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NEWSLETTER

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7/8 26 August 2013

12 - 13 October 2013 3rd Journal Conference on Bioscience, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics (JCBBB 2013 3rd) Venue: Paris, France 2-5 November 2013 11th International Ethnobota-ny Symposium, Venue: Antal-ya, Turkey 3-6 November 2013 International Conference on Natural Products Utilization: From Plants to Pharmacy Shelf. Venue: Bansko, Bulgar-ia 23 - 24 November 2013 4th International Conference on Agriculture and Animal Science (CAAS 2013) Venue: Phuket, Thailand

CONFERENCES

GENERAL NEWS To make biofuel, cut the lignin: Researchers disable key protein, make plant sug-

ars easier to access (ScienceNews, Aug 2013)

By crippling a single protein, researchers can grow plants that have 36 percent less lig-nin, the sturdy plant-wall molecule that makes chewing up plants for biofuel production so difficult. The researchers knocked out the enzyme caffeoyl shikimate esterase, a worker in lignin’s assembly line in a small flowering plant. Lignin production dropped and the plant’s sugars became easier to access, the researchers report in Science… Read more.

Cancer-causing herbal remedies: A potent carcinogen lurks within certain tradi-

tional Chinese medicines (The Scientist, Aug 2013)

Plants of the Aristolochia genus have for centuries been used in Chinese herbal reme-dies, but they contain a naturally carcinogenic compound that causes mutations in the cells of people who consume them, according to two studies published in Science Trans-lational Medicine this month. The papers reveal that the compound, called aristolochic acid, causes more mutations than two of the best-known environmental carcinogens: to-bacco smoke and UV light… Read more

Eco-friendly battery charged by ancient plant extract (Inside Science TV, June

2013)

New York chemists are developing a new sustainable battery that foregoes the highly mined metal Cobalt. The plant root extract Purpurin, historically used as a red dye, acts as an electrode and is compatible with Lithium, allowing its incorporation in a green, fully disposable battery… Watch the video here

RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS Adopted from Taylor & Francis Group

Nutraceuticals and Health: Review of Human Evidence

This book focuses on the role of nutraceuticals in human health, disease prevention, health promotion, and as an

adjunct to disease treatment. This crucial epidemiological focus will address whether, and what kinds of, evidence exist

to support a role for nutraceuticals in disease prevention and treatment. Cutting-edge summaries highlight both the

biological and epidemiological findings of relevant studies of nutraceuticals in health and disease.

Biotechnology in Agriculture and Food Processing: Opportunities and Challenges

An instructive and comprehensive overview of the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production, this

book discusses how biotechnology can improve the quality and productivity of agriculture and food products. It in-

cludes current topics such as GM foods, enzymes, and production of various types of food ingredients. Combining

coverage of agriculture and food processing, the book highlights the range of biotechnology applications from "farm to

fork." Biotechnology has been recognized as one of the key technologies for increasing economic growth. The book

provides a better understanding of how biotechnology applications can reduce production costs, improve productivity,

and enhance product quality in the agro food processing sector.

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Caron Griffiths joins the SABINA network as the new VRE facilitator We are pleased to welcome Caron Griffiths, a recent Masters graduate from University of Pretoria, as the new facilitator for

the VRE platform. We asked her to answer a few questions to introduce herself to the network.

Where are you from?

I was born and grew up in Pretoria, and decided to stay here for my studies. I

make up for it by taking opportunities to travel in my spare time!

What did you study, and why?

I’ve always been fascinated by some variation of the question “How does it work?”

and picking all sorts of puzzles apart. I chose to study biochemistry for my under-

graduate and postgraduate degrees - it’s an in depth approach to answering that

question of how everything works! I’ve had some great opportunities along the

way, like being able to spend time in a research lab in Paris, and being able to do

my Masters in Biochemistry with UP and the CSIR in Pretoria. My research fo-

cused on super-resolution microscopy to study mechanisms of transcriptional regu-

lation in the malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.

One of the challenges I experienced during my Masters was a difficulty in manag-

ing, organising and analysing large amounts of information and datasets. So I’ve

decided to take a hiatus from formal studies to explore opportunities to gain more computational skills and experience in

knowledge management and data analysis. I’m happy to be joining the VRE network and take opportunities to learn, help

and apply my skills!

What interests you about working on the VRE?

I’m fascinated by the different approaches people take to research, and am quite excited by the research culture that the

VRE initiative is encouraging. I think open communication, co-operation and collaboration between researchers are im-

portant in the advancement of research, along with knowledge sharing through many different platforms, including open

access publishing. The internet and emerging technologies like blogs, forums and social networks present intriguing op-

tions to make this possible and for young scientists to help each other, work together and drive research in the directions i t

needs to go. I’m excited to be part of the VRE and to help develop models to make this possible.

What do you do for fun?

I’m a big fan of a good cup of coffee with good company. I also read a lot, and enjoy traveling and amateur photography.

I’m not very sporty, but I run and dance - when I’m not recovering from injuries!

SABINA NEWS

JOURNAL ARTICLES

In vitro anti-hyperglycemia properties of the aqueous stem bark extract from Strychnos henningsii (Gilg)

Oyedemi S, Koekemoer T, Bradleyn G, van de Venter M, Afolayan A, International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, 33 (2), 120-127,

2013 (Link to article) $39.95

Strychnos henningsii (SH) is a plant commonly used in southern African traditional medicine for the management of diabetes melli-

tus. Previous in vivo studies showed that a stem bark extract improves glycemic control in a diabetic animal model, however the

mechanism of action has not been elucidated. The present study therefore investigated various in vitro models known to target glu-

cose homeostasis and its direct complications. The plant extract was found to stimulate both basal and insulin stimulated glucose

uptake in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells but not in Chang liver cells. The effect on 3T3-L1 cells appears independent of PPARγ as the

extract did not stimulate adipogenesis. Although SH extract was inhibitory toward intestinal alpha glucosidase, the physiological rele-

vance is doubtful based on the recommended dosages. The extract strongly inhibited protein glycation which, at least in part, may be

explained by the antioxidant and phenolic content of this plant. Cytotoxicity in Chang liver cells yielded an IC value of 130.0 μg/mL

raising concern that continual exposure to this herbal remedy may initiate hepatotoxicity. The finding from this study suggests that

SH extract may attenuate hyperglycemia through enhanced peripheral tissue glucose utilization.

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JOURNAL ARTICLES

Indigenous communities in Namibia possess a rich indigenous knowledge expressed within many practices of these communities.

Indigenous wild edible fruits are available along the Namibian 13 regions of which it forms a rich source of vitamins, fibres, minerals

and a heterogeneous collection of bioactive compounds referred to as phytochemicals for indigenous people’s diet. The aim of this

study was to record the different IKS practices on the indigenous fruit trees in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions of Namibia. An eth-

nobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from local communities. Data was collected through the use of question-

naires and personal interviews during field trips in the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions. Forty three plant specimens were collected

from the two regions; these specimens belong to 20 genera and 25 species. Four species were found to be the most frequently used

and mentioned fruits which need to be given high preference in terms of conservation: Berchemia discolor, Hyphaene petersiana,

Sclerocarya birrea and Diospyros mespiliformis. The following diseases and ailments have been reported to be treated by the indige-

nous fruit trees which include: toothache, diarrhoea, cough, tonsillitis, burns, skin allergy, stomach ache, snake bit, constipation, etc.

Ethno veterinary use(s) of these fruits was also mention, e.g. the use of the Ziziphus mucronata roots to treat diarrhoea in cattle, the

bark of eembe (Berchemia discolor) to treat calf weakness. The local communities in Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions have rela-

tively good knowledge and practices regarding the indigenous fruit. This study enhances our understanding on the indigenous fruit in

Namibia and their uses by local communities.

Antimicrobial interactions of Khoi-San poly-herbal remedies with emphasis on the combination; Agathosma crenulata, Do-

donaea viscosa and Eucalyptus globulus

Zonyanea S, Van Vuuren SF, Makunga NP, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 148 (1), 144–151, 2013 (Link to article) $31.50

Plants are often combined in traditional herbal remedies to increase medicinal efficacy. This investigation provides some insight into

the antimicrobial efficacies of selected combinations. The scientific validation of antibacterial efficacy of plant mixtures that are traded

within peri-urban centres of Cape Town (Western Cape, South Africa) was followed by an in-depth evaluation of the most antimicro-

bially active mixture; Agathosma crenulata, Dodonaea viscosa with Eucalyptus globulus. The MIC values of 49 μg/ml for Staphylo-

coccus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, and 98 μg/ml for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were recorded. The most notewor-

thy synergistic (ΣFIC value 0.07) 1:1 combinations were observed for the chloroform: methanol extracts of Agathosma crenulata

mixed with Eucalyptus globulus against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. When combined in a

mixture of three plants (1:1:1), enhanced efficacy was evident against most of the pathogens, for both organic and aqueous extracts.

The triple combination against Bacillus subtilis demonstrated the greatest synergy (ΣFIC values of 0.03).

Ethnobotanical knowledge on indigenous fruits in Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions in Northern Namibia Cheikhyoussef A, Embashu W, Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 9 (34), 2013 (Link to article)

Marker Fingerprints originating from TLC and HPLC for Selected Plants from the Lamiaceae Family

Staszek D, Orłowska M, Waksmundzka-Hajnos M, Sajewicz M, Kowalska T, Journal of Liquid Chromatography & Related Technologies. 36 (17),

2463-2475, 2013 (Link to article) $56.90

Phytochemical analysis of plant extracts is an increasingly important field of analytical chemistry. In the case of medicinal plants usu-

ally traded in a dried and crumbled form, phytochemical analysis serves the purpose of authentication of herbal material and protects

patients against adulteration. Due to an unknown composition of plant extracts and an inherent difficulty in selecting proper phyto-

chemical standards, a phytochemical approach has been developed known as fingerprinting. This approach circumvents tedious

identification of individual constituents of plant extracts and instead, focuses on a comparison of the whole chromatograms in order

to trace similarities and dissimilarities among the plants. In this study, we present the results of a comparison of six plant species

belonging to three genera of the Lamiaceae family (i.e. Salvia, Thymus, and Dracocephalum), a plant family recognized for their cu-

rative properties by traditional medicines in many regions of the world. As phenolic acids and flavonoids play crucial role in many

curative processes, we employed TLC and HPLC to fingerprint the selectively extracted six phenolics fractions for the six plants. The

obtained results highlight the flavonoid aglycons (FA) fraction which most distinctly discriminates among the individual plant species,

while the remaining five fractions are the carriers of less vital information. The chromatograms derived by means of TLC and HPLC

for the fraction of flavonoid aglycons can be considered as marker fingerprints, able to distinguish among closely related plants be-

longing to different genera of the Lamiaceae family.

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JOURNAL ARTICLES

This study aimed to investigate the HIV-1 inhibitory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of P. barbatus and thereby provide

empirical evidence for the apparent anecdotal success of the extracts. Ethanolic extract of P. barbatus leaves was screened against

two HIV-1 enzymes: protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT). Cytotoxicity of the extract was determined through measuring

tetrazolium dye uptake of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the TZM-bl cell line. Confirmatory assays for cytotoxicity

were performed using flow cytometry and real-time cell electronic sensing (RT-CES). The free radical scavenging activity of the ex-

tract was investigated with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl while the anti-inflammatory properties of the plant extract were investigated

using a Th1/Th2/Th17 cytometric bead array technique. P. barbatus extract inhibited HIV-1 PR and the 50% inhibitory concentration

(IC50) was 62.0 µg/ml. The extract demonstrated poor inhibition of HIV-1 RT. Cytotoxicity testing presented CC50 values of 83.7 and

50.4 µg/ml in PBMCs and TZM-bl respectively. In addition, the extract stimulated proliferation in HIV negative and positive PBMCs

treated. RT-CES also registered substantial TZM-bl proliferation after extract treatment. The extract exhibited strong antioxidant ac-

tivity with an IC50 of 16 µg/ml and reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines indicating anti-inflammatory potential. This is

the first demonstration of the in vitro anti HIV-1 potential of P. barbatus including direct activity as well as through the stimulation of

protective immune and inflammation responses. The low cytotoxicity of the extract is also in agreement with the vast anecdotal use

of this plant in treating various ailments with no reported side-effects.

Inhibition of HIV-1 enzymes, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Plectranthus barbatus Kapewangolo P, Hussein AA, Meyer D, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 149 (1), 184–190, 2013 (Link to article) $31.50

A fraction of stem bark extract of Entada africana suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells

Ayissi Owona B, Njayou NF, Laufer S, Moundipa PF, Schluesener HJ. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 149 (1), 162-168, 2013 (Link to article) $31.50

Entada africana is a plant used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of stomach-ache, fever, liver related diseases, wound

healing, cataract and dysentery. This study aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity of fractions of the stem bark extract of

the plant using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages model. The crude extract was prepared

using the mixture CH2Cl2/MeOH (1:1, v/v) and fractionated by flash chromatography to obtain five different fractions. The effects of

the fractions on the cells viability were studied and their inhibitory activity against LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production screened.

The most active fraction was further investigated for its effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, the expression of in-

ducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL1β, TNFα, IL6, IL10 and IL13), and the activity of the

enzyme p38 MAPK kinase. The fractions presented no significant effect on the viability of macrophages at 100μg/ml after 24h incu-

bation. The CH2Cl2/MeOH 5% (Ea5) fraction was found to be the most potent in inhibiting NO production with a half inhibition con-

centration (IC50)=18.36μg/ml, and showed the highest inhibition percentage (89.068%) in comparison with Baicalin (63.34%), an

external standard at 50μg/ml. Both Ea5 and Baicalin significantly (P<0.05) inhibited the expression of TNFα, IL6 and IL1β mRNA,

attenuated mRNA expression of inducible NO synthase in a concentration-dependent manner, stimulated the expression of anti-

inflammatory cytokines (IL10 and IL13), and showed a 30% inhibition of the activity of p38 MAPK kinase. The results of the present

study indicate that the fraction Ea5 of Entada africana possesses potent in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and may contain com-

pounds useful as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of inflammatory related diseases cause by over-activation of macrophages.

Use of weeds as traditional vegetables in Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe

Maroyi, A, Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 9 (60), 2013 (Link to article)

Most agricultural weeds are usually regarded as undesirable and targeted for eradication. However, weeds are useful to human be-

ings as food and traditional medicines. Few studies have been done to document the uses of weeds as traditional vegetables. This

study was therefore, done to document indigenous knowledge related to the diversity and use of agricultural weeds as traditional

vegetables in Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe, emphasizing their role in food security and livelihoods of the local people. A total of 21

edible weeds belonging to 11 families and 15 genera, mostly from Amaranthaceae (19%), Asteraceae and Tiliaceae (14.3%), Cap-

paraceae, Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae (9.5% each) were identified. The study confirms findings from similar studies conducted

elsewhere that rural households engage in harvesting of wild edible vegetables and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs) as a

survival strategy. Based on their potential nutritional and medicinal value, edible weeds could contribute in a major way to food secu-

rity, basic primary health care and balanced diets of rural households and possibly urban households as well.