Ester Innocent

Ester Innocent
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences | MUHAS · Institute of Traditional Medicine

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59
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Publications

Publications (59)
Article
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Background Aphloia theiformis is used in Makete district, Tanzania, and other areas by HIV and AIDS patients as a weight loss remedy and for treatment of tuberculosis. However, there is no literature information on its antimycobacterial activity. Purpose To evaluate antimycobacterial activity of A. theiformis root ethanolic extract and isolated co...
Article
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Although the available medicines can cure almost all tuberculosis drug-susceptible patients some problems including the emergence of multi-drug resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains press for the need of new anti-TB medicines. Morella salicifoliais a common plant that is widely used in traditional medicin...
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This review comprehensively covers and analyzes scientific information on plants used in Tanzanian traditional medicine against respiratory diseases. It covers ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological information extracted from SciFinder, Google Scholar, and Reaxys as well as the literature collected at the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Dar-e...
Article
Two new arabinofuranosidetridecanol, namely 1,2-tridecanediol-1-O-α-L-5’-acetylarabinofuranoside (1) and 1,2-tridecanediol-1-O-α-L-arabinofuranoside (2) together with known compound, 1,2-tridecanediol (3) were isolated from Commiphora merkeri exudate. Compound 1 showed larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti (LC50 = 40.66 µg/mL), An. gambiae (LC50...
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Parinari curatellifolia (Chrysobalanaceae) and Terminalia sericea (Combretaceae) have been traditionally used in Southern Highlands of Tanzania for treatment of various infectious disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate antifungal activity of the isolated compounds from Parinari curatellifolia and Terminalia sericea plant species. The ethyl...
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This study examined the chemical composition of essential oil from the leaves of Eucalyptus maculata and Eucalyptus globulus found in Tanzania. The chemical composition of essential oils of other species viz. E. saligna, E. citriodora and E. camaldulensis has been described, but due to low abundance of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus maculata th...
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Ticks pose a threat in the infestation of both wild and domestic animals, thereby causing an increase in chances for transmission of diseases. Despite of the wide use of Commiphora species in tick control, no acaricidal activity of Commiphora merkeri. Engl. Exudate have been scientifically assessed. The acaricidal activity of the exudate extract an...
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Medicinal plants are known in prevention and curing of diseases. Contamination of medicinal plants by heavy metals is one of the factors affecting quality of medicinal products from medicinal plants. Heavy metals may enter the edible and medicinal plants through contaminated environment such as water bodies, air or soil. Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces...
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Aims: Plants used in traditional medicine have contributed to the development of modern medicines, but in order to boost the discovery of novel drugs to fight diseases such as HIV/AIDS and emerging new diseases, systematic evaluation of many more plants needs to continue. The aim of the present study was to document medicinal plants used in the man...
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Malaria is a vector borne disease responsible for high morbidity, mortality and poverty in many tropical and subtropical countries. The disease is transmitted through a bite from an infected female Anopheles mosquito, amongst which Anopheles gambiae s.s serves as the most prevalent vector. The control of An. gambiae s.s population can therefore lea...
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Anopheles gambiae is a main vector for transmission of malaria parasites. In endemic places, malaria contributes significantly to high mortalities and poverty. Synthetic insecticides command the widest application in malaria vector control but are non-biodegradable and currently facing resistance. In searching for alternative insecticides, this stu...
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Chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) is dependent on the plant species and varieties, and within the same variety, from geographical region. Knowledge of the factors that determine the chemical variability and yield for each species are very important in particular for commercially important species, to optimize the conditions that may...
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This study investigated the antifungal activities of single and combined extracts of traditionally used Tanzanian medicinal plants against the selected fungal pathogens. Plants samples were collected from Southern regions of Tanzania, dried, ground and extracted with petroleum ether, dichloromethane and ethanol. Broth micro dilution method was used...
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Chemical composition and repellency potential of essential oils from Tagetes minuta and Lippia javanica traditionally used in Longido district to repel mosquitoes when formulated and topically applied as repellents were investigated in this study. The GC-FID analysis of essential oil from T. minuta showed presence of limonene (14.31%), camphene (1....
Article
Background: Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the main vector of the dengue virus globally. Dengue vector control is mainly based on reducing the vector population through interventions, which target potential breeding sites. However, in Tanzania, little is known about this vector's habitat productivity and insecticide susceptibility status to...
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Background Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the main vector of the dengue virus globally. Dengue vector control is mainly based on reducing the vector population through interventions, which target potential breeding sites. However, in Tanzania, little is known about this vector’s habitat productivity and insecticide susceptibility status to s...
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Background/Aim Some of the antifungal drugs used in the current treatments regime are responding to antimicrobial resistance. In rural areas of Southern Tanzania, indigenous people use antifungal drugs alone or together with medicinal plants to curb the effects of antibiotic resistance. This study documented ethnobotanical information of medicinal...
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The population residing Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) continues to suffer from communicable health problems such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and various neglected tropical as well as non-communicable diseases. The disease burden is aggravated by shortage of medical personnel and medical supplies such as medical devices and minimal access to essen...
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Aim: This paper provides an understanding of the ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants used to control mosquitoes and handle mosquito related diseases among the Maasai living in Olmolog and Engarenaibo division of Longido district, Arusha, Tanzania. Methods: Data were collected between March, 2014 to March, 2015 through semi-structured quest...
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Aim: The aim of this study was to isolate the bioactive compounds from the roots of Combretum adenogonium and assess for its antibacterial and cytotoxic properties. Materials and methods: The extract was obtained using 20% aqueous ethanol and further subjected to fractionation with 1:1 n-butanol/water. Chromatographic analyses of the n-butanol f...
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Aim: The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of some Tephrosia species against the larvae; Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus. These plants have proven to have insecticidal properties and regenerate quickly. Reduction of mosquito borne diseases by killing mosquitoes at the larva stage is bio-control alternative method in the rural...
Article
The essential oils of three aromatic plant species, Lantana viburnoides sp. viburnoides var. kisi (A. Rich.) Verdc., Clausena anisata (Willd.) Benth. and Uvariodendron gorgonis Verdc., were analysed for their chemical compositions and repellency activity against Anopheles gambiae s.s. The major chemical constituents were piperitenone (25.25%) and a...
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Kotschya plant species have been shown to be potential larvicides against Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles gambiae species. Isolation of compounds from larvicidal crude extracts of selected four Kotschya plant species namely K. uguenensis, K. strigosa, K. speciosa and K thymodora yielded cycloartenone (1) as the major compound. The presence of...
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Background Plants represent one of the most accessible resources available for mosquito control by communities in Tanzania. However, no documented statistics exist for their contribution in the management of mosquitoes and other insects except through verbal and some publications. This study aimed at assessing communities’ knowledge, attitudes and...
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Acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves, stem bark and root bark of Vitex schiliebenii belonging to the family Verbenaceae were evaluated for their larvicidal activity against late 3rd/early 4th Anopheles gambiae Giles s.s. larvae (Diptera: Culicidae). The extracts of the acetone leaves and stem bark were active with LC50 values of 14....
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Objectives: To determine the growth-disrupting effects of polar phyto-extracts of V. schilibenii on Anopheles gambiae larvae in a simulated semi-field condition and to undertake phytochemical screening of constituents present. Materials & Method: 3 rd and early 4 th instars of An. gambiae larvae were exposed to acetone and methanol extracts of stem...
Article
Polar constituents of Kotschya uguenensis Verdc. (Fabaceae) do not exhibit acute toxicity but cause growth disruption of Anopheles gambiae s.s. Gile (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae with eventual death. Time-course larvicidal effects of powders of root and stem barks and their crude methanol extracts in form of emulsions were compared in the laboratory...
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Background Records have shown that Combretum adenogonium Steud. Ex A. Rich (Combretaceae) is used in traditional medicine systems of several tribes in Tanzania. This study focused on the investigation of antibacterial activity, anti-HIV-1 protease activity, toxicity properties and classes of phytochemicals in extracts from C. adenogonium Steud. Ex...
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Resistance of mosquito vectors to the commonly used chemical insecticides is posing threats to human health. It is becoming necessary to identify safe, eco-friendly and effective alternative sources of larvicides in order to reduce mosquito menace. HPLC profiling of the chemical constituents in the stem and root bark ethanol extracts had similar pa...
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5,5'-Dihydroxy-2',4'-dimethoxy-7-[(6-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-oxy]isoflavone (1) was isolated as the major constituent of Dalbergia vacciniifolia root bark ethanol extract together with the four known compounds 5,7-dihydroxy-2',4',5'-trimethoxyisoflavone (3), 5,7-dihydroxy-2',4'-dimethoxy-isoflavone (4), 5-hydroxy-2',4',7-trimethoxyi...
Article
Annona squamosa L. (Annoneceae) is a medicinal plant widely distributed in all eco-zones of Tanzania. The plant has a wide use as medicine, food and insecticide. A qualitative study of ethanolic extracts of A. squamosa collected from different eco-zones was done using HPTLC. Furthermore, each leaf ethanolic extract and leaf powders were screened fo...
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The leaves and roots of Cissampelos mucronata A. Rich (Menispermaceae) are widely used in the tropics and subtropics to manage various ailments such as gastro-intestinal complaints, menstrual problems, venereal diseases and malaria. In the Coast region, Tanzania, roots are used to treat wounds due to extraction of jigger. Leaves of Tephrosia villos...
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Plants that belong to the Combretaceae family have long history of use in the traditional medicine systems of Africa and Asia for treatment of diseases and conditions associated with HIV/AIDS-opportunistic infections. The objective of this study was to investigate the biological activities of extracts of Terminalia stenostachya Engl. & Diels and Te...
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Dichloromethane and/or ethanol extracts of 30 plants used as traditional medicines in Bukoba district, northwestern Tanzania were evaluated for brine shrimp toxicity. Among the 50 extracts tested, 32 extracts (64%) showed very low toxicity with LC50 values above 100 microg/ml. Among these 12 (24%) which had LC50 >500 microg/ml can be categorized as...
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Abstract Background: Emergence of new and re-emergence of old infections continue to elude prospects of reducing morbidity and mortality caused by microbial infections. Trends of resistance to currently in use antimicrobials and antimalarials threaten to increase mortality caused by these infections. This study explores the potential of marine inve...
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In traditional African communities, repellent volatiles from certain plants generated by direct burning or by thermal expulsion have played an important role in protecting households against vectors of malaria and other diseases. Previous research on volatile constituents of plants has shown that some are good sources of potent mosquito repellents....
Article
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Three new 5-dehydroxy isoflavone compounds, 6,2'-dimethoxy-7,4'-dihydroxyisoflavone (1), 6,2',4'-trimethoxy-7-hydroxyisoflavone (2), and 6,2',4',5'-tetramethoxy-7-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] isoflavone (3), along with a known isoflavone, 6,2',4',5'-tetramethoxy-7-hydroxyisoflavone (4), were isolated from the ethanolic...
Article
Harrisonia abyssinica (Simaroubaceae) is widely distributed and used in traditional medicine in Tanzania. Phytochemical studies of the plant report the presence of steroid and limonoid compounds while much of its biological studies were concentrated on its pharmacological activity on human pathogens. In the present study, eight extracts from plant...
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The root dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of Acanthus puberscens (Oliv.) Engl (ACANTHACEAE) exhibited weak antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus anthracis, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with MIC values ranging from 1.6-6.25 mg/ml....
Article
Three new 5-dehydroxy isoflavone compounds, 6,2'-dimethoxy-7,4'-dihydroxyisoflavone (1), 6,2',4'-trimethoxy-7- hydroxyisoflavone (2), and 6,2',4',5'-tetramethoxy-7-O-[β−D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β−D-glucopyranoside] isoflavone (3), along with a known isoflavone, 6,2',4',5'-tetramethoxy-7-hydroxyisoflavone (4), were isolated from the ethanolic extract o...
Article
Three new 5-dehydroxy isoflavone compounds, 6,2 '-dimethoxy-7,4'-dihydroxyisoflavone (1), 6,2',4'-trimethoxy-7hydroxyisoflavone (2), and 6,2 ',4',5'-tetramethoxy-7-O-[β−D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β−D-glucopyranoside] isoflavone (3), along with a known isoflavone, 6,2 ',4',5'-tetramethoxy-7-hydroxyisoflavone (4), were isolated from the ethanolic extract...
Article
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Cytotoxicity and larvicidal properties of the leaf extracts of 3 Annonaceous plants, Annona muricata L., A. senegalensis Pers and A. squamosa L. were tested against brine shrimp larva and the late 3 rd instar of Culex quinquefascintus Say. The larval mortality was observed 24 h post-exposure. Based on the probit analysis, the LC 50 value for crude...
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Warburgia ugandensis Sprague (Canellaceae), is widely used by Traditional Health Practitioners in Eastern and Southern Africa for treatment of diseases and conditions associated with HIV/AIDS infections. The most commonly prescribed parts of the plant are usually barks and roots. The aim of this study is to investigate whether leaves of this plant...
Article
Ethnobotanical survey was done among the Hehe community of central Tanzania to identify plants that can be used in the control of malaria transmitting mosquito vectors. Extracts from different plant parts wereanalysed for their larvicidal effects against Anopheles gambiae s.s mosquito by using the WHO (1996) protocols. The crude extracts that had h...
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Aqueous ethanol (80%) extracts of six plants used traditionally for treatment of malaria, Vepris glomerata (F.Hoffm.) Engl (Rutaceae), Maranthus floribunda (Bak.) F.White (Chrysobalanaceae), Strophanthus eminii Asch. & Pax ex Pax (Apocynaceae), Cassia abbreviata Oliv. (Leguminosae) and Caesalpinia bonducella L. Fleming (Fabaceae) were screened for...
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Herbal medicines constitute a potentially important resource for new and safe drugs for the management of microbial infections and other diseases. In this study, dichloromethane, ethylacetate and ethanol extracts of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl., Dissotis brazzae Cong., Iboza urticifolia (Bak) E.A.Bruce, Isoglosa lacteal Lindau, Strombosia Scheffle...
Article
Studies on the larvicidal properties of extracts and fractions from Kotschya uguenensis Verdc. were done by long-term exposure of Anopheles gambiae s.s. larvae. The cumulative mean percentage mortalities and deformities at different concentrations for the extracts and fractions were recorded after every 24 h. Treatment of A. gambiae s.s. larvae wit...
Article
Petroleum ether, dichloromethane, and ethanolic extracts of the stem bark and leaves of Uvaria scheffleri Diels (Annonaceae) exhibited antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (wild strain), Aspergillus fumigatus (wild strain), and a Penicillium species (wild strain). The ethanol extract of the stem bark was also active against Candida albican...
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Lantana viburnoides sp viburnoides var kisi is used in Tanzania ethnobotanically to repel mosquitoes as well as in traditional medicine for stomach ache relief. Bioassay-guided fractionation and subtraction bioassays of the dichloromethane extract of the root barks were carried out in order to identify the bioactive components for controlling Anoph...
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Long chain aliphatic methyl ketone series of C7-C15 were tested for repellency activity against the malaria transmitting mosquito Anopheles gambiae s.s. All methyl ketones produced a dose dependent (P < 0.001) repellency response with 2-tridecanone giving comparable protection efficacy to DEET at 10% and 1% concentrations. Aliphatic methyl ketones...
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The ethanol extract of the root bark of Terminalia sericea yielded an unreported stilbene glycoside, 3'5'-dihydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy) resveratrol-3-O-beta-rutinoside (1) together with known compounds resveratrol-3-beta-rutinoside glycoside (2), 3',4,5'-Trihydroxystilbene (resveratrol) (3), triterpenoic acid arjungenin and a mixture of beta-sitos...

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