Traditional Medicine In South Africa Research Articles

The in vitro pharmacological activities and a chemical investigation of three South African Salvia species

Salvia species (sage) are well known in folk medicine throughout the world. In South Africa sage is used against fever and digestive disorders. Three closely related South African species ( Salvia stenophylla, Salvia repens and Salvia runcinata) were investigated for their anti-oxidant (DPPH assay); anti-inflammatory (5-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase assays); antimalarial (tritiated hypoxanthine incorporation assay); antimicrobial (disc diffusion and micro-dilution assays) properties and toxicity profile (tetrazolium-based assay). The solvent extracts exhibited anti-oxidant, antimalarial and antibacterial and poor anti-inflammatory properties. The essential oils exhibited anti-inflammatory and antimalarial properties, but displayed poor anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activity. The extract of Salvia stenophylla and the essential oil of Salvia runcinata displayed the highest toxicity profile. Overall, Salvia runcinata displayed the most favorable activity of all three taxa tested with an IC 50 value of 6.09 (anti-oxidant); 29.05 (antimalarial) and 22.82 μg/ml (anti-inflammatory). Analytical procedures (GC–MS and HPLC-UV) were employed to generate chromatographic profiles for the essential oils and solvent extracts respectively. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid in all three taxa while carnosic acid was only present in Salvia repens and Salvia stenophylla. The GC–MS analysis showed that oils were qualitatively and quantitatively variable. β-Caryophyllene was present in large amounts in all three taxa. Other components present include camphor, α-pinene and α-bisabolol. The results of the in vitro pharmacological activities provide a scientific basis to validate the use of these Salvia species in traditional medicine in South Africa.

A Pharmacognostical Study of 26 South African Plant Species Used as Traditional Medicines

An estimated 70% of all South Africans use traditional medicines derived from plant species indigenous to the region. In order to formalize the position of these medicines within the state health care system, a necessary first step is the establishment of standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. With this objective in mind, pharmaceutical monographs for 60 plant species used as traditional medicines in South Africa were drawn up according to WHO guidelines. The results of some of this work are reported here, focusing in particular on 26 species belonging to Asteraceae, Geraniaceae, and Lamiaceae, families well represented in indigenous traditional medical practice. Quality standards for the identification of these species, established using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and traditional microscopy, are given. The results of investigations, using the disk assay method, of their efficacy as antimicrobial agents are reported. Secondary chemical profiles, drawn up using standard techniques in pharmacognosy, are shown and discussed with reference to the known bioactivity of each chemical class.

BIOTECHNOLOGY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS-CASE STUDIES FROM SOUTH AFRICA

In South Africa traditional medicine fulfills the primary health care needs of a large proportion of the urban and rural population. Most of the plants and/or plant parts used by traditional healers are collected in the wild. The increasing population needing plant material has lead to severe pressure on the different environments. Several tree species, where the bark is used for treatment of pain and infections, are under severe threat. We have shown that Ocotea bullata and Warburgia salutaris have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties respectively. Attempts are being made to micropropagate these very valuable trees. The majority of plant material sold at medicinal plant markets are bulbs. Many of the medicinal plants also have potential as future horticultural plants. Amongst these are Boweia, Crinum, Scilla, Eucomis, Hypoxis and Oxalis species. Comparative studies of pharmacological properties have shown that all parts of Eucomis plants have high anti-inflammatory activity. From Hypoxis species a compound rooperol, with promising anticancer activity has been isolated. All these bulbous plants need to be conserved as their environments are being destroyed or they are indiscriminately harvested from the wild. Biotechnological approaches are being used to help with their conservation and sustainable utilization.

The inappropriate use of traditional medicines in South Africa

Traditional medicines are culturally very important to the Zulu population of Southern Africa. The inappropriate use of herbs has however, resulted in numerous fatalities, invariably in children. This paper briefly summarises the belief of the Zulu population in traditional remedies, together with an outline of the problems at present being experienced in South Africa. A further note on the personal impressions and experiences of the authors and description of one such toxic herbal remedy, including use, toxic action and research carried out to date, are also given.