Croton megalobotrys Müll Arg. and Vitex doniana (Sweet): Traditional medicinal plants in a three-step treatment regimen that inhibit in vitro replication of HIV-1

Ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of Croton megalobotrys Mϋll Arg: A systematic review

“…Selowa et al [35] All extracts showed antibacterial activities, with the highest activity observed against Enterococcus faecalis with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.02 mg/ml [35]. These findings somehow support the species' antibacterial potential and its usefulness in its traditional usage as herbal medicine for diarrhoea [8], gonorrhoea [38], skin infections [24,35], STIs [37], stomach problems [8] and venereal diseases [6]. More research is recommended focusing on antibacterial activities of C. megalobotrysagainst known bacterial pathogens such as Neissseria gonorrhoeae which cause gonorrhoea, and other bacterial pathogens such as Shigella dysenterae, Shigella flexneri and Vibrio cholerae which cause gastrointestinal infections.…”

“…Croton megalobotrys bark extracts inhibited HIV-1NL4.3 replication with dose-dependence and without concomitant cytotoxicity and inhibited HIV-1 replication by a maximum of 45 % at concentrations as low as 0.05 mg/ml. According to Tietjen et al [8],C. megalobotrys extracts did not interfere with antiviral activities of licensed ARVs when applied in combination and exhibited comparable efficacies against viruses harboring major resistance mutations to licensed protease, reverse-transcriptase, or integrase inhibitors.…”

“…In Botswana, root infusion of C. megalobotrys is taken orally for fattening babies [11] and seed decoction of the species is taken orally as laxative [22]. Recently, research done by Tietjen et al [8] in Botswana revealed that C. megalobotrys is widely used to treat or manage human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) opportunistic infections such as diarrhoea, loss of appetite and stomach problems.…”

“…Tietjen et al [8] evaluated the crude extracts of C. megalobotrys for in vitro cytotoxicity and inhibition of wild-type (NL4.3) and ARV-resistant HIV-1 replication in an immortalized GFPreporter CD4 + T-cell line. The study by Tietjen et al [8] is based on the wide use of C. megalobotrys as herbal medicine for treating and managing HIV/AIDS in Botswana where in some cases the species is used concurrently with standard ARVs. Croton megalobotrys bark extracts inhibited HIV-1NL4.3 replication with dose-dependence and without concomitant cytotoxicity and inhibited HIV-1 replication by a maximum of 45 % at concentrations as low as 0.05 mg/ml.…”

“…According to Salatino et al [2], several Croton species are widely used as traditional medicines in Africa, Asia and South America. Research by several authors [3][4][5][6][7][8] revealed that C. megalobotrys is an important medicinal plant used by both rural and urban communities throughout its native distributional range in tropical Africa. Croton megalobotrys is traded as medicinal plant in herbal medicine (muti) markets or shops in the Mpumalanga province in South Africa [9].…”