Medicinal plants used by traditional healers to treat malignancies and other human ailments in Dalle District, Sidama Zone, Ethiopia

Do socioeconomic factors and local human preference determine the hybridization of knowledge in local medical systems?

BACKGROUND

Hybridization between the local medical systems (LMSs) and biomedicine has been the focus of different studies in ethnobiology, primarily due to the increasing access to biomedicine by indigenous peoples and local communities. Studies on hybridization allow for an understanding of the process of developing and evolving local knowledge systems. In this study, we propose a hybridization score to determine how individuals' socioeconomic characteristics and preference between LMS and biomedicine determine the complementarity of therapeutic options.

METHODS

We conducted semistructured interviews and applied free listing technique in a rural community in Northeast Brazil to assess the treatments the local population sought and which were preferred.

RESULTS

Our analyses showed that the level of schooling was the socioeconomic factor that negatively affected the hybridization process. Individuals with higher levels of schooling tended to prefer LMS strategies less and, consequently, showed a lower probability of hybridizing the two systems. Additionally, older people who preferred LMS strategies showed a greater tendency to adopt hybridization in human health-seeking behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide further evidence of the complementarity between different medical systems and demonstrate that socioeconomic factors can affect local knowledge and are responsible for differences in individual propensity to hybridize distinct medical systems.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to manage human ailments in Lay Gaint District, South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Northwestern Ethiopia

The aim of this work is to document and record the use of medicinal plants to treat various ailments in the study area. A total of 84 informants, consisting of 54 men and 30 women, between 35 and 80 years of age were chosen. Additionally, 20 key informants were deliberately selected for their expertise. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, group discussions, and guided field walks using semi-structured interview questions. Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using quantitative analytical tools such as preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, fidelity level and informant consensus factor. Forty-six medicinal plants belonging to 41 genera and 33 families were collected and identified. Brassicaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Polygonaceae had the highest abundance of medicinal plants used to treat various diseases in the study area. Most of the medicinal plants were herbs (43 %), followed by shrubs (35 %). The study revealed that leaves (45.7 %) were the most frequently used plant parts in the preparation of remedies. The most common mode of administration was oral ingestion (61 %), followed by dermal application (30 %). Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Allium sativum L.had the highest preference rank, whereas Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile was identified as the most popular medicinal plant due to its multipurpose use. while the value of fidelity level (FL) for medicinal plants in the study ranged from 34 % to 94 %. The study also identified several threats to medicinal plants in the study area, including charcoal production, overgrazing, and agricultural expansion. To prevent the eradication of these medicinal plants, the involvement of local communities in the management and conservation of plant resources is crucial.

Exploring Phytochemical Profile, Pharmaceutical Activities, and Medicinal and Nutritional Value of Wild Edible Plants in Ethiopia

In many parts of the world, wild edible plants (WEPs) constitute an essential component of the global food basket, providing an alternative source of wholesome and nourishing food. Ethiopia is one of countries of the world having largest concentrations of WEPs. In the country, various parts of WEPs, such as fruits, stems, leaves, tubers, roots, or entire plant sections, are frequently consumed and used as food sources for famine relief during seasonal food shortages, as well as for commercial purposes. WEPs have been also used in the country as sources of phytochemicals, traditional medicine, and pharmaceutical applications. Approximately 30%-40% of WEPs and over 413 different kinds of WEPs are commonly consumed by Ethiopians regularly. Most plant families utilized as WEPs are Moraceae, Fabaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Myrtaceae, Rosaceae, and Tiliaceae. The most widely used plant parts of WEPs were fruits. WEPs can be used as substitutes for traditional plant-based human diets because of their high nutritional value, which includes proteins, vitamins B2 and C, and low moisture content. This review focuses on using edible wild plants for pharmacological purposes, dietary supplements, and alternative medicine. Many obstacles prevent people from consuming WEPs, even when they are easily accessible and available. The use of WEPs must be encouraged by nutrition policies as one of the pillars of food and nutrition security. To increase yield, diversify the revenue streams of small-scale farmers, and protect the diminishing wild edible fruit resources, it is imperative to domesticate and enhance WEPs.

Ethnobotanical study of traditional medicinal plants used to treat human ailments in West Shewa community, Oromia, Ethiopia

Introduction: Plants have formed the basis of traditional medicine (TM) systems, which have been used for thousands of years. According to reports, one-quarter of the commonly used medicines contain compounds isolated from plants. This study aims to identify and document the plants for ethno-pharmacological use by the indigenous communities of West Shoa Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to November 2021 in West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The ethnobotanical data was collected from Ejere District, Ada Berga District, Dandi District, Ambo District, Ambo Town, Toke Kutaye District, and Bako Tibe District. A descriptive statistical method (percentage and/or frequency) was employed to summarize ethnobotanical data. Moreover, the informant consensus factor was computed. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software (Microsoft Corporation, 2016) and SPSS (version 25) were used to organize and analyze the data. Result: In the study area, a total of 51 families of medicinal plants with 108 Species were identified. Fabaceae 8 species, Asteraceae, Solanaceae and Lamiaceae each with 6 species and Cucurubitacieae 5 species were the frequently reported medicinal plants. The leaf (57.2%) was the most widely used medicinal plant parts, and oral administration (56.5%) was the most cited route of administration. In the present study, most of the medicinal plants were used fresh, which was (75%) and the most common disease the healers treated was gastrointestinal disease, followed by skin disease and febrile illness. The major threat to medicinal plants in the study area was agricultural expansion, which was reported by 30.6% of the respondents. The study area was rich in medicinal plants, Fabaceae which commonly used family. Conclusion: Most of the medication prepared by the traditional healers was taken orally and derived from the leaf part of the medicinal plant. Since this research is a preliminary study which will be used as a base for further study. The efficacy and safety of the medicinal plant claim should be studied in the future.

Traditional lore on the healing effects of therapeutic plants used by the local communities around Simien Mountains National Park, northwestern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Simien Mountain National Park is a world heritage site with spectacular landscapes and rich in floral diversity. Exploring the plethora of conventional wisdom regarding therapeutic flora for sustainable use and drug development is a timely endeavor. Thus, the present study was aimed at investigating therapeutic plant uses and conservation practices by the local communities dwelling in the vicinity of the Park.

METHODS

Eighty randomly selected general informants and 20 purposefully selected key informants were used to collect the traditional lore from 10 purposefully selected kebeles that border the Park. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews, guided field walks, group discussions and market surveys. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the basic information collected from the informants. An independent sample t test was computed to compare the knowledge variations among different informant groups. Clustering and ranking techniques were employed to validate traditional wisdom of informants.

RESULTS

Significant differences in traditional wisdom (P < 0.05) were observed only between general and key informants. Hundred thirteen therapeutic plant species belonging to 56 families were recorded. Asteraceae was the most species-rich family (10%). The majority of therapeutic species were collected from the wild (77%). Herbs and roots were the most preferred habit (47%) and plant parts (37%) for remedy preparation, respectively. Pounding was the most common preparation method (50.1%). The most frequently practiced route of administration was the oral route (48.1%). The highest Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) value (84%) was recorded for respiratory and febrile illnesses. Rumex nepalensis was the most preferred for the treatment of wounds, and Olea europaea subsp cuspidata was the first-ranked multipurpose plant.

CONCLUSION

The Park is rich in therapeutic species serving as a refuge for many endemic and endangered species associated with the local community rich medicinal traditional lore. Erosion of therapeutic plants, verbal transfer of the traditional wisdom and young generation negligence in acquiring traditional lore led to the deterioration of the long tradition of using therapeutic plants for health care. Endangered multipurpose therapeutic plants like Echinops kebericho should get conservation priority. Therapeutic plants with the highest ICF and fidelity level could be candidates for drug development.

Traditional ethnobotanical knowledge and ethnomedicinal use of plants in the Tropical Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Introduction

A wide range of floral resources are used in Ethiopia for primary healthcare. Unfortunately, due to inadequate documentation and the fact that they were verbally passed down from one generation to the next, these indigenous medicinal practices are being forgotten. The study's goal was to identify and record indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge of plant usage in the Abala Abaya District of Wolaita, Ethiopia.

Methods

The collection of ethnobotanical data used a cross-sectional research design involving focus group discussions and semistructured questionnaires between January 2021 and April 2022. From each selected kebele (ward; smallest administrative unit), 50 informants (a total of 200) were selected as representative sample using a systematic random sampling technique.

Results

More than 50 different human and animal illnesses have been documented to be treated by seventy-two species of plants grouped in thirty-two families. The most abundant families were Poaceae and Asteraceae (8 taxa in each). The two most often used plant parts were leaf (29%) and herbs (54%), respectively. Oral administration was the most typical mode of delivery (75%). For treating stomachache in the category of gastrointestinal illnesses, Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel got the greatest fidelity level scores (FL = 100%).

Conclusions

In Abala Abaya District, there is broad access to traditional medicinal plants that can treat ailments in both humans and animals. This study, therefore, might be a baseline piece of information for further botanical related studies in the region. Plants with the highest FL values are highly recommended for novel drug discovery.

The ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of the genus Bersama: current review and future perspectives

Bersama (Melianthaceae) has been used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments, including blood purifier, immune booster, psychotropic medication, and treatment for malaria, hepatitis, infertility, diabetes, impotency, meningitis, and stroke. This review gathers fragmented information from the literature on ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the Bersama genus. It also explores the therapeutic potential of the Bersama genus in ethnophytopharmacology, allowing for further investigation. All the available information published in the English language on Bersama genus was compiled from electronic databases such as Academic Journals, Ethnobotany, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and library search using the following keywords: "Bersama genus," "traditional use," "phytochemistry," "pharmacological effects," and "toxicology". The ethnomedical applications of the Bersama genus have been recorded, and it has been used traditionally for more than 30 different types of ailments. Thus far, more than 50 compounds have been isolated from the genus. Cardiac glycosides and terpenoids are the main compounds isolated from the Bersama genus. Different plant parts of Bersama genus extracts demonstrated a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimalarial, antidiabetic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activity. Exemplary drug leads from the genus include mangiferin and quercetin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, both of which have antioxidant activities. Bersama genus has long been used to cure a wide range of ailments. Bersama genus extracts and phytochemicals have been found to have promising pharmacological activities. Further study on promising crude extracts and compounds is required to develop innovative therapeutic candidates.

Phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bersama abyssinica F. seed extracts

Medicinal plants can be potential sources of therapeutic agents. Traditional healers use a medicinal plant from Ethiopia, Bersama abyssinica Fresen, to treat various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical components and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of B. abyssinica seed extracts (BASE). Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis was used to determine the phytochemical compositions of BASE. The antioxidant activities were assessed by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) assay, ferric chloride reducing assay and hydroxyl scavenging capacity assay. Antimicrobial activity was investigated using the agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of saponins, glycosides, tannins, steroids, phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 30 volatile compounds; α-pinene (23.85%), eucalyptol (20.74%), β-pinene (5.75%), D-limonene (4.05%), and o-cymene (5.02%). DPPH-induced free radical scavenging (IC50 = 8.78), TBARS (IC50 = 0.55 µg/mL), and hydroxyl radicals' scavenging capacities assays (IC50 = 329.23) demonstrated high antioxidant effects of BASE. Reducing power was determined based on Fe3+-Fe2+ transformation in the presence of extract. BASE was found to show promising antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa (zone of inhibition 15.7 ± 2.5 mm, 16.0 ± 0.0 mm, and 16.7 ± 1.5 mm, respectively), but excellent antifungal activities against C. albican and M. furfur (zone of inhibition 22.0 ± 2.0 mm and 22.0 ± 4.0 mm, respectively). The seeds of B. abyssinica grown in Ethiopia possess high antioxidant potential, promising antibacterial and superior antifungal activity. Therefore, seeds of B. abyssinica provide a potential source for drug discovery.

In silico Molecular Docking Approach to Identify Potential Antihypertensive Compounds from Ajuga integrifolia Buch.-Ham. Ex D. Don (Armagusa)

Background

Ajuga integrifolia (Armagusa) is used as a decoction to treat high blood pressure and diabetes, widely in Ethiopia. Specific compounds for anti-hypertension activity were not identified so far. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the therapeutic use of A. integrifolia as an antihypertension agent.

Methods

In silico studies were used to evaluate the antihypertensive components of A. integrifolia. Flavonoids identified using HPLC analysis and iridoid glycosides isolated from A. integrifolia in this study and those isolated from synonyms (A. remota and A. bractosa) were considered in the molecular docking study. Interactions were studied by using Autodock vina (1.2) on PyRx 0.8 and visualizing in 2D and 3D using ligPlot+ and Discovery studio software. Activities like vasoprotection and druglikeness properties were predicted using online servers.

Results

Flavonoids such as quercetin, myricetin, and rutin were identified and quantified by HPLC analysis from different extracts of A. integrifolia. Reptoside and 8-O-acetylharpgide isolated from the aerial part of A. integrifolia. The binding energies of all 17 candidates considered in this study range from -10.2 kcal/mol to -7.5 kcal/mol and are lower than enalapril (reference drug: -5.9 kcal/mol). The binding energies, in most case, constitute hydrogen bonding. Biological activity predicted using PASS test also showed that the flavonoids have more probability of activity than the iridoid glycosides. Druglikeness properties of the candidate molecules showed that most follow the Lipinski rule of five with few violations.

Conclusion

Lower binding energies involving hydrogen bonding and predicted activities concerning hypertension confirm the traditional use of the aerial part of the medicinal plant concerned. Flavonoids: rutin, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol take the leading role in the antihypertensive activity of the aerial part of A. integrifolia. The iridoid glycosides studied are almost similar in their effect on their antihypertensive activity and still better than the reference drug.

Medicinal Plants Used by Oromo Community in Kofale District, West-Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to record the utilization of medicinal plants by the Oromo people in the Kofale District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, to control human and animal health problems.

Methods

Data regarding the use of medicinal plants were collected using ethnobotanical methods from 84 traditional medicine practitioners and 304 general informants sampled employing purposive and systematic random sampling methods, respectively, in the Kofale District. Data were analyzed using different indices, including a preference ranking exercise, informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL) and relative popularity level (RPL).

Results

In the district, 106 medicinal plants were claimed to be used for the treatment of 43 human and 18 livestock illnesses, of which 75 (71%) were used to manage human health problems, 23 (21.5%) were used to treat both human and livestock ailments and eight (7.5%) were utilized to treat manage livestock health problems. Most (76.4%) plants were harvested from the wild. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part (55.6%) in remedy preparations. Skin diseases scored the highest ICF value (0.97), followed by gastrointestinal disorders (ICF = 0.95), cancer (ICF = 0.93), and hemorrhoids (ICF = 0.91). Medicinal plants that record the highest fidelity level (FL) (100%) and rank order priority (ROP) (100%) values included Justicia schimperiana, Embelia schimperi, Ekebergia capensis and Datura stramonium, which have been used to treat liver disorders, tapeworm infections, babesiosis, and rabies, respectively. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the mean numbers of medicinal plants claimed by different social groups: older, illiterate, and traditional medicine practitioners reported higher mean numbers of medicinal plants than younger, literate, and general informants, respectively.

Conclusion

This study indicated the richness of medicinal plant species in Kofale District. Medicinal plants with the highest FL and ROP values and those used to treat disease categories with the highest ICF values should be prioritized in future phytochemical and pharmacological investigations.

Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal tree species used in the treatment of diseases by forest-fringe communities of Southwestern Ghana

Demand for medicinal plant remedies is rising globally, while indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants is declining rapidly. The preservation of indigenous knowledge is critical in discovering and developing innovative drugs. The ongoing discussions on providing nature-based solutions to contemporary issues make it urgent to document indigenous knowledge about medicinal trees, especially in areas with limited or no studies such as our study area. Our study aimed to understand the use of medicinal trees among the communities fringing the Asukese and Amama Shelterbelt Forest Reserves. We administered structured questionnaires and interviewed 88 respondents who were selected using snowball and simple random techniques. The ethnobotanical survey data were processed and evaluated using parameters such as Indigenous Knowledge Index (IKI), Relative Citation Frequency (RCF), Species Use Value (SUV), Family Use Value (FUV), and Plant Part Value (PPV). We found that ethnobotanical knowledge about medicinal trees was higher in respondents who were widowed or had larger number of dependants. We found that the local communities used diverse medicinal trees (70 species belonging to 33 families) to treat 83 ailments. Azadirachta indica had the highest RCF (8.9) and SUV (23.4). The other top four species according to the SUV were Alstonia boonei (SUV = 11.1), Khaya senegalensis (SUV = 10.7), Moringa oleifera (SUV = 10.3) and Cocos nucifera (SUV = 10.2). The most-well represented and valuable families were Fabaceae, Anacardiaceae, Meliaceae, Arecaceae, Rubiaceae and Malvaceae. Medicinal trees had alternative uses such as food, fodder, fuelwood, and construction material. Indigenous knowledge about medicinal trees was transmitted to younger generations predominantly by parents. The results show that the most known botanical families and species with the most useful parts were the most useful plant families and species. Thus, the selection of medicinal trees was driven by their traits. Furthermore, results indicate that species diversity is critical to the healthcare needs of local communities and that their conservation and sustainable use and the preservation of indigenous knowledge are crucial to ensuring good health and the general well-being of local communities of all ages.

Medicinal Plants in Treating Hepatitis B Among Communities of Central Region of Ethiopia

Purpose

In Ethiopia, most people rely heavily on traditional therapeutic plants that have been used for years. The practice of traditional medicines use to treat hepatitis is currently gaining popularity due to the limited availability and affordability of modern drugs. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the traditional medicinal plants use to treat viral hepatitis among communities of Central region of Ethiopia.

Methods

Data was collected from November 2018 to December 2021 in Central Ethiopia. An open-ended semi-structured interview was used among purposively selected herbalists, traditional medicine entrepreneurs, village heads, and patients visiting traditional healers for hepatitis treatments. A 5 mL blood sample was collected from patients who visited a traditional healers' clinic for hepatitis treatment and tested for HBsAg and HCV-antibody by using ELISA. Among HBsAg-positives, further nucleic acid test for HBV-DNA load was assessed to measure the effects of prescribed medicinal plants.

Results

Herbalists cited 24 plants that were used for hepatitis treatment; of which Rumex nepalensis, Vangueria apiculata, and Solanum incanum were the most frequently cited plants. Remedies were commonly prepared by crushing or powdering, mixing them with water, and taken orally. Forty-two individuals were diagnosed and treated as hepatitis patients by herbalists, of which eight of them were HBsAg-positive but no positives for anti-HCV ELISA. At the third and sixth months of viral load assessment among HBsAg-positive, serum HBV-DNA suppression was observed in three individuals treated with different combinations of frequently cited plants.

Conclusion

In this study, traditional healers used various plants to treat hepatitis. HBV-DNA suppressive activity was detected in three NAT-positive individuals who were treated by using a mixture of these frequently cited and highest preference-ranked plants. This suggests that these plants have antiviral properties and serve as a basis for more pharmacological research in the quest for new antiviral agents.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Traditional Healers toward Dosage Forms and Routes of Administration: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ethiopia

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was conducted on 70 traditional healers from June 1, 2022 to July 25, 2022. The data were collected through structured questionnaires. The data were checked for completeness and consistency and then entered into SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. The results were presented with frequencies and percentages. The association between sociodemographic factors and traditional healers' knowledge of dosage forms and route of administration was determined using the Pearson's chi-squares test. A statistically significant difference was declared if the p value was 0.05 or lower.

Results

Most (58.1%) traditional healers had information on dosage forms, especially about solid, semisolid, and liquid dosage forms. In addition, 33 (53.2%) traditional healers had information about rectal, nasal, and oral route of administration. All traditional healers had practiced different dosage forms and route of administration both individually and in combination earlier to date. More than half of the participants agreed on the need for different dosage forms and route of administration. This study result also showed that most (72.6%) traditional healers had gaps in sharing experiences and information with other healers and health professionals.

Conclusions

The current study revealed that solid, semisolid, and liquid were the most frequently formulated dosage forms with oral, rectal, and nasal route of administration by traditional healers. The practice of checking the status of the formulations was poor. Traditional healers had a good attitude towards the need for different dosage forms and route of administration. The stakeholders should provide continuous training and exchange of experiences between traditional healers and healthcare professionals to improve the knowledge of traditional healers for appropriate use of dosage forms and route of administration.

Phytochemicals: potential alternative strategy to fight Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

The rise of multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganisms is a great hazard worldwide and has made it difficult to treat many infectious diseases adequately. One of the most prevalent causes of outbreaks of foodborne illness worldwide is Salmonella. The ability of this and other harmful bacteria to withstand antibiotics has recently proven crucial to their effective control. Since the beginning of time, herbal medicines and phytochemicals have been employed for their potent antibacterial action and there is a growing trend toward the production of plant based natural products for the prevention and treatment of pathogenic infections. Numerous phytochemicals have been proven effective against the molecular determinants responsible for attaining drug resistance in pathogens like efflux pumps, membrane proteins, bacterial cell communications and biofilms. The medicinal plants having antibacterial activity and antibiotics combination with phytochemicals have shown synergetic activity against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The inhibitory effects of tannins on rumen proteolytic bacteria can be exploited in ruminant nutrition. Improved control of the rumen ecology and practical use of this feed additive technology in livestock production will be made possible by a better knowledge of the modulatory effects of phytochemicals on the rumen microbial populations in combination with fermentation. This review focuses on the development of antibacterial resistance in Salmonella, the mechanism of action of phytochemicals and the use of phytochemicals against S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. The advances and potential future applications of phytochemicals in the fight against resistant are also discussed.

Traditional Herbal Remedies in the Management of Metabolic Disorders in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review of Ethnobotanical Studies and Pharmacological Activities

Background

MetS are common throughout the world, including Ethiopia. These have traditionally been treated using medicinal plants, particularly in rural areas where they are freely accessible. This systematic review tried to investigate the treatment of MetS with Ethiopian medicinal herbs and made recommendations for more validation research. A careful analysis of the literature was also conducted on the therapeutic effects of these and other Ethiopian medicinal plants with hepatoprotective and antihypertensive activities.

Methods

The relevant keywords "Ethnomedicinal + hypertension," "Ethnopharmacological + hypertension," "Ethnomedicinal + hepatitis, jaundices, and liver disease," "Ethnopharmacological + hepatic disorder," and "Ethnomedicinal + weight loss" were used to search for relevant articles in the major electronic scientific databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search strategy included all articles with descriptions that were accessible until April 30, 2022. The study's subjects, methods, or year of publication were no restrictions in the search. The outcomes were compiled using descriptive statistics.

Results

Fifty-four (54) studies were examined in the review that satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the treatment of MetS in Ethiopia. The most often used ethnobotanical plant species for the treatment of hypertension and hepatic disorders were Moringa stenopetala and Croton macrostachyus. Both hepatic and hypertensive disorders were treated more frequently with leaves (52% and 39%, respectively) than with roots (20% and 13%, respectively). Some intriguing studies came from an ethnobotanical investigation into medicinal herbs' hepatoprotective and antihypertensive properties. The most often investigated medicinal plant for its antihypertensive effects is Moringa stenopetala.

Conclusion

The study revealed that Ethiopians often use anti-MetS herbal remedies. We advocate the experimental validation of the commonly used medicinal plants with the identification of active compounds and the development of effective alternative drugs for the treatment of MetS.

Medicinal Plants Used for the Management of Hepatitis Over the Past 15 Years in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

Background

Treatment of human and animal ailments using botanical sources has obtained significant attention in Ethiopia. The compounds available in plants comprise a plentiful source of bioactive ingredients able to treat many complications. The review aimed to present an updated list of plants used for managing hepatitis over the past 15 years in Ethiopia.

Methods

Systematic, comprehensive search was undertaken from electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Scopus) between September 01 and October 15, 2022, using standard search terms. Original researches carried out in Ethiopia, written and published in English between January 01/2007 and December 31/2021, and reported hepatitis as a disease treated by medicinal plants were included in the review. Plants beyond the list of Ethiopian and Eritrean floral were excluded. Data were extracted from texts and tables of original papers on a Microsoft Excel. Quality was assessed by applying the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist.

Results

A total of 317 papers were obtained from the database search. After removing duplicates and screening, 15 articles fit the inclusion criteria and selected for final review. Of the 24 plants identified, 35.7% were herbs. Leaf and root (35.7% each) were the predominant plant parts used for remedy preparation. Combined use of leaf and root comprised 10.7%. The families Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and Fabaceae comprise the highest number of plant species. About 89.3% of remedies were administered orally.

Conclusion

The majority of plants belong to herbs and the frequently used plant parts are leaf and roots. Evidence generated from the present review indicated that lots of plants have been used to manage hepatitis. Moreover, the findings could serve as preliminary information to formulate new drugs acting against hepatitis. Therefore, it is desirable for scholars to recognize, document, and keep plants and the associated knowledge appropriately.

An ethnozoological study of traditional medicinal animals and their products from Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia

Background

Ethiopia has a diverse set of floral and faunal resources that are used for primary health care in traditional or indigenous medicine. However, because they are passed down orally from one generation to the next, this indigenous medical practice is being ignored and is continuing to disappear. As a result, the goal of this ethnozoological study was to assess and document traditional healers' and indigenous people's knowledge in use of animal parts or products for medical purposes in the Diguna Fango District of Wolaita, Ethiopia.

Materials and methods

From March 2021 to June 2021, a field survey was conducted using personal interviews, semistructured questionnaires, and open group discussions utilizing a cross-sectional study approach. Totally, two hundred informants (125 men and 75 women) were provided information on the medicinal uses of various animals. Using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, the collected ethnozoological data were analyzed. The informant consensus factor, use value, and degree of fidelity were all determined.

Results

More than 50 different human ailments were treated using 39 different animal parts or products. Mammals had the highest use rate (N = 26, 66.67%). In the category of treating endocrine, metabolic, and nutritional diseases, Hystrix cristata had a high-fidelity level (FL = 95%). The highest use value (a maximum of 1.0) was for Bos taurus. The disease categories with the highest informant consensus factor (ICF) values were human immune deficiency disease, reproductive health, and genito-urinary ailment categories (ICF = 1.00). Wild animals (74%) outnumbered domestic animals (26%). The most common administration route (50%) was oral, and raw remedies had the highest use reports (58.9%).

Conclusions

The findings revealed that the study area contains a wealth of ethnozoological knowledge that could be useful in the formulation of novel drugs. The findings of the study should therefore be put to use in prospective ethnozoological, ethnopharmacological, and conservation-related studies in the region.

Validation of Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of 80% Methanolic Extract of the Lonchocarpus laxiflorus Leaves in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Swiss Albino Mice

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic endocrine disorder that requires long-term treatment. In Ethiopian traditional medicine practice, plants have been provided with a vital role in fighting human and animal diseases since ancient times. The aqueous extract of Lonchocarpus laxiflorus (L. laxiflorus) leaves has been consumed for treating diabetes mellitus without confirming its safety and efficacy scientifically. This experiment aimed to evaluate the safety and antidiabetic efficacy of the leaf extract of L. laxiflorus in mice models.

Methods

The crude extraction was conducted using a cold maceration technique and 80% methanol solvent. Normoglycemic, oral glucose-loaded, and streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic models were employed. Male Swiss albino mice were randomly grouped into five categories( with six mice per group during normoglycemic, oral glucose-loadingtest as a negative control, positive control, and three treatment groups. In STZ-induced diabetic models, the groups include normal and diabetic negative control, diabetic positive control, and three diabetic treatment groups. The negative control groups received vehicles, the positive control received 5 mg/kg glibenclamide, and the treatment groups received the crude extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses, respectively.

Results

Up to 2000 mg/kg crude extract, neither signs of toxicity nor death were observed. In normoglycemic mice, there was a significant blood glucose reduction at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses starting from the 2^nd h post-administration. The oral glucose load showed a significant antihyperglycemic effect at 200 and 400 mg/kg of the crude extract and glibenclamide. In STZ-induced diabetic models, the 200, 400 mg/kg crude extract, and glibenclamide showed a significant antidiabetic activity and enhancement of a good serum lipid profile.

Conclusion

This study confirmed that the leaf of L. laxiflorus was safe and possesses antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic activities.

Bibliometric analysis on exploitation of biogenic gold and silver nanoparticles in breast, ovarian and cervical cancer therapy

Multifunctional nanoparticles are being formulated to overcome the side effects associated with anticancer drugs as well as conventional drug delivery systems. Cancer therapy has gained the advancement due to various pragmatic approaches with better treatment outcomes. The metal nanostructures such as gold and silver nanoparticles accessible via eco-friendly method provide amazing characteristics in the field of diagnosis and therapy towards cancer diseases. The environmental friendly approach has been proposed as a substitute to minimize the use of hazardous compounds associated in chemical synthesis of nanoparticles. In this attempt, researchers have used various microbes, and plant-based agents as reducing agents. In the last 2 decades various papers have been published emphasizing the benefits of the eco-friendly approach and advantages over the traditional method in the cancer therapy. Despite of various reports and published research papers, eco-based nanoparticles do not seem to find a way to clinical translation for cancer treatment. Present review enumerates the bibliometric data on biogenic silver and gold nanoparticles from Clarivate Analytics Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus for the duration 2010 to 2022 for cancer treatment with a special emphasis on breast, ovarian and cervical cancer. Furthermore, this review covers the recent advances in this area of research and also highlights the obstacles in the journey of biogenic nanodrug from clinic to market.

Medicinal uses, chemical constituents and biological activities of Rumex abyssinicus: A Comprehensive review

Rumex abyssinicus is a valuable medicinal plant species that is native to tropical Africa. Traditionally, R. abyssinicus is used to treat different disease such as, liver diseases, hepatitis, malaria, scabies, blood pressure, jaundice, wound and pneumonia. The purpose of the current study was to review the literature on the ethnomedicinal uses, chemical constitutes and biological activities of R. abyssinicus in an attempt to create information for future studies aimed towards exploring the therapeutic ability of the species. A scientific search engines, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of knowledge for the search terms: Rumex abyssinicus, ethnomedicinal studies, phytochemical investigations, and pharmacological activities were undertaken. The search strategy included all articles with descriptors that were available until December 30, 2021. Only published works in English have been used on this study. The data was collected using textual descriptions of the studies, tabulation, grouping, and figures. The principal phytochemicals of R. abyssinicus are anthraquinones, flavonoids, terepenoids and phenolic compounds. The in vitro and in vivo studies on the crude extracts and compounds of R. abyssinicus showed antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, wound healing, antialzeimer’s and hepatoprotective activities of it. R. abyssinicus afforded drug leads such as helminthosporin (4) with anti-alzheimer and physicon (3) with antifungal and antioxidant activity. R. abyssinicus have traditionally been used to cure a variety of diseases. Pharmacological actions of phytochemicals were shown to be promising. Despite this, further studies on crude extracts and promising compounds are needed to find new drug candidates.

Synergetic antibacterial activity of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern and Buddleja polystachya Fresen on selected human pathogenic bacteria

Background

Medicinal plants have been used as traditional treatments for various human diseases for many years and they are still widely practiced throughout the world. Due to the long history of the practice, medicinal plants have become an integral part of the Ethiopian culture. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activities of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern and Buddleja polystachya Fresen leaf extracts and their synergistic effect against some selected human pathogenic bacteria.

Methods

Ethanol, methanol, and n-hexane crude extracts of Vernonia auriculifera, Buddleja polystachya, and a mixture of the two-plant respective of each solvent were evaluated against tested pathogenic bacteria using the agar well diffusion method; the inhibition zones were recorded in millimeters. Gentamycin was used as a positive control, while dimethyl sulfoxide served as a negative control. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the plant extracts against test bacteria was evaluated using two-fold broth dilution methods and then Minimum bactericidal concentration was determined by sub-culturing the test dilutions from minimum inhibitory concentration tubes onto fresh Muller Hinton Agar plates incubated at 37 °C for 24 h.

Results

Maximum antibacterial inhibition zone was observed on methanol extracts of synergism against S. Typhimurium (ATCC 1333) (31.00 ± 1.73 mm) while, a minimum inhibition zone was observed on methanol extract of Buddleja polystachya, against E. coli (ATCC 35218) (5.67 ± 0.57). Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of the crude extracts of Vernonia auriculifera, Buddleja polystachya, and their mixture lies between (3.125%–12.5%) and (6.25%–25%) respectively. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software package version 20 for windows.

Conclusion

The present study revealed that ethanol and methanol extracts of Vernonia auriculifera and Buddleja polystachya possess significant inhibitory effects against tested pathogens and the antibacterial activity of both plants leaf extracts was greater than the activity of currently used antibiotics (Gentamycin) against some selected organisms.

Herbal remedies used by traditional healers to treat haemorrhoids in Tabora region, Tanzania

CONTEXT

Haemorrhoids are one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in humans. In Tanzania, particularly in the Tabora region, medicinal plants (MPs) are used by traditional healers (THs) to treat haemorrhoids, but no study has explicitly attempted to compile these treatments.

OBJECTIVE

This study documents MPs used by THs of the Tabora region in Tanzania to treat haemorrhoids.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather ethnobotanical data from 44 THs on MPs used to treat haemorrhoids, parts used, preparation methods and administration routes. The collected ethnobotanical data were analysed by computing percentage frequencies and relative frequency citations.

RESULTS

Twenty-six MPs belonging to 19 families and 25 genera, used to manage haemorrhoids, were documented. Fabaceae was the dominant family (four species), whereas shrubs constituted a high proportion (38.46%) of the MPs, and the root was the most (30.3%) utilized plant part. Decoction (38.5%) and topical application (53.8%) were the most preferred preparation and administration techniques. Most MP materials (76.9%) were sourced from the wild. Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. (Asphodelaceae) (68%), followed by Allium sativum L. (Alliaceae) (66%) and Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) (66%) were the most utilized MPs. Among the recorded MPs, 12 are reported for the first time for the treatment of haemorrhoids. The recorded MPs are believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties that aid in managing inflammation associated with bowel diseases, including haemorrhoids.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has documented valuable MPs used to manage haemorrhoids and provides a basis for further studies to discover efficient and affordable anti-haemorrhoid drugs.

Ethnopharmacological Study of Medicinal Plants in the Rawamerta Region Karawang, West Java, Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Traditional medicinal plants’ application has significant advantages for cultural development, acceptability, and economic affordability. Furthermore, they are claimed to cure several types of diseases compared to modern medicines. AIM: This study aims to document and preserve the use of ethnomedicinal plants to treat various diseases by the community in the Rawamerta Region, Karawang, West Java, Indonesia. METHODS: Fieldwork was carried out from January to August 2022 through face-to-face interviews, questionnaires, and discussions. Plant species were identified based on standard taxonomic methods, floral morphological characteristics, and possibly, by using samples for comparison, as well as expert consultation and literature. They were then grouped into families according to the Cronquist classification system. Furthermore, their names were checked on the Plant List (www.plantlist.org) and the International Plant Name Index (www.ipni.org). RESULTS: It was discovered that 50 plant species belonging to 31 families spread across 46 genera are employed for the treatment of various diseases in Rawamerta, such as diabetes, inflammation, hypertension, fever, dyslipidemia, antiseptic, gastric disorders, anticancer, cough, gout, etc. Based on the results, Acanthaceae, Fabaceae, Zingiberaceae, and Myrtaceae are the most dominant families applied for the treatment purpose. Meanwhile, the most frequently used genera are Syzygium, Piper, Curcuma, and Annona. The plant part majorly used in medicine preparation is the leaf (64%), followed by fruit (14%), rhizome (10%), and stem (6%), as well as flower, peel, and stem and leaf (2%, respectively). The most commonly applied preparation method is an infusion (48%), followed by decoction (44%), juice (4%), as well as paste and drops (2%, respectively). This study also showed more than one plant species is used for treating the same disease. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that the Sundanese people in Rawamerta still rely heavily on medicinal plants for their health-care system. However, efforts to preserve medicinal plants and local wisdom in the region have not been significant. Therefore, the indigenes and the government are advised to carry out in situ and ex situ conservation strategies to maintain the availability of medicinal plants in the region.

A phytochemical investigation and evaluation of the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the stem bark extract of Clematis simensis (Yeazo hareg)

Medicinal plants have been used for the treatment of various diseases and still play an important role in covering the basic health needs in the developing countries like Ethiopia. In this study, successive extraction, partial purification using column chromatograpy, phytochemical screening, determination of the total phenolic and flavonoid content, and the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethanol stem bark extracts and fractions of Clematis simensis are reported. The results show the presence of different valuable phytochemicals. The total phenolic content is 54.744, 68.933, and 87.522 mg g–1 of gallic acid equivalent for the petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethanol extracts, respectively. The total flavonoid content of the petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethanol extracts are 22.770, 37.223, and 52.289 mgCE g–1, respectively. This could lead to potential biological activity of the plant extract. Besides, the ethanol extract exhibits higher antioxidant activity than all the tested extracts. Likewise, the extracts have promising antibacterial activity with that of the ethanol extract being higher than those of the chloroform and petroleum extracts as well as isolated fractions.

Ethnogynaecological Knowledge of Traditional Medicinal Plants Used by the Indigenous Communities of North Waziristan, Pakistan

Background

Since the beginning of civilization, medicinal plants have been used in human healthcare systems. Studies have been conducted worldwide to evaluate their efficacy, and some of the results have triggered the development of plant-based medications. Rural women in Pakistan frequently experience gynaecological disorders due to malnutrition and heavy physical work during pregnancy. Due to the low economic status, the remoteness of the area, and the lack of modern health services, herbal therapy for gynaecological disorders is common among the indigenous tribes of the study area.

Methods

Field surveys were carried out from April 2018 to October 2020 to collect data regarding medicinal plants used for different gynaecological disorders. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect ethnogynaecological data.

Results

In total, 67 medicinal plant species belonging to 38 families are being used to treat 26 different gynaecological problems. The herbaceous growth form and the Lamiaceae family were recorded with the maximum number of plant species (42 species and 7 species, respectively). Leaves are the most highly utilized plant part, with 16 species. In the case preparation method, decoction was the dominant method (25 species, 36.76%). The informants reported the maximum number of species for the treatment of irregular menstrual flow as 11 species (15.28%). The highest relative frequency of citation (RFC) value was obtained for Acacia modesta (0.37), and the use value (UV) for Tecomella undulata (0.85). The highest informants' consensus factor (ICF) value (1.0) was obtained for emmenagogue and tonic each after delivery. The highest consensus index (CI%) value was calculated for Acacia modesta (36.92%). The Lamiaceae had the highest family importance value (FIV) (98.46%).

Conclusion

This is the first ever quantitative study focusing mainly on ethnogynaecological study conducted in the tribal areas of North Waziristan which highlights the importance of traditional herbal remedies for their basic medical requirements. The results of this study would serve as a baseline for advanced phytochemical and pharmacological screening, as well as conservationists for further studies.

Perception Towards COVID-19 Related Symptoms and Traditional Medicine Used for Their Management Among Patients and Their Attendants in Ethiopian Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

A Review on Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Respiratory Problems in Ethiopia over a Twenty-Year Period (2000–2021)

This review is aimed at assessing and compiling the different ethnomedicinal studies in different parts of Ethiopia used to treat respiratory diseases. The data were collected from different published research papers through searching the web sources such as PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and other related websites. The important search terminologies included ethnobotany, respiratory diseases, medicinal plants, and Ethiopia. For this, a total of 65 articles of recent publications (from 2000 to May 2021 years) that provided full information about the use of medicinal plant species to treat respiratory disorder diseases in Ethiopia were consulted. Based on this, a total of 96 medicinal plants belonging to 57 families were reviewed. The commonly recorded families used to manage respiratory problems were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Solanaceae, and Fabaceae. Herbs and shrubs were the dominant plant growth forms. Due to the easiest form of their preparation for treating respiratory disorders, leaves are the most cited plant parts followed by roots. Crushing and pounding are useful methods of remedy preparation to treat respiratory diseases. This review concluded that different medicinal plants have a significant contribution in combating serious respiratory problems in Ethiopia. Hence, the complied review of medicinal plants on the treatment of respiratory problems would play a great role in further pharmacological and phytochemical investigations in developing new drugs used for the treatment of respiratory problems and in the conservation of these important medicinal plants.

Medicinal plants used to treat livestock ailments in Ensaro District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

Background

In Ethiopia, the majority of animal owners throughout the country depend on traditional healthcare practices to manage their animals' health problems. This ethnoveterinary study was carried out in Ensaro District, North Showa Zone, and Amhara Region, Ethiopia, to identify medicinal plant species used by the local community to treat various livestock ailments.

Methods

To collect ethnobotanical information, a total of 389 informants (283 men and 106 women) were selected. Among these 95 traditional medicine practitioners were purposely chosen, while the remaining 294 were selected through a systematic random sampling method. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, guided filed walks and focus group discussions. The Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL) values, preference, and direct matrix exercise ranking were determined using quantitative methods. Statistical tests were used to compare indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants among different informant groups.

Results

A total of 44 ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species were collected and identified that were distributed across 43 genera and 28 families. The family Solanaceae stood first by contributing 4 species followed by Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and lamiaceae with 3 species each. Thirty- seven (88.09%) medicinal plants were collected from wild habitats, 6 medicinal plant species were collected from home garden. The most frequently used life form was shrubs (23 species, 54.76%) followed by herbs (13 species, 30.95%). The widely used parts of medicinal plants were leaves followed by roots. Prepared remedies were administered through drenching, dropping, smearing, eating, wrapping, fumigating and washing. There was significant difference in the indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants between gender, urban and rural people, general and key informants and among age groups.

Conclusion

Ensaro District is a relatively rich in diversity of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants together with a rich indigenous knowledge in the local communities to collect and effectively utilize for the management different livestock diseases. On the other hand, these days, agricultural expansion, fuel wood collection, cutting plants for fence, furniture and charcoal production are the major threatening factors of these plant resources. Thus, people of the study area must implement in situ and ex-situ conservation strategies to ensure sustainable utilization of these species.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03320-6.

Application of Green Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy and Diagnosis

Nanoparticles are currently used for cancer theranostics in the clinical field. Among nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) attract much attention due to their usability and high performance in imaging techniques. The wide availability of biological precursors used in plant-based synthesized AuNPs allows for the development of large-scale production in a greener manner. Conventional cancer therapies, such as surgery and chemotherapy, have significant limitations and frequently fail to produce satisfying results. AuNPs have a prolonged circulation time, allow easy modification with ligands detected via cancer cell surface receptors, and increase uptake through receptor-mediated endocytosis. To exploit these unique features, studies have been carried out on the use of AuNPs as contrast agents for X-ray-based imaging techniques (i.e., computed tomography). As nanocarriers, AuNPs synthesized by nontoxic and biocompatible plants to deliver therapeutic biomolecules could be a significant stride forward in the effective treatment of various cancers. Fluorescent-plant-based markers, including AuNPs, fabricated using Medicago sativa, Olax Scandens, H. ambavilla, and H. lanceolatum, have been used in detecting cancers. Moreover, green synthesized AuNPs using various extracts have been applied for the treatment of different types of solid tumors. However, the cytotoxicity of AuNPs primarily depends on their size, surface reactivity, and surface area. In this review, the benefits of plant-based materials in cancer therapy are firstly explained. Then, considering the valuable position of AuNPs in medicine, the application of AuNPs in cancer therapy and detection is highlighted with an emphasis on limitations faced by the application of such NPs in drug delivery platforms.

Traditional and Phytochemical Bases of Herbs, Shrubs, Climbers, and Trees from Ethiopia for Their Anticancer Response

Ethiopia is one of Africa's six plant-rich countries, with around 60% of the plants being indigenous and most of them having medicinal properties. 80% of people in the country use these plants as a primary health care system to tackle different diseases, including cancer. This review is aimed at summarizing the evidence gained from diverse MPs in Ethiopia that have been used ethnobotanically and ethnopharmacologically for treatment of cancer. The primary data sources were Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and other electronic scientific databases. This literature review showed that there are around 200 MPs used as anticancer. Seventy-four herbs, 39 trees, 77 shrubs, and 17 weed/climbers belonging to 56 families have been identified for their ethnobotanical anticancer potential, and 31 species were recognized for their pharmaceutically anticancer activities. The reviewed data also indicated that many Ethiopian MPs had been used to treat breast, lung, blood, and skin cancers and other tumors. Besides, the collected data showed that the leaves (36.76%), roots (27.2%), bark (12.5%), stem (5.1%), and fruit (7.35%) of plants are commonly used for the preparation of anticancer remedies. Among the reported plant species, Euphorbiaceae (10.71%), Acanthaceae (7.14%), and Asteraceae (7.1%) are the most prominent plant families being used to treat cancer ethnobotanically. Phytochemicals such as flavonoids (like xanthone, indirubin, flavopiridol, and silybin), alkaloids (like taxol, vincristine, evodiamine, and berberine), and physalin B, D, and F steroids exhibited anticancer activity on various cancer cell lines. The crude extracts of Aerva javanica, Vernonia leopoldi, Withania somnifera, Kniphofia foliosa, and Catharanthus roseus were powerful anticancer agents with an IC₅₀ value below 10 μg/mL. Although several Ethiopian plants possess anticancer potential, only a limited number of plants are scientifically studied. Therefore, more scientific studies on anticancer MPs should be carried out; it may lead to discovering and isolating cost-effective and safe anticancer drugs.

Exploring the potential of moringa leaf extract as bio stimulant for improving yield and quality of black cumin oil

The history of plants to be utilized as medicines is thousands of years old. Black cumin is one of the most widely examined plant possessing naturally occurring compounds with antimicrobial potential. Foliar application of growth stimulators is a successful strategy to enhance yield and quality in many crops. A field study was planned to apply growth stimulator like moringa leaf extract on black cumin crop grown under field conditions using RCB design with three replications. All other agronomic inputs and practices were uniform. The treatments were moringa leaf extract concentrations (10%, 20%), growth stages (40 days after sowing, 80 DAS, 120 DAS, 40 + 80 DAS, 40 + 120 DAS, 80 + 120 DAS, 40 + 80 + 120 days after sowing) and two controls unsprayed check (i.e. no moringa leaf extract, no water) and sprayed check (no moringa leaf extract + water). Application of 20% moringa leaf extract at stage-7 (40 + 80 + 120 days after sowing) had significantly increased plant height, branches plant⁻¹, essential oil content, fixed oil content, peroxidase value and iodine value of black cumin oil over unsprayed control. Application of moringa leaf extract showed maximum results and improves growth and yield of black cumin when applied at 40 + 80 + 120 days after sowing. As this study was only conducted using moringa leaf extract, it is advisable to conduct an experiment with various bio stimulants along with fertilizer combinations and growth regulators to check their synergistic effects for more reliable and acceptable recommendations in future.

Ethnobotanical plants used in the management of symptoms of tuberculosis in rural Uganda

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the 13th leading cause of death worldwide. The emergence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) poses a major health security threat. Plants have traditionally been used as a source of medicine, since olden days and 80% of the communities in Africa still rely on herbal medicines for their healthcare. In many parts of Uganda, some plants have shown ethno-pharmacological prospects for the treatment of TB, and yet they have not been fully researched.

AIM

This study aimed to document plant species used traditionally by the herbalists and non-herbalist communities of Kitgum and Pader districts for managing symptoms of TB.

METHODS

An ethnobotanical study was carried out in 42 randomly selected villages in Kitgum and Pader districts between August 2020 and January 2021. Information was obtained by administering semi-structured questionnaires to 176 respondents identified by snowball and random sampling methods. Data were analysed and presented using descriptive statistics and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF).

RESULTS

Overall, only 27% of the respondents were knowledgeable about plants used for managing symptoms of TB. Nine plant species belonging to six families (Mimosaceae, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Rutaceae, Loganiaceae and Rubiaceae) were used to manage symptoms of TB. The most representative family was Rutaceae with three species, followed by Rubiaceae (two species) and the rest of the families were represented by one species each. The most frequently recorded species were Steganotaenia araliacea Hochst. (8.5%), Gardenia ternifolia Schumach. & Thonn (6.8%) and Albizia adianthifolia (Schum.) W.Wight (6.8%). Most of the medicinal plants were trees, and roots (69%) were the most frequently plant part used, followed by the bark (16%) and leaves (15%). The most common method of preparation was by pounding and mixing concoction with water. The administration of the concoctions was mostly done orally.

CONCLUSIONS

The results established the existence of few medicinal plants for managing symptoms of TB among the Acholi communities which could be used in developing new, effective plant-based antimycobacterial drugs. The few plants mentioned might face conservation threats due to exploitations of the roots. Phytochemical and toxicological studies are recommended to identify active compounds responsible for antimycobacterial activity.

HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibition by Major Compounds in a Kenyan Multi-Herbal Composition (CareVid™): In Vitro and In Silico Contrast

CareVid is a multi-herbal product used in southwest Kenya as an immune booster and health tonic and has been anecdotally described as improving the condition of HIV-positive patients. The product is made up of roots, barks and whole plant of 14 African medicinal plants: Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile (currently, Vachelia nilotica (L.) P.J.H Hurter & Mabb.), Adenia gummifera (Harv.) Harms, Anthocleista grandiflora Gilg, Asparagus africanus Lam., Bersama abyssinica Fresen., Clematis hirsuta Guill. & Perr., Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile, Clutia robusta Pax (accepted as Clutia kilimandscharica Engl.), Dovyalis abyssinica (A. Rich.) Warb, Ekebergia capensis Sparm., Periploca linearifolia Quart.-Dill. & A. Rich., Plantago palmata Hook.f., Prunus africana Hook.f. Kalkman and Rhamnus prinoides L’Her. The objective of this study was to determine the major chemical constituents of CareVid solvent extracts and screen them for in vitro and in silico activity against the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase enzyme. To achieve this, CareVid was separately extracted using CH₂Cl₂, MeOH, 80% EtOH in H₂O, cold H₂O, hot H₂O and acidified H₂O (pH 1.5–3.5). The extracts were analysed using HPLC–MS equipped with UV diode array detection. HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibition was performed in vitro and compared to in silico HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibition, with the latter carried out using MOE software, placing the docking on the hydrophobic pocket in the subdomain of p66, the NNRTI pocket. The MeOH and 80% EtOH extracts showed strong in vitro HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibition, with an EC₅₀ of 7 μg·mL⁻¹. The major components were identified as sucrose, citric acid, ellagic acid, catechin 3-hexoside, epicatechin 3-hexoside, procyanidin B, hesperetin O-rutinoside, pellitorine, mangiferin, isomangiferin, 4-O-coumaroulquinic acid, ellagic acid, ellagic acid O-pentoside, crotepoxide, oleuropein, magnoflorine, tremulacin and an isomer of dammarane tetrol. Ellagic acid and procyanidin B inhibited the HIV-1 reverse transcription process at 15 and 3.2 µg/mL⁻¹, respectively. Docking studies did not agree with in vitro results because the best scoring ligand was crotepoxide (ΔG = −8.55 kcal/mol), followed by magnoflorine (ΔG = −8.39 kcal/mol). This study showed that CareVid has contrasting in vitro and in silico activity against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. However, the strongest in vitro inhibitors were ellagic acid and procyanidin B.

Quantitative Ethnobotanical Analysis of Medicinal Plants of High-Temperature Areas of Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Lack of proper infrastructure and the poor economic conditions of rural communities make them dependent on herbal medicines. Thus, there is a need to obtain and conserve the historic and traditional knowledge about the medicinal importance of different plants found in different areas of the world. In this regard, a field study was conducted to document the medicinal importance of local plants commonly used by the inhabitants of very old historic villages in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. In total, 58 plant species were explored, which belonged to 28 taxonomic families, as informed by 200 experienced respondents in the study area. The vernacular name, voucher number, plant parts used, and medicinal values were also documented for each species. Among the documented species, Poaceae remained the most predominant family, followed by Solanaceae and Asteraceae. The local communities were dependent on medicinal plants for daily curing of several ailments, including asthma, common cold, sore throat, fever, cardiovascular diseases, and digestive disorders. Among the reported species, leaves and the whole plant remained the most commonly utilized plant parts, while extracts (38.8%) and pastes (23.9%) were the most popular modes of utilization. Based on the ICF value, the highest value was accounted for wound healing (0.87), followed by skincare, nails, hair, and teeth disorders (0.85). The highest RFC value was represented by Acacia nilotica and Triticum aestivum (0.95 each), followed by Azadirachta indica (0.91). The highest UV was represented by Conyza canadensis and Cuscuta reflexa (0.58 each), followed by Xanthium strumarium (0.37). As far as FL was concerned, the highest value was recorded in the case of Azadirachta indica (93.4%) for blood purification and Acacia nilotica (91.1%) for sexual disorders. In conclusion, the local inhabitants primarily focus on medicinal plants for the treatment of different diseases in the very old historic villages of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Moreover, there were various plants in the study area that have great ethnobotanical potential to treat various diseases, as revealed through different indices.

The Ethnobotany and Chemistry of South African Meliaceae: A Review

Meliaceae are widely distributed across the world in tropical or subtropical climates and are of considerable ethnobotanical importance as sources of traditional medicine and cosmetics. This comprehensive review summarizes the ethnobotanical uses and chemistry of 12 South African species, belonging to six genera: Ekebergia, Nymania, Entandrophragma, Pseudobersama, Trichilia, and Turraea. Eight of the species have ethnomedicinal records, classified into 17 major disease categories. The ethnomedicinal uses comprise 85 ailments dominated by gastrointestinal complaints, followed by gynaecological and obstetrics related problems. Chemical records were found for 10 species, which describe nine classes of compounds. In nearly all South African Meliaceae, limonoids are the predominant constituents while triterpenes, sterols, and coumarins are also common. The widest range of use-records and medicinal applications are found with the two most chemically diverse species, Ekebergiacapensis and Trichiliaemetica. Of the chemical compounds identified in the various plant organs of the 10 species of South African Meliaceae for which data are available, 42% was found in bark and 17% in seeds. Roots represent 35% and bark 33% of the organs that are used medicinally, and they are typically prepared as decoctions or infusions. Root and bark harvesting are destructive so that it may be important to examine the chemistry of plant parts such as wild-crafted leaves and fruits.

Evaluation of Wound Healing Activity of Methanolic Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of the Leaves of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern (Asteraceae) in Mice

Background

Medicinal plants play an important role in treating various diseases. Vernonia auriculifera Hiern is one of the medicinal plants used traditionally for the management of wounds. However, there were no scientific reports documented so far on the wound healing activities to substantiate the claim. Thus, the present study provides a scientific evaluation for the wound healing potential of the crude extract as well as solvent fractions of the leaves of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern.

Methods

Extraction was carried out by maceration using 80% methanol and part of the crude extract fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous solvents. Simple ointment bases were prepared using hard paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin and wool fat according to British Pharmacopoeia. Then, two types of ointment formulations were prepared from the extract, ie, 5% w/w and 10% w/w. Mice and rats were employed for wound healing study and dermal toxicity test, respectively. Wound healing effects were evaluated by percent of wound contraction, period of epithelialization, tensile strength, and histological analysis as parameters in excision, incision, and burn wound models. Finally, the data were expressed as mean ± SEM, and the results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey-test.

Results

In the excision wound model, the 10% w/w crude extract ointment showed significant wound contraction (P < 0.001) from day 4 to day 18 as compared to the negative control. Both the 5% w/w (P < 0.001) and 10% w/w (P < 0.05) crude extract ointments have showed statistically significant difference in epithelialization period as compared to the negative control. Groups treated with the ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions ointments in incision wound model showed a statistically significant (P < 0.001) increase in tensile. The 10% w/w and 5% w/w ointments of the crude extract showed a significant (P < 0.001) increase in breaking strength compared to simple ointment and the untreated control groups. In burn wound model, significant reduction in epithelialization period was observed in 5% w/w (P < 0.05) and 10% w/w (P < 0.001), and the percentage of wound contraction was significantly increased in most of post wounding days by 10% w/w (P < 0.001) and 5% w/w (P < 0.05) crude extract ointments and compared to the negative control.

Conclusion

The crude, aqueous, and ethyl acetate fraction of Vernonia auriculifera leaves possess wound healing activities. This finding justifies the use of the leaves of this plant for wound healing as claimed in the traditional medicine literature.

Wound Healing Activities of Hydromethanolic Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of Bersama abyssinica Leaves in Mice

Background

Bersama abyssinica leaves are traditionally used for management of wounds in several communities of Ethiopia, despite no scientifically approved studies done on wound healing. Our study planned to work out the wound healing effects of B. abyssinica leaves extract in mice.

Methods

B. abyssinica leaves were extracted with 80% hydromethanol and fractioned with chloroform, hexane, and water. The acute dermal toxicity of the crude extract was evaluated in mice. The crude extract formulated at 5% and 10% w/w ointment was investigated in excision, incision, and burn wound models and solvent fractions in the excision model using simple ointment (negative control) and nitrofurazone 0.2% w/v (positive control). We evaluated histopathological analysis, wound contraction rate, complete epithelialization period, and skin durability. One-way ANOVA followed by the post hoc Tukey HSD test with IBM SPSS software version 23.0 was used for data analysis, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Hydromethanolic crude extract produced 5% (99.5%) and 10% (100%) wound contraction on the 16^th day of the treatment and 5% (18.8) and 10% (28.2) percent reduction in the epithelization period on the excision wound healing model. Hydromethanolic crude extract produced 5% (47.5) and 10% (61.17) percent durability on the incision wound healing model. Hydromethanolic crude extract produced 5% (99.82%) and 10% (100%) wound contraction on the 20^th day of treatment and 5% (13%) and 10% (21.7%) reduction in the epithelization period on the burn wound healing model. The chloroform fraction produced 5% (90.17%) and 10% (91.01%), hexane fraction produced 5% (85.81%) and 10% (86.78%), and aqueous fraction produced 5% (99.17%) and 10% (99.38%) wound contraction on the 14^th day of the treatment and 5% (18.8) and 10% (28.2) percent reduction in the epithelization period on the excision wound healing model. Both hydromethanolic crude extract and solvent fractions at 5% and 10% (w/w) were significant (p < 0.001) compared with negative control.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that both 5% w/w and 10% w/w of 80% hydromethanolic crude extract and solvent fractions of B. abyssinica leaves have wound healing effects.

Plant genomics in Africa: present and prospects

Plants are the world's most consumed goods. They are of high economic value and bring many health benefits. In most countries in Africa, the supply and quality of food will rise to meet the growing population's increasing demand. Genomics and other biotechnology tools offer the opportunity to improve subsistence crops and medicinal herbs in the continent. Significant advances have been made in plant genomics, which have enhanced our knowledge of the molecular processes underlying both plant quality and yield. The sequencing of complex genomes of African plant species, facilitated by the continuously evolving next-generation sequencing technologies and advanced bioinformatics approaches, has provided new opportunities for crop improvement. This review summarizes the achievements of genome sequencing projects of endemic African plants in the last two decades. We also present perspectives and challenges for future plant genomic studies that will accelerate important plant breeding programs for African communities. These challenges include a lack of basic facilities, a lack of sequencing and bioinformatics facilities, and a lack of skills to design genomics studies. However, it is imperative to state that African countries have become key players in the plant genome revolution and genome derived-biotechnology. Therefore, African governments should invest in public plant genomics research and applications, establish bioinformatics platforms and training programs, and stimulate university and industry partnerships to fully deploy plant genomics, particularly in the fields of agriculture and medicine.

Ethiopian Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for the Treatment of Cancer; Part 3: Selective Cytotoxic Activity of 22 Plants against Human Cancer Cell Lines

Medicinal plants have been traditionally used to treat cancer in Ethiopia. However, very few studies have reported the in vitro anticancer activities of medicinal plants that are collected from different agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia. Hence, the main aim of this study was to screen the cytotoxic activities of 80% methanol extracts of 22 plants against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as well as human breast (MCF-7), lung (A427), bladder (RT-4), and cervical (SiSo) cancer cell lines. Active extracts were further screened against human large cell lung carcinoma (LCLC-103H), pancreatic cancer (DAN-G), ovarian cancer (A2780), and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (KYSE-70) by using the crystal violet cell proliferation assay, while the vitality of the acute myeloid leukemia (HL-60) and histiocytic lymphoma (U-937) cell lines was monitored in the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) microtiter assay. Euphorbia schimperiana, Acokanthera schimperi, Kniphofia foliosa, and Kalanchoe petitiana exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against A427, RT-4, MCF-7, and SiSo cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.85 ± 0.44 to 17.8 ± 2.31 µg/mL. Furthermore, these four extracts also showed potent antiproliferative activities against LCLC-103H, DAN-G, A2780, KYSE-70, HL-60, and U-937 cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.086 to 27.06 ± 10.8 µg/mL. Hence, further studies focusing on bio-assay-guided isolation and structural elucidation of active cytotoxic compounds from these plants are warranted.

Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction has remained as one of the major global health issues. Since the discovery of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, a significant portion of the patients has solved the issue of erectile dysfunction. However, the wide distribution of phosphodiesterase type 5 enzymes at various sites of the body led phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors to cause various unnecessary outcomes. Hence, it is vital to look for and find optional agents that could solve these limitations. The people of Ethiopia depend heavily on medicinal plants to ease their ailments, including erectile dysfunction. Aim of the study. The current study was carried out to systematically review the traditional medicinal plants used for the management of erectile dysfunction in Ethiopia.

METHOD

A systematic and manual search was conducted to retrieve relevant articles published from 2000 to August 2020. Electronic databases of PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar, and grey literature were employed to access the studies. Accordingly, fifty-four published articles and thesis papers were finally included in this study.

RESULT

Seventy plant species have been reported for the management of erectile dysfunction in Ethiopia. The commonly recorded family was Fabaceae, followed by Asteraceae, Malvaceae, Convolvulaceae, and Solanaceae. The plant species that represented the highest number of citations were Asparagus africanus, succeeded by Ricinus communis and Carissa spinarum. The commonest plant part used was roots. Majority of the medicinal plants were administered orally. The growth forms of the reported species were primarily herbs followed by shrubs.

CONCLUSION

The present review compiled medicinal plants utilized by the Ethiopian community to manage erectile dysfunction. The findings will serve as a reference for the selection of plants for further pharmacological, toxicological, and phytochemical investigations in developing new plant-based drugs used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Candidate Anti-COVID-19 Medicinal Plants from Ethiopia: A Review of Plants Traditionally Used to Treat Viral Diseases

BACKGROUND

Emerging viral infections are among the major global public health concerns. The pandemic COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory and vascular disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There are no medicines that can treat SARS-CoV-2 except the vaccines. Therefore, searching for plant-originated therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19 is required. Consequently, reviewing medicinal plants used to treat different viral infections is mandatory. This review article aims to review the ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants traditionally used to treat different viral diseases by the Ethiopian people and suggests those plants as candidates to fight COVID-19.

METHODS

Articles written in English were searched from online public databases using searching terms like "Traditional Medicine," "Ethnobotanical study," "Active components," "Antiviral activities," and "Ethiopia." Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using the Excel statistical software program.

RESULT

From the 46 articles reviewed, a total of 111 plant species were claimed to treat viral infections. Fifty-six (50.4%) of the plant species had reported to have antiviral active components that are promising to treat COVID-19. Lycorine, gingerol shogaol, resveratrol, rhoifolin, oleanolic acid, kaempferol, rosmarinic acid, almond oil, ursolic acid, hederagenin, nigellidine, α-hederin, apigenin, nobiletin, tangeretin, chalcone, hesperidin, epigallocatechin gallate, allicin, diallyl trisulfide, ajoene, aloenin, artemisinin, glucobrassicin, curcumin, piperine, flavonoids, anthraquinone, hydroxychloroquine, and jensenone were some of them.

CONCLUSION

The Ethiopian traditional knowledge applies a lot of medicinal plants to treat different viral infections. Reports of the chemical components of many of them confirm that they can be promising to fight COVID-19.

Evaluation of In Vivo Antidiabetic, In Vitro α-Amylase Inhibitory, and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Leaves Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of Bersama abyssinica Fresen (Melianthaceae)

Background.

The leaves of Bersama abyssinica are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in folk medicine system of Ethiopia. The present study was done based on the traditional claim of B abyssinica for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Methods.

The α-amylase inhibition and antioxidant activities of B abyssinica extracts were evaluated by using 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method and diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay model, respectively. Blood glucose lowering activity of the extracts was studied in 4 animal models; normoglycemic, oral glucose loaded, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice models.

Results.

Among the extracts, the crude extract showed the highest α-amylase enzyme inhibition activity with an IC₅₀ of 6.57 μg/mL. The water fraction showed the strongest antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ of 3.43 μg/mL. The crude extract at doses of 200, and 400 mg/kg showed significant (P < .05) hypoglycemic activity in normoglycemic mice. All doses of the crude extract significantly (P < .05) reduced blood glucose levels of oral glucose-loaded mice. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice models, both the crude and solvent fractions showed a significant (P < .05) blood glucose lowering effect as compared with the negative control group post 8 hour treatment.

Conclusion.

The results demonstrated the beneficial biochemical effects of B abyssinica extract by inhibiting α-amylase and scavenging the free radicals. The crude extract and solvent fractions of B abyssinica had significant blood glucose lowering effect in all animal models.

Ethiopian Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for the Treatment of Cancer, Part 2: A Review on Cytotoxic, Antiproliferative, and Antitumor Phytochemicals, and Future Perspective

This review provides an overview on the active phytochemical constituents of medicinal plants that are traditionally used to manage cancer in Ethiopia. A total of 119 articles published between 1968 and 2020 have been reviewed, using scientific search engines such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Twenty-seven medicinal plant species that belong to eighteen families are documented along with their botanical sources, potential active constituents, and in vitro and in vivo activities against various cancer cells. The review is compiled and discusses the potential anticancer, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic agents based on the types of secondary metabolites, such as terpenoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, steroids, and lignans. Among the anticancer secondary metabolites reported in this review, only few have been isolated from plants that are originated and collected in Ethiopia, and the majority of compounds are reported from plants belonging to different areas of the world. Thus, based on the available bioactivity reports, extensive and more elaborate ethnopharmacology-based bioassay-guided studies have to be conducted on selected traditionally claimed Ethiopian anticancer plants, which inherited from a unique and diverse landscape, with the aim of opening a way forward to conduct anticancer drug discovery program.

Quantitative Ethnobotanical Study of Indigenous Knowledge on Medicinal Plants Used by the Tribal Communities of Gokand Valley, District Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The current study on the traditional use of medicinal plants was carried out from February 2018 to March 2020, in Gokand Valley, District Buner, Pakistan. The goal was to collect, interpret, and evaluate data on the application of medicinal plants. Along with comprehensive notes on individual plants species, we calculated Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Use Report (UR), Fidelity Level (FL), Informant Consensus Factor (FCI), as well as Family Importance Value (FIV). During the current study, a total of 109 species belonging to 64 families were reported to be used in the treatment of various ailments. It included three families (four species) of Pteridophytes, 58 families (99 species) of angiosperm, one family (three species) of Gymnosperms, and two families (three species) of fungi. The article highlights the significance of domestic consumption of plant resources to treat human ailments. The UV varied from 0.2 (Acorus calamus L.) to 0.89 (Acacia modesta Wall.). The RFC ranged from 0.059 (Acorus calamus L. and Convolvulus arvensis L.) to 0.285 (Acacia modesta Wall.). The species with 100% FL were Acacia modesta Wall. and the fungus Morchella esculenta Fr., while the FCI was documented from 0 to 0.45 for gastro-intestinal disorders. The conservation ranks of the medicinal plant species revealed that 28 plant species were vulnerable, followed by rare (25 spp.), infrequent (17 spp.), dominant (16 spp.), and 10 species endangered. The traditional use of plants needs conservation strategies and further investigation for better utilization of natural resources.

Ethnobotanical study of selected medicinal plants traditionally used in the rural Greater Mpigi region of Uganda

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

This study provides the first report on selected traditional medicinal plant use, including parts used and methods of preparation, in the Greater Mpigi region of Uganda. This data supports the conservation of local traditional ecological knowledge and will facilitate future drug discovery research.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our study aimed to conserve culturally and scientifically-valuable medical knowledge of 16 plant species traditionally used in the Greater Mpigi region in Uganda, namely Albizia coriaria, Cassine buchananii, Combretum molle, Erythrina abyssinica, Ficus saussureana, Harungana madagascariensis, Leucas calostachys, Microgramma lycopodioides, Morella kandtiana, Plectranthus hadiensis, Securidaca longipedunculata, Sesamum calycinum subsp. angustifolium, Solanum aculeastrum, Toddalia asiatica, Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum chalybeum. An additional objective of the study was an ethnological investigation of the socio-cultural background and medical understanding of diseases treated by traditional healers in the study area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A pilot survey in the study area revealed that 16 plant species were frequently used in treatment of a variety of medical disorders. In order to obtain more complete information, we conducted a broader ethnobotanical survey using structured interviews with 39 traditional healers from 29 villages, specifically asking about the traditional uses of these 16 medicinal species.

RESULTS

Results of the survey confirmed a high level of traditional use of these species in the Greater Mpigi region. In addition, various other traditional uses and methods of preparation were recorded, most of them for the first time. In total, 75 different medical disorders treated with the plants were documented.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservation of traditional knowledge for future generations is vital, as loss has already been recorded due to multiple causes. The need for novel and more effective drugs derived from natural products is more important than ever, making future studies on herbal remedies both justified and urgently required. The traditional healers surveyed in this project also have expectations of the research - they would like to be updated about any resulting studies into the pharmacological efficacy of medicinal plants so that the research findings can inform their confidence in each herbal remedy.

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers to Treat Cancer-Like Symptoms in Eleven Districts, Ethiopia

There is no ethnobotanical study conducted specifically on medicinal plants traditionally used to treat cancer in Ethiopia. Yet, traditional herbalists in different parts of the country claim that they have been treating cancer-like symptoms using herbal remedies. The objective of this study was to document medicinal plants traditionally used to treat cancer-like symptoms in eleven districts, Ethiopia. Traditional herbalists were interviewed using semistructured questionnaires, and field visits were also carried out to collect claimed plants for identification purpose. Seventy-four traditional herbalists, who claimed that they knew about and/or had used medicinal plants to treat cancer-like symptoms, were selected using the snowball method and interviewed. Herbalists used their intuition and relied on the chronicity, growth of external mass, and spreading of the disease to other parts of the body, as a means to characterize cancer symptoms. Furthermore, in some of the study districts, herbalists reported that they treat patients who had already been diagnosed in modern healthcare institutions prior to seeking help from them. The inventory of medicinal plants is summarized in a synoptic table, which contains the scientific and vernacular names of the plants, their geographical location, the parts of the plants, and the methods used to prepare the remedies. A total of 53 traditionally used anticancer plants, belonging to 30 families, were identified during the survey. The most frequently reported anticancer plants were Acmella caulirhiza Del (Asteraceae), Clematis simensis Fresen. (Ranunculaceae), Croton macrostachyus Del. (Euphorbiaceae), and Dorstenia barnimiana Schweinf. (Moraceae). Organizing traditional healers, documenting their indigenous knowledge, and scientifically validating it for the development of better cancer therapeutic agents constitute an urgent and important task for policymakers and scientists.

Communicative challenges among physicians, patients, and family caregivers in cancer care: An exploratory qualitative study in Ethiopia

Background

Cancer is a growing concern in Ethiopia. Though communication is essential for the treatment process, few studies have looked at communication in Ethiopian cancer care. Due to the large number of patients and scarcity of resources, it is vital to understand how to manage consultations in order to effectively help as many patients as possible in this challenging work environment. Thus, research is needed to analyze and understand the communicative challenges experienced by physicians, patients, and family caregivers, in order to successfully handle patient care in practice.

Objective

We explore communication in Ethiopian cancer care and present the main challenges faced by physicians, patients, and family caregivers.

Methods

This explorative qualitative study was conducted at the Oncology Department of the Tikur Anbessa (Black Lion) Specialized Teaching Hospital (TASH) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A triangulation of data collection methods was used: 91 audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews and 21 video-recordings of authentic interactions during hospital rounds. The aim was to obtain as complete a picture as possible of communication from the perspectives of physicians, patients, and family caregivers. The interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis and the identified themes were supported by excerpts from the transcribed recordings.

Results

Eight themes emerged from the data. Workload and time pressure, in combination with restricted space for privacy, limited the possibilities for physicians to deliver detailed information and provide emotional support. Furthermore, patient literacy levels, in combination with no or little cancer awareness, financial problems, reliance on traditional and religious treatments, the stigma of cancer, and a fatalistic attitude, resulted in delays in patients seeking care and participating in positive health behaviors, and, subsequently, often resulted in an unwillingness to openly discuss problems with physicians and adhere to treatment. The study also illustrates the paramount role of family in physician-patient communication in Ethiopia. Though family caregivers provide a valuable interpreting support when patients have limited language skills, they can also prevent patients from sharing information with physicians. Another important finding is that family caregivers were often responsible for making decisions about treatment and avoided telling patients about a poor prognosis, believing that conveying bad news may upset them. All of these themes have important implications for the role of ethically acceptable communication in patient-centered care.

Conclusions

This study has identified a number of serious challenges for successful and ethically acceptable health communication in Ethiopian cancer care. The study contributes to our understanding of the complexity around the role of family, combined with patients’ dependency on family members for communication, support, and access to care, which creates particular ethical dilemmas for the medical staff. The questions raised by this study concern how to organize consultations to achieve patient-centered health communication, while maintaining a constructive alliance with the family and not jeopardizing the patient’s continued access to care. The integration of communication training for medical students in Ethiopia, with a focus on ethical guidelines for family-centered patient consultation suitable for these circumstances, would be an essential step.