Pappea

Abstract: Phytochemicals, phytonutrients and mineral composition of medicinal plants have increased the use of plants as nutraceuticals and therapeuticals. The aim of this study was therefore to determine phytochemical, phytonutrient and mineral composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of Pappea capensis (L.). Leaf and stem bark of P. capensis were collected, air dried under shade and then crushed into powder. The powder was used in the determination of ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, thiamine, nicotinamide, retinol, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin and lycopene concentrations using HPLC. Phytochemicals were screened and quantified according to standard methods and the mineral composition was determined using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) system. Results show that except for alkaloids which were higher in the stem bark than the leaf extracts, flavonoids and saponins were higher in the leaf than in the stem bark extracts; all the phytonutrients quantified in the leaf and stem bark extracts were higher in the leaves compared to the stem barks except for ascorbic acid which was higher in the stem barks than the leaves; among the minerals quantified Cr, Mn, V and Al were higher in the leafs than in the stem barks; Se, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, Co, Ni, As, Hg and Pb were similar in both the leaf and stem bark of P. capensis. In conclusion, P. capensis contains phytochemicals, phytonutrients and mineral elements that contribute to its effectiveness as a traditional medicine.

Abstract: The present study was performed to determine the optimal dose of alloxan monohydrate required to induce diabetes in male BALB/c mice and investigatein vivo hypoglycemic activity of aqueous and ethylacetate leaf and stem bark extracts of Pappea capensisLin alloxanized diabetic BALB/c mice.In addition, the proximate composition of P. capensis powder was investigated. The seven groups used in determining the optimal alloxan dose to induce diabetes included the normal mice intraperitoneally administered with a single dose of 0.1ml physiological saline and doses of 50.0, 77.6, 120.4, 186.9, 290.0 and 480 mg/kg body weight in 0.1 mL of physiological saline. Blood glucose levels was determined at 0, 24 and 48 h using a glucometer.The hypoglycemic activity of aqueous and ethylacetate extracts was studied in the normal and diabetic mice orally administered with 0.1ml physiological saline; diabetic mice orally administered with 0.075 mg glibenclamide, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg extract all in 0.1ml physiological saline. Blood glucose levels was determined at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h, respectively. The proximate composition of P. capensis powder was estimated using standard procedures.Results show that asingle dose of alloxan at 186.9 mg/kg body weightadministered to 3-5 weeks old mice induced stable diabetes in 48 h; oral administration of ethylacetate leaf and stem bark extracts at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight induced hypoglycemic activity in a dose independent manner which was similar to that of glibenclamide at 3 mg/kg body weight from the second to the twenty-fourth hour.Total ash and lipid were higher while the crude protein and carbohydrate were lower in leaves compared to the stem barks. In conclusion, P. capensis is a nutritious plant whose ethylacetate extracts possess in vivo hypoglycemic activity.

Abstract: Experiments were carried out with the objectives of developing propagation protocols for Uapaca kirkiana and Pappea capensis tree species of southern Africa, and evaluating the graft compatibility within U. kirkiana tree clones, provenances and species. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, fluorescence microscopy and callus fusion methodologies were used to diagnose graft compatibility. Results indicated that U. kirkiana culture asepsis was achieved with 0.1% w/v mercuric chloride (HgCl2) and using pre-conditioned grafted trees. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) improved P. capensis seed asepsis and germination, and discarding