Au cours des dernières décennies, la popularité des plantes médicinales s’est accrue auprès des civilisations occidentales de sorte que la quantité de plantes récoltées, la plupart provenant de populations sauvages, a grandement augmenté. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif principal de mon mémoire est d’évaluer l’impact de la récolte de deux plantes médicinales (Sarracenia purpurea et Rhododendron groenlandicum) utilisées par la Nation Crie du Nord du Québec. Pour y parvenir, des parcelles expérimentales, simulant différentes intensités de récolte (S. purpurea) et différentes méthodes de récolte (R. groenlandicum), ont été mises en place, puis des suivis annuels de la reprise ont été réalisés. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent que les techniques de récolte chez R. groenlandicum devraient exclure les nouvelles pousses, leur exploitation causant une forte mortalité. Par ailleurs, chez S. purpurea, la récolte de 20 % des individus semble peu dommageable, mais critique lorsque plus de 50 % des plants sont récoltés. Un modèle démographique pour S. purpurea a aussi été construit à partir des observations de terrain. Ce modèle a permis de réaliser des projections temporelles en variant les taux de récoltes ainsi que les intervalles entre les récoltes. Les résultats indiquent qu’une récolte de 20 % des individus est acceptable une fois tous les 20 ans. Pour une récolte plus régulière, 5 % tous les trois ans serait soutenable. Mon projet permettra d’assurer une exploitation soutenable de deux plantes médicinales ayant un grand potentiel pour le traitement du diabète de type II. / Over the past few decades, the popularity and use of medicinal plants have increased in Western civilisation. Consequently, harvesting plants from wild populations has increased. Using this perspective, the principal goal of my thesis is to assess the impact of harvest on two medicinal plants (Sarracenia purpurea and Rhododendron groenlandicum) used by the Cree Nation of Northern Québec. To achieve my goal, the simulation of four harvesting intensities (S. purpurea) and of two harvesting methods (R. groenlandicum) were setup in experimental plots and an annual follow up were conducted on establishment and growth. Results show that harvesting methods used on R. groenlandicum should exclude new shoots, since their exploitation results in high mortality rates. For S. purpurea, harvesting of individuals does not seem harmful under 20% of harvest, but is critical when 50% or more are collected. Furthermore, a matrix population model of S. purpurea demography was built from field observations. This model was used to simulate population projection in time under different levels of harvest when varying the number of years between harvests. These results demonstrate that collecting 20% of individuals should be done only once every 20 years to remain sustainable. A more efficient and regular harvest of 5% every three years would be sustainable. My project allowed defining acceptable levels of harvest in order to insure sustainable exploitation of two Cree medicinal plants bearing interesting potential for treating type II diabetes related symptoms.

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Au cours des dernières décennies, la popularité des plantes médicinales s’est accrue auprès des civilisations occidentales de sorte que la quantité de plantes récoltées, la plupart provenant de populations sauvages, a grandement augmenté. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif principal de mon mémoire est d’évaluer l’impact de la récolte de deux plantes médicinales (Sarracenia purpurea et Rhododendron groenlandicum) utilisées par la Nation Crie du Nord du Québec. Pour y parvenir, des parcelles expérimentales, simulant différentes intensités de récolte (S. purpurea) et différentes méthodes de récolte (R. groenlandicum), ont été mises en place, puis des suivis annuels de la reprise ont été réalisés. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent que les techniques de récolte chez R. groenlandicum devraient exclure les nouvelles pousses, leur exploitation causant une forte mortalité. Par ailleurs, chez S. purpurea, la récolte de 20 % des individus semble peu dommageable, mais critique lorsque plus de 50 % des plants sont récoltés. Un modèle démographique pour S. purpurea a aussi été construit à partir des observations de terrain. Ce modèle a permis de réaliser des projections temporelles en variant les taux de récoltes ainsi que les intervalles entre les récoltes. Les résultats indiquent qu’une récolte de 20 % des individus est acceptable une fois tous les 20 ans. Pour une récolte plus régulière, 5 % tous les trois ans serait soutenable. Mon projet permettra d’assurer une exploitation soutenable de deux plantes médicinales ayant un grand potentiel pour le traitement du diabète de type II. / Over the past few decades, the popularity and use of medicinal plants have increased in Western civilisation. Consequently, harvesting plants from wild populations has increased. Using this perspective, the principal goal of my thesis is to assess the impact of harvest on two medicinal plants (Sarracenia purpurea and Rhododendron groenlandicum) used by the Cree Nation of Northern Québec. To achieve my goal, the simulation of four harvesting intensities (S. purpurea) and of two harvesting methods (R. groenlandicum) were setup in experimental plots and an annual follow up were conducted on establishment and growth. Results show that harvesting methods used on R. groenlandicum should exclude new shoots, since their exploitation results in high mortality rates. For S. purpurea, harvesting of individuals does not seem harmful under 20% of harvest, but is critical when 50% or more are collected. Furthermore, a matrix population model of S. purpurea demography was built from field observations. This model was used to simulate population projection in time under different levels of harvest when varying the number of years between harvests. These results demonstrate that collecting 20% of individuals should be done only once every 20 years to remain sustainable. A more efficient and regular harvest of 5% every three years would be sustainable. My project allowed defining acceptable levels of harvest in order to insure sustainable exploitation of two Cree medicinal plants bearing interesting potential for treating type II diabetes related symptoms.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / In Southern Brazil, the plant Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (Myrtaceae), popularly known as guavirova , has been empirically used for its potential effect in reducing blood cholesterol levels. Since there are no scientific data confirming its popular use, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of C. xanthocarpa on biochemical, hematological, anthropometrical and oxidative stress parameters in hypercholesterolemic patients. Thirty three patients were selected according to total cholesterol (TC) levels: 200-240 mg/dL, undesirable level (UL), and >240 mg/dL, hypercholesterolemic level (HL). UL or HL patients were randomly divided into control group (CG), which received placebo capsules, and experimental group 250 (EG 250) or 500 (EG 500), which received either 250 or 500 mg of encapsulated C. xanthocarpa. All groups received a cholesterol restriction diet and capsules once a day. The biochemical (TC, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL), hematological (hematocrit and hemoglobin), anthropometrical (weight and abdominal circumference) and oxidative stress (protein carbonyl) parameters were measured before, 45 and 90 days after the treatment started. There was no alteration on biochemical, hematological, anthropometric or oxidative stress parameters in UL patients of all groups. However, a significant decrease in TC and LDL levels was observed in HL patients from EG 500 group (reduction of 28±3 and 45±4% to levels before treatment) in relation to CG group patients (reduction of 12±2 and 29±4%). Moreover, a significant reduction in oxidative stress was observed in HL patients of EG 250 (51±12%) and EG 500 groups (34±18%) when compared to levels before treatment. A positive correlation between plasma oxidative stress PC and TC levels was observed. Finally, was demonstrated that C. xanthocarpa extract possesses anti-oxidant properties and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitory activity in vitro. Confirming its popular use, the treatment with C. xanthocarpa encapsulated reduced blood TC and LDL levels in hypercholesterolemic patients. Besides its effect on cholesterol levels, this plant reduced the oxidative stress in plasma of hypercholesterolemic patients as well. / No Sul do Brasil, a planta Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (Myrtaceae), popularmente conhecida como guavirova , tem sido empiricamente usada por seu efeito potencial em reduzir os níveis de colesterol sanguíneo. Uma vez que não há dados científicos confirmando seu uso popular, o alvo do presente estudo foi investigar os efeitos da C. xanthocarpa nos parâmetros bioquímicos, hematológicos, antropométricos e de estresse oxidativo em pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos. Trinta e três pacientes foram selecionados de acordo com os níveis de colesterol total (CT): 200-240 mg/dL, níveis indesejáveis (NI), e > 240 mg/dL, níveis hipercolesterolêmicos (NH). Os pacientes NI e NH foram randomicamente divididos em grupo controle (GC), que recebeu cápsulas placebo, e grupo experimental 250 (GE 250) ou 500 (GE 500), que recebeu 250 ou 500 mg de C. xanthocarpa encapsulada. Todos os grupos receberam uma dieta com restrição a colesterol e cápsulas diariamente. Os parâmetros bioquímicos (CT, triacilgliceróis, HDL, LDL e VLDL), hematológicos (hematócrito e hemoglobina), antropométricos (peso e circunferência abdominal) e de estresse oxidativo (proteína carbonilada) foram mensurados antes, 45 e 90 dias depois do tratamento. Não houve nenhum alteração significativa nos parâmetros bioquímico, hematológico, antropométrico e de estresse oxidativo em pacientes NI de todos os grupos. Entretanto, uma redução significativa nos níveis de CT e LDL foi observada em pacientes NH do GE 500 (redução de 28±3 e 45±4% para os níveis antes do tratamento) em relação aos pacientes do GC (redução de 12±2 e 29±4%). Além disso, uma redução significante no estresse oxidativo foi observada em pacientes NH do GE 250 (51±12%) e GE 500 (34±18%) quando comparado com os níveis antes do tratamento. Uma correlação positiva entre os níveis de proteína carbonilada e CT foi observada. Finalmente, foi demonstrado que o extrato de C. xanthocarpa possui propriedade antioxidante e atividade inibitória da 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutaril coenzima A redutase in vitro. Confirmando seu uso popular, o tratamento com C. xanthocarpa reduziu os níveis de CT e LDL sanguíneos em pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos. Além dos seus efeitos nos níveis de colesterol, esta planta reduziu o estresse oxidativo no plasma de pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos.

Submitted by Deyse Queiroz (deysequeirozz@hotmail.com) on 2018-05-25T13:08:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ALANY MOISA BEZERRA DE ALMEIDA -- DISSERTAÇÃO PPGSA PROFISSIONAL 2018..pdf: 841322 bytes, checksum: 839ba5af833854ad276c1cdc955c7341 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-25T13:08:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ALANY MOISA BEZERRA DE ALMEIDA -- DISSERTAÇÃO PPGSA PROFISSIONAL 2018..pdf: 841322 bytes, checksum: 839ba5af833854ad276c1cdc955c7341 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-29 / A hortelã é uma planta bastante utilizada como planta medicinal e alimentícia, sendo produzida por agricultores em sistema familiar de produção. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos na Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes, no distrito de Alagoinha, zona rural de Mossoró-RN, com o objetivo de avaliar o cultivo orgânico da hortelã sob diferentes doses de jitirana e épocas de colheita. O primeiro experimento foi conduzido no período de 13/08/2015 a 09/12/2015, e o segundo no período de 09/11/2015 a 10/12/2015, no delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados com os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 3, com três repetições. O primeiro fator foi constituído por quatro doses de jitirana (0,0; 0,5; 1,0 e 1,5 kg m-2 de canteiro em base seca) e o segundo fator, correspondendo a três épocas de colheita (30; 60 e 90 dias após o transplantio). Para a cultura da hortelã utilizou-se a cultivar “Mentha piperita”. As características avaliadas foram as seguintes: altura da biomassa, produção de biomassa, número de molhos, massa seca, teor e rendimento de óleo. Alguns indicadores econômicos foram observados, tais como: custo de produção, renda bruta, renda líquida, taxa de retorno e índice de lucratividade. Houve interação entre os fatores-tratamentos para o primeiro cultivo (produção, número de molhos e teor de óleo) e na rebrota da hortelã, nas características (rendimento e teor de óleo). No primeiro cultivo, houve acréscimo no número de molhos de hortelã em função dos fatorestratamentos com valores máximos de 1300; 3503 e 2651 unidades/100m2 nas épocas 30;60 e 90 dias, correspondendo as doses 1,3; 0,2 e 0,2 kg/m2, respectivamente. Na rebrota apresentou número médio de molhos de 2805 unidades/100 m2 (30 dias) e 2542 unidades/100 m2 (60 dias). A dose de 0 kg m2 de jitirana na época de colheita de 60 dias em primeiro cultivo, proporcionou rentabilidade liquida de R$ 3.458,00, taxa de retorno da ordem de R$ 3,26 e índice de lucratividade de 69,3%. Para a rebrota ocorreu rentabilidade liquida de R$ 2.753,00, taxa de retorno de 2,80 e índice de lucratividade de 64,2% na dose de 0 kg m-2 e época de colheita de 30 dias. A produção de hortelã em sistema orgânico de produção constitui-se em alternativa para o produtor. / The plant consortium presents itself as one of the most appropriate methods to the practice of horticulture, in agroecological molds with numerous advantages in the environmental aspect, productive and economical. Two experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm Rafael Fernandes in Alagoinha district, a rural area of Mossoró- RN, in order to assess the agricultural economic viability of mint consortium with coriander fertilized with manure jitirana more beef. The first experiment was conducted in the period from 08.11.2015 to 11.05.2015 and the second experiment in the period from 11.27.2015 to 22.03.2016, in a randomized complete block with treatments arranged in a 2x4 factorial design with three replications. The first factor consisted of monocropping and intercropping mint and coriander, and the second factor was the different doses of jitirana mixed with manure (0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 kg m- 2 site). For mint culture was used to cultivate "Mentha piperita". For the coriander was used to cultivate "Verdão". The characteristics evaluated for the Mint culture were as follows: height of biomass, fresh weight, number of sauces, dry mass, oil content and yield. For the coriander crop the following characteristics were evaluated: plant height, number of stems plant-1, productivity, number of sauces and dry mass. Also economic indicators were used, such as land equivalent ratio (LER), cost of production, gross income, net income, rate of return and profitability index. The use of more manure jitirana cattle contributed to the increase of the productive characteristics of the consortium in the two growing seasons, with number of mint sauces 17.6 and 5.8 in 3.0 doses and 2.2 kg m-2 respectively. For coriander crop, the values were 16.5 and 15.3 m2 sauces in 3.0 kg dose m-2, respectively. The equivalent area obtained in the two experiments were 1.72 and 1.78, respectively. The greater economic efficiency of the consortium was observed in the first growing season with the application of 3.0 kg m-2 of more manure jitirana cattle in an area of 100 m2, with gross income of R $ 3,761.00; net income of R $ 2,727.50; return rate of R $ 3.64 and 72.52% profitability index.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T16:11:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniela Borges Marquez Barbosa.pdf: 1035772 bytes, checksum: c1908f359735473ebf92878acb93eee7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-30 / Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil. is popularly known as Manacá and it is a native plant of the Brazilian Savanna Cerrado, and it can be found in the states of Mato Grosso, Goiás, Minas Gerais and Bahia. In the folk medicine this plant is used as an appetite stimulant and to treat rheumatism, abdominal pain, headache, muscle pain, stomach and liver dysfunction, kidney infections and urinary retention. The hydromethanolic fraction was obtained from the ethanolic extract of Spiranthera odoratissima leaves. According to phytochemical screening this fraction contains anthraquinones, tannins, flavonoids and coumarins. This fraction showed antinociceptive activity in the acetic acid-induced writhing method and the involvement of central antinociceptive mechanisms was discarded with the hot plate test, since the reduction in the latency to pain was not observed. The major subfraction isolated from the hydromethanolic fraction (sub-Fr10-28) showed antiinflammatory activity in different methodologies. Both hydromethanolic fraction and sub-Fr10-28 contain tannins able to inhibit the activity of phospholipase A2 enzyme, and subsequently inhibiting the production of arachidonic acid and preventing the production of eicosanoids such as prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes by lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase enzymes participation. These eicosanoids are important mediators for the maintenance of inflammatory process. Concluding, the analgesic effect of this plant may be due to an anti-inflammatory action, and this antiinflammatory action could be the result from the blockage of the phospholipase A2 enzyme. / Spiranthera odoratissima, conhecida popularmente como Manacá nativa em cerrado ralo, é encontrada nos estados de Mato Grosso e Goiás, Minas Gerais e no estado da Bahia. Na medicina popular essa planta é utilizada para o tratamento de reumatismo, dores abdominais, dores de cabeça, dores musculares, dores de estômago, infecções renais e hepáticas, retenção urinária, e como depurativo e estimulante do apetite. Do extrato etanólico das folhas da Spiranthera odoratissima foi obtida a fração hidrometanólica contendo: antraquinonas, taninos, flavonóides e cumarinas. Essa fração mostrou atividade antinociceptiva pelo método de contorções abdominais induzidas por ácido acético em camundongos e foi descartado o envolvimento de mecanismos antinociceptivos centrais pelo teste da placa quente, onde observou-se a não redução da latência à dor. Foi isolada uma sub-fração majoritária nomeada sub-Fr10-28 que apresentou atividade antiinflamatória nas diferentes metodologias utilizadas. A fração hidrometanólica e sua sub-fração majoritária contêm taninos capazes de inibir a atividade da enzima Fosfolipase A2, inibindo a hidrólise do fosfolipídeo de membrana em ácido araquidônico e impedindo assim, que as enzimas lipoxigenase e ciclooxigenase produzam eicosanóides como prostaglandinas, tromboxanos e leucotrienos, importantes mediadores para a manutenção do processo inflamatório. O efeito analgésico desta planta pode ser devido a uma ação anti-inflamatória e esta pode estar relacionado ao bloqueio da enzima Fosfolipase A2 levando desta forma a uma redução na produção de mediadores inflamatórios.

Guatemalan medicinal plants were collected and screened for the presence of essential oils using steam distillation. Oil was found in 63 species from 24 families and was tested in tube dilution assays for activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida albicans. Several essential oils were highly active with 20 instances of oils inhibiting the microbes at an MIC of 0.31 µl/ml. Oils were also tested against cancerous and established cell lines using a 15% (v/v) agar-media which was developed to improve essential oil solubility. Assays were performed against three cancer lines: Stomach (AGS: CRL-1739), Skin (A375: CRL-1619), Tongue (CAL27: CRL-2095) and an established Monkey Kidney cell line (Vero C 1008: CRL-1586). Assessment of viability was performed using the Neutral Red assay with results indicating that many of the oils significantly inhibited cancer cell lines in vitro with 24 individual instances producing an IC50 of 0.20 µl/ml or less. Therapeutic indices indicated that many of the highly inhibitory oils were more cytotoxic to cancerous cell lines than to the established cell line.

Master's thesis: "Determination of trace metals of heavy metals in medicinal plant materials and preparations based on it by the method of voltammetry." Pages 72, figures 33, tables 10, bibliographic names 19. The objects of the study were the olive leaflet CO (BCR No. 62), medicinal plant raw materials of the roots of cinchata, flax seeds, rosehips, blueberry and horsetail shoots, tincture of the Bashkir balsam “Agidel”, oil extract “Vitaon”, dry extract “Plantaglyutsid” and collection “ Pancreatitis. Objective: To develop a method for sample preparation and determination of trace impurities of lead and cadmium in medicinal plant raw materials and preparations based on it using stripping voltammetry. Analysis of the literature data showed that the best method for the determination of heavy metals in medicinal plant materials and preparations based on it is the method of inversion voltammetry, which allows to detect trace contaminants in the studied solutions. The samples were prepared by the method of microwave decomposition on the installation "MARS" in a closed system and the method of acid decomposition on the installation of the company "Hach Company" in the open system. The optimal conditions for sample preparation at the MARS facility were selected for the analyzed objects: sample weight, oxidizer composition, number of decomposition stages, power, time and temperature of sample processing. Decomposition in an open system was carried out according to a standard procedure. Sample preparation at the installation of the Hach Company allows for the analysis of IR by the IV method to obtain baselines at the level of pure solutions and clear, well-measured signals of metals, and to find microprisms of heavy metals in larger quantities than when preparing samples by microwave decomposition under optimally selected conditions. / Магистерская диссертация: «Определение микропримесей тяжелых металлов в лекарственном растительном сырье и препаратах на его основе методом вольтамперометрии». Страниц 72, рисунков 33, таблиц 10 , библиографических наименований 19. Объектами исследования служили СО листьев оливы (BCR № 62), лекарственное растительное сырьё корневищ лапчатки, семян льна, плодов шиповника, побегов черники и хвоща, настойка башкирского бальзама «Агидель», масляный экстракт «Витаон», сухой экстракт «Плантаглюцид» и сбор «Панкреатит». Цель работы: Разработка методики пробоподготовки и определения микропримесей свинца и кадмия в лекарственном растительном сырье и препаратах на его основе методом инверсионной вольтамперометрии. Анализ литературных данных показал, что оптимальным методом определения тяжёлых металлов в лекарственном растительном сырье и препаратах на его основе является метод инверсионной вольтамперометрии, позволяющий обнаруживать микропримеси в исследуемых растворах. Пробы были подготовлены методом микроволнового разложения на установке «MARS» в закрытой системе и методом кислотного разложения на установке фирмы «Hach Company» в открытой системе. Для анализируемых объектов были подобраны оптимальные условия пробоподготовки на установке «MARS»: масса навески, состав окислителя, количество стадий разложения, мощность, время и температура обработки пробы. Разложение в открытой системе было проведено по стандартной методике. Пробоподготовка на установке фирмы «Hach Company» позволяет при анализе ИР методом ИВ получать базовые линии на уровне чистых растворов и чёткие, хорошо измеряемые сигналы металлов, и находить микропримиси тяжёлых металлов в большем количестве, чем при подготовке проб методом микроволнового разложения при оптимально подобранных условиях.

The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize antifungal compounds from the most active medicinal plant species that could be used to address secondary infection problems in immunocompromised patients. An ethnobotanical study was conducted and 45 medicinal plant species used traditionally to treat candidiasis and related infections in HIV/AIDS patients were identified and documented. The most popular plant species used included Acacia caffra, Clerodendrum glabrum, Croton gratissimus, Elaeodendron transvaalense, Faurea saligna, Hippocratea longipetiolata, Osyris lanceolata, Richardia brasiliensis, Schkuhria pinnata, Schotia brachypetala, Spilanthes acmella, Strychnos potatorum, Vangueria infausta subsp. infausta and Withania somnifera. The plant parts used in the therapeutic preparations were roots (26.7%), bark (22.2%), and a combination of roots and bark (17.7%). Decoctions (44.4%), infusions (20%) and macerations (17.7%) were used. Most of the herbal remedies were administered orally. Chemical profiles of the plant species were established by using thin layer chromatography. Leaf extracts of these plant species were tested for antimicrobial activity against two common pathogenic fungal species in humans (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans) and four nosocomial bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using a two-fold serial microdilution method and bioautography. All plant species investigated had some degree of antimicrobial activity against the test microorganisms. The hexane and the acetone extracts of Clerodendrum glabrum, Hippocratea longipetiolata, Schkuhria pinnata and Withania somnifera were the most active with MIC values ranging from 0.06 to 0.08 mg/ml. The most susceptible pathogen to the test samples was C. neoformans while C. albicans was resistant to most of the plant extracts. The water extracts of Withania somnifera and Hippocratea longipetiolata (14%) had MIC < 1 mg/ml against C. albicans. C. neoformans was susceptible to nine water plant extracts (64%) with MIC < 1 mg/ml and the promising activity was observed in Hippocratea longipetiolata and Faurea saligna extracts with MIC values of 0.16 and 0.31 mg/ml respectively. The hexane extract of C. glabrum was the most active against C. albicans with an MIC value of 0.06 mg/ml and total activity of 550 ml/g. In the bioautography, most plant extracts tested had few active compounds, others had no active components at all and this may be attributed to the disruption of synergism by the thin layer chromatography. C. glabrum had eight active antifungal compounds on bioautograms and most of these components were observed in the EMW solvent system. Based on this and its wide distribution in rural areas, C. glabrum was chosen for further study. The antioxidant activity and possible immune boosting potential of the species were determined using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), 2, 2’ azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. In the DPPH qualitative assay, the aqueous plant extracts had several prominent antioxidant components than the organic plant extracts. The aqueous plant extracts which had the most prominent antioxidant activity were F. saligna with 8 compounds, followed by E. transvaalense, H. longipetiolata O. lanceolata, R. brasiliensis and S.brachypetala, with five compounds each and their Rf values ranged from 0;06 to 0.94. This appears to validate the ethnomedicinal use of the plant species to some extent because decoction is the most common method used in the preparation of the remedy by the traditional healers. With regard to the organic plant extracts, only one plant extract, F. saligna had two prominent antioxidant components at Rf values 0.81 and 0.88. A third of the plant species had a high level of free radical scavenging activities in the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. However, all plant extracts had lower antioxidant activity than the positive control (Trolox) used. The selected plant species were also evaluated for their in vitro toxicity against the Vero monkey kidney cell line using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The acetone plant extracts of O. lanceolata, S. acmella, S. pinnata and S. brachypetala had high cytotoxic activity against Vero cells with IC50 values of 13.7±0, 19.9±0.001, 21.6±0.001 and 28.34±0.001 μg/ml respectively. However, their IC50 values were higher than that of the positive control, doxorubicin (IC50 = 9.9±0 μg/ml). The rest of the acetone plant extracts (64%) had moderate cytotoxic activity (30 < IC50<100 μg/ml). The aqueous plant extracts were relatively non-toxic to the Vero cells with IC50 values ranging from 137 to > 500 µg/ml. This supports the use of aqueous extracts in the traditional medicine. However, their low selectivity index values ranging from 0.26 to 1.68 suggest that the plant extracts are probably suitable for external use only. Fractionation of the hexane extract of the leaves of C. glabrum by chromatographic techniques yielded six fractions of which fractions C and D had significant antifungal activity (average MIC value = 0.1 mg/ml) against C. albicans and C. neoformans. From these fractions, one new triterpenoid, 3-(1-oxobutyl)-11α-hydroxytaraxast-20(30)-ene-24,28-dioic acid (clerodendrumic acid) (1) was isolated along with known heptadecanoic acid (2). C. albicans was relatively insensitive to clerodendrumic acid (1) (MIC value = 125 µg/mL) and was resistant to heptadecanoic acid (2) (MIC value = 188 µg/ml). Compounds 1 and 2 were non-toxic against monkey kidney Vero cells in vitro with IC50 values of 202.6 and 108.4 µg/ml respectively. Due to its low antifungal activity, the novel compound clerodendrumic acid (1) is not a viable candidate for drug development which could be used to combat candidiasis and related fungal infections. However, due to its relative safety, it may possibly be used as a lead compound to produce new chemically modified active derivatives or could be used together with known antibiotics to mitigate their undesirable side effects. To the best of our knowledge, the isolation of a novel, clerodendrumic acid (1) and a known heptadecanoic acid (2) compounds from leaf extracts of C. glabrum is reported herein for the first time. The results obtained from this study generally substantiate the rationale behind the use of the selected plant species in the traditional medicine to treat candidiasis and related infections to some extent. This study showed the potential of studying traditional medicine in the search for effective plant extracts or new lead compounds that could be developed into drugs for combating microbial infections among the rural poor people. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Paraclinical Sciences / Unrestricted

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