No abstract

Internationally there is an increased need to come up with new therapeutics to counteract cases of microbial resistance which is diminishing successes of current pharmaceuticals. Traditional medicines have been in use since time memorial and they offer better options as a source of new lead compounds as compared to synthetic designs and libraries. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of TLC isolated phytocompounds from Zanthoxylum humile roots. Disc diffusion method was employed to determine antibacterial activity while micro-plate serial dilution method was used to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration of crude fractions. Anti-inflammatory activity was ascertained by the nitrite assay. The present study results reveals that Zanthoxylum humile roots consist of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity can be explained in terms of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids present in the extracts. Zanthoxylum humile roots TLC isolates revealed significantly greater antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity as compared to standard drugs cotrimoxazole and indomethacin. Results of the present study authenticate the use of Zanthoxylum humile roots in primary health care needs. Presence of phytocompounds such as flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids and steroids supports its use as medication for diarrhea, hypertension, diabetes, coughs and flu and as antivenins against snake bites. The presence of various bioactive compounds makes Zanthoxylum humile a promising plant as a source of new therapeutics that may be the answer to the current microbial resistance.

Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution using a low cost Sclerocarya birrea fruit shell powder based biosorbent was investigated in a batch system. Results showed that optimum adsorption capacity was achieved at pH 8 and biosorbent dosage of 0.6 g, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 27.690 mg g -1 . Equilibrium studies showed that experimental data fitted well on the Temkin isotherm (R 2 = 0.9641), as well as the Langmuir isotherm (R 2 = 0.9626). The adsorption process followed the pseudosecond order rate kinetics with R 2 values greater than 0.999. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum showed the presence of absorption bands typical of a plant based biomaterial. Given the abundant availability of the S. birrea trees in Southern Africa, the seed fruit shell can be used as a source of low cost biosorbent.