ABSTRACT
Hermannia incana Cav. is a prostrate herb used to treat diarrhea, stomach ache, nausea and vomiting, by the people of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The phytochemical screening as well as the antidiarrheal activity of H. incana leaf extract at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight was evaluated in rats. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive agents such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, cardenolides and dienolides. The extract significantly prolonged the time of induction of diarrhea, reduced the frequency of diarrheal episodes and water content of the feces, and inhibited castor oil-induced enteropooling. The extract also suppressed intestinal propulsive movement of a charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract. These results demonstrate the antidiarrheal properties of the extract, thereby supporting the folkloric use of the plant as an antidiarrheal agent in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Subject(s)
Antidiarrheals/pharmacology , Diarrhea/drug therapy , Malvaceae/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animals , Antidiarrheals/isolation & purification , Castor Oil/pharmacology , Female , Gastrointestinal Transit/drug effects , Intestinal Secretions/drug effects , Loperamide/pharmacology , Male , Medicine, African Traditional , Plant Leaves , Rats , Rats, Wistar , South Africa , Time FactorsABSTRACT
An ethnobotanical study of plants used for the treatment of diarrhoea in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa was carried out, using a questionnaire which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. Information collected revealed the names of plants used for the treatment of diarrhoea, the parts used and the methods of preparation. This survey indicated a total of 17 plant species from 14 families used in the Province. Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Hermannia incana, Pelargonium reniforme, Alepidea amatymbica and Bulbine latifolia were the most frequently mentioned and highly recommended plants for the treatment of diarrhoea by both the traditional healers and rural dwellers. Roots, bark and leaves are the common parts of plants used, while decoctions and infusions are the main methods of preparation.
Subject(s)
Diarrhea , Plants/chemistry , Plants/classification , Diarrhea/drug therapy , Ethnobotany , South AfricaABSTRACT
The structure and distribution of foliar appendages on the leaves of this plant were investigated with the JEOL (JSM-6390LV) scanning electron microscope (SEM). Both glandular and non-glandular trichomes were observed, which differed from each other in morphology and location on the leaves. Long stalked glandular trichomes were present on both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces while short stalked glandular trichomes were present only on the adaxial surface. Glandular trichomes were capitate while non-glandular trichomes were stellate with many arms. Some crystal deposits were observed on the surfaces of the leaves. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy-SEM of these crystals showed that Al, Ca, K, Na, Ti and Si were the major constituents. We hypothesize that the bioactive therapeutic compounds secreted by H. incana may be produced in the glandular trichomes.