rural areas of the developing nations. The nutritional composition of Strychnos spinosa compare favorably with many of the popular fruits, such as strawberries and orange. Additionally, Strychnos spinosa has antioxidant activity similar to well-known antioxidant fruits, which keeps it in the class of the popular fruits, giving it added nutrition–health-promoting benefits. In order to improve the availability of Strychnos spinosa, more research on the domestication, processing, preservation, value chain, and economic potential need to be further explored. Therefore, we recommend more concerted efforts from relevant stakeholders with interest in Strychnos spinosa fruit production as a possible sustainable solution to food shortage, food-nutrition insecurity, malnutrition, and austerity, mainly in the rural communities of the developing countries.

Trypanocidal effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Strychnos spinosa on white mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

The emergence of trypanocidal resistance has led to a change in the behavior and use of local plants for the treatment of parasites. The trypanocidal activity of Strychnos spinosa aqueous and ethanolic extracts on Trypanosoma brucei brucei was evaluated during ten days of treatment. Thus, the smear was used to monitor the parasitaemia of mice treated with Strychnos spinose aqueous and ethanolic extracts by gavage at doses of 250, 500, 1000 mg/kg (test groups); with 10 ml/kg of distilled water (negative control) and 1mg/kg of isometamidium chloride (positive control). The results of the pharmacological studies on the trypanocidal potential of the plant showed that On day ten (D10) a mortality rates of 32 %, 39 % and 62 % respectively for the doses 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg with the ethanolic extract while the aqueous extract induced a mortality rates of 32 %, 37 % and 56 % respectively. Isometamidium chloride induced the highest mortality rate of 85 %. The lethal doses were 218.07 and 225.79 mg/kg for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts respectively. All these results justify at least in part the use of this plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of trypanosomiasis. Keywords: Ethanolic extracts - Aqueous extracts - Trypanocidal potential - Trypanosomes - Inhibition of parasitaemia.

Ethnobotanical Research of Plants Used in Traditional Medicine for The Treatment of Epilepsy in Southern Mozambique

Background Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease that affects about 50 million people worldwide, mainly in developing countries. It is treated with anticonvulsant drugs, but in some cases, conventional anticonvulsants have not been effective, leading patients to turn to alternative herbal treatments. The study aimed to identify plants used in traditional medicine for the treatment of epilepsy in southern Mozambique, record the parts used, the method of preparation as well as the mode of administration. Methodology: The study was conducted between April to June 2019. 53 Traditional Medicine Practitioners were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed by calculating the Percentage of Citation (%FC) and Informant Factor Consensus (IFC). Results A total of 32 medicinal plants belonging to 18 botanical families were identified for the treatment of epilepsy in the southern part of Mozambique. The species, Hugonia orientalis Engl (22.64%), Maclura africana Bur (16.98%), Strychnos spinosa Lam (13.21%), Terminalia sericea Bruch ex DC (13.21%) and Manilkara mochisia (Bark) Dubard (11.32%) were the most cited. The families Annonaceae and Menispermaceae (4 species) were the most representative in number of species. The root was the most commonly used plant part (54.2%), the frequently used preparation mode was decoction (71%), and administration of the remedies was often by oral route. Conclusion Medicinal plants still play an important role in primary health care in the study area. However there is a need to develop pharmacological studies based on these plants to understand the mechanism of action of the bioactive compounds and for the future development of new and more effective anticonvulsant drugs

Evaluation of antimycobacterial activity of medicinal plants used by Malian traditional medicine practitioners to treat tuberculosis

Global Tuberculosis (TB) control is facing major challenges such as occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR). The current TB drugs are getting less effective and associated with side effects limiting their use, especially with MDR and XDR infected patients. In Mali, many medicinal plants are used against various diseases including bacterial infections. The study aimed at studying the antimycobacterial activities of 60 extracts from 22 Malian medicinal. The antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv was assessed employing micro-broth dilution method. Out of 60 extracts evaluated, eleven from nine different plants were found to be active against H37Rv strain. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranked from 125 μg/mL to 1250 μg/mL. The most active extracts (125 μg/mL) were represented by ethanolic extract of Saba senegalensis and Vitellaria paradoxa leaves, dichloromethane extract of Cola cordifolia leaves, Strychnos spinosa and Ximenia Americana roots. Ethanolic extract of Zizyphus mauritiana, Guiera senegalensis and methanolic extract of Anthocleista djalonensis also prevented the growth of H37Rv at 250 μg/mL. The results suggest that Saba senegalensis, Vitellaria paradoxa, Cola cordifolia, Strychnos spinosa and Ximenia Americana could be potential sources of antimycobacterial molecules

STRYCHNOS SPINOSA LAM: COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON ITS MEDICINAL AND NUTRITIONAL USES

Background: Most of the people living in developing countries rely on local remedies from traditional medicines to take care of their healthcare needs. In recent years, the use of medicinal plants increased considerably. Consequently, studies on medicinal plants are necessary to produce more effective drugs with fewer side-effects. This work aims to compile the dispersal data on Strychnos spinosa Lam., a medicinal plant with great therapeutic potential in traditional medicine, on its ethnobotanical uses, chemical compounds, as well as its pharmacological and nutritional effects. Material and Methods: To achieve the aforementioned aim, electronic databases such as Pubmed, Science Direct, Google scholar, Scopus and SciFinder were scanned. Results: Literature survey revealed that S. spinosa is used in the treatment of microbial infections, malaria, trypanosomiasis, intestinal worms, tuberculosis, infertility, gastrointestinal disorders, snake bite, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus among other ailments. The plant is also used as food material. S. spinosa contains many chemical compounds, such as alkaloids, terpenes, sterols, fatty acids, flavonoids, saponin, and others. The fruits are a source of important nutrients such as carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, vitamins and fibres. Experimental studies have shown numerous pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, anti-trypanosomal, anti-leishmanial, anti-nematicidal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic and other activities. Conclusion: This review article provides comprehensive information on S. spinosa and its various extracts. Due to the promising effects of the plant extracts on various diseases and its nutritional values, there is a need for toxicity studies and clinical trials to assess the effects of its identified bioactive compounds.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies of the root bark extracts of Strychnos spinosa Lam

The phytochemical screening and antimicrobial properties of petroleum ethylacetate and methanol root bark extracts of Strychnos spinosa. The extracts were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhii, Klebsiella pneumonia and Candidas albicans by Agar well diffusion and micro-dilution methods. The phytochem screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones, glycosides, steroids and terpenoids. The methanol extracts was found to be the most potent against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia with MIC values of 1.56mg/ml. TheMBC revealed that the extracts were more of bacteriostatic than bactericidal. Keywords; Phytochemical, Antimicrobial, Strychnos spinosa, Root bark.