Alternative Medicines for HIV/AIDS in Resource-Poor Settings: Insight from Traditional Medicines Use in Sub- Saharan Africa

Purpose: To document the utilization of traditional medicines in managing human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) opportunistic infections in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: This study is based on a review of literature published in  scientific journals, books, reports from national, regional and international organizations, theses and conference papers obtained from libraries and electronic search of Google Scholar, ISI Web of Science, MEDLINE, Pubmed, Scopus and Science Direct.Results: A total of 79 medical conditions related to HIV/AIDS were treated using 74 plant species. The common diseases treated by herbal remedies were bacterial/fungal infections, boosting of appetite/immunity, cold/cough, cryptococcal meningitis, diarrhea, fever, herpes simplex/zoster, oral/oesopharyngeal candidiasis, skin infections/rash, tuberculosis and wounds. More than threequarters of the documented plant species (63 species, 85.1 %) have anti-HIV active compounds.Conclusion: This study reveals that traditional medicines are often used as alternative sources of medicines for HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Further investigations are needed to explore the bioactive compounds of these herbal medicines, aimed at exploring the bioactive compounds that can be developed into anti-HIV drugs.Keywords: Antiretroviral, HIV/AIDS, Sub-Saharan Africa, Traditional medicine

The genus Gloriosa (Colchicaceae) : ethnobotany, phylogeny and taxonomy

This thesis focuses on the ethnobotany, phylogeny and taxonomy of the genus Gloriosa L. over its distributional range. Some Gloriosa species are known to have economic and commercial value, but the genus is also well known for its complex alpha taxonomy. An appropriate taxonomy for this group is of great importance because it includes widely used species as traditional medicine, horticultural plants and sources of industrial and pharmaceutical chemical colchicine. The seeds and tubers of G. superba are valued as a commercial source of colchicine. The genus Gloriosa has considerable horticultural appeal because of the conspicuous inflorescence of its members and the ease with which taxa are propagated, introduced into new areas and hybridise in cultivation. G. carsonii, G. modesta, G. simplex and G. superba have been taken into cultivation as ornamental plants in several countries, including native countries of these species

Edible plants of urban domestic gardens in the Capricorn district, Limpopo Province, South Africa

This study conducted between May and October 2012, was aimed at investigating the contribution of urban domestic garden flora in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa to household food supply. Semi-structured interviews, observations and guided field walks with 62 participants were employed to obtain ethnobotanical data on edible plants growing in domestic gardens. Based on ethnobotanical information provided by the participants, botanical specimens were collected, numbered, pressed and dried for identification. A total of 51 edible plants belonging to 44 genera and 26 families was recorded. Plant parts identified as important sources of food included: edible fruits (26 species), leaves cooked as leafy vegetable (12 species), edible bulbs, roots and tubers (six species), culinary herbs or spice (five species), edible seeds (four species), edible stems (two species) and fruit juice made into local beer (one species). Food plants in urban domestic gardens contribute to the livelihoods needs of local people.National Research Foundation, South Africahttp://www.tropecol.comhb2017Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)Microbiology and Plant Patholog

MEDICINAL PLANTS USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS BY BAPEDI TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN THREE DISTRICTS OF THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

The present study was aimed at documenting medicinal plants used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) by the Bapedi traditional healers in three districts of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifty two traditional healers from 17 municipalities covering Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts were interviewed between January and July 2011. Twenty one medicinal plant species belonging to 20 genera and 18 families were documented. The majority (61.9%) are indigenous and the rest are exotics, found near homes as weeds or cultivated in home gardens as ornamentals or food plants. Hyacinthaceae, Moraceae and Rutaceae families were the most represented families in terms of species numbers (9.5% each). Herbs and trees (38% each) constituted the largest proportion of the growth forms of the medicinal plants used. Tuberculosis remedies were mostly prepared from leaves (34%) followed by roots (21%). The therapeutic claims made on medicinal plants used to treat TB by the Bapedi traditional healers are well supported by literature, with 71.4% of the species having anti-microbial properties or have similar ethno medicinal uses in other countries. This study therefore, illustrates the importance of medicinal plants in the treatment and management of TB in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

HERBAL MEDICINES USED BY BAPEDI TRADITIONAL HEALERS TO TREAT REPRODUCTIVE AILMENTS IN THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

The current study focussed on documenting the ethnobotanical knowledge of herbal medicines used by the Bapedi traditional healers to treat reproductive ailments in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Fifty one healers from 17 municipalities covering Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts of the Limpopo Province were interviewed between January and July 2011. Semi-structured interviews, observations and guided field surveys with the healers were employed. Thirty-six medicinal plant species belonging to 35 genera and 20 families were documented. The most used species were Zanthoxylum humile (25.5%), Catha edulis (21.6%), Ozoroa sphaerocarpa (15.7%), Hypoxis hemerocallidea (13.7%), Hypoxis obtusa (11.7%), Gomphocarpus fruticosus subsp. fruticosus and Gymnosporia senegalensis (9.8% each). The dominant growth forms among the reported medicinal plants were herbs (39%), followed by shrubs and trees with 33% and 28%, respectively. The preferred plant parts were roots (63.9%), followed by bark (13.9%), whole plant (11.1%), tubers (8.3%), bulbs (5.6%), fruits, leaves, stems and twigs (2.8% each). The majority of the species were used to treat gender specific reproductive ailments; while a minority were used for treating reproductive ailments of both genders. Twenty-two species (61.1%) are supported by reports of similar uses in other countries or have proven biological activity. This study illustrates that Bapedi traditional healers possess remarkable knowledge on medicinal plants used for treating and managing reproductive ailments

Taming the pandemic? The importance of homemade plant-based foods and beverages as community responses to COVID-19

Household responses to COVID-19 in different corners of the world represent the primary health care that communities have relied on for preventing and mitigating symptoms. During a very complex and confusing time, in which public health services in multiple countries have been completely overwhelmed, and in some cases even collapsed, these first-line household responses have been quintessential for building physical, mental, and social resilience, and for improving individual and community health. This editorial discusses the outcomes of a rapid-response preliminary survey during the first phase of the pandemic among social and community contacts in five metropolises heavily affected by the COVID-19 health crisis (Wuhan, Milan, Madrid, New York, and Rio de Janeiro), and in twelve rural areas or countries initially less affected by the pandemic (Appalachia, Jamaica, Bolivia, Romania, Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, Georgia, Turkey, Pakistan, Cambodia, and South Africa). We summarized our perspectives as 17 case studies, observing that people have relied primarily on teas and spices (“food-medicines”) and that there exist clear international plant favorites, popularized by various new media. Urban diasporas and rural households seem to have repurposed homemade plant-based remedies that they use in normal times for treating the flu and other respiratory symptoms or that they simply consider healthy foods. The most remarkable shift in many areas has been the increased consumption of ginger and garlic, followed by onion, turmeric, and lemon. Our preliminary inventory of food medicines serves as a baseline for future systematic ethnobotanical studies and aims to inspire in-depth research on how use patterns of plant-based foods and beverages, both “traditional” and “new”, are changing during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our reflections in this editorial call attention to the importance of ethnobiology, ethnomedicine, and ethnogastronomy research into domestic health care strategies for improving community health

The Therapeutic Potential of Anthocyanins : Current Approaches Based on Their Molecular Mechanism of Action

Anthocyanins are natural phenolic pigments with biological activity. They are well-known to have potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity, which explains the various biological effects reported for these substances suggesting their antidiabetic and anticancer activities, and their role in cardiovascular and neuroprotective prevention. This review aims to comprehensively analyze different studies performed on this class of compounds, their bioavailability and their therapeutic potential. An in-depth look in preclinical, in vitro and in vivo, and clinical studies indicates the preventive effects of anthocyanins on cardioprotection, neuroprotection, antiobesity as well as their antidiabetes and anticancer effects

Turmeric and Its Major Compound Curcumin on Health: Bioactive Effects and Safety Profiles for Food, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Medicinal Applications

Curcumin, a yellow polyphenolic pigment from the Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) rhizome, has been used for centuries for culinary and food coloring purposes, and as an ingredient for various medicinal preparations, widely used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. In recent decades, their biological activities have been extensively studied. Thus, this review aims to offer an in-depth discussion of curcumin applications for food and biotechnological industries, and on health promotion and disease prevention, with particular emphasis on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective effects. Bioavailability, bioefficacy and safety features, side effects, and quality parameters of curcumin are also addressed. Finally, curcumin’s multidimensional applications, food attractiveness optimization, agro-industrial procedures to offset its instability and low bioavailability, health concerns, and upcoming strategies for clinical application are also covered

CULTIVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN ZIMBABWE: A STRATEGY FOR MEETING LOCAL TRADITIONAL MEDICINE NEEDS

Zimbabwe is endowed with a wide variety of natural resources which include potent medicinal products. Medicinal plants are traded nationally and constitute a recognized source of local traditional medicine needs and income generating activity. A combination of participatory and formal research methods were used to collect data on the ease of cultivation, management, medicinal value and importance of Warburgia salutaris and Moringa oleifera, the two widely used medicinal plants in Zimbabwe. Local people were found to combine a variety of livelihood strategies guided by perceived cost-benefit relationships with the two species. A crucial transition has taken place in the country where destructive farming practices have been replaced by new and improved cultivation methods which raise Warburgia and Moringa without destroying natural systems on which agriculture ultimately depends. Preliminary economic analysis strongly shows that expanded Warburgia production, particularly in the context of small holder agriculture is clearly economically attractive and conducive to improving rural incomes and livelihoods [1]. Cultivation of Warburgia and Moringa by small- scale farmers in Zimbabwe appears to be a short-term way of providing medicinal material. Medium and long-term sustainable management of the two species should involve their cultivation as commercial crops. This would diversify farming operations, enhancing the income generation potential of the land, thus helping to provide jobs and alleviate poverty in Zimbabwe and creating new opportunities for local farmers, as both urban and rural populations in Zimbabwe are highly dependent on medicinal plants for their primary health care. [1] Veeman, T.: Muranga returns: the economics of producing a rare medicinal species reintroduced in south-eastern Zimbabwe. In: Campbell, B.M. and Luckert, M.K. (eds.). Uncovering the hidden harvest: valuation methods for woodland and forest resources. Earthscan, London, UK, 146-148 (2002)