The acquisition of ethnobotanical information from traditional practitioners remains an empirical aspect of understanding the ethnopharmacology research. However, integration of information on chemical composition of plant extracts and their pharmacological activities forms a key resource for synthesis of new and effective therapeutics. In traditional African medicine, Gnidia glauca has folkloric remedies against obesity and its associated oxidative stress-mediated complications. However, the upsurge in its use has not been accompanied with scientific validations to support these claims. The present study aimed to determine the antioxidant potential of G glauca as a promising antiobesity agent. The antioxidant effects of the extract were assessed against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and superoxide radicals as well as lipid peroxidation, iron-chelating effect, and ferric-reducing power. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using gas chromatography linked to mass spectrophotometry. The results revealed that G glauca exhibited scavenging activities against all radicals formed. Besides, the extract showed iron chelation and ferric reducing abilities. The extract indicated a lower half maximal inhibitory concentration value than the standards used. For instance, the extract inhibited 50% of the formation of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine at the concentration of 1.33 ± 0.03 mg/mL relative to 1.39 ± 0.06 mg/mL of the standard, vitamin C at 1% confidence limit. Similarly, the extract scavenged 50% of hydroxyl radical at 204.34 ± 10.64 μg/mL relative to 210.05 ± 8.80 μg/mL of gallic acid. The extract also contained various phytochemicals that have been associated with antiobesity effects. The synergistic effects of these phytocompounds increase their bioavailability and action on multiple molecular targets thereby correcting obesity-induced oxidative stress.

Bulbine abyssinicaA. Rich. is used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatism, dysentery, bilharzia, cracked lips, back pain, infertility, diabetes mellitus, and gastrointestinal, vaginal, and bladder infections. Therefore, preliminary phytochemical screening, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of the whole plant (acetone and aqueous extracts) were determined using standard procedures. Thein vitroantioxidant model assays revealed that the plant possesses free radical scavenging potential varying with free radical species. The species showed significant protein denaturation inhibitory activity with good protection against erythrocyte membrane lysis indicating anti-inflammatory potential. The results also showed that the species was active against the growth of all the selected eight diabetic status opportunistic bacteria except one. Moreover, the species is characterized by appreciable amounts of total phenols, flavonoids, flavanols, proanthocyanidins, and alkaloids. Traces amounts of saponins and tannins were also observed. Amongst the identified phytochemicals present, empirical searches identified them being antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agents. The identification of these phytochemical constituents with their known pharmacological properties indicates that this plant is a good source of the free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agents. These findings also account for the multipharmacological use ofB. abyssinicain fork medicine.

Obesity is the main component of metabolic syndromes involving distinct etiologies that target different underlying behavioral and physiological functions within the brain structures and neuronal circuits. An alteration in the neuronal circuitry stemming from abdominal or central obesity stimulates a cascade of changes in neurochemical signaling that directly or indirectly mediate spontaneously emitted behaviors such as locomotor activity patterns, anxiety, and exploration. Pharmacological agents available for the treatment of neurologic disorders have been associated with limited potency and intolerable adverse effects. These have necessitated the upsurge in the utilization of herbal prescriptions due to their affordability and easy accessibility and are firmly embedded within wider belief systems of many people.Gnidia glaucahas been used in the management of many ailments including obesity and associated symptomatic complications. However, its upsurge in use has not been accompanied by empirical determination of these folkloric claims. The present study, therefore, is aimed at determining the modulatory effects of dichloromethane leaf extract ofGnidia glaucaon locomotor activity, exploration, and anxiety-like behaviors in high-fat diet-induced obese rats in an open-field arena. Obesity was experimentally induced by feeding the rats with prepared high-fat diet and waterad libitumfor 6 weeks. Thein vivoantiobesity effects were determined by oral administration ofG. glaucaat dosage levels of 200, 250, and 300 mg/kg body weight in high-fat diet-induced obese rats from the 6^thto 12^thweek. Phytochemical analysis was done using gas chromatography linked to mass spectroscopy. Results indicated thatGnidia glaucashowed anxiolytic effects and significantly increased spontaneous locomotor activity and exploration-like behaviors in HFD-induced obese rats. The plant extract also contained phytocompounds that have been associated with amelioration of the main neurodegenerative mediators, viz., inflammation and oxidative stress. These findings provide “qualified leads” for the synthesis of new alternative therapeutic agents for the management of neurologic disorders. However, there is a need to conduct toxicity studies ofGnidia glaucato establish its safety profiles.

Background: Inflammation is an immune response characterized by swelling, redness, pain and heat. Inflammation is main- ly managed using conventional medicines that are associated with many side effects. Plant-based remedies are considerably better alternative therapies for they have fewer side effects. Objective: This study aimed at determining the anti-inflammatory potential of dichloromethane (DCM) leaf extracts of Eucalyptus globulus and Senna didymobotrya in mice. Methods: Fresh leaves of these plants were harvested from Embu County, Kenya. Quantitative phytochemical analysis was done using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Anti-inflammatory test comprised nine groups of five animals each: normal, negative, positive controls and 6 experimental groups. Inflammation was induced with Carrageenan. One hour post-treatment, the different groups were intraperitoneally administered with the reference drug, diclofenac, 3% DMSO and six DCM leaf extracts at doses of 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250mg/kgbw. Results: GC-MS results revealed α-phellandrene, camphene, terpinolene, and limonene among others. Anti-inflammatory effects showed that extract doses of 100,150,200 and 250mg/kg bw significantly reduced the inflamed paw. Doses of 200 and 250mg/kgbw in both plants were more potent and compared with diclofenac. E. globulus extract dose of 250mg kg bw reduced inflamed paw in the 1st , 2nd, 3rd and 4th hours, by 2.27,6.52,9.09 and 10.90% respectively while S.didymobotrya at similar dose ranges, inflamed paw reduced by 2.41, 5.43, 8.31 and 9.05% respectively. Conclusion: E. globulus and S. didymobotrya have potent anti-inflammatory activities, attributed to their constituent phyto- chemicals. This study confirms the traditional use of these plants in treating inflammation. Keywords: Eucalyptus globulus; Senna didymobtrya; inflammation; phytochemicals.

Bulbine abyssinica is widely used in folk medicine in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal and toxicity potentials of essential oil, acetone and aqueous extracts of this species using standard procedures and brine shrimp test, respectively. The results showed that the species was active against the growth of Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton rubrum among the evaluated opportunistic fungi. The toxicity results showed that the lowest cysts hatching success was observed with the essential oil, then acetone extract, with aqueous extract exhibiting the highest hatching success. Based on the criterion of toxicity indices of the lethality test, all the plant fractions exhibited LD50 values greater than 1 mg/mL hence are non-toxic. These findings indicate that B. abyssinica is a good source of antifungal agents.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder which has greatly led to an increase in morbidity and mortality globally. Although Xerophyta spekei is widely used for the management of diabetes among the Embu and Mbeere communities in Kenya, it has never been empirically evaluated for its hypoglycemic activity. This study was carried out to verify the hypoglycemic activity of dichloromethane (DCM) extract of Xerophyta spekei as well as its antioxidant activity using various in vitro techniques. Phytochemicals associated with its antioxidant activity were identified through GC-MS. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (X̄ ± SEM). Comparison between various variables was performed by using unpaired Student’s t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test. The confidence interval was set at 95%. The obtained results were presented in tables and graphs. Results showed that there was no difference in α-amylase inhibition activity between the plant extract and the standard (IC50 525.9 ± 12.34 and 475.1 ± 9.115, respectively; $p>0.05$). Besides, the glucose adsorption activity of the extract increased with an increase in glucose concentration (from 5.89 to 32.64 mg/dl at 5 mmol and 30 mmol of glucose, respectively; $p<0.05$). The extract also limited the diffusion of glucose more than the negative control (7.49 and 17.63 mg/dl, respectively; $p<0.05$). It also enhanced glucose uptake by yeast cells. In addition, the studied plant extract showed notable antioxidant activities. The therapeutic effects exhibited by this plant in managing diabetes mellitus and other ailments could be due to its antioxidant as well as its hypoglycemic activity. The study recommends the evaluation of X. spekei for in vivo hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities. Besides, the isolation of bioactive phytochemicals from the plant may lead to the development of new hypoglycaemic agents.