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.