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1
Tebello, Letsekha. "Ruth First in Mozambique: portrait of a scholar." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003108.
Full textAbstract:
Ruth First was an activist, journalist and sociologist trained by experience and credentialed by her numerous publications. Having lived most of her adult life as an intellectual and activist, First died in August 1982 at the hands of a regime and its supporters who intensely detested all these pursuits. This research project sketches the intellectual contributions made by the South African sociologist during her time at the Centre of African Studies at Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique. Her life like the newspaper she edited in the early 1970s was a Fighting Talk and this research project is about celebrating that life and valorising some of the life’s work that she left behind. Making use of qualitative research methods such as archiving, semi-structured interviews and contents analysis, this thesis sought to document Ruth First’s intellectual interventions while at the Centre of African Studies. Engaging with her work while she was in Mozambique and inserting her intellectual contributions, which like those of many African scholars have given way to debates from the global North, into our curriculum would perhaps be the real refutation of the assassin's bomb. This engagement is also crucial as it extends much further than the striking accolades which take the form of buildings and lectures established in her honour.
2
Mohlakoana, Keneuoe. "Antimicrobial activity of selected Eastern Cape medical plants." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1199.
Full textAbstract:
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been a great problem for many years. The degree of resistance and the speed with which resistance develops varies with different organisms and different drugs. Enzymes called β-lactamases are produced by bacteria and are one mechanism in which bacteria develop antimicrobial resistance. Gram-negative bacteria producing enzymes called ESBLs because of their wide substrate range are of a particular concern in nosocomial infections. In many countries people still use traditional medicine derived from plants as an alternative to the Western medicine due to increased cost of Western medicine and microbial resistance of antibiotic treatments. Biologically active compounds isolated from plants species are used in herbal medicine. Because of the high prevalence of the ESBLs and their increasing resistance to the antibiotics, this research study was done to test the antimicrobial activities of selected medicinal plants of the Eastern Cape; G. incanum, D. angustifolia and E. autumnalis which were traditionally used to treat various infections. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of three different extracts (acetone, methanol & distilled water) and the traditional preparations of the three plants were tested against the selected strains of ESBL-producing bacteria, non β-lactamase producers and the different fungal species. The extracts were screened against 26 Gram-positive bacterial strains, 53 Gram-negative bacterial strains and 15 fungal strains. The Gram-positive bacteria included strains from S. aureus, B. cereus and E. faecalis. The Gram-negative bacteria included strains from E. ii coli, E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. The fungal strains included 9 strains of Candida albicans and a single strain of each of the following opportunistic fungi, Mucor sp, Geotrichium sp, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp and Rhizopus sp. The agar dilution assay was used for the antimicrobial screening of the plants extracts and for the determination of the MICs. The Ames test was performed for the determination of probable carcinogenicity of the extracts of G. incanum and D. angustifolia. The distilled water extracts followed by acetone extracts of the plants revealed the highest antimicrobial activity against the different microbial strains. The extracts of G. incanum followed by the extracts of D. angustifolia inhibited the highest number of microbial strains. The extracts of E. autumnalis did not show any antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens in this study. More of the Gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by the plant extracts. The lowest MIC was obtained with Gram-positive bacteria. The bacterial strains of E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa were not inhibited by any of the plants extracts in the agar dilution assay yet Acinetobacter species which are MDR were inhibited by the distilled water and methanol extracts of G. incanum. A single strain of Mucor sp was the only spore forming fungi that was inhibited by the distilled water extracts of G. incanum. None of the plants extracts showed any mutagenic effects on the TA100 S. typhimurium strains incorporated on the Ames test. Apart from revealing of new antimicrobial agents that may be used against resistant organisms, the proper use of antimicrobial agents should be recommended. The study has highlighted a need for further investigations on the properties of the medicinal plants used in this study.
3
Goga, Safiyya. "The silencing of race at Rhodes: ritual and anti-politics on a post-apartheid campus." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002988.
Full textAbstract:
Almost fifteen years after democracy, issues of 'race' still hold daily South African life firmly in its grip. Following calls from foremost South African theorists on 'race', such as Sarah Nuttall, this thesis moves beyond a study of crude 'racism', to the more complex consideration of 'race' as an embedded ideological social formation within the spatial context of Rhodes University. Using analytical concepts such as 'silencing' and 'ritual' the thesis weaves an understanding (1) of how particular powerful representations of institutional history are produced and made dominant, and (2) how seemingly innocuous performances of institutional identity are key to reproducing 'racial' dominance within Rhodes' student life. This ultimately manifests in the production of a deeply 'racialized' commonsensical understanding of the 'most' legitimate and authentic representation and ownership of institutional space. The thesis delves into dominant representations of Rhodes University'S history, considering how these help produce and reproduce 'racial' dominance through, for instance, the production of defining apolitical narratives of 'excellence'. Central to the dominant apolitical institutional history is the production of silences about the past. History, I argue, is less compelling in any revelation of 'what happened' than in illustrating the production of silences used to enable the appropriation of a particular history as the sole relevant history. The 'inheritors of the past', those who are able to lay authoritative and representative claim to it, it is argued, ultimately claim ownership over institutional space. I argue too, that the dominant practices and performances of daily institutional life (re)produce the institutional space as a space of 'racial' dominance. Ritualized performance of the dominant institutional identity produces ownership of institutional space through making some articulations of 'Rhodes identity' more acceptable, legitimate and authentic than others. The dominance of 'drinking culture' in Rhodes student life produces a particular 'racialized' institutional identity as most legitimate. 'Racial' dominance is instituted, consecrated and reproduced through the ritualistic performance of 'drinking culture', which ultimately produces a superior claim of ownership over the institutional space through the reiteration of racial domination that these performances of institutional identity powerfully symbolize.
4
Nyambe, Mutenta Nsokolo. "An investigation of the potential anti-diabetic (insulinomimetic) activity of anti-oxidant compounds derived from Sargassum heterophyllum." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021020.
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In Africa, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus have been generally neglected. This problem has worsened over the years owing to continuous threats from infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Despite this, statistics have shown that by 2030, the African region will have the highest proportional increase in diabetes prevalence. Over 80% of all diabetic deaths occur in developing countries probably not only due to poor equity of access to medication but also due to limited efficacy and side effects associated with the commonly available anti-diabetic agents. Therefore, this creates the desperate need for the development of new anti-diabetic agents that are more efficacious and can be sourced from within the continent. With oxidative stress as a suggested mechanism underlying the cause of diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications, the discovery of natural anti-oxidants that prevent free radical mediated damage is important for developing new treatment strategies. Marine algae have been identified as good sources for natural anti-oxidants. Unfortunately, very few studies have embarked on the discovery of marine-derived anti-oxidant compounds with potential anti-diabetic activity. In this project, we investigated the potential anti-oxidant activity of the South African endemic algae Stypopodium multipartitum, Dictyopterus ligulata, Cystophora fibriosa, Bifurcariopsis capensis, Sargassum sp. and Sargassum heterophyllum. From these studies, Sargassum heterophyllum yielded prenylated compounds, the main compound being sargahydroquinoic acid (3.6) and the carotenoid metabolite fucoxanthin (3.8), which are in part responsible for the radical scavenging activity of the crude extract. Sargahydroquinoic acid (3.6) and fucoxanthin (3.8) also exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity. Sargaquinoic acid (3.1), sargachromenoic acid (3.9) and sarganaphthoquinoic acid (3.10) were then semi-synthesized from sargahydroquinoic acid (3.6) and their in-vitro cytotoxicity profiles evaluated using Chang Liver, HT-29, Caco-2 and 3T3-L1 cell lines prior to antidiabetic testing. From the semi-synthetic derivatives, sargachromenoic acid (3.9) exhibited the most potent anti-oxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 6.99 μg/mL). After the evaluation of antidiabetic activity using 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation, sarganaphthoquinoic acid (3.10) showed the most potent insulinomimetic activity at 1.19 μM by inducing a PPARγ response similar to that of rosiglitazone at 1 μM.
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Magoshi, Innocentia Botlhale. "Effect of in vitro simulated gastro-duodenal digestion on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of South Africa Fynbos honey." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/61661.
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Honey has been shown to have bioactivity. Fynbos (FB) honey was investigated for its bioactivity as this vegetation type is from a unique bio diverse region in the Cape Floristic Kingdom.
Six FB and one medical grade Manuka (MAN) UMF 15+ honeys that were of quality grade (Codex Alimentarius) were used. Each honey sample was subjected to in vitro simulated gastro-duodenal digestion and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of each fraction was determined. These fractions were undigested/raw honey (UD), gastric digest (GD) and gastro-duodenal digest (GDD). Included were pH and digestive enzyme controls. The total polyphenol and the flavonoid content (TPC and TFC) were determined with the Folin-Ciocalteu (F-C) and aluminium chloride methods respectively. Antioxidant activity was measured with the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) in the Caco-2 and SC-1 cell lines using the dichloroflourescein diacetate (DCFH DA) assay was investigated. Nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity was determined with the sodium nitroprusside (SNP) assay. Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of honey were evaluated in non-stimulated and stimulated with LPS/IFN γ murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, respectively. Cell viability using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was done.
TPC and TFC of MAN were higher than that of FB honeys. With GD, TPC and TFC of MAN increased and following GDD, TPC decreased and TFC remained unchanged. In contrast TPC and TFC of FB honey were maintained with GD and GDD.
TEAC assay revealed activity by MAN being higher than that of FB honeys. With GD digestion, the antioxidant activity of MAN was unchanged but following GDD, activity was reduced. For FB honeys, TEAC was maintained with GD and GDD. ORAC assay revealed that the activity of MAN was similar to that of FB. Digestion had no effect on activity of both MAN and FB honeys.
CAA in the Caco-2 and SC-1 cell line was higher for MAN compared to FB honey. In both cell lines a similar trend was observed where with GD, CAA was unchanged while with GDD, CAA was reduced. This loss of CAA following GDD was found to be due to H2O2 formation as a result of polyphenol degradation in an alkaline environment containing sodium bicarbonate and pancreatin.
NO scavenging activity of MAN was greater than FB. For both types of honey with GD, NO scavenging activity was unchanged and with GDD for MAN was reduced and for FB unchanged. Digestion showed an increased pro-inflammatory effect for MAN, FB1, FB2 and FB3. The UD fractions of MAN, FB1 and FB6 had anti-inflammatory effects. FB5 and FB6 honeys showed increased anti-inflammatory activity after GD and GDD. All honey fractions did not show any cytotoxicity.
In conclusion, FB honey has antioxidant, pro- and anti-inflammatory properties. With digestion, GD activity was either increased or unchanged while with GDD activity was reduced, lost or unchanged. Observed effects were either due to pH and/or digestive enzyme activity. FB honey with its shown bioactivity could be an important local nutraceutical product.Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Anatomy
MSc
Unrestricted
6
Kuhn, Kalliste. "From rape victim to anti-rape activist : exploring the personal journeys of three South African survivors." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/65566.
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South Africa is plagued by exceptionally high levels of inter-personal violence, namely rape. Whilst rape remains so pervasive, it is important to underpin potential mechanism of recovery for those left in its wake. In an effort to understand the mechanisms of recovery from rape through resilience and meaning-making, this study entitled “From rape victim to anti-rape activist: Exploring the personal journeys of three South Africa Survivors” explores lived experiences. The study employed an interpretivist epistemological lens, whilst enacting hermeneutic phenomenology’s guiding principles for the research pathway. Participants were recruited through contact with a Gender-Based-Violence non-profit organisation, where a qualitative methodological design was employed. Data was gathered via semi-structured interviews within the hermeneutic tradition. Data was analysed using the principles of hermeneutic analysis, which gave rise to fusion of horizons providing a snapshot of six individual themes per participant, and four global themes. The experience of moving from victim to activist whilst experiencing recovery was negatively mediated by the impact of patriarchal culture, victim-blaming and gendered norms but was facilitated positively by reconstructing meaning through the telling of their own stories and the witnessing of other’s stories. The co-constructed understanding between researcher and participants gave rise to the importance of: recognising the undiscovered opportunities the trauma brings; undertaking altruistic activities; the manufacture of power through mastery in multiple life domains; as well as acknowledging the purpose in one’s life, in this instance motherhood – as a mechanism of redefining the relationship with the rape.Mini Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Psychology
MA
Unrestricted
7
Mendes, Rosália. "The everyday life and the missing: Silences, heroic narratives and exhumations." University of Western Cape, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/7559.
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Magister Artium - MAThis mini-thesis draws on the biographical materials of activists; Zubeida Jaffer, Nokuthula Simelane and Siphiwo Mthimkulu in order to investigate their representation as South African Anti-Apartheid activists. Within Post-Apartheid South Africa there seems to be a strong tendency to focus on the spectacular violence that occurred between the National Party government and Apartheid activists. This almost singular focus has led to an overwhelming promotion of the heroic narrative and as a result the structural violence of daily life under apartheid has been side-lined
8
Bamuamba, Kapinga Benoit. "Pharmacognostic study of 5 medicinal plant species from Western Cape Province (South Africa) for anti-tubercular activity." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/4241.
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Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-140).In our search for new anti-tuberculosis lead molecules, five medicinal plant species, Olea capensis (L.l, Tulbaghia alliacea (L.), Inula graveolens (L.), Leyssera gnaphaloides (L.), and Buddleja saligna (L.) were collected in Cape Town and surrounding area and investigated for antimycobacterial activity following report of their therapeutic use in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. A bioassay guided fractionation of the acetone/water (4:1) crude extracts of O. capensis (leaves) and T. alliacea (rhizomes) showed no activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 252923, and Mycobacterium aurum A+. In contrast, the orgamc fractions (hexane, dichloromethane) of the acetone/water (4: 1) crude extracts of 1. graveolens, L. gnaphaloides, and B. saligna exhibited significant activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv, M. avium 25291, M. microti ATCC 19422, and M. scrofulaceum ATCC 19987. The isolation and structure determination of the bioactive led to the identification of pentacyclic triterpenoids, ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid as major antitubercular constituents of B. saligna, L. gnaphaloides, and 1. graveolens. The in vitro cytotoxicity assays of the isolated bioactive constituents showed no cytotoxicity against Chinese Hamster Ovarian (CHO) cells line. Subsequently, given the pharmaceutical value of the above finding, a survey on structure activity of pentacyclic triterpenoids was conducted. It was was found, for instance that selective substitutions at C-3 and/or C-28 and the double bond at UA, OA and betulinic and (1) BA) were made in order to improve anti-tumour and anti-HIV activity. However, thought a great number of modified bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoids is reported, none was tested against Mtb. Therefore, this study also explored a new synthetic route (scheme 1) toward a generation of (5), which may allow improving antitubercular, anti-HIV or anti-tumour activity, and/or specificity.
9
Pugh-Jones, Alana Frances. "Justice and identity : the 'non-Jewish Jew', cosmopolitanism and anti-apartheid activism in twentieth century South Africa." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3718.
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Barreto, Michael. "Antimicrobial activity of macroalgae from Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, and the isolation of a bioactive compound from Osmundaria serrata (Rhodophyta)." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2005. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-09052005-095635/.
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Chiremba, Constance. "Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of South African sorghums and of flours and cookies made from them." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2009. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-11302009-190811/.
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Shauli, Mathulo Mathabiso. "Histopathology induced by a medicinal plant indigenous to South Africa that has shown in vitro anti-microbial activity against drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3990.
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Tuberculosis (TB) still remains a health problem globally with over a million new infections and a mortality rate of 1.5 million individuals annually (Hawn et al., 2014). The emerging multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains that accompany human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection in high-incidence populations contribute significantly to the health burden of TB (Areeshi et al., 2014). The standard treatment that is advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for active tuberculosis includes long-term therapy that incorporates the use of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinimide and ethambutol as front line drugs (WHO, 2013). Drug resistance against established treatment options for TB makes research into new forms of therapy an imperative in health care (Ntulela et al., 2009). South Africa is currently witnessing a high number of cases of drug-resistant TB. In some parts of the country, one in ten cases of TB is resistant to treatment. It is therefore essential to have new anti-tuberculosis agents, which can be readily and simply produced from some local source (Warner et al., 2014). A logical starting point for this research of new agents would be the herbal medicines which have been used for centuries in rural areas by local healers. Western developed countries have harvested ethno botanical knowledge and have produced drug therapies for conventional medicines for other ailments. The activity of extracts of the active plants and their properties still require study in animal models in order to assess their future as new anti-tuberculosis agents (Lall and Meyer, 1999). This study focuses on qualitative and quantitative experimental findings after the administration of a medicinal plant extract to animals. This will include daily observation of animals, recording of feed consumption, recording of animal weights, macroscopic examination of animals at necropsy, tissue harvesting, histological procedures and microscopy.
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Risimati, Risimati Elia. "Forging resistance: An analysis of opposition to nuclear energy in South Africa." Thesis, 2018. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/31340.
Full textAbstract:
Research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
Of the
Master of Arts
Degree
In
Sociology
At the
University of Witwatersrand
Department of sociologyThe main purpose of this research is to provide an analysis of opposition to nuclear energy in South Africa, focusing on organisations and activists opposed to the current nuclear build programme. The organisations opposed to nuclear include Earthlife Africa, Greenpeace, Coalition Against nuclear Energy, national Union of Mineworkers, the Economic Freedom fighters and Democratic Alliance, COSATU and other organisations. The study utilises a qualitative approach, mainly document analysis complimented by indepth expert interviews. The South African nuclear energy programme is a polarised issue triggering intense and often emotive debate on both sides, anti-nuclear activists and pronuclear proponents. The research pays specific attention to anti-nuclear activists and organisations opposed to South Africa's nuclear energy programme. In order to understand the anti-nuclear position, I have also incorporated pro-nuclear arguments in the study to have a better grasp of the concerns raised by organisations opposing nuclear energy. There are three main points of conflict: economic, environmental, and political. I show how opponents have framed resistance around cost and safety concerns, environmental impacts associated with nuclear and the nexus of elite political capture of state resources.
Andrew Chakane 2021
14
Mpungose, Cyprian Lucky. "Steve Biko’s Africana existential phenomenology : on blackness, black solidarity, and liberation." Diss., 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/22197.
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This study focuses on Steve Biko’s Africana existential phenomenology, with particular emphasis on the themes of blackness, black solidarity and liberation. The theoretical foundation of this thesis is Africana existential phenomenology, which is used as a lens to understand Biko’s political thought. The study argues that thematic areas of blackness, black solidarity, and liberation are inherent in Africana existential phenomenology. These thematic areas give a better understanding of existential questions of being black in the antiblack world. What is highlighted is the importance and the relevance of the revival of Biko’s thinking towards creating other modes of being that are necessary for the actualisation of blacks as full human subjects.Political Sciences
M.A. (Politics)
15
Pillay, Candice Claudia Natasha. "Anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activity of South African Erythrina species." Thesis, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/10248.
Full textAbstract:
An investigation was undertaken to determine whether Erythrina species indigenous to
South Africa contained the same type of compounds as Erythrina species not found in
South Africa and to determine whether they displayed any anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity.
Phytochemical analysis was conducted using thin layer chromatography. A great
similarity was found in the leaf profiles of the species being studied. The leaf and bark
extracts of E. caffra and E. lysistemon appear to have similar profiles when viewed
under normal light and ultraviolet light, (254 and 366 nm). These two species have
similar banding patterns when stained with fast blue reagent for flavonoids and
potassium hydroxide reagent for coumarins. The five species that were tested appear
to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins and triterpenes just like the species not found in South Africa from this genus.
Dried bark and leaves from E. caffra, E. humeana, E. latissima, E. lysistemon and E.
zeyheri were screened for anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activity. Ethanol, ethyl
acetate and water extracts were screened for both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial
activity. The cyclooxygenase bioassay was used to test for anti-inflammatory activity.
The ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts generally displayed activity while the water
extracts displayed no activity for both the bark and the leaves. The bark generally
displayed more cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity than the leaves. The bark of E. caffra
and E. lysistemon displayed the highest cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity.
The disc diffussion bioassay was used to screen for anti-bacterial activity. Anti-bacterial
activity was only detected in the water extracts of the leaves. The water extracts of the
bark showed very little or no activity. The bark yielded more anti-bacterial activity than
the leaves. Anti-bacterial activity was mainly displayed against Gram positive bacteria.
The bark of E. caffra and E. lysistemon displayed the highest anti-bacterial activity.
On the basis of the screening results it was decided to use bioasssay guided
fractionation in an attempt to isolate putative anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial
compounds. A hexane extract from the bark of E. lysistemon was prepared and purified
using a range of chromatographic methods. Vacuum liquid chromatography, separation
using a chromatotron, thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid
chromatography were used to isolate anti-inflammatory compound(s). The isolation
proved to be unsuccessful as the pure compound had no cyclooxygenase inhibitory
activity. It was subsequently determined that the compounds were lost during the HPLC procedure.
An ethanolic extract of the bark of E. Iysistemon was purified in an attempt to isolate an
anti-bacterial compound(s). Vacuum liquid chromatography and separation using the chromatotron was used to purify the crude extract. The more sensitive microtitre bioassay was used to test for anti-bacterial activity against S. aureus. The isoflavone, Wighteone was isolated.Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.
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Hurinanthan, Vashka. "Anti-HIV activity of selected South African medicinal plants." Thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10321/916.
Full textAbstract:
Submitted in complete fulfilment for the Degree of Doctorate of Technology (Biotechnology)--Durban University of Technology, 2013.South Africa has the largest number of people infected with HIV/AIDS. It also has more than 30 000 species of plants and many of these have a long tradition of medicinal use. It is highly likely that the treatment for HIV will come from this traditional knowledge. The need for effective preventative and therapeutic agents for HIV remains an urgent global priority. The aim of this study was to screen selected South African medicinal plants for anti-HIV activity and to identify and characterise an active compound from a plant that can be used for HIV treatment. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of the roots, leaves, flowers and stems of thirty eight plant species (108 extracts) were screened for anti-HIV activity. The plants which had anti-HIV activity were further screened for anti-reverse transcriptase activity. Thirty-two extracts exhibited varying degrees of anti-HIV activity. Cleome monophylla, Dichrostachys cinerea and Leonotis leonurus aqueous leaf extracts had anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity. The aqueous extracts of D. cinerea showed the best anti-HIV activity with a Selectivity Index of 43.5 and significant anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity. Crude phytochemical screening of D. cinerea showed that it had tannins, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids but did not contain any phlobatannins, terpenoids, steroids or phenols. D. cinerea displayed a high degree of free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 25 μg/ml, therefore the anti-HIV activity could be attributed to the flavonoids present in the plant. Bio-guided fractionation was used to isolate and purify the active compound from the D. cinerea extract. Compounds were isolated by thin layer chromatography and were tested for anti-HIV-1 and anti-reverse transcriptase activity. From these results the active compound was identified, and purified using preparative TLC. The active compound was characterised by High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, and Ultra Performance liquid chromatography coupled to MS/MS. Structural elucidation was performed using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. From these results, it was deduced that the compound isolated from D. cinerea was a catechin. In this study we show that the catechins present in D. cinerea are responsible for the anti- HIV-I activity and inhibits the reverse transcriptase activity which is a key factor in the progression of HIV. Potentially, these results can be used to develop a new drug for the treatment of HIV or as a cost effective therapeutic agent in treating HIV-infected individuals with oxidative stress.
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Hlatshwayo, Vincent Nkosinathi. "Screening and phytochemical characterization of a South African herbal concoction for anti-HIV-1 activity." Thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/23466.
Full textAbstract:
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science under the School of
Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg,
in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Science.
Johannesburg, June 2017.In South Africa, the anti-HIV-1 activity of various indigenous plants has not been studied extensively. Most of the phytochemical screening work has focused on anti-cancer activity with less attention given to infectious diseases. A large proportion of South Africans (70-80%) still rely on traditional medicines for treatment of various ailments. And, therefore, there is a need to evaluate and validate the effectiveness of the traditional medicines. The aim of this study was to identify, screen, phytochemically characterize and isolate bioactive compounds from a South African herbal extract that exhibit the best anti-HIV-1 activity. Three extracts were prepared: an ethanol extract, a dereplicated ethanol extract and an aqueous extract from a herbal concoction comprised of a mixture of six plants. These herbal concoctions were investigated for anti-HIV-1 subtype C activity. Phytochemical profiling of the ethanol- and dereplicated ethanol- extracts from the herbal concoctions showed the presence of intermediate polar compounds (flavonoids, alkaloids, sugars and terpenes) for both extracts, while the aqueous extract contained predominantly highly polar compounds. Anti-HIV-1 screening of the three extracts showed that the ethanol and dereplicated ethanol herbal- extracts had the best anti-reverse transcriptase activity. The ethanol extract had mean IC50 values of 56.53, 53.96 and 55.39 μg/ml against MJ4, Du179 and CM9 HIV-1 subtypes C isolates, respectively. The dereplicated ethanol extract had mean IC50 values of 51.87, 47.56 and 52.81 μg/ml against MJ4, Du179 and CM9 HIV-1 isolates, respectively. The aqueous extract was inactive against HIV-1 activity. Moreover, both the ethanol- and dereplicated ethanol- extracts showed activity against HIV neutralization. The ethanol- and dereplicated ethanol- extracts had mean IC50 values of 36.33 and 32.06 μg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, they also potently neutralized Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) yielding mean IC50 values of 24.91 and 20.82 μg/ml for ethanol- and dereplicated ethanol- extracts, respectively. All extracts were inactive against Murine leukemia virus (MLV). The isolation and phytochemical characterization of the bioactive compound(s) was done by utilizing various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Four homoisoflavanoids were isolated and tested for anti-HIV-1 subtype C activity. Three compounds (1, 3a and 3b) were inactive while compound 2 was found to be bioactive against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and yielded mean IC50 values of 7.23 ± 1.88, 12.83 ± 0.41 & 12.81 ± 0.10 μg/ml for MJ4, CM9 and Du179 HIV-1 subtype C isolates, respectively. Compound 2 had a mean CC50 value of 23.08 ± 0.1981 μg/ml against HEK293T cells. Overall, the data suggested that ethanol- and dereplicated ethanol- herbal extracts possess direct and indirect anti-HIV-1 activity. They possess a cocktail of phytochemicals that can inhibit HIV-1 RT, HIV-1 entry. Furthermore, these extracts possess phytochemicals that can lower the activation of inflammatory responses during an infection and, hence, reduction in the number new cells infected during the course of HIV-1 infection. Moreover, they possess phytochemicals that have antioxidant activity which, in relation to HIV infection, results in a boosted immune system response in order to ward off the virus.
MT 2017
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Gurira, Obert Zvikomborero. "Characterisation and antimicrobial activity of Pediococci spp. isolated from South African cheese." Diss., 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/24199.
Full textAbstract:
Pediococci are Gram-positive, non-spore forming lactic acid bacteria, LAB, that are commonly used in the industrial fermentation of vegetables and meat. On the other hand species of pediococci may constitute part of the secondary microflora as non-starter lactic acid bacteria, NSLAB, responsible for cheese ripening. This study was conducted to determine and isolate pediococci from South African farm-style cheese and to morphologically and physiologically characterize the pediococci isolates to a species level. Strains of Pediococcus species isolated from South African farm-style cheese were evaluated for the production of antimicrobial peptides, pediocins, and their effect against food pathogens Bacillus cereus ATCC 1178 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644. Eight farm-style cheeses namely pasteurized young Gouda (PYG), pasteurized matured Goude (PMG) as well as pasteurized matured Parmesan (PMP); un-pasteurised or raw milk aged Bouquet (RAB), aged Gouda (RAG) and matured Gouda (RMG) as well as goat cheese Gouda (:RGG) were chosen for the isolation of Pediococcus species. LAB were cultivated on MRS agar where logarithmic counts of LAB ranged from 6.90 cfu/g to 9.40 cfu/g. Microscopic examination of selected colonies identified 110 (18%) of 606 isolates as Gram-positive, catalase negative presumptive pediococci occurring in pairs, clusters and tetrads. Presumptive pediococci were distributed among five of the eight cheeses namely PYG, PMG, RAB, RAG and RMG in numbers of 33, 21,28, 12 and 16 respectively. Physiological characterization of presumptive pediococci isolates was determined under specific growth parameters, temperature, pH and salt (w/v). These isolates were characterized as P. acidilactici, forty-nine, and P. pentosaceus, sixty-one, isolates. For the antimicrobial assay three techniques namely, the agar disc, spot and overlay methods were evaluated. Comparisons on the sensitivity or susceptibility of two Lactococcus strains, L. diacetilactis NCDO 176 and L. lactis NCDO 605, to crude extract from P. acidilactici STI was assessed. The agar disc assay technique produced more reliable results compared to the other techniques and L. diacetilactis NCDO 176 was more susceptible to crude pediocin extract produced from P. acidilactici STI. A total of fifty-two strains (47%) from both species, twenty-seven (24%) P. acidilactici and twenty-five (23%) P. pentosaceus, exerted antagonism against L. diacetilactis NCDO 176 through the action of perdiocins. Among these strains thirteen (13%) of both species, seven (6%) P. acidilactici and six (7%) P. pentosaceus inhibited B. cereus ATCC 1178 while a total of thirty-seven strains (33%) of both species where, seventeen (15%) P. acidilactici and twenty (18%) P. pentosaceus showed inhibition against L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644. Among these strains inhibition of food pathogens was variable against L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 and low against B. cereus ATCC 1178. Comparison of the antimicrobial activity of the two Pediococcus species showed similarity in the inhibition pattern, however, more strains of P. pentosaceus exerted antagonism against L. lactis NCDO 176 and L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 compared to P. acidilactici.Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2005.
Food Science
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Adebayo, Oluwakemi Monisola. "Isolation, characterisation and antimalarial activity of four selected South African plants." Diss., 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1444.
Full textAbstract:
MSc (Chemistry)Department of Chemistry
Malaria, an infectious disease affecting both human beings and other animals, is transmitted by parasitic protozoans belonging to the Plasmodium genus. Malaria is commonly treated with drugs such as quinine, chloroquine, and artesunate. However, the incidence of treatment failure due to drug-drug interactions and parasite resistance is increasing. Therefore, the rich medicinal potential of plants found in nature in Africa is increasingly being explored. The traditional use of Lippia javanica, Sclerocarya birrea, Melia azedarach and Capparis tomentosa for the treatment of malaria is well-known, but the phytochemistry of these four plants is not fully known. Parts of these plants were extracted and column chromatography was used to fractionate the extracts. The antioxidant activities of the fractions were determined using free radical scavenging and reducing power assays, while the cytotoxic, antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal activities were determined using cell toxicity assay, parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) and trypanosome assay. The methanol stem bark extract of Melia azedarach (Fraction 2) had the highest phenolic content (59.39 mg GAE/g), while the methanol leaf extract of Melia azedarach had the highest flavonoid content of 188.65 mg QE/g. In the reducing power tests and DPPH free radical scavenging activity, the methanol stem bark extract of Melia azedarach had the lowest IC50 value of 0.1074 μg/mL and an IC0.5 value of 0.5296 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the methanol stem bark extract of Melia azedarach at a concentration of 50 μg/mL showed significant cytotoxicity against HeLa cells (-1.22±0.07 %). The methanol stem bark extract of Melia azedarach at the tested concentration (250 μg/mL) decreased the viability of Plasmodium falciparum to 36.38±11.96 % with an IC50 value of 6.5 μg/mL. Concerning the antitrypanosomal activity, the methanol stem bark extract of Melia azedarach affected the viability of the trypanosomes at the tested concentration (250 μg/mL), giving a viability of 14.05 ± 0.59 %, with an IC50 value of 0.4 μg/mL. The presence of epicatechin (29) and catechin (31) in this extract was confirmed using several spectroscopic techniques (IR, NMR, UPLC-MS and HRMS).
NRF
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Louw, Catharina Aletta Magdalena. "Antimicrobial activity of indigenous bulbous plant extracts to control selected pathogens." Diss., 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28589.
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Maimela, Mabel Raisibe. "Black consciousness and white liberals in South Africa : paradoxical anti-apartheid politics." Thesis, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/17296.
Full textAbstract:
This research challenges the hypothesis that Biko was anti-liberal and anti-white. Biko's clearly defined condemnation of traditional South African white liberals such as Alan Paton is hypothesised as a strategic move in the liberation struggle designed to neutralise the "gradualism" of traditional white liberalism which believe that racism could be ultimately superseded by continually improving education for blacks. Biko neutralised apartheid racism and traditional white liberalism by affirming all aspects of blackness as positive values in themselves, and by locating racism as a white construct with deep roots in European colonialism and pseudoDarwinian
beliefs in white superiority. The research shows that Biko was neither anti-liberal nor anti-white. His own attitudes to the universal rights, dignity, freedom and self-determination of all human beings situate him continuously with all major human rights theorists and activists since the Enlightenment. His unique Africanist contribution was to define racist oppression in South Africa as a product of the historical conditioning of blacks to accept their own alleged inferiority. Biko's genius resided in his ability to synthesize his reading of Marxist, Africanist, European and African American into a truly original charter for racial emancipation. Biko' s methodology encouraged blacks to reclaim their rights and pride as a prelude to total emancipation. The following transactions are described in detail: Biko's role in the founding of SASO and Black Consciousness; the paradoxical relations between white liberal theologians, Black Consciousness and Black Theology; the influence on BC of USA Black Power and Black Theology; the role of Black Theologians in South African churches, SACC and WCC; synergic
complexities ofNUSAS-SASO relations; relations between BC, ANC and PAC; the early involvement of women in BCM; feminist issues in the liberation struggle; Biko's death in detention; world-wide and South African liberal involvement in the inquest and anti-apartheid organisations.History
D. Litt. et Phil. (History)
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Phaladi, Ramadimetje Jeanette. "The role of the youth in the struggle against the apartheid regime in Thabamoopo District of the Lebowa Homeland, 1970-1994 : critical historical analysis." Thesis, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/1339.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (M.A.) -- University of Limpopo, 2008.The Black youth struggled against the apartheid regime as the title indicates because as Blacks the policy made them to suffer. They were oppressed in the country of their birth. Before the militant youth involvement in the liberation struggle in the 1970s there were a few Black youths who tried to force the government to relinquish its policy. They were unsuccessful. This was because they were opposed to the government as members of the various Black organisations. They were not united. SASO with its Black Consciousness philosophy brought unity amongst all the Black youth and put them on the vanguard of the struggle. These youth did not just mobilize and unite Blacks (organisation and non organisation members) through public criticism of the apartheid system. They also mounted physical attacks on enemy targets such as police stations etc. South Africa became ungovernable. This resistance compelled the government to release political prisoners and to relinquish power in 1994.
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Gallagher, Andrew Bruce. "A phytochemical investigation of two South African plants with the screening of extractives for biological activity." Thesis, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/8611.
Full textAbstract:
Two South African medicinal plants, Strophanthus speciosus and Eucomis montana,
were investigated phytochemically. From Strophanthus speciosus a cardenolide,
neritaloside, was isolated, whilst Eucomis montana yielded three homoisoflavanones, 3,9-
dihydroeucomin, 4'-demethyl-3,9-dihydroeucomin, and 4'-demethyl-5-0-methyl-3,9-
dihydroeucomin. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The
homoisoflavanones were screened for anti-inflammatory activity using a
chemiluminescent luminol assay, modified for microplate usage. All of the
homoisoflavanones exhibited good inhibition of chemiluminescence, with IC50 values for
3,9-dihydroeucomin, 4'-demethyl-3,9-dihydroeucomin, and 4'-demethyl-5-0-methyl-3,9-
dihydroeucomin being 14mg/mL, 7mg/mL, and 13mg/mL respectively. The IC50 value
of 4'-demethyl-3,9-dihydroeucomin compared favourably with the NSAID control
(meloxicam), which had an IC50 of 6mg/mL. Neritaloside was not screened for biological
activity as the yield of 14.4mg was insufficient for the muscle-relaxant screen for which it
was intended.
An assay for antioxidant/free radical scavenging activity was also performed. All the
compounds had excellent antioxidant/free radical scavenging activity, with percentage
inhibition of the reaction being 92%, 96%, and 94% for 3,9-dihydroeucomin, 4'-demethyl-
3,9-dihydroeucomin, and 4'-demethyl-5-0-methyl-3,9-dihydroeucomin
respectively at a concentration of 10mg/mL. However, the control compounds, diclofenac
and meloxicam, also exhibited strong activity, with the result that the precise mode of
anti-inflammatory activity could not be unequivocally determined.
The results from the biological screenings thus provided a rational scientific basis for the
indigenous ethnomedicinal use of Eucomis species in the treatment of rheumatism,
inflammation and pain.Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.
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Barreto, Michael. "Antimicrobial activity of macroalgae from Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, and the isolation of a bioactive compound from Osmundaria serrata (Rhodophyta)." Thesis, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/27744.
Full textAbstract:
The rhodophytes or red seaweeds are an ancient group of organisms that are related to plants. Like terrestrial plants, they use secondary compounds to protect themselves from microbial infection and grazing by herbivores. However, unlike terrestrial plants, they produce mostly halogenated secondary compounds and rarely alkaloids. Osmundaria serrata (Rhodophyta) is found along the eastern South African coast and the Maldive Islands. Its descriptive common name is “red spirals” and the species is adapted to live in habitats with high wave action. Extracts from this seaweed had previously shown to have antimicrobial activity, but ecologically irrelevant microbes were used to test the extracts. In this study, ten bacteria were isolated from the surface of O. serrata and its habitat, and identified. Mostly aerobic and Gram-negative bacteria were isolated (Halomonas and Pseudomonas species) along with facultatively anaerobic forms (Vibrio spp.) and a Gram-positive (Marinococcus sp.). These were used in bioassays to compare the activity of extracts made from O. serrata and other seaweeds that occur in the same habitat. Marine bacteria are the initial colonizers in biofilm formation and subsequent fouling of surfaces in marine environments. The study of these bacteria in relation to their macroalgal hosts may help to control biofouling of surfaces that cause economic losses worldwide. A comparison was made between using agar dilution and microtitre methods for testing the antibacterial activity of an O. serrata extract. The microtitre method was found to be more sensitive than the agar dilution method. Possibly because e some of the bacteria on the petri plates (in the agar dilution method) were not in direct contact with the toxicant in the growth medium, but were in direct contact in the liquid medium of the wells in the microtitre plates. The extract from 0. serrata was the most active of the thirteen species of macroalgae collected from the same habitat and tested for antibacterial activity. Deformities in bacteria were observed in response to the 0. serrata extract. Increased capsule production and blebbing of the outer membranes were observed by transmission electron microscopy (negative staining). Lanosol diethyl ether was isolated from 0. serrata and tested for antibacterial activity. Lanosol is produced mainly by the rhodophytes, but it is also found in other macroalgae and fungi in lower concentrations. The compound inhibited the test bacteria with average MIC's of 0.27 ± 0.07 mg.mr1 (bacteriostatic) and 0.69 ± 0.15 mg.mr1 (bactericidal). Different forms of biofilm were observed by scanning electron microscopy on the thirteen species of macroalgae. These ranged from a very little biofilm covering on the calcified reds to complex communities on the other macroalgae. The treatment with OS04 vapour before fixation in glutaraldehyde preserved the biofilm structure better than no treatment and indicated that lipids are important in maintaining biofilm structure. Since a complex biofilm community was seen on the surface of 0. serrata, it is unlikely that lanosol functions as an antifouling agent. This chemical seems to multifunctional with antimicrobial and feeding deterrent activities.Thesis (PhD (Botany))--University of Pretoria, 2006.
Plant Science
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Ndlovu, Bhekilizwe Bernard. "An exploration of theatre as activism as an anti-homophobia intervention amongst Zimbabweans living in South Africa : a practice led research project of The Trial of the Senior Citizen." Thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/9970.
Full textAbstract:
This Practice led Research Report explores the use of Theatre as Activism to address the violation of human rights, with particular emphasis on gay rights in Zimbabwe. There is scant evidence of any form of theatre in Africa, apart from in South Africa that speaks to the existence of gay people, let alone gay rights. There also appears to be no recorded documentation of theatre that engages audiences in an open dialogue about gay rights in Africa.
This research has taken the form of a Practice led Research Project called The Trial of the Senior Citizen. The aim of the project was to create a piece of theatre that could speak to the complex, multiple human rights violations experienced in Zimbabwe under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe’s regime. Gay rights form the central canvas in the theatre project, encapsulating all human rights violations and challenging the landscape of human rights discourse relevant in Africa today. The purpose of the research was to explore what kind of theatre, in form and in making, would entice an audience to engage in a dialogue about the complex gay rights issues prevalent in Zimbabwe. The Practice led Research Project seeks to explore the possibility of speaking to the silencing of, and silence by gay people, using Theatre as Activism.
This written report forms the final stage of the Practice led Research, and argues that Theatre as Activism, as conceptualised by this researcher, is an appropriate form of theatre for the integration of both process-orientated and product specific theatre elements aimed at audience engagement.
Chapter One introduces the reader to this Practice led Research Report. The historical context of human rights and gay rights in Zimbabwe is discussed in Chapter Two. Chapter Three explores the meaning, associations and related processes and forms of Theatre as Activism. In Chapter Four, Practice led Research theoretical and methodological underpinnings are discussed in relation to the making of The Trial of the Senior Citizen, and in Chapter Five the performances and post-performance audience discussions are reflected upon.
Looking at the performances of The Trial of the Senior Citizen, this study concludes that this Theatre as Activism project can be used to break the silence around gay rights and begin a negotiation of beliefs that could lead to the reduction of homophobia.
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Van, Jaarsveld Izelde Louise. "Aspects of money laundering in South African law." Thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/5091.
Full textAbstract:
Money laundering involves activities which are aimed at concealing benefits that were acquired
through criminal means for the purpose of making them appear legitimately acquired. Money
laundering promotes criminal activities in South Africa because it allows criminals to keep the
benefits that they acquired through their criminal activities. It takes place through a variety of
schemes which include the use of banks. In this sense money laundering control is based on the
premise that banks must be protected from providing criminals with the means to launder the
benefits of their criminal activities.
The Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 (‘FICA’) in aggregate with the
Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (‘POCA’) form the backbone of South Africa’s
anti-money laundering regime. Like its international counterparts FICA imposes onerous duties
on banks seeing that they are most often used by criminals as conduits to launder the benefits of
crime. In turn, POCA criminalises activities in relation to the benefits of crime and delineates
civil proceedings aimed at forfeiting the benefits of crime to the state. This study identifies the
idiosyncrasies of the South African anti-money laundering regime and forwards
recommendations aimed at improving its structure.
To this end nine issues in relation to money laundering control and banks are investigated.
The investigation fundamentally reveals that money laundering control holds unforeseen
consequences for banks. In particular, a bank that receives the benefits of crimes such as fraud
or theft faces prosecution if it fails to heed FICA’s money laundering control duties, for example,
the filing of a suspicious transaction report. However, if the bank files a suspicious transaction
report, it may be sued in civil court by the customer for breach of contract. In addition, if the bank
parted with the benefits of fraud or theft whilst suspecting that the account holder may not be
entitled to payment thereof, it may be sued by the victim of fraud or theft who seeks to recover
loss suffered at the hand of the fraudster or thief from the bank.
Ultimately, this study illustrates that amendment of some of the provisions of South
Africa’s anti-money laundering legislation should enable banks to manage the aforementioned
and other unforeseen consequences of money laundering control whilst at the same time
contribute to the South African anti-money laundering effort.Criminal and Procedural Law
Mercantile Law
LL.D.
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Mbobela, Phindiwe Felicia. "Isolation and characterisation of the active phyto-pharmaceutical ingredient from Lobostemon trigonus for use in the development of a microbicide." Diss., 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19567.
Full textAbstract:
The HIV-1 pandemic affects millions of people worldwide with approximately 70% of those affected residing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) relying on traditional medicines for treatment. The key aim of the study was to isolate and characterise an active phyto-pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from L. trigonus for use as a vaginal microbicide.
The aerial parts of L. trigonus were oven-dried at 80°C, ground and then extracted with boiling water for 30 minutes. Aqueous extracts were screened using an HIV-1 neutralization assay in TZM bl cells. Chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were used to purify, isolate and identify the API.
The API (BP36-117-26464C) was identified as a polymeric macromolecule with IC50 = 0.04 μg/ml against HIV-1 HXB 2 subtype B. This activity is comparable to the ARV drug, enfuvirtide (IC50 = 0.02 μg/ml). The API consists of galacturonic acid polymer and a mixture of seven compounds. Its mode of action may involve inhibiting virus attachment.
The activity of this precipitate (BP36-117-26464C) tested against HIV-1 subtype C pseudovirions and shown to compare favorably with that of enfuvirtide (T20). The water-soluble nature of this API and its mode of action identified it as a potential microbicide. In the current form, the precipitate (API) would be difficult to develop as an oral treatment for HIV, as high-molecular weight agents often have poor bioavailability following oral administration. However, large molecules with potent anti-HIV activity are ideal for topical use and potent development as a microbicide.Life & Consumer Sciences
M.Sc (Life Sciences)