No abstract

The two plant species were obtained from Mau Forest Complex in the Rift Valley, Kenya. Various parts of the two plants: Bersama abysinicca Verdc. Family, Melathiaceae and Faurea saligna Harr. Family, Proctaceae have been used in vogue by the Ogiek communities, who inhabit the area as their indigenous home, as source of traditional medicines for several ailments of human and livestock. Bersama abysinicca bark has been used in the management of blackwater east coast fever and rift valley fever in cattle. This study carried antimicrobial screening to uncover new antimicrobial agents from higher plants thus exposing their potentials. It is also aimed at demystifying the secrecy in which traditional African medicine has been shrouded for centuries. In the past, there has been no scientific verification to validate the efficacy of the traditional phytomedicine in the Ogiek community. Three methods were used to obtain various plant extracts. The first method was by obtaining crude plant extracts using methanol as a solvent. The second method was used by obtaining crude plant extracts through sequential extraction with ethyl acetate and petroleum ether as the third. Results showed that different plant species exhibited various bioactivities either on fungi, bacteria or on both categories of pathogens. The plant species extracts exhibited bactericidal and antifungal activities. Further researches should be carried out into the possibilities of formulation and commercialization of the plants as phytomedicine.

ATBM, an open access journal Natural product-based advance approaches for chronic diseases: Clinical and Preclinical Development This article was originally published in a special issue, Natural productbased advance approaches for chronic diseases: Clinical and Preclinical Development handled by Editor(s).

Aim: The survey was targeted at documenting the indigenous plants that are used in the management of microbial related medical conditions within the Ogiek communities of Kenya. Study Design: Purposive sampling approach was used to interview the traditional herbalist with the help of a questionnaire. Place and Duration of the Study: Some 49 plants species used by the Ogiek, who are indigenous forest and forest product dwellers and users, in the management of microbial related conditions in human maladies were collected from the Mau Forest complex and prepared, for extractions and screened for antimicrobial activities at Kenyatta University and National Public Health Laboratories, Nairobi respectively. The plants were screened to ascertain their activities against selected human Amuka et al.; EJMP, 9(4): 1-12, 2015; Article no.EJMP.16295 2 microbial infections. Results: Crude methanol extracts from 16 species showed activities against various pathogenic organisms. There was also marked activities from two of the oils extracted from three species of the 16 plants. Conclusion and Recommendations: Some plants have activities against selected microorganisms and this validates their continued use as medicine by the Ogiek communities and their neighbours as medicine. It has been suggested that further studies be done on the bioactive plant species to establish their bactericidal and fungicidal abilities; and their safety to humans to justify their continued use as medicine. Original Research Article