An ethnobotanical and antidiarrhoeal investigation of plants used traditionally in the Maputaland area homesteads
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Date
2013
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University of Zululand
Abstract
Zulu people living in the rural area of Maputaland (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) rely
heavily on medicinal plants, particularly for the treatment of diarrhoea. The main aim
of this study was to determine which plants are used in this area to treat diarrhoea
and to validate their antidiarrhoeal efficacy against diarrhoeal-related pathogens.
An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in four different localities in northern
Maputaland (Mabibi, Mseleni, Mbazwana/ Olakeni and Tshongwe) on plants that are
used to treat diarrhoeal infections. Twenty three plant species were documented and
collected in the survey. A muthi market survey was also performed where three more
plant species namely Sarcophyte sanguinea, Ximenia caffra and Strychnos
henningsii were identified to treat diarrhoea. Acacia burkei, Brachylaena
transvaalensis, Cissampelos hirta and Sarcostemma viminale were recorded for the
first time globally as antidiarrhoeal remedies. Psidium guajava was the most
mentioned (43%) plant to be used traditionally to treat diarrhoea followed by
Catharanthus roseus and Melia azedarach. Most of the interviewees mentioned the
use of plants individually but some mentioned the use of plants in combinations. The
following plants were said to be used in combination; Brachylaena transvaalensis
with Psidium guajava; Sclerocarya birrea, Acanthospermum glabratum in
combination with Krauseola mosambicina; Psidium guajava and Mangifera indica in
combination with Sarcophyte sanguinea. Most plants were used as leaf decoctions.
The study also revealed that the choice of plants used was based on the availability
of the plant in and around the interviewees’ homestead. One new vernacular name
was recorded which demonstrates the importance of recording this information.
Antidiarrhoeal studies were performed with the crude extracts against diarrhoeal
pathogens. Organic extracts of Terminalia sericea showed noteworthy antibacterial
activity (mean MIC value of 0.04 mg/ml against Shigella flexneri). Many other plant
species showed noteworthy activities against different pathogens. More than 80% of
plant species screened were active against at least one out of seven of the
diarrhoeal pathogens. Proteus vulgaris showed overall the least susceptibility, while
Shigella flexneri proved to be the most susceptible pathogen. Aqueous extracts
generally showed poorer antimicrobial activity with some exceptions i.e. Acacia
burkei, Garcinia livingstonei, Sclerocarya birrea and Terminalia sericea. The
antibacterial activity of plant species collected from the homesteads demonstrated
better activity compared to those collected from the muthi markets. In the
combination studies, synergy (ƩFIC < 0.50) was observed against at least four or
more pathogens. Combinations of Acanthospermum glabratum with Psidium guajava
and Brachylaena transvaalensis with Psidium guajava, proved to be the most
favourable combinations. Some aqueous extracts in combination showed synergistic
interactions. The combination of Acanthospermum glabratum with Krauseola
mosambicina showed (76%) synergistic interactions when investigated in various
ratios. The results from this study correlates to a certain extent with the use of
particular plant species to treat diarrhoea infections. Furthermore there is some
correlation between the best antimicrobial activities and the most frequently used
plant species and plant combinations used by the lay people in the Maputaland area.
Description
Submitted for the fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science
to the faculty of Science and Agriculture in the Department of Botany at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2013.
Keywords
Diarrhoea, Medicinal plants, Diarrhea treatment