Herbalists' explanations of infertility: The case of Northern and Southern Ghana

In sub-Saharan Africa, traditional medical practitioners also referred to as herbalists, offer diagnostics and therapeutics for diverse medical conditions irrespective of the cause. Given their traditional role as healers and repository of knowledge about medicinal plants, spirituality, customs and religion, people use their services regardless of their location, education, or socio-economic backgrounds. The aim of the study is to explore herbalists´ views and explanations on infertility and women with infertility. Using an exploratory qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 herbalists, 5 from the North-East region, 2 from Ashanti region and 3 from the Greater Accra region. Following thematic analysis, findings show that infertility has multiple causes - medical, natural, spiritual and lifestyle. Some herbalists stated that everyone was created to bear children while others refuted this notion. They shared the common consensus that not everyone can have children even though they may be medically and spiritually fit. The public should be advised on the need for periodic reproductive health checks. Also, there should be a conscious, concerted efforts to gradually dissociate unhealthy explanations of infertility from the actual empirically proven realities.This would empower society to rise above those entrenched beliefs, thereby reducing the stigma associated with infertility and women with infertility. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[5]: 96-106).

Plantes et prise en charge de la santé maternelle dans la région Maritime du Togo / Plants and mother's healthcare in the Maritime Region of Togo

Contexte et objectifs. La santé maternelle demeure un problème de santé majeur dans les pays en voie de développement. La présente étude a : (i) inventorié les divers maux bénins de la santé maternelle ; (ii) recensé les plantes utilisées dans la prise en charge de ces troubles ; (iii) décrit les diverses formes d'usages des plantes utilisées et (iv) évalué la variation des connaissances d'usages suivant le sexe, l'âge et l'ethnie. Méthodes. Des enquêtes ethnobotaniques couplées aux observations de terrain ont été réalisées dans la région Maritime du Togo en milieu rural auprès des populations rurales. L'analyse des données s'est basée sur les fréquences (Fr), les valeurs d'usages (VU), les indices de diversité d'usage (IDU), les indices de valeurs d'importance d'usage (IVIU) et l'indice de Sorenson (IS). Résultats. Une florule de 127 espèces végétales dont 126 plantes réparties en 112 genres et 57 familles et un champignon a été rapportée. Les Euphorbiaceae, les Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae, les Asteraceae et les Leguminosae-Papilionoideae sont les familles les plus signalées dans la prise en charge de 37 affections. Conclusion. A l'issue de cette étude, plus d'une centaine de plantes utilisées dans les pathologies maternales et foetales a été identifiée. Cependant, l'évaluation de l'efficacité ainsi que des tests toxicologiques sont nécessaires pour une meilleure valorisation des plantes rapportées

Context and objectives. Maternal healthcare remain a major health problem in developing countries. The present study (i) inventoried various benign conditions of maternal health, (ii) identified plant species used in the management of these conditions, (iii) described the various types of use of these plants, and (iv) evaluated the levels of knowledge on the use of plant species in the care of the pregnant and nursing women according to the gender, age and ethnic group. Methods. Semi-structured interviews coupled to field observations were carried out in the Maritime region of Togo among local populations. Data analysis was based on the computation of relative frequencies (Fr), the use values (UV), the diversity use index (DUI), the index of important use values (IIUV) and the Sorenson index (SI). Résultats. A flower of 127 plan species including 126 plants divided into 112 genera and 57 families and one fungus has been reported Euphorbiaceae, Leguminosae- Caesalpinioideae, Asteraceae and Leguminosae- Papilionoideae were mostly used in the management of 37 conditions. Conclusion. This study identified more than one hundred plants species used in women's health-related disorders. Additional studies, including efficacy and toxicological tests are needed for better to promote these folk medicine practices

Initiation à la recherche sur les substances naturelles: extraction - analyse - essais biologiques

En Afrique, l'utilisation des essences végétales à des fins thérapeutiques ou domestiques est une pratique ancestrale. De nos jours de nombreux travaux consacrés à la chimie et à la toxicologie des plantes aromatiques et médicinales ont constribué à améliorer la connaissance scientifique dans ce domaine et à l'élaboration de protocoles standards de phytochimie et de screening biologique.

The Impact of Herbal Remedies on Adverse Effects and Quality of Life in HIV-Infected Individuals on Antiretroviral Therapy

Introduction: Use of herbal remedies among HIV-infected individuals in Africa increased in the past decade; mainly due to traditional beliefs and at times inconsistent access to antiretroviral drugs. In Zimbabwe; accessibility and availability of antiretroviral drugs has increased in recent years; however; the use of herbal remedies remains high. This study was conducted to determine the impact of concomitant use of herbal remedies with antiretroviral drugs on adverse events and on quality of life. Methodology: A convenient sample of HIV positive patients at Parirenyatwa group of hospitals' Family Care Clinic (Harare; Zimbabwe) was enrolled. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the adverse event experiences of the patients using herbal remedies for their HIV; as well as the types of herbal remedy used. Quality of life index was measured using an HIV/AIDS targeted quality of life (HAT-QOL) tool developed by the World Health Organization. Results: Abdominal pain (odds ratio = 2.7; p-value = 0.01) and rash (odds ratio = 2.5; p-value = 0.02) had significant associations with using herbal remedies during antiretroviral therapy. Improved quality of life index was not significantly associated with herbal remedy use during antiretroviral therapy. Conclusions: There is evidence to suggest that some traditional herbal remedies used in Zimbabwe may increase incidence of certain types of adverse events when used in combination with antiretroviral drugs. Use of herbal drugs in combination with antiretroviral therapy does not significantly improve quality of life index in comparison to antiretroviral drug use only

Promoting African Medicinal Plants through an African Herbal Pharmacopoeia

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 Africanmedicinal plants

Towards sustainable local production of traditional medicines in the African Region

The majority of the population in the WHO African Region and other developing countries; particularly rural dwellers use plant-based traditional medicines for health care. Most developing countries are endowed with vast resources of medicinal and aromatic plants; which have been used over centuries for the treatment of diseases. The global resurgence of interest in herbal medicines has created a large market for plant derived remediesthat developing countries could exploit to their advantage; provided they could be produced with acceptable quality and safety specifications. This article highlights the current limitations of traditional medicinal productsin the Member States; the essential requirements for the local production of traditional medicines; the status of local production in WHO African Region; approaches to sourcing plant raw materials as well as challenges. Methods for value addition; processing and product improvement for the commercial utilization of medicinal plants are indicated

Intellectual property approaches to the protection of traditional knowledge in the African Region

Traditional knowledge has played a significant role in the healthcare systems in countries of the African Region for centuries. Traditional medicines are presently used by nearly 80of the population. Owing to the global resurgence in the use of natural products and the advent of the biotechnological industry; traditional knowledge is increasingly becoming a source of modern drug development and biotechnological inventions. Despite the important role of traditional knowledge; traditional communities are unable to protect their knowledge through the existing intellectual property system owing to the failure of the knowledge to satisfy the requirements for intellectual property protection; incompatibility in most cases between the traditional knowledge concepts and intellectual property as well as the prohibitive costs involved in patent registration. Studies conducted recently and the outcomes of global debates have suggested some policy and legal approaches that can be used to effectively protect traditional knowledge; including traditional medicine. This paper discusses conceptsof traditional knowledge and provides policy and legal measures that have been developed at the international and regional levels for the protection and utilization of traditional knowledge for the benefit of the knowledge holders and society at large

In Vivo Anti-Malarial Activities of Clerodendrum Myricoides; Dodonea Angustifolia and Aloe Debrana against Plasmodium Berghei

Background:Malaria caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum is an acute disease which kills an estimated 863;000 people per year according to the WHO report of 2009. The fight against malaria is faced with the occurrence of widespread resistance of P. falciparum. The search for plant-derived antimalarial drugs has great importance in this regard. Thus this study evaluates the toxicity and antimalarial activity of extracts of Clerodendrum myricoides; Dodonia angustifolia and Aloe debrana. Method: Acute and sub acute toxicity studies of the extracts were carried out by giving up to 3000mg/kg to noninfected mice. Weight loss; change in general behavior and mortality were used as indicators of toxicity. Doses of 200; 400 et 600mg/kg/day of each extract of C.myricoides; D. dodonia and A.debrana were given orally to Plasmodium berghei infected mice following the four-day suppressive test procedure. Results: None of the extracts caused symptoms of toxicity at the given doses. Each extract showed variable level of parasitaemia suppression in dose related manner. Methanol extract of C. myricoides leaves exerted 82.50suppression at the dose of 600mg/kg. The methanol extract of the root of D. angustifolia showed the highest (84.52) suppression of parasitaemia at the dose of 600mg/kg. Furthermore; methanol extract of A. debrana induced 73.95suppression; whereas its water extract exerted 54.36suppression of parasitaemia. Conclusion: Crude extracts of C. myricoides; D. angustifolia and A.debrana caused strong activities against P. berghei indicating that they contain some chemical constituents that possibly lead to antimalarial drug development

Documentation on Medicinal Plants Sold in Markets in Publications; Nigeria

Purpose: To document the medicinal values; local names; method of preparation; dosage forms and parts of common medicinal plants sold in some markets in Abeokuta; Nigeria. Methods: Ethnobotanical data were collected by oral interview and with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered to men; women and young girls. The data from respondents from the five local markets surveyed were documented. Results: The results show that a total of 60 medicinal plant species are commonly used by the people of Abeokuta in their traditional health care system. Most of the plant materials were in dried form and sold singly or in combination with other plants and are used in the treatment of various ailments such as malaria; hypertension; typhoid; jaundice; hyperthermia; skin irritations; dysentery; anaemia; gonorrhea; cough; measles and fibroid. A majority of the plants were trees. The respondents were women (64.3); young girls (28.5) and men (7.14). Conclusion: The findings support the need to encourage domestication and cultivation of medicinal plants as well as put in place conservation measures to ensure sustainable source of medicinal plants

Physicochemical Analysis of the Aqueous Extracts of Six Nigerian Medicinal Plants

Purpose: Extracts of Picralima nitida seeds; Detarium microcarpum stem bark; Aframomum melagueta seeds; Terminalia catappa leaves; Acacia nilotica pods; and Morinda lucida stem bark; are under consideration for development into suitable dosage forms for treating diabetes mellitus; sickle cell anemia and malaria. This study aimed at evaluating the extracts for features that would influence decisions on them in the course of the project. Methods: Physicochemical determinations; including proximate analysis; were done by sensory examination; and gravimetric and electrochemical techniques. Thin layer chromatography was carried out with normal silica plates using various solvent systems. Metallic content analyses were carried out by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: The extracts were dry but hygroscopic; with a loss on drying range of 0.26 - 12.00w/w. The pH of the 5 - 10solutions ranged 5 - 7. No harsh sensory effects; such as lacrimation; were detected in any of the extracts. Total ash ranged from 3.79 - 20.68w/w; while acid insoluble ash values were below detection. The extracts yielded reproducible chromatograms on normal silica plates developed with various solvent systems. Copper; present at 0.16 - 0.58 mg/100g; was the lowest occurring microelement while calcium content was highest; at 41 - 216 mg/100g. The level of lead; a heavy metal; was 0.05 - 0.22 mg/100g. Conclusion: The results confirm that the extracts require no special handling; possess characteristics that would allow their possible development into solid dosage forms; and that their lead contents complied with official limits

Antibacterial Effect of Some Nigerian Medicinal Plants on Drug-Resistant Salmonella Species Isolated from Enviromental Sources

Sensitivity of Salmonella species isolated from different environmental sources to the extracts of Azadirachita indica; Psdium guajava; Kigelia africana and Aloe microcarpa was investigated. Susceptiblity of the isolates to amoxicillin; ofloxacin; tetracycline; gentamicin; nalixidic acid; nitrofuratoin and cotrimoxazone was also examined. The sensitivity assay was done using agar dilution technique at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 20v/v. The concentration of all the extracts of the experimental plants that inhibited the growth of Salmonella species ranged from 10 to 20v/v with minimum inhibitory concentration of 5.0v/v. All the extracts at concentration of 20v/v exhibited 100growth inhibition on Salmonella isolates. All the isolates exhibited resistance patterns ranging from 50 to 100against the antibiotics examined. Anti-nutrients constituents detected in all the plants materials were alkaloids (1.29-3.57); tannins (4.69-6.33); saponins (2.45-7.57); phenols (0.26- 0.60) and Flavonoids 0.41-1.00. The need to source for anti-typhoidal drugs from medicinal plants is discussed

Phytochemical Screening and Quantification of Flavonoids from Leaf Extract of Jatropha Curcas Linn

Background: The Jatropha curcas L.(Euphorbiaceae) herb is found in SouthWest; Nigeria and other parts of West Africa; and is claimed to possess anti-hypertensive property. Objective: The phytochemical screening and flavonoid quantification of the leaf extract of Jatropha curcas Linn were studied. Methods: The phytochemical screening of the methanolic leaf extract of J. curcas L. was carried using acceptable and standard methods. The flavonoid contents of the leaf extract of Jatropha curcas L. were determined using thin layer chromatography (TLC); infrared spectroscopy (IRS) and a reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of the leaves of the plant shows the presence of alkaloids; cardiac glycosides; cyanogenic glycosides; phlobatannins; tannins; flavonoids and saponins. To quantify the flavonoid contents of leaf extract of Jatropha curcas L ; extracts from the plant samples where examined in a C-18 column with UV detection and isocratic elution with acetonitrile; water (45:55). Levels of flavonoids (flavones) in leaves ranged from 6:90 to 8:85 mg / g dry weight. Conclusion : Results indicate that the methanolic extract of the leaves of Jatropha curcas L. contains useful active ingredients which may serve as potential drug for the treatment of diseases. In addition; a combination of TLC; IRS and HPLC can be used to analyse and quantify the flavonoids present in the leaves of Jatropha curcas L

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

Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activities of some Selected Medicinal Plants Used for Malaria Therapy in Southwestern Nigeria

Purpose: Oxidative stress has been shown to play an important role in the development of anaemia in malaria. Indeed; increase in total antioxidant status has been shown to be important in recovery from malaria. The antioxidant activities of four medicinal plants traditionally used in the treatment of malaria in southwestern Nigeria were determi- ned. Methods: The ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Carica papaya Linn. [Caricaceae] ; stem bark of Magnifera indica Linn. [Anacardiaceae]; leaves of Psidium guajava Linn. [Myrtaceae] and the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina Del. [Compositae]; were used in the present study. The plant parts commonly used in the locality in malaria therapy were employed in this study. The plants were screened for the presence of phytochemicals and; their effect on 2;2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH) was used to determine their free radical scavenging activity. Results: Phytochemical screening of the plants showed the presence of flavonoids; terpenoids; saponins; tannins and reducing sugars. M. indica did not contain cardiac glycosides and alkaloids while; P. guajava also showed the absence of alkaloids and anthraquinones. Anthraquinones was similarly absent from V. amygdalina. Concentrations of the plant extracts required for 50inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging effect (IC50) were recorded as 0.04 mg/ml; 0.313 mg/ml; 0.58 mg/ml; 2.30 mg/ml and 0.054 mg/ml for P. guajava; M. Indica; C. papaya; V. amygdalina and Vitamin C; respectively. Conclusion : All the plants showed potent inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging activity; P. guajava being the most potent. The free radical scavenging (antioxidant) activities of these plants probably contribute to the effectiveness of the above plants in malaria therapy

Ethno-Medicinal Plants and Methods used by Gwandara Tribe of Sabo Wuse in Niger State; Nigeria; to Treat Mental Ilness

The Gwandara people of Sabo Wuse in Niger State; Nigeria are the original inhabitants of Wuse in Abuja Municipal Area Council. They were resettled at this present location of Sabo Wuse from Wuse in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja when the seat of government moved from Lagos to Abuja 30 years ago. Sabo Wuse still remains relatively a remote settlement and their lifestyle unchanged. They still depend to a large extent on their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants to treat ailments. Ethnobotanical survey was conducted to identify and document methods traditionally utilized for treatment of mental illness and to expand the quality and quantity of information for research and development especially in the area of new drug discovery and development. About sixty seven (67) Traditional Medicine Practitioners were interviewed orally with use of questionnaire. From our survey; various methods were found to be used by the traditional medicine practitioners to treat mental illness and associated disorders. These include music; incantations and medicinal plants in various formulations - decoction; powder; infusion - which are administered in various ways like fumigation; inhalation; bathing; steaming and drinking. Eighteen plant species belonging to twelve different families were documented to be included in these therapies. In conclusion; there is an array of plants used locally to treat mental illness and it is recommended that such surveys should be funded and leads for drugs to treat mental illness obtained from such; at the same time documenting our indigenous knowledge

Antibacterial Screening of Aegle Marmelos; Lawsonia Inermis and Albizzia Libbeck

Three medicinal plant Aegle marmelos; Lawsonia inermis; Albizzia libbeck were extracted by soxhlet apparatus using petroleum ether; ethanol; chloroform and aqueous as solvent. Among those extract; the petroleum ether was considered as effective one. The extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and the three plants with four extracts were tested against three Gram positive bacteria (B.cereus; B.subtilis; S. aureus) and three Gram negative bacteria (E.coli; P.vulgaris; and P.aeruginosa) by disc diffusion method. Maximum inhibition (3.8cm) was recorded in Lawsonia inermis. It also showed inhibitory action against all the six pathogen tested. The zone of inhibition of the extracts was compared with the standard antibiotics Streptomycin and Spectinomycin. The study suggests that the plant is promising the development of phytomedicine for antimicrobial properties

Medicinal Plants useful for Malaria Therapy in Okeigbo; Ondo State; Southwest Nigeria

There is increasing resistance of malaria parasites to chloroquine; the cheapest and commonly used drug for malaria in Nigeria. Artemisin; a product from medicinal plant indigenous to China; based on active principle of Artemisia annua; has been introduced into the Nigerian market. However not much has been done to project antimalaria properties of indigenous medicinal plants. This study thus; has the main objective of presenting medicinal plants used for malaria therapy in Okeigbo; Ondo State; South west Nigeria. Focus group discussions and interview were held about plants often found useful for malaria therapy in the community. Fifty species (local names) including for example: Morinda lucida (Oruwo); Enantia chlorantha (Awopa); Alstonia boonei (Ahun); Azadirachta indica (Dongoyaro)and Khaya grandifoliola (Oganwo) plants were found to be in use for malaria therapy at Okeigbo; Southwest; Nigeria . The parts of plants used could either be the barks; roots; leaves or whole plants. The recipes also; could be a combination of various species of plants or plant parts. This study highlights potential sources for the development of new antimalarial drugs from indigenous medicinal plants found in Okeigbo; Nigeria