Environmental and demographic risk factors associated with the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in the Alice rural settlements of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: a pilot s
Abstract We undertook this study to identify the risk factors and prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in HIV-positive and HIV-negative diarrhea patients in the Alice rural settlement in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 180 stool specimens (35 HIV-positive diarrhea, 125 HIV-negative diarrhea patients, and 20 apparently healthy subjects) were screened for cryptosporidiosis using an ELISA-based approach. Sociodemographic information, water supply, and animal contact were rec...
Phytomedical assessment of two Cymbopogon species found in Nkonkobe Municipality: toxicological effect on human Chang liver cell line
Abstract Background: Cymbopogon species are widely used as herbal remedies by the traditional healers living in Nkonkobe Municipality for the treatment and management of skin and respiratory infections. According to our survey, the plants seem to be very important because of the higher demands. Methods: The leaves of C. validis and C. plurinodis were hydro-distilled and the resulted extracted oils were analyzed by GC/MS. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 7.8 to 500.0 μg/m...
Ethnomedicinal survey of medicinal plants used for the management of HIV/AIDS infection among local communities of Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted on medicinal plants used for the management of HIV/AIDS infection in the local communities of Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. Information was obtained through a well-structured questionnaire and interviews administered to traditional healers and herbalists in various regions. The survey revealed 18 species belonging to 12 families. The members of Asphodelaceae (22.2%), Apocynaceae (16.7%), Asteraceae (11.1%), Mesembryanthemaceae (5.6%) and ...
Comparative Diagnostic Techniques for Cryptosporidium Infection
Abstract: Diarrhoea caused by Cryptosporidium is usually mild in immune competent individuals but severe in the young and those with underlying disease leading to compromised immunity. The conventional diagnosis of Cryptosporidium requires observation of the infective oocysts however, their tiny size yields indistinct results, thus limiting the effectiveness of the conventional diagnostic technique, modified Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) differential staining. Consequent to the abovementioned limitatio...
Inhibition of HIV-1 Protease by Carpobrotus edulis (L.)
Carpobrotus edulis (L.) is a plant commonly found in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and is used for the general treatment of infections relating to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV-1 protease plays an important role during HIV replication and maturation to its infectious form, and therefore inhibition of the enzyme is one of the main focus areas in drug development. +e inhibitory effect of a water extract of C. edulis leaves against HIV-1 protease activity was determined...
Analysis of Some Natural Products for Prevention of Diseases Associated with COVID-19
ABSTRACT: Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is a new disease that has crippled almost every aspect of human activities today. Common symptoms of the virus include high fever (38oC and above), dry persistent cough, shortness of breath and sore throat. Recently, additional symptoms which include diarrhea, fever and headache have been reported in South Africa. Medicinal herbs have been in use since ancient times for the management of viral infections related to COVID-19. Nutrient deficiency h...
In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Sour Fig (Suurvy) Native to South Africa
Abstract: Sour figs have become a provincial demand in South Africa for the treatment of common infections. The plant has displayed antioxidant activity. The plant leaves were extracted with hexane, acetone, and ethanol using Stuart Sharker, UK. The extracts' antibacterial activity was evaluated by determining the MICs in a range of 7.8-500.0 μg/ml against ten strains using micro-well dilution. Cytotoxicity was evaluated with brine shrimp using the same concentrations. The hexane extract exh...
Antioxidant and phytochemical properties of Carpobrotus edulis (L.) bolus leaf used for the management of common infections in HIV/AIDS patients in Eastern Cape Province
Abstract Background: Carpobrotus edulis (Mesembryanthemaceae), also known as igcukuma in Xhosa language is a medicinal plant used by the traditional healers to treat common infections in HIV/AIDS patients. Based on this information, we researched on the plant phytoconstituents, as well as its inhibitory effect using aqueous and three different organic solvent extracts in order to justify its therapeutic usage. Methods: Antioxidant activity of the extracts were investigated spectrophotometri...
The inhibitory effect of Mesembryanthemum edule (L.) bolus essential oil on some pathogenic fungal isolate
Abstract Background: Mesembryanthemum edule is a medicinal plant which has been indicated by Xhosa traditional healers in the treatment HIV associated diseases such as tuberculosis, dysentery, diabetic mellitus, laryngitis, mouth infections, ringworm eczema and vaginal infections. The investigation of the essential oil of this plant could help to verify the rationale behind the use of the plant as a cure for these illnesses. Methods: The essential oil from M. edule was analysed by GC/MS. Co...
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, PROFILING AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL AND PLANT EXTRACTS OF MESEMBRYANTHEMUM EDULE (L.) BOLUS LEAVES
Abstract Background: Essential oil from Mesembryanthemum edule leaves have been used by the Eastern Cape traditional healers for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis, dysentery, diabetic mellitus, laryngitis and vaginal infections. The investigation of bioactive compounds in the essential oil of this plant could help to verify the efficacy of the plant in the management or treatment of these illnesses. Materials and methods: Various concentrations of the hydro-distill...
Micro-morphological Information of Carpobrotus edulis (L.) Bolus:A Southern African Herbal Plant
Background and Objective: Carpobrotus edulis has become one of the most recognized herbal plants in the Savanna Regions of Eastern Cape and Western Cape in South Africa. This study analyzed the foliar morphology and elemental composition of the plant Carpobrotus edulis (L.) bolus. Materials and Methods: Fresh leaves of the plant were investigated using the JEOL (JSM-6390LV) Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The elemental composition of the leaf was determined by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spe...
Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption Decision-making Regarding Soil Erosion Control on Food Security in South Africa
ABSTRACT Background: The objective of this paper was to evaluate how smallholder farmers’ adoption decision-making regarding the control of soil erosion influence food security in South Africa, using the case of farming at Upper and Lower Areas of Didimana, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 60 randomly selected farmers. Farmers’ total income was used as a proxy for food security. Data were analysed using the multiple linear regression analysis, because the...