Newsletter No. 52
By • Apr 3rd, 2011 • Category: UncategorizedRITAM
Newsletter No 52 – March 2011
Multidisciplinary University Traditional Health Initiative (MUTHI): Training needs assessments
This EU-funded research capacity strengthening project started in January 2011, under the leadership of the University of Oslo. It aims to strengthen research capacity in African Universities for the development of herbal medicines. The other partners are the University of Bamako, the University of Makerere, The University of the Western Cape, The University of the Free State (Bloemfontein, South Africa), The University of Amsterdam, and the University of Oxford.
Part of this work is to improve capacity to conduct clinical trials of herbal medicines, and in order to do this we are conducting a training needs assessment. If you have been involved, or plan to become involved, in a clinical trial of a herbal medicine, please contact merlinwillcox@doctors.org.uk and you will be sent a questionnaire (questionnaires have already been sent to key members of the clinical group). Please return it by 25th March 2011. This will be used to plan the training which we will offer, online and in workshops, to the best candidates.
We will also conduct training needs assessments of researchers working on herbal medicines in African Universities on medical anthropology / ethnobotany, and intellectual property rights issues. If you are interested in completing a training needs assessment, please contact merlinwillcox@doctors.org.uk
The 14th Symposium of the Natural Product Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA): “NATURAL PRODUCTS FROM AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY”
This is being held on 8 – 12th August 2011 at the International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya. For more information see: http://www.napreca.net/14symposium/
There is also a pre-symposium workshop on 1-5 August at the Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi.
International Conference on Ethnobotany, Maputo, Mozambique
This conference will be held from 23-25 November 2011. The theme is valorisation of African biodiversity, options for sustainable development and contribution to the fight against poverty. Further details are available from adelaide.agostinho@mct.gov.mz
Publication of African Herbal Pharmacopoeia
This is the output of the Association for African Medicinal Plants Standards (www.aamps.org) to which some RITAM members contributed. The aim is to develop quality control and quality assurance standards, to support the African herbal industry. It contains monographs of 50 medicinal plants. The book is available to order from http://www.earthprint.com/productfocus.php?id=AAMPS002&q=african%20herbal
Special issue of Malaria Journal on “Natural products for the control of malaria”
A special issue of “Malaria Journal” has been published. RITAM was involved in planning this issue, and many RITAM members have contributed to the articles. Thank you to everyone who contributed, and special thanks are due to Prof Hagai Ginsburg who coordinated and edited this special issue. All the articles are available for free download from http://www.malariajournal.com/supplements/10/S1
A call for using natural compounds in the development of new antimalarial treatments – an introduction
Hagai Ginsburg, Eric Deharo
How can natural products serve as a viable source of lead compounds for the development of new/novel anti-malarials?
Eric Guantai, Kelly Chibale
Natural products as starting points for future anti-malarial therapies: going back to our roots?
Timothy NC Wells
Whole plant extracts versus single compounds for the treatment of malaria: synergy and positive interactions
Philippe Rasoanaivo, Colin W Wright, Merlin L Willcox, Ben Gilbert
Analysis of additivity and synergism in the anti-plasmodial effect of purified compounds from plant extracts
Eric Deharo, Hagai Ginsburg
To what extent can traditional medicine contribute a complementary or alternative solution to malaria control programmes?
Bertrand Graz, Andrew Y Kitua, Hamisi M Malebo
Do ethnobotanical and laboratory data predict clinical safety and efficacy of anti-malarial plants?
Merlin Willcox, Françoise Benoit-Vical, Dennis Fowler, Geneviève Bourdy, Gemma Burford, Sergio Giani, Rocky Graziose, Peter Houghton, Milijaona Randrianarivelojosia, Philippe Rasoanaivo
A “reverse pharmacology” approach for developing an anti-malarial phytomedicine
Merlin L Willcox, Bertrand Graz, Jacques Falquet, Chiaka Diakite, Sergio Giani, Drissa Diallo
Traditional medicines as a mechanism for driving research innovation in Africa
Ivan Addae-Mensah, Foluke Fakorede, Andreas Holtel, Solomon Nwaka
The plant-based immunomodulator curcumin as a potential candidate for the development of an adjunctive therapy for cerebral malaria
Patrice N Mimche, Donatella Taramelli, Livia Vivas
Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing
Marta Ferreira Maia, Sarah J Moore
Recent Publications of Interest
The following are recent publications by RITAM members:
Adama Gansané, Souleymane Sanon, Lamoussa P. Ouattara, Abdoulaye Traoré, Sébastien Hutter, Evelyne Ollivier, Nadine Azas, Alfred S. Traore, Innocent P. Guissou, Sodiomon B. Sirima & Issa Nebié (2010). Antiplasmodial activity and toxicity of crude extracts from alternatives parts of plants widely used for the treatment of malaria in Burkina Faso: contribution for their preservation. Parasitology Research 106(2):335-340
Adebayo, J. O. and A. U. Krettli (2011). “Potential antimalarials from Nigerian plants: A review.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 133(2): 289-302.
Gathirwa, J. W., G. M. Rukunga, et al. (2011). “Traditional herbal antimalarial therapy in Kilifi district, Kenya.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 134(2): 434-442.
Graz, B., J. Falquet, et al. (2010). “Ethnopharmacology, sustainable development and cooperation: The importance of gathering clinical data during field surveys.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 130(3): 635-638.
Graziose, R., T. Rathinasabapathy, et al. (2011). “Antiplasmodial activity of aporphine alkaloids and sesquiterpene lactones from Liriodendron tulipifera L.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 133(1): 26-30.
Liu, N.Q., et al., Comparative Quantitative Analysis of Artemisinin by Chromatography and qNMR. Phytochemical Analysis, 2010. www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/pca DOI: 10.1002/pca.1217
Lusakibanza, M., G. Mesia, et al. (2010). “In vitro and in vivo antimalarial and cytotoxic activity of five plants used in congolese traditional medicine.” J Ethnopharmacol 129(3): 398-402.
Mesia, K., R. K. Cimanga, et al. (2010). “Antimalarial activity and toxicity evaluation of a quantified Nauclea pobeguinii extract.” J Ethnopharmacol 131(1): 10-16.
Willcox, M. L., B. Graz, et al. (2011). “Is parasite clearance clinically important after malaria treatment in a high transmission area? A 3-month follow-up of home-based management with herbal medicine or ACT.” Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 105: 23-31.
Willcox, M. L. (in press). “Improved Traditional Phytomedicines in current use for the clinical treatment of malaria.” Planta Med.
Wright, C. W. (2010). “Recent developments in research on terrestrial plants used for the treatment of malaria.” Nat Prod Rep 27(7): 961-968.
Other publications of interest:
Abbah, J., S. Amos, et al. (2010). “Pharmacological evidence favouring the use of Nauclea latifolia in malaria ethnopharmacy: effects against nociception, inflammation, and pyrexia in rats and mice.” J Ethnopharmacol 127(1): 85-90.
Adams, M., W. Alther, et al. (2011). “Malaria in the renaissance: Remedies from European herbals from the 16th and 17th century.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 133(2): 278-288.
Al-Adhroey, A. H., Z. M. Nor, et al. (2010). “Ethnobotanical study on some Malaysian anti-malarial plants: A community based survey.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 132(1): 362-364.
Allabi, A. C., K. Busia, et al. (2011). “The use of medicinal plants in self-care in the Agonlin region of Benin.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 133(1): 234-243.
Asase, A., G. A. Akwetey, et al. (2010). “Ethnopharmacological use of herbal remedies for the treatment of malaria in the Dangme West District of Ghana.” J Ethnopharmacol 129(3): 367-376.
Chandel, S. and U. Bagai (2010). “Antiplasmodial activity of Ajuga bracteosa against Plasmodium berghei infected BALB/c mice.” Indian J Med Res 131: 440-444.
Dell’agli, M., G. V. Galli, et al. (2010). “Ellagitannins of the fruit rind of pomegranate (Punica granatum) antagonize in vitro the host inflammatory response mechanisms involved in the onset of malaria.” Malar J 9: 208.
Koudouvo, K., D. S. Karou, et al. (2011). “An ethnobotanical study of antimalarial plants in Togo Maritime Region.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 134(1): 183-190.
Lacroix, D., S. Prado, et al. (2011). “Antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of medicinal plants traditionally used in the village of Kiohima, Uganda.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 133(2): 850-855.
Lekana-Douki, J. B., J. B. Bongui, et al. (2011). “In vitro antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of nine plants traditionally used in Gabon.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 133(3): 1103-1108.
Meunier Q, Lemmens R, Morin A (2010). Alternatives to exotic species in Uganda: Growth and cultivation of 85 indigenous trees. Graphiconsult, Kampala, Uganda. ISBN: 978-9970-144-02-0
Muganga, R., L. Angenot, et al. (2010). “Antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of Rwandan medicinal plants used in the treatment of malaria.” J Ethnopharmacol 128(1): 52-57.
Maregesi, S., S. Van Miert, et al. (2010). “Screening of Tanzanian medicinal plants against Plasmodium falciparum and human immunodeficiency virus.” Planta Med 76(2): 195-201.
Nadembega, P., J. I. Boussim, et al. (2011). “Medicinal plants in Baskoure, Kourittenga Province, Burkina Faso: An ethnobotanical study.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 133(2): 378-395.
Namsa, N. D., M. Mandal, et al. (2011). “Anti-malarial herbal remedies of northeast India, Assam: An ethnobotanical survey.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 133(2): 565-572.
Nguta, J. M., J. M. Mbaria, et al. (2010). “Antimalarial herbal remedies of Msambweni, Kenya.” J Ethnopharmacol 128(2): 424-432.
Nguta, J. M., J. M. Mbaria, et al. (2010). “Traditional antimalarial phytotherapy remedies used by the South Coast community, Kenya.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 131(2): 256-267.
Pinmai, K., W. Hiriote, et al. (2010). “In vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of water extracts of Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, and Terminalia bellerica.” J Med Assoc Thai 93 Suppl 7: S120-126.
Ramazani, A., S. Zakeri, et al. (2010). “In vitro and in vivo anti-malarial activity of Boerhavia elegans and Solanum surattense.” Malar J 9: 124.
Ruiz, L., L. Ruiz, et al. (2011). “Plants used by native Amazonian groups from the Nanay River (Peru) for the treatment of malaria.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 133(2): 917-921.
Tagarelli, G., A. Tagarelli, et al. (2010). “Folk medicine used to heal malaria in Calabria (southern Italy).” J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 6: 27.
Wangchuk, P., J. B. Bremner, et al. (2010). “Antiplasmodial activity of atisinium chloride from the Bhutanese medicinal plant, Aconitum orochryseum.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 130(3): 559-562.
New Members:
We welcome the following new members who have joined since the last newsletter:
Margherita Alessandro, Master’s degree in Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Sciences, Rome.
Paola Camacho, Herbal Medicine student, University of Westminster, UK.
Omar GUEYE, PhD student in Biology and Human Pathology at Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal. Testing different Artemisia annua teas in vitro.
Dr Anirban Pal, Scientist, In-vivo testing facility, Molecular Bioprospection Division, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India. www.cimap.res.in
With best wishes,
Merlin Willcox