Browsing by Author "Gumisiriza, Hannington"

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    Anthocyanin Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Edible Leaves of Dissotis brazzae Cogn (Melastomataceae)
    (Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2020) Adaku, Christopher; Skaar, Irene; Gumisiriza, Hannington; Byamukama, Robert; Jordheim, Monica; Andersen, JOyvind Moksheim
    Anthocyanins are colored bioactive phytochemicals in the class of flavonoids with high potential as dietary antioxidants. Demand for anthocyanins in functional food and nutraceutical industries has continued to increase over the past decades. However, sources of anthocyanins for commercial exploitation are currently limited. Tropical Africa and Uganda in particular, harbors many plant species with potential to serve as new sources of anthocyanins. In this study, the anthocyanin profile and antioxidant activity of edible leaves of Dissotis brazzae, a plant of tropical African origin, were investigated. Two known anthocyanins, (1) cyanidin 3-O-β-glucopyranoside (1.28±0.44 mg/g fr. wt.) and (2) cyanidin 3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (1.89±0.42 mg/g fr. wt.), were isolated from D. brazzae purple leaves by a combination of chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated mainly by homo- and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and online HPLC/UV-Vis spectroscopy. The isolated anthocyanins showed appreciable level of antioxidant activity against DPPH, with 1 (IC50=9.2±0.2 μg/ml) showing slightly higher antioxidant potency than 2 (IC50=14.0±0.6 μg/ml). However, quercetin (IC50=4.5±0.4 μg/ml) used as a reference showed a higher antioxidant activity than 1 and 2. The total anthocyanin content of D. brazzae leaves (317 mg/100g) was within the range (80 – 680 mg/100g) of anthocyanins content in most dietary sources. This is the first report of fully characterised anthocyanins from the genus Dissotis, which may be of taxonomic importance. A new dietary source of the rare cyanidin 3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside has been identified.
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    Medicinal plant species used by local communities around Queen Elizabeth National Park, Maramagambo Central Forest Reserve and Ihimbo Central Forest Reserve, South western Uganda
    (Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2019) Gumisiriza, Hannington; Birungi, Grace; Apio Olet, Eunice; Sesaazi, Crispin Duncan
    The application of ethnobotanical indigenous knowledge is very important in improving primary healthcare systems among the local communities living around and within protected areas in South Western Uganda. In this area, there are biodiversity endowed Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), Maramagambo Central Forest Reserve (MCFR) and Ihimbo Central Forest Reserve (ICFR). Despite the rich floral diversity and cultural heritage, there is no published documentation on the use of medicinal plants in this area. This information can be used as a basis for the selection of medicinal plants for further phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Study aim: This study identified and documented the use of medicinal plants, plant parts used, and mode of preparation and administration by the local communities living around and within QENP, MCFR and ICFR. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was used to collect data from 202 informants using semi-structured questionnaires, open interviews and field visits. Ethnobotanical data was analyzed using use reports (UR), frequency of citation (FC) and Informant Consensus Factor (FIC). The plants species were identified by botanists and voucher specimens were deposited. Results: A total of 302 medicinal plant species were mentioned by informants, out of which only 211 species belonging to 65 families and 165 genera were collected, identified and documented. The remaining 91 species were not available for collection and informants stated that they had become very rare within the study area. Herbs (35.8%) were the main source of herbal medicine. Leaves (60.4%) were the most commonly used plant parts used in the preparation of herbal remedies. Most of the medicinal plants were harvested from the wild, either growing in abundance (41%) or as rare species (21%). The most common mode of administration was oral, while other exceptional modes such as touching with bare hands and sweeping over the affected part were reported for the first time. The medicinal plant species were reported to treat 134 physical ailments, which were grouped into 16 ICPC-2 disease categories. Digestive disorders (854 UR) and general and unspecified disorders (507) scored the highest FIC value of 0.83. The highest number of medicinal plants (146 plant species) was used for treatment of digestive disorders. Among the species with higher use reports, Gouania longispicata had the highest frequency of citation (FC=174) and was mentioned to be used to treat 41 physical ailments. The most important ailment treated by Gouania longispicata was allergy with 102 use reports. Conclusions: A variety of medicinal plants are used by communities living near protected areas in South Western Uganda. Most species were used in the treatment of digestive disorders, followed by general and unspecified disorders. Much as allergy has not been identified as a major threat by the health sector in Uganda, the study found out that it is one of the prevalent ailments in the study area. While the therapeutic value of some of the documented medicinal plant species, especially those with higher frequency of citation have been scientifically validated, the efficacy and safety of other species with wide application need to be investigated. In this study, we recommend further scientific studies on Gouania longispicata to validate its wide usage in the study area.
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    Medicinal Plants Used to Treat ‘African’ Diseases by the Local Communities of Bwambara Sub-county in Rukungiri District, Western Uganda
    (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2020) Gumisiriza, Hannington; Sesaazi, Crispin Duncan; Apio Olet, Eunice; Kembabazi, Owen; Birungi, Grace
    Ethnopharmacological relevance: In Africa, traditional medicine encompasses a diverse range of practices, including herbalism and spiritualism, where some diseases are believed to be “African” since they can only be traditionally treated. Indigenous knowledge on the management of “African” diseases using medicinal plants is still handed down orally from generation to generation by tribal societies of tropical Africa, and with the rapid westernization of these societies there is a pressing need to record local knowledge before it is lost forever. Aim: This study documented medicinal plant species associated with the management of “African” diseases by the local communities of Bwambara sub-county in Rukungiri district, Western Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. The data collected included names of plant species, plant parts used, diseases treated, methods of preparation, and mode of administration of the herbal remedies. A total of 196 informants participated in the study. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics and the Informant consensus factor. Results: We documented 67 medicinal plant species distributed over 27 families and 62 genera. The most commonly reported species belong to Asteraceae family. The most frequently used medicinal species were Chenopodium opulifolium (27), Sesbania sesban (26), Thevetia peruviana (25), Leonotis nepetifolia (23), Momordica foetida (23), Euphorbia hirta (21) and Cassia mimosoides (20). Leaves were the most commonly used plants parts and decoctions were the main method of preparation. Water was the main medium used for the preparation of the remedies which were administered orally while petroleum jelly was the main medium for those which were used as ointments. The medicinal plant species reported are used to treat 39 conditions which were clustered into 10 International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) disease categories. There is a high degree of consensus among the informants on which medicinal plant species they use for different diseases especially disorders in the following categories: neurological (FIC = 0.90), general and unspecified (FIC = 0.87), digestive (FIC = 0.86) and female genital (FIC = 0.82). Conclusion: Local communities of Bwambara sub-county in Rukungiri district, Western Uganda use a rich diversity of medicinal plant species in the management of various “African” diseases. Therefore, collaboration between users of medicinal plants and scientists is paramount, to help in the discovery of new drugs based on indigenous knowledge.