Umma Staff Publications

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Author: search.filters.author.Abdillahi, H. S.

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    Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Podocarpus sensu latissimo (s.l.)
    (Elsevier, 2009-09-02) Abdillahi, H. S.; Stafford, G.I.; Finnie, J.F.; Staden, J.Van
    The genus Podocarpus sensu latissimo (s.l.) was initially subdivided into eight sections. However, based on new information from different morphological and anatomical studies, these sections were recognised as new genera. This change in nomenclature sometimes is problematic when consulting ethnobotanical data especially when selecting plants for pharmacological screening, thus there is a need to clear any ambiguity with the nomenclature. Species of Podocarpus s.l. are important timber trees in their native areas. They have been used by many communities in traditional medicine and as a source of income. Podocarpus s.l. is used in the treatment of fevers, asthma, coughs, cholera, distemper, chest complaints and venereal diseases. Other uses include timber, food, wax, tannin and as ornamental trees. Although extensive research has been carried out on species of Podocarpus s.l over the last decade, relatively little is known about the African species compared to those of New Zealand, Australia, China and Japan. Phytochemical studies have led to the isolation and elucidation of various terpenoids and nor- and bisnorditerpenoid dilactones. Biflavonoids of the amentoflavone and hinokiflavone types have also been isolated. Nor- and bis-norditerpenes are said to be taxonomic markers for this genus. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, larvicidal, plant and insect growth regulation activities. Various studies have yielded important natural bioactive products and two of them are worth mentioning. Taxol, a significant anticancer agent has been isolated from Podocarpus gracilior and totarol, a diterpenoid isolated from various species and now commercially produced as a potent antibacterial and antioxidant agent. Findings from this review supports the use of an ethnobotanical and chemotaxonomical approach in selecting plants for pharmacological screening since most of the species in the differentmorphological groups have similar uses. Also the isolated compounds have chemotaxonomic value amongst the groups. Some of the biological activities identified from extracts and compounds isolated from Podocarpus s.l. support the rationale behind the medicinal uses of these species.
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    FLOOD IMPACT-BASED FORECASTING FOR EARLY WARNING AND EARLY ACTION IN TANA RIVER BASIN, KENYA
    (Researchgate, 2019-09-03) Otieno, O.M.; Abdillahi, H. S.; Wambui, E. M.; Kiprono, K. S.
    Kenya is mostly affected by floods during the March-April-May (MAM) and October November-December (OND) rainfall. This often occurs along river basins such as the Tana river basin, leading to disruption of people’s livelihoods, loss of lives, infrastructure destruction and interruption of economic activities. This study used openly available data on flood exposure, vulnerability, lack of coping capacity, flood impacts and observed satellite rainfall to analyse and predict forecast-based impacts in Tana river. Earth observation satellites including LANDSAT, sentinel 1 and 2 were acquired based on credible flood event dates to validate flood exposure and flood events. The community risk assessment (CRA) approach was used to delineate communities at high risk of floods using combination of data on vulnerability, flood exposure and lack of coping capacity. Using an ordinary least squares (OLS) predictive model, observed satellite rainfall was used as a covariate in order to predict flood impacts on communities with high flood risk scores in Tana river. Weighted scores from the CRA dimensions were summed up with forecasted hazards from the OLS model in order to derive a flood impact-based forecast. The flood impact information is to be used in forecast-based action through early warning, early action protocols thereby reducing impacts of potential floods in communities living in high flood risk areas based on the flood risk map.