Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Introduction The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of Malus domestica 30CH on a group of healthy provers and to compare these signs and symptoms to remedies of repertorial similarity. Malus domestica (common domestic apple) is an indigenous South African fruit which grows on the Drakensberg Mountains in Northern KwaZulu-Natal and is a regular part of the diet for those living there. This study hypothesized that Malus domestica 30CH would prove observable signs and symptoms in healthy individuals. Further it was hypothesized that the comparison of Malus domestica to remedies of reportorial similarity would highlight similarities and differences between existing homoeopathic remedies and Malus domestica 30CH thereby clarifying the therapeutic action of this new remedy and its relative location in the materia medica. The study was conducted by two researchers who each managed 15 provers and shared all primary data. The second researcher hypothesized that there would be a similarity between the proving symptoms of the remedy and the Doctrine of Signatures of the original substance (Ramnarayan 2014). Methodology A double blind placebo controlled proving of Malus domestica 30CH was conducted on 30 healthy volunteers who met specific inclusion criteria, with 6 receiving placebo and 24 receiving verum. A case history and thorough physical examination was performed on every prover before commencement of the proving. Recording of the data collected was in the form of a journal. Once the proving was completed information from each prover was collated and assessed by the two researchers. The symptoms elicited were then translated into materia medica and repertory language and a complete homoeopathic picture of the remedy appeared. Information from case histories and physical examinations were also considered. A repertorisation of 10 rubrics chosen to represent the essence of Malus domestica was conducted using Radar Opus software. Exclusion repertorization then followed in order to identify those remedies producing the highest numerical value and total number of rubrics within the animal, mineral and plant kingdoms in particular. Results Vast arrays of symptoms were experienced by the provers. Polarities in the symptoms were often displayed. On the emotional plane, there were symptoms of depression, sadness and cheerfulness. Some provers experienced tranquility and others felt anger, frustration and irritation. On the mental plane there were symptoms of clarity, focused concentration and confusion. The presence of delusions was marked. The most prominent delusion which infiltrated the mental and physical plane was of disconnection and separation. The main symptoms were sensations as if the extremities were separated from other areas. There was cramping and itching of the extremities as well. Pulsating headaches with perspiration of the scalp and eye pain were experienced. Various gastrointestinal symptoms were experienced ranging from distention, eructations, cramping, and diarrhea to hemorrhage after stool. Constriction of the chest and a loose, dry cough was also experienced. Cervical and lumbar back pain was reported. Sleep was described as unrefreshing with sleeplessness. The themes that emerged from the dreams were of danger (including danger to family), banquets, parties and helping others. The provers had a craving for tea. The similar remedies that emerged from the repertorial analysis were; Natrum muriaticum, Rhus toxicodendron, Lyssin, Cinchona officinalis and Pulsatilla pratensis. Conclusion The proving of Malus domestica 30CH did produce well defined symptoms that were clearly observed in healthy provers as proposed by the hypothesis. As hypothesized the comparison of Malus domestica to remedies of repertorial similarity did highlight similarities and differences between existing homoeopathic remedies and Malus domestica 30CH thereby clarifying the therapeutic range of this new remedy and its relative location in the materia medica. / M

Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-10T14:23:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-06-15. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-12-10T14:29:16Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000849909.pdf: 2178933 bytes, checksum: e664624eaafb33c3c729c609bb94d892 (MD5) / A Opuntia ficus-indica (O. ficus), pertencente à família Cactaceae, é uma planta nativa do México e conhecida no Brasil como palma forrageira. Esta planta apresenta propriedades medicinais interessantes. O. ficus tem um bom potencial nutritivo é fácil cultivare muito utilizada na alimentação de pequenos ruminantes especialmente em zonas áridas do nordeste do Brasil. Embora esta planta seja usada como alimento para ovinos, a literatura não contém quaisquer relatórios sobre as suas propriedades anti-helmínticas. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade ovicida e larvicida da O. ficus por meio dos extratos hidroalcoólicos de cladódios e frutas em ensaios de eclosão dos ovos (EHA), desenvolvimento larval (LDA) e migração larval (LMIA) usando ovos e larvas de nematoides gastrointestinais de ovinos naturalmente infectados. Para o EHA foi observada uma inibição da eclodibilidade de ovos maior do que 90% para ambos os brutos extratos dos cladódios e frutos na concentração de 50 mg/mL ou mais elevada (p <0,05). Ambos os extractos mostraram uma resposta dose dependente com o mesmo valor de IC 50 de 9,9 mg/mL. No LDA, o extrato hidroalcoólico bruto dos cladódios mostrou 98,7% de inibição do desenvolvimento das larvas a 12,5 mg/ml, enquanto o extrato hidroalcoólico bruto dos frutos apresentou 100% de atividade a 50 mg/ml, respectivamente, com um IC 50 de 3,4 mg/ml e 3,7 mg/ml (p <0,05). No LMIA, os resultados foram maiores do que 65% de inibição da migração das larvas na a parir da concentração de 1,56 mg/mL com IC 50 de 0,35 mg/mL e 0,76 mg/mL, respectivamente para os extrato brutos dos frutos e cladódios. O fracionamento dos extratos hidroalcoólicos brutos dos frutas e cladódios forneceu quatro fracções. Entre os extratos fraccionados, os extratos aquoso residual e em acetato de etilo dos cladódios, na concentração mais baixa testada (1,56 mg / ml) resultou em 100% de inibição do... / Opuntia fícus-indica (O. ficus), which is native to Mexico and is known as palma forrageira in Brazil, is a species belonging to the family Cactaceae. This plant displays interesting medicinal properties. O. ficus display good nutritional potential is easy to cultivate and is used as feed for small ruminants feed especially in arid areas of northeastern Brazil. Although this plant serves as food for sheep, the literature does not contain any reports on its anthelmintic properties. This paper reports on the ovicidal and larvicidal activity of O. ficus from hydroalcoholic extracts of cladodes and fruits through egg hatch assay (EHA), the larval development assay (LDA), and the larval migration assay (LMIA) using eggs and larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes of naturally infected sheep. For EHA was observed an egg hatch inhibition greater than 90% for both the crude extracts of cladodes and fruits when using a concentration of 50 mg/mL or higher (p < 0.05). Both extracts showed a dose-dependent response with the same value to LD 50 of 9.9 mg/mL. In the LDA, crude hydroalcoholic extract of cladodes showed 98.7 % of inhibition of larval development at 12.5 mg/ mL while the crude hydroalcoholic extract of fruits showed 100% at 50 mg/mL, respectively with an LD 50 of 3.4 mg/mL and 3.7 mg/mL (p < 0.05). In the LMIA, crude extracts showed results greater than 65% inhibition of larval migration at 1.56 mg/mL revealing LD 50 of 0.35 mg/mL and 0.76 mg/mL for the extract of fruit and cladodes, respectively. Fractionation of the crude hydroalcoholic extracts of fruits and cladodes yielded four fractions. Among the fractionated extracts, the residual aqueous and in ethyl acetate extracts of cladodes, in the lowest concentration tested (1.56 mg/mL) resulted in 100% inhibition of larval development. The same result was obtained for n-hexane and aqueous extract of fruits. Therefore, the LD 50 for LDA could not be calculated for these extracts. The ...

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-12-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:35:42Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 rozatto_mr_me_arafcf.pdf: 732060 bytes, checksum: ddaa82298d39ba0890346d0138a97734 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / As plantas são uma fonte importante de produtos naturais biologicamente ativos, muitos dos quais derivam diversos fármacos. A grande diversidade encontrada no Brasil justifica o crescimento significativo na utilização de produtos de origem vegetal como potenciais fitoterápicos. O gênero Arrabidaea pertence à família Bignoniaceae, a qual é encontrada principalmente em regiões tropicais. No Brasil, são encontrados 56 gêneros e cerca de 338 espécies. As plantas desta família são aplicadas como adstringentes, antitérmicas e no tratamento de reumatismos, diarreias, câncer e infecções microbianas; suas propriedades são atribuídas aos componentes químicos dentre estes as lignanas, flavonoides, triterpenos, xantonas entre outros. Arrabidaea brachypoda é popularmente conhecida como “cervejinha do campo”, “cipó-una” ou “tintureiro”. Com o objetivo de contribuir com a avaliação do potencial farmacobiológico do Bioma Cerrado e proposição de novos fitoterápicos para uso popular, este estudo visou determinar a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos hidroalcoólicos, frações e substâncias isoladas da planta A. brachypoda, utilizando a técnica de microdiluição, frente a Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, S. setubal, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans e Helicobacter pylori. Os extratos hidroalcoólicos de raiz, caule e folha apresentaram moderada atividade para P. aeruginosa e o extrato de raiz mostrou acentuada atividade contra S. aureus, dados estes que justificaram a determinação das atividades Checkerboard e Time-Kill para esse micro-organismo. O composto G5 (rutina), isolado de raiz, apresentou moderada atividade frente ambas as bactérias. Os extratos e frações de A. brachypoda não demonstraram atividade anti-H. pylori. O extrato de raiz combinado com a amoxicilina apresentou um efeito sinérgico para S. aureus e sua atividade anti-S. aureus... / Plants are an important source of biologically active natural products, many of which derive from different drugs. The great diversity found in Brazil justifies the significant growth in the use of plant products as potentially herbal. The genus Arrabidaea belongs to the family Bignoniaceae, which is mainly found in tropical regions. There are found 56 genera and about 338 species in the Brazil. Plants of this family are applied as astringents, antipyretic and treatment of rheumatism, diarrhea, cancer and bacterial infections; its properties are attributed to the chemical components among these lignans, flavonoids, triterpenes, xanthones among others. Arrabidaea brachypoda is popularly known as cervejinha do campo, cipó-una or tintureiro. In order to contribute to the evaluation of the pharmacological potential of the Cerrado Biome and propose new herbal medicine for popular use, this study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extracts, fractions and compounds isolated from the plant A. brachypoda, using the microdilution technique, opposed to Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, S. setubal, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Helicobacter pylori. The hydroalcoholic extracts of root, stem and leaf showed moderate activity for P. aeruginosa and the root extract showed strong activity against S. aureus, these data justify the determination of activities Checkerboard and Time-Kill for this micro-organism. The compound G5 (rutin), isolated from root showed moderate activity against both bacteria. The extracts and fractions of A. brachypoda didn’t show activity anti-H. pylori. The root extract combined with amoxicillin showed a synergistic effect against S. aureus and its anti-S. aureus was confirmed by Time-Kill test with time of 6 to 12 hours. The present work proves the antimicrobial activity... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Taís Maria Bauab / Banca: Hérida Regina Nunes Salgado / Banca: Elfriede Marianne Bacchi / Resumo: As plantas são uma fonte importante de produtos naturais biologicamente ativos, muitos dos quais derivam diversos fármacos. A grande diversidade encontrada no Brasil justifica o crescimento significativo na utilização de produtos de origem vegetal como potenciais fitoterápicos. O gênero Arrabidaea pertence à família Bignoniaceae, a qual é encontrada principalmente em regiões tropicais. No Brasil, são encontrados 56 gêneros e cerca de 338 espécies. As plantas desta família são aplicadas como adstringentes, antitérmicas e no tratamento de reumatismos, diarreias, câncer e infecções microbianas; suas propriedades são atribuídas aos componentes químicos dentre estes as lignanas, flavonoides, triterpenos, xantonas entre outros. Arrabidaea brachypoda é popularmente conhecida como "cervejinha do campo", "cipó-una" ou "tintureiro". Com o objetivo de contribuir com a avaliação do potencial farmacobiológico do Bioma Cerrado e proposição de novos fitoterápicos para uso popular, este estudo visou determinar a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos hidroalcoólicos, frações e substâncias isoladas da planta A. brachypoda, utilizando a técnica de microdiluição, frente a Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, S. setubal, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans e Helicobacter pylori. Os extratos hidroalcoólicos de raiz, caule e folha apresentaram moderada atividade para P. aeruginosa e o extrato de raiz mostrou acentuada atividade contra S. aureus, dados estes que justificaram a determinação das atividades Checkerboard e Time-Kill para esse micro-organismo. O composto G5 (rutina), isolado de raiz, apresentou moderada atividade frente ambas as bactérias. Os extratos e frações de A. brachypoda não demonstraram atividade anti-H. pylori. O extrato de raiz combinado com a amoxicilina apresentou um efeito sinérgico para S. aureus e sua atividade anti-S. aureus... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Plants are an important source of biologically active natural products, many of which derive from different drugs. The great diversity found in Brazil justifies the significant growth in the use of plant products as potentially herbal. The genus Arrabidaea belongs to the family Bignoniaceae, which is mainly found in tropical regions. There are found 56 genera and about 338 species in the Brazil. Plants of this family are applied as astringents, antipyretic and treatment of rheumatism, diarrhea, cancer and bacterial infections; its properties are attributed to the chemical components among these lignans, flavonoids, triterpenes, xanthones among others. Arrabidaea brachypoda is popularly known as "cervejinha do campo", "cipó-una" or "tintureiro". In order to contribute to the evaluation of the pharmacological potential of the Cerrado Biome and propose new herbal medicine for popular use, this study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extracts, fractions and compounds isolated from the plant A. brachypoda, using the microdilution technique, opposed to Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, S. setubal, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Helicobacter pylori. The hydroalcoholic extracts of root, stem and leaf showed moderate activity for P. aeruginosa and the root extract showed strong activity against S. aureus, these data justify the determination of activities Checkerboard and Time-Kill for this micro-organism. The compound G5 (rutin), isolated from root showed moderate activity against both bacteria. The extracts and fractions of A. brachypoda didn't show activity anti-H. pylori. The root extract combined with amoxicillin showed a synergistic effect against S. aureus and its anti-S. aureus was confirmed by Time-Kill test with time of 6 to 12 hours. The present work proves the antimicrobial activity... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

The objective of the following study was threefold: to conduct a homoeopathic drug proving of Acacia xanthophloea 30CH on healthy individuals in order to elucidate the totality of signs and symptoms produced by the drug substance; to analyse the signs and symptoms gathered from the proving, collate the data, and convert the symptoms into materia medica symptoms and rubrics; to compare the symptoms of the proving to the doctrine of signatures. Methodology This proving study was a double-blinded, placebo controlled study. Thirty provers or participants were recruited for the study and the sample size was divided equally between two researchers (A. Gobind and G. Zondi). The sample was randomly divided into two groups, with one group receiving an active substance (verum group) and the other group receiving a placebo (control group). Amongst the 30 provers, 24 participants received verum and six received placebo. Each prover was given a journal to record their symptoms, a pen and nine powders. The duration of this proving study was six weeks including the first week of baseline during which time each prover was required to record their symptoms before taking the proving substance. This procedure was clearly explained to each prover and an information sheet with detail explanation of the proving procedure was provided and informed consent obtained. A thorough case history was taken in the initial consultation and physical examinations to ensure that individuals participating met the inclusion criteria and were healthy. Results Information derived both researchers was combined and the extraction of signs and symptoms then commenced. The symptoms were translated into materia medica and repertory format and graded accordingly. Thereafter the symptoms that emerged from the study were discussed and compared with the doctrine of signatures of Acacia xanthophloea. Provers experienced a wide range of symptoms mentally and emotionally e.g. anger, poor concentration and focus, disconnected feeling, depression, stress, anxiety, antisocial/ aversion to company, tranquillity. A large number of physical symptoms were noted by provers e. g. headaches, ailments of extremities (joint pain, weakness), female related symptoms (irregular menses, decrease/ increase libido etc.), eye symptoms, skin symptoms and general symptoms. The comparison of the symptoms of Acacia xanthophloea 30CH to the doctrine of signatures of the tree Acacia xanthophloea illustrated certain similarities, especially with regard to skin symptoms, eye symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms and headaches. Conclusion The proving substance Acacia xanthophloea 30CH did produced signs and symptoms when given to healthy individuals as hypothesised. The symptoms when compared to the doctrine of signatures of the acacia xanthophloea tree did show correlation as hypothesised. / M

M.Sc. / The continued use and popularity of plant based traditional medicine necessitates scientific validation of the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants through phytochemical and pharmacological screening as well as the isolation and identification of bioactive compounds. Since the pharmacological effectiveness of medicinal plants is affected by several intrinsic and extrinsic factors, studies on the variations on chemical composition and biological activity are important as well. These provide a scientific rationale for using plants from different regions for the same medicinal purposes and allow traditional healers and consumers to make informed decisions with regard to the collection and use. Rapanea melanophloeos is a popular medicinal plant from the Myrsinaceae family widely distributed in southern Africa. It‟s bark, fruits and rarely the leaves are used traditionally for ailments ranging from stomach disorders, respiratory problems to disorders of the nervous system. Available chemical information reports on the accumulation of benzoquinones as major compounds, as well as some triterpenoid saponins and tannins. In view of the plant‟s wide distribution and medicinal use of different plant parts, this study comparatively evaluated the chemical composition of various crude extracts of the leaves, fruits and bark of plants collected from six localities. This was coupled with antibacterial tests to evaluate the therapeutic potential of different solvent extracts of the leaves, fruits and bark as well as the isolation of bioactive compounds from the fruits. Plants were collected from six different localities between Swaziland and South Africa and sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and water as a series of increasingly polar solvents. Thin layer chromatography (TLC), Gas-Chromatography/Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were used to obtain a semi-quantitative chemical composition profile of different extracts. The TLC fingerprints of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed the accumulation of non-polar terpenes, benzoquinones, saponins, tannins and flavonoids in the three plant parts. Slight variations in the chemical composition of the leaves, bark, and fruits were noted. Some components occurred in specific plant parts and others occurred in all three plants. The chemical profile of the leaves and bark were quite comparable in most instances with the fruits showing a generally different profile. This confirms previous literature reports on the comparability of leaves and the bark accounting for interchangeable use in traditional medicine.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of medicinal hemp plant extracts to determine the antibacterial effects of indigenous Sansevieria species and exotic Cannabis sativa phytotherapy varieties. This study also assessed whether aqueous o / South Africa

Diarrhea is a global concern that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have confirmed to be the second major cause of death in children under the age of five. Major bacterial pathogens that cause diarrhea include Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, Shigella species and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotic therapy is recommended depending on the severity and presentation of the disease; however, the appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is an emerging global threat to the ability to treat these bacterial infections. This situation could be overcome by the discovery of new natural antibiotics. Plants have been a source of medicine for centuries and have been used to treat diseases including diarrhea. This makes plants a natural potential target to study for their antibiotic properties. The objective of this study was to determine the antibiotic properties of medicinal plants against known pathogens that cause bacterial diarrhea. Three medicinal plants, Cassia abbreviata, Kigelia africana, and Geranium incanum were investigated for their antimicrobial properties against these strains of microorganisms: American Type Culture Collection (ATTC) and Clinical Strains (CS). The plant materials were ground into powder, which was then dissolved in methanol, acetone and distilled water to extract the active compounds. The plant extracts were then used to (i) determine their antibiotic activity, (ii) determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs), (iii) analyze the thin layer chromatography (TLC) fingerprints, and (iv) analyze the autobiography assay. The results obtained in this study met the aim and objectives of this study. The antimicrobial activities of the selected plants were obtained as discussed in Chapter 2 and 3. These results indicated that the traditional plants could be used as antimicrobials. In the screening assays, the test microorganisms were inhibited by the plant extracts, when they were subjected to plant extracts. This was performed on Mueller Hinton agar as sensitivity testing, which revealed clear zones of inhibition. The MIC values for each plant extract were established which ranged from 0.101 to 13.3 mg/dl. The TLC analysis revealed the spots which contained the active compounds which inhibited the bacterial growth. A bioautography assay was performed on the TLC plates, which exposed the exact spots containing the active compound inhibiting the bacteria. These results are clearly consistent with what former scientists have observed. Detailed explanations on the results are in Chapter 3 and 4 of this paper. It is important to note that all the procedures performed in this study were in vitro assays. Some effective in vitro assay activity may not always result in the same effective in vivo activity, because some active compounds may be metabolized and degraded into inactive metabolites. For this reason, the in vitro results obtained in this study, may not reflect the true effectiveness of the compounds in in vivo trials. It is therefore advised that future scientists should take a step further in analyzing the plant extracts through in vivo assays. Further testing and study on these plants at an advanced molecular level will be beneficial in the medical fields in the search for new antibiotics to treat infectious diseases. Purification and further analysis of their products can be helpful in the production of pure natural medicines. This will discover the active ingredients and compounds responsible for inhibition of the microorganisms. This will make the compounds potential candidates for a scientific validation and analysis for future scientists to bring a new dawn in the fight against infectious diseases.

Helicobacter pylori classified as a class 1 carcinogen is a common human pathogen implicated in certain gastrointestinal diseases. Helicobacter pylori infection is acquired mainly in childhood, especially in developing countries. H. pylori infection causes peptic ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis and cancer. The growing resistance of H. pylori to antibiotics used in its treatment as well as other innate limitations of the triple therapy has necessitated a search for alternative treatment from natural sources which could be readily available, less cost effective. The antimicrobial activity of solvents (acetone, ethanol, methanol, chloroform and water) crude extracts of Lippia javanica were investigated against 31 H. pylori strains by the agar well diffusion technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by spectrophotometric analysis at 620 nm using the broth micro dilution method and the rate of kill by broth dilution method. Phytochemical analysis was also performed. H. pylori standard strain NCTC 11638 was included as a positive control. Metronidazole and amoxicillin were used as positive control antibiotics. The ANOVA test was used to analyze the results using SPSS version 17.0. The strains were inhibited by all the extracts with inhibition zones of diameter ranging from 0-36 mm and 0-35 mm for the control antibiotic, clarithromycin. The MIC90 ranged from 0.039- 0.625 mg/mL for acetone; 0.039-1.25mg/mL for methanol, 0.00195-0.313 mg/mL for ethanol; 0.01975-2.5 mg/mL for metronidazole and 0.0048-2.5 mg/mL for amoxicillin. Acetone extract completely inhibited strain PE369C at MIC (0.1 mg/mL) and 2× MIC (0.2 mg/mL) in 18h and at ½× MIC (0.05 mg/mL) in 36h. Strain PE466C was completely inhibited at 4× MIC in 72h. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids and alkaloids. The results indicate that the extracts of the leaves of L. javanica may contain compounds with anti-H. pylori activity and merits further study to identify the compounds.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MSc (Plant Physiology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Plant Science / unrestricted