Therapeutic and Toxicological Effects of Phytoextracts with Cutaneous Wound Healing Potential in Bungoma and Kakamega Counties of Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Muresia, Wafula Benedict
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Wounds are injuries which arise when the structural continuity of a tissue is physically disrupted.
It has been established scientifically that plants produce metabolites which potentially accelerate
wound healing. Approximately 80% of human population globally, according to WHO, use
phytoextracts that have not been scientifically accredited as medicines. This therefore implies
that little if nothing is known about their potential lethality. The use of such remedies has either
led to fatalities or left many people hospitalized. This research therefore focused on establishing
in vivo the efficacy and toxicity of lyophilized leaf aqua-extracts of M. pyrifolia, F. africana, A.
conyzoides, L. ukambensis and A. oleracea in enhancing cutaneous wound healing in Mus
musculus, male albino mice. Leaves of the above plants identified and confirmed by taxonomists
were collected from their undisturbed natural ecosystem, dried under the shade and ground to
powder using a mill. Extraction of phytoextracts was done by infusion which involved the
addition of 500g of the powder to 4 liters of distilled water and maintaining the mixture at 600C
for 6 hours. The mixture was filtered, concentrated, lyophilized and stored in lightproof plastic
bags at -100C for bioassays. The phytoextracts were assayed for their activity in the excision
wound repair paradigm. Mineral ion constitution of the extracts was analyzed using TXFR
technique. The presence of phytochemical composition was established using standard
procedures. For each specimen plant, the animals were put into five groups, each consisting of
five mice. Group A, a negative control, was given physiological saline. Group B, a positive
control, was treated with a standard drug Flucloxacillin at a therapeutic dose of 40 mg/kg and
groups C, D and E with test phytoextracts at therapeutic doses 50, 95 and 300mg/kg body weight
respectively. This was done systemically via oral routes for 21 days. Acute toxicity assessment
was based on Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Guideline 423 (OECD,
1996). Sub-acute toxicity evaluation focused on relative organ weight, hematological and
biochemical parameters. Statistical analyses were done by ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD
post hoc test. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. From the results, lyophilized
extracts significantly accelerated wound contraction in the first five days post wounding in
respect of the physiological saline control doses. Also, there was neither death nor moribund
state of mice during the study period. Generally, the hematological and biochemical parameters
were not significantly affected. Results from TXFR revealed the presence of mineral elements
like magnesium that enhance wound healing. Phytochemical analysis results revealed the
presence of the metabolites flavonoids, tannins, phenols, alkaloids and saponins in varying
concentrations. In conclusion, the extracts are non-toxic and demonstrated wound healing
potential which would be attributed to the presence phytochemicals and mineral ions in the
phytoextracts. This research therefore recommends the sustained use of these plant extracts for
wound healing purposes.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Biotechnology in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University, July 2023.
Keywords
Therapeutic, Toxicological Effects, Phytoextracts, Cutaneous Wound, Healing Potential, Bungoma, Kakamega, Kenya