Ethnopharmacological potential of African cherry [<i>Prunus africana</i>]

Komakech, Richard,Kang, Youngmin Elsevier 2019 Journal of herbal medicine Vol.17 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Medicinal plants have been an integral part of the healthcare system for centuries. <I>Prunus africana</I>, an evergreen plant of the family Rosaceae in sub-Saharan Africa, has been used to treat numerous diseases and disorders since time immemorial. Over the past decades, several ethnomedicinal surveys were conducted in many communities across Africa which validated the use of <I>P. africana</I> in traditional medicine. The increased interest in <I>P. africana</I> across the globe has led to several pharmacological studies that have further validated the continued use of this plant in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was therefore to review the various evidence based ethnopharmacological studies on the use of <I>P. africana</I> in traditional medicine in treatment and management of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, diabetes, malaria, chest pain, gastrointestinal conditions, wound healing, and skin infections based on peer-reviewed electronic databases. Scientific studies attributed the effectiveness of <I>P. africana</I> in the treatment and management of these diseases to the class of bioactive compounds contained in it, including tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phytosterols, and fatty acids. The anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiandrogenic, antiangiogenic, antioxidant, anti-dipeptidyl peptidase-4, analgesic, and astringent effects of these phytochemicals makes <I>P. africana</I> very effective in the treatment and management of the above diseases. This review therefore provides the foundation of further preclinical and clinical studies on <I>P. africana</I> to enhance future production of high quality, safe, and efficacious medicines for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, diabetes, malaria, chest pain, gastrointestinal conditions, wound healing, and skin infections.</P>

A Review of the Potential of Phytochemicals from <i> Prunus africana</i> (Hook f.) Kalkman Stem Bark for Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy of Prostate Cancer

Komakech, Richard,Kang, Youngmin,Lee, Jun-Hwan,Omujal, Francis Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2017 Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medic Vol.2017 No.-

<P>Prostate cancer remains one of the major causes of death worldwide. In view of the limited treatment options for patients with prostate cancer, preventive and treatment approaches based on natural compounds can play an integral role in tackling this disease. Recent evidence supports the beneficial effects of plant-derived phytochemicals as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents for various cancers, including prostate cancer.<I> Prunus africana</I> has been used for generations in African traditional medicine to treat prostate cancer. This review examined the potential roles of the phytochemicals from<I> P. africana</I>, an endangered, sub-Saharan Africa plant in the chemoprevention and chemotherapy of prostate cancer. In vitro and in vivo studies have provided strong pharmacological evidence for antiprostate cancer activities of<I> P. africana</I>-derived phytochemicals. Through synergistic interactions between different effective phytochemicals,<I> P. africana</I> extracts have been shown to exhibit very strong antiandrogenic and antiangiogenic activities and have the ability to kill tumor cells via apoptotic pathways, prevent the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, and alter the signaling pathways required for the maintenance of prostate cancer cells. However, further preclinical and clinical studies ought to be done to advance and eventually use these promising phytochemicals for the prevention and chemotherapy of human prostate cancer.</P>

Dexamethasone Interferes with Autophagy and Affects Cell Survival in Irradiated Malignant Glioma Cells

Komakech, Alfred,Im, Ji-Hye,Gwak, Ho-Shin,Lee, Kyue-Yim,Kim, Jong Heon,Yoo, Byong Chul,Cheong, Heesun,Park, Jong Bae,Kwon, Ji Woong,Shin, Sang Hoon,Yoo, Heon The Korean Neurosurgical Society 2020 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.63 No.5

Objective : Radiation is known to induce autophagy in malignant glioma cells whether it is cytocidal or cytoprotective. Dexamethasone is frequently used to reduce tumor-associated brain edema, especially during radiation therapy. The purpose of the study was to determine whether and how dexamethasone affects autophagy in irradiated malignant glioma cells and to identify possible intervening molecular pathways. Methods : We prepared p53 mutant U373 and LN229 glioma cell lines, which varied by phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) mutational status and were used to make U373 stable transfected cells expressing GFP-LC3 protein. After performing cell survival assay after irradiation, the IC<SUB>50</SUB> radiation dose was determined. Dexamethasone dose (10 μM) was determined from the literature and added to the glioma cells 24 hours before the irradiation. The effect of adding dexamethasone was evaluated by cell survival assay or clonogenic assay and cell cycle analysis. Measurement of autophagy was visualized by western blot of LC3-I/LC3-II and quantified by the GFP-LC3 punctuated pattern under fluorescence microscopy and acridine orange staining for acidic vesicle organelles by flow cytometry. Results : Dexamethasone increased cell survival in both U373 and LN229 cells after irradiation. It interfered with autophagy after irradiation differently depending on the PTEN mutational status : the autophagy decreased in U373 (PTEN-mutated) cells but increased in LN229 (PTEN wild-type) cells. Inhibition of protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation after irradiation by LY294002 reversed the dexamethasone-induced decrease of autophagy and cell death in U373 cells but provoked no effect on both autophagy and cell survival in LN229 cells. After ATG5 knockdown, radiation-induced autophagy decreased and the effect of dexamethasone also diminished in both cell lines. The diminished autophagy resulted in a partial reversal of dexamethasone protection from cell death after irradiation in U373 cells; however, no significant change was observed in surviving fraction LN229 cells. Conclusion : Dexamethasone increased cell survival in p53 mutated malignant glioma cells and increased autophagy in PTEN-mutant malignant glioma cell but not in PTEN-wildtype cell. The difference of autophagy response could be mediated though the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of Tamarindus indica Linn. (Fabaceae): a narrative review

Richard Komakech,Yong-goo Kim,Gilbert Motlalepula Matsabisa,Young Min Kang 한국한의학연구원 2019 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.8 No.3

Chronic inflammation is one of the causes of a number of non-infectious diseases in the world. Over the years, Tamarindus indica has played fundamental roles in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug. It is a commercialized biocompatible medicinal plant species with a wide range of therapeutic window and with suggested LD50 greater than 5000 mg kg−1 body weight when administered to the Wistar rats. This review examined the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential and mechanism of various extracts from T. indica pulp, leaves, seeds, stem bark, and roots. The preclinical studies provided strong pharmacological evidence for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the different parts of T. indica and this may be attributed to the various bioactive compounds in it including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, and steroids. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the extracts from the different parts of T. indica may be due to its ability to inhibit a number of biological processes including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), 5-lipoxygenase biosynthesis, and tumor necrosis factor-α. The analgesic activity of T. indica may also be through the activation of the opioidergic mechanism at both the peripheral and central levels. Although further pre-clinical studies still need to be conducted, these results demonstrated that T. indica has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and hence provides justification for its use in traditional medicine to treat body pain and other inflammatory related diseases including arthritis and offers a basis for future clinical studies and possible drug development.

Assessment of anatomical characteristics of the medicinal plant African cherry (Prunus africana) for its accurate taxonomic identification

Richard Komakech,양선규,송준호,최고야,김용구,Denis Okello,Francis Omujal,Grace Nambatya Kyeyune,Motlalepula Gilbert Matsabisa,강영민 한국식물생명공학회 2022 JOURNAL OF PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY Vol.49 No.2

The genus Prunus (family: Rosaceae) consists of over 400 plant species and exhibits vast biodiversity worldwide. Given the wide distribution of this genus, its taxonomic classification is important. Anatomical characteristics are conserved and stable and can therefore be used as an important tool for the taxonomic characterization of plants. Therefore, this study aimed to assess and document the anatomical characteristics of the leaf, stem, and seed of P. africana using micrographs and photographs for possible use in the identification, quality control, and phylogenetic analysis of the species. The anatomical sections of a young stem revealed a cortex consisting of isodiametric parenchyma cells, druse crystals, primary vascular bundles, and pith. The mature stem bark majorly consisted of the rhytidome, with the periderm densely arranged in multiple layers; a cluster of stone cells; and sclerenchyma. The leaf sections were hypostomatic, with stomata sizes ranging from 18.90- (22.34)-26.90 × 15.41-(18.40)-21.22 μm. The leaf sections showed the presence of characteristic druse crystals, vascular bundles, and mesophyll layers. The pericarp contained the epicarp, mesocarp, and endocarp, with their thickness being approximately 350-400, 300-350, and 30-50 μm, respectively. In addition, it contained a seed testa with a thickness of approximately 50-60 μm. The morphological and anatomical characteristics observed in P. africana leaves, stems, and seeds in this study could serve as useful data for the taxonomic identification of this species.

Postharvest Losses of Fruits and Vegetables Along Their Urban Supply Chain in Eastern Africa: a Case Study of Uganda Towards Sustainable Management

Rubagumya Isaac,Komakech Allan John,Menya Emmanuel,Kizito Simon,Zziwa Ahamada,Kabenge Isa 한국농업기계학회 2023 바이오시스템공학 Vol.48 No.2

Purpose Given their perishable nature, fruits and vegetables (FVs) are lost along the supply chain in most developing countries such as Uganda. This is mainly due to various reasons including a lack of refrigerated transport systems, poor road conditions, and a lack of cold storage facilities. The objective of this study was to quantify and analyze the current level of nutritional and economic losses for selected FV supply chains in Uganda. Methods Losses along the supply chains of four major FVs (bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, and mangoes) produced and consumed in Uganda, were assessed. A predetermined quantity of FVs was sorted at each stage of the supply chain to determine the amount of FV wastage. Samples were collected and analyzed using proximate analysis for moisture content, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K) content to quantify the nutritional losses. Results The cumulative produce loss from farm to market was 19.8, 27.6, 34.1, and 39.3% for potato, mango, banana, and tomato, respectively. Nutrient loss ranged from 4.31% (P) to as high as 20.76% (N). The economic loss of each FV category studied increased along the supply chain and was observed to be highest in bananas (USD 183.4 per ton). Conclusion Overall, the findings showed significant postharvest FV loss along the supply chain, mainly during the transport between farms and markets. The information obtained from this study will help supply chain actors, regulatory bodies, stakeholders, and policymakers to analyze existing scenarios regarding FV postharvest losses and as a mitigation strategy promote transportation measures that reduce FV losses in Eastern Africa.

Traditional Indian medicine (TIM) and traditional Korean medicine (TKM): aconstitutional-based concept and comparison

강영민,Richard Komakech,Chandrakant Shivappa Karigar,Asma Saqib 한국한의학연구원 2017 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.6 No.2

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) plays an integral role in providing health care worldwide. It is based on sound fundamental principles and centuries of practices. This study compared traditional Indian medicine (TIM) and traditional Korean medicine (TKM) basing on data obtained from peer reviewed articles, respective government institutional reports and World Health Organization reports. Despite the fact that TIM and TKM have individual qualities that are unique from each other including different histories of origin, they share a lot in common. Apart from Homeopathy in TIM, both systems are hinged on similar principle of body constitutional-based concept and similar disease diagnosis methods of mainly auscultation, palpation, visual inspection, and interrogation. Similarly, the treatment methods of TIM and TKM follow similar patterns involving use of medicinal herbs, moxibustion, acupuncture, cupping, and manual therapy. Both T&CM are majorly practiced in well-established hospitals by T&CM doctors who have undergone an average of 6–7 years of specialized trainings. However, unlike TIM which has less insurance coverage, the popularity of TKM is majorly due to its wide national insurance coverage. These two medical traditions occupy increasingly greater portion of the global market. However, TIM especially Ayurveda has gained more global recognition than TKM although the emergence of Sasang Constitutional Medicine in TKM is beginning to become more popular. This comparative analysis between TIM and TKM may provide vital and insightful contribution towards constitutional-based concept for further development and future studies in T&CM.

Traditional Indian medicine (TIM) and traditional Korean medicine (TKM): aconstitutional-based concept and comparison

Kang, Young Min,Komakech, Richard,Karigar, Chandrakant Shivappa,Saqib, Asma Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam 2017 Integrative medicine research Vol. No.

<P>Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) plays an integral role in providing health care worldwide. It is based on sound fundamental principles and centuries of practices. This study compared traditional Indian medicine (TIM) and traditional Korean medicine (TKM) basing on data obtained from peer reviewed articles, respective government institutional reports and World Health Organization reports. Despite the fact that TIM and TKM have individual qualities that are unique from each other including different histories of origin, they share a lot in common. Apart from Homeopathy in TIM, both systems are hinged on similar principle of body constitutional-based concept and similar disease diagnosis methods of mainly auscultation, palpation, visual inspection, and interrogation. Similarly, the treatment methods of TIM and TKM follow similar patterns involving use of medicinal herbs, moxibustion, acupuncture, cupping, and manual therapy. Both T&CM are majorly practiced in well-established hospitals by T&CM doctors who have undergone an average of 6–7 years of specialized trainings. However, unlike TIM which has less insurance coverage, the popularity of TKM is majorly due to its wide national insurance coverage. These two medical traditions occupy increasingly greater portion of the global market. However, TIM especially Ayurveda has gained more global recognition than TKM although the emergence of Sasang Constitutional Medicine in TKM is beginning to become more popular. This comparative analysis between TIM and TKM may provide vital and insightful contribution towards constitutional-based concept for further development and future studies in T&CM.</P>

Effects of commercial soils on germination, early growth, and chlorophyll content of Aspilia africana, a medicinal plant

Denis Okello,Richard Komakech,김용구(Yong-Goo Kim),Endang Rahmat,정유성(Yuseong Chung),Francis Omujal,강영민(Youngmin Kang) 한국식물생명공학회 2021 JOURNAL OF PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY Vol.48 No.2

Aspilia africana (Pers) C.D.Adams, a plant used for centuries in many African countries to treat diseases such as osteoporosis, malaria, tuberculosis, and diabetes, is of great pharmaceutical interest, yet there is limited scientific literature on its germination and growth. This research paper describes the effects of different commercial soils on the germination, growth, and chlorophyll content of A. africana. The germination parameters assessed included final germination percentage (FGP), mean germination time (MGT), and germination index (GI). Shoot length, leaf number, and fresh and dry weights were some of the parameters used to assess A. africana growth. The FGP was low and did not vary significantly; the MGT was 7 ~ 10 days; and the GI was significantly higher in PPS soil at 4.61 ± 0.332 days. Aspilia africana plants in HS:PPS soil showed the best overall growth, producing the highest mean leaf number (18.00 ± 1.129), longest mean shoot length (202.43 ± 13.451 mm), and highest mean fresh and dry weights (7.08 ± 1.061 g and 0.629 ± 0.112 g, respectively). The highest chlorophyll content in leaves of A. africana under HS:PPS conditions suggested a higher photosynthetic potential of plants in this soil. The best growth performance of A. africana in the HS:PPS soil could be attributed to a higher amount of certain mineral nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in the HS:PPS soil compared to the other soil categories. It is unclear why the FGP of A. africana was low and we recommend an exclusive study to investigate this further.

Comparative antiplasmodial activity, cytotoxicity, and phytochemical contents of Warburgia ugandensis stem bark against Aspilia africana wild and in vitro regenerated tissues

Okello Denis,Gathirwa Jeremiah,Wanyoko Alice,Komakech Richard,Chung Yuseong,Gang Roggers,Omujal Francis,Kang Youngmin 한국식물생명공학회 2023 JOURNAL OF PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY Vol.50 No.2

Malaria remains to be one of the most severe global public health concerns. Traditionally, Aspilia africana and Warburgia ugandensis have been used to treat malaria in several African countries for millennia. In the current study, A. africana calli (AaC), A. africana in vitro roots (AaIR), A. africana wild leaf (AaWL), and W. ugandensis stem bark (WuSB) were dried and pulverized. Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the powdered samples, while 80% ethanolic extracts of each sample were assayed for antiplasmodial activity (against Plasmodium falciparum strains DD2 (chloroquine-resistant) and 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive)) and cytotoxicity. WuSB showed the highest antiplasmodial activity (IC50 = 1.57 ± 0.210 µg/ml and 8.92 ± 0.365 µg/ml against P. falciparum 3D7 and DD2, respectively) and selectivity indices (43.90 ± 7.914 and 7.543 ± 0.051 for P. falciparum 3D7 and DD2, respectively). The highest total polyphenolic contents (total phenolic and flavonoid contents of 367.9 ± 3.55 mg GAE/g and 203.9 ± 1.43 mg RUE/g, respectively) were recorded for WuSB and the lowest were recorded for AaC. The anti- plasmodial activities of the tested plant tissues correlated positively with total polyphenolic content. The high selectivity indices of WuSB justify its traditional applications in treating malaria and present it as a good candidate for discovering new antimalarial compounds. We recommend elicitation treatment for AaIR, which showed moderate antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum DD2, to increase its secondary metabolite production for optimal antimalarial activity.