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Introduction. The Uganda National Drug Authority requires phytochemical screening, freedom from microbial contamination, and evidence of safety and efficacy of the constituent plants to register herbal products. Since Uganda has no pharmacopeia, safety, efficacy, and plant processing information are not readily available. We documented the plant materials used to manufacture products in Uganda and established evidence of their safety and efficacy and availability of monographs. Methods. The NDA register of herbal products was reviewed, and a product list was extracted. The herbal products were purchased from local pharmacies, and their labels were studied to identify plant ingredients and drug use. Literature was reviewed to document evidence of the safety and efficacy of the plant materials concerning manufacturer’s claims. Also, the WHO and available African Pharmacopeia were searched to establish the availability of the plant monographs. Results. Of the 84 NDA-registered local products, only 18 were obtained from the market; 82% were indicated for respiratory tract disorders. Thirty-three plant materials were listed with Eucalyptus globulus Labill, being the commonest. Several in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate efficacy, thus supporting the use of the selected plant species for empirical treatment as stated on the product label. While most plants were safe, some species such as Albizia coriaria Oliv. had dose-dependent toxicities that cannot be predicted in combinations. The WHO, African Pharmacopoeia, and West African Herbal Pharmacopoeia had only 16 plant monographs of the 33 plants of interest. Nevertheless, Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., Azadirachta indica A.Juss., Zingiber officinale Roscoe, and Allium sativum L. monographs were published by all three pharmacopoeias. Conclusions. Preclinical evidence of safety and efficacy exists in the literature for most of the plants used to manufacture registered herbal products in Uganda. More specific bioassays and clinical trials are required for the products to provide conclusive evidence of safety and toxicity. Monographs are urgently needed for the Ugandan plants.

The menace of current cases of parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs, non- availability and accessibility, and the high costs of pharmaceutical products contribute to the high rate of medicinal plants consumption in the treatment of malaria in Uganda. Different ethnobotanical surveys on medicinal plants with antimalarial properties have been conducted across different geographical regions in Uganda in order to identify and select the most commonly used antimalarial plants as candidates in the proposed national herbal pharmacopoeia. The available literature on the medicinal plants used against malaria in the western, central, eastern and northern geographical regions in Uganda was selected from reputable journals using various citation databases as guides. The commonly used antimalarial plants in the regions were searched using relevant journals on previously established ethno-botanical survey. They were then ranked in order of percentage frequency of appearance in the literature from surveys across the country. Fifteen medicinal plants were selected in this way from several antimalarial plants cited. Vernonia amygdalina and Azadirachta indica appeared most (100%), followed by Carica papaya, Mangifera indica and Hoslundia opposita with 80% appearance each across the 4 regions.The medicinal plants from this review were therefore ranked as the most used for treatment of malaria in Uganda and therefore, could be recommended for herbal pharmacopoeial standards development. Key words: Antimalarial, medicinal plants, antiplasmodial, herbal pharmacopoeial standards.

Aim: Medicinal plants have played an important role in the treatment of different ailments including malaria in developing countries particularly in Africa. This study has evaluated the antimalarial activities of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae), Cymbopogon citratus Stapf. (Poaceae), Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl) A. Grey (Asteraceae) and Vernonia amygdalina Del. (Asteraceae) which are commonly-used for malaria treatment in Uganda. Study Design: This is an experimental laboratory report on antimalarial activities of some Ugandan medicinal plants for subsequent profiling in an herbal pharmacopoeia and eventual drug development. Place and Duration of Study: The Animal Research Facility and the Clinical and Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda, between July 2019 and March 2020. Methodology: The antimalarial activity of the hot infusion of each leaf was evaluated on chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected mice using 4-day test at 100 – 400 mg/kg with chloroquine (10 mg/kg) and artemether-lumefantrine (4 mg/kg) as positive controls; and distilled water as negative control. The observed haematological responses of the animals were determined with an automated haematometer. Results: The results showed dose-dependent activities in the animals treated with the extract of each plant leaf in varying degrees. Thus, V. amygdalina and T. diversifolia showed the highest antimalarial activities with the chemosuppression values of 75% and 66% at 400 mg/kg, respectively. The results of V. amygdalina, T. diversifolia and M. oleifera, extracts gave the lowest ED50 of 141, 195 and 231 mg/kg, respectively being significantly different from A. indica (ED50 319 mg/kg) and C. citratus (ED50 346 mg/kg) with V. amygdalina as the most potent extract among the five plant leaves. Conclusion: The observed activities of the five plants have therefore supported their folkloric uses as antimalarial remedies by the Ugandan traditional medicine practitioners with obvious potentials for drug development.

Distress and pains among other gynecological challenges mothers go through during childbirth result in mortality. This has compelled people particularly in developing countries to use traditional medicine to induce birth due to lack of more effective alternatives. In Uganda, from time immemorial most child birth and pregnancy related problems have been solved using medicinal plants as a primary alternative to conventional drugs. Although research has been done to document and validate effectiveness of these plants, it is not compil ed for communication to the wider community. This study, therefore, reviewed the medicinal plants used in Uganda for easing childbirth. The study collated and documented medicinal plants used by Traditional Birth Attendants and Traditional Health Practitioners to induce labor and ease child birth in local communities in Uganda and show the gaps that need to be investigated. The available literature on medicinal plants used in Uganda for childbirth were selected from reputable journals using citation databases including Google Scholar, Institute for Scientific Information, PubMed, Scopus, Hinari, and Scientific Information Database among others. Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Lamiaceae, respectively were the most cited for gynecological uses by various local communities in Uganda. The commonly reported species were Laggera alata Sch. Bip., Tagetes minuta L, Clitoria ternatea Linn and Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst ex Benth among others. Authors were also determined to ascertain scientific evidence against analgesic, anti-inflammatory, oxytocic and phytochemical properties of the selected plant species. Key words: Childbirth, medicinal plant, gynecology, Uganda.

Background: Schkuhria pinnata L., is an antimalarial plant that is highly threatened by the destructive harvesting methods and its collection largely relies on wild sources, that are also exposed to over-exploitation and habitat destruction. Aim of the study: The study aimed at figuring out where S. pinnata grows best and what its growth requirements are; in order to promote the informed cultivation practices and soil selection as a viable alternative to wild harvesting. The agronomical soil nutrient status of S. pinnata, and how it relates to the agro-morphological traits and plant ionome, clues on fertiliser formulations for soils where S. pinnata does not shrive were reported. Methods: A randomised complete block design was employed in agronomical experimental plots in different agro-ecological zones that host Bushenyi, Ntungamo and Kasese districts. Standard procedures for soil and plant analysis were used to analyse soil physicochemical and plant ionome parameters while agro-morphological traits were physically evaluated. Results: Results demonstrated that soil physicochemical characteristics differed significantly across the study sites (p ≤.05). S. pinnata significantly performed better in slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH between 5.87-7.25) in Kasese than in other sites. S. pinnata harvested from Kasese had the largest total leaf area (mean = 31.43 ± 2.41cm2) and the highest plant biomass (mean = 7.65 ± 0.64 g). Conclusion: The study concluded that S. pinnata grew best in slightly acidic to neutral, sandy loam, non-saline soils of Kasese in Western Medium-High Farmland

This study investigated farmers’ compliance to standard silvicultural practices and its impacts on the performance of Pinus spp in plantations in Rubanda District, South-western Uganda. A total of 122 pine plantations were randomly selected for intensive assessment. The findings revealed an average spacing of 2.90m, which significantly differs from the standard spacing of 3.0m for pine. Generally, stem density of pine plantations at various age categories such as 8 and 10 years was significantly higher than the recommended. The overall average pruning height of 3.26m as practiced by the farmers was significantly lower than 6.81m, the standard requirement of 50% average tree height (p≤ 0.05). In comparison, there were significant differences in average dbh in the three stem density categories. The increase in stem density caused a corresponding decline in dbh of trees in the pine plantations. Farmers with a pine crop of seven years and above with tree stock above the recommended stem density had incurred an average loss of 70.5m3 per hectare leading to an equivalent financial loss of UGX 3,525,000/= (USD 952.7) per hectare. Therefore, to avoid competition and unnecessary financial loss, adjustment of stem density by thinning as the pine plantation grows is strongly recommended.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, herbal medicine for cancer is dispensed by traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) to a large extent, who may not have adequate knowledge about the disease and this has been found to contribute to the late presentation of cancer patients to clinics and hospitals leading to poor patient outcomes.Aim: This study will investigate the traditional medicine practitioner's concept of cancer, its care, herbal medicine use, and the patients' perceived benefits (clinical outcomes) in selected districts of Central Uganda.Methods: This study will use a convergent parallel mixed-method design. TMPs claiming to treat cancer, with at least 10 years of experience will be recruited and interviewed about their understanding of cancer as a disease (grounded theory design) and the herbs used in cancer treatment (ethnobotanical survey). We will also conduct a prospective observational study to obtain the data on the perceived clinical outcomes of using herbal medicine. Adult patients (>18years) with a medical diagnosis of cancer signposted by TMPs will be recruited and followed up at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Study outcomes will include a change in the quality of life score, cancer symptoms score, perceived benefits score, and adverse reactions. The researcher will analyze qualitative data using Open, axial, selective coding techniques. We will analyze the quantitative data using descriptive statistics and results presented in frequencies, percentages and measures of central tendency (mean) where applicable. Additional analyzes such as bivariate (paired t-test and one-way repeated measures ANOVA), and multivariate (linear mixed effects model) analysis for the repeated measures data shall be undertaken to analyze the prospective observational data. P- Values of Discussion: This study will aid researchers in further understanding the TMPs' conceptualization of cancer, how that links to the treatment dispensed to their patients, and ultimately the patient-perceived outcomes.

Schistosomiasis is a tropical parasitic disease affecting more than 200 million people worldwide, predominantly in Africa. The World Health Organization recently highlighted the importance of targeted control of the freshwater snails acting as intermediate hosts for the parasites causing schistosomiasis. However, because of a shortage of trained experts and resources, detailed information on spatiotemporal snail distributions, which is needed for targeted control measures, is often missing. We explore the potential of citizen science to build these much-needed datasets through fine-grained, frequent snail sampling. We trained a network of 25 citizen scientists to weekly report on snail host abundances in 77 predefined water contact sites in and around Lake Albert (western Uganda). Snail abundance, together with marked GPS locations, water chemistry parameters, and photographs of the identified snails are recorded and submitted using the freely available mobile phone application KoBoToolbox. Trained researchers then engage in remote, semi-automatic validation of the submissions, after which there is an opportunity to provide targeted feedback to the citizen scientists. Five months after the operationalisation of the network, a total of 570 reports were submitted and personalized feedback was given, resulting in lasting improvements in subsequent reporting and snail genus identification. The preliminary results show the possibility of citizen science to independently obtain reliable data on the presence of schistosome snail hosts. We therefore argue that citizen-driven monitoring on a high spatiotemporal resolution could help to generate the much-needed data to support local targeted snail control measures in remote and/or resource-limited environments.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains one of the world's contributors to mortality. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 coinfections, patients with TB are predisposed to being more heavily weighed down by COVID-19 disease and its opportunistic coinfections. The severity of the disease coupled with drug resistance on the currently used drugs warrants for the search for alternative remedies from synthetic agents, semisynthetics and natural products that include plants. Africa is rich in plant diversity with a promise as sources of drug agents, one of which is Eichhornia crassipes. This work aimed at isolating a fatty acid and dock it to β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase for possible anti-TB drug development prospects using computational tools. (9z,12z)-Octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid was isolated from Eichhornia crassipes for the first time using chromatographic techniques and identified using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods (1H NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC and 13C NMR). The compound was then docked to β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase (KasA), an essential member of the b-ketoacyl synthases encoded in the M. tuberculosis genome in comparison with its co-crystallized ligand JSF-3285, also for the first time. (9z,12z)-Octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid interacted with only phenylalanine239 and proline201 while JSF-3285 interacted with proline201, glutamine120, alanine119, leucine116, glutamine199, histadine345, phenylalanine239, glycine240 and glycine200. (9z,12z)-Octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid had a ligand efficiency of 0.24, compared to the co-crystallized ligand's 0.36. The compound was too flexible and elongated with -4.72 KCalmol−1 binding energy. Despite some unfavourable physico-chemical properties, the compound still provides reliable interactions that only require logical structural modifications by the addition of polar regions amongst others to increase interactions and ligand efficiency, which can consequently stand to be a better potential drug lead. For the first time, plant-based (9z,12z)-Octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid isolated from Eichhornia crassipes was shown to interact fairly well with β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase and proved to be a potential starting material from which anti-tubercular drugs can be designed.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Malaria remains a dire health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, it is the most ordinary condition in hospital admission and outpatient care. The country's meager health services compel malaria patients to use herbal remedies such as Schkuhria pinnata (Lam.) Kuntze ex Thell (Asteraceae). Although in vivo studies tested the antimalarial activity of S. pinnata extracts, plant developmental stages and their effect at different doses remain unknown. Aim of the study This study aims to determine the effect of the plant developmental stage on the antimalarial activity of S. pinnata in mice and to document the acute oral toxicity profile. Methods Seeds of S. pinnata were grown, and aerial parts of each developmental stage were harvested. Extraction was done by maceration in 70% methanol. The antimalarial activity was evaluated using chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei on swiss albino mice, in a chemosuppressive test, at 150, 350, and 700 mg/kg, p.o. Standard drugs used were artemether-lumefantrine (0.57 + 3.43) mg/kg and chloroquine (10 mg/kg) as positive controls. Distilled water at 1 mL/100g was used as a negative control. The Lorke method was adopted to determine the acute toxicity of extracts. Results The flowering stage extract had a maximum suppression of parasitemia at 700 mg/kg (68.83 ± 4.49%). Extract at other developmental stages also significantly suppressed the parasitemia (in the ascending order) fruiting (50.71 ± 1.87%), budding (54.92 ± 7.56%), vegetative (55.39 ± 2.01%) compared to the negative control (24.7 ± 2.7%), p Conclusion Together, our findings revealed that the S. pinnata extracts at the flowering stage had superior antimalarial activity compared to other plant developmental stages. Extracts from all developmental stages have demonstrated a dose-dependent suppression of malarial parasites and increased survival time with an LD50 of 2157 mg/kg. Thus, for better antimalarial activity, local communities could consider harvesting S. pinnata at the flowering stage. Further studies are needed to isolate pure compounds from S. pinnata and determine their antimalarial activity.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The recognized challenges to access conventional antimalarial medicines could have contributed to the extensive use of Aristolochia bracteolata Lam. (Aristolochiaceae)to manage malaria in South Sudan traditionally. However, the use and acquired experiences are notwell documented. Aim of the study This study aimed to document the traditional use of A. bracteolata for malaria treatment and experiences among the local communities in Jubek State of South Sudan. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study in four counties in Jubek State and interviewed 396 community members, including traditional healers, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Four focused group discussions (FGDs) were also conducted using the interviewer guide. The inclusion criteria were; adults 18 years and older, men andwomen participants, at least one year residing in the study area before the study, and those with a history of medicinal plant use. Data were summarized and presented as proportions. Qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic content approach. The major themes that emerged were discussed. We applied the Pearson Chi-Square test at α = 0.05 to test the study's significant differences in responses. The statistical package for social sciences version 21 software was used for data analysis. Results Women accounted for 208 (52.5%) of participants, with the majority 321 (81.1%) were between 18 and 45 years. Interestingly, most 312 (78.8%) had formal education. Moreover, about 208 (52.5%) participants collect the plant in their vicinity, where leaves were the most commonly used part 277 (46.4%), followed by the roots, seeds, and stems at 245(41.0%), 71 (11.9%), and 4 (0.7%), respectively. Furthermore, about 63 (15.9%) of the participants experienced side effects, including early abortions, heartburns, sweating, and stomach discomforts. Conversely, a total of 387 (96.0%) reported getting cured of malaria. Generally, the quantity of medicine taken per day differs concerning parts of the plant, with leaves ranging from 1 to 10 pieces, roots at 0.4–1 g, and seeds at 0.1–0.5 g. The locals used these plant parts to prepare infusion and decoction traditional dosage forms for oral use. Conclusion The documented medicinal plant's therapeutic uses provided critical information on the traditional use of A. bracteolata by the community in Jubek state of South Sudan to treat malaria. Although most users reported getting cured of malaria, a notable proportion of them experienced side effects, including early-stage abortion and stomach discomforts. Thus, the use of A. bracteolata preparations, particularly in pregnant women, should be avoided. Finally, further studies are needed to devise a strategy to neutralize the toxic compounds and create community awareness on best practices to minimize side effects.

Background. Although herbal medicines are used by patients with cancer in multiple oncology care settings, the magnitude of herbal medicine use in this context remains unclear. The purpose of this review was to establish the prevalence of herbal medicine use among patients with cancer, across various geographical settings and patient characteristics (age and gender categories). Methods. Electronic databases that were searched for data published, from January 2000 to January 2020, were Medline (PubMed), Google Scholar, Embase, and African Index Medicus. Eligible studies reporting prevalence estimates of herbal medicine use amongst cancer patients were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. Studies were grouped by World Bank region and income groups. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore source of heterogeneity. Results. In total, 155 studies with data for 809,065 participants (53.95% female) met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the pooled prevalence of the use of herbal medicine among patients with cancer was 22% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18%–25%), with the highest prevalence estimates for Africa (40%, 95% CI: 23%–58%) and Asia (28%, 95% CI: 21%–35%). The pooled prevalence estimate was higher across low- and middle-income countries (32%, 95% CI: 23%–42%) and lower across high-income countries (17%, 95% CI: 14%–21%). Higher pooled prevalence estimates were found for adult patients with cancer (22%, 95% CI: 19%–26%) compared with children with cancer (18%, 95% CI: 11%–27%) and for female patients (27%, 95% CI: 19%–35%) compared with males (17%, 95% CI: 1%–47%). Conclusion. Herbal medicine is used by a large percentage of patients with cancer use. The findings of this review highlight the need for herbal medicine to be integrated in cancer care.

Osteoarthritis remains a challenge in most parts of the world most particularly considering that one of the influencing factors, aging, cannot be avoided. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been used against the disorder for many years and have a huge market base in Europe and the United States where they are generally marketed as sulfates. Research shows that they are effective options against the disease at various levels, in vivo and clinical trials, but a better clinical position is required from more research as well as by using analogs of their chemical structures.

Citropsis articulata is a medicinal plant that is increasingly threatened by unsustainable methods of harvesting and habitat degradation. Owing to the fact that this plant species is highly utilized for herbal medicine and is currently restricted to a few forest reserves in Uganda, this has significant implications for ex situ conservation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess how physiographical factors influence the occurrence and distribution of C. articulata in the three forest reserves in Uganda, namely, Budongo, Mabira, and Kibale National Park. The study was carried out in 15 compartmental sites in each of the three forests. In each compartmental site, 4 plots of 60 m × 60 m were systematically established, and within each plot, 4 subplots each of size 20 m × 20 m were randomly setup. A total of 240 subplots were assessed for occurrence of Citropsis articulata in each forest. The results indicated a significant (p<0.05) variation in the density of C. articulata with the highest recorded in Kibale National Park. Citropsis articulata generally occurred at moderate altitudinal landscapes (overall elevation = 1200.0 ± 20.73 m) with soils that are moderately acidic (overall pH = 5.7 ± 0.10), low in salinity (overall salinity = 84.0 ± 3.84 mg/l), and moderate levels of macro- and micronutrients. Citropsis articulata was generally associated with plant communities dominated by canopy tree species of genera such as Chryosphyllum, Celtis, Markhamia, Cynometra, Lasiodiscus, Trilepisium, Funtumia, and Diospyros, thus suggesting that C. articulata is a shade-tolerant species. Establishing the ecological requirements of this plant species among other things informs the potential for ex situ production of this plant. This will not only provide alternative sources of plant harvest but also go a long way in relieving the current harvest pressures exerted on the conserved wild populations of this plant species.

Cancers remain one of the leading causes of death in the world. However, known conventional cancer medicines remain scarce, expensive and out of reach to many patients. To provide an alternative for the expensive therapies, plants are proving to have potential to lead to the development of more drugs against cancers. In this work, we aimed at isolating possible pure compounds from Eichhornia crassipes roots and leaves, examining their prospects to be developed into oral drugs by looking at their chemical properties and also exploring their cytotoxic activities. A total of 12 isolates (A-L) were obtained and examination of their UV and mass profiles on LCMS and cytotoxicity on human cell lines. Compound C was the most active against MCF-7 cell lines (3.08 ± 0.06 µg/ml) and (3.92 ± 0.06 µg/ml) against HepG2. The standard drug, doxorubicin, had an IC50 value of 0.29 ± 0.05 µg/ml against MCF-7 and 0.33 ± 0.04 µg/ml against HepG2 cell lines. UV results from the LCMS chromatograms showed that some active isolates do not possess the chemistry suitable to be developed into oral drugs as they are while others that are not as potent possess very good drug-like chemistry. We therefore conclude that there is need for drug developers to consider chemical properties and medicinal chemistry prospects of active isolates/compounds through rational optimization in plant-based drug discovery. Eichhornia crassipes should be considered as a cheap source of potential drug hits against cancers.

Background. Plant-derived medicines are widespread and continue to increase in traditional and modern medicine, especially in developing countries. Physalis peruviana L. is among the most used plants in conventional medication worldwide. This review aimed to highlight the ethnotherapeutic uses and phytochemical status of identified compounds in P. peruviana. Methods. Data were collected from Google Scholar, PubMed/Medline, SciFinder, Science Direct, Scopus, the Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, and any other helpful search engine using Physalis peruviana as the primary keyword. Results. Some countries, worldwide, use P. peruviana in their traditional medicine system to manage diverse ailments, mainly diseases and gastrointestinal tract disorders (25.33%). Leaf was the mostly used part (49.28%), prepared by decoction (31.58%) and overall administrated orally (53.57%) as the main route of admission. Around 502 phytoconstituents were identified in different plant parts, especially fruit (38.19%) ethanol/ethyl acetate extract. In most cases (36.17%), the solvent of the extract was not specified. Several phytochemical classes were found in the plant, especially terpenes (26.09%) and phenolic compounds (14.94%). Esters were also abundant (11.55%). In the terpenes category, carotenoids were the most abundant (11.15% followed by monoterpenes (8.76%) and diterpenes (3.18%). However, flavonoids (5.17%) followed by cinnamic acid derivatives (3.99%), monophenolic compounds (1.79%), and phenolic acids (1.33 M) are the most reported phenolic compounds. Hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid) was the most cited (five times). Conclusion. P. peruviana plays an essential role in managing diseases in some countries and is rich in chemical compounds, which need to be isolated and investigated pharmacologically before clinical trials.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Momordica charantia Linnaeus (Cucurbitaceae) has been extensively used traditionally as food and herbal medicine for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Asia, Brazil, and east Africa. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest its glycemic control potential; however, clinical studies produced conflicting results. Aim of the study To evaluate the efficacy of M. charantia preparations in lowering elevated plasma glucose level in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methods Electronic search of the Cochrane library, PubMed®, CINAHL, and SCOPUS databases was done from 1st January 1960–30th April 2018 without language restriction. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias of articles. Revman var. 5.3 software was used for data synthesis in meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using Chi-square and I2 tests. Treatment effect was estimated using mean difference at follow up in outcome measures between M. charantia preparations and placebo or oral hypoglycemic agents control group. The protocol of this study has a registration number PROSPERO CRD42018083653. Results Ten studies of type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 1045) were included in the meta-analysis. They had 4–16 weeks follow up and overall moderate to high risk of bias. Compared to placebo, M. charantia monoherbal formulation significantly reduces FPG, PPG and HBA1c with mean difference of − 0.72 mmol/L, (95% CI: −1.33, −0.12), I2 = 14%, − 1.43 mmol/L, (95% CI: −2.18, −0.67), I2 = 0, − 0.26%, (95% CI: -0.49, −0.03), I2 = 0 respectively. M. charantia also lowered FPG in prediabetes (mean difference −0.31 mmol/L, n = 52); the evidence was downgraded to low quality because the study had unclear risk of bias and inadequate sample size. No serious adverse effects were reported. Conclusion M. charantia adjunct preparations improved glycemic control in T2DM patients. However, this conclusion is based on low to very low quality evidences for the primary outcomes and sparse data for several safety outcomes, thus, warrant further research. Particularly needed are the researches that focus on standardizing M. charantia formulation and determine its efficacy and safety in clinical trials with adequate sample size, designed with random sequence generation, allocation concealment of intervention and blinding of both research personnel and participants.

Introduction: Phytolacca dodecandra L’Hér. is a native plant of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar which is traditionally used for various ailments. Concerned with the scope of the available evidence, we designed a scoping review to critically analyze scientific evidence on P dodecandra’s pharmacology, toxicity, and phytochemistry to validate its ethnomedical use. Methods: We searched without language restriction in MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science through December 2019. Both published and unpublished articles were assessed for relevance and reviewed. Results: Of 600 articles retrieved through database search, a total of 48 articles were finally included. The butanol extract of berries was more potent molluscicidal than aqueous extract. The berries had also miracidial, anthelmintic, antifungal activity, and antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella spp. The methanol extracts of roots had an antifungal effect against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Phytolacca dodecandra was toxic to aquatic invertebrate and fish. The fishes were up to 4 times more sensitive than snails. Saponins were the main phytoconstituent isolated from berries. Terpenoid and phenolic were abundant in leaves and bark extracts. Conclusions: Studies validated the traditional use of P dodecandra against snails, worms, and various bacterial and fungal infections. Limited phytochemical data call for future research to focus on isolation of compounds; test their toxicity and activity; and establish mechanism of action.

Malaria remains one of the most common infectious diseases in the sub-Sahara African countries and other developing countries. Among the medicinal plants used in the endemic countries for the treatment of malaria is Aristolochia bracteolata Lam. due to its availability, accessibility, and traditional use. This study therefore reviewed the ethnomedicinal use, pharmacology, and the chemistry of Aristolochia bracteolata. Different electronic databases such as Medline/Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched to identify all published articles on Aristolochia bracteolata Lam. Key search words included ethnopharmacological use, pharmacological and phytochemical parameters of A. bracteolata. Retrieved articles were reviewed and synthesized. In addition, the reference list of retrieved articles was reviewed and articles which were not retrieved by previous search were hand searched. The review included original research articles that has investigated Aristolochia bracteolata Lam. of any study design. Only published original articles, any languages, any time of publish, and grey literature (Conference paper, theses both PhD. and Msc. technical report) were included. Those articles with full text not available, those without information of interest, e.g ethnopharmacology, pharmacology and phytochemistry of A. bracteolata were excluded. Despite having multiple use, the plant is mainly used in the treatment of malaria with a reported antiplasmodial activity. Aristolochic acids (AAs) were reported as the major and active ingredient among other components in the plant. The review revealed that A. bracteolata has various traditional use with promising pharmacological activity. However, information on its safety is limited.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection represents a huge burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Vachellia nilotica (V. nilotica) is a widely used plant specie in folk medicine for viral diseases and in some communities for HCV infection. However, little is known regarding its role and possible mechanisms in the prevention and treatment of this viral infection. This review presents ethno-pharmacological, in vitro and in vivo shreds of evidence of the role and underlying mode of action of V. nilotica and its implication in treatment and complication management of HCV infection. PubMed, Library of Congress, SCOPUS, Science Direct and Google scholar databases were searched. Twenty-eight articles of which 15 were in vitro while remaining were in vivo studies were reviewed. V. nilotica's modes of antiviral activity are direct inactivation of HCV and inhibition of HCV NS3 protease. Its immuno-modulatory activity showed by immune cell proliferation and inhibition of immunosuppressive cytokine. V. nilotica's anticancer activity through inhibition of oxidative stress, inhibition of chromosomal aberrations and enhancement of antioxidant enzymes could be beneficial in treating HCV infection and delaying its progression to cancer. It can be inferred that V. nilotica could be a promising source of anti-hepatitis C virus drug leads with the ability to prevent its long-term sequelae while promoting immune competence. Further studies are needed to explore the applicability of the herb to clinical settings.

Regimens of current drugs for tuberculosis are lengthy and are associated with many adverse effects. Currently, the emergence of different resistant strains has been observed. This urges a need for the discovery and development of novel drugs. The main sources of drug lead candidates are based on natural products. Zanthoxylum leprieurii, Lantana camara, and Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta are among the plants that have antimycobacterial activity. Recent technological methods, such as metabolomics, can rapidly detect and identify active compounds from medicinal plants. In this review, we aim to provide an overview and discussion of the antimycobacterial activity, phytochemical analysis and toxicity profile of these plants and their products as well as the potential of metabolomic fingerprinting of medicinal plants with a given activity on microbes, in the search for the potential drug hit molecules. The information for this review was extracted from databases such as Excerpta Medica Database, Google Scholar, Springer, and PubMed Central. Primary studies, using a combination of the keywords antimycobacterial medicinal plant, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, phytochemistry, toxicity, Zanthoxylum leprieurii, Lantana camara, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, and plant metabolomics/metabolic fingerprinting of plant extracts, have been considered. The above-mentioned plant species showed antimycobacterial activity against drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. They may provide potential candidates for novel drugs against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. However, extensive work is still needed. To our knowledge, there is no or limited literature that reports the metabolic fingerprints of these plants. The analysis of the metabolite fingerprints of medicinal plants with similar antimicrobial activity could be important to determine whether the activity results from common metabolites within different plant species. This review shows that these plants are potential candidates to provide drug hits against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strains. Future studies of compound optimization, in vivo safety and efficacy, as well as of the specific mechanisms of action are however required.

Introduction Cinnamon has been used as a dietary component and in the management of diabetes mellitus. This study systematically reviewed and synthesized evidence on the efficacy of cinnamon for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and pre-diabetes patients. Methods Databases of Web of Sciences, the Cochrane library, PubMed, CINAHL and SCOPUS were searched. Stata version 13 (College Station, Texas 77845 USA) and RevMan var. 5.3 software were used for meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using Chi-square and I2 tests. Results Sixteen randomized controlled studies were included in the meta-analysis. Cinnamon significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) level compared to placebo with weighted mean difference (WMD) of −0.545 (95% CI: −0.910, −0.18) mmol/L, I2 = 83.6% and −0.714(−1.388, −0.04), I2 = 84.4% respectively. There was no significant change in weighted mean difference of glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) % and lipid profiles (mmol/L). Meta-regression did not show any factor significantly affecting the treatment response. Conclusion Cinnamon reduced FBG and HOMA-IR, level in T2DM and pre-diabetes patients compared to placebo. High heterogeneity observed among included studies warrants further clinical trials after standardization of cinnamon formulation.

Dioscorea bulbifera bulbils are used in the treatment of Piles, dysentery, syphilis, ulcers, cough, leprosy, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. It is a raw material for contraceptives, and it is one of the most consumed yam species especially in West Africa. Unfortunately, this plant is at the verge of extinction because of increased harvest for medicinal purpose. This review aims at providing up-to-date information about its photochemistry, clinical benefits, conservation status and best possible way on how this plant can be conserved for future use. Literature database search was employed, and the findings indicate that much as Dioscorea bulbifera is of diverse clinical and ethnomedicinal benefits, it’s vulnerable to extinction. In order to conserve Dioscorea bulbifera, there is a need to enlighten the local inhabitants on its clinical and commercial importance and uses. Also for the sustainable growth of the plant, the government and Non-governmental agencies have to distribute Dioscorea bulbils to the farmers for planting and also encourage its planting back into the wild. In addition, micropropagation of the D. bulbifera will be the perfect tool for re-establishing the plant in the natural habitat with more advantages of improving growth conditions of the plants.

Kigezi highlands currently experiences changes in precipitation and temperature which modify the evaporation and soil moisture storage leading to alterations in runoff and other components of hydrological systems. Extreme events, like floods and droughts, are more intense and frequent. Furthermore heavy unpredictable rainfall has become frequent in the area, causing soil erosion and floods that destroy crops. Soil erosion is particularly a pressing challenge due to steep-sided hills leading to deterioration of soil nutrients including soil fertility. The unpredictable rains and droughts are attributed to climate change and variability. Consequently, climate change and variability have caused a significant impact on soil nutrients which have affected the agricultural productivity in the area. This paper presents findings of empirical study which explored the climate variability and soil nutrient status along altitudinal gradient. The paper particularly addresses key questions of: land management practices in the study area, nutrient availability and their effects on productivity of selected crops along altitudinal gradient in changing climate and variability. Independent variables such as topographic sequence along altitudinal gradient were evaluated against dependent variables such as yield harvests of selected grown crops and soil nutrients. Samples for crop yields were collected along transect of 0.5 kilometer using a quadrant of 4 × 4 m2 along attitudinal gradient. Soil samples were taken from selected plots at 0-20cm soil depth for nutrient analysis. Analysis of physical and chemical soil parameters was carried out on soil samples and these include: soil pH, soil organic content, total nitrogen, available soil phosphorous and exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K and Na). The study showed that middle parts of the transects had the highest concentration of most soil nutrients, probably because the middle parts could have been a deposition centre for some organic matter from the upper parts of the hills, and lower lying areas were being affected by floods that affects the decomposition of organic matter which is the main source of nutrients. Similarly, the middle parts of the study were the most fertile due to the high concentration of soil nutrient compositions. This indicates that crop yields were significantly affected by availability of soil nutrients along same gradient, attributable to the severity in soil erosion, nutrients leaching and farming practices.