16 - African Plants with Dermatological and Ocular Relevance

Abstract

The human body is equipped with many defense mechanisms which assist in keeping out potentially dangerous pathogens. Part of the body’s defense mechanism is the skin and eyes, which form part of the physical barriers. The skin contains keratinocytes, melanocytes, and antimicrobial peptides which defend against UV radiation, and provide important immune responses and antimicrobial activity. The eye contains enzymes in the tears which hydrolyze bacterial cell walls and contain immunological functions which are mainly present in the conjunctiva. The skin and eyes also play an important role in metabolizing xenobiotics through phase I and phase II enzyme reactions. However, there are many drugs and plants which can cause various side effects to the skin and eyes. The use of traditional African medicine still remains a great part of the African culture for the treatment of various skin and eye disorders, but safety and efficacy remain a concern. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the protective barriers of the skin and eyes as well as traditional African medicinal plants used in the treatment of skin and eye diseases.