Article

Phytochemical Screening of Food Plants Eaten by Sympatric Apes (Gorilla beringei graueri and Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) Inhabiting Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo) and their Potential Effect on Gastro Intestinal Parasites

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Abstract

Animals have dietary strategies that aid in the suppression or control of disease and wounds. In Kahuzi-Biega National Park, only a few plant species have been observed regularly to be consumed by apes and constitute their basic staple food. Some plants have active constituents that may play an important role in diseases treatment. Phytochemical screening was conducted on 9 plant species most common in the diets of Kahuzi apes. The presence of important bioactive chemical components, including saponins, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, quinons and glycosids, well known for their role in disease treatment, were isolated. Bromatological analyses of selected fruits most preferred by both apes were also conducted and some fruits were found to be rich in, important nutritional components such as lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. Intestinal parasites of these apes were also investigated. A total of 19 different parasite species were identified fresh apes fecal samples collected in their home range. The prevalence rates of Coccidies were 94 and 93.4 % in Gorilla and chimpanzees fecal samples, respectively in the most prevalent parasites in both sympatric ape species. Protozoa and Nematoda parasite groups were the most observed. This study suggests that fruits preferentially eaten by gorillas and chimpanzees inhabiting Kahuzi-Biega National park contain essential chemical constituents that may be effective in parasite disease control maintenance and nutrition purpose. © 2015, International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research. All rights reserved.

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... Mais si ces animaux consomment ces graines, on retrouve des vers adultes dans leurs fèces (communication personnel). En effet l'automédication des grands singes dans le Parc National de Kahuzi et dans d'autres Parcs ont été confirmé par nos prédécesseurs [23]. Pour déterminer la toxicité des extraits sur les grands singes qui consomment ces différentes parties de la plante, un test in vitro sur les rats sauvages a été réalisé sur 72 individus subdivisés en deux espèces, 36 individus de l'espèce Lophuromys flavoponctatus et 36 individus de l'espèce Mastamys coucha. ...
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This full-color reference offers practical, evidence-based guidance on using more than 120 medicinal plants, including how to formulate herbal remedies to treat common disease conditions. A body-systems based review explores herbal medicine in context, offering information on toxicology, drug interactions, quality control, and other key topics. More than 120 herbal monographs provide quick access to information on the historical use of the herb in humans and animals, supporting studies, and dosing information. Includes special dosing, pharmacokinetics, and regulatory considerations when using herbs for horses and farm animals. Expanded pharmacology and toxicology chapters provide thorough information on the chemical basis of herbal medicine. Explores the evolutionary relationship between plants and mammals, which is the basis for understanding the unique physiologic effects of herbs. Includes a body systems review of herbal remedies for common disease conditions in both large and small animals. Discusses special considerations for the scientific research of herbs, including complex and individualized interventions that may require special design and nontraditional outcome goals.
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We measured the biological activities of a selected sample (84 crude extracts) of 24 species eaten by wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in the Kibale National Park, western Uganda, to assess their potential chemotherapeutic values. Antibacterial, antimalarial, and/or antileishmania activities were observed in some crude extracts, and five of these extracts showed a significant cytotoxicity against human tumor cells. Active compounds isolated from three plant parts occasionally ingested by chimpanzees (Diospyros abyssinica (Ebenaceae) bark, Uvariopsis congensis (Annonaceae) leaves, and Trichilia rubescens (Meliaceae) leaves) showed highly significant medicinal properties. Two novel antiparasitic limonoids were isolated from Trichilia rubescens and their molecular structures were determined. In addition to elucidating the natural equilibrium maintained between hosts and pathogens, our investigation of the diet of wild chimpanzees may serve as a guideline to discovering plants with bioactive properties that should be preserved from destruction because of their health maintenance value for great ape populations.
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This study has been carried out in order to evaluate new chemical drugs from plants for biocidal activity before use to avoid noxious effect on human beings and animals or plants and also to prevent the worsing of environment. In fact, many natural products endowed with biological active principles are obtained from plant material used in the holistic medicines. Presently, scientists pay attention to the study of plant extracts hoping to discover cheaper and efficient new drugs for health care and for pest control. On this point of view, the safety tests of extract from Maesa lanceolata (Myrsinaceae) candidate for snails control in the Democratic Republic of Congo, were undertaken. Portion of powdered steam barks was extracted with EtOH to obtain saponins that were submitted to tests. Saponins were fractionated by using TLC techniques and biocidal activity tests were performed on fishes, molluscs and mousquitoes. Saponins exhibited powerful biocidal activity against aquatic adult insects (Aeschnidae, Coenagrionidae, Hydrobidae), moustiquitoes (Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles funestus, Culex sp), snails (Biomphalaria pfeiffeiri and Lymnae natalensis), furcocercariae of Schistosoma mansoni and fish (Haplochromis sp, Oreochromis nilotica and Oreochromis macrochi)r. As results, Maesa lanceolata (Myrsinaceae) contains a saponin-mixture endowed with molluscicidal activity at a dose of 1mg/l. It may be a real candidate for snail control programs but it is harmful to aquatic biota. Attention must be paid to its utilization to avoid the ecological disturbance in the environment, especially when indigenous populations use it for fishing during the dry season.
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