Muni Repository :: Browsing by Author "Katuura, Esther"

Browsing by Author "Katuura, Esther"

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Acute and sub‑acute toxicity assessment of methanolic stem bark extract of Khaya anthotheca (Meliaceae) in Wistar rats
(Springer Nature, 2025-08-29) Akwongo, Betty; Kakudidi, Esezah K.; Nsubuga, Anthony M.; Andama, Morgan; Namaganda, Mary; Tugume, Patience; Asiimwe, Savina; Anywar, Godwin; Katuura, Esther
Background: Khaya anthotheca (Meliaceae) is a medicinal plant with a wide range of therapeutic properties attributable mainly to the diverse limonoids it contains. Different parts of the plant are used in traditional health care for treatment of various diseases including candidiasis. However, inadequate information on its safety prompted this particular study. Methods: Acute toxicity was assessed according to OECD guidelines 425 in female rats administered with single oral doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight (b.wt), and monitored for 14 days for any sign of toxicity and mortality. Sub-acute toxicity was evaluated in both male and female rats following OECD guideline 407, and were administered with extract doses of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg b.wt repeatedly for 28 days. Body weights were measured weekly, while food and water intake were measured daily. Blood for biochemistry, hematology, and organs for histopathology were collected at the end of the experimental period. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Turkey’s post hoc tests, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Acute toxicity showed no mortality, with half-lethal dose (LD50) being greater than 5000 mg/kg b.wt. For sub-acute toxicity, both male and female rats presented significant increase in food and water consumption, increased body weight with increasing time and extract doses (p < 0.05). The 500 mg/kg dosed female rats showed significant increase in stomach weights and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), while renal function marker of chloride ions (Cl−) decreased. Male rats showed dose-dependent significant rise in albumin (ALB) (p = 0.024). For both male and female rats, prolonged use of high extract doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt for 28 days were toxic to the stomach and liver. Conclusions: The methanolic stem bark extract of K. anthotheca is practically non-toxic at acute dose of 5000 mg/kg b.wt, and safe for clinical use at low sub-acute doses of 125 mg/kg b.wt. However, long-term administration of high extract doses above 125 mg/kg was toxic to mainly the liver and stomach. Thus, long-term administration of high dosage of methanol stem bark extract of K. anthotheca, and phytomedicine development should be done with cautions of potential side effects.
The anti-mycobacterial activity and safety profile of selected Crinum species in north western Uganda.
(Global Scientific Journals, 2021-06) Candia, Milton; Katuura, Esther; Waako, Paul
Crinum species is a source of many bioactive molecules with both antimicrobial and anti-tumor properties. Chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of Crinum scabrum and Crinum macowanii bulbs and leaves were investigated for their anti-mycobacterial activity against Mycobacteria tuberculosis using agar well diffusion, and broth dilution methods. Rifampicinstreptomycin resistant (R.S), pan African sensitive (H37Rv) and wild type (Sou 14827) strains of the bacteria were used. The investigation aimed to determine the anti-mycobacterial activity and safety profile of the crude extracts of Crinum scabrum and Crinum macowanii. The extracts had antimycobacterial activity that ranged between 1-5μg/ml. Their patterns of inhibition varied with the plant extract, solvent used for extraction and the organisms tested. Different concentrations of methanol extract were compared with similar concentrations of chloroform and aqueous extracts for their maximum zones of inhibition. All the extracts of Crinum macowanii were found inactive against Mycobacteria tuberculosis. Methanol leaf extract of Crinum scabrum was the most active, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) less than1μg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1μg/ml. acute toxicity test in mice for Crinum scabrum leaf was found to have LD50 greater than 2000mg/kg. In conclusion, the leaf of Crinum scabrum is a natural source of new anti-mycobacterial compound that is tolerable and effective in treatment of tuberculosis. The study recommends herbalists to use the leaves instead of bulb of C. scabrum Alani Davis for treating TB patients. In future, a comparative study should be done on activity of crude methanol leaf extract of C. scabrum and combination of the drugs used to treat multidrug resistant MTB. The active principles in the leaves of C. scabrum Alani Davis should also be isolated, identified and tested on strains of Mycobacteria tuberculosis resistant to at least two or three drugs.
Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants utilized in the management of candidiasis in Northern Uganda
(Springer Nature, 2022-10-14) Akwongo, Betty; Katuura, Esther; Nsubuga, Anthony M.; Tugume, Patience; Andama, Morgan; Anywar, Godwin; Namaganda, Mary; Asimwe, Savina; Kakudidi, Esezah Kyomugisha
The emergence of resistant Candida species to antifungal drugs has led to resurgence in herbal usage globally. However, little is known about anti-candida plants. This study explored ethnomedicinal plants as treatment option for candidiasis in Pader, Northern Uganda. A cross-sectional survey of potential anti-candida plants was conducted using questionnaires, focus group discussions and field observations in March 2022. Sixty-three respondents were selected by snowball technique. The frequencies of respondents/responses were analyzed, associations of respondents’ socio-demographics with indigenous knowledge of herbal usage established by Chi-square (χ2) test using SPSS 27. Informant Consensus Factor was computed to establish level of agreement on herbal usage, and thematic analysis done for focus group discussions. Candidiasis is still common and troublesome in Pader. All herbalist had equal chances of receiving and treating candidiasis patients irrespective of herbalist’s gender, age, education level, occupation, marital status and religion (p > 0.05). About 39.7% of herbalists received candidiasis patients weekly (p < 0.01). All herbalists had knowledge on candidiasis. Death (56.8%) and discomfort (36.8%) were the major health risks of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), respectively. A total of 32 potential anti-candida plant species in 18 families were identified. Families of Fabaceae (9 species) and Asteraceae (5 species) had most plant species. Trees (50.0%) and herbs (43.8%) were the dominant life forms. The commonest plants by frequency of mention were: Momordica foetida (26), Sansevieria dawei (20), Khaya anthotheca (15), Piliostigma thonningii (10), Clerodendrum umbellatum (7), Hallea rubrostipulata (5) and unidentified plant, ‘Agaba/daa layata’ in Acholi dialect (5). Plant parts mainly used were roots (56.3%) and stem barks (15.6%) harvested majorly by cutting (46.9%) and uprooting (12.5%). Most respondents (females, 95%) preferred herbal to western medication (p < 0.01) due to its perceived effectiveness. There was high consensus among herbalists on herbal remedies for OPC and VVC (FIC = 0.9). Pader communities have diverse indigenous knowledge on candidiasis and prefer herbal medicines to orthodox treatment for candidiasis. However, the herbalists use unsustainable harvesting techniques like uprooting whole plants and cutting main roots. Hence, the need to document such indigenous knowledge before being lost for community usage and scientific validation.
In vitro antifungal activities of medicinal plants used for treatment of candidiasis in Pader district, Northern Uganda
(Springer Nature, 2024-11-13) Akwongo, Betty; Kakudidi, Esezah K.; Nsubuga, Anthony M.; Andama, Morgan; Namaganda, Mary; Tugume, Patience; Asiimwe, Savina; Anywar, Godwin; Katuura, Esther
Background: The emergence of multidrug resistant Candida species to available drugs has led to renewed interest in the use of herbal medicines globally. This study scientifically verified antifungal effectiveness of five commonly used plant species in Pader district, against selected pathogenic candida strains. Methods: Powdered roots of Momordica foetida, Sansevieria dawei and Distimake dissectus; and stem barks of Khaya anthotheca and Mitragyna rubrostipulata were extracted sequentially using petroleum ether and methanol, respectively; and total water extraction at 24.4 °C (maceration), 60 °C (decoction) and boiling water at 87 °C (hot water infusion). Extracts and their combinations, positive controls (amphotericin B, and fluconazole) and negative control (80% dimethyl sulfoxide, verified to be tolerable concentration to the tested Candida species) were screened and verified for their antifungal activity against Candida albicans (ATCC: American Type Culture Collection reference strain 10231, ATCC 90028, 0770a and 0796), C. glabrata (VVc 004, ATCC 2950) and C. tropicalis (ATCC 750 and 0210) using agar well diffusion and broth micro-dilution, respectively. Results: Aqueous extract (24.4 °C) of M. rubrostipulata (ZOI: 18.00 ± 1.00 to 38.33 ± 0.17; MIC: 3.13 ± 0.00 to 20.83 ± 4.17; MFC: 12.50 ± 0.00 to 200.00 ± 0.00), methanol extract of K. anthotheca (10.11 ± 0.31 to 15.11 ± 0.65; 1.04 ± 0.26 to 12.50 ± 0.00; 12.50 ± 0.00 to 100.00 ± 0.00), and combination of aqueous extract (60 °C) of D. dissectus + methanol extract of K. anthotheca (7.89 ± 0.26 to 19.67 ± 0.37; 0.78 ± 0.00 to 50.00 ± 0.00; 12.50 ± 0.00 to 200.00 ± 0.00) exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activities and were fungistatic against all tested Candida species, which comprised 8 clinical/control and susceptible/resistant strains. None of the conventional drugs used demonstrated broad spectrum antifungal activity across all tested Candida species/strains. Conclusion: Methanol extract of K. anthotheca, aqueous extract (24.4 °C) of M. rubrostipulata, and combination of aqueous extract (60 °C) of D. dissectus + methanol extract of K. anthotheca could be effective in the treatment of candidiasis. They demonstrated potential broad spectrum antifungal activity against different species and strains of tested Candida than the fluconazole and amphotericin B drugs. Their fungistatic nature showed their ability to inhibit fungal growth. Hence, these extracts/extract combination can offer better treatment option for candidiasis if they are standardized and also their active curative compounds isolated and made into antifungal drugs.

Browsing by Author "Katuura, Esther"

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