Recent Advances on Pharmacology and Chemistry of Pycnanthus angolensis over the last decade (2012-2021)

<i>Pycnanthus angolensis</i>, widely known under its trade name "ilomba", is a medicinal plant from the family Myristicaceae that has occupied a prominent place in African traditional medicine for several decades; its broad application to treat numerous diseases, including malaria, bacterial infections and most recently COVID-19. The various chemical studies undertaken on the plant identified many classes of specialized compounds, including quinone-terpenoids, lignans and isoflavonoids, as the most abundant and bioactive components. The plant is defined as a major asset in developing new potent drugs and deserves further investigation in this regard. This mini-review aims to compile the newly documented findings on the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of<i> P. angolensis</i> over the last decade from 2012 to 2021. In this regard, a literature search using the keyword <i>Pycnanthus</i> has been done without language restriction in numerous online libraries, including Scifinder, PubMed, Google Scholar, and only papers on <i>Pycnanthus angolensis</i> published after 2011 have been exploited during the writing.

A (NÃO) CONTRIBUIÇÃO DA TIPIFICAÇÃO DO CRIME DE CURANDEIRISMO PARA A DEMONIZAÇÃO DAS RELIGIÕES DE MATRIZES AFRICANAS

The observation of the data of religious intolerance in Brazil against Afro-Brazilian religions generates curiosity about the reasons why this occurs. Inserting Criminal Law as a matter of analysis, the crime of african traditional medicine provided for in Article 284 of the Penal Code might be assessed as a possible reflection of religious racism within the legal system. Whereas, in order to classify the aforementioned crime, the protected legal good is public security, the concept of health privileged by the ordering system will stand out, in contrast to those adopted by african cults. By demonizing these religions, the practice of healing is criminalized, but also a determined way of existing, being and remaining in this the world. The main objective of the research is, therefore, to verify if the typification of the healing crime contributes to the demonization of African-based religions. For that, the bibliographic research technique and the deductive method will be used. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the law functions as an instrument to maintain the interests of a certain racial group. With the work of political and legal forces legitimizing ethnocentrism and the persecution of AfroBrazilian religions, the typification of the crime of africn traditional medicine silences beliefs of African matrices, contributing to the increase of religious intolerance against them and perpetuating structural racism in the Brazilian legal system.

Etude Phytochimique Des Écorces De Racines Et Des Feuilles De Securidaca longipedunculata (Fresen), Polygalaceae Au Mali

Securidaca longipedunculata est une plante largement utilisée en Médecine Traditionnelle Africaine. L’objectif de ce travail est de caractériser les constituants chimiques et anti-radicalaires des feuilles et des écorces de racines de la plante. Les échantillons ont été récoltés et contrôlés, des extraits ont été préparés et les rendements déterminés, les constituants ont été caractérisés par des réactions colorées et de précipitation et par la chromatographie sur couche mince. Les caractères macroscopiques des organes sont entre autres : lisse, épaisse et jaune clair, tortueuse, rugueuse avec une odeur caractéristique pour l’écorce et la racine ; alternes, entières, simples, oblongues-elliptiques, sommet arrondi avec un pétiole mince pour les feuilles. La poudre des échantillons est de couleur blanche sale, d’odeur forte repoussante et de saveur piquante pour les écorces de racines ; couleur verdâtre, odeur faible non repoussante et de saveur légèrement piquante pour les feuilles. Le meilleur rendement de l’extraction est 33,24% pour le décocté 20% des écorces de racines et 36,37% pour l’extrait hydroalcoolique de feuilles. Les constituants chimiques communs aux deux organes sont les composés triterpéniques et les coumarines ; plus particulièrement les flavonoïdes, tanins et les alcaloïdes sont les constituants majoritaires des feuilles. En plus les mucilages, oses et holosides sont modérément présents dans les deux organes. La richesse des échantillons des deux organes en ses constituants peut justifier certaines utilisations traditionnelles de la plante. Securidaca longipedunculata is a plant widely used in African Traditional Medicine. The objective of this work was to characterize the chemical constituents of the leaves and root bark of the plant. Samples were collected and checked, extracts were prepared and the yield were determined. The chemical and anti-free radical constituents were characterized by color and precipitation reactions and by thin layer chromatography. The macroscopic characters of the organs are, among others: smooth, thick and light yellow, twisted, rough with a characteristic odor to the root bark; alternate, entire, simple, oblong-elliptical, rounded top and a thin petiole for the leaves. The powder of the samples is dirty white, with a strong repulsive odor and pungent flavor for the root bark; greenish color, faint non-repulsive odor and slightly pungent flavor for the leaves. The best extraction yield was 33.24% for the aqueous extract 20% of the root bark and 36.37% for the hydroalcoholic extract of the leaves. The chemical constituents common to both organs are triterpene compounds and coumarins; while flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids are the major constituents of the leaves. In addition, mucilages, oses and holosides are moderately present in both organs. Samples from both organs were found to be rich in anti-free radical constituents. The richness of organ samples in these constituents may justify certain traditional uses of the plant.

“Piercing the veil into Beliefs”: Christians Metaphysical Realities vis-à-vis Realities on African Traditional Medicine

This paper centres on the contentions between the use of African Traditional medicine and convoluted beliefs among some Christianity groups. It is argued that most Pentecostal churches in Africa vilify African cultural practices and deter their converts from using African traditional medicine. Feelings of disgrace and trepidation when asked about traditional healing frequently make it difficult, particularly for the individuals who have become Christians and have acknowledged western medicine, to reveal their insight into non-western treatments. Against this backdrop, the primary aim of this paper is to unveil the conflict between Christianity and the use of African traditional medicine. The broad aim is to create a platform for a conjectural dialogue towards appreciation for a ‘new world order’ that necessitates an integration of African Traditional Religion and Christianity through adopting a comprehension of cultural differences. The paper draws in the existing scholarly literature on the contention that Pentecostalism do not acclimatize with cultural practices of the African indigenous people preceding persuading them about switching to God who is introduced in the Bible. It has been established that as per the Bible and Christian teachings, the use of traditional medicine is a cursed thing. The authors recommend a confrontation of the healing crisis in Africa through fostering cordial cooperation and of biomedicine, African traditional practitioners and Christian groups.

Ethnomedicinal herbs in African traditional medicine with potential activity for the prevention, treatment, and management of coronavirus disease 2019

Background Ethnomedicine, a study of traditional medicine, is significant in drug discovery and development. African traditional medicine has been in existence for several thousands of years, and several drugs have been discovered and developed from it. Main text The deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 has widely spread globally with high mortality and morbidity. Its prevention, treatment and management still pose a serious challenge. A drug for the cure of this disease is yet to be developed. The clinical management at present is based on symptomatic treatment as presented by individuals infected and this is by combination of more than two drugs such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and anti-microbials. Literature search was performed through electronic searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, and several research reports including WHO technical documents and monographs. Conclusion Drug discovery from herbs is essential and should be exploited for the discovery of drugs for the management of COVID-19. This review is aimed at identifying ethnomedicinal herbs available in Africa that could be used for the discovery and development of a drug for the prevention, treatment, and management of the novel coronavirus disease 2019.

Traditional African Medicine

African traditional medicine is defined as one of the holistic health care system comprised of three levels of specializations namely divination, spiritualism, and herbalism. The traditional healer provides healing services based on culture, religious background, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that are prevalent in his community. Hence the current chapter focuses on the different types of african healing system, traditional healers, traditional practices and modern herbalism and also describes the phytochemical and pharmacological evidences of the traditional african herbs like Acanthus montanus (Acanthaceae), Amaranthus spinosus (Amaranthaceae), Bridelia ferruginea (Euphorbiaceae) etc.

“Is there no balm in Gilead?” : Exploring Effects of Traditional Medicine on Reproductive Health of Rural Women in Allandale, Mpumalanga

The negative reports associated with traditional medicine come from bogus traditional practitioners who expose women to the harmful consequences of concoctions supplied and administered on them. However, factors such as people’s confidence in traditional medicine and the high costs associated with conventional Western medical treatments lead most rural women to traditional medicine usage. This study is grounded in critical and sociocultural theory. An explorative qualitative research was used. Data were collected through open-ended questions, non-participant covert observations as well as focus group discussions and then analysed using the thematic analysis method. The study participants consisted of seven rural women, five traditional health practitioners, three elderly people and 3 Western-trained doctors who were all sampled using non-probability sampling methods (purposive and snowball sampling) in Allandale village. The findings of the study showed that African traditional medicine plays a pivotal role in reproductive health care by offering readily available, cheap, culturally oriented and accessible health care for most rural women. Thus, the study recommends an introduction of a regulatory framework on the production, storage, use and trade of African traditional medicine.