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Topical infectious are among of global challenges which propelled up with antimicrobial resistances. This scenario compels for drug discovery and development. Herbal formulation is one of important struggle in the drug development with the purpose of overcoming various diseases distressing health care settings. Thus, this study aimed to formulate and evaluate herbal cream from leaf methanolic extracts of Tephrosia vogelii Hook.f for topical therapies. Herbal cream was prepared by homogeneously mixing up cream base and methanolic leaf extracts of Tephrosia vogelii. Physicochemical properties and in vitro antimicrobial activities of the cream were evaluated. The stability, colour change, washability and texture were parameters used evaluate physicochemical properties of cream. Disc diffusion method was employed to evaluate antimicrobial activities of the cream against Candida albicans (ATCC 90,028), Escherichia coli (ATCC29953) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923). Formulated herbal creams; CBTV1, CBTV2 and CBTV3 with methanolic extracts concentrations content of Tephrosia vogelii 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.25%, respectively, were prepared. All cream formulations were stable, washable by water, green in colour and soft. The CBTV3 product exhibited with high prominent antimicrobial activity compared to the rest, henceforth promisingly to be effective for topical skin therapy. The herbal cream formulation of methanolic leaf extract of Tephrosia vogelii at 0.25% appeared to have more antimicrobial performance. Therefore, it is considered as minimal concentration for the herbal cream formulation in future for clinical trials as a potential antifungal and antibacterial agent product for treatment of skin infections.

This study aimed to investigate the nasal decongestive efficacy of an alternative to pharmacotherapy, a herbal nasal spray composed of Scutellaria baicalensis and Eleutherococcus senticosus. Scutellaria baicalensis and Eleuthrococcus senticosus and control solutions were applied separately to isolated mucosal tissue from inferior turbinates. Vasoconstriction was measured as a change in isometric tension. Moreover, twenty allergic rhinitis patients with nasal stuffiness participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study with cross-over design; the same patients served as their placebo control group. Pre-and post-treatment nasal congestion and smell test scores were evaluated for the test and placebo spray using two validated questionnaires, the 5 question nasal congestion questionnaire and the 12 question Brief Smell Identification Test-Version B. In the ex-vivo mucosal tissue, the herbal compounds were demonstrated to induce vasoconstriction when applied at 10 mg/ml concentration. The combination of S. baicalensis and E. senticosus proved effective in relieving patients’ nasal congestion and was statistically superior to placebo. No side effects were noted, and there was no difference between the pre-and post-study smell test results. The combined S. baicalensis and E. senticosus herbal nasal spray relieved nasal congestion significantly better than placebo without any side effects.

Chromolaena odorata is a medicinal plant whose root has not been reported for detailed anti-diabetic properties. Hence, this study investigated the anti-diabetic properties of the methanol root extract of Chromolaena odorata and its effect on biochemical parameters in alloxan induced diabetic rats. In-vitro studies were carried out using α-amylase inhibition, glycosylated heamoglobin inhibition and glucose uptake test in yeast cells. Twenty (20) alloxan (120 mg/kg bw) induced diabetic rats were divided into 4 groups and treated with 0, 300 and 600 mg/kg bw of the extract and 5 mg/kg b.wt glibenclamide respectively. All treatments were administered daily for 14 days through oral route with the aid of esophageal cannula. Five (5) rats were also set up as normal control. Serum biochemical parameters were analysed. Chromolaena odorata exhibited strong inhibition of α-amylase activity and glycosylated heamoglobin with IC 50 values; 533.05 μg/ml and 679.12 μg/ml respectively Extract doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg bw exhibited 49.86% and 68.30% in vivo hypoglycemic effect and increase the weight gain of animals to 13.23 ± 0.67 g and 13.87 ± 0.67 g respectively. The concentrations of sodium, chloride, bicarbonates, aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total proteins were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated while albumin, direct and total bilirubins were lowered in diabetic untreated rats when compared with the control Treatment with extract at 300 and 600 mg/kg bw significantly (p < 0.05) restored the concentrations of AST, ALP, albumin, total proteins, direct and total bilirubins towards their normal levels but could not significantly (P > 0.05) attenuate the elevated sodium, chloride, bicarbonates, urea and creatinine concentration when compared with the untreated control. Chromolaena odorata root extract exhibited anti-diabetic and protective effect against diabetic induced hepatic impairment. However, diabetic induced renal impairment was not attenuated by treatment with Chromolaena odorata in rats.

Dennentia tripetalla (Pepper Fruit) belongs to the Annonaceae family and is abundant in Nigeria. Its fruit in folklore medicine is used for treatment of varying ailments. While ample research evidence exists on the plants fruit and seed, no current study exists on the toxicological profile of the plant leaves. qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals and In vitro antioxidant assays were carried out using standard methods. The acute toxicity study indicates that the LD50 was higher than 2000 mg/Kg body weight. Sub-chronic toxicity studies was carried out using five groups of rats. Group 1 served as control, 2–5 received 100 mg/Kg, 200 mg/Kg, 500 mg/Kg and 1000 mg/Kg body weight orally for 28 days. Post-administration biochemical analysis indicates there was increased weight in rats administered 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg while it reduced in the 500 mg/kg group. Significant elevations of liver function markers were reported for 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively. Serum and hepatic protein profiles remained unaltered. Renal function analysis revealed elevated serum urea and creatinine for 200 and 500 mg/kg groups, elevated serum Na+ and Ca+ and reduced serum Cl− for the 500 mg/Kg group. Elevated Kidney K+ and Ca+ levels, reduced Cl− were significantly observed in 500 mg/Kg group. Significant rise in hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation was observed in 200 and 500 mg/Kg groups. There were observed disarmament of the antioxidant defense systems occasioned by rise and drop in tissue (hepatic, renal, testes, heart) Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (Cat), Glutathione-s-transferase (GST), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the test groups relative to control. Histopathological examination indicated architectural aberrations at 500 and 1000 mg/kg. It concluded that the plant had significant phytochemical and antioxidant properties of medical interest and possessed toxic properties in rats when administered at a dose above 200 mg/Kg over a prolonged period of time.

Viola odorata, widely distributed in Eastern and Western Himalaya region is extensively used in treatment of various respiratory ailment, calculous affections and nervous disorders. It is a rich source of alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins as well as viola-quercitin and salicyclic acid known as natural aspirin. The present study was aimed to isolate bioactive compounds from the aerial parts of V. odorata. The isolated compound from aerial parts of V. odorata was identified grounded on observed spectral data including ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), Fourier-transform infrared, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, 1H and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance. The antibacterial efficacy of isolated compound was determined by disc diffusion method against five bacterial strains namely, Haemophilus influenzae (MTCC 3826), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 2474), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 1144), Streptococcus pyogenes (MTCC 422) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (MTCC 655) and Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) by a serial dilution method by using 96 well microtiter plates. Based on spectral data analysis, one new structurally related ionone-like compound known as 3-(2′,4′,6′,6′-tetramethylcyclohexa-1′,4′-dienyl)acrylic acid (1) has been isolated from aerial parts of V. odorata, with significant bioactivity. The antibacterial efficacy of compound 1 ranged between 7.3 ± 0.28 to 9.3 ± 0.28 mm against selected respiratory bacteria at 6 mg/disc concentration. The MICs were recorded at 32–128 μg/ml. Streptococcus pyogenes was fairly resistant and Haemophilus influenzae more sensitive than others. By this study, it can be concluded that compound 1 has significant bioactive properties against tested microorganisms. It validates its use as a new potential source of natural drug for curing the respiratory diseases caused by selected microorganisms.

Ethiopia is among the top floral biodiversity rich countries in the world. More than 7000 species of plants, 15% of they are endemic, are reported in the country. Accessibility, cultural enrichment, and cheapness make 80% of the Ethiopian people used indigenous plants for various health ailments and diseases in their traditional medical practices. Therefore, the current review examined the use patterns of medicinal plants utilized for hepatic disorders in Ethiopian traditional medical practices for further scientific investigations. Ethnobotanical and related studies on medicinal plants utilized for hepatic disorders in Ethiopia were reviewed. Ethiopian university websites, Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, and other online internet search engines were used to access literature articles. The number of plant species and families, used parts, used conditions, modes of preparation, and routes of administration were tabulated and summarized using Excel spreadsheet and descriptive statistics, respectively. The current review showed that 276 plant species belonging to 89 families were used for hepatic disorders in Ethiopian traditional medical practices. The commonly utilized plant families were Asteraceae (10.14%), Fabaceae (9.08%), Euphorbiaceae (7.61%), Laminaceae (4.35%), Solanaceae (3.99%), and Aloaceae (2.90%). Justicia schimperiana (34.34%), Croton macrostachyus, and Phytolacca dodecandra (each 20.20%), Cordia africana, Cucumis ficifolius, and Rumex abyssinica (each 10.10%) were among the most utilized plant species. They were mainly distributed in Oromo (58%), southern (36%), and Amhara (35.5%) regions. Herbs (47.10%), shrubs (26.09%) and trees (20.65%) were their primary growth forms, while leaves (34.30%) and roots (33.06%) were their commonly utilized parts. Pounding (24.59%), decoction (19.67%), powdering (9.84%), and concoction (9.13%) were their major modes of preparations. Water was the most utilized solvent (48.26%) for the remedy preparations, which were mainly administered orally (76.35%). This review showed that many claimed medicinal plants were utilized for the treatment of hepatic disorders in Ethiopian traditional medical practices. Hence, further experimental investigation is recommended to standardize their quality and phytochemistry and validate their safety and efficacy. Documentation and conservation of indigenous herbal knowledge have also been strengthened.

Acanthus ilicifolius L. is admired for its traditional usage in the folk medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases including allergy and helminthiasis in various parts of the planet. The ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of this shrub (EEAI) was investigated in the present study for its major phytochemical groups, antiallergic activity, anthelmintic activity, cytotoxicity and for acute toxicity. Antiallergic activity was carried out using Toluene 2, 4-diisocyanate (TDI)-induced allergic mice model by assessing various symptoms of allergic rhinitis like sneezing, scratching, swelling and watery rhinorrhea as well as counting the total and differential leukocytes profile of blood. The paralysis and death time of parasites, Haemonchus contortus (Nematoda) and Paramphistomum cervi (Trematoda) were used for anthelmintic activity test. Mortality of mice was counted to evaluate the acute toxicity whereas the mortality of brine shrimp was taken into account to assess cytotoxic potential of the extract. Phytochemical screening of the extract demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids. Oral pretreatment of the extract significantly ameliorated the TDI-induced allergic symptoms like sneezing (p < 0.05), scratching (p < 0.05), swelling and watery rhinorrhea in experimental mice. The extract also reduced the differential count of leukocytes in the blood which was increased due to induction of allergic conditions through TDI sensitization. In anthelmintic activity test the extract revealed a dose dependent decrease in the relative index of paralysis and death for both H. contortus and P. cervi parasites and thus indicated the extract to be parasiticidal at higher concentrations. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay of toxicity assessment, the LC50 of the standard drug vincristine sulfate was 0.43 μg/mL whereas the extract showed the LC50 as 44.57 μg/mL indicating a promising cytotoxicity of the extract. In acute toxicity study the highest dose 3 g/kg failed to show any mortality in Swiss albino mice and thus confirmed the safety of the extract for in vivo administration. The present study corroborated the traditional uses of the aerial parts of Acanthus ilicifolius L. in allergic diseases and in helminthiasis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the herbal medicine Canephron®N, particularly regarding its ability to prevent recurrences of cystitis, associated with E.Coli in women of child-bearing age. Ninety patients were randomised into two treatment groups. Both, the test group (n = 45) and the control group (n = 45), received an antibacterial therapy (fluoroquinolones) for 7 days determined by urine culture. Furthermore, in both groups general recommendations on preventing cystitis were made (sufficient liquid consumption, avoidance of hypothermia etc.). The test group received an additional Canephron®N therapy for 3 months (2 tablets, three times a day). Control examinations were conducted on day 7 and after 3, 6 and 12 months; or immediately in the case of a recurrent episode. The following cystitis symptoms were recorded at each time point: pain in the bladder, burning and stinging during urination, urinary urgency and frequent urination in small amounts. The criteria for defining a recurrent episode of cystitis were rebound lower urinary tract infection symptoms with pyuria and positive bacteriological urine culture. Canephron®N in addition to fluoroquinolones helps to reduce cystitis symptoms after 7 days better compared to treatment with fluoroquinolones only, as well as pyuria after 3, 6 and 12 months and urine levels of E. coli at 3 and 12 months. The frequency rate of recurrent episodes of cystitis was in the test group always lower than in the control group with a statistically significant difference at 6 months (8.9% vs. 17.8%) and at 12 months (15.5% vs. 35.5%). At 12 months, the mean score of the LUTI Symptom Severity Index was 6 (p ≤ 0.05) in the control patients and 3 (p ≤ 0.05) in the test patients. This may indicate that the relapses were less severe in the test group. Treatment with the herbal medicine Canephron®N is a novel treatment method of alleviating the symptoms of cystitis and especially for reducing the rate of recurrent cystitis episodes.