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Tanzania Journal of Health Research
Health User's Trust Fund (HRUTF)
ISSN: 1821-6404
Vol. 11, No. 2, 2009, pp. 75-78
Bioline Code: th09014
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

Tanzania Journal of Health Research, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2009, pp. 75-78

 en Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of fresh leaf extracts of Warburgia ugandensis check for this species in other resources
Mbwambo, Z Z; Erasto, P P.; Innocent, E E. & Masimba, P P

Abstract

Warburgia ugandensis check for this species in other resources Sprague (Canellaceae), is widely used by Traditional Health Practitioners in Eastern and Southern Africa for treatment of diseases and conditions associated with HIV/AIDS infections. The most commonly prescribed parts of the plant are usually barks and roots. The aim of this study is to investigate whether leaves of this plant have biological activities comparable to those of barks and roots. Fresh leaves of W. ugandensis were freeze-dried to complete dryness while another portion of the leaves from the same collection were air-dried under shade. Ethanolic extracts from the two differently dried leaves were tested for antimicrobial activity and for brine shrimp toxicity test. Ethanolic extract from the freeze-dried leaves exhibited both antibacterial activity against standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus check for this species in other resources , Escherichia coli check for this species in other resources , Vibrio cholerae check for this species in other resources , Bacillus cereus check for this species in other resources and antifungal activity against Candida albicans check for this species in other resources and Cryptococcus neoformans check for this species in other resources . The extract from the air-dried leaves showed similar antibacterial activity against the mentioned organisms but had no antifungal activity. However, both extracts exhibited comparable cytotoxic activity (95% CI), against brine shrimp larvae with reference to cyclophosphamide, a standard anticancer drug. Fresh leaves of W. ugandensis have shown to exhibit anticandida activity, a factor which substantiates their application as a traditional herbal remedy to complement treatment of fungal infections in HIV/AIDS patients. Further studies to gate leaves of this plant to establish constituents responsible for the exhibited antifungal activity are highly desirable.

Keywords
Traditional medicine, Warburgia ugandensis, Candida infections, Tanzania

 
© Copyright 2009 Tanzania Journal of Health Research.

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