A comparison of morphological, Phytochemical and pharmacological Properties of Marsedenia Sylvestris R. Br from different regions of Kenya
Abstract
Mankind has over the centuries used plants to treat many diseases and many traditional herbal
remedies are to be found. In fact many of the so-called conventional medicines like penicillins,
artemesinin-based products and quinine are derived from plants. Natural medicines especially herbal
medicine has of late gained great popularity and is undergoing renaissance the world over. The
World Health Organization (WHO) has also recommended the evaluation of plants with folklore
famein treatment and managing of diseases. Marsedenia sylvestris R.Br. a woody climber is one of
the promising plants and has been widely studied and researched. It has been traditionally used
successfullyparticularly in India to manage and treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Marsedenia
sylvestris R.Br. species found in three different regions in Kenya were investigated. Plant materials
werecollected from Reru, West Seme Location in Nyanza Province, Arabuko Sokote Forest and
Gede Ruins Forest in Coast Province.
The objective of this study was to carry out a comparison of phytochemical and hypoglycemic
properties of Marsedenia sylvestris R.Br. from different geographical regions of Kenya. Their
morphological characteristics, TLC, HPLC profiles, and hypoglycemic activities were also
compared. Morphological studies showed that the three geotypes were similar save for minor
differences in sizes of leaves which may be due to soil texture and fertility. Phytochemical studies
showed that the leaves and twigs of Marsedenia sylvestris R.Br. contained saponins, tannins, cardiac
glycosides and alkaloids. Anthracene glycosides were absent. Physical properties, TLC and the
HPLC profiles were similar for the different geotypes. Methanolic Soxhlet extracts showed a
significant hypoglycemic activity in oral glucose tolerance test. The extract from Nyanza province
was slightly more potent than the others. This is suggestive that the plant grown in Kenya could be
used for management and treatment of diabetes mellitus. The environmental conditions of Kisumu
probably tend to favour the production of higher concentrations of the active ingredients.
The plant extracts were also found to increase the contractions of the rabbit heart, ileum and the rat
uterus .and cause relaxation of rat diaphragm in addition to increasing diuresis in rats. These properties suggest that Marsedenia sylvestris R.Br. may also be useful in such clinical conditions
like labour induction, prolonged labour, edema and cardiac failure and constipation. It is also a
potential hypotensive agent. This is the first time this plant has been investigated in Kenya and
further work need to be done particularly in identification and structural elucidation of the active
principles.In addition more pharmacological studies need to be done particularly in the field of
family planning and determine the optimum dose. Although the plant has been used in India for a
long time toxicological and clinical studies should be done to assure the patients about its safety. It is
after these studies are done should this plant be domesticated and farmed sustainably for its health
and economic benefits.
Citation
Masters of Science in Pharmacognosy and Complementary MedicineSponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Department of pharmacology and pharmacognosy School of pharmacy University of Nairobi