Role Of Traditional Medicine Research Articles

Medicinal Plants Knowledge and Traditional Healing Practices of Mentawai Indigenous People in Indonesia: An Ethnomedicine Approach

Background: Medicinal plants have an important role in traditional medicine. Mentawai ethnic in Mentawai islands is one of the indigenous tribes in Indonesia that have strong traditional practices. However, little information is known about the medicinal plants that they use. This study aims to analyze medicinal ingredients used by Mentawai people seen from ethnomedicine and modern pharmacology perspectives. Methods: Data was collected through observations and interviews with key informants in Madobag village, Mentawai Regency, Indonesia. Results: Most of the medicinal plants according to the informant (Sikerei)were used for treating swelling, new wounds, and lymphatic diseases. Based on modern pharmacology literature, some of the plants used by the Mentawai people have the properties of antimicrobial, antiinflammation, and antioxidants. Conclusion: Traditional healer in Mentawai islands has knowledge of medicinal plants even though some of them do not correspond to the modern pharmaceutical science.

Role of traditional medicines as a challenge for Coronavirus (Covid-19)

The most countries in the World are facing the problem of disease caused by Noval coronavirus (covid-19) with symptoms of higher grade flu like symptoms or with no symptom. The infection is spreading through contact with the person suffered from coronavirus symptoms like sneezing, high fever, cough and ultimately blockade of respiratory system. Sometimes symptoms of diarrhea and dysentery were also detected at advanced stage of the disease. Till now any effective medicine or vaccine could not be developed for the prevention and getting relief. Only trial and error by applying some antimalarial drugs chloroquine hydroxide alongwith some other antiviral infections is used and up to 38% are being recovered in India as well as other countries. Under such circumstances strengthening immune system becomes only option for preventing from this viral disease and our traditional medicines are playing vital role for immunity strengthening. Accordingly, some herbs either singly or in combination form have been suggested as preventive measure for coronavirus through this communication.

Environmental impact on the variability in quality of Gentiana rigescens, a medicinal plant in southwest China

Medicinal plants play an important role in traditional medicine and new drug development, but the increased use of wild plant-based traditional medicine presents a potential biodiversity conservation threat. A better understanding of environmental factors on bioactive compounds in medicinal plants is necessary to ensure the suitability of cultivation location, the sustainability of market supply, and the future conservation of the wild populations. Gentiana rigescens Franch. ex Hemsl. has been used as a medicinal plant in China for hundreds of years due to containing iridoid glycoside compounds, but we knew little about how these compounds respond to environmental changes. We therefore investigated the accumulation and distribution of four iridoid glycosides (loganic acid, sweroside, swertiamarin, and gentiopicroside) in G. rigescens individuals from 28 wild populations in the elevation range of 1260–2978 m in southwest China. We also analyzed the impact of environmental factors (geography, climate, and soil) on the content of gentiopicroside (the dominant compound) in this species. We found significant variations of the contents of the four iridoid glycosides in each part of G. rigescens among populations (p < 0.05), and the gentiopicroside contents showed higher variability in the aboveground part (stem, leaf, and flower), when compared with the content in root. Meanwhile, the root gentiopicroside content was negatively correlated with the contents in other parts of the plant individual. The masses and mass ratios of the four iridoid glycosides also varied among different plant parts among populations. In roots, gentiopicroside dominated the mass proportion of the four iridoid glycosides, while the mass proportions of the four iridoid glycosides varied differently in other plant parts (stem, leaf, and flower). The gentiopicroside content in the root was negatively correlated with latitude and soil C:N ratio, but it was positively correlated with mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, soil N:P ratio, and soil N content. However, the effect of climate change on the quality (gentiopicroside content) of G. rigescens materials may be complicated to predict due to the future global warming and spatial heterogeneity of precipitation on the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau. Our study demonstrates the comprehensive influence of environmental factors on the gentiopicroside contents in G. rigescens. The findings have implications for understanding the environmental impact on the bioactive compounds in medicinal Gentiana plants. Further study is needed on how environmental factors influence on the gene expression of iridoid glycoside biosynthesis.

Plants used as medicinal in Güémez, Tamaulipas, north-eastern Mexico

The use of medicinal plants in Mexico has a diverse and deeply-rooted tradition concerning. Plants play an important role in traditional medicine among the inhabitants of Güémez, Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico. With the aim of obtaining quantitative information on the plants and their uses as medicinal sources, semi-structured interviews with 113 local residents were taken. In addition, Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Use Value (UV) were calculated. A total of 85 species of medicinal plants belonging to 44 families were identified. The most common families were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Euphorbiaceae. The most used part of the plant was the leaf and the most frequent preparation method was boiling, preparing as an infusion. A total of 50 medicinal uses were registered. Fever had highest ICF (0.93), whereas, according to UV, the most important plants were Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt., Mentha spicata L., Matricaria recutita L. and Achillea millefolium L. The information generated strengthens traditional knowledge, bringing new species and uses to the country´s records for future phytochemical studies that could lead to new medicines.

Establishment and elicitation of transgenic root culture of Plantago lanceolata and evaluation of its anti-bacterial and cytotoxicity activity

Hairy root induction in Plantago lanceolata was optimized to take advantage of transformed root cultures. The highest frequency of transformation was achieved using leaf explant, A4 strain, pre-cultivation of explant, 150 µM Acetosyringone, 5 min inoculation, half-strength Murashige and Skoog basal medium as co-cultivation, and half-strength Gamborg′s basal medium as a selective medium with 3% sucrose. Among the studied compound encompassing gallic acid, catalpol and apigenin, only the production of gallic acid in hairy roots was affected by 20 mg L−1 AgNO3 and 100 mg L−1 chitosan at 24 hr which yielded 7.63, 4.76-fold increase in its content, respectively. The methanolic extracts of hairy roots elicited by 20 mg L−1 AgNO3 exhibited anti-bacterial activity (MIC and MBC = 25 mg mL−1) against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and Salmonella typhi and anti-bacterial potential of non-elicited hairy roots of P. lanceolata (MIC = 25 mg mL−1 and MBC = 35 mg mL−1) were more active against Klebsiella pneumoniae and P. vulgaris than other bacteria. The methanolic extracts of the P. lanceolata hairy roots demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity on colorectal carcinoma cell line (SW-480) with IC50 = 250.65 ± 6.8 µg mL−1 in comparison to human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) with IC50 = 5263.65 ± 4.6 µg mL−1. Plantago lanceolata hairy roots showed important biological activity explaining its role in traditional medicine.

COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Traditional Medicine

COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Traditional Medicine

Ethnobotany and Antimicrobial Peptides From Plants of the Solanaceae Family: An Update and Future Prospects.

The Solanaceae is an important plant family that has been playing an essential role in traditional medicine and human nutrition. Members of the Solanaceae are rich in bioactive metabolites and have been used by different tribes around the world for ages. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from plants have drawn great interest in recent years and raised new hope for developing new antimicrobial agents for meeting the challenges of antibiotic resistance. This review aims to summarize the reported AMPs from plants of the Solanaceae with possible molecular mechanisms of action as well as to correlate their traditional uses with reported antimicrobial actions of the peptides. A systematic literature study was conducted using different databases until August 2019 based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to literature, a variety of AMPs including defensins, protease inhibitor, lectins, thionin-like peptides, vicilin-like peptides, and snaking were isolated from plants of the Solanaceae and were involved in their defense mechanism. These peptides exhibited significant antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity against organisms for both plant and human host. Brugmansia, Capsicum, Datura, Nicotiana, Salpichora, Solanum, Petunia, and Withania are the most commonly studied genera for AMPs. Among these genera, Capsicum and the Solanum ranked top according to the total number of studies (35%–38% studies) for different AMPs. The mechanisms of action of the reported AMPs from Solanaceae was not any new rather similar to other reported AMPs including alteration of membrane potential and permeability, membrane pore formation, and cell aggregation. Whereas, induction of cell membrane permiabilization, inhibition of germination and alteration of hyphal growth were reported as mechanisms of antifungal activity. Plants of the Solanaceae have been used traditionally as antimicrobial, insecticidal, and antiinfectious agents, and as poisons. The reported AMPs from the Solanaceae are the products of chemical shields to protect plants from microorganisms and pests which unfold an obvious link with their traditional medicinal use. In summary, it is evident that AMPs from this family possess considerable antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacterial and fungal pathogens and can be regarded as a potential source for lead molecules to develop new antimicrobial agents.

The activity of the leaf essential oil of Philippine Piper betel against dermatophytes and Candida albicans

Superficial mycotic infections are treatable conditions and they rank as the third most common illness globally, next to headaches and tooth decays. Piper betel L. is an aromatic plant with heart-shaped leaves that play a role in traditional medicine. This study harnessed the antidermatophytic potential of the essential oil extracted from the leaves of Piper betel, PBLO, Philippine variety. Using serial twofold dilutions of PBLO, including selected PBLO constituents, to challenge Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and clinical isolates of filamentous dermatophytes, results indicate that the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, MIC, of the essential oil extract was 625 ug/ml for C. albicans and MICs of &lt;156 ug/ml for Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton tonsurans. Data on known PBLO constituents suggest that eugenol plays a major role in PBLO’s antidermatophytic activity, followed by chavicol. Chavicol and eugenol exhibited the same MIC, 625 ug/ml, against C. albicans ATCC 10231. A eugenol MIC of &lt;156 ug/ml was observed against M. canis, T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, and T. tonsurans; and 312.5 ug/ml against M. gypseum. Chavicol MICs of 312.5 ug/ml and 625 ug/ml were observed against Trichophyton spp. and Microsporum spp., respectively. Results of the study suggest the potential of P. betel essential oil as an alternative to conventional antifungals for the treatment of dermatophytosis. With the presence of many active constituents in PBLO essential oil, antifungal resistance is unlikely to happen, as multiple mutations will be required to overcome the mechanism/s of action of each of these constituents.

Ethnomedicinal survey and in vitro confirmation of anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties of the termite strain Macrotermes bellicosus used in traditional medicine in the Republic of Benin.

Ethnopharmacological relevanceInsects and insect-derived products play a vital role in traditional medicine in many parts of the world since ancient times. Among these insects, fungus-growing termites like Macrotermes bellicosus (M. bellicosus) are widely used in nutrition and traditional medicine in various societies of sub-Saharan Africa. Aim of the studyAim of the present study was to explore the traditional applications of M. bellicosus and subsequently investigate the anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic activity of samples collected in Benin. Material and methodsAn ethnomedicinal survey with thirty active healers in Benin was conducted and the anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanolic extract of M. bellicosus was investigated. Thus, LPS-induced TNFα release from differentiated human macrophages (THP-1) and IL-8 release from cytokine (IL-1β/TNFα/IFNγ)-challenged human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, the influence of M. bellicosus extract on basal tone and induced contractions in isolated rat small intestinal preparations was determined to examine the influence on intestinal motility. ResultsThe survey of 30 active healers demonstrated that M. bellicosus and its products (termites’ mound and fungus comb) are used in Benin for therapeutic purposes mainly to treat infectious and inflammatory diseases including digestive disorders, snake bites and diarrhea. It was found that M. bellicosus extract inhibited both LPS-induced TNFα release from human macrophages and cytokine-induced IL-8 release from intestinal epithelial cells comparable to budesonide. In addition, isometric contraction measurement with isolated rat small intestinal preparations demonstrated a mild spasmolytic effect of the termite extract in higher concentrations with a suppression of induced contractions and relaxation of basal tone. ConclusionM. bellicosus which is used in traditional medicine in Benin to treat infectious and inflammatory diseases showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine release and a moderate influence on intestinal motility.

Review: Southern African medicinal plants used as blood purifiers.

Blood purification practices, also referred to as blood cleansing or detoxification, is an ancient concept which is widespread amongst African traditional medicine, but for which no modern scientific basis exists. There prevails considerable ambiguity in defining what a blood purifier is. The purpose of this review is to firstly define what a blood purifier is in the context of African traditional medicine and compare to other cultural and westernized interpretations. Thereafter, this study identifies traditionally used medicinal plants used as blood purifiers in southern Africa and correlates these species to scientific studies, which may support evidence for these "blood purifying plant species". Ethnobotanical books and review articles were used to identify medicinal plants used for blood purification. Databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed and Google Scholar were used to source scientific articles. An evaluation was made to try correlate traditional use to scientific value of the plant species. One hundred and fifty nine plant species have been documented as traditional remedies for blood purification. Most of the plant species have some pharmacological activity, however, very little link to the traditional use for blood purification. There has been some justification of the link between blood purification and the use as an antimicrobial and this has been explored in many of the plant species identified as blood purifiers. Other pharmacological studies specifically pertaining to the blood require further attention. Irrespective of the ambiguity of interpretation, medicinal plants used to "cleanse the blood", play an important holistic role in traditional medicine and this review with recommendations for further study provides some value of exploring this theme in the future.

Predictive Binding Affinity of Plant-Derived Natural Products Towards the Protein Kinase G Enzyme of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtPknG).

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a growing public health concern worldwide, especially with the emerging challenge of drug resistance to the current drugs. Efforts to discover and develop novel, more effective, and safer anti-TB drugs are urgently needed. Products from natural sources, such as medicinal plants, have played an important role in traditional medicine and continue to provide some inspiring templates for the design of new drugs. Protein kinase G, produced by M. tuberculosis (MtPKnG), is a serine/threonine kinase, that has been reported to prevent phagosome-lysosome fusion and help prolong M. tuberculosis survival within the host’s macrophages. Here, we used an in silico, target-based approach (docking) to predict the interactions between MtPknG and 84 chemical constituents from two medicinal plants (Pelargonium reniforme and Pelargonium sidoides) that have a well-documented historical use as natural remedies for TB. Docking scores for ligands towards the target protein were calculated using AutoDock Vina as the predicted binding free energies. Ten flavonoids present in the aerial parts of P. reniforme and/or P. sidoides showed docking scores ranging from −11.1 to −13.2 kcal/mol. Upon calculation of all ligand efficiency indices, we observed that the (−ΔG/MW) ligand efficiency index for flavonoids (4), (5) and (7) was similar to the one obtained for the AX20017 control. When taking all compounds into account, we observed that the best (−ΔG/MW) efficiency index was obtained for coumaric acid, coumaraldehyde, p-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. We found that methyl gallate and myricetin had ligand efficiency indices superior and equal to the AX20017 control efficiency, respectively. It remains to be seen if any of the compounds screened in this study exert an effect in M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages.

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Herbal Remedies Used for the Treatment of Cancer in the Greater Casablanca-Morocco.

Medicinal plants played an important role in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases since antiquities. The aim of the study is to carry out an ethnobotanical survey on medicinal plants used traditionally in cancer treatment in the region of Greater Casablanca-Morocco, and to enhance the traditional herbal medicine knowledge. 110 traditional healers in the study area were interviewed face to face to response a survey questionnaire including the names of plants used in cancer treatment, used parts, methods of preparation, and route of administration. Indices of Fidelity Level (FL), Use Value (UV), and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were calculated to identify the most effective plants used for cancer treatment. Eight species were specified including Aristolochia baetica, Aristolochia paucinervis, Bryonia dioica, Aquilaria malaccensis, Marrubium vulgare, Lavandula maroccana, Ephedra alata, and Euphorbia resinifera belonging to 7 families. Aristolochiaceae, Aquilariaceae, and Cucurbitaceae were the most useful families in cancer treatment with high significant indices of UV, FL, and RFC with values of 1, 100%, and 1, respectively. Roots and leaves were the most commonly used plant parts. Decoction and powder mixed with honey were the frequently used method for remedies preparation. The present study showed that the people living in Morocco's economic capital are still highly dependent on traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of cancer. Therefore, it seems that herbal medicine still plays a crucial role in the primary healthcare system for the local population. During this survey, it was reported that even some plant families are highly toxic for humans like Aristolochiaceae that are frequently used in cancer treatment in the study area. As many people still rely on natural traditional medicine considering (it is safe with no side effects), so combined effort between all social categories including scientists and traditional healers should be established for involving the scientific validity of the used plants in the treatment of diseases.

Traditional Medicine and Its Role in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: "Patients' and Herbalists' Perspectives".

Background Diabetes mellitus is a complicated health condition with multiple causes and many treatment options. Various myths may influence diabetics' health-seeking behavior, and they may use traditional medicines, which include normal foods and herbs, for primary health care. The aim of this study was to determine patients' and herbalists' practices and perspectives regarding the use of traditional medicines and the role of traditional medicines in the management of diabetes. Methods and Findings We conducted a cross-sectional study with a mixed-methods design. We interviewed 140 patients attending diabetic clinics using a structured questionnaire, conducted focus group discussions with an additional 20 diabetic patients, and conducted in-depth interviews with 8 local herbalists. The majority of the diabetic participants believed that diabetes is caused by a high-carbohydrate diet. Of the 140 participants who answered the questionnaire, 67.2% reported using traditional medicines to manage their diabetes, including 58.6% who reported using both conventional medicines and traditional medicines. Some participants believed that combining conventional and traditional medicines improved the effectiveness of treatment. Reasons given for using traditional medicines included the high cost of conventional treatment and the availability and accessibility of the traditional medicines. The most commonly used traditional medicines were indigenous vegetables and medicinal plant products including amalanth leaves, hare lettuce leaves, nightshade leaves, spider plant leaves, okra pods, moringa leaves and seeds, soursop leaves, black plum back, avocado seed, and lemongrass. Conclusion Patients and herbalists provided a range of perspectives regarding the use of traditional medicines to treat diabetes. Further research is needed to identify bioactive compounds present in commonly used traditional medicines and their efficacy.

A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine for wound healing is influencing mainstream medical practice. This systematic review evaluates the role of Calendula officinalis flower extract as monotherapy compared to control for wound healing in vivo. Searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Scopus (up to April 2018) with 14 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, comprising 7 animal experiments and 7 clinical trials. Findings from the review on acute wound healing showed faster resolution of the inflammation phase with increased production of granulation tissue in the test groups treated with extract. These findings were consistent in five animal studies and one randomized clinical trial. Chronic wound healing studies were varied. Two clinical control studies on venous ulcers demonstrated decreased ulcer surface area compared to controls. Another randomized clinical trial demonstrated no improvement for the calendula group in diabetic leg ulcer healing. Burn healing similarly showed mixed results. Two animal studies demonstrated a prophylactic effect for the administration of calendula extract prior to burn injury. A randomized clinical trial of patients suffering from partial to full thickness burns demonstrated no benefit for topical application of calendula extract compared to controls. Two randomized clinical trials assessed the potential for extract to prevent acute post radiation dermatitis, with one study showing improvements compared to trolamine, while the other found no improvement compared to aqua gel cream. Animal studies provide moderate evidence for improved recovery from the inflammation phase and increased production of granulation tissue in calendula extract treatment groups. This review identified some evidence for the beneficial effects of C. officinalis extract for wound healing, consistent with its role in traditional medicine. There is a need for larger, well-designed randomized control trials to assess the effect of calendula on wound healing including complications.

Effects of Rhodiola rosea and Panax ginseng on the Metabolic Parameters of Rats Submitted to Swimming.

Adaptogen-based plant formulations play an important role in traditional medicine and have been used in medical practice to increase the resistance of individuals. Rhodiola rosea (RR) and Panax ginseng (PG) exhibit adaptogenic properties and are related to the recovery of homeostasis and strengthen systems impaired by stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of RR and PG on metabolic profile and muscle damage parameters in Wistar rats submitted to swimming. Animals were divided according to the following: G1: control group; G2: group that was submitted to swimming; G3: group treated with PG; G4: group treated with PG and submitted to swimming; G5: treated with RR; and G6: treated with RR and submitted to swimming. At the end of the experimental protocol, groups G2, G4, and G6 practiced swimming for a period five times longer than during the previous 30 days. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were investigated, and no significant results were found in the groups. Nevertheless, animals treated with PG and RR reduced the levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). Our findings demonstrate that both PG and RR produced a significant reduction in the levels of CPK and LDH after physical stress, suggesting that they can be used to improve physical performance. For these reasons, we may say that these plants may be used to minimize the stress promoted by the practice of physical exercises.

Mental health issues among indigenous communities and the role of traditional medicine.

Mental health in indigenous communities is a relevant issue for the World Health Organization (WHO). These communities are supposed to live in a pure, clean and intact environment. Their real condition is far different from the imaginary; they are vulnerable populations living in difficult areas, exposed to pollution, located far from the health services, exposed to several market operations conducted to extract natural resources, facing criminal groups or illegal exploitation of land resources. These factors may have an impact on mental health of indigenous population. We reviewed all papers available on PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library until December 2018. We focused on those factors affecting the changes from a traditional to a post-modern society and reviewed data available on stress-related issues, mental distress affecting indigenous/aboriginal communities and the role of Traditional Medicine (TM). We reviewed articles from different countries hosting indigenous communities. The incidence of mental distress and related phenomena (e.g. collective suicide, alcoholism and violence) among indigenous populations is affected by political and socio-economic variables. The mental health of these populations is poorly studied and described even if mental illness indicators are somewhat alarming. TM still seems to have a role in supporting affected people and may reduce deficiencies due to poor access to medical insurance/coverage, psychiatry and psychotherapy. It would be helpful to combine TM and modern medicine in a healthcare model to face indigenous populations' health needs. This review confirms the impact of societal changes, environmental threats and exploitation of natural resources on the mental health of indigenous populations. Global Mental Health needs to deal with the health needs of indigenous populations as well as psychiatry needs to develop new categories to describe psychopathology related to social variance as recently proposed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5).

Refugee health problems in the central African subregion: The role of traditional medicine

This review focuses on the role that African Traditional Medicine can play in addressing the health problems of refugees in the central sub-region with focus on Cameroon. This paper is based on a review of literature on the influx of refugees and their well-being. Over 400 000 refugees live in Cameroon particularly in the Far North (Nigerians) and in the Eastern (Central Africans Refugees) Regions of Cameroon. About 80 per cent of the refugees arriving in Cameroon suffer from serious ailments such as malaria, diarrhea, anemia and respiratory tract infections, while more than 20 per cent of children are severely malnourished. To curb these diseases UNHCR and NGOs provide medications to refugees which often arrive late; some of which at times expire in stock or some different distribution centres run out of stock. An aid could come from Traditional Medicine Practitioners who have been very effective in management of disease conditions in refugee camps in some countries in the world. The Cameroon Traditional Medicine if well-developed will do same to act as first-aid before the arrival of conventional medicine or complement western medicine to manage patients who do not accept western medicine because of cultural believes. Cette revue met l’accent sur le rôle que peut jouer la Médecine Traditionnelle africaine sur l’amélioration de la santé des refugiées dans la sous-région, en se focalisant sur le Cameroun. Cet article est basé sur une revue de la littérature de l’afflux des réfugiés et leur bien-être. Plus de 400 000 réfugiées vivent au Cameroun, en particulier dans l’Extrême-Nord (Nigérians) et dans les régions de l’Est (Réfugiés centrafricains). Environ 80 % des refugiés qui arrivent au Cameroun souffrent de maladies graves telles que le paludisme, la diarrhée, l’anémie et les infections des voies respiratoires, tandis que 20 % des enfants souffrent de malnutrition grave. Pour lutter contre ces maladies, le HCR et les ONG fournissent aux réfugiés des médicaments qui malheureusement arrivent parfois en retard, certains d’entre eux expirent en stock et certains centres de distribution sont à court de stocks. Les praticiens de la Médecine Traditionnelle qui ont l’expérience de la gestion des maladies dans les camps des réfugiés de par le monde pourraient apporter une aide précieuse. La Médecine Traditionnelle camerounaise, si elle est bien développée fera pareil pour les soins de premiers secours avant l’arrivée de la Médecine Conventionnelle ou complètera la médecine occidentale pour traiter les patients refusent cette dernière pour des raisons culturelles.

Burden of cancer and role of traditional medicine in Burkina Faso

Burden of cancer and role of traditional medicine in Burkina Faso

Traditional knowledge systems and the role of traditional medicine in Jamaica.

Abstract Jamaica's national motto 'Out of Many, One People' reflects the country's multiracial past and the historic and ongoing influences that many cultures have had on the country's traditional knowledge systems (TKS) and traditional medicine (TM). This review explores Jamaican TKS and TM, from the earliest indigenous peoples to their use today. Historically, a significant proportion of the Jamaican population has relied on different forms of TM, and today 73% of Jamaicans self-medicate with plant-based medicines on a regular basis. Modern Jamaica effectively has a spectrum of healthcare provision operating between two healthcare systems, western biomedicine and TM, although the latter is often dismissed as lacking western scientific rigour. Crucial to the development of TKS and TM has been the island's abundant flora, including endemic, native and introduced plants, giving rise to a uniquely Jamaican vegetation. Following a declining oral tradition of transmission, Jamaican TKS and TM also face a concurrent loss of biological diversity that forms an indispensable constituent of these systems, making their conservation and protection a priority. Jamaica is poised to develop a natural health products' industry with the potential to contribute to national growth and development. However, for such development to flourish on an equitable basis across Jamaican society requires recognition of TKS, and legislation that protects TKS and the holders of TKS and guarantees fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the commercial use of these knowledge systems. At a time when the rights of indigenous peoples internationally are increasingly recognized, it is also important for Afro-descendant communities in the Caribbean and Latin America to achieve better recognition and to be incorporated into the dialogue on traditional, local and indigenous knowledge systems and their contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Chemical Diversity and Biological Activity of African Propolis.

Natural remedies have for centuries played a significant role in traditional medicine and continue to be a unique reservoir of new chemical entities in drug discovery and development research. Propolis is a natural substance, collected by bees mainly from plant resins, which has a long history of use as a folk remedy to treat a variety of ailments. The highly variable phytochemical composition of propolis is attributed to differences in plant diversity within the geographic regions from which it is collected. Despite the fact that the last five decades has seen significant advancements in the understanding of the chemistry and biological activity of propolis, a search of the literature has revealed that studies on African propolis to date are rather limited. The aim of this contribution is to report on the current body of knowledge of African propolis, with a particular emphasis on its chemistry and biological activity. As Africa is a continent with a rich flora and a vast diversity of ecosystems, there is a wide range of propolis phytochemicals that may be exploited in the development of new drug scaffolds.