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Publication Open Access Anticancer activities and safety evaluation of selected Kenyan plant extracts against breast cancer cell lines(Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, 2017-01-14) Onyancha, Jared M.; Gikonyo, Nicholas K.; Wachira, Sabina W.; Mwitari, Peter G.; Gicheru, Michael M.Breast cancer is a leading cause of deaths among women suffering from cancer in Kenya. The current study was done to determine anticancer activities of medicinal plant extracts against breast cancer cell lines (HCC 1395 and 4T1). Vero cells were used for evaluation of safety of extracts. Thiazoly blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used in this study. Reference drugs were 5 fluorouracil and cyclophosphamide. Extract concentrations that inhibited growth of cell growth by half (IC50) were estimated using GraphPad prism version 7 and 90 % of extracts showed anticancer activities. Methanol extracts of Uvariodendron anisatum, Fagaropsis angolensis, Combretum tanaense, Hydnora abyssinica and water extract of F. angolensis exhibited remarkable anticancer activities (IC50˂ 30 μg/ml). Methanol extracts of F. angolensis and H. abyssinica demonstrated high selectivity index (SI ≥3). Evaluation for safety, indicated that about 64% of the extracts under this study were non-toxic (CC50 ˃100 μg/ml). Findings from plants in this study support folklore claims. Phytochemical analysis, bioassay guided fractionation andPublication Open Access In vitro antibacterial activities, safety studies and phytochemical screening of Dregea Schimperi clark (Asclepiadaceae) extracts(World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2017-06) Onyancha, Jared M; Wakori, E.W.T; Moriasi, Gervason A; Waiganjo, Bibianne W.; Kisengi, John M; Arara, Lameck N; Ng’etich, Japhet KPlants synthesize phytochemical compounds for protection against environmental stress and diseases. Some of the phytochemicals are used for curative and preventive medicine. Over 90% plant materials are used in traditional medicine to treat diseases in human and veterinary diseases. Since a great percentage of plant materials used lack sufficient scientific data to back their healing claims, the current study focused on the evaluation of antimicrobial, cytotoxic and phytochemical properties of methanolic and water extracts of Dregea schimpheri leaves and husks. D. schimperi has many ethnomedical claims including the management of infectious diseases. Disc diffusion method was used to assay for antimicrobial activities of the methanolic and water extracts of leaves and husks against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas aerugnosa and Escherichia coli. Cytotoxicity of the extracts was determined by use of brine shrimp lethality test. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the husks and leaves was performed with standard phytochemical tests. Antibacterial results were tabulated as mean zone of inhibition ± SEM. LC50 values for brine shrimp lethality test were estimated using Graphed Prism Version 5 statistical software. Phytochemical screening observations were also tabulated. Most extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus, M. luteus, B. pumilus, E. coli and P. aurignosa. Water and methanol husk extracts of D. schimperi were found to be cytotoxic (LC50 ˂100µg/ml) while all leaf extracts had moderate to low toxicity. Phytochemical screening revealed presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannins in both leaf and husk powders. Saponins and anthraquinones were present in leaf extracts but absent in the husks. The antibacterial and cytotoxic activities are attributed to the presence of these secondary metabolites. Further studies aimed at isolating the bioactive compounds with antibacterial and cytotoxic properties are recommended. In vitro and in vivo toxicity studies are also necessary.Publication Open Access Phytochemical Studies of Acmella Caulirhiza and Spermacoce Princeae used by postpartum mothers in Nyamira County, Kenya.(International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 2017-08) Onyango, Jespher Nyaboke; Onyancha, Jared Misonge; Onyuka, Jackson Odhiambo; Ochora, John Memba; Getonto, Patrick Ogembo; Maina, Charles WambuguAbstract- Introduction: Traditional medicine have been used in health maintenance, disease prevention and treatment for example Acmella caulirhiza used to treat a child’s mouth sores and Spermacoce princeae used to accelerate healing of umbilical cord and to clean the system after birth. Objective: The main objective of the present study was to determine phytochemical compounds of A. caulirhiza and S. princeae used by postpartum mothers in Nyamira County, Kenya. Methodology: The study area was Nyamira County where the two plant specimens were collected. Plant materials were identified at East Africa Herbarium. Plant specimens were transported to M.K.U. Pharmacognosy laboratory where processing was done. Phytochemical analysis methods were employed to determine phytochemicals compounds in the crude plant extracts. Data was stored in Excel spread sheet in a personal computer protected with a password. Data was presented using tables and photographs. Results: Phytochemical examinations revealed that Acmella caulirhiza contains flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins and sterols compounds. On the other hand, Spermacoce princeae contains flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponin alkaloid and glycoside compounds. Conclusion and recommendation: The plants may be used in treating puerperal sepsis although commercially available drugs are recommended as they are highly effective. The two plants can be a potent source of complementary and modern medicine. Further research is recommended to isolate and identify pure compounds of the two plants