Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]
Background: The Mbeere South community of Embu County consume leaves of Catha edulis for its stimulant and euphoretic actions. Other indigenous uses of the plant are undocumented. Information on the pharmacology and safety of this plant is also scanty. This study aimed to document the ethnopharmacol...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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F1000 Research Ltd
2022-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://f1000research.com/articles/11-286/v1 |
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| author | Timothy Elias Maitho Joseph Mwanzia Nguta Mitchel Otieno Okumu Kevin Kariuki Githua |
| author_facet | Timothy Elias Maitho Joseph Mwanzia Nguta Mitchel Otieno Okumu Kevin Kariuki Githua |
| author_sort | Timothy Elias Maitho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The Mbeere South community of Embu County consume leaves of Catha edulis for its stimulant and euphoretic actions. Other indigenous uses of the plant are undocumented. Information on the pharmacology and safety of this plant is also scanty. This study aimed to document the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial properties, and toxicity of C. edulis leaves collected from the Mbeere South community in Kenya. Methods: Ethnopharmacological data was collected from 35 informants using semi-structured questionnaires. Leaf extracts of C. edulis were prepared using acetone, water, and methanol. The antimicrobial properties of these extracts were evaluated against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The toxicity of the aqueous extract was determined using hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters in male and female Sprague Dawley rats at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg doses over 28 days. p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: All informants were male, married, >50 years old, with >10 years of experience. The sources, local names, preparation, storage conditions, indications, frequency of use, dosage, and side effects of C. edulis were documented. All extracts were ineffective against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans. They had limited efficacy against B. cereus and S. aureus. Significant differences were observed in the hematological and biochemical parameters of rats at the tested doses. Low, intermediate, and high doses of the aqueous extract of C. edulis produced local congestion of the cardiac and hepatic vessels. Localized interstitial connective tissue proliferation, multifocal kidney interstitial hemorrhage, and localized tubular epithelium necrosis were also observed in female rats. Conclusions: The ethnobotanical uses of C. edulis among the Mbeere South community were documented for the first time. Limited antimicrobial efficacy and toxicity at high doses limit the use of leaves of C. edulis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:09:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dc880f1ee3cf43138e321e352439d61c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2046-1402 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:09:17Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | F1000 Research Ltd |
| record_format | Article |
| series | F1000Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-dc880f1ee3cf43138e321e352439d61c2022-12-22T04:00:36ZengF1000 Research LtdF1000Research2046-14022022-03-0111120721Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]Timothy Elias Maitho0Joseph Mwanzia Nguta1Mitchel Otieno Okumu2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9316-990XKevin Kariuki Githua3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0166-9294Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Nairobi, 254, KenyaPublic Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Nairobi, 254, KenyaPublic Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Nairobi, 254, KenyaPublic Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Nairobi, 254, KenyaBackground: The Mbeere South community of Embu County consume leaves of Catha edulis for its stimulant and euphoretic actions. Other indigenous uses of the plant are undocumented. Information on the pharmacology and safety of this plant is also scanty. This study aimed to document the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial properties, and toxicity of C. edulis leaves collected from the Mbeere South community in Kenya. Methods: Ethnopharmacological data was collected from 35 informants using semi-structured questionnaires. Leaf extracts of C. edulis were prepared using acetone, water, and methanol. The antimicrobial properties of these extracts were evaluated against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The toxicity of the aqueous extract was determined using hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters in male and female Sprague Dawley rats at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg doses over 28 days. p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: All informants were male, married, >50 years old, with >10 years of experience. The sources, local names, preparation, storage conditions, indications, frequency of use, dosage, and side effects of C. edulis were documented. All extracts were ineffective against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans. They had limited efficacy against B. cereus and S. aureus. Significant differences were observed in the hematological and biochemical parameters of rats at the tested doses. Low, intermediate, and high doses of the aqueous extract of C. edulis produced local congestion of the cardiac and hepatic vessels. Localized interstitial connective tissue proliferation, multifocal kidney interstitial hemorrhage, and localized tubular epithelium necrosis were also observed in female rats. Conclusions: The ethnobotanical uses of C. edulis among the Mbeere South community were documented for the first time. Limited antimicrobial efficacy and toxicity at high doses limit the use of leaves of C. edulis.https://f1000research.com/articles/11-286/v1Catha edulis khat miraa antimicrobial activity toxicity Mbeere Southeng |
| spellingShingle | Timothy Elias Maitho Joseph Mwanzia Nguta Mitchel Otieno Okumu Kevin Kariuki Githua Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] F1000Research Catha edulis khat miraa antimicrobial activity toxicity Mbeere South eng |
| title | Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full | Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_fullStr | Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full_unstemmed | Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_short | Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of Catha edulis (Vahl.) Endl., in Sprague Dawley rats [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_sort | studies on the ethnopharmacology antimicrobial activity and toxicity of catha edulis vahl endl in sprague dawley rats version 1 peer review 2 approved |
| topic | Catha edulis khat miraa antimicrobial activity toxicity Mbeere South eng |
| url | https://f1000research.com/articles/11-286/v1 |
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