Southern African medicinal plants used to treat skin diseases

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThis overview of southern African medicinal plants of dermatological relevance explores the fundamental knowledge available on the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties of medicinal plants used to treat skin ailments. Also included is an overview undertaken on the phytochemistry and toxicity of plants used in treatments related to diseases of the skin. Some findings include the predominance of leaf material used (48%), as well as the frequent use of decoctions (35%). Dermatological skin pathogens such as Propionibacterium acnes, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum are recommended for study in future antimicrobial research. Attention to these aspects should lead to new directives for commercialization and provide insight towards the understanding of some neglected plant species used for the treatment of skin diseases.

<i>In vitro</i> studies on the antimicrobial, antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of <i>Cephalaria gigantea</i>

“…This may be due to qualitative and quantitative differences in the phytochemical composition of the extracts (Geyyid et al, 2005). The observed reduced inhibition of micro-organisms by the water and hydro-ethanol extracts of C. gigantea leaf may not be unconnected with the fact the active antimicrobial agents in the plant may be non-polar (Mabona and Van Vuuren, 2013). The root extracts showed poor inhibition against most of the bacteria strains, but the ethanol extract was active against most of the fungi strains at the MIC of 3.1 mg/ mL.…”

Toxicological Study Employing Repeated Doses of Garcinielliptone FC, a Polyisoprenylated-Benzophenone Isolated from Seed of Platonia Insignis Mart

“…These data suggest that the toxicological safety profile of medicinal plants should be drawn, since its use in folk medicine is increasingly carried out by the Brazilian population, particularly the inhabitants of the state of Piaui, which has easy access to P. insignis and products derived from parts of the plant of this species. Furthermore, the safety assessment on the use of herbal medicines has recently been questioned due to reports of deaths and diseases, which reinforces the need for the present study [24,25].…”

“…All animals were carefully examined for symptoms of toxicity (behavioral changes and mortality) within 30, 90 and 120 days, consecutively. Control (Vehicle) 25 mg/kg (GFC (25), 50 mg/kg, GFC (50) e 75 mg/kg (GFC (75)).…”

A Review of Medicinal Plants Used by the Basotho for Treatment of Skin Disorders: Their Phytochemical, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Potential

“…Despite the fact that several of the listed plants have been tested against some skin related pathogens such as C. albicans, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes, many are yet to be tested for their activity against these, for example only 12 plants have been tested against C. albicans, 16 against P. aeruginosa, 24 against S. aureus, and 12 against S. epidermidis (although the latter is usually not pathogenic). The situation worsens when other common skin disease-causing agents are considered, according to Mabona and Van Vuuren (2013) for instance, pathogens such as Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum have not featured in many studies, this has also become evident in the current review. For example, Myrsine africana is used for ringworm (the aforementioned fungi being some of the causal agents), however it has so far only been tested against B. pumilus, Enterobacter aerogenes, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. epidermis, and S. pneumoniae for which it has shown low to no activity (Ahmad et al, 2011).…”