The effect of a concoction of oldenlandia corymbosa and ageratum conyzoides on lactase activity.

Abstract

Lactose intolerance is defined as a metabolic disorder where people are unable to digest significant amounts of lactose due to insufficient production of the lactase enzyme. The enzyme lactase is a beta-galactosidase responsible for the hydrolysis of lactose to the monosaccharides, glucose and galactose. These are absorbed by intestinal enterocytes into the bloodstream. In people who have Lactose intolerance, lactose is fermented by bacteria in the colon to short chain fatty acids and gaseous by-products such as hydrogen and methane that cause a patient’s discomfort, flatulence and bloating.

Treatment/management of lactose intolerance has been lactase enzyme supplementation therapy, lactose free milk, consumption of fermented dairy products, and partial/complete exclusion of milk from the diet. However, some of these are expensive and not accessible to the poor people especially in the rural areas. Herbal medicines have been used in treatment of different diseases including Lactose intolerance. In my home area, Kamasasa 1 Village, Karambi sub-county, Kasese, a mixture of Oldenlandia corymbosa and Ageratum conyzoides has been used to alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance in individuals who manifest with these symptoms upon ingestion of milk.

In this research, I determined the effect of a mixture of Oldenlandia corymbosa and Ageratum conyzoides on lactase enzyme activity. Results obtained show that the concoction alone has no effect on lactose concentration while if the concoction is added to lactase the more lactose is digested compared to experiment where lactase alone is used. This indicates that the concoction works by increasing activity of lactase enzyme. Therefore, a concoction of Oldenlandia corymbosa and Ageratum conyzoides can be used for treatment of some cases of lactose intolerance where one has limited lactase activity. However, more studies will be needed to establish the safety and shelf life of the concoction.