RESUMEN
Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal properties of selected wild nutraceutical plants from Nebbi district in Uganda. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity, Makerere University, between January and March 2012. Methodology: The diameters of the zones of inhibition and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) were determined using the Agar well diffusion Assay and the serial dilution methods respectively. Results: Seven plant species were tested for their antibacterial and antifungal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Candida albicans (clinical isolates). The ether extract for Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile showed the lowest MIC (150 μg/ml) against C. albicans, with a corresponding large diameter of the zone of inhibition (22.0 mm). The ether extract of Capparis erythrocarpos Isert. showed the highest activity against C. albicans and S. aureus, with MIC values of 330 μg/ml and 400 μg/ml respectively. Conclusion: Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, and Capparis erythrocarpos Isert were the most potent antifungal and antibacterial nutraceutical plant species. The ether extract of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, had the lowest MIC (150 μg/ml) against C. albicans and Capparis erythrocarpos Isert. showed the highest activity against C. albicans, S. aureus, and E. coli with MIC values of 330 μg/ml, 400 μg/ml and 320 μg/ml, respectively. The bioactivity of the selected wild nutriceutical plant species can be used to justify their ethnobotanical uses as ‘medicinal foods’.
RESUMEN
Aims: To inventory the wild plant species used both as food and medicine and how they are used in Panyago Sub County, Nebbi district. Study Design: Ethnobotanical study. Place and Duration of Study: The villages of Kaal, Padoch South, Nyakaduli and Pacer South, Panyango Sub County, Jonam County in Nebbi district, between May and July 2011. Methodology: Data were collected from the local people using questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGD’s) and field observations. Both purposeful sampling and simple random sampling methods were used to obtain the required information. Triangulation was achieved by combining the different data collection techniques and tools. Results: Forty six plant species belonging to 28 different plant families were reported to have overlapping uses as both foods and medicines. They were reported to treat 32 conditions, the commonest being stomach or abdominal aches. Leaves were the most frequently used parts of the plants as food (45.1%), while roots were the most commonly used parts of the plants as medicine (33.8%). Some of the plant species were reported to have the same parts used both as medicine and eaten as food (26.1 %) while other plant species had different parts used either as food or medicine. Infusions were the most commonly used methods of preparation, while most medicines were administered orally. An additional nine plant species belonging to eight plant families were reported to be used as famine foods, with no apparent medicinal benefits. Conclusion: Several species of wild plants are used as nutriceuticals or as medicines by the people of Nebbi. Notably, many of the plants have overlapping uses as food and medicine. Many families still rely heavily on these plant species but are not consistently transferring the knowledge to the younger generations.