Plants used to treat epilepsy by Tanzanian traditional healers

Moshi, Mainen J.; Kagashe, Godeliver A.B.; Mbwambo, Zakaria H.

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.11.015

Cited by 103 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…No previous scientific study had ever revealed its anticonvulsant activity but however, Noumi and Fozi (2003) reported the use of a related plant (Ficus sycomorus) in combination with other plants such as Asystasia gangetica, Ficus mucoso, and Aframamum melegueta in Fongo-Tongo community in Cameroon to cure epileptsy. Beside this report, Tanzanian healers have been reported to boil the bark of Ficus sycomorus in the treatment of epilepsy (Moshi et al, 2005). Another study conducted by Sandabe et al (2003) revealed that aqueous extract of F. sycomorus stem bark at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg protected laboratory animals from death while Ibrahim et al, (2008), using the flavonoid fraction of F. sycomorus, obtained an anticonvulsant activity against the PTZ and maximal electroshock seizure (MES) models at 10 mg/kg.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…It affects about 50 million people worldwide (Moshi et al, 2005). This epilepsy prevalence far exceeds those in developing countries (Baskind and Birbeck, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Cameroon, epilepsy prevalence reaches 6% in some endemic areas (Njamnshi et al, 2009a) such as Badissa in the Center region (Njamnshi et al, 2009b). In most societies, epilepsy is regarded as possession by evil spirits, and is seen as a highly contagious and shameful disease (Moshi et al, 2005). This stigma has long been recognized as a major burden to people with epilepsy and their families especially in sub-Saharan Africa where the combination of poverty, social role expectations, limited medical care, and traditional beliefs coalesce to severely limit their live span (Baskind and Birbeck, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in developing countries, 75% of people with epilepsy do not receive the appropriate treatment (WHO, 2001) and their epilepsy remains uncontrolled, rendering the patients unproductive in all spheres of life. In the scarcity of such drugs, they mainly rely on traditional medicines as the only mains of control in both rural and urban areas (Moshi et al, 2005) of these countries. In fact, 80% of the population relies on traditional medicines or folk remedies for their primary health care need (Hedge et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anticonvulsant activity of extracts from six Cameroonian plants traditionally used to treat epilepsy

Nguepi¹,

Fokunang²,

Boyom³

et al. 2015

Int. J. Bio. Chem. Sci

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Epilepsy remains one of the leading public health problems that affects about 50 million people worldwide, thus stressing the need for new anticonvulsant drug. This study was designed to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity against Penty lenetetrazole induced-convulsion in mice. Plants were extracted by maceration with water or organic solvents. The extracts were tested against PTZ-induced convulsion by measuring onset seizure, clonic seizure onset, convulsion duration, death time and percentage of protection. A. cordifolia leaf extract protected all animals from death at 1000 mg/kg. A. muricata stem extract delayed seizures at 200 and 400 mg/kg, while the onset of tonicoclonic (TC) seizures was significantly delayed at the highest doses tested for the seed extract (800 mg/kg). Stem and leaf extracts of A. senegalensis significantly delayed seizure onset at all doses. D. adescendes extract significantly protected mice from death. F. thonningii leaf extract at the smallest dose tested (200 mg/kg), significantly delayed the seizure onset and the occurrence of TC convulsions. Bark extract of V. doniana significantly delayed the seizure onset at all doses tested. The results obtained corroborate with the traditional claims that these plants can be a valuable source of new anticonvulsant compounds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…It affects about 50 million people worldwide (Moshi et al, 2005). This epilepsy prevalence far exceeds those in developing countries (Baskind and Birbeck, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Anticonvulsant activity of extracts from six Cameroonian plants traditionally used to treat epilepsy

Nguepi¹,

Fokunang²,

Boyom³

et al. 2015

Int. J. Bio. Chem. Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The pharmacological activity of 8 plants is summarized as below [ Anti-diabetic activity [73] , Anti-oxidant activity [74] , Antibacterial Activity [75,76] , Anticancer activity [77] , Anti-inflammatory activity [78,79] , Anti-depressant activity [80] , Neuromuscular blocking activity [81] , Antiepileptic activity [82] , Antiviral activity [83] , Anti-yeast activity [84] , Anti-malarial activity [85] 2.…”

Section: Diuretic Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review on Medicinal Plants Used as Diuretics From Karnataka State

Paarakh¹

2017

WJPPS

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Medicinal herbs are the significant source for treatment of number of diseases, one such is Diuretics. Mono and poly-herbal preparations have been used as diuretics. According to estimate, more than 650 mono and poly-herbal preparations in the form of decoction, tincture, tablets and capsules are from more than 75 plants that are in clinical use. There exist a large number of studies which supports the diuretic effects of traditional herbal medicines. Herbal medicine have been the most commonly prescribed medications for diuretics. They inhibit electrolyte reabsorption from the lumen of the nephron, increasing osmolarity, enhancing water and electrolyte excretion. It is important to note that there is a delicate balance between dietary sodium intake and sodium loss. If the balance is compromised and there is a greater intake of sodium into the body, but not enough sodium removal, complications of fluid overload occur, such as oedema, pulmonary oedema or high blood pressure. When there is greater removal of sodium, but not enough sodium intake, complications of fluid depletion take place, such as renal failure or reduced output of blood from the heart. The ability to induce a negative fluid balance has made diuretics useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions, particularly in hypertension and oedematous states. This review gives information about few herbal plants which are used traditionally in Karnataka as diuretics. There are a large number of studies which supports the diuretic effects of traditional herbal medicines which is presented along with chemical constituents and other pharmacological action of the plants.

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Jequirity Bean and Abrin ( Abrus precatorius L.)

Barceloux

2008

Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances

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HISTORYIn India, there is a long history of the use of abrin from the jequirity bean plant to poison animals and humans. 1 Administration of small doses of seeds (beans) from Abrus precatorius to protect animals from abrin poisoning is one of the earliest examples of active immunization. 2 The seeds from Abrus precatorius are called gumchi in Hindustani and gunja in Sanskrit. The physical properties (e.g., uniformity, durability) of these seeds were used in Southeast Asia for weighing jewels and gold. An old system of weights called the Ganda system was based on multiples of the weight of four A. precatorius seeds. 2 In addition, jequirity beans were used by some African and Madagascar tribes as an ordeal poison, but the delayed toxicity and the development of immunity limited the effectiveness of the these seeds as an ordeal poison. In Arab countries, jequirity beans (coq ' s eye) were an aphrodisiac. Extracts of these seeds were used to treat chronic eye diseases during the 19th century, particularly trachoma. 3 In India and Sri Lanka during the early 20th century, abrin was used as a homicidal agent by stabbing the victim with a hardened, needle -shaped abrin paste. 21 Scientifi c Name: Abrus precatorius L. Botanical Family: Fabaceae (pea) Physical Description: Small (1 cm/ ∼ 0.4 in.) alternate compound leafl ets develop on a twisting vine that grows up to 20 ft (6 m) in length. The bright scarlet seeds are 3 -8 mm (0.1 -0.3 in.) long and ovoid with a jet black end. The three color variations of these seeds include a red seed with a black eye (Indian native), a black seed with a white eye, and a white seed with a black eye. Distribution and Ecology: Abrus precatorius is a vine used as an ornamental plant in tropical regions, such as southern Florida and the Florida Keys. Abrus precatorius also inhabits tropical and subtropical climates in Southeast Asia, India, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

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Plants used to treat epilepsy by Tanzanian traditional healers

Cited by 103 publications

References 30 publications

Anticonvulsant activity of extracts from six Cameroonian plants traditionally used to treat epilepsy

Anticonvulsant activity of extracts from six Cameroonian plants traditionally used to treat epilepsy

A Review on Medicinal Plants Used as Diuretics From Karnataka State

Jequirity Bean and Abrin ( Abrus precatorius L.)

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