Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants used in the management of HIV and AIDS-Related conditions in Makete District, Southern Highlands of Tanzania
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Date
2020
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Publisher
European Journal of Medicinal Plants
Abstract
Aims: Plants used in traditional medicine have contributed to the development of modern
medicines, but in order to boost the discovery of novel drugs to fight diseases such as HIV/AIDS
and emerging new diseases, systematic evaluation of many more plants needs to continue. The
aim of the present study was to document medicinal plants used in the management of HIV and
AIDS-related conditions in Makete District, Tanzania.
Study Design: This was qualitative ethnopharmacological survey.
Place and Duration of Study: Makete District in Njombe Region, Tanzania between March and
April 2019.
Methodology: This ethnopharmacological survey was conducted using a semi-structured
questionnaire. The study focused only on traditional health practitioners (THP) registered by
government health authorities in Makete District. The HIV and AIDS-related conditions considered
in this study were tuberculosis, Herpes zoster, candidiasis, sexually transmitted infections, cough,
skin rashes, frequent fevers, chronic diarrhea, chronic wounds, warts, oral thrush and weight loss.
Literature survey was carried out to evaluate strength of the THP claims based on similar
ethnopharmacological claims and proven pharmacological activities of the plants.
Results: Among the ten THP interviewed seven were male and three were female. The average
age and years of practice were 57.5 and 26.5 years, respectively. Thirty-seven plant species
representing 36 genera and 27 families were reported to be used for the treatment of different HIV
and AIDS-related conditions. Twelve (32.4 %) and 15 (40.5 %) species did not have previously
reported ethnopharmacological and pharmacological activities, respectively. Among the 37 plant
species identified 13 species (35%) have been previously reported for similar
ethnopharmacological uses and 12 (32%) species had literature reports on respective biological
activities. Nine species have reported antiviral activity and seven of them displayed specific
activities against HIV-1.
Conclusion: A significant number of medicinal plants identified in this study are reported here for
the first time in relation to their use for HIV and AIDS-related conditions. The study also provides
information that correlates well with previously published ethnopharmacological information or
laboratory results of tests against HIV-1 or related conditions, thus justifying the need for screening
and detailed studies intended to isolate and characterize compounds active against HIV and
related conditions.
Keywords: Traditional medicine; HIV and AIDS-related conditions; Makete; Tanzania.
Description
Keywords
Traditional medicine, HIV and AIDS-related conditions, Makete; Tanzania
Citation
Marealle, A.I., Innocent, E., Marobela, K.A., Qwarse, M. and Moshi, M., 2020. Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of HIV and AIDS-Related Conditions in Makete District, Southern Highlands of Tanzania. European Journal of Medicinal Plants, 31(14), pp.56-83.