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BMC veterinary research2024; 20(1); 27; doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03873-0

Growth inhibitory effect of selected medicinal plants from Southern Ethiopia on the mycelial phase of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum.

Abstract: Epizootic lymphangitis is an infectious and chronically debilitating disease of the equines. Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum, a thermally dimorphic fungi, is the causative agent for the disease. In Ethiopia, the disease significantly affects carthorses, posing threats to animal welfare, and resulting in substantial economic losses. Limited availability of widely accessible antifungals in addition to the chronic nature of the disease is the major challenge against management of epizootic lymphangitis. This study aimed to assess the in vitro efficacy of specific local medicinal plant extracts against the mycelial phase development of H. capsulatum var. farciminosum in southern Ethiopia. The leaves of Xanthium strumarium, Kanda (Family Rubiaceae), Croton macrostachyus (Bisana in Amharic), and Centella Asiatica (Echere waye as a local name in Zeyissegna) that are traditionally used for the treatment of different skin ailments were collected and extracted for the in vitro trial. Results: The study revealed that methanol extracts of Xanthium strumarium, Kanda, Croton macrostachyus, and Centella Asiatica, at minimum inhibitory concentrations of 1.25 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, and 5 mg/ml, respectively, inhibited the growth of H. capsulatum var. farciminosum. Conclusions: This in vitro finding could serve as significant preliminary data in the exploration of effective alternative treatment options for epizootic lymphangitis. This study provides a crucial foundation for further research aimed at determining the chemical components and in vivo effectiveness of these plant extracts against both the mycelial and yeast forms of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-01-19 PubMed ID: 38243346PubMed Central: PMC10797924DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03873-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This research investigates the ability of certain medicinal plants from Southern Ethiopia to inhibit the growth of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum, which causes epizootic lymphangitis, a chronic disease affecting horses.
  • The study tests the antifungal effects of extracts from local plants traditionally used to treat skin conditions and identifies their minimum inhibitory concentrations against the fungus in laboratory settings.

Background

  • Epizootic lymphangitis: A chronic, infectious disease primarily affecting equines such as carthorses.
  • Causative agent: Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum is a thermally dimorphic fungus that grows in two phases: yeast and mycelial.
  • Significance in Ethiopia: The disease significantly harms animal welfare and inflicts economic losses due to the importance of carthorses in the region.
  • Challenges: Limited availability of accessible antifungal treatments and the chronic nature of the disease complicate management efforts.

Objective of the Study

  • To evaluate the in vitro antifungal efficacy of extracts from selected medicinal plants from Southern Ethiopia against the mycelial phase of H. capsulatum var. farciminosum.
  • The plants chosen are traditionally used to treat various skin ailments in the local communities, suggesting potential antifungal properties.

Medicinal Plants Tested

  • Xanthium strumarium: A plant known locally and used in traditional medicine.
  • Kanda (Family Rubiaceae): A plant from the Rubiaceae family traditionally used for medicinal purposes.
  • Croton macrostachyus (Bisana): A plant with a local Amharic name, also used in traditional medicine.
  • Centella asiatica (Echere waye): Another plant used in traditional medicine with a local Ethiopian name in Zeyissegna.

Methodology

  • Leaves of the aforementioned plants were collected from Southern Ethiopia.
  • The leaves were processed to obtain methanol extracts, which were tested in vitro.
  • The extracts were examined for their ability to inhibit mycelial growth of H. capsulatum var. farciminosum.
  • Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for each extract.

Key Findings

  • Methanol extracts inhibited fungal growth at varying concentrations, showing antifungal properties.
  • Minimum inhibitory concentrations identified were:
    • Xanthium strumarium: 1.25 mg/ml
    • Kanda (Rubiaceae): 2.5 mg/ml
    • Croton macrostachyus: 2.5 mg/ml
    • Centella asiatica: 5 mg/ml
  • The variation in MIC indicates differing potencies among the plant extracts.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study provides preliminary evidence supporting the antifungal potential of these medicinal plants against the mycelial phase of H. capsulatum var. farciminosum.
  • These findings suggest the possibility of developing alternative, plant-based treatments for epizootic lymphangitis, which may be more accessible in resource-limited settings.
  • The study forms a foundation for further research, including:
    • Identifying the active chemical compounds responsible for antifungal activity.
    • Testing the in vivo efficacy of the extracts against both mycelial and yeast forms of the fungus.
    • Exploring optimal formulations and dosages for potential therapeutic use.

Significance

  • This work aligns with the need for alternative veterinary antifungal agents in Ethiopia and similar regions where epizootic lymphangitis is endemic.
  • Using locally available medicinal plants could reduce reliance on limited conventional antifungal drugs and provide culturally acceptable treatment options.
  • The study reinforces the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with scientific research to address infectious diseases in animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Girma T, Chala G, Mekibib B. (2024). Growth inhibitory effect of selected medicinal plants from Southern Ethiopia on the mycelial phase of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum. BMC Vet Res, 20(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03873-0

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Pages: 27
PII: 27

Researcher Affiliations

Girma, Tagash
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
Chala, Gemechu
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia. gchala@hu.edu.et.
Mekibib, Berhanu
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Histoplasma
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Lymphangitis / veterinary
  • Ethiopia
  • Histoplasmosis / veterinary
  • Equidae
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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