Ethnobotanical study to investigate the ethnomedicinal uses of plants by the Batswapong tribe, Eastern Botswana was done. This revealed a wealth of traditional knowledge on uses of medicinal plants. Thirty six plants distributed across twenty two families were recorded to treat sixty ailments. Most of these plants were trees (61%) with roots (82%) being the most frequently used parts for preparation of remedies across the twenty two families. For each species, its botanical family and vernacular name, medicinal uses, parts used and mode of preparation were documented. This study has revealed that knowledge on uses of medicinal plants is shrinking because of restrictions from religions, migration to urban areas, lack of interest by younger generations on uses of medicinal plants. The study concludes by advocating for the implementation of government policies that will significantly contribute towards the preservation of biodiversity and indigenous traditional knowledge of medicinal flora.

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Water and methanol extracts from roots of Ozoroa paniculosa (Anarcardiaceae); seeds of Colophospermum mopane (Caesalpiniaceae) and Cucumis metuliferus (Cucurbitaceae) ripe fruits were assessed for in vitro antioxidant activity. Free radical scavenging activity was measured spectrophotometrically as maximum fading power of DPPH at 525 nm. Water and methanol extracts of Ozoroa paniculosa exhibited higher scavenging potency than extracts of either Colophospermum mopane or Cucumis metuliferus at all tested concentrations. None of the extracts from Cucumis metuliferus exhibited any recognizable free radical scavenging activity. Above 50 microg mL(-1) both water and methanol extracts of Ozoroa paniculosa exhibited 91% scavenging activity similar to the control compounds L-ascorbic acid (91%) and (-) epicatechin (92%). Between 50-100 microg mL(-1), water and methanol extracts of Colophospermum mopane exhibited scavenging potency of < or = 70%. However, above 100 microg mL(-1), both water and methanolic extracts of C. mopane exhibited scavenging activity > 70%. Chloroform extracts of all the tested plants showed poor scavenging activity (< 30%). The order of scavenging potency for the tested samples was as follows: L-ascorbic acid > or = epicatechin > O. paniculosa (methanolic extract) > O. paniculosa (water extract) > O. paniculosa (ethylacetate extract) > C. mopane (methanolic extract) > C. mopane (water extract) > all extracts of C. metuliferus. These findings lend credence to the use of these plants as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents in folk medicine.

Water and ethanol extracts of roots from Cassine transvaalensis Burtt-Davy (celastraceae) were assessed for in vitro antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The ethanolic extract exhibited higher free radical scavenging effect than the water extract at all tested concentrations. Above 100µg/ml, the ethanolic extract showed 80% scavenging activity, similar to control antioxidant compounds quercetin, rutin and L-ascorbic acid. The water extract reached a similar level of activity (80%) at 200µg/ml. Between 20-50µg/ml, 4'-O-methylepigallocatechin isolated by bioassay directed fractionation exhibited scavenging activity greater than that of either the ethanolic or aqueous crude extract. However, at concentrations above 50µg/ml, the scavenging activity of the ethanolic extract exceeded that of 4'-O-methyl-epigallocatechin.The results suggest that extracts from the roots of Cassine transvaalensis have strong antioxidant activity. These findings support the ethnomedical use of this plant to promote good health.

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