Antivenin Plants Used for Treatment of Snakebites in Uganda: Ethnobotanical Reports and Pharmacological Evidences

Abstract

Snakebite envenomation, cognized as a neglected tropical disease, is a dread public health concern with the most susceptible groups being herdsmen, the elderly, active farmers, hunters, fishers, firewood collectors, 10 to 14-year old working children and individuals with limited access to education and health care. Snakebites are fragmentarily documented in Uganda primarily because most occur in rural settings where traditional therapists end up being the first line defence for treatment. Ethnobotanical surveys in Uganda have unveiled that some plants are used to antagonize the activity of various snake venoms. This review was sought to compile the sporadic information on the vegetal species reported as antivenins in Uganda. Electronic data indicate that no study entirely reported on antivenin plants in Uganda. A total of 77 plant species belonging to 65 genera, distributed among 42 botanical families claimed as antiophidic in Uganda are used for treatment of snakebites. Majority of these species belong to family Fabaceae (30.9%), Euphorbiaceae (14.3%), Asteraceae (11.9%), Amaryllidaceae (9.5%) and Solanaceae (9.5%). The antiophidic species listed are shrubs (40.5%), trees (32.9%) and herbs (17.7%), usually found in the wild and uncultivated. Antivenin extracts are primarily prepared from roots and leaves, through decoctions, infusions, powders and juices and administered orally or topically. The most frequently encountered therapeutically important species are Allium cepa L., Carica papaya L., Securidaca longipedunculata Fres., Harrisonia abyssinica Oliv. and Nicotiana tabacum L. Baseline epidemiological data on snake envenomation and antivenin plants in Uganda remain incomplete due to inadequate research and diverse ethnic groups in the country. There is a dire need to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds in the claimed plants to enable their adroit utilization in handling the plague of snake envenomation. More baseline data should be collected on snake ecology and human behaviour as well as antivenin plants in Uganda. Indigenous knowledge on the use of plant preparations in traditional medicine in Uganda is humongous, but if this is not quickly researched and appropriately documented, indications as to the usefulness of this vegetal treasure house will be lost in the not so distant future.

Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Management of Cancer in Uganda: A Review of Ethnobotanical Surveys, Phytochemistry, and Anticancer Studies

“…A comprehensive literature search was performed in Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) from August 2019 to November 2019 following procedures previously employed elsewhere [26]. e search was performed independently in all databases.…”

“…for treating influenza and mental problems [202], headache, and indigestion [199]. As a salve to relieve muscle, joint, and toothache pain, to treat cough, asthma, and sore throat, as a stimulant, and to treat stomachache, seasickness, and flatulence [203] Insulinotropic activities [204] Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine and leaves in traditional medicine is a characteristic feature of materia medica in Uganda [26]. As reported elsewhere [238,240], embryonal plant parts such as fruits, seeds, buds, bulbs, and flowers which are reported to accumulate bioactive compounds are less frequently used in anticancer therapy in Uganda.…”

“…Traditional medicine practitioners either collect herbal plants personally or hire collectors. All traditional medical practitioners cultivate some medicinal plants especially fast growing ones around their homes and shrines in order to have them within easy access when needed [26]. e preparations are majorly administered orally, except in cases of skin cancers where they are applied topically as ointments.…”

“…ex) Oliver used in the management of venereal diseases (syphilis, HIV, and gonorrhoea), postpartum haemorrhage, sore throats, menorrhagia, threatened abortion, skin diseases, jaundice, cough, and sore eyes [33,179] is a good representative example. Such plants tend to be used in different communities for treating cancer and can be a good justification for their pharmacological efficacy [26].…”

“…Uganda, the pearl of Africa, is part of the East African botanical block and is blessed with over 6,000 plant species [24,25]. Plants are regaining shape and emerging as an integral part of the ethnomedical approach for the management of diseases in Uganda [26]. e most cathartically notable anticancer botanical species in Uganda are Prunus africana (Hook.f.)…”