Traditional
Medicines in Africa: An Appraisal of Ten Potent African Medicinal Plants
The use of medicinal plants as a fundamental
component of the African traditional healthcare system is perhaps the oldest
and the most assorted of all therapeutic systems. In many parts of rural
Africa, traditional healers prescribing medicinal plants are the most easily
accessible and affordable health resource available to the local community and
at times the only therapy that subsists. Nonetheless, there is still a paucity
of updated comprehensive compilation of promising medicinal plants from the
African continent. The major focus of the present review is to provide an
updated overview of 10 promising medicinal plants from the African biodiversity
which have short- as well as long-term potential to be developed as future
phytopharmaceuticals to treat and/or manage panoply of infectious and chronic
conditions. In this endeavour, key scientific databases have been probed to
investigate trends in the rapidly increasing number of scientific publications
on African traditional medicinal plants. Within the framework of enhancing the
significance of traditional African medicinal plants, aspects such as
traditional use, phytochemical profile, in
vitro, in
vivo, and clinical studies and also future challenges
pertaining to the use of these plants have been explored.
1.
Introduction
Traditional
medicine is the sum total of knowledge, skills, and practices based on the
theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures that are
used to maintain health, as well as to prevent, diagnose, improve, or treat
physical and mental illnesses [1]. Traditional
medicine that has been adopted by other populations (outside its indigenous
culture) is often termed complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) [1,2].
The
World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 80% of the emerging world’s
population relies on traditional medicine for therapy. During the past decades,
the developed world has also witnessed an ascending trend in the utilization of
CAM, particularly herbal remedies [3]. Herbal medicines
include herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations, and finished herbal
products that contain parts of plants or other plant materials as active
ingredients. While 90% of the population in Ethiopia use herbal remedies for
their primary healthcare, surveys carried out in developed countries like
Germany and Canada tend to show that at least 70% of their population have
tried CAM at least once [2, 3]. It is likely
that the profound knowledge of herbal remedies in traditional cultures,
developed through trial and error over many centuries, along with the most
important cures was carefully passed on verbally from one generation to
another. Indeed, modern allopathic medicine has its roots in this ancient
medicine, and it is likely that many important new remedies will be developed
and commercialized in the future from the African biodiversity, as it has been
till now, by following the leads provided by traditional knowledge and
experiences [2–5].
The
extensive use of traditional medicine in Africa, composed mainly of medicinal
plants, has been argued to be linked to cultural and economic reasons. This is
why the WHO encourages African member states to promote and integrate
traditional medical practices in their health system [1]. Plants typically
contain mixtures of different phytochemicals, also known as secondary
metabolites that may act individually, additively, or in synergy to improve
health. Indeed, medicinal plants, unlike pharmacological drugs, commonly have
several chemicals working together catalytically and synergistically to produce
a combined effect that surpasses the total activity of the individual
constituents. The combined actions of these substances tend to increase the
activity of the main medicinal constituent by speeding up or slowing down its
assimilation in the body. Secondary metabolites from plant’s origins might
increase the stability of the active compound(s) or phytochemicals, minimize
the rate of undesired adverse side effects, and have an additive, potentiating,
or antagonistic effect. It has been postulated that the enormous diversity of
chemical structures found in these plants is not waste products, but
specialized secondary metabolites involved in the relationship of the organism
with the environment, for example, attractants of pollinators, signal products,
defensive substances against predators and parasites, or in resistance against
pests and diseases. A single plant may, for example, contain bitter substances
that stimulate digestion and possess anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce
swellings and pain, phenolic compounds that can act as an antioxidant and
venotonics, antibacterial and antifungal tannins that act as natural
antibiotics, diuretic substances that enhance the elimination of waste products
and toxins, and alkaloids that enhance mood and give a sense of well-being [1–5]. Although some
may view the isolation of phytochemicals and their use as single chemical
entities as a better alternative and which have resulted in the replacement of
plant extracts’ use, nowadays, a view that there may be some advantages of the
medical use of crude and/or standardized extracts as opposed to isolated single
compound is gaining much momentum in the scientific community.
Traditional
African Medicine: Herbalism, Spirituality and Treating HIV/AIDS
Bark
medicines used in traditional healthcare in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: An
inventory
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published and unpublished research investigating the prevalence of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TMCAM) use in the general population. Results found that use of a traditional and/or faith healer seemed to have decreased over the past 13 years (from a range of 3.6- 12.7% to 0.1%). The prevalence of traditional male circumcision was found to be 24.8% generally and 31.9% among the African Black racial group. The range of use of alternative and complementary medicine was from 0% to 2.2%. Local utilization surveys of TMCAM for the last illness episode or in the past year showed a variation in use of 6.1% to 38.5%. The prevalence of conditions treated at different TMCAM out-patients settings ranged from chronic conditions, complex of supernatural or psychosocial problems, mental illness, chronic conditions, acute conditions, generalized pain, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. TM and probably CAM is used by substantial proportions of the general population, but differences in study design and methodological limitations make it difficult to compare prevalence estimates.
The Role of Religion in the
HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa
The number of people living with HIV worldwide has increased
exponentially since the 1980s and as of 2004, over 20 million people had died
of AIDS. Already, HIV/AIDS is the most devastating epidemic thus far and is
often referred to as “the deadliest in the history of humankind” (Abdool Karim,
Abdool Karim, 2005:31). Today, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the world region most
affected by the HIV epidemic. UNAIDS (2011) reported that as of 2009, out of
the total number of people living with HIV worldwide, 34% lived in this region.
This paper will draw on examples from South Africa’s HIV epidemic. In 2011, an
estimated 5.6 million people were living with HIV in South Africa. In addition,
17.3% of all adults ages 15-49 are infected and a total of 5.1 million South
Africans ages 15 and up are living with HIV. Over 270,000 deaths due to AIDS
occur in South Africa each year and in 2011 there were 380,000 new infections
in this one country alone. These statistics make South Africa the country with
the largest number of people living with HIV today (UNAIDS, 2011).
This paper will specifically discuss religion’s role in the
HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. Undoubtedly, some religions have influenced
the rapid spread of infection in this region. This essay will explore both the
ways in which religions such as witchcraft and Christianity in South Africa
contribute to the decreased use of preventative measures to protect against HIV
and the increased prevalence of stigma surrounding the disease. In addition,
some traditional religions in Sub-Saharan Africa promote traditional methods of
healing instead of modern medicine, which has proven to be significantly less
effective, therefore contributing to the high rate of new infections each year.
Witchcraft, Christianity and traditional methods of healing as a result of
traditional religions are all contributing to the significant problem of HIV
infection in Sub-Saharan Africa and play a detrimental role in the prevention,
care and treatment in terms of HIV in this research.
http://blog.uvm.edu/vlbrenna-rel163/hivaids-healthcare/education-development/
Antiretrovirals and the use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine by HIV patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a longitudinal study –
Antiretrovirals and the use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine by HIV patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a longitudinal study –
The
aim of this prospective study (20 months) was to assess HIV patients' use of
Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) and its effect on
ARV adherence at three public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Seven
hundred and thirty-five (29.8% male and 70.2% female) patients who
consecutively attended three HIV clinics completed assessments prior to ARV
initiation, 519 after 6 months, 557 after 12 and 499 after 20 months on
antiretroviral therapy (ART). Results indicate that following initiation of ARV
therapy the use of herbal therapies for HIV declined significantly from 36.6%
prior to ARV therapy to 8.0% after 6 months, 4.1% after 12 months and 0.6%
after 20 months on ARVs. Faith healing methods (including spiritual practices
and prayer) declined from 35.8% to 22.1%, 20.8% and 15.5%, respectively. In
contrast, the use of micronutrients (vitamins, etc.) significantly increased
from 42.6% to 78.2%. The major herbal remedies that were used prior to ART were
unnamed traditional medicine, followed by imbiza (Scilla natalensis planch),
canova (immune booster), izifozonke (essential vitamins mixed with herbs),
African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea), stametta (aloe mixed with vitamins and
herbs) and ingwe (tonic). Herbal remedies were mainly used for pain relief, as
immune booster and for stopping diarrhea. As herbal treatment for HIV was
associated with reduced ARV adherence, patient's use of TCAM should be
considered in ARV adherence management. - See more at:
http://www.hsrc.ac.za/en/research-outputs/view/5500#sthash.PZXvpcCV.dpuf
South African traditional medicine comes under the microscope
(SOWETO, South Africa-AFP) - After decades in the shadows, South Africa's traditional "sangoma" healers are modernizing and becoming big business, raising questions about the need for strict regulation.
"Granny"
Mahlasela Matcheke runs her practice from a squeaky clean white floor-tiled
home in Johannesburg's up-and-coming Soweto township.
Her
consultation room is ringed by orderly shelves of transparent jars containing a
kaleidoscopic collection of coloured powders and roots.
Institutionalisation of African
Traditional Medicine in South Africa: Healing Powers of the Law?
In many developing countries, including
South Africa, the majority of peopleeither choose or depend on traditional
health practice for primary health care. The reasons for the popularity
of traditional health practice are diverse and in-clude that it is familiar to
many, that it follows a holistic approach, that it is
The
Intersection of Culture and Science in South African Traditional Medicine
Traditional
African medicine often carries with it a perception and stigma of being
irrational and ungrounded in scientific method in academia. One reason for this
common prejudicial view of traditional African medicine is the failure to
effectively interpret African traditional medicine concepts, as these are often
metaphorical descriptions of the biological and psychological effects of plants
or combinations of them used in the traditional medicine preparations. When
translated into other languages such as English, these metaphorical
descriptions of medicinal plant use can seem to incorrectly reflect mysticism
and/or superstition with no scientific basis. This difficulty in interpreting
cultural descriptions of medical phenomena, together with the fact that there
are hardly any academic papers engaging the science of South African
traditional medicine in the biological sciences, is an indication of the
disconnection between the humanities studies and the biomedical studies of
South African traditional medicine. This paper investigates some popular examples
of spiritual plant use in traditional South African medicine using
phytopharmacological studies together with anthropological fieldwork methods,
demonstrating the empirical basis for use of some plants in divination (by
producing clarity of thought or dreams). The examples also
reveal
the phytochemical and biomedical foundations of the South Bantu speaking
traditional healers’ explanations of why and how various spiritually used
plants have medicinal value. The
challenge
for scientists (such as botanists) is to effectively translate and interpret
cultural and language based descriptions of spiritual medicinal plant use made
by indigenous peoples while
recognizing
and discarding cultural prejudices that prevent a more comprehensive and
integrated understanding of the science that intersects and forms the basis of
many, though not all, cultural
healing
practices.
South African traditional
healing utilizes a multitude of plants to treat an array of health/medical
conditions.
Each plant has a use says Mama
Maponya. This is knowledge known to every healer across the planet. There is no
plant that does not have some use!
South Africa has a wonderfully rich biodiversity with all sorts of plants strewn across our beautiful landscapes with thousands of different uses.
Commercially
Important Medicinal Plants of South Africa: A Review
R. A. Street1 and G. Prinsloo2
1Traditional Medicine Laboratory, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa
2Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Florida 1710, South Africa
2Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Florida 1710, South Africa
Received 12 October 2012;
Accepted 7 November 2012
Academic Editor: A. Hamid
A. Hadi
Copyright © 2013 R. A. Street and G.
Prinsloo. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
There
is a growing interest in natural plant-based remedies as a source for
commercial products. Around 80% of the South African population use traditional
medicines to meet their primary health care needs; however, only a few South
African medicinal plants have been exploited to their full potential in terms
of commercialization. The opportunity for bioprospecting of plant compounds for
novel pharmaceuticals remains largely untapped. Certain renowned medicinal
plants of international acclaim including buchu and rooibos are currently
contributing to local enterprise; however, other exciting opportunities exist
for commonly used plants which have not yet reached the international arena.
This paper focuses on the key research and development contributions of 10
commercially important medicinal plants of South Africa. Traditional uses,
scientific validation, commercialisation developments, as well as both
potential opportunities and setbacks are discussed.
1.
Introduction
Medicinal plants have been used for centuries,
and numerous cultures still rely on indigenous medicinal plants for their
primary health care needs [1, 2]. South Africa, a
country with a strong history of traditional healing, hosts a variety of around
30,000 flowering plant species [3], accounting for
almost 10% of the world’s higher plant species [4]. Medicinal plants
are now universally recognised as the basis for a number of critical human
health, social, and economic support systems and benefits [5]. There has been a
major resurgence in interest in traditionally used medicinal plants with a
number of international and local initiatives actively exploring the botanical
resources of southern Africa with the intention to screen indigenous plants for
pharmacologically active compounds [2, 6]. Studies to
determine the chemical profile and composition of medicinal plants reveal the
complexity and variety of compounds all contributing to the various uses of
plants in treating numerous aliments including life-threatening diseases such
as HIV-AIDS, cancer, and diabetes. There is, however, a need for alternative
supply of medicinal plant material as wild plants are under extreme pressure of
increased demands for local and export markets. Wiersum et al. [7] reported that the
intensive harvesting of wild medicinal plants due to the increasing use has in
many places resulted in overexploitation and is a serious threat to
biodiversity in the region. The only option for many species is cultivation at
a large scale so that the wild species are maintained and become financial
viable [8].
This may also contribute to a growing economy and job creation for a developing
country such as South Africa by researching and exploiting the chemical
treasures contained in the floral kingdom. It is estimated that up to 700,000
tonnes of plant material is consumed annually to the value of about 150 million
US dollars [7].
Significant research and development opportunities exist to discover novel and
useful biological activities for South African medicinal plants [9]. The aim of this
paper is to review 10 prominently used South African medicinal plants.
Traditional uses, scientific validation, current commercialisation
developments, as well as both potential opportunities and setbacks with regards
to future research and development will be discussed.
Indigenous
South African Medicinal Plants Indigenous South African Medicinal Plants
MEDICINAL
PLANTS Trade
This series of
briefing notes provides summary information on the various parts of the
forestry sector. The studies, commissioned by DWAF, focus on the role that each
sub-sector can play in promoting poverty eradication. DWAF recognises the
importance forests and forestry play in peopleís livelihoods and aims to create
an environment that will increase forestryís impact
on local-level
development.
The
trade in medicinal plants in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
A study of the trade
in medicinal plants in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa undertook to
document the species traded, to determine the quantities harvested annually,
and to assess the economic value of the trade. All the participants involved at
the different levels of the trade were included in the survey, that is, informal
street hawkers, owners of amayeza esiXhosa stores, traditional healers, and
consumers of traditional medicines. In total, 282 questionnaires were
administered in six urban centres. It was found that poorly educated black
middle-aged women of low economic standing dominate the trade. A minimum of 166
medicinal plant species were traded at the study sites alone, providing 525
tonnes of plant material valued at approximately R27 million annually. Plants
were harvested from a diverse range of vegetation types including Valley
Thicket, Afromontane Forest, Coastal Forest and Moist Upland Grassland, the
most frequently sold species differing significantly from those documented in
similar studies in other regions. The Forest Biome was the vegetation type
found to be most threatened by over-harvesting. Of the species documented, 93% were
being harvested unsustainably and 34 species have been prioritised for
conservation management.
African
herbs’ healing potential
Jennifer Stern
The
rich potential of African plants to produce new medicines to combat illness –
and create profitable agricultural businesses – was a key part of discussion at
the fourth World Congress on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Wocmap), held at
the International Convention Centre in Cape Town from 9 to 14 November.
According
to conference organiser Kobus Eloff, the most well-supported themes of the
conference were biodiversity and conservation, indicating that people in the
field were trying to approach their endeavours in a responsible and sustainable
manner.
Another
theme that attracted good attendance and stimulated much debate was the
question of intellectual property. This was one of the conference's main
themes, one that directly affects African growers, harvesters and
manufacturers, as many commercial pharmaceutical products are developed from
folk remedies.
Medicinal plant project for Limpopo
5 August 2010
A R20-million
medicinal plant conservation project in Limpopo is expected to advance the
development, promotion and protection of natural resources in the province.
Launching the project
in Maila village outside Louis Trichardt on Tuesday, Deputy Water and
Environmental Affairs Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi said the project entails the
establishment of a nursery, laboratory, guard house, medicinal plant garden and
research centre, as well as the fencing of the whole facility.
"These
medicinal plants are used to treat ailments such as coughs, headaches, urinary
disorder, throat problems, ulcers, wounds, fever, constipation, cancer and high
blood pressure," Mabudafhasi said.
Read more: http://www.southafrica.info/about/sustainable/medicinalplants-050810.htm#.VJm01l4gKA#ixzz3MkNyyhY5
Read more: http://www.southafrica.info/about/sustainable/medicinalplants-050810.htm#.VJm01l4gKA#ixzz3MkNyyhY5
An
ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in the southeastern
Karoo, South Africa
Abstract
Ethnobotanical field studies in the Graaff-Reinet and Murraysburg
regions (southeastern Karoo) have revealed a wealth of traditional knowledge on
medicinal plants and their uses amongst elderly people of Khoi-San and Cape
Dutch decent. The materia medica includes at least 86 species, most of which
appear to be still in everyday use. The use of exotic plants (12 species) and
similarities with the Xhosa healing culture show that the traditional system is
dynamic and adaptive. Medicines to treat problems of the stomach, back,
kidneys, bladder, as well as colds and other minor ailments have a high
frequency. Mixtures of different plants are often used. An overview of the most
important plants and their uses is
presented, which shows several interesting records that have
hitherto remained undocumented. These include new uses, new vernacular names
and new medicinal plants (Abutilon sonneriatum, Aloe striata, Eberlanzia
spinosa, Helichrysum pumilio, Osteospermum herbaceum, Pachypodium succulentum,
Peliostomum cf. origanoides, Pentzia punctata, Rhigozum obovatum and Stapelia
olivaea). New records of plants that are locally commonly used (e.g. H. pumilio
and O. herbaceum) confirm that the medical ethnobotany of the Karoo is
incompletely recorded.
Antimicrobial activity of selected South African medicinal
plants
Background
Nearly 3,000 plant species
are used as medicines in South Africa, with approximately 350 species forming
the most commonly traded and used medicinal plants. In the present study,
twelve South African medicinal plants were selected and tested for their antimicrobial
activities against eight microbial species belonging to fungi, Mycobacteria,
Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Methods
The
radiometric respiratory technique using the BACTEC 460 system was used for
susceptibility testing against Mycobacterium
tuberculosis, and the
liquid micro-broth dilution was used for other antimicrobial assays.
Results
The
results of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determinations indicated
that the methanol extracts from Acacia
karoo, Erythrophleum lasianthum and Salvia africana were able to prevent the growth of all
the tested microorganisms. All other samples showed selective activities. MIC
values below 100 μg/ml were recorded with A.
karoo, C.
dentate, E.
lasianthum, P.
obligunand S.
africana on at least
one of the nine tested microorganisms. The best activity (MIC value of
39.06 μg/ml) was noted with S.
africana against E. coli, S. aureus and M.
audouinii, and Knowltonia
vesitoria against M. tuberculosis.
Conclusion
The overall results of the
present work provide baseline information for the possible use of the studied
South African plant extracts in the treatment of microbial infections.
The
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 80% of the population in
Africa makes use of traditional medicine as well as about 65% of the world's
population [1].
Plants used in traditional medicine, also called phytomedicine are
plant-derived medicines that contain chemicals, more usually, mixtures of
chemical compounds that act individually or in combination on the human body to
prevent disorders and to restore or maintain health [2].
With up to 19,581 indigenous species, South Africa has the richest temperate
flora in the world. A minimum of 11,700 species are endemic to South Africa [3]
and nearly 3,000 species are used as medicines with approximately 350 species
forming the most commonly traded and used medicinal plants [4].
Hence, there is good reason to screen these traditionally used plants for new
drug discovery. The ethnobotanical approach has a number of advantages when
searching for new drug candidates. The plants have been ‘pre-screened’ through
generations of trial and error processes occurring over hundreds or thousands
of years [5].
This will result in a higher probability of producing useful therapies from a
group of medicinal plants, and one can rationalize that any isolated active
compounds from plants are likely to be safer than active compounds from plants
with no history of human use [5,6].
The present work was therefore designed to investigate the antimicrobial
activity of twelve selected South African medicinal plants, Acacia karroo Hayne (Mimosoideae),Acokanthera
oppositifolia (Lam.)
Codd (Apocynaceae), Bulbine
latifolia (L.f.)
Spreng var. Latifolia(Asphodelaceae), Curtisia dentata (Burm.f.) C.A.Sm. (Cornaceae), Erythrophleum lasianthumCorbishley
(Caesalpinioideae), Knowltonia
vesicatoria Sims
(Ranunculaceae), Ptaeroxylon
obliquum (Thunb.)
Radlk. (Ptaeroxylaceae), Salvia
africana-lutea L.
(Lamiaceae), Sansevieria
hyacinthoides Hort.
ex Steud. (Dracaenaceae).
MARKETING
OF INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
A case study in Kwazulu-Natal
The
current demand for numerous popular plant species used for indigenous medicines
exceeds supply. To date, several plant species, such as wild ginger
(Siphollochilus aethiopicus) and the pepperbark
tree
(Warburgia salutaris) have become extinct outside of protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal.
The declining supply of indigenous medicinal plants is likely to generate
significant economic and
welfare
losses considering that there are some 27 million indigenous medicine consumers
in South Africa and a large supporting industry. There would be additional
losses as potential income
generating
opportunities associated with a growing local and international demand are not
realised. Furthermore, intensive harvesting of wild stocks is a serious threat
to biodiversity in the region with
over
700 plant species actively traded in South Africa.
In
vitro activity of medicinal plants of the Venda region, South Africa, against
Trichomonas vaginalis
Trichomonas vaginalis
is an important and common cause of urogenital infections in both developed and
in developing countries. In view of the high prevalence, increase in resistance
to drug therapy and associated risk of acquisition and transmission of HIV, we screened
the aqueous extracts of 29 plants. These plants are used to treat venereal
diseases and infections in the Venda region. Extracts of four plants showed
trichomonicidal activity: Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. (Polygalaceae;
0.10 mg/ml), Solanum aculeastrum Dun. (Solanaceae; 1.06 mg/ml), Piper capense
L.f. (Piperaceae; 11.19 mg/ml) and Cassine transvaalensis (Burtt. Davy)
Codd (Celastraceae;
9.69 mg/ml). Further investigations are required to determine whether these
plants possess the potential to be developed as new drugs for the treatment of
trichomoniasis.
Antioxidant
potential of African medicinal plants
Cellular damage or
oxidative injury arising from free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS)
now appears the fundamental mechanism underlying a number of human
neurodegenerative disorders,
diabetes,
inflammation, viral infections, autoimmune pathologies and digestive system
disorders. Free radical are generated through normal metabolism of drugs,
environmental chemicals and other
xenobiotics as well
as endogenous chemicals, especially stress hormones (adrenalin and noradrenalin).
Accumulated evidence suggests that ROS can be scavenged through chemoprevention
utilizing natural
antioxidant compounds present in foods and medicinal plants. Africa is blessed
with enormous biodiversity resources, but plagued with several diseases,
including those with ROS as the
etiological factor.
In this review, research on the antioxidant potential of medicinal plants of
African origin between 1965 and September, 2004 is considered.
Economics of the Traditional Medicine Trade in South Africa
The trade in traditional
medicines in South Africa is estimated to be worth R2.9 billion per year,
representing 5.6% of the National Health budget. With 27 million consumers, the
trade is vibrant and
widespread. There are at least 133 000 people employed in the trade, with a
large percentage of rural women. The plant trade is a key rural industry and
business
incubator. However,
supply of plant material (some 771 species) and medicines is not sustainable.
All plants are harvested from the wild, with popular species becoming locally
extinct and being
traded at very high prices. Much of the current research and development effort
focuses on novel drugs research, with little effort being directed at improving
the
current harvesting,
production, processing, storage and treatment technology. The future of the
traditional medicines trade and its benefits are uncertain.
Antibacterial activity of South African plants used for
medicinal purposes
Crude extracts from
21 South African medicinal plants, traditionally used for ailments of an
infectious or septic nature, were screened for in vitro antibacterial activity
using the agar diffusion and dilution methods. Almost all the activity
exhibited was against Gram-positive bacteria, with 12 of the 21 plant species
tested showing some activity against Bacillus subtilis. Only the Warburgia
salutaris methanol extract inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli. None of
the extracts had any activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae. The highest
activity was found in the methanol extracts from Bidens pilosa, Psidium
guajava, Artemisia afra and Warburgia salutaris. The majority of the
antibacterial activity was present in the methanolic, rather than the aqueous
extracts. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
Cytotoxic Effects and Safety Profiles of Extracts of Active Medicinal
Plants from South Africa
Abstract Plant
derived antimicrobial compounds that have no or minimal toxicity to host cells
are considered candidates for developing new antimicrobial drugs. Safety is
therefore critical in the formulation of antimicrobials. The aim of this study was
to investigate the cytotoxic effects of some South African medicinal plant
extracts. The methanolic and aqueous extracts of nine South African medicinal
plants were screened for cytotoxic activities against MAGI CC5+ cells using MTT
assay.The nine plant extracts used in the MTT assayrevealed Herb 2 (Cyanthula
inculata) as the most potent extract identified with activity of (1.4
Cc50values of 25.6 mg/ml) and induced over 50% of cell deaths, followed by herb
3 (Croton grattismus) and Herb 4 (Cassine trasvaalensis) with activity of (0.2
Cc50 values of3.7 mg/ml) each. The herbs that induced the least cell death,
were herbs 5 (Capris
tomentosa) and 7 (Hypoxis hemerocallidea), with the activity of (0.05 Cc50
values of 0.9 mg/ml) each. Of the nine plant extracts, Croton grattisimus and
Lycium inerme 2(22%), exhibited minimal toxicity on MAGI cells and 7(77.8%)
exhibited 50% toxicity. In a similar study 2(22%) of the methanolic extracts
exhibited anti-HIV1 IIIB activities and against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB)
only one medicinal plant extract (Lysium inerme) exhibited 29% activity. In
this study, a systematic evaluation of cytotoxic activities of methanolic
extracts made from tested medicinal plants showed
minimal toxicity on
cell lines. Therefore, such plants could serve as sources for natural
antimicrobial therapeutic agents.
Cytotoxic
Effects and Safety Profiles of Extracts of Active Medicinal Plants from South
Africa
Plant derived
antimicrobial compounds that have no or minimal toxicity to host cells are
considered candidates for developing new antimicrobial drugs. Safety is
therefore critical in the formulation of antimicrobials. The aim of this study was
to investigate the cytotoxic effects of some South African medicinal plant extracts.
The methanolic and aqueous extracts of nine South African medicinal plants were
screened for cytotoxic activities against MAGI CC5+ cells using MTT assay.The nine
plant extracts used in the MTT assayrevealed Herb 2 (Cyanthula inculata) as the
most potent extract identified with activity of (1.4 Cc50values of 25.6 mg/ml)
and induced over 50% of cell deaths, followed by herb 3 (Croton grattismus) and
Herb 4 (Cassine trasvaalensis) with activity of (0.2 Cc50 values of3.7 mg/ml)
each. The herbs that induced the least cell death, were herbs 5 (Capris
tomentosa) and 7 (Hypoxis hemerocallidea), with the activity of (0.05 Cc50
values of 0.9 mg/ml) each. Of the nine plant extracts, Croton grattisimus and
Lycium inerme 2(22%), exhibited minimal toxicity on MAGI cells and
7(77.8%) exhibited
50% toxicity. In a similar study 2(22%) of the methanolic extracts exhibited
anti-HIV1 IIIB activities and against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) only one
medicinal plant extract (Lysium inerme) exhibited 29% activity. In this study,
a systematic evaluation of cytotoxic activities of methanolic extracts made
from tested medicinal plants showed
minimal toxicity on
cell lines. Therefore, such plants could serve as sources for natural
antimicrobial therapeutic agents.
Heavy Metals Content of Some Medicinal Plants from
Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Abstract: Trace
metals in eight different plants commonly available in South Africa,
Kwazulu-Natal Province namely Gunnera perpensa, Pentanisia prunelloides,
Carissa bispinosa, Ledebouria revoluta, Pomaria
sandersonii, Eucomis
autumnalis, Alepidea amatymbica, Artemisia afra and Berkheya setifera have been
quantitatively analyzed using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer. Medicinal
plants were disinfected with
0.1% HgCl2 and
digested with 95% H2SO4 and 35% H2O2. Six heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ni, Zn)
were chosen on the basis of their effects on human health. From the results of
the study, all six heavy metals were
present in all the
plants, except that Pb was not detected in six of the plants. The highest level
of Fe was observed in Gunnera perpensa at 1.12±0.003 ppm whilst the lowest
level was found in Alepidea
amatymbica at
0.0001±0.00 ppm±0.0005. The concentrations of Mn, Pb, Ni and Zn were all less
than 1.5 ppm and the lead concentration in the water extract of Berkheya
setifera was found to be high at 5.74±0.110
ppm but still falls
below permissible limit of 10 ppm. The concentration of Cu was found to be
1.36±0.0021
ppm in Pomaria
sandersonii and lowest in Gunnera perpensa at 1.24±0.002 ppm. The findings
generally
suggest that the use
of these plant species for controlling diseases will not cause heavy metal
toxicity and
can be of good use to
the users in cases of micronutrient deficiency.
Medicinal plant use in the Bredasdorp/Elim region of the
Southern Overberg in the Western Cape Province of South Africa
There are many individuals
in the Bredasdorp/Elim area who still use plants as medicines to treat many
conditions. This study aimed to document some of this knowledge and present an
inventory of all the plants in use in the area. Over 40 individuals were
interviewed from old age homes, community centres for the elderly as well as
people who were known for their knowledge in this matter. The information was
gathered by means
of questionnaires. In
total, 36 plant species from 19 families were found to be in general use in the
area. Only 58% of these plants are indigenous to South Africa, 33% are
introduced species and 9% are naturalized species. The dominant families were
Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Alliaceae and the Solanaceae. Many of the plants in use
are commonly used in traditional medicine around South Africa and share many of
the same uses. Some
uses, which have not
been seen in the consulted literature, have also been documented. A more
structured questionnaire was used to determine which plants were most popular
for particular ailments. It was found that Artemisia afra and Ruta graveolens
were the most popular.
© 2005 Elsevier
Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Medicinal Plants and Traditional Healing in Contemporary Rural
South Africa
The sustainability of
medicinal plant use in the local culture in Ongeluksnek,
Eastern Cape, South
Africa
This paper presents
the results of a study on the sustainability of medicinal plant use in the
local culture of Ongeluksnek, South Africa. Research, based on social science,
botanical and participatoryrural appraisal methods, indicated that medicinal
plants were frequently used by respondents and contributed to their ability to
cope with health problems (both physical and spiritual). Knowledge of the
plants within the area varied depending on what role they played in various
peoples’ lives. Furthermore, there was limited transfer of knowledge regarding
the plants between generations and within sangomas’ families. People in general
though were flexible in their use of indigenous plant use and western
healthcare. Medicinal plant extraction has been described as unsustainable in
other areas in the region – a problem not found in the study area. Our project
demonstrates the endurance of cultural practices in the face of external
influences such as religion, urbanization and migration.
Originally we thought
that many of the external influences we studied may represent a threat. However,
to the contrary the threat was more related to the management of the medicinal
plant resource and the lack of knowledge surrounding harvesting. The findings
of this study though should not be interpreted as illustrating definite future
problems, but rather as pointing at the need to recognize the inevitable
changes that are occurring with time and that although these may possibly threaten
the use of medicinal plants in the future, in fact they can just as easily
compliment the already
rich local culture.
Screening of
selected ethnomedicinal plants from South Africa for larvicidal activity
against the mosquitoAnopheles arabiensis
Background
This
study was initiated to establish whether any South African ethnomedicinal
plants (indigenous or exotic), that have been reported to be used traditionally
to repel or kill mosquitoes, exhibit effective mosquito larvicidal properties.
Methods
Extracts of a selection of plant taxa sourced in South Africa were
tested for larvicidal properties in an applicable assay. Thirty 3rd instar Anopheles arabiensis larvae were exposed to
various extract types (dichloromethane, dichloromethane/methanol) (1:1),
methanol and purified water) of each species investigated. Mortality was
evaluated relative to the positive control Temephos (Mostop; Agrivo), an
effective emulsifiable concentrate larvicide.
Results
Preliminary screening of crude extracts revealed substantial variation
in toxicity with 24 of the 381 samples displaying 100% larval mortality within
the seven day exposure period. Four of the high activity plants were selected
and subjected to bioassay guided fractionation. The results of the testing of
the fractions generated identified one fraction of the plant, Toddalia asiatica as being very potent against the An. arabiensis larvae.
Conclusion
The
present study has successfully identified a plant with superior larvicidal
activity at both the crude and semi pure fractions generated through bio-assay
guided fractionation. These results have initiated further research into
isolating the active compound and developing a malaria vector control tool.
Promoting African Medicinal
Plants through an African Herbal Pharmacopoeia
ABSTRACT
Various resolutions adopted by the World Health Assembly and
Regional Committee for Africa call upon Member States, among others things, to
develop herbal pharmacopoeias and to develop and apply scientific criteria and
methods for proof of safety and efficacy of medicinal plant products. However,
only few countries have developed national herbal pharmacopoeias; limited plant
species that provide medicinal herbs have been scientifically evaluated for
their possible medical applications; and the safety and efficacy data are
available for even fewer herbs. Without well documented information on the
safety, efficacy and phytochemical characteristics of different compounds, it
is difficult for external buyers to assess the likely utility or value of some
new raw materials and extracts of African origin. In order to address these
lacunae, the Association of African Medicinal Plants Standards is developing an
African Herbal Pharmacopeia with trading standards which provide information
and technical data on some 50 important medicinal plants. The objective of
developing the monographs is to ensure that these plants become visible on the
world market. The monographs lay emphasis on the quality control issues,
dosage, use, efficacy, pharmacology and safety of important African medicinal
plants.
Traditional Medicines and Traditional Healers in South Africa
The popular media in
South Africa often carry horror stories of traditional medicine and its
practitioners, while sensationalist articles have escalated with the rise of
the AIDS epidemic. Reports of the prescription of mysterious herbal treatments
or muti, healers who claim to have found the cure for AIDS, and unethical and
unsavoury behaviour relating to treatment of patients can often been be found in the pages of newspapers
or magazines. While a number of traditional healers have thoroughly deserved
the negative publicity generated by their disreputable conduct, these stories
may have contributed to a negative sentiment held towards all traditional
healers and to all traditional healing practices. This has meant that the role
that ethical and well-educated traditional healers can play in South Africa’s
response to HIV/AIDS and its efforts to build up its health system has largely
been
ignored.
The informal economy of wild harvested traditional medicine in
Cape Town
Traditional healing
in South Africa
South African
traditional healers take numerous forms, invariably linked to their respective
cultural identities. Prominent types include sangomas (shaman ancestor worshippers),
inyangas (herbalists) and Rastafarian herbalists. All commonly work to resolve
cultural afflictions and medical problems with specific herbal treatments and/or
ancestor inspired wild medicine blends. The industry is primarily based on the
use of biological ingredients as medicines that have been wild-harvested by the
practitioners themselves. South Africa’s trade of wild medicines has been estimated
at R2 billion per year, based on 200,000 practitioners serving potentially
27 million South
African consumers. The traditional medicine service has high consumer demand,
with SLF consumer research revealing that nearly two thirds
of black South
Africans have reported to have used wild harvested medicine within the previous
year.
National
Reference Centre for African Traditional Medicines: A South African Model
It has been estimated
that 60% of the world’s population rely on traditional medicines for their
health care needs. In 1976 the World Health Assembly drew attention to the
reserve constituted by
those practising
traditional medicine. A year later it urged member states to utilize their traditional
systems of medicine, and in 1978 highlighted the importance of medicinal plants
in the health care systems
of many developing
countries
TRADITIONAL
MEDICINE
Medicinal plants
often have strongly scented leaves. This fragrance comes from chemicals in the leaves.
And it’s these chemicals that kill many of the sickness-causing germs in our
bodies.
Getting these useful
chemical out of the plants and into medicine in the right amounts takes years
of training, knowledge and skill. For centuries, traditional healers have used
different methods to make medicine. One way is to make an infusion by putting a
certain amount of fresh or dried leaves in boiling water and letting it stand
for a few minutes, like making tea. To make a stronger brew, known as a
decoction, the
leaves are boiled for
a longer time. Another way is to make a tincture whereby the plant material is
soaked in a particular liquid (often vinegar, brandy or wine), allowing the
chemicals to dissolve
into the liquid.
Evaluating a traditional
medicine policy in South Africa: phase 1 development of a policy assessment
tool
ABSTRACT
Background: Policies that empower
individuals and communities may be appropriate for public health, and more
broadly. Simple, transparent and acceptable tools are therefore required to
evaluate policies from an empowerment perspective. In 2008, the South African
Department of Health (DOHSA) drafted a policy to endorse the integration of
African Traditional Medicine (ATM) into the public health sector, following the
World Health Organization's (WHO) long-standing directives.
Objective: The purpose of this
study is to critically analyze this policy using a novel evaluation tool.
Design: A 12-point ‘Policy
Empowerment Index’ (PEI) is introduced, and used to classify and score the
policy according to five theoretical policy types. The evaluation was based on
a stepwise review and associated publications: policy drafts, policy statements
and news announcements.
Results: According to the
assessment tool, the ATM policy was marginally ‘supportive’ of constituent
empowerment, although several ‘directive’ features were also observed. The
importance of ATM to SA's communities and the promotion of education,
employment, entrepreneurship and peripheral resource mobilization were the main
empowering elements. Centralised conception, planning and implementation, the
absence of provisions for local adaptations and the authoritative legislation
context were sub-optimal features.
Conclusions: South Africa's ATM
legislation may need to further involve communities in policy design and
implementation to capitalise upon the broader benefits of community
empowerment. However, the iterative nature of method and evaluation is
important. Indeed, they are proposed as points to initiate participatory
development, and improve policy evaluation. Such instruments can empower
constituents in the political process.
PROSPECT
AND SCOPE FOR TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN EDUCATION SUPPORT
SERVICES
This research study
examined the prospect and scope for traditional medicine in the South African
education support services. The first aim was to assess teachers' perceptions
of the need for traditional medicine practices in the school. The second aim
was to investigate the problems experienced by learners which require
traditional medicine practices as solutions within the school. The third aim
was to determine the procedures that can be followed in order to provide
traditional medicine to meet the learners' needs. The fourth aim was to provide
certain guidelines regarding traditional medicine intervention within a school.
The fifth aim was to find whether teachers' perceptions oftraditional medicine
in schools are influenced by the teachers' characteristics. Lastly, to find out
whether there is any agreement among ranks assigned by the respondents to:
.:. job opportunities
amenable to creation through the use of traditional
medicine.
•:. afflictions
amenable to treatment by traditional medicine.
A Likert scale was
constructed to measure the areas indicated by the
aforementioned aims
ofstudy.
The quantifYing
instnnnent was administered to a representative sample of
teachers. Sixty six
completed questionnaires were analysed. The Chi-square
Test and frequency
distribution methods were used to analyse data. The
important findings
revealed that teachers endorsed scale items on positive
rather than negative
perceptions.
The prevalence of traditional herbal medicine use among
hypertensives living in South African communities
Background
In
South Africa, over 6 million people are hypertensive and the burden of disease
shows that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death among
adults. Although treatments exist, few people comply or adhere to recommended
treatment due to side effects or costs of the drugs, hence the reliance on
alternative forms of treatment. Traditional herbal medicines (THM) are used for
the management of hypertension but the prevalence of its use among hypertensive
patients living in South African communities is not sufficiently known.
Methods
This
was a cross-sectional descriptive study to determine the prevalence of THM use
for hypertension, among 135 purposefully selected South African participants of
the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study, who are THM
users. Data on THM use were collected by way of face to face interviews using
structured questionnaires administered by trained field workers. Standard
descriptive measures were used to characterize the study sample and responses
to the questionnaire. Chi-square test was used when making comparisons between
groups.
Results
There
were 135 THM users, 21% of whom used THM to treat hypertension. Majority
(82.1%) of the hypertensive THM users were females, only 29% were married or
co-habitating, virtually all (96%) were unemployed and 86% were Christians.
More than half (56%) of the respondents were aged between 55 and 64 years. THM
was occasionally used (51.9%) as a combination of tea and other mixtures (63%)
and prescribed by family/ friends/self-administered. There was a significant
difference in the age, marital and employment status, as well as the form and
frequency of THM use of hypertensive THM users compared to other THM users.
Conclusions
The
study gives an insight into the prevalence of THM use by hypertensive patients
in selected South African communities. The practice of self-medication was also
observed which raises concern regarding the safety of medications taken by the
participants. Health care providers should however be more aware of THM use and
counsel patients regarding the combination of prescribed treatment regimen and
herbal medicines and the potential of herb-drug interactions.
Hello I'm cambell by name, I'm giving a testimony about Dr.Emmanuel the great Herbalist, he has the cure to all manner of diseases, he cured my herpes disease, though I went through different website I saw different testimonies about different spell casters and herbalist, I was like: 'Many people have the herpes cure why are people still suffering from it?' I though of it, then I contact Dr. Emmanuel via email, I didn't believe him that much, I just wanted to give him a try, he replied my mail and Needed some Information about me, then I sent them to him, he prepared it (CURE) and sent it to Airfreight Online Courier Service for delivery, he gave my details to the Courier Office, they told me that 3-5 days I will receive the package and i took the medicine as prescribed by him and I went for check-up 2 weeks after finishing the medicine, I was tested herpes negative, if you are herpes positive do me a favor for you to contact him and I will try my possible best to make sure you get cured, when you contact him, make sure you tell him that I referenced you.. contact him via: nativehealthclinic@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2348140073965
ReplyDelete