BackgroundAnnona stenophylla is a folk medicine popularly used in Zimbabwe for the treatment of many ailments. This study was carried out to determine some of the possible anti diabetic mechanisms of its action using in vitro cell culturing methods.MethodsA. stenophylla's effects on glucose uptake were tested using muscle cells (C2Cl2). Expression of glucose 4 transporters was determined by treating cell lines with plant extract. Total RNA was isolated and using RT-PCR, GLUT 4 expression levels were quantified. Translocation of GLUT 4 was assessed using FITC fluorescence measured by flow cytometry.ResultsTreatment of cells with plant extract significantly increased glucose uptake in a concentration dependent manner, with the highest concentration (250 µg/ml) giving 28% increased uptake compared to the negative control. The increase in glucose uptake (2.5 times more than control) was coupled to increase in GLUT 4 mRNA and subsequently GLUT 4 translocation. Wortmannin expunged the A. stenophylla induced increase in GLUT 4 mRNA and glucose uptake.ConclusionThe results suggest that A. stenophylla aqueous extract increases glucose uptake partly through increasing the GLUT 4 mRNA and translocation potentially acting via the PI-3-K pathway. This study confirms the ethnopharmacological uses of A. stenophylla indicating potential for anti-diabetic products formulation.

Background: Traditional medicines are widely used in the rapidly growing health system and are of economic importance. The study aimed at determining the frequency, pattern of use and factors that influence traditional medicines use during pregnancy. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at four district hospitals in Manicaland, Zimbabwe, using questionnaire based convenience sampling. Results: Traditional medicines use was found to be high with 54% (n = 337) of pregnant women using traditional medicines during pregnancy. The major purpose of use of traditional medicine was found to be preparation for delivery; cervical dila- tion in particular. The following factors showed a significant statistical association for use of traditional medicines: previous mode of delivery (p = 0.006), level of education (p = 0.016), family income (p = 0.007), and residential settlement (p = 0.026). Some of the common traditional medicines used during pregnancy include Camellia sinensis, Aloe, Spirostachys Africana, Thumbergia lancifolia, Dalbergiella nyasae, Steganotaenia oraliacea, Stomatostemma monteiroae and Cussonia arborea. Conclusion: A number of pregnant women use traditional medicines as partus preparators (labour aids) throughout the entire pregnancy period. This calls for obstetricians, general practitioners and midwives to inquire about use of traditional medicine in history. Keywords: Traditional medicines; pregnancy; Zimbabwe.

No abstract

The leaves of Carpobrotus edulis are used in folk medicine to treat several ailments. This study therefore seeks to do a phytochemical screening of the aqueous leaf extract of Carpobrotus edulis which grows in Zimbabwe as well as determine the effect of these aqueous extracts on hematological parameters of Sprague Dawley rats. Aqueous extraction of Carpobrotus edulis leaves was performed by using routine methods and standard phytochemical screening methods. Thirty-two (32) Sprague Dawley rats of both sexes equally represented, were grouped into three treatment groups (A-C) and one negative control group D of eight animals each. Group A received 100mg/kg of the extract; Group B received 300mg/kg while Group C received 1000mg/kg of the extract for 28 days. After 28 days of daily oral gavage of the extract, hematological parameters were measured. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins and glycosides. Aqueous leaf extracts of Carpobrotus edulis did not have any significant effects (P>0.05) on the hematological parameters on any of the treatment groups of Sprague Dawley rats after oral exposure for 28 days. Carpobrotus edulis have no deleterious effects on the hematological parameters however further studies are recommended to completely evaluate the safety profile of the plant.

No abstract