Medicinal plants sold for treatment of bacterial and parasitic diseases in humans in Maputo city markets, Mozambique

Abstract

Background: In Mozambique, bacterial and parasitic diseases contribute to a high burden of mortality and morbidity. These infectious diseases are treated with antibiotics, antihelmintic or antiparasitic drugs. However, misuse of these has been affecting the potential to treat ailments. It has been reported that many people from Maputo city and province apart from the existing contemporary medicine, still use medicinal plants for treatment of diseases due to traditional heritage and beliefs. It is, therefore, important to register this knowledge in order to use it for future pharmacological studies. This study aimed to identify the medicinal plants sold in Xipamanine, Xiquelene and Mazambane markets for treatment of bacterial and parasitic diseases. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey, using interviews, was conducted to the main vendors of the markets. Data about the plant name, part used, mode of preparation and administration route were collected. Results: A total of 64 medicinal plants belonging to 32 families were listed as sold for treatment of bacterial and parasitic diseases in the three markets. Terminalia sericea, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Tiliacora funifera and Hypoxis hemerocallidea were the most cited plants. Roots were the most often sold suggesting it is the most used part. We also found out that medicinal plants trade is still common in Maputo markets. This suggests that people still use plant-based herbal medicines for their basic health care. Conclusions: Several medicinal plants were sold in Maputo city's markets for treatment of bacterial and parasitic diseases, with more emphasis on diarrhea and helminthiases. These plants were commonly bought by local residents and play an important role in the subsistence of vendors. Pharmacological studies are needed in order to isolate the plants active principles and understand their mechanism of action, so that new drugs can be developed.

Diversity and Conservation through Cultivation of Hypoxis in Africa—A Case Study of Hypoxis hemerocallidea

“…Hypoxis hemerocallidea is mentioned as one of the species used for the treatment of tuberculosis in Limpopo Province of South Africa [52]. The species was one of the most cited medicinal plants in the medicinal markets [53], used for treatment of malaria and venereal diseases in Mozambique [26,54]. Different Hypoxis spp.…”

Ethnobotanical Utilization of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. according to Herbal Medicine Traders in Benin.

“…In other words, fruits are generally less demanded than bark but indigenous people hold relatively more knowledge on its uses compared to bark. Barbosa et al [18] suggested roots as the most used part when noticing that it was the most often sold part. Our results con rm the fact that the most sold part does not automatically mean the relatively more important in terms of uses.…”

Chemical profile of the twigs of Ozoroa obovata by HPLC-MS-ESI and antimicrobial activity

“…Even with the intervention of antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs, the potential for treating some diseases has decreased due to the indiscriminate use of these drugs. As a result, the population has looked to medicinal plants for an alternative source for the treatment of diseases (SHARIFIFAR et al, 2016, BARBOSA et al, 2020.…”

“…R. & A. Fer. (Anacardiaceae), is marketed and traditionally used in Mozambique for the treatment of dysentery, inflammation of the chest, respiratory infections, low back pain, cough, chest pain, fever, diarrhea, and wounds (BANDEIRA;GASPAR;PAGULA, 2001, GRACE et al, 2003DE WET;VAN VUUREN, 2011, YORK;DE WET, 2012, WÜRGER;, SHARIFIFAR et al, 2016, BARBOSA et al, 2020. The potential against microorganisms that cause respiratory infections (YORK; VAN VUUREN; DE WET, 2012) and the presence of phenolic compounds (WÜRGER; MCGAW; ELOFF, 2014) in the leaves of O. obovata have already been reported.…”

“…Part of the economy and livelihood of the population of many of these countries depends on the exploration and trade of medicinal plants (TIMMERMANN; SMITH-HALL, 2020). However, the rapid growth of urbanization (BARBOSA et al, 2020), the destruction of forests by fire (MLIGO, 2019), overexploitation of plant resources, unsustainable harvesting practices (BRUSCHI et al, 2014), has aroused concern with the availability of these resources in the future (SEN; SAMANTA, 2014).…”