Browsing by Author "Tabuti, John"

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    Anti-tubercular activity of Callistemon citrinus and Piptadenistrum africanum on resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Microplate alamar blue assay
    (ScopeMed, 2015) Bunalema, Lydia; Tabuti, John; Sekagya, Yahaya; Ogwang, Sam; Waako, Paul
    Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death among infectious diseases in the world. It is responsible for killing approximately 1.4 million people per year worldwide. This devastating situation has steadily worsened, exacerbated by the emergence of drug-resistance and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection. The objectives of the study were to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of selected plant species on three TB strains and to determine different phytochemicals contained in the plant species. Methods: Microplate Alamar Blue Assay (MABA) was used to determine the MIC of two commonly mentioned plant species, Piptadenistrum africanum and Callistemon citrinus on resistant variant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Qualitative tests were used to determine the phytochemicals in the plants. Results: The chloroform extract of Callistemon spp. had MICs of 0.048mg/ml, 0.158mg/ml and 0.19mg/ml on the pan sensitive, isoniazid resisistant and rifampicin resistant strains respectively. P. africanum had MICs of 0.395 mg/ml, 0.395 mg/ml and 0.78 mg/ml on the pan sensitive, rifampicin and isoniazid resistant strains respectively. Conclusion: These plant species appear to be active not only on the pan sensitive strains of TB but also on resistant strains and could be developed into drugs for the treatment of Multi drug resistant (MDR) TB.
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    The framework tree species approach to conserve medicinal trees in Uganda
    (Agroforestry systems, 2011) Stangeland, Torunn; Tabuti, John; Lye, Kare A.
    Framework species are indigenous tree species planted in a mixed stand to accelerate natural regeneration of forest and encourage biodiversity regeneration. In this study we used the framework species method to make multipurpose tree gardens to provide traditional healers with woody species used for medicine and other needs like food and firewood. We specifically determined the phenology, germination behaviour, survival and growth after planting 19 indigenous and 8 introduced woody species. The species were planted in a mixed stand together at a density of 3125 ha-1. Field performance was assessed by monitoring survival, height and crown width once every month for 13 months after planting. Eleven species (Artocarpus heterophyllus, Calliandra calothyrsus, Callistemon citrinus, Carica papaya, Carissa spinarum, Leucaena leucocephala, Markhamia lutea, Sarcocephalus latifolius, Senna siamea, S. spectabilis and Terminalia schimperiana) proved to be excellent framework species. Eight species qualified as ‘acceptable’ FWS (Albizia coriaria, Ceiba pentranta, Entada abyssinica, Erythrina abyssinica, Eugenia jambos, Ficus sycomorus, Maesopsis eminii and Milicia excelsa), while seven species were ranked as ‘marginally acceptable’ (Acacia macrothyrsa, Calpurnia aurea, Canarium schweinfurthii, Capparis tomentosa, Ficus natalensis, Senna sp. and Warburgia salutaris). Annona squamosa was the only species rejected since both germination and survival was low. Trees with good reforestation traits could be recommended for planting while the species that were marginally acceptable or rejected require extra research since some of them are important medicinal woody species of conservation concern.
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    Healer-driven ethnoveterinary knowledge diffusion among semi-nomadic pastoralists in Karamoja, Uganda
    (Afrika Focus, 2008) Grade, Jeanne; Weladji, Robert; Tabuti, John; Van Damme, Patrick
    Karamojong, semi-nomadic pastoralists of Uganda, rely on indigenous knowledge (IK) for their own healthcare and their livestock's. It is important to preserve, promote and protect IK, in order to keep it from disappearing. One way is to facilitate its diffusion. The aim of this study was to compare the status of ethnoveterinary knowledge (EVK) in three unrelated communities to investigate whether organised healer-promoted EVK is more easily diffused and to what extent. This study applies a 'knowledge, attitude and practices' (KAP) survey to measure EVK application relating to twelve livestock diseases and sixteen remedies in different communities. Only in the community of Nabilatuk do registered healers regularly meet for participatory EVK sharing and afterwards pass on ideas to neighbours. Participants from the Lorengedwat community rarely interact with Nabilatuk while the interviewees of the Kaabong group have had virtually no chance to interact with the two other communities. In total 180 people (60 per site) were interviewed. Data were analysed in relation to distance from the healers' association; this significantly influenced EVK scores. Overall Nabilatuk scores were higher than those obtained in both other villages, while Lorengedwat was higher than the most distant and remote community ofKaabong. This indicates that organised healers have been effective in divulging their information and in promoting EVK diffusion.
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    Potential of Zanthoxylum leprieurii as a source of active compounds against drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
    (BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 2017) Bunalema, Lydia; Wabo Fotso, Ghislain; Waako, Paul; Tabuti, John; Yeboah, Samuel O.
    Tuberculosis (TB) is still a global health problem mainly due to development of resistance and co-infection with the Human immune Virus (HIV). Treatment of multi and extensively drug resistant TB requires use of second line drugs which are less efficacious, expensive and very toxic. This has necessitated a need to search for new treatment regimens especially from medicinal plants. Zanthoxylum leprieurii, a plant species fromRutaceae is used locally in the treatment of tuberculosis in Uganda. The aim of the study was to isolate, identify and characterize bio active compounds from Z. leprieurii stem bark with antimycobacterial activity. Methods: Crude extracts, fractions and compounds from air dried stem bark of Z. leprieurii were tested against pan sensitive (H37rv), isoniazid resistant (TMC 301) and rifampicin resistant (TMC 331) strains of M. tuberculosis using micro plate alamar blue assay. Isolation of active compounds was done by using column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. They were analysed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. Results: The methanol extract had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 47.5, 75.3 and 125.0 μg/ml on the pan sensitive strain, rifampicin resistant and isozianid resistant strains of M. tuberculosis respectively. The chloroform extract had MIC values of 260 μg/ml agnaist the pan sensitive strain and 156 μg/ml on the rifampicin resistant strain. Of the sixteen fractions from the methanol extract, fraction Za4 (MIC = 6.3 μg/mL, 23.0 μg/mL, 11.7 μg/mL) and Za6 (MIC = 11.7 μg/mL 31.2 μg/ml, 31.2 μg/ml) were the most active. Three acridone alkaloids; hydroxy-1, 3-dimethoxy-10-methyl-9-acridone (1), 1-hydroxy-3-methoxy-10-methyl-9-acridone (2) and 3-hydroxy-1, 5, 6-trimethoxy-9-acridone (3) were isolated fromZa4 and Za6. TheMIC of compound 3 was found to be 5.1 μg/ml, 4.5 μg/ml and 3.9 μg/ml on H37rv, TMC 331 and TMC 301 while that of 1 was found to be 1.5 μg/ml, 8.3 μg/ml and 3.5 μg/ml respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that Z. leprieurii is active on resistant strains of M. tuberculosis and could be a potential source of new leads against resistant tuberculosis. It also verifies the local use of the plant in treatment of tuberculosis.