ACHAMPON AHABAN AKA BITTER BUSH -(CHROMOLAENA ODORATA)
IN AMERICA IT IS CALLED JACK IN THE BUSH.
Chromolaena odorata (Family: Asteraceae) synonyms as Eupatorium odoratum is a traditional medicinal plant that is widely used for its wound healing property. In particular, the several parts of this herb have been used to treat wounds, burns, and skin infections. Furthermore, it has also been shown to possess anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Its phytochemical components are alkaloids, flavonoids, flavanone, essential oils, phenolics, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. The other important constituents of this plant are Eupolin, chromomoric acid, quercetagetin, and quercetin, all of which contribute to its remedial properties. Published information on the wound healing property of C. odorata was gathered by the use of different scientific websites such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and Web of Knowledge to provide an up-to-date review showing its importance.
WOUND HEALING PLANTS
The ancient history of wound healing treatments in several countries was reported; for example, Tirunelveli Hills in Southern India;[1] Northern Himalaya Range, Abbottabad district, Pakistan;[2] several districts in Bangladesh;[3] Kpando area of Volta Region in Ghana;[4] and Kuruma tribes, Wayanad districts of Kerala, India.[5] The natural or biological products are studied for wound and burn healing agents in many countries such as India, China, and Thailand.[6] Because of poor hygienic status, wound infection is still one of the most common diseases in developing countries.[7] Some examples of wound healing plants include korphad, Aloe vera;[8] Madeira vines, Anredera diffusa;[9] jungle geranium, Ixora coccinea;[10] Indian mulberry, Morinda pubescens;[11] simple-leaf chaste tree, Vitex trifolia; and peacock chaste tree, Vitex altissima.[12] The present review provided an up-to-date information about the properties of Chromolaena odorata, one of the wound healing plants that is being investigated for its diverse health benefits.
TRADITIONAL USES
From review literature regarding the traditional uses, phytochemical properties of C. odorata are anti-bacterial,[27,44,43,44,45,46,47] anticancer,[21,48] anticonvulsant,[49] antidiabetic,[50,51,52] anti-diarrheal,[53,54] anti-fungal,[55,56] anti-inflammatory,[57,58,59] antioxidant,[60,61,62,63,64,65] and antiparasitic,[30,40] hemostatic and wound healing,[15,22,23,66,69] and hepatoprotective activities.[70,71]
WOUND HEALING PROPERTY
The efficiency of healing wounds come from the antioxidant property of the drug or plant which enhances conserving the fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation on those wounds.[22] C. odorata is popularly used for traditional wound healing in Vietnam; moreover, the leave aqueous extract has been used for the treatment of soft-tissue burns or skin infections.[42,60,72,73]
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IN VITRO STUDY
Phan et al.[72] reported that Eupolin extract increased the proliferation of fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and keratinocytes in wound assay. Stimulation of keratinocyte migration, upregulation of production by keratinocytes of extracellular matrix proteins and basement membrane components, and protection of collagen lattice contraction by fibroblasts were reported. Moreover, Phan et al.[74] also reported that Eupolin extract enhanced the expression of many adhesion complexes, for example, laminin-5, laminin-1, collagen IV, and fibronectin by human keratinocytes. Pandith et al.[69] reported that C. odorata stimulated hemostatic process and wound healing activity by inducing the expression of genes, including heme oxygenase-1, thromboxane synthase, and anti-platelet aggregator matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MM9). This plant can promote fibroblast cell migration and proliferation. Moreover, they found that heme oxygenase-1, the accelerating wound healing enzyme, was increased at the transcriptional and translational levels by C. odorata treatment. Thromboxane synthase, a vasoconstrictor, was increased and MMP-9, an anti-platelet aggregator, was decreased when treated with C. odorata.
IN VIVO STUDY
According to the study of Mahmood et al.,[67] adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with wounds in the posterior neck were divided into four groups for the twice daily application of normal saline, pure unboiled honey, 90% honey in combined with 10% C. odorata aqueous leave extract, and solcoseryl jelly. They reported the advantage of honey combined with this extract for the stimulation of wound healing process, decrease scar formation and period of epithelialization, and the rates of wounds sterility. Pandurangan et al.[15] investigated the wound healing activity of 2.5%, 7.5%, and 10% w/w of leaves of C. odorata extract ointments for 14 days in rats. Their results revealed that varying concentrations of this herb extract in the ointment base was capable of producing significant cutaneous wound dressing activity by inducing wound contraction and wound closure time.
BLEEDING TIME STUDY
Anyasor et al.[23] reported the aqueous extract of C. odorata (coagulation: 15.18 ± 0.023 min; clotting time 0.26 ± 0.014 min) showed significantly higher hemostatic activity than the ethanolic extract (21 min in coagulation time and clotting 2 min in clotting time). Akomas and Ijioma[75] studied the effect of the oral administration of C. odorata in rats for 14 days. This herb significantly lowered bleeding times from 4.5 min in control group to 3.0 and 2.7 min, in low and high doses, respectively. The extract also lowered clotting time from 2.6 min in control group to 1.8 and 1.5 min, respectively. The bleeding and clotting times decreased in animals treated with C. odorata extract, suggesting that it remains the good hemostatic property and reduces the bleeding and clotting times by inducing the formation and activation platelets.[75] The results obtained therefore indicates that C. odorata promotes wound healing, by stopping of bleeding which may be the first step in the wound healing mechanism.[75]
CONCLUSION
C. odorata exhibits its wound healing property using multiple mechanisms. From the literature reviews, these mechanisms can be summarized as follows: (1) C. odorata extract contains many antioxidant compounds that enhance wound healing property.[74] (2) C. odorata reduces the bleeding and clotting time may be the first line of action in the physiology of wound healing.[75] (3) C. odorata can protect the cells from destruction by inhibiting the inflammatory mediators.[73] (4) C. odorata has the antibacterial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, suggesting that it may reduce the wound infections.[44] This review article has attempted to compile the new medicinal plant C. odorata, to be one of choices in the wound healing treatment.
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. 2017 Mar;15(3):1007-1016.
doi: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6133.Epub 2017 Jan 19.
Chromolaena Odorata: A Neglected Weed With a Wide Spectrum of Pharmacological Activities (Review)
The study of wound‑healing plants has acquired an interdisciplinary nature with a systematic investigational approach. Several biochemicals are involved in the healing process of the body, including antioxidants and cytokines. Although several pharmaceutical preparations and formulations are available for wound care and management, it remains necessary to search for efficacious treatments, as certain current formulations cause adverse effects or lack efficacy. Phytochemicals or biomarkers from numerous plants suggest they have positive effects on different stages of the wound healing process via various mechanisms. Several herbal medicines have displayed marked activity in the management of wounds and various natural compounds have verified in vivo wound healing potential, and can, therefore, be considered as potential drugs of natural origin. Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson is considered a tropical weed. However, it exhibits anti‑inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and numerous other relevant medicinal properties on an appreciable scale, and is known in some parts of the world as a traditional medicine used to treat various ailments. To understand its specific role as nature's gift for healing wounds and its contribution to affordable healthcare, this plant must be scientifically assessed based on the available literature. This review aims to summarize the role of C. odorata and its biomarkers in the wound healing activities of biological systems, which are crucial to its potential future drug design, development and application for the treatment of wounds.
Burn wound healing is a complicated process including inflammation, re-epithelialization, granulation, neovascularization and wound contraction. Several biochemicals are involved in burn healing process including antioxidants, cytokines and liver and kidney damage biomarkers. Although several preparations are available for the management of burn wound, there is still a necessity of researching for efficacious medicine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate herbal preparations and their phytochemical constituents for burn wound management. For this purpose, electronic databases including Pubmed, Scirus, Scopus and Cochrane library were searched from 1966 to July 2013 for in vitro, in vivo or clinical studies which examined the effect of any herbal preparation on different types of burn wound. Only 3 human studies were found to include in this review. In contrast, there were 62 in vivo and in vitro studies that show the need for more clinical trials to prove the plant's potential to cure burn wound. Among single herbal preparations, Allium sativum, Aloe vera, Centella asiatica and Hippophae rhamnoides showed the best burn wound healing activity. Flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and phenolic compounds were active constituents present in different herbs facilitating wound closure. Glycosides including madecassoside and asiaticoside and proteolytic enzymes were among the main active components. Phytochemicals represented positive activity at different stages of burn wound healing process by various mechanisms including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, collagen synthesis stimulation, cell proliferative and angiogenic effect. Overall, several herbal medicaments have shown marked activity in the management of wounds-especially burn wounds-and therefore can be considered as an alternative source of treatment. Furthermore, various natural compounds with verified burn-induced wound healing potential can be assumed as future natural drugs.
. 2016 Jan 11;177:85-100.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.11.008.Epub 2015 Nov 5.
Review: African Medicinal Plants With Wound Healing Properties
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Wounds of various types including injuries, cuts, pressure, burns, diabetic, gastric and duodenal ulcers continue to have severe socio-economic impact on the cost of health care to patients, family and health care institutions in both developing and developed countries. However, most people in the developing countries, especially Africa, depend on herbal remedies for effective treatment of wounds. Various in vitro and in vivo parameters are used for the evaluation of the functional activity of medicinal plants by using extracts, fractions and isolated compounds. The aim of the review is to identify African medicinal plants with wound healing properties within the last two decades.
Materials and methods: Electronic databases such as PubMed, Scifinder(®) and Google Scholar were used to search and filter for African medicinal plants with wound healing activity. The methods employed in the evaluation of wound healing activity of these African medicinal plants comprise both in vivo and in vitro models. In vivo wound models such as excision, incision, dead space and burn wound model are commonly employed in assessing the rate of wound closure (contraction), tensile strength or breaking strength determination, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, hydroxyproline content assay and histological investigations including epithelialisation, collagen synthesis, and granulation tissue formation. In in vitro studies, single cell systems are mostly used to study proliferation and differentiation of dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes by monitoring typical differentiation markers like collagen and keratin.
Results: In this study, 61 plants belonging to 36 families with scientifically demonstrated or reported wound healing properties were reviewed. Various plant parts including leaves, fruits, stem bark and root extracts of the plants are used in the evaluation of plants for wound healing activities.
Conclusion: Although, a variety of medicinal plants for wound healing can be found in literature, there is a need for the isolation and characterization of the bioactive compounds responsible for the wound healing properties. Also, cytotoxicity studies should be performed on the promising agents or bioactive fractions or extracts.
An Ethnopharmacological Survey and in Vitro Confirmation of Ethnopharmacological Use of Medicinal Plants Used for Wound Healing in Bosomtwi-Atwima-Kwanwoma Area, Ghana
Aims of the study: Wounds represent a major health burden and drain on healthcare resources in the world including Ghana and Africa. The majority of the people of Ghana and Africa still patronize traditional medicine for their health needs including various forms of wounds. The aim of this study is the identification of medicinal plants, type of wounds, dosage forms and collection methods used traditionally in treating wounds in the Bosomtwi-Atwima-Kwanwoma district, Ghana. In vitro screening of selected extracts from these plants on cell physiology of human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes was to be performed.
Materials and methods: Validated questionnaires were administered to 78 traditional healers in 54 communities of the district. Interviews and structured conversations were used to administer the questionnaires. Selected herbal material dominantly used by the healers was collected, identified and aqueous and ethanolic extracts were investigated in vitro on influence on cell physiology of keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts (MTT-, BrdU-, LDH-assay). Antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts were determined by free radical scavenging activity. Antiadhesive activity against Helicobacter pylori on human stomach cells was investigated for extracts reported to be used for stomach ulcer treatment.
Results: The ethnopharmacological survey revealed 104 plants species belonging to 47 families. The detailed use of these plants is documented. Aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus muellerianus, Pycnanthus angolensis and Combretum smeathmanni influenced the mitochondrial activity and proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes significantly. Ethanolic extracts of selected plants exhibited strong antioxidant activities comparable to alpha-tocopherol. For Spathodea campanulata, Hoslundia opposita and Pycnanthus angolensis, which were reported by the healers to be used also for wound healing in case of stomach ulcers, strong antiadhesive activity against Helicobacter pylori was demonstrated, while the extracts did not exhibit any direct cytotoxicity against the bacterium.
Conclusions: Traditional use of many wound-healing plants from Ghana can be well rationalized by the in vitro investigation of aqueous extracts. E.g. extracts of Phyllanthus muellerianus, Pycnanthus angolensis and Combretum smeathmanni exhibited significant influence on the cell viability and proliferation of keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts.
. 2014 Dec 2;158 Pt A:255-63.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.10.029.Epub 2014 Oct 29.
An Ethnopharmacological Survey and in Vitro Confirmation of the Ethnopharmacological Use of Medicinal Plants as Anthelmintic Remedies in the Ashanti Region, in the Central Part of Ghana
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Infections with helminths are still a big problem in many parts of the world. The majority of the people in West Africa treat such infections with medicinal plants related to the local traditional medicine. The present study aims at identifying medicinal plants traditionally used for worm infections in the Ashanti region, Ghana. In vitro screening of selected extracts from plants on which scientific knowledge is limited was to be performed.
Materials and methods: Validated questionnaires were administered to 50 traditional healers in the Ashanti region, Ghana. Interviews and structured conversations were used to obtain relevant information. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation was performed additionally to structured cross-referencing of the data using SciFinder(®) data base. Selected plant species were used for in vitro testing on anthelmintic activity against the free-living model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
Results: 35 plant species were recorded for the use in humans and 6 for the use in animals. Plant material most frequently used were the seeds from Carica papaya, mentioned by nearly all healers. The plausibility of most plants used for treatment of infections with helminths was given in most cases by documentation of potential anthelmintic activity in recent scientific literature. 9 species from plants not or scarcely described in literature for this indication were investigated on in vitro activity. A hydroethanolic (1:1) extract of Combretum mucronatum was most active with a survival rate of nematodes of 89% at 0.1mg/mL and 58% at 1mg/mL respectively (levamisole 16%). Extracts of Paullinia pinnata and Phyllanthus urinaria were also assessed to exhibit a minor (85% and 89% respectively at 1mg/mL), but still significant activity.
Conclusion: Traditional use of anthelmintic plants from Ghana can be well rationalized by cross-referencing with published literature and phytochemical/pharmacological plausibility.The in vitro investigations of extracts from Combretum mucronatum, Paullinia pinnata and Phyllanthus urinaria exhibited significant effects against nematodes. The anthelmintic activity of these plants should be investigated in detail for pinpointing the respective lead structures responsible for the activity.
Aims: Cancer represents a major health burden and drain on healthcare resources in the world. The majority of the people of Africa still patronize traditional medicine for their health needs, including various forms of cancer. The aim of the following study is the identification of medicinal plants used for cancer treatment by the traditional healers in the Ashanti area of Ghana and to cross-reference the identified plant species with published scientific literature.
Methodology: Validated questionnaires were administered to 85 traditional healers in 10 communities within Ashanti region. For cross-validation, also 7 healers located outside Ashanti region were investigated to evaluate regional differences. Interviews and structured conversations were used to administer the questionnaires. Selected herbal material dominantly used by the healers was collected and identified.
Results: The ethnopharmacological survey revealed 151 plant species used for cancer treatment. Identified species were classified into different groups according to their frequency of use, resulting in the "top-22" plants. Interestingly group I (very frequent use) contained 5 plant species (Khaya senegalensis, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Azadirachta indica, Entandrophragma angolense, Terminalia superba), three of which belong to the plant family Meliaceae, phytochemically mainly characterized by the presence of limonoids. Cross-referencing of all plants identified by current scientific literature revealed species which have not been documented for cancer therapy until now. Special interest was laid on use of plants for cancer treatment of children.
Conclusion: A variety of traditionally used anti-cancer plants from Ghana have been identified and the widespread use within ethnotraditional medicine is obvious. Further in vitro and clinical studies will be performed in the near future to rationalize the phytochemical and functional scientific background of the respective extracts for cancer treatment.
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ethnobotanical survey was performed to document medicinal plants employed in the management of malaria in the Bosomtwe and Sekyere East Districts of the Ashanti Region (Ghana), in comparison with the plant ingredients in herbal antimalarial remedies registered by the Ghana Food and Drug Administration.
Materials and methods: Two hundred and three (203) herbalists from 33 communities within the two districts were interviewed on medicinal plants they use to manage malaria. A literature search was made to determine already documented plants. In addition, 23 finished marketed herbal products indicated for the management of malaria were identified and their labels examined to find out which of the plants mentioned in our survey were listed as ingredients and whether these products are in anyway regulated.
Results: Ninety-eight (98) species of plants were cited for the management of malaria. In comparison with literature citations, 12 (12.2%) species were reported for the management of malaria for the first time and 20 (20.4%) others for the first time in Ghana. Twenty-three (23) finished marketed herbal antimalarial products examined contained aerial or underground parts of 29 of the plants cited in our survey as ingredients. Twenty-two (22) of these products have been registered by the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority, four (4) of which were included in the recommended herbal medicine list for treating malaria in Ghana.
Conclusion: This study provides new additions to the inventory of medicinal plants used for the management of malaria and reports the commercial availability and regulation of finished marketed labelled herbal products intended for the treatment of malaria in Ghana.
Aim of study: Malaria is one of the most important diseases in the world. Because of the devastating nature of the disease there is an urgent need to develop new drugs or vaccines for the treatment, prevention and management of the disease. The objective of the present study was to collect and document information on herbal remedies traditionally used for the treatment of malaria in the Dangme West District of Ghana.
Methods: Data was collected from 67 indigenous households in ten communities in the district using a validated questionnaire.
Results: In total, 30 species of plants belonging to 28 genera in 20 families were reported to be used in the preparation of the herbal remedies. Mature leaves were the most (55%) common plant part used and 73.3% of the herbal remedies involved a single plant. Most of the herbal remedies were prepared by boiling and administered orally. The majority (47%) of the species of plants used were collected from their compounds or home gardens.
Conclusions: Knowledge about malaria and treatment practices exists in the study area. Herbal remedies were commonly used by people for the treatment of malaria because they were cost-effective. They are also more accessible. Many of the species of plants used have been documented for the treatment of malaria as well as investigated for their phytochemical and antimalarial and/or antiplasmodial activity confirming the results of previous studies as well as rationalization of their traditional use. Five species of plants used in the study area, namely, Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Wendl. (Poaceae), Deinbollia pinnata Schum. &Thonn. (Sapindaceae), Elaeis guineensis Jacq. (Arecaceae), Greenwayodendron sp. (Annonaceae) and Solanum torvum Sw (Solanaceae), are documented for the first time for their use in the treatment of malaria. "The result of this study provides the basis for further pharmacological studies on the herbal remedies used".
. 2009 Dec 10;126(3):492-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.008.Epub 2009 Sep 15.
Traditional Antimalarial Phytotherapy Remedies in Herbal Markets in Southern Ghana
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Although traditional antimalarial plant remedies in herbal markets are a very important component of the health care system in Ghana this has not been previously studied to allow for the formulation of effective strategy for malaria control in Ghana.
Aim of study: The main objective of the present study was to collect and analyse data on the antimalarial plant remedies in herbal markets in southern Ghana.
Materials and methods: Herborists were interviewed using a validated questionnaire and species of plants were identified using a combination of field photo guides, local names and voucher specimens.
Results: A total of 71 herborists (95.8% female) were interviewed. There were potential correlations between different parameters and variables such as ethnic groups, type of vendor and age-groups. The study revealed 29 species of plants belonging to 22 families being sold for the treatment of malaria. The detailed use of these plants is documented. The most frequently mentioned species of plants were Morinda lucida Benth., Indigofera sp. and Nauclea latifolia Sm. The majority (82.8%) of the plant materials were sold in the dried state and 6.9% were sold in fresh state. About 76.2% of the herbal remedies were sold throughout the year while 23.8% were scarce in the dry season. The cost of treatment of malaria using the herbal remedies ranged from 1 to 2 United States Dollars (USD).
Conclusion: Standardization of names and authentication of plant materials using organoleptic, phytochemical and DNA barcoding techniques as well as further research on efficacy, safety and dosage prescriptions for both fresh and dried plant materials being sold for the treatment of malaria in southern Ghana are needed.
Context and objective: The Sisala traditional healers of northwest Ghana have a rich ethnomedical tradition. The purpose of this study was to collect and analyse data on medicinal plants commonly used by Sisala traditional healers.
Methods: A total of 30 traditional healers were interviewed using a mixture of open- and closed-ended questionnaires after obtaining prior-informed consent. Plant materials of each species of medicinal plant mentioned being used were collected and processed as voucher specimens following standard ethnobotanical methods.
Results: The majority (65%) of traditional healers were males, age ≥ 38, and their knowledge about medicinal plants was acquired orally largely from their parents (81.3%). A total of 35 species of plants were reported used to treat 24 diseases. Most (55%) of the plant materials were harvested from the bush and about half (54.8%) of the healers collected plant materials in the morning. Leaf (20%) and root (17.5%) plant materials were most commonly used in the preparation of 27 herbal remedies for treatments. The modes of administration of the herbal remedies were both through internal and external routes.
Conclusion: The results of this study show that Sisala traditional healers possess rich traditional knowledge about medicinal plants and new therapeutic use claims for 34 medicinal plants used in Ghana and widely within Africa are documented for the first time.
. 2019 Dec 5;245:112176.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112176.Epub 2019 Aug 22.
A Review of the Traditional Use of Southern African Medicinal Plants for the Treatment of Malaria
Ethnopharmalogical relevance: Malaria is one of the most prevalent and deadly parasitic diseases globally, with over 200 million new cases and nearly 500,000 deaths reported annually. It is estimated that approximately half of the world's population lives in malaria endemic areas. Malaria is substantially less prevalent in South Africa than in other African regions and the disease is limited to some regions of the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. However, it still has a significant impact on the health of the populations living in those regions. Traditional medicines have long been used in South Africa by multiple ethic groups and many people continue to rely on these natural therapies for their healthcare. The usage of South African medicinal plants in several traditional healing systems to treat malaria have been documented (particularly for Zulu and Venda traditional medicine), although ethnobotanical investigations of other ethnic groups living in endemic malaria areas remains relatively neglected.
Aim of the study: To document the use of South African medicinal plants known to be used traditionally to treat Plasmodium spp. infections. We also critically reviewed the literature on the therapeutic properties of these and other South African plants screened against Plasmodium spp. parasites with the aim of highlighting neglected studies and fostering future research in this area.
Materials and methods: Books and ethnobotanical reviews were examined for medicinal plants used specifically for fever. Exclusion criteria were studies not involving southern African medicinal plants. Furthermore, while fever is a common symptom of malaria, if not accompanied by the term "malaria" it was not considered. Databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar were used to source research relevant to southern African plants and malaria. Exclusion criteria were those publications where full articles could not be accessed.
Results: Eighty South African plant species were identified as traditional therapies for malaria. The majority of these species were documented in Zulu ethnobotanical records, despite malaria occurring in only a relatively small portion of the Zulu's traditional territory. Surprisingly, far fewer species were reported to be used by Venda, Ndebele, northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, and Pedi people, despite them living in endemic malaria areas. Interestingly many of the identified species have not been investigated further. This review summarises the available ethnobotanical and laboratory research in this field, with the aim of promoting and focusing research on priority areas.
Conclusion: Although malaria remains a serious disease affecting millions of people, medicinal plants while used extensively, have not been given the attention warranted for further investigation.
Keywords: Parasite; Plasmodium falciparum; Traditional medicine.
. 2018 Jun 28;220:250-264.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.04.001.Epub 2018 Apr 3.
A Review of the Traditional Use of Southern African Medicinal Plants for the Treatment of Selected Parasite Infections Affecting Humans
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Worldwide, more than three billion cases of parasitic disease are reported yearly and it is likely that this figure is substantially under-estimated. Approximately one in six people globally are estimated to be infected with at least one parasite species annually. In South Africa, the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium (bilharzia) and intestinal worms and helminths are particularly high, especially in children and in crowded or poorer rural communities with inadequate sanitation and nutrition. Despite alarmingly high estimates, medical research into parasitic diseases remains neglected and only malaria receives significant attention and funding. Traditional medicines have been used for centuries in Africa by multiple ethnic groups and many people rely on these healing systems as their primary healthcare modality. The traditional use of South African medicinal plants to treat parasite infestations is relatively well documented, and it is important to link these traditional uses to scientific evidence validating efficacy.
Aim of the study: To document the medicinal plants used for parasitic infections and critically review the literature on the anti-parasitic properties of South African plants against some neglected parasitic diseases.
Materials and methods: A review of the literature (ethnobotanical books and publications documenting traditional plant use) was undertaken related to specific medicinal use for parasitic infections in Southern Africa. Inclusion criteria focused on human use. Exclusion criteria included veterinary use and malaria due to the extensive nature of these subject matters. An in-depth analysis of previous studies was undertaken and future prospectives are considered.
Results: In particular, bilharzia, gastrointestinal worms and helminths, ectoparasites, trichomoniasis, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis are reviewed with special emphasis on the gaps in research.
Conclusions: Despite the availability of relatively extensive ethnobotanical records on the anti-parasitic properties of southern African medicinal plants, the antiparasitic properties of many plants have been poorly examined. There was in many instances a lack of evidence to support traditional use of many species towards some parasites and research is urgently needed in this area.
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Human dermatophyte infections are one of the most common classes of infection globally, with an estimated 1.7 billion people contracting at least one infection annually. Southern African ethnic groups used multiple plants to treat dermatophytosis and to alleviate the symptoms, yet the anti-dermatophyte properties of most species remain poorly explored.
Aim of the study: Our study aimed to critically review the literature to document southern African plant species used to treat one or more dermatophytic infections, and to summarise scientific evaluations of these and other plant species. Our study aims to stimulate and focus future studies in this field.
Materials and methods: A thorough review of the ethnobotanical books, reviews and primary scientific studies were undertaken to identify southern African plants used traditionally to treat dermatophytosis, thereby identifying gaps in the research requiring further study.
Results: Eighty-nine southern African plant species are recorded as traditional therapies for dermatophytosis. Scientific evaluations of 140 plant species were identified, although most of the species in those studies were selected for reasons apart from their traditional uses. None of those studies examined the mechanism of action of the plant species, and only a single study screened the extracts for toxicity.
Conclusions: Despite southern Africa having some of the longest continuous human civilisations globally, as well as unique and diverse flora, and good ethnobotanical records, the anti-dermatophyte properties of southern African medicinal plants remains relatively poorly explored. The efficacy of the majority of plants used traditionally to treat fungal skin disease are yet to be verified and substantial further research is required in this field.
Keywords: Candida albicans; Dermatophytosis; Onychomycosis; Ringworm; South African medicinal plants; Tinea pedis; Traditional medicine.
. 2015 Aug 22;172:297-311.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.06.024.Epub 2015 Jun 20.
Ethnopharmacological Reports on anti-Buruli Ulcer Medicinal Plants in Three West African Countries
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Buruli ulcer (BU) is the third most common mycobacterial infection in the world, after tuberculosis and leprosy and has recently been recognized as an important emerging disease. This disease is common in West Africa where more than 99% of the burden is felt and where most affected people live in remote areas with traditional medicine as primary or only option. Reports indicate that the ethnopharmacological control approach of the disease in such settings has shown promise. However, no or very few compilations of traditional knowledge in using medicinal plants to treat BU have been attempted so far. This review aimed to record medicinal plants used traditionally against BU in three countries in West Africa: Ivory Coast, Ghana and Benin and for which ethnopharmacological knowledge supported by pharmacological investigations has been reported. The information recorded in this review will support further pharmacological research to develop appropriate drugs for a better BU control.
Material and methods: A systematic review of the literature on ethnobotanical use and anti-BU activity of plants reported for BU treatment was performed. The approach consisted to search several resources, including Technical Reports, Books, Theses, Conference proceedings, web-based scientific databases such as publications on PubMed, Science direct, Springer, ACS, Scielo, PROTA, Google and Google scholar reporting ethnobotanical surveys and screening of natural products against Mycobacterium ulcerans. This study was limited to papers and documents published either in English or French reporting ethnopharmacological knowledge in BU treatment or pharmacological potency in vitro. This review covered the available literature up to December 2014.
Results: The majority of reports originated from the three most affected West African countries (Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Benin). Though, 98 plant species belonging to 48 families have been identified as having anti-BU use, many have received no or little attention. Most of the pharmacological studies were performed only on 54 species. To a lesser extent, ethnopharmacological knowledge was validated in vitro for only 13 species. Of those, seven species including Ricinus comminus, Cyperus cyperoides (cited as Mariscus alternifolius), Nicotiana tabacum, Mangifera indica, Solanum rugosum, Carica papaya, and Moringa oleifera demonstrated efficacy in hospitalised BU patients. Four isolated and characterized compounds were reported to have moderate bioactivity in vitro against M. ulcerans.
Conclusions: This review compiles for the first time ethnopharmacologically useful plants against BU. The phamacological potential of 13 of them has been demonstrated in vitro and support BU evidence-based traditional medicines. In addition, 7 species showed activity in BU patients and have emerged as a promising source of the traditional medicine for treatment of BU. Yet, further safety and efficacy study should be initiated prior any approval as alternative therapy. Overall, a huge gap in knowledge appeared, suggesting further well-planned and detailed investigations of the in vitro, in vivo, and safety properties of the claimed anti-BU plants. Therefore, plants with medicinal potential should be scrutinized for biologically active compounds, using bioassay-guided fractionation approach to provide new insights to find novel therapeutics for BU control.
Buruli ulcer (BU) is the third most prevalent mycobacteriosis, after tuberculosis and leprosy. The currently recommended combination of rifampicin-streptomycin suffers from side effects and poor compliance, which leads to reliance on local herbal remedies. The objective of this study was to investigate the antimycobacterial properties and toxicity of selected medicinal plants. Sixty-five extracts from 27 plant species were screened against Mycobacterium ulcerans and Mycobacterium smegmatis, using the Resazurin Microtiter Assay (REMA). The cytotoxicity of promising extracts was assayed on normal Chang liver cells by an MTT assay. Twenty five extracts showed activity with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 16 µg/mL to 250 µg/mL against M. smegmatis, while 17 showed activity against M. ulcerans with MIC values ranging from 125 µg/mL to 250 µg/mL. In most of the cases, plant extracts with antimycobacterial activity showed no cytotoxicity on normal human liver cells. Exception were Carica papaya, Cleistopholis patens, and Polyalthia suaveolens with 50% cell cytotoxic concentrations (CC50) ranging from 3.8 to 223 µg/mL. These preliminary results support the use of some West African plants in the treatment of Buruli ulcer. Meanwhile, further studies are required to isolate and characterize the active ingredients in the extracts.
Newbouldia laevis Family Name: Bignoniaceae Local Name: Sesemasa Uses As Per Literature: A decoction is used in the treatment of coughs, diarrhoea and dysentery, whilst it is also given to children for treating epilepsy and convulsions. The bark is given in the form of an enema as a treatment for constipation and piles. Source: Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 Traditional Uses: Bark is used in the treatment of conditions such as fracture, menstrual pains, piles, and body pains. Leaves are used to treat typhoid. Plant Category: Medicinal Plants Disease Treated: Fracture Menstrual pains Piles Body pains Typhoid INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF NEWBOULDIA LAEVIS (OGILISI) Published On 2015 M06 21 | In Newbouldia Laevis By Blessing Okpala | 4 Comments Newbouldia laevis (ogilisi) is a tropical plant belonging to the family of Bignoniaceae. It is among the most useful plants in Africa and grow
Indigenous Knowledge on Forest Foods & Medicinal Plants in Ghana log in Indigenous Knowledge on Forest Foods & Medicinal Plants in Ghana Plants Plant Names (Scientific Names) Thumbnail Preview Traditional Uses Acacia kamerunensis Used for cleaning teeth. Paullinia pinnata Roots are used as an aphrodisiac. It is also used in the treatment of sores. Griffonia simplicifolia Leaves are used in the treatment of boil, fresh wound, sore in the head and insect stink. Senna siamea The leaves are used to treat malaria. Boerhavia diffusa The leaves are used to treat boil. Thevetia neriifolia The leaves are used to treat headache. Aspilia africana The leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stomach ulcer. Solanum erianthum The leaves are used to treat piles. Anthocleista nobilis The roots are used in the treatment of infectious disease of the throat (diphtheria) and also good for cur
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