African Medicinal Plants

Abstract Glinus oppositifolius(L.) Aug. DC. (Aizoaceae) is a Malian medicinal plant used against various types of illnesses related to the immune response, like joint pains, inflammations, fever, malaria and wounds. Two pectin type polysaccharides, GOA1 and GOA2, being isolated from a 50 ◦ C water extract from the aerial parts of Glinus oppositifolius were investigated for their activity towards the complement system and different leukocyte subsets because of the assumed effects on conditions related to the immune system. The polysaccharide polymer in GOA1 was shown to contain considerable amounts of the neutral sugars arabinose (26.4 mol%) and galactose (42.9 mol%), and methylation analysis indicated the presence of arabinogalactans type I (AG-I) and type II (AG-II). GOA2 was rich in galacturonic acid (68.3 mol%), along with rhamnose, arabinose and galactose. Structural studies indicated that rhamnose and galacturonic acid might constitute a rhamnogalacturonan backbone, ...

IN THE WTO NEGOTIATIONS IMPLEMENTING DOHA MANDATES. ISSUES LINKED TO CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE WTO NEGOTIATIONS IMPLEMENTING DOHA MANDATES. Author(s): Eugui, D.V. Produced by: Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) (2002) This document analyses the content of TRIPS and CBD related mandates contained in the Ministerial texts approved at Doha. It aims at providing developing countries with suggestions for common action in the relevant WTO bodies. While most attention is given to the Ministerial Declaration, issues of crucial importance for developing countries are found in the Decision on Implementation Related Issues and Concerns, and in the Compilation of Outstanding Implementation Issues. The author concludes that: * Negotiations on implementation are the fastest vehicle for generating changes in the TRIPS Agreement in relation to CBD. Tiret 15 of the outstanding list of issues is the strongest mandate for obtaining transitional...

CONSERVATION AND PRODUCTION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS IN HOME GARDENS: THE CASE OF ETHIOPIA By: Zemede Asfaw Department of Biology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 3434, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia <<<Text modified by the Moderator according to the Phytomedica posting requirements >>>. ABSTRACT The role of the farming system of the home garden in maintenance, production, conservation and utilization of traditional medicinal plant resoources was studied. Survey data on home gardens in Ethiopia were inspected with special focus on their contribution to traditional medicine. The plants species with medicinal value wewre categorically examined to reflect on the level of popularity and use by families/communities. Of the species purposely maintained in Ethiopian home gardens, those cultivated primarily their medicinal value accounted for about 6% while, about30% were cultivated primarily for food (spices/herbsetc). A number of common garden weeds a...

INNOVATIVE MEASURES REQUIRED TO PROTECT INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Paris, August 22 - International interest and demand for knowledge developed by indigenous peoples is at an all time high - politically, culturally and financially. Yet this demand often results in abuse, rather than respect, for the communities and individuals involved, according to UNESCO. Driven by the demand for new drugs, plant and animal varieties, and commercial products, scientists, corporations and governments across the globe are tracking traditional knowledge. The healing powers of medicinal plants known to the indigenous Guaymi people of Costa Rica; the ingredients used by traditional healers in South Africa that may help to stem the tide of AIDS-related tuberculosis - has, understandably, sparked much interest abroad. But the needs and concerns of the indigenous communities that hold this knowledge have often been ignored. As controversies surrounding indigenous intellectual property rights simmer, UNESCO ...