Browsing by Author "Kawuma, Carol"

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    Acute and subacute toxicity profile of ethanolic stem bark extract of Albizia coriaria Welw. ex Oliv. in Wistar albino rats
    (Toxicology Reports, 2024-01) Obakiro, Samuel Baker; Kiyimba, Kenedy; Owor, Richard Oriko; Andima, Moses; Lukwago, Tonny Wotoyitide; Kawuma, Carol; Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Nabatanzi, Alice; Kibuule, Dan; Kato, Charles Drago; Anywar, Godwin; Waako, Paul
    Albizia coriaria (Fabaceae) crude extracts are key ingredients of several licensed and unlicensed herbal products in East Africa. However, there is limited and often contradicting information regarding its toxicity. We therefore evaluated the acute and subacute toxicity of the ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria in mature healthy Wistar albino rats following Lorke’s method and OECD guidelines 407. The LD50 of the ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria was 2000 mg/kg. The acute toxicity signs observed included piloerection, hyperventilation, lethargy, and loss of righting reflex. There was a significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, red blood cells and haemoglobin in rats after 28 days at the dose of 500 mg/kg. Histological analyses revealed multifocal random parenchymal necrosis and scattered periportal mononuclear inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver, interstitial nephritis in the kidney and multifocal lymphoid accumulation in the peribronchiolar and perivascular lung tissue at 500 mg/kg. The ethanolic stem bark of A. coriaria was therefore moderately toxic to the rats when administered in a single high oral dose within 24 h. The extract caused a dose dependent toxicity with significant damage to the kidney, liver and lung tissues at a dose of 500 mg/kg after 28 days. Herbal medicines containing A. coriaria extracts should be consumed cautiously due to likelihood of toxicity particularly at higher doses greater than 500 mg/kg.
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    Acute and subacute toxicity profile of ethanolic stem bark extract of Albizia coriaria Welw. ex Oliv. in Wistar albino rats Author links open overlay panel
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2024-06) Obakiro, Samuel Baker; Kiyimba, Kenedy; Owor, Richard Oriko; Andima, Moses; Lukwago, Tonny Wotoyitide; Kawuma, Carol; Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Nabatanzi, Alice; Kibuule, Dan; Kato, Charles Drago; Anywar, Godwin; Waako, Paul
    Abstract Albizia coriaria (Fabaceae) crude extracts are key ingredients of several licensed and unlicensed herbal products in East Africa. However, there is limited and often contradicting information regarding its toxicity. We therefore evaluated the acute and subacute toxicity of the ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria in mature healthy Wistar albino rats following Lorke’s method and OECD guidelines 407. The LD 50 of the ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria was 2000 mg/kg. The acute toxicity signs observed included piloerection, hyperventilation, lethargy, and loss of righting reflex. There was a significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, red blood cells and haemoglobin in rats after 28 days at the dose of 500 mg/kg. Histological analyses revealed multifocal random parenchymal necrosis and scattered periportal mononuclear inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver, interstitial nephritis in the kidney and multifocal lymphoid accumulation in the peribronchiolar and perivascular lung tissue at 500 mg/kg. The ethanolic stem bark of A. coriaria was therefore moderately toxic to the rats when administered in a single high oral dose within 24 h. The extract caused a dose dependent toxicity with significant damage to the kidney, liver and lung tissues at a dose of 500 mg/kg after 28 days. Herbal medicines containing A. coriaria extracts should be consumed cautiously due to likelihood of toxicity particularly at higher doses greater than 500 mg/kg. ga1 • This study assesed the acute and subacute toxicity effects of the ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria, a key ingredient of several licensed and unlicensed herbal products on Uganda market. • The ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria was found to be moderately toxic when administered in a single high oral dose within 24 h with a median lethal dose of 2000 mg/kg. • In repeated daily doses of 500 mg/kg, the ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria caused significant toxicity to the lungs, liver and kidney tissues. • Herbal medicines containing A. coriaria extracts should be consumed cautiously due to likelihood of associated toxicity particularly at higher doses greater 500 mg/kg.
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    Analysis of the Effect of Thematic Irrigation Schemes on Soil and Water Quality in Butaleja, Uganda
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2023-10-02) Keneema, Christine; Semwogerere, Twaibu; Kamalha, Edwin; Alio, Deborah; Kawuma, Carol
    Irrigation processes have been at the forefront of reasons for increased food production. However, the soil and water parameters are areas of focus when considering irrigation. The study aimed to assess the effect of irrigation on soil and water parameters in the Doho irrigation scheme in Eastern Uganda. The methodology used was generally quantitative, following experimental designs. Water and soil samples were picked from randomly selected blocks for experiments conducted directly in the field and in the laboratories. Parameters tested include the pH, Electrical conductivity, salinity, Ca, K and Na among others. Findings revealed that irrigation affected all the parameters either negatively or positively regarding soil and water considerations. Irrigation increased salinity (0.1 – 0.2), electrical conductivity (1.49 – 4.2) and sodium (0.75 – 1.53) levels in soil and water, while prolonged irrigation lowered calcium (2.8 – 3.25) and potassium (0.45 – 0.76) levels. There was no considerable effect on water and soil pH. A variation was recorded in water and soil parameters where the highest concentrations were recorded in water samples. Prolonged irrigation affects water and soil parameters because it causes leaching of soil, causing a high concentration of ions in down layers of soil. Furthermore, the equipment that is often used to construct these schemes is often heavy compacting soil, and resulting oil spills alter physical and chemical properties. The study recommends that there should be continuous assessment of chemical and physical properties for water and soil parameters in Doho and other similar irrigation projects around the globe
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    Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemistry of medicinal plants used in the management of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Uganda
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2024-06) Owor, Richard Oriko; Kawuma, Carol; Nantale, Gauden; Kiyimba, Kenedy; Obakiro, Samuel Baker; Ouma, Simple; Lulenzi, Jalia; Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Chebijira, Mercy; Lukwago, Tonny Wotoyitide; Egor, Moses; Musagala, Peter; Andima, Moses; Kibuule, Dan; Waako, Paul; Hokello, Joseph
    Currently, highly active antiretroviral therapy is unable to cure HIV/AIDS because of HIV latency. This study aimed at documenting medicinal plants used in the management of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Uganda so as to identify phytochemicals with HIV latency reversing potential. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted across eight districts in Eastern Uganda. Traditional medicine practitioners were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical tests were respectively, performed to determine the presence and quantity of phytochemicals in frequently mentioned plant species. Data were analysed and presented using descriptive statistics and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). Twenty-one plant species from fourteen plant families were reported to be used in the management of HIV/AIDS. Six plant species with the highest frequency of mention were: Zanthoxylum chalybeum, Gymnosporia senegalensis, Warbugia ugandensis, Leonatis nepetifolia, Croton macrostachyus and Rhoicissus tridentata. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of all the six most frequently mentioned plant species revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids and phenolics. Quantitative analysis revealed the highest content of flavonoids in L. nepetifolia (20.4 mg/g of dry extract) while the lowest content was determined in C. macrostachyus (7.1 mg/g of dry extract). On the other hand, the highest content of tannins was observed in L. nepetifolia. (199.9 mg/g of dry extract) while the lowest content was found in R. tridentata. (42.6 mg/g of dry extract). Medicinal plants used by traditional medicine practitioners in Eastern Uganda to manage HIV/AIDS are rich in phytochemicals including flavonoids and tannins. Further studies to evaluate the HIV-1 latency reversing ability of these phytochemicals are recommended to discover novel molecules against HIV/AIDS.
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    Statistical Model for Predicting Salinity of Water at Doho 1 Irrigation Scheme in Busia
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2021-12-13) Keneema, Christine; Semwogerere, Twaibu; Kamalha, Edwin; Alio, Deborah; Kawuma, Carol
    The concentration of salts in water or salt affects crop yields to a good extent. Irrigation salinity can be controlled by various methods including modelling. Therefore, this study aimed at designing a model for predicting the salinity of the water at the Doho Irrigation Scheme in Butaleja district, eastern Uganda for better rice growing. This study used the different water chemical parameters from the different sites of the scheme, where water samples were collected and measured in the laboratory. A multivariate regression method was used to model water salinity through the Electrical Conductivity as the dependent variable and other water chemical parameters like potassium (K), Sodium (Na), pH and Calcium (Ca) were used as independent variables. A non-linear statistical model was derived from the chemical results of the irrigation scheme, presented and validated by applying it on the water samples that were not used during the design of the model. The model measured salinity levels and can be used to determine which water chemical levels are good for rice growing in Doho and other similar situations. Hence, the model can be used to improve food quality and quantity as required in the food production goal