Background: Patients with lymphoedema are at high risk of getting bacterial and fungal wound infections leading to acute inflammatory episodes associated with cellulitis and erysipelas. In Ethiopia, wound infections are traditionally treated with medicinal plants.Methods: Agar well diffusion and colorimetric microdilution methods were used to determine the antibacterial activity of methanol extracts of the three medicinal plants againstStaphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shewanella alage, methicillin-resistantS. aureusATCC®43300TM,Staphylococcus aureusATCC25923,Escherichia coliATCC25922,Klebsiella pneumoniaeATCC700603, andPseudomonas aeruginosaATCC37853.Results: The methanol extract ofL. inermisleaves showed high activity against all tested bacterial species, which was comparable to the standard drugs. Similarly, the extracts ofA. indicashowed activity against all tested species though at higher concentrations, and higher activity was recorded againstStreptococcus pyogenesisolates at all concentrations. However, the extract ofA. asperashowed the lowest activity against all tested species exceptStreptococcus pyogenesisolates. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was recorded with the extract ofL. inermisagainstE. coliisolate andS. aureusATCC 25923.Conclusion: Methanol extracts ofL. inermis, A. indica, andA. asperaleaves exhibited antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial isolates involved in wound infections, of which the methanol extracts ofL. inermisexhibited the highest activity. The results of the present study support the traditional use of plants against microbial infections, which could potentially be exploited for the treatment of wound infections associated with lymphoedema.

Background:Podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis are the most common causes of lower limb lymphoedema in the tropics. Many sufferers experience frequent painful episodes of acute bacterial infection. Plant based traditional medicines are used to treat infections in many countries and are culturally established in Ethiopia. Ethiopian medicinal plants found to have antibacterial and antifungal activities were reviewed with the aim of increasing information about the treatment of wound infections in patients with lymphoedema.Methods:This study collates data from published articles on medicinal plants with antibacterial and antifungal activities in Ethiopia. A systematic search of Scopus, EMBASE, PUBMED/MEDLINE and Google Scholar was undertaken. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42019127471. All controlled studies ofin vitroantibacterial and antifungal activities were considered. All articles containing the descriptors published until June 28, 2019 were included. The outcome was measured as percent inhibition of microbial growth. For quality assessment of individualin vitrostudies, OECD guidelines and the WHO-Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) handbook were used.Results:Seventy-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 150 plant species and three compounds had been tested against 42 species of bacteria, while 43 plant species had been tested against 22 species of fungus.Conclusion:Materials derived from several Ethiopian medicinal plants have been shown to have promising activity against a variety of bacteria and fungi. Those derived fromAzadiractha indicaA. Juss. andLawsonia inermsL.are the most extensively studied against a wide range of gram-negative and positive bacteria, and fungal species.

Plant materials are used worldwide as complementary and alternative therapeutics for the treatment of various illnesses. In Ethiopia, folk medicines are utilized across a wide range of cultures and settings. Ethiopia has numerous plant species of which around 12% are endemic, making it a rich source of medicinal plants that are potentially important for human wellbeing. The aim of this study was to assess Ethiopian medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory or wound healing activities, in an attempt to compile the information required for further investigation of their potential role in the management of lymphoedema. A systematic review protocol was developed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. The protocol for this review was registered on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42019127471. This review considers all controlled in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory and wound healing studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of Ethiopian medicinal plants. The search strategy included all articles containing descriptors such as Ethiopia, medicinal plants, herbal products, care, management, lymphoedema, lymphedema, swelling, podoconiosis, elephantiasis, wound, wound healing, inflammation, an anti-inflammatory that were published until June 28, 2019. Outcomes were measured as the percentage of inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cell inhibition, as the percentage of carrageenan-induced oedema (anti-inflammation) inhibition, and the percentage of cell migration and proliferation (wound healing). For quality assessment of individual animal studies, the Risk of Bias tool for animal intervention studies (SYRCLE's RoB tool) criteria were used. For quality assessment of individual in vitro studies, the OECD guidelines and the WHO Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) handbook were used. A total of 46 articles on anti-inflammatory and 17 articles on wound healing properties were reviewed. For the in vivo studies, Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats were used, and the concentration of plant extracts or fractions administered to the lab animals varied considerably. Acetone extract of Vernonia amygdalina showed the fastest anti-inflammatory activity at lower concentrations in carrageenan-induced paw oedema. Lawsonia inermis, Azadirachta indica, Achyranthes aspera, and Cuminum cyminum are the most studied plant species in terms of anti-inflammatory activity, while Lawsonia inermis and Azadirachta indica are the most studied ones for wound healing. The most common in vivo techniques used for the anti-inflammatory and the wound healing assays were carrageenan-induced paw oedema, and excision and incision wound models, respectively.

Artemisia scoparia is traditionally used in the local system of medicine in kidney disorders. This study aimed at scrutinizing the nephroprotective prospective of A. scoparia methanol extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) provoked DNA damages and oxidative stress in kidneys of rat. Dried aerial parts of A. scoparia were powdered and extracted with methanol to obtain the viscous material (ASM). Sprague Dawley male rats (42) were grouped (7) having 6 rats in each. Group I remained untreated and Group II treated intraperitoneally (i.p) with DMSO + olive oil (1 ml/kg body weight (bw). Rats of Group III - VI were treated with CCl4 (1 ml/kg bw; i.p 30 % v/v in olive oil). Animals of Group IV were co-administered with 100 mg/kg bw of silymarin whereas rats of Group V and VI with 150 mg/kg bw and 300 mg/kg bw of ASM at an interval of 48 h for four weeks. Animals of Group VII were administered with ASM (300 mg/kg bw) alone. DNA damages were investigated with comet assay in renal tissues while the oxidative injuries were estimated in serum and renal tissues. Co-administration of ASM to rats significantly reduced the DNA damages at 300 mg/kg dose as indicated in comet length (40.80 ± 2.60 μm), head length (34.70 ± 2.21 μm), tail length (7.43 ± 1.24 μm) and DNA content in head (88.03 ± 2.27 %) to that of CCl4 for comet length (63.16 ± 2.11 μm), head length (23.29 ± 1.50 μm), tail length (39.21 ± 2.81 μm) and DNA content of head (74.81 ± 2.18 %) in renal cell’s nuclei. Increased level of urea, creatinine, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen whereas decreased concentration of proteins in serum of CCl4 treated animals were restored towards the normal level with co-administration of ASM. CCl4 injection in rats decreased the activity level of CAT, POD, SOD, GST and γ-GT and GSH contents while elevated levels of TBARS, H2O2 and nitrite contents were observed in renal tissues. A noteworthy retrieval of all these parameters and the altered histopathological observations was notified near to the normal values after treatment with both the doses of ASM. Results obtained suggested the therapeutic role of ASM in oxidative stress related disorder of kidneys.

Introduction: The various fractions of leaves of Achyranthes aspera L. (A. aspera) have not yet been explored scientifically for in-vivo wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. The objective of this study was, therefore, to evaluate in-vivo wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities of solvent fractions of 80% methanol leaf extract of A. aspera in rats. Methods: The 80% methanol leaf extract of A. aspera was fractionated with chloroform, n-butanol and water. Wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using excision and incision wound models, rat paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma models, respectively. For wound healing activity, fractions were evaluated at 5 and 10% ointments. The positive control groups were treated with nitrofurazone 0.2% ointment. Simple ointment treated for excision wound model and untreated for incision wound model rats were assigned as negative controls. For anti-inflammatory activity, fractions were evaluated at 100, 200 and 400mg/kg. Positive control groups were treated with indomethacin 10mg/kg for both rat paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma models. The 2% Tween 80 treated rats were assigned as negative controls for both anti-inflammatory activity models. All groups comprised of 6 rats and treatment administrations were made topically and orally for evaluation of wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. Results: The 10% w/w chloroform fraction ointment revealed a high percentage of wound contraction and reduced period of epithelialization (p < 0.01). Chloroform fraction was also found to be the most active fraction, which demonstrated the maximum percentage inhibition of edema (52.50%; p < 0.01) and transudative and proliferative component of chronic inflammation (37.52 and 52.81%; p < 0.01), which was comparable to indomethacin. Conclusion: Data obtained from this study collectively indicated that a chloroform fraction of 80% methanol leaf extract of A. aspera possessed significant wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities.

Plants are an efficient source of natural antioxidant against free radicals causing kidney damages. Sida cordata ethyl acetate fraction has been reported for strong in vitro antioxidant potency, previously. In the present study, our objective was to evaluate its in vivo antioxidant potency against CCl₄ induced nephrotoxicity and investigates the bioactive phytochemicals by HPLC-DAD analysis. Phytochemical analysis was performed by HPLC-DAD methodology. For in vivo study, 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with alternatively managed doses for 60 days. Group I animals were remained untreated. Group II animals were treated with vehicle (1 mL of olive oil) by intragastric route on alternate days. Group III was treated with 30% CCl₄ (1 mL/kg b.w.) i.p. Group IV was treated with 30% CCl₄ (1 mL/kg b.w.) i.p and silymarin intragastric. Group V and VI rats were treated with 30% CCl₄ and SCEE (150 and 300 mg/kg b.w., respectively) intragastric. Group VII animals were treated with SCEE (300 mg/kg b.w.) intragastrically. Blood parameters, Serum proteins and urine profile were investigated. Activities of tissue enzyme i.e. catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, GSH and γ-GT were evaluated. Histopathological observations, total protein contents, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and relative weight were also analyzed. Gallic acid, catechin and caffeic acid were identified in SCEE fraction by HPLC-DAD. Decrease in the count of red blood cells, neutrophils, eosinophils and concentration of hemoglobin whereas increase in lymphocyte count and estimation of sedimentation rate (ESR) with 1 mL CCl₄ (30% in Olive oil) administration (30 doses in 60 days) was restored dose dependently with co-treatment of SCEE (150 and 300 mg/kg b.w.). Treatment of rats with CCl₄ markedly (P < 0.01) increased the count of urinary red blood cells and leucocytes, concentration of urea, creatinine and urobilinogen and specific gravity whereas creatinine clearance was reduced. Serum level of total protein, albumin, globulin, nitrite, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was significantly increased (P < 0.01) by CCl₄ treatment. The activity of antioxidant enzymes; catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase and content of reduced glutathione was decreased (P < 0.01) significantly. However, increased concentration (P < 0.01) of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and histopathological injuries were noticed in the renal tissues of rats after the treatment with CCl₄. Co-administration of SCEE, dose dependently, protected the alterations in the studied parameters of rats at 150 and 300 mg/kg b.w. The present study revealed that SCEE could be used as a possible remedy for renal toxicity abnormalities. These results are an evidence of the renal protective role of S.cordat ethyl acetate fraction against CCl₄ induced nephrotoxicity in rats which may be due to its antioxidant compounds.